Chapter 20: The Horrible Test Of Jackknife Part 2

Gallows yelled as he charged toward Jackknife.

The green dragon ducked and the claws passed over his head. The blade of his helmet pointed forward and charged at the dark beast. The blade hit the thoracic cage of Gallows, but failed to break it.

Gallows grabbed the blade and tried to break it with his boned hands, but it was too solid. He grunted furiously and called a dark ball and aimed for the dragon's head.

Jackknife grabbed the arm and lifted the arm. The ball of dark energy passed over him and exploded on the roof. Jackknife used his wings and threw Gallows on the ground before kicked the face of the dark monster.

"How can you be this...strong?" Gallows asked quietly to himself.

Jackknife didn't reply about his question and said, "You won't live long enough to obtain the answer."

Jackknife tried to pierce the eye of Gallows with the blade of his helmet, but missed as the dark best rolled on the ground.

Gallows flew away and rethought his strategy, "Dammit. He's...so much more powerful than I thought. I...I can't lose no matter what," Gallows saw the green dragon coming at him with killer glare. He grabbed the blade again and grunted painfully when it hit his chest and lightly pierce him. He faced the amber eyes of the green dragon and said, "Let's fight another way."

Jackknife didn't get what he said, but remained cautious.

"Behind you Jack!" Tasuku yelled.

Jackknife turned his head around and saw a spear coming at him. He tried to dodge it, but was too slow and it pierced his back. The dragon grunted painfully while Tasuku desperately yelled the dragon's name. Jackknife took the spear and took it out of his back, "I'm fine Tasuku. This won't kill me!"

Jackknife watched the dark balls coming from Gallows. He dodged them and flew toward the dark enemy. He knew range wasn't his ally in this fight while Gallows had more abilities when away from the enemy. He knew it was Gallows tactic as he tried to maintain a safe distance from him.

Tasuku watched the battle and tried to do anything to help Jackknife. It wasn't possible because he was restrained. He could only helplessly watch his friend fighting to rescue him. Secret traps appeared around his friend, but Jackknife dodged them and even grabbed one spear to throw it at Gallows chest.

The boy looked down at the cards in his deck and tried to grab it. He knew it was useless, but it was the only thing he could do, "If only I could grab one. If only," Tasuku desperately said. He heard a loud dragon scream and looked back at the battle, "JACK!"

The green dragon was on the ground with the claws of Gallows in his stomach, letting the dragon's blood coming out.

"Your life is about to end Findar," Gallows chuckled.

Jackknife took one small glance at Tasuku, winked before looking at Gallows and saying, "Maybe."

Gallows knew something bad was about to come. He was right when Jackknife grabbed his arm and pointed his blade toward the dark being face.

Jackknife yelled, "Die!" before his helmet blade pierce the right eye and came out from the back of the skull.

Gallows screamed before he escaped the grasp of the green dragon, "You won't...kill me that easily."

Jackknife was about to charge when Gallows flew in front of Tasuku, "Fight me you coward!" he yelled before coughing blood out of his mouth.

Gallows furiously yelled, "I have enough of this game and this fight! You just can't die and let me get your head!" before moving his claws toward the boy.

"Tasuku!" Jackknife yelled before charging forward.

"STOP!" Gallows ordered, moving his claw near the face of the boy.

Jackknife stopped and grunted like the enraged dragon he was.

Gallows chuckled before saying, "You have now two options Jackknife. One: Escape and let this boy die. Second: Die and I'll let this boy live. What is your choice?"

Jackknife shouted and looked at the boy, before looking back at Gallows, "The choice...is clear."

Tasuku winked as his breath accelerated, "No! Don't!"

"I have no choice Tasuku. I have to protect you no matter what," Jackknife replied giving him an apologetic smile.

Tears felt from the eyes of the boy as he yelled, "I don't want that!"

"I don't you to die because of me!" Jackknife yelled back at the boy.

Tasuku didn't reply when he saw the eyes of the dragon. He saw that Jackknife wanted to cry, but held back his tears.

"Come close, so I can kill you," Gallows ordered.

