Chapter 5: Breaking Point
That evening… Jake and Grandpa were sitting on a bench outside of the hotel. They chilled there for awhile, just to talk, and get things out in the open.
"So, how was I this morning? It was pretty awesome how I used the sword and all…" Jake smiled to his Gramps. However, he did not smile back.
"Jake, you made a critical mistake out there. You almost got yourself killed! Even if you did save your self in the end, we can't afford to any more errors in this competition." He sternly said.
"Dang, you coulda cut me some slack!"
"No I will not 'cut you some slack.' I know you can prevail in this, you just have to work harder." Gramps made out.
Jake thought of what Gramps said. He thought, there was more to this than him actually believing in him. "Gramps, what happened when you were in this competition?" Jake finally got the guts to bring up.
Lao Shi gave out a sigh, as he knew this question was finally going to be asked. He breathed a deep breath, and got the courage to finally tell him. "It was a very long time ago. I was 17 at the time, and decided to join the competition because my old dragon master recommended me. Me and my friend Lopa, the Brazilian Dragon decided to join together. But back then I was… very, very native, but I wanted to win so badly. So each competition, I tried my hardest to win. By the end of the game, I was in the top two, along with Lopa. The last game was a race in the ice rinks of the nearby planet. At start of it, Lopa and I were at the front. But then, an ice glacier flew by, and it hit me and I got stuck in its crack. Lopa turned around, and stared at me from afar. I begged her to come back and help me, but she continued on, and won the race. Eventually, I got myself out, only to come in last place. I never heard from Lopa again."
"Sounds harsh." Jake rose in eyebrow, interested in his story.
"It was. Not only that, it was humiliating. See Jake, I don't want to see you go through that kind of humiliation. I want to see you win, because I know you can.
Jake gave a vague smile right back at him. He understood now why, his grandpa had been a bit on the harsh side at him.
"But come, we must get some sleep. Tomorrow we shall train you before you start your next task." He jumped off the bench and walked toward the entrance. Jake soon followed, and the two joined Fu in the hotel room, and went to sleep.
Jake and Gramps woke up early the next morning. They walked out of the hotel, to see a most of the contestants ranting up toward the stage.
"Why should that loser stay in the competition!? He and his dragon master both cheated!!" Kakiri yelled to Aylonn who was across the way on the stage.
"Yeah. Not only did he help out that African Dragon, his dragon master helped him on too. I agree that the American Dragon should be kicked out!" Hazlin now started to speak out. Everyone was yelling with commotion, it was hard to hear. It seemed everyone was having an outrage, at how Gramps yelled toward Jake at yesterday's first task. Aylonn turned around and talked to Querdis and Bailatic.
With a few silent conversations, Aylonn turned around and spoke aloud to the audience. "Everyone, please clam down!" He said, trying to calm them down. "Even with the disagreement you people are telling me, we have decided to let the American Dragon stay in the World Dragon Games." The crowd did not like that answer.
The contestants yelled in anger at his decision, but there's nothing he could do. Aylonn walked across the stage over to Lao Shi, and spoke once more. "But from now one, you are not to help your apprentice during the tasks." He pulled down his sunglasses. Then he put them back on, and walked over to his brothers.
However, what people didn't know, was that actually the two guys that followed Aylonn, were not his brothers. They were actually Aylonn's alter egos, which he created from himself. They represent other sides of his actions, so that he may always get a clear picture of every situation. The three looked exactly alike, but the two 'brothers' hid their identities by wearing sunglasses. He walked over, and had a private conversation with them.
"What are our plans for the next task?" said Querdis, which was Aylonn's side of questions.
"I say we go for a more of a race event," said Bailatic, who was Aylonn's side of worry.
"No, we must have a battle event again; it is the only way…" Aylonn started to make out.
"But what if they start to catch on!!!" Querdis started to tremble. "I agree with Bailatic."
"They will not catch on. These humans are as dumb as bricks." Aylonn crossed his arms.
"But what if they do!? We need to be on the save side. Don't worry; we will still have enough power with the next two tasks…" Bailatic convinced Aylonn. Aylonn gave a sigh, but he agreed with the too.
"We will combine it then." Aylonn put back on his sunglasses, and walked back on to the center of the stage.
The people were still angered, and still determined to get rid of the American Dragon. "Listen people. As I said before, he has signed a binding contract, which means he cannot leave this competition UNIL he tries the fourth task!" Aylonn started to sweat a bit. The crowd started to calm down, but still disappointed by his decision. "Now… you all should be preparing for the next task. You need all the training you can get in, it will be held tomorrow. Till then…" Aylonn walked off to the stage. They started to walk away, finally giving up.
Jake Long got bad looks, as the people walked by him. Even the once kind Aldo, gave him an evil stare from afar. Gramps told Jake to ignore their disproval, and dragged Jake back into the hotel.
"Now, let's get back to training…" Gramps said to Jake, as Jake was not saying a word. He needed something to say, to break the ice.
"What's the point? Everyone hates me here," Jake said lying on the ground, playing with his hands.
"Jake, do not worry about everyone else. You want to prove them wrong, and show that you can win this right?" Gramps urged to Jake.
Jake got up a bit, regaining his confidence. Jake thought of his words, and decided to agree with his grandpa. "Yeah… YEAH. Let's show those punks, what the Amdrag is really made up!" Jake stood up; ready to do whatever it will take to win this.
"Come young on, this is our last break to practice before the next task. We must work on your psychic connection with your doppelgangers." Gramps said, as he and Jake left the room, headed down to the practice arena.
How will Jake do on the second task? And what is this, secret plan, Aylonn is setting up. Find out, next time :)