Future Dragon: Rose Long (Season Seven)
Chapter/Episode 7: Trials Bring Treachery
Opening the doors to the kitchen, Holly quickly strode out into the dining area, where she saw Callum and Jake both standing a few inches away, staring at her. "Councilor, what were you doing in there?" Callum asked.
"Uh, nothing." Holly quickly lied, hoping that Callum and Jake bought her lie.
"Well, if you are ready..." Callum said as he took a step forward. "...It is time to prepare for the trial of Cherri Solorio and Savannah Rogers."
"Okay." Holly replied. "Prepare the guards at the prison. I'll be there as quickly as I can."
"Yes, Councilor." Councilor Callum said as he took a step back. Then, both Callum and Jake turned around and started to walk away.
Holly watched them carefully until the two of them reached the doors to the cafeteria, pushing them open and stepping outside.
Sighing with relief, Holly turned back around and quickly walked back into the kitchen, stopping in front of the stove, looking down at her blood, which had still not yet started to boil. Sighing, Holly turned her head to the side, staring out into the cafeteria.
"Hopefully no-one will come in here..." Holly hoped to herself.
Then, Holly walked out of the kitchen, walking away, growing her tail and using it to close the door.
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, Savannah's scaly hands were shackled behind her back, In her dragon form, Savannah stood in her cell and allowed her Dragon Council Agent guard to bind her wrists behind her. Then, once her guard had finished shackling her, the dragon put his claws on her shoulders and turned her around, walking her out of her cell, where Jake and Callum were waiting.
As soon as she had exited the cell, Savannah's eyes widened as she heard footsteps coming from her left. Turning her head to the side, she could see a dragon Cherri, with her hands cuffed behind her back, being walked toward Jake, Callum and Savannah along with two Dragon Council Agents, each holding one of Cherri's scaly arms.
Finally, Cherri reached Savannah and she was forced to turn to the side so that she and Savannah were standing side-by-side.
"Hey, Cherri." Savannah said as she turned her head back to normal. "How you doing?"
"Same old, same old, I guess." Cherri said.
Just then, Callum and Jake turned to their sides as well as Holly turned around the corner, starting to walk towards everyone else.
"They're all ready, Holly." Jake said.
"Good." Holly said as she reached Callum and Jake. "Let's get this trial over with."
LINE BREAK
Meanwhile, Rose, in her dragon form, landed on the wooden dock that she had become familiar with. Panting, Rose reverted to her human form in a bright light.
As soon as the light faded, Rose took a deep breath, trying to catch it as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her communication device.
"I hope this works..." Rose said as she pressed a button on her device. Seconds later, the holographic image of Silver appeared.
"Hey, Silver." Rose said.
Upon hearing Rose's voice, Silver's face lit up. "Rose!" She cried. "How nice to see you again!"
"I wish I could say the same." Rose said.
"Is...Is something wrong?" Silver asked, her smile fading.
"Yeah, it's about Cherri and Silver." Rose answered. "Do you think you could send some transportation on up to me?"
"I'll be right on it." Silver gave Rose a small smile. Then, her holographic figure vanished. Quickly, Rose put her communication device back into her pocket. Then, she waited.
LINE BREAK
The doors to the Main hall were opened and Cherri and Savannah were both led it, where they could see that Councilor Rin was standing in front of the table in her dragon form.
Cherri and Savannah were stopped just a couple inches away from Rin, who crossed her scaly arms.
"What kind of trial is this?" Cherri asked as she looked around the room. "There's no jury, no nothing." She said as she turned her head back to normal.
"That's because this isn't really a trial." Councilor Rin said as she lowered her arms.
"What?" Savannah asked. "Then what is this?"
"We already have the confession from Dragon Solorio via truth serum..." Rin said as she indicated Cherri. "...As well as from your victim, Rose Long."
"But what about Savannah?" Cherri asked. "What has she done?"
"We know she's associated with you, Dragon Solorio..." Holly suddenly said as she, also in her dragon form, suddenly walked over to Rin's side and turned to face the two captive dragons.
Narrowing her eyes, Savannah growled softly while she stared at Holly. However, as she stared at Holly, she was surprised to see that Holly looked really tense. She had an anxious vibe to her, and as Savannah looked into Holly's eyes, she could see that her facial features briefly twitched. Was there...fear...in her eyes?
"Now as soon as Jake and Callum get here..." Holly said, putting her clawed hands on her hips, no doubt trying to occupy herself so her troubling thoughts would no longer be troubling. "...We can begin and get this over with."