Jackknife landed on the ground and walked at the direction of the dark creature. He said nothing, but always looked in the eyes of Tasuku.

Tasuku wanted to do something, anything to get out of his situation and saved Jackknife, but the cards were away from him. He tried one last time to reach them, but couldn't. He looked at Jackknife with despair. He wanted to do anything to help.

The only thing both of them could do was to remember silently all what they lived together.

None of the three noticed it, but the deck was starting to lightly shined.

"Hurry up. I don't have all day," Gallows said. He then looked in the air and added, "Okay, I have all day, but it's boring to wait."

The deck on the ground shined even more. Something interrupted it before anything happened.

Cerberus suddenly appeared and tackled Gallows at his flank and sent him away.

"Back off! This reward is mine!" Cerberus yelled.

Tasuku wondered who that giant three headed wolf was when he saw Rouga appearing behind him, armed with his spear.

"Him?" Tasuku whispered surprised.

Rouga looked at Tasuku and said, "I was right to interrogate you, even if it wasn't successful. You are Jackknife ally." Rouga pointed his spear toward Gallows, "Anyway, you are in our way for the reward."

"Me? You are in my way!" Gallows yelled furiously pointing his claw toward Cerberus. He knew he was in trouble because Rouga had spell cards with him.

"You don't deserve to get the reward," Cerberus grunted at the Dark creature.

"Using an hostage that way, it's despicable," Rouga added as he took a spell card.

Jackknife saw an opportunity and turned into his chibi form. He flew toward Tasuku as the battle spread between Gallows and Cerberus, supported with Rouga. The confusion of the fight allowed Jackknife to be by Tasuku side. He put his claw on his mouth and the boy's nodded. Jackknife broke the chains and switched into his real form. He took Tasuku on his back and the cards and flew away before their enemies noticed they escaped.

Gallows panted painfully while Cerberus smirked.

"You are only winning the battle because I'm wounded and tired," Gallows grunted. He grunted loudly when he saw beside Cerberus chains on the ground. "THEY ESCAPED!"

Cerberus and Rouga also noticed it. They didn't mind, now that they knew who was with Jackknife.

Cerberus said, "But you won't."

Gallows flew backward as Cerberus charged with his weapons. The dark monster summoned traps and forced Cerberus to dodge them. Gallows escaped in a secret door and left Cerberus and Rouga alone.

The two searched around.

"We almost got Findar!" Cerberus grunted furiously.

Rouga smirked before saying, "Maybe, but we know how to find him. It's only a matter of time now."

Cerberus nodded. The two turned around and walked away, "If we find this Gallows. We shall kill him. He will try to kill us."

"So we shall kill him first," Rouga replied.

"If he comes in our way," Cerberus agreed.

Gallows came back in the small room he left Shido. He entered in there and felt weak for a second, when his injuries overwhelm him.

Shido gasped surprised when he saw the dark monster coming back and falling on the ground, bleeding on the ground.

"Shido...end the spell...And heal me," Gallows ordered.

Shido gladly stopped the dimensional spell and they were back in the small room, back to normal.

Gallows turned back in his chibi form, or the room would blow by his size and probably finished him.

"Now. Heal me," Gallows ordered.

Shido watched Gallows and took out the card. He thought about last time, when Sofia told him that he could be free if Gallows died. He watched his tormenter on the ground, bleeding and shaking weakly.

They made eye contact, both watching and judging the other.

Gallows saw well that the boy thought of abandoning him or finishing him. He slowly called his remaining strength do anything against Shido.

Shido saw in the eyes of Gallows that the dark monster hadn't reach the agonizing stage yet. The purple eyes were shining with determination and strength. He sighted, defeated in this silent interaction and drew his healing card.

"Sha. Sha. Sha. Smart boy," Gallows said.

Shido already regretted it, but it was the best option. He didn't want to die because he tried something probably stupid.

Gallows raised up once his wound were partially closed up. He checked his body and knew he had to wait for a while for it to completely heal up. He had no choice but to wait and prepare his revenge.

