Chapter 9: Inside the Warehouse

Fu trotted at the front of the line, followed by Haley, Trixie, and then Spud. They walked down on the rocky ground of the other island they were crossing into. The little water that separated the two lands was shallow enough to walk over. The island they were going to, known as Quatonplex Island, looked very similar to the island they were just on. The only thing different, was a giant warehouse building that cleared out most of the foliage. This giant building covered most of the island, and was the home for the Drametas.

Once off the course of the rocky sand, the group headed into the forest. It wouldn't be long, until they reached to the front of the building.

Being the intelligent one in the family, Haley Long couldn't help wonder they weren't actually being very, sneaky. "Ahh Fu, don't you think they'll see us just enter into their building?" She inquired.

"Relax kid. Drametas think they're so powerful, that they can protect themselves. Even so, they don't get too many visitors out here, so they find guarding the place pointless." Fu explained. Soon, Fu made an abrupt stop. He looked up, at the corner of the warehouse. It was a grayish-blue color, in need of a paint job. An eerie feeling came to the group. But in these kinds of situations, it was best to brush off those feelings, and stay positive.

Fu turned around, and looked at the three. "Okay, here's the plan. We will go inside the building. Me, Spud, and Trixie will hide somewhere unseen by the Drametas. Haley, in your dragon form, you will fly around, until you find the dragons. Once you do, come find us, and we'll think up another plan to free them." Everyone nodded their heads, to show they understood. "Okay, let's go through the back door." Fu pointed over to the other end of their current position. There was a door that would be used for their entrance.

They all slowly walked to that door. Trixie reached over to open it, but it wouldn't open. "It's locked!" She yelled, still trying to get it open.

Fu pushed her out of the way, and went up on two paws. He pulled out a small bag of dust, from his wrinkles. "Luckily I brought some unlocking dust." He sprinkled a handful on the door. Suddenly, the door prided open, making a creaking sound as it moved.

Haley decided to go in first, just to make sure it was safe. Luckily, no Drametas were in the area, so Fu, Spud, and Trixie went inside too. From where they were standing, there wasn't must to see. The hallway was their only thing, to view at. This two way hall was bright as day, as each wall was painted white. It was a fork in the road, which way to go?

Leading the group, Fu decided to chose a way. "This way." He whispered, and went to his left. Everyone followed. They slowly walked down the hallway, knowing that any second a Drameta could be walking down the same hallway, and catch them.

Nervous that they were going to get caught, Fu decided to look into the first door to their right. They needed to find somewhere to hide, for it to go according to plan. Lucky for them, that first door was filled with boxes and other supplies. Everyone quickly went inside, and slowly shut the door.

Fu stared up at Haley, making sure she got this down. "Listen kid, Drametas aren't that tall. So when you go down the hallways, fly high to the ceiling. Once you find Jake and the others, come back here. And make sure, you don't get caught, or we'll toast."

Haley nodded her head. "I got it." Instantly, she went into dragon form. She slowly opened up the door, and flew into the hallways.

With her head almost touching the roof, Haley soared down what seemed like the never ending pathway. This haunting fear that a Drameta could be coming at her any second now, trembled in her mind. But she had to be brave. She knew well enough, that she was capable of doing anything she set her mind too.

Suddenly, another door appeared to her right. She looked inside, to see another door on the opposite side of the wall. This room was huge; it looked like it was the center of the building. Haley examined through the clear window on the door, to see if anyone was inside. Once she was sure it was empty, she flew inside.

This place was as huge as she expected. There was a small alter in the middle, unknown for its use at this moment in time. If you were to look upward, you could see a clear roof, showing the stormy weather above the warehouse. And around the whole room, was exactly what she was looking for.

Thousands upon thousands of cages filled each corner of every blank wall. Each cage had a dragon inside. Each and every dragon remained in dragon form. Their cages were so small; most dragons were cramped inside the small pen. Haley flew around, looking through each cage. It seemed that all the dragons were…asleep? Who would be asleep, at a moment like this?

Suddenly, Haley stopped in front of a cage. The eighth cage down, in the middle, was her teacher, Sun Park. She was in a slumber, just like the rest of them. Haley grabbed the metal bars in the cage, and shook them upward. But no matter how much she budged, they wouldn't open. "Sun, Sun wake up!" She yelled.

Then, the eyes of Sun slowly started to open. She looked shock, to see Haley right there. "Haley, you must help us!" Sun spoke once her vision fully came back. Haley turned her head, to her dragon master's reaction. "The Drameta are strong, stay focus to beat them off."

Suddenly, another cage started to shake. One cage up and over one, was where her big brother was. His eyes were fully opened. He grabbed on to the bars, signaling his sister. "Haley!" He yelled, Haley flew up to see him, but suddenly all the anger that she felt for him was returning. "Haley, get me out of here!!"

Haley crossed her arms. "Why should I help you, when you never help me!!?" She replied.

"Say what!?" Jake shook the cage some more. But then he remembered what he did the other day. "Look Haley, I'm sorry for being there for you that one time. But we have to find a way to stop them." He looked intently at Haley. Haley's eyes started to dim down, she knew her brother was right, and felt bad for jumping the gun at him.

"American Dragon!" Another dragon called out. Haley flew over, to answer the dragon's call. When she looked into the cage on the other side of Jake, she noticed that it was Councilor Omina, one of the members of the Dragon Council. "American Dragon, you must do what's right, to help our people break free." Haley felt so honored, to speak with her like this. She nodded her head, in agreement.

Suddenly, and uproar of voices came into the room. Every dragon now, was wide awake, and talking. Haley tried to calm them all down, but it's impossible to stop this many people at once. It was very loud; someone was bound to hear us. But as Haley head over to the door, someone grabbed her from behind.

Haley turned her head, and stared at the three Drametas, right behind her. Their heads looked just like a mangled skull. But their hands were fleshly and furry. They had on robes, to hide their ragged body, and they had no feet to walk on. Haley tried to ruffle herself out from the Drametas long sharp nails, but it was no use.

The Drameta the held the young pink dragon, looked back at the two. The second one handed him a giant sack. The Drameta grabbed out a handful of dust, and threw it on the dragon's face. Eventually, Haley lost her focus, and blacked out completely.

Sorry it took me a while to write this chapter. One, I've been pretty busy. Two, kind of lost my focus, on this story. But I'm back, and ready to write some more :).