AC: Here's a chapter that is between the next important events. I already put the title. It will focus on Jackknife and Tasuku. It's divided in two parts or more. Not sure about it.

Anyway, I think you can all agree that the action time and plot development of the Arc took around 10 chapters before getting interesting. Don't you agree?

Chapter 18: Next Step

The family was reunited with the dragons in the dojo. It was urgent and even The Punisher was present to listen. Halberd gave his entire report on what happened earlier with him and Hanako.

Halberd was surprised that Suzumi wasn't furious against him for putting her daughter in danger, but she still punched him on his shout, which was really painful in his chibi form.

Hanako sat by Gao side and was silent.

"This is what happen. If Ironchain and Asmodai weren't there, it would have ended badly," Halberd concluded.

The Punisher put his claw on his chin and thought about the situation. He grumbled loudly and replied, "The situation is getting worse than I thought. This Gallows is clearly a grave danger for this world. He tried to kill those who had nothing to do with the target and also those who are defenceless," he then grunted and said furiously, "This crime shall not go unpunished," he took a deep breath and calmed down.

"What can we do? He must be hiding and observing us. We cannot do anything because the darkness is clearly his element," Drum said.

"And I don't know what he looks like," The Punisher sighted.

Ironchain took a pencil and a piece of paper and drew it. He then showed it to his leader, "There! This is what he looks like."

The Punisher looked at the drawing. It was the perfect replica of Gallows in his giant form. He nodded with a smile, "Are you sure becoming a soldier was the best choice? You could become an artist with that talent."

Ironchain waved his right hand and replied, "Boring. I just draw when it's important. Fighting is important and arresting Findar is important."

"I decided to change the priority for now. Findar is a lessen threat to this world than this Gallows. I'll order all of you to eliminate Gallows when you see him," The Punisher said.

The other dragons gasped when he changed his orders. They said nothing until...

"I understand it. He tried to hurt my Drum-kin, but abandoning a mission for something else. Findar presence is the cause of that problem," Axia noticed.

Drum took a safe distance from Axia, but nodded, "He's right about the mission. Why changing priorities?"

"Because he is a direct treat to us. He will try to kill any of us again. You're kind aren't safe anymore, as long as Gallows is here," The Punisher answered.

The dragons nodded positively. It was the case.

"Findar is also busy hiding from us and won't try to attract attention," Halberd said nodding.

"That is all for the mission. The security of this world is primordial. Also, if you found Findar the 100th, arrest him and bring him to judgement. That is only if you crossed his path," The Punisher concluded. He stood up and walked close to Hanako. He inspected her and asked, "Did Gallows hurt you in any way?"

Hanako nodded negatively and replied, "No. Halberd protected me."

The Punisher smiled and patted her head, "That's good to hear. With Gallows around, I think it will be safer if Halberd watched the house with Axia."

Halberd nodded and said, "As you command."

"Drum. Continue watching over Gao and the school. If the one who helped him is at the school, it is possible that Gallows tries again," The Punisher ordered.

Drum nodded and said, "You can count on me."

The Punisher nodded and replied with a smile, "Good. I shall now make my leave and tell the other dragons the change of plan."

The Punisher walked outside the house and left them alone in the house.

Asmodai and Tetsuya sat on the roof of a tall building and watched city from above.

The pink demon watched the boy by his side and lightly smiled, "Still listening to the music?"

"Of course. It's best to have the beat in my skin," the boy replied with a smile. Tetsuya silently watched the city and around him. His smile slowly disappeared as he closed his eyes.

Asmodai noticed it and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Asmodai. We did good saving Halberd and Gao's little sister, but Gallows escaped. It worries me a lot," Tetsuya replied.

Asmodai chuckled and replied, "He was only lucky. We didn't need luck to beat him, so there is no reason to worry about it," he crossed his arms and added, "We will be there to stop him. We have to keep our guard up."

"One question Asmodai. How did you know something was going on there? We weren't there or closed by," the boy asked.

Asmodai smiled and replied, "That's a secret trick I have. It's not for you to know," he noticed Tetsuya glaring at him. He chuckled and said, "Come on. We saved them at least."

The boy then decided to focus on the music once again. Asmodai looked around and whispered, "This world changed so much. This world named changed just as it's form."

Zanya sat on his bed and looked outside. The day was ending and the sun disappeared. Tsukikage was in his mini form, reading a novel the boy had.

"Tsukikage...Are you sure you saw Gallows today?" Zanya asked.

Tsukikage nodded and said, "Nun."

Zanya grumbled and replied, "Attacking a Gao's little sister. This is bad."

Tsukikage took out his scroll and showed it, "Yes. We need to stop Gallows first."

Zanya finished reading it and asked, surprised, "Are you serious? I thought you wanted to hunt Findar at first priority. I accept it because I owe you."

"I fear he'll aim for your little brother." Tsukikage replied on his scroll.

"Thank you," Zanya said before smiling. He looked at the ninja and said, "Why do you think about my brother that much?"

"I like him," Tsukikage replied on his scroll. He then looked down and showed another message, "I also despite those who are that lowed."

Zanya heard the door knocking and knew from the rhythm it was his brother, "It's opened."