At that moment, the doors to the Main Hall opened again. This time, Callum and Jake, both in their dragon forms, walked inside.
Callum walked around Cherri, while Jake walked around the side of Savannah. Both Savannah and Cherri could only watch as the four Councilors met at their rightful places at the table. Then, even though they were all in their dragon forms, they all sat down.
"Alright..." Holly said, narrowing her eyes. Then, she took a deep, calming breath. "...Let the trial begin."
BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
The doors to the elevator slid open and Rose stepped out, seeing the smiling Silver about a foot away. "Hey, Rose." Silver said cheerfully as Rose reached her.
"Hey." Rose said.
"So, one question..." Silver said.
"Ask away."
"You said something was wrong." Silver said. "It wasn't...something I did, right?"
"No, I said it was about Cherri and Savannah."
"I know." Silver replied. "Except, I was the one who let the Dragon Council come in."
"Well, I don't expect you knew what was going to happen, right?"
"No, I had no idea." Silver said. "You can trust me on that."
"I do." Rose said. Then, she smiled. "Now that we have that covered, walk with me. We'll talk."
LINE BREAK
Back on the Island of Draco, Cherri and Savannah remained standing, held in place by their Dragon Council Agent guard.
"Dragon Solorio..." Holly said as she stared at the two dragons. However, Savannah was staring at the Council too, and although she could see that Callum and Rin were attentive, she could see that Jake looked down and uninvolved with the hearing, as if he was lost in his own thoughts, while Savannah could see Holly's facial features twitching twice as she continued:
"...We already know that you are guilty, so there is nothing to discuss with you. As for you, Dragon Rogers..."
"Savannah didn't do anything." Cherri interrupted.
"This isn't your place to speak!" Rin growled.
"...Dragon Rogers..." Holly continued. "...Do you have anything to say for yourself before I continue?"
"Cherri is right." Savannah said. "I didn't kidnap Rose. I didn't even make the order."
"Oh, then who did?" Callum asked.
"That doesn't matter." Savannah said.
"She's right." Holly clasped her clawed hands together. Another twitch from her facial features, and Savannah could see her chest expand as she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"Right about what?" Callum asked as he turned his head to the side.
"It doesn't matter." Holly said. "What matters now is that we have Dragon Rogers. She was part of the so-called group that kidnapped Rose. Seeing as how Dragon Rogers vowed that we would pay-"
"I didn't vow revenge on you guys!" Savannah shouted.
"Then what did you vow?" Rin asked.
"I said that you would see that you were wrong." Savannah said. "There is a difference!"
"I don't see one." Rin said.
"Neither do I." Holly said. "Seeing as you said that you would show us, I'm not sure if I believe you when you say that it was not you who ordered my friend to be kidnapped."
"I didn't." Savannah insisted.
"Very well." Savannah said. "But even if you are telling the truth, you still are responsible for being a member of the group that had Rose kidnapped in the first place."
"Then why aren't the rest of my friends here on trial with us?" Savannah asked dangerously, narrowing her eyes.
"We don't have to answer to this." Holly said as she stood up. "Councilors, follow me into the back. We will discuss the fates of these two dragons." As she finished speaking, Rin and Callum both stood up together, followed by a slow Jake.
"No, I want to know!" Savannah yelled. "I want to know why you let them go, even though they are only as guilty as I am!"
"Because, Dragon Rogers!" Holly barked. "Because, frankly, I just don't trust you. You said that you would show us that we were wrong. Well, I don't like the sound of that. While your friends were probably scared into staying away from a life of crime, you I'm not so sure about. Rose said you didn't orchestrate her abduction, but I think you fooled her and now I think you're lying to us. I think you had something to gain from her abduction."
"How many times do I have to say that I didn't?"
"The only way that we would be able to know for sure is if we gave you a truth serum." Holly said. "But honestly, I don't have time to wait for it to be made."
LINE BREAK
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Silver asked as she used her tail fin flaps to walk alongside Rose. "Everyone came back here except for Savannah and Cherri."
"That's exactly what I wanted to know." Rose said. "I wanted to know if they all returned."
"What happened?" Silver asked as she turned her head to the side. "What happened after they were all arrested?"
"The Council let Gilda, Maverick, Arkadi, Lexy and Lista all go." Rose said, prompting Silver to turn her head back to normal.
"And as for Cherri and Savannah?" Silver asked.
"Both are still in prison." Rose replied.
"Do you know if they are going to get released?"
"Actually..." Rose said. "...I want them to be released. There's just one problem. They're going on trial. I overheard Jake and Councilor Callum talking, and I don't think it's going to end well."
