Chapter Four: Eric's Question, Cornelia's Embarrassment
"Welcome back.", John said getting to his feet.
"I take it you won your first battle, seeing as you have Cornelia here.", Yan Lin suggested.
"That and cleared the dark cloud from the area.", Eric said proudly as he removed his Dragon Pendant from his belt buckle making his armour vanish. "Not bad for our first day on the job."
"Now we just have to beat the other five Shadow Generals.", Nigel said yawning changing back to normal. "But first, I need some sleep."
"I heard that.", Angelo said as he handed Cornelia over to his uncle. "Can you see to her, Uncle John? I'm to tired to do anything."
"To tired to even greet your Grandpa Joe?"
Angelo turn to see his grandfather walking in from the kitchen. He was as tall as his Uncle Joe. Only he had some gray hair.
"Grandpa Joe?!", Angelo said as he took off his dragon buckle, removing the armour. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see my grandson after his first battle.", Joe said.
"You're a Dragon knight too?!", Eric asked. "Is everyone in your family Dragon Knights, man?!"
"Most are.", Joe replied. "Most don't get called to duty unless it's important."
"Like now?", Nigel asked looking out the window. "There are Shadow Minions running around the city as we speak."
"And there are Dragon Knights out there fighting them, driving them back.", Joe said. "And seeing as it's to dark for people to see, we can fight more freely."
"That's good to here.", Angelo said. "Any Shadow Generals come around here?"
"No.", John said laying Cornelia on the couch. "My guess is that they'll be guarding the rest of the Guardians when they set them up to make more dark clouds."
"Well, at least they're down one power source.", Eric said as Cornelia started to wake up.
Once fully awake, Cornelia looked around at the people looking at her. She then looked to see herself in her Guardian form.
"Don't freak out guys!!", she said sitting up. "I can explain everything!"
"Calm down, Cornelia.", Yan Lin said, sitting on the other end of the couch. "They already know about you and the girls."
"They do?!", she asked in shock. "Wait! Wasn't I in that Shadon guy's palace? How did I get here?! What's going on here?!"
"Sit back and we'll tell you.", John said.
"And while you guys do that, we'll be getting some much needed sleep.", Angelo said a he headed for his room. "You two can use the other spare rooms."
"No problem there.", Nigel said as he and Eric followed Angelo.
"What's wrong with them?", Cornelia asked.
"Well, it all started yesterday, when.........."
Meanwhile, in Shadon's palace, Shadon observed as Shadoo was defeated, by the three Dragon Knights.
"So, they've finally gotten their armour and star weapons.", Shadon said. "And they beat Shadoo as well. Most impresive. But there are only tree of them. I must beat them before the other two other two come along."
Suddenly, a small purple and black marble sized orb appeared in front of Shadon.
"Well Shadoo, I guess you weren't strong enough to beat them.", Shadon said as he took the orb in his hands. "Back in you go.",
Shadon then swallowed the orb.
"Let's see what the next battle will be like.", Shadon said as he pulled out another orb that was clear and empty. "Shadina!"
From the shadows walked a woman dressed in black armour. She had green eyes, and black hair, with tanned skin. In her right hand was a red bo staff.
"How may I serve you, Master Shadon?", the woman asked while bowing.
"Shadina, I want you to take the Air Guardian to China and start spreading the dark cloud there.", Shadon ordered as the clear orb floated towards her. "And watch out for those Dragon Knights."
"Do not worry, Master Shadon.", Shadina said as she took the orb, putting it in her belt buckle. "I will not be so easily beaten, as Shadoo was."
"See that you're not.", Shadom demanded. "Or you'll suffer the same fate as he did. Now go!"
Gulping, Shadina teleported away in a swirl of black smoke.
"Fear can be such a great motivator.", Shadon said before laughing evily.
Meanwhile at the Vander's home........
"You mean to tell me that I was saved by Angelo, Eric, and Nigel, who just became these Dragon Knights, because they were chosen to wield these Star Weapons to fight Shadon and his Shadow Horde?", Cornelia questioned. "And they have to save the other Guardians by beating one of these Shadow General, that are guarding them?"
"That's pretty much it.", John said. "And with each Shadow General beaten, the dark cloud over that area goes away."
"Wow!", Cornelia said in amazement. "Wait until the others find out about this. They'll freak!"
"They'll have to be found first.", John said. "And so far, nothing yet."
"They need time to set up at the chosen location.", Joe replied. "But in time they'll be ready."
"Not to change the subject, but do mind if I get some more sleep?", Cornelia asked before yawning. "I'm still a bit tired."
"Come with me child.", Joe said as he got to his feet. "I'll show you to one of the guest rooms."
Once in the guest room, Cornelia laid on the bed, ready to hit the sack. She then sat up looking at herself in her Guardian form. She then let out a heavy sigh.
"Is something wrong?", Joe asked.
"It's nothing.", she said sadly.
"It doesn't look like nothing.", Joe replied. "Now tell old Joe what's wrong. It may help you feel better to get it out."
"Well, I'm stuck in my Guardian form, which means that I can't really leave here, and go home.", Cornelia explained. "And with all these Shadow Minions running around, I'm worried about my family and friends."
"And the fact that you're not at full strength isn't helping you feel any better.", Joe added.
"The eight of us were at full strenght when we tried to take Shadon on and still got beat in one attack.", Cornelia complained.
"That's because Shadon is an opponent unlike any other.", Joe replied. "His power is from a black dragon, just like your powers come from one of the dragons of legend. But, Shadon also has the power of his armour to back him up."
"And that's where the Dragon Knights come in?", Cornelia asked.
"You got it kiddo!", Joe said. "The boys, along with their star weapons, will have the power to beat Shadon as they battle more of the Shadow Generals, and Shadon's other forces, getting stronger."
