Chapter Three: Guardian Rescue: Earth
"Boys, wake up!", John said as he turned the lights on to the dojo, where the three were sleeping. "Wake up boys!"
"We're up. We're up.", Angelo said as they woke up.
"Mr. Vanders, it's three in the mourning!", Nigel said. "Can't this wait?"
"No, because the gem has located one of the girls!", John said.
"What?!", Eric asked as he sprang up. "Which one?!"
"Not sure.", John said. "But the gem will show you. Then you can teleport there and get her back."
"We can teleport?!", Angelo asked.
"You never told us that!", Nigel said.
"Well, you can.", John said. "Just circle around the gem and think about going to where the closest Guardian is."
The boys did just that, after grabbing there packs of water and food. The gem then glowed as an image started to appear above it. Slowly a face started to come into view. After a few seconds, the face of Cornelia was shown as clear as day.
"Looks like Cornelia's first.", Nigel said.
"She could be anywhere.", Angelo said. "From the rain forest, to a mountain, or dessert."
"We'll just have to go and find out.", Eric said. "So, how do we teleport?"
Suddenly the gem began to glow. In a flash of light, it vanished with the boys.
"Now it begins.", Yan Lin said. "Come on Johnny. I'll cook you something to eat, seeing as we're both wide awake now.
"Good luck boys.", John said as he and Yan Lin headed for the kitchen.
Meanwhile the boys reappeared in a rain forest.
"Looks like Corny's in the rain forest.", Angelo said.
"Better than a dessert.", Eric said.
"Man, it's dark here!", Nigel said looking up. "And I see why."
Angelo and Eric looked up to see dark clouds spreading over the sky.
"Looks like they're using Cornelia's power to darken this part of the world.", figured Eric.
"Well, let's go find her and get her out of here.", Angelo said as they walked in the direction of where the clouds were coming from.
"Do you guys notice how well we're taking this whole Dragon Knight thing?", Eric asked as they walked through the forest.
"I thought I was the only one, man!", Angelo replied.
"Me too, dude!", Nigel agreed. "It feels like we've been doing this a long time."
"It could be the training we went through.", Angelo suggested.
"Maybe.", Eric said thinking about it. "Whatever it is, I can't wait to see what we can pull off with our weapons!"
"Same here!", Angelo said.
"Ditto.", Nigel agreed. "I'm so stoked!"
After walking for about three hours, the boys noticed that there weren't many Shadow Minions stationed around the area, which made sneaking around them easy. Soon they were found themselves at a temple. At the top of the temple, a beam of energy was shooting up into the sky, creating the dark clouds, that were spreading across the area.
"Okay. We know where Cornelia is.", Angelo said before taking a drink of water. "Now we need to know if she's on top of the temple or inside it."
As Nigel looked up at the temple, as he placed his hand on a tree to support himself. Suddenly, he could sense the things around him. He could see the shadow minions around the area. He could even see that Cornelia was on top of the temple.
"Guys, she's on top of the temple!", Nigel said still amazed at himself.
"How the heck do you know that?!", Eric asked.
"I don't know.", Nigel said. "The second I placed my hand on this tree, I was able to see the just about everything around me through the earth and plants."
"You are the Earth Dragon Knight.", Angelo said. "Maybe it's like having an inner radar."
"Could be.", Nigel said. "I just wish we knew what kind of powers we all had."
"That would be nice.", Eric agreed. "But for now, we need to save Cornelia. Any Ideas?"
"I say we go charging in!", Nigel suggested.
"I'm game.", Angelo agreed. "Only we go in without our armour. Just our weapons. Just to throw them off a bit."
"Sounds like a plan.", Eric said as he held his Dragon Pendant. "Star Shield!"
"Star Fist!", Nigel said doing the same.
"Star Blade!", Angelo said summoning his weapon.
Some Shadow Minions heard the noise and walked towards where the Dragon Knights were, only to be surprised by them jumping from the bushes, ready for battle. Nigel was the first to attack by striking the ground with his Star Fist, sending a shock wave that knocked a few of the minions to the ground. Eric then used his Star Shield and threw it at the minions that were getting to their feet. Once it hit a few of them, they just turned to nothing.
"Your uncle was right, man!", Eric said to Angelo. "They just go poof, when we take them out."
"Well Uncle John did say that they were just dark energy, being controlled by one of Shadon's generals.", Angelo replied.
"Then let's find that general!", Nigel said as he took out three minions with a hard right.
The three Dragon Knights fought their way through the shadow minions. The minions were getting struck by Eric's and his Star Shield, bashed by Nigel and his Star Fist, or slashed by Angelo and his Star Blade. They fought their way to the top of the temple. Once they caught site of the crystal shell, Cornelia was in, the three knights were ready to break Cornelia out when a blast of dark energy hit them, sending them back a few feet.
"What was that?!", Angelo asked.
"No idea.", Eric said as they slowly got to their feet.
"Whatever it was, it was powerful.", Nigel replied.
Just then they heard laughter. Then in a swirl of black mist, a man appeared. He was of average build, with long blue hair, and gray eyes with pale-colored skin. He wore black armour, and wielded a pair of black long swords.
"Who are you?!", Angelo asked.
"I am Shadoo!", the dark warrior answered. "I am one of the six of Shadow Generals, in Shadon's army! And your destruction!"
"I think we'd better armour up guys.", Eric suggested.
"No question there.", Angelo said as he placed his Dragon Pendant on his belt, along with Nigel and Eric. "Fire Dragon Armour!"
"Earth Dragon Armour!", Nigel yelled calling his armour.