"Have you tried to talk to the Council?"
"Yes." Rose said. "They won't listen to me." She added, turning her head to the side.
"Not even Jake?" Silver asked as she turned her head to the side as well.
"No." Rose said sadly right before she turned her head back to normal. "Not even Jake."
"But you two love each other so much."
"I know." Rose said. "Look..." She changed the subject as she turned her head to the side again, both stopping in their tracks before Silver turned her head to the side as well. "...Here's what I'd like you to do for me." Rose said. "Find everyone, and I mean everyone. Tell them to go to the cafeteria."
"Alright." Silver said.
Then, the mermaid turned her head back to normal and started to walk off.
LINE BREAK
Back on the Island of Draco, Holly, Callum, Rin and Jake were all huddled together in a rather small room.
"Alright..." Holly said as she crossed her scaly arms. "...Let's just decide on their sentences. I have something I need to get back to doing."
"Alright, you start Councilor." Callum told Holly.
"I say life in prison for both of them." Holly said. "Councilor Callum?"
"I think that's a little harsh." Callum said. "Perhaps ten years for Dragon Rogers and twenty years for Dragon Solorio?"
"For kidnapping Rose, that's just not enough." Rose growled. "Councilor Rin?"
"I feel that it is your choice, Councilor Jennings." Rin said.
"Jake?" Holly asked, turning her head to the side, only to see that Jake wasn't paying attention to what his fellow Councilors were talking about. He was lost in his own thoughts, staring off into space.
"Jake!" Holly barked, her eyes flashing with anger.
Jake was only snapped out of his thoughtful trance when Holly used the back of her clawed hand to slap him in the belly, making him grunt. "What?" He asked, blinking, looking in both directions. "Who? Where?"
"Jake!" Holly barked again, making Hake look at her.
"Yeah?"
"We were just going over what the sentences for Cherri Solorio and Savannah Rogers should be." Holly said impatiently.
"Dang, Holly!" Jake said. "You don't have to be so rude abou-"
"Jake!" Holly barked again.
"Alright, alright." Jake gave in, putting his clawed hands on his hips. "I agree with ya, Holly."
"Perfect." Holly said, turning her head back to normal. "It's all settled, then."
LINE BREAK
"Now, we've thought long and hard about what you two should be sentenced to..." Holly said as she, Jake, Rin and Callum all sat down in their proper seats at their table, still in their dragon forms.
"Somehow I doubt that." Savannah said.
"...And it's been decided..." Holly continued. "...That both of you will be spending the rest of your lives on this island, behind bars."
BLACKOUT; COMMERCIAL
BACK TO THE STORY/SHOW
Rose was sitting in Lono's chair in the dining room, waiting for everyone to come in. Seconds later, the door opened and Maverick and Lista both entered, both in their human forms, and with their medallions around their necks. When they saw Rose, they both froze and gasped.
"Rose?!" Maverick asked in shock, just as Lexy entered, also in her human form and with her medallion around her neck. Lexy was quickly followed by both Gilda and Arkadi, who also had their medallions around their necks and were in their human forms.
"Oh, great." Gilda said as both she and Arkadi reached Lexy's side. "She's back."
"Who were you expecting to see?" Rose asked as she crossed her arms. "Cherri? Savannah?"
"What are you even doing here?" Lista asked. "Weren't you back with your husband, or whoever he was?"
"Yes, but something more important has come up." Rose said as she placed her hands on the surface of the table.
"What?" Arkadi asked in his Russian accent as the angry Gilda crossed her arms.
"The Council wants to put Cherri and Savannah in prison..." Rose said. "...Despite what I've been trying to tell them."
"So what do you want us to do?" Lexy asked.
"Since the Council won't listen to me..." Rose narrowed her eyes. "...I'm not going to listen to them. I talked to my sister-in-law's Dragon Pupil earlier today and he told me that I needed to take action. That's exactly what I'm going to do."
"What are you going to do?" Arkadi asked.
"I'm going to break them out." Rose said simply. "And I'd like you all to help me."
"Screw that!" Gilda said before she turned and walked away. "Come on, Arkadi." Without saying a word, Arkadi slowly turned around and followed Gilda.
"Rose, we'd like to help..." Lista said as both Maverick and Lexy turned around and followed Gilda and Arkadi out of the room. "...But..."
"But what?" Rose asked.
"We were all just arrested." Lista said. "The only reason we're not going to jail for a very, very long time is because of an act of mercy by the Dragon Council. Rose, we need to stay out of this. I'm sorry."