The door opened and Zanya little brother entered. Zanya's little brother was named Akatsuki Kisagari. He had peach skin, magenta hair and amber eyes. He wore a blue shirt with a hood, darker blue pants, fingerless glove and a silver bandana with a shuriken on his forehead.

"Hi Zanya. Hi Tsukikage," he said with a smile.

Tsukikage raised his hand and nodded as he said, "Nun."

"What are you doing here? I thought you had homework for school?" Zanya asked.

"Already done. I want to learn a new trick," Akatsuki asked Tsukikage.

Tsukikage glanced at Zanya who nodded with a smile.

Tsukikage stood up and turned into his real form. He picked Akatsuki and went on the roof.

"Since Tsukikage came, Akatuski always tries to learn how to be a ninja...He read that manga too much," Zanya commented before sighting, "If he continued, I'm going to own him even more."

The commander of the police force sighted after sending his report. He read another one and sighted once again.

"There is nothing new about those dragons appearing except what we get," Commander said.

He read another one and lightly smiled, "So we finally have an image took a while ago about a dragon. Let's see...Ha!" he gasped surprised. He had a picture of a young boy with blue hair on the back of a green dragon. He saw the boy smiling brightly with the dragon who also smiled, "Tasuku. He befriends a dragon?"

Commander thought back. He remembered when he first met Tasuku.

It was three years ago when he rescued Tasuku on the mountain. He remembered that the boy was staring at the horizon, even in the helicopter. He remembered what Tasuku whispered: Jack. He remembered that he helped the boy after he found him. He was often in contact with Tasuku every time he needed help. He showed him how to cook, how to clean the house, etc. He was a little like a father toward Tasuku.

"It's been a while since he called me. I remembered that last time I was there, I told him I saw something green under his bed and-. Maybe it was that dragon, but much smaller. Form what that Gallows did...They can change size, maybe he did too," the commander stood up and walked outside of his office, toward the elevator. He whispered, "What did you get into Tasuku? You hold a big secret."

He decided to visit Tasuku and visit him next Sunday. The Commander was too busy during the week.

Gallows finished eating the Takoyakis with a grin on his face, "They are burning my inside. So good." He was alone on the house of a house. The moon shined in the sky. Only a few stars were present because the light of the city hid them. Gallows breathed fire out of his mouth, "My stomach's on fire. That tool really knows how to prepare great meal. This world is heaven for the tongue and the stomach. Sha. Sha."

He patted his stomach and watched the sky. A shadow passed in front of the moon and grabbed his attention. He flew higher and looked around.

"I was sure I've seen so-" He gasped when he heard the sound of wings.

He used the darkness of the night to hide his presence.

"I think the night is the perfect time to fly," a voice said.

Gallows heard a deep voice and guessed it wasn't one creature of this world. His eyes shined more as he saw through the darkness as clear as day. He saw every details of his surrounding and followed the voice.

"You're right Jack. But we should stay here for long," a human voice replied.

He saw who were talking and his eyes grinned, "Findar the 100th and a being of this world with him. Sha. Sha. Sha. I think I saw this boy at school with this accursed boy of this world and his dragon who pierced my chest. Sha! An idea is forming in my mind. I know how I shall bring Findar's head. I have to prepare my two tools for this."

The dragons were sleeping on the ground of the dojo, except Drum who discreetly walked in Gao's chamber to sleep on the bed.

Halberd eyes were still open, thinking back about what happened during the day, "I should have been more careful. Hanako was under my protection and I put her life in danger."

Slept wasn't coming for him when he heard someone entering in the dojo. He wondered who it was when he recognised her.

"Hanako. What are you doing here?" Halberd whispered when she was near him.

Hanako sat near him and replied, "I couldn't sleep. I'm always thinking about that Gallows. How can he be so...bad?"

Halberd thought about it. He remembered she was a young child after all, "Not everyone is good in any worlds Hanako...Hanako. I'm sorry for putting you in danger."

"It's not your fault Halberd," Hanako replied, sitting by his side, "You saved me."

Halberd turned his head toward her, "Thank you. It's kind to say that. You should try to sleep again."

Hanako took his hand and asked, "Can you sleep in my chamber?"

Halberd asked surprised, "Hum...Why?"

"I had trouble because...What if he came back?" Hanako asked.

Halberd knew why she asked it. She was young and something like that left a mark. Halberd stood up and replied, "Alright. I shall be there to protect you if anything tries to attack you."

Hanako smiled and hugged the minidragon, "Thank you."

Halberd smiled and hugged her back, "I'm doing my mission Hanako."

Hanako whispered, "Halberd. What will you do when you capture Findar? Do you have to return to your home?"

"Yes. I'll have to return home once the mission is over," Halberd replied with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Then everything will return to normal," Hanako replied sadly.

Halberd replied, "Not everything will return to normal. We discovered this world and many of different worlds will explore it. Your world will have the reputation of exquisite meal and will attract others. Hanako. Even if I return home...I promise I'll visit you."

"Promise?" she asked.

"Promise," Halberd replied.

AC: This is the end of chapter 18.

Chapter 19: The Horrible Test Of Jackknife Part 1.

What evil plans does Gallows have in his mind? You'll see in the next chapter.