"Wind Dragon Armour!", Eric yelled calling his armour.
In a flash of light, the boys were in their Dragon Knight armour, and ready for battle.
"Now let us dance.", Shadoo said taking a fighting stance.
"Let's go then!", Nigel said as they all charged at Shadoo.
Soon, the battle began. As Angelo and Nigel charged at Shadoo, Eric threw his Star Shield at him. Shadoo struck the Star Shield, with one of his swords, sending it at Angelo, knocking him back. Then he used his other sword to block Nigel's attack with his Star Fist. He then hit Nigel with his knee, knocking him back towards Angelo and Eric.
"Take this, Dragon Knights!", Shadoo said jumping into the air. "Shadow X-Slash!"
Shadoo then waved his blades in an "X" pattern, sending a powerful wave of energy at the knights, knocking them down hard. After a few seconds, they slowly got to there feet, hurting from the attack.
"Okay this isn't working.", Eric said as Angelo handed him his Star Shield.
"You think?", Angelo asked sarcastically. "What gave it away?"
"Is that all you have, Dragon Knights?", Shadoo asked with a smirk.
"I say we wipe that smirk off his face!", Angelo said as he charged at Shadoo.
But with every attack, Shadoo was able to counter each one. Nigel then charged at him full force, only to be flipped over towards the edge. Eric then threw his Star Shield at Shadoo, who jumped put of the way. Angelo then slashed at the crystal Cornelia, making a crack in it.
"No!", Shadoo said as he landed in front of the crystal shell, taking his stance, ready to defend it.
All three knights noticed the crack and how fast Shadoo was to guard it.
"You shall not pass me!", Shadoo proclaimed.
"You guys thinking what I'm thinking?", Angelo asked with a smirk.
"Oh yeah!", Eric and Nigel said.
"Let's crack that puppy!", Eric grinned.
Angelo was the first to charge. Shadoo stood his ground, as Angelo connected with his sword. But from out of nowhere, Eric jumped over them both throwing his Star Shield at the crystal, making a bigger crack.
"All yours, Nigel!", Eric said. as his landed behind Shadoo, blocking him from behind.
Nigel then jumped over them, ready to make the final blow. His Star Fist then started to glow with power. Suddenly, he somehow knew what to do.
"Star Fist Buster!", Nigel yelled as he connected with the crystal, with his Star Fist.
At first nothing happened. Then slowly the crystal started to break apart, until it finally shattered, freeing Cornelia.
"It seems that I may have underestimated you three.", Shadoo said as he jumped away from them, landing near the front edge of the temple. "Now let's see you beat me and protect the girl!"
"Oh boy!", Angelo said as the three took a battle stance.
Shadoo then charged at the boys. Eric stood firm, blocking his attack, while Angelo and Nigel came at Shadoo from both sides. Shadoo was able to block Angelo's attack, only to be struck by Nigel's blow.
"Blast it!", Shadoo snapped as he jumped away, only to be followed by Angelo who slashed at his armour, cutting it a bit.
'They're improving!', Shadoo thought to himself.
While in the air, Eric appeared from out of nowhere and roundhouse kicked him back to the temple roof.
"Where did that come from?!", Angelo asked his friend.
"No idea!", Eric replied. "It just came to me!"
"I wonder what else we can do!", Angelo said as Shadoo was getting to him feet.
"Let's find out!", Nigel said charging at Shadoo.
Shadoo had little time to do anything when Nigel hit him with an uppercut, sending him into the air.
"My turn!', Angelo said as he jumped in the air towards Shadoo.
Once close enough, Angelo hit Shadoo with a flaming back-flip kick, sending him higher. Shadoo then felt himself being bonded. He looked to see a thin metal wire wrapped around him. He looked down to see Eric holding it on the other end.
"Go for it, Nigel!", Eric said.
"With pleasure."
Shadoo looked up to see Nigel above him. His Star Fist glowing with power.
"Have a nice day, pal!', Nigel grinned as he came down with his attack. "Star Fist Buster!"
Once the attack connected, Shadoo came crashing back down to the temple.
"Now that had to hurt.", Angelo said as Nigel landed next to them.
"That's one General down.", Eric said. "And at least five more to go."
"And two to one, their just as strong as he is.", Nigel figured. "If not tougher."
"Well, at least he's......... No way!"
Angelo was interrupted when he saw Shadoo slowly getting to his feet. His armour were cracked or dented in a few places, while some parts were falling off. Suddenly Shadoo started to glow as the area started to shake roughly.
"You may have beaten me, but there are five more generals to beat!", Shadoo laughed. "And they have powers that you've never seen!"
The glow got brighter as his laughed. Grabbing Cornelia, Angelo and the other two Dragon Knights, ran down the steps of the temple before Shadoo blew up, causing the dark cloud to fade away. Once at the bottom of the stairs, they looked up to see a clear night sky.
"I guess when the Shadow General goes, the dark cloud goes with them.", Eric said.
"I guess so.", Nigel said as he turned towards Angelo, who had Cornelia in his arms. "How's she doing?"
"Okay, I guess.", Angelo said. "Won't know any better until we get back home."
"How do we get home anyway?", Eric asked.
Suddenly, the white gem, that brought them there, came out of the pouch of Angelo's armour and began to glow. Then in a flash they were in the living room of Angelo's home, where John and Yan Lin were watching TV.
"Is this my living room?", Angelo asked looking around.
A/N: One Guardian down, and four to go. The boys did pretty good on their first battle. But, how will they do in the ones to come?
Read on to find out! And please review.