Then, Lista herself slowly turned around and started to walk out of the room.
Sighing, Rose lowered her head. "I understand." She said softly and sadly. "No need to apologize..."
LINE BREAK
On the Island of Draco, Holly, in her human form, stepped into the kitchen again and without closing the door, instead, she walked over to the stove and looked down, seeing that the blood still wasn't boiling.
"Aw, come on!" Holly moaned.
Just then, the doors to the cafeteria opened and Councilor Rin, now in her human form, walked in, looking in both directions. "Councilor Jennings?" She called out.
Hearing Rin's voice, Holly gasped and then turned to the side.
"Oh, there you are." Rin said as she stepped into the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Holly asked.
"I actually came here on the behalf of Councilor Long." Rin said, putting her hands on her hips. "No offense, Councilor Jennings, but you were rather, um, well...inconsiderate."
"Oh?"
"He seemed to be rather troubled..." Rin said, clasping her hands together. As she continued to talk, she glanced to the stove, her eyes falling on the pot: "...It just seemed kind of...rude..."
"Well, you can tell Jake that I'm sorry." Holly said as she crossed her arms.
"What's that?" Rin asked as she pointed at the pot.
"It's nothing." Holly quickly said.
"Are you cooking something?" Rin asked as she took a step forward.
"I said it's nothing." Holly said as shot her arm forward and placed the palm of her hand on Rin's chest, stopping Rin from taking another step forward, but not stopping her from looking down, seeing the blood in the pot.
"What are you doing, Councilor?!" Rin asked with utter shock, looking up just in time to see Holly become engulfed by a bright light, transforming into her dragon form.
Rin's eyes widened and she gasped, only to whelp as Holly spun her around, pinning both of her arms behind her back.
"What are you doing, Councilor?!" Rin demanded in shock as Holly started to walk her towards the exit.
"You're leaving." Holly growled as she and Rin walked out of the kitchen, Holly still not letting go, and instead walking towards the doors of the cafeteria.
"Councilor, I just want to-"
"Well, you're not going to." Holly cut her off. "And you're not going to go to Jake or Callum, either. If you do, I'll send your tail right back to prison. Here's what you are going to do for me, Rin: You're going to make sure that no one comes into the cafeteria or kitchen."
By this time, they reached the cafeteria doors and Holly had them pushed open. After only two steps out onto the grass, Rin grunted as she was shoved away, falling down on her hands and knees.
"You've lost it, Councilor Jennings!" Rin accused as she rolled herself over.
"And you'll lose your freedom, not to mention your post if you tell anyone what I'm doing!" Holly threatened, pointing down at Rin. Then, Holly turned around and started to walk back into the cafeteria.
Grunting, Councilor Rin sat up, just in time to see the doors to the cafeteria slam right in her face.
"How will I be able to tell the Councilors what you're up to?!" Rin shouted, extending her arms out to her sides. "I have no idea what you're doing!"
LINE BREAK
Sometime later, Rose landed on the grass on the Island of Draco, panting after a long flight back. However, as Rose tried to catch herself, she saw Councilor Callum, in his human form, walking along the grass.
Her eyes widening, Rose quickly reverted to her human form. As soon as the light had faded and she was in her human form, Rose bolted towards Callum.
"Councilor Callum!" Hearing the sound of Rose's voice, Callum stopped in his tracks and turned his head to the side, seeing Rose running towards him.
"Hello, Rose." Callum said as he turned to his side once Rose reached his side, panting as she put her hands on her hips. "Your husband is in your room, I believe."
"That's not what I want to know." Rose told him once she had caught her breath.
"What can I help you with, then?" Callum asked.
"I'd like to know about the trials for Cherri and Savannah." Rose said. "Are the trials over? Have you reached a verdict?"
"Yes, the trial is over..." Callum said, the look on his face showing Rose that he was not very happy about the outcome.
This gave Rose hope.
"And?" She asked, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Life imprisonment." Callum said. Then, he sighed. "Personally, I think that's a little harsh. Ten years for Dragon Rogers and twenty for Dragon Solorio seems justifiable, but life for each just sounds cruel. Alas, it was the majority ruling."
By now, Rose's eyes were wide with horror. This was much worse than she had anticipated.
LINE BREAK
That night, Rose stood on the edge of the island in her dragon form, her eyes narrowed.
"I'm all on my own..." Rose said to herself. "...Just when Savannah and Cherri have been sentenced to life. I still have to help them. I just have to do it on my own."
Then, she flared her wings, flapped them and took off into the air.
BLACKOUT; END EPISODE
A/N: Please review.