"I just wish Caleb was here.", Cornelia said. "He'd probably be out there fighting as well."
"Him along with Matt and the one called Mr. Huggles are getting the rest they need.", Joe replied. "Once they are ready, they'll be here to join the fight. Now get some sleep. You'll need the rest for the upcoming battles."
Cornelia laid down as sleep over came her. Joe walked out of the room, only to come face to face with a smiling Yan Lin.
"You're still good with the ladies, Joe.", Yan Lin grinned.
"And your still quite the lady, Yanny.", Joe laughed as the two walked downstairs.
"You think the boys have what it takes?", Yan Lin asked.
"No dout.", Joe said proudly. "I just wish that this kind of pressure wasn't put on them at this age. Both Guardian and Dragon Knight alike."
"You and me both, Joe.", Yan Lin agreed. "You and me both."
A few hours later, the three young Dragon Knights were up fixing breakfast, and setting the dinning room table.
"Let's see, we got pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and the syrup of course.", Nigel said observing the table they were setting.
"Plates and silverware are set too.", Eric added as he set the last plate on the table.
"How long are you three going to be?!", Joe asked. "Some of us are hungry!"
"Just about done Gramps!", Angelo answered as he pulled out the milk and orange juice, and set them on the table, along with some glasses. "Okay! Come and get it!"
Soon everyone was sitting at the table eating breakfast. At first, everyone was just eatting, and having small talk. Then, Cornelia noticed Eric staring at her every few seconds.
"Is something wrong, Eric?", she asked looking at him.
"Well, I was just wondering something.", Eric said. "Don't take this the wrong way, but how were you able to take your shower this mourning?"
Cornelia nearly choked on her food after hearing that question. Angelo, who was sitting next to her, patted her on her back, to make sure she didn't choke. After she was able to swallow her food, she glared at Eric.
"What kind of questioned is that?!", she asked.
"Well, with your wings and all, how were you able to get your shirt........"
"Stop right there Eric!", John said as Yan Lin and Joe began to grin. "They're just some questions you don't ask."
"Like this one.", Angelo said as he saw how red Cornelia's face was. "How she does it is her business, man."
Cornelia then, with a major blush, got up and walked out of the dinning room.
"I messed up, didn't I?", Eric asked.
"Oh yeah.", Nigel said. "Just be glad it wasn't Hay Lin you asked."
"Angelo. Maybe you should go talk to her.", John suggested.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.", Angelo said as he headed out of the dinning room. "I'll go check the guest room she's in."
"You know, Eric, I asked Yan Lin that same questioned, when it came to the whole shirt deal, when we were younger.", Joe grinned.
"And I told you I did it very carefully.", Yan Lin replied grinning. "That is after Halinor stopped chasing you with fireballs."
"Those were good times.", Joe laughed.
Everyone, at the table, broke out laughing at the story being told. Angelo, on the other hand, was at the door to the guest room Cornelia was at.
"You in there, Cornelia?", Angelo asked.
At first, there was no answer. Angelo started to head back downstairs, when..........
"Come in.", he heard Cornelia say.
Angelo then walked into the room. At first he looked around the room to see no one there. Then he looked up to see Cornelia hovering in the air in a laying down position.
"So, you okay?", Angelo asked.
"Yeah. It's just that, and you better not tell anybody this!", she demanded, landing on the bed in a sitting position..
"Mums the word.", Angelo promised.
"Honestly, I did have some trouble getting my shirt back on, after my shower.", she said as her cheeks turned a bit red. "I had to call Ms. Lin for help."
"Everyone needs help every once in awhile.", Angelo replied. "Nothing wrong with that."
"I'd just like to know where Eric came up with that kind of questioned.", she said.
"Actually, the three of us were wondering that while we were fixing breakfast.", Angelo replied. "I just never thought of asking you."
"And yet Eric ends up asking me.", she grinned. "Just like Hay Lin did a while ago."
"It's official. Those two were made for each other.", Angelo laughed, causing Cornelia to join him.
Suddenly, Uncle John came into the room, surprising the two.
"Is something wrong Uncle John?", Angelo asked.
"The locating gem has located Hay Lin!", John replied.
Once downstairs, Angelo and Cornelia saw the locating gem floating in the air with the image of Hay Lin's face above it.
"Any idea of where Hay Lin could be?", Eric asked.
"No clue.", Joe said. "For all we know, she could be in Russia."
"Guess we'll just have to go and find out.", Nigel said as he grabbed one of the packs that John packed for hm.
"I'm coming too.", Cornelia proclaimed.
"No you're not.", John ordered. "You're staying here."
"But........"
"Not buts!", Joe said. "This is the boys journey. Not yours."
"But I can help!", Cornelia complained.
"And you'd be at risk of getting captured again.", Yan Lin replied. "I know you want to help, Cornelia, but the boys can't fight the Shadow General there and keep an eye on you at the same time."
"Don't worry, Cornelia.", Angelo said grabbing his pack. "We'll have Hay Lin back before you know it."
"Just bring her back safe, guys.", she pleaded.
"What kind of boyfriend would I be, if I did any less?", Eric grinned grabbing his pack. "Oh, and Cornelia?"
"Yeah."
"Sorry about earlier.", Eric apologized. "We cool?"
"Yeah, we're cool.", she said with a smile.
Then, in a flash of light, they were off to save Hay Lin.
"Good luck, guys.", Cornelia prayed.
A/N: Well the boys are off to save Hay Lin. Which means that Eric will be a lot more determined to save his girlfriend than Angelo and Nigel. Hope nothing doesn't go wrong.
P.S.: The whole thing with the shower talk was done for fun.
Please review.