Jackknife and Tasuku were back home. The green dragon was exhausted and even after the boy healed his wound. His stomach still had the mark of the claw that pierced his body. The pain remained strong, but he chose to take the injury after all.

They were both silent. None of them said a word. After all that happened, none of them could say a thing.

Jackknife knew what the boy was thinking. It was crystal clear and didn't need any thoughts about what happened in his mind. He could start the conversation on the topic, but his lips refused to move.

Tasuku watched his friend silently, looking in his amber eyes. Since he healed his draconic friend, he said nothing, the fresh memories coming back. The boy grasped his courage. He was about to say something, but his heart sank as his courage broke. He dashed and hugged Jackknife stomach.

Jackknife was surprised, but put his hand on his back and closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Tasuku weakly said.

Jackknife felt the boy was about to break. He knew Tasuku was strong, but to reach that point, "Do not apologies Tasuku."

"It's my fault you almost die Jack. If I wasn't capture, you wouldn't be hurt and fighting him alone," Tasuku said, his voice trembling and lightly hesitating.

Jackknife pat the head of the boy and replied, "You couldn't expect anyone to ambush you that way Tasuku. No one can predict the future. You shouldn't...You could have died because of me...You know. I should be the-"

"No!" Tasuku yelled.

Jackknife remained silent, but looked at the boy, glaring at him.

"You don't apology! It's not your fault! You are my friend...No...More than that...We are family Jack. I cannot be a burden to you!" Tasuku yelled. His legs were weaker, but Jackknife supported the boy's weight, "I don't care about the risk...But I care about putting you in danger. I don't want to lose you."

Jackknife replied, "I don't want to lose you either."

"But why did you choose to sacrifice yourself for me?" Tasuku shouted. He sobbed for a second, but immediately stopped sobbing. "Why do you want to protect me no matter what? I want to protect you too!"

Jackknife sighed as the boy held him tighter, "Tasuku. You are a kid and compare to me, you have a future with many possibilities. I know you want us to be together forever, but if something must happen...It should be me and not you."

"My future...Is with YOU Jack! No matter what," Tasuku replied.

Jackknife started lightly scratching the head of the boy, "You are stubborn Tasuku."

The boy replied, "You too."

They said nothing for a while. Jack felt a tear falling on his stomach and looked at the boy, putting his forehead on his stomach.

"Jack...Is there a way to...end all this without...letting you captured?" Tasuku asked.

Jackknife replied sadly, "I don't know."

A long silence started with none of them moving. After a while, that silence ended.

"Jack."

"What?"

"We are a family right?"

"Of course," Jackknife replied, surprised to be asked the question.

"Family stick together right?"

"Yes."

"So...Why aren't you trying that much?"

Jackknife was dumbfounded by the question. He hesitated before asking, "What do you mean?"

"You said you wanted to leave me behind or sacrifice yourself for me. That's not sticking together," Tasuku replied.

Jackknife lowered his head and replied, "You are under my responsibility Tasuku. I have to protect you," he stayed silent for a few seconds before adding, "Just like you...When you think about it."

Tasuku noticed it and replied, "True."

"We are little too similar...right?" Jackknife asked.

Tasuku didn't need to reply, it was obvious.

A loud sound interrupted them. Tasuku lightly chuckled before lightly tapping the dragon stomach, "Looks like you're hungry."

Jackknife chuckled, "Right. I came to save you after all."

"Looks like we'll have to order something," Tasuku said. He let go of Jackknife. The dragon also did it and let the boy order supper.

In Gao's house, the family and the dragons were eating together. Drum was silent and looked at Gao. He didn't know what to say to him or how to say it. He thought it would have been easier to say it with the rest of the family, but it wasn't. He sighted and decided to wait for Gao to be alone before telling him about Tasuku. He told himself that it would have been simpler if Tasuku and Gao weren't friends.

Drum already knew it couldn't go well. Gao trusted Tasuku and knew the boy with blue hair was a good kid.

"Tonight. I'll tell him and hope for the best," Drum told himself.

AC: This is the end of chapter 20.

Chapter 21: The True From Drum.

The true isn't easy to be said.