Chapter 6
The next morning was New Years Eve and the group were making plans for the celebration as they took down their campsite. Edelweiss shifted back into her dragon form. She laid on the ground so they could load all the gear onto her back. She sang quietly to herself to pass the time.
"When we get back to the roof we should start making Yinglong a paper mache mask for New Years," Yi suggested. Edelweiss looked down at her with interest.
"A mask?" She asked. "Hmmm, that sounds fun." She flexed her wings. When all the gear was loaded, she got to her feet. "I'll meet you at the roof." She then looked at Nian and Yeren. "Thanks for your hospitality." Then she spread her wings and took off.
She flew low over the city streets. The people below were setting up all sorts of decorations. There were red lanterns, golden lion statues, and lots of dragon decorations. Edelweiss had to fly carefully to avoid getting caught in the lines of fish shaped kites. As she flew over the streets, people looked up at her. She ignored them and headed for the dumpling shop. She landed on the roof and removed her burden. The Minticon bounced up and down, happy to see her. She laid down and spread her wings to soak up the sun. She watched all the activity below. She sang more songs.
Soon the others landed on the roof. They were still talking about Chinese New Year. They were all excited. They got right to work designing a mask for Edelweiss. She looked over at the violin.
"Your dad gave you that violin," she said. Yi nodded.
"He used to play it to me all the time," she said. "And he taught me how to play it."
"You must miss him," said Edelweiss softly. Yi sighed deeply.
"I really miss him," she said. "I still feel empty when walked through our apartment." Edelweiss exchanged a look with Everest, who was looking sympathetic.
"I have a friend back home, his name is Eider," Edelweiss said. "His parents were shot down and killed by poachers when he was a very young dragonet. He said it hurt worse than all the physical injuries in the world combined. Then he met Avalon and Apollo, then later me, Black Widow, and her sister Eclipse. Being around us, and his foster parents, he said it didn't take the pain away it just made him strong enough to bare it."
"That makes sense," said Yi.
They talked more as they started to make the mask. Edelweiss laid her head down and kept still as they worked. They made the mask out of wires, red tissue paper, red ribbons, garlands of red feathers, red rhinestones and gold leafing.
"So what sort of creatures exists in your world besides dragons?" Jun asked. Edelweiss hesitated.
"We have a wide variety," she said. "There's unicorns, griffins, giant eagles, ferries, merfolk, phoenixes, winged horses, hippogriffs, and we have a tribe of centaurs."
"Whoa," said Jun, amazed. "I hope we can see your homeland someday."
"Nope, sorry," said Edelweiss. "Our home is completely off limits to humans now. My grandparents were willing to open our boarders to Hiccup and his friends. But ever since the dragons went underground and Avalon became queen, she closed our boarders permanently. She won't be happy that I'm even telling you about it."
"Well she doesn't have to know," said Jin. Edelweiss snarled, offended.
"No one lies or keeps secrets from Queen Avalon," she said. "She knows everything." She took a deep breath.
It took a good chunk of the day, but soon the mask was finished. Edelweiss carefully picked it up and examined it. It was a mask that covered her face and upper jaw, with holes for her eyes and nostrils. There were wires that she could secure around her horns. Long red ribbons and streamers trailed out the back.
"Beautiful," she said. She put the mask on, hooking the wires around her horns. The mask fit perfectly. She shook her head to make sure it didn't fall off, and it stayed in place. She then glanced around and spotted a tall sky scraper that had really reflective windows. She flew over to it, the ribbons and streamers flew out behind her head. She flew to the building and hovered there, admiring her reflection. The mask glittered in the sunlight, it reminded her of Apollo's scales glittering like a million pristine rubies. She turned around and headed back to the roof. She landed and Yi must have seen the sad look in her eyes.
"Don't you like it?" She asked.
"No I like it," said Edelweiss. "I was just thinking of how it reminds me of my friend Apollo. His scales are the same colors as this mask."
"Oh, you're homesick," said Jun.
"I'm trying not be," said Edelweiss. "I know you're having a good time, and I don't want to spoil things." Suddenly they heard Nai Nai calling them. She came onto the roof top, carrying a huge plate of dumplings.
"I've finished my new dumpling recipe for New Years," she announced. She passed the plate around and the all took one, including Everest. Edelweiss took the mask off as Nai Nai came to her with the plate. "For you divine dragon." Nai Nai held the plate over her head. There were three dumplings left. Edelweiss ate them in one bite. They tasted a bit funny, but not terrible.
"Wow, those were good," said Peng. "You're a genius Nai Nai."
"Customers will love these," said Yi. "What's the new recipe?" But before Nai Nai could answer, Edelweiss suddenly started coughing aggressively. They all looked at her, concerned. She kept opening and closing her jaws like a fish that was stuck on land and couldn't breath.
"What's wrong with her?" Yi asked.
"She can't breath," said Jun, sounding scared. Jin quickly put on his special diagnosing sunglasses and looked at Edelweiss, who was now clutching her throat.
"She's going into anaphylactic shock," Jin said. "That's bad." Jun looked at Nai Nai.
"What's in those dumplings?" She asked.
"Just a bit of roasted eel," said Nai Nai. Edelweiss looked at her horrified.
"Eels!?" She gasped. "I'm deathly allergic to eels." Then she started coughing again. She gnashed her teeth, gasping desperately for air.
"Oh no," Peng said. "What do we do?" Just then Edelweiss, who wasn't paying attention to where she was stepping, stepped off the edge of the roof. She fell towards the street. Everest quickly hummed up a big cloud so Edelweiss landed on something soft. They all looked over the edge. Edelweiss thrashed around like she was in pain, and struggled to breathe.
"Hang on Yinglong," Yi called. She grabbed her violin as Everest hummed up another cloud and they all climbed onto it. Everest floated the cloud down to the larger one. Edelweiss was laying on the cloud, she was wheezing as she was loosing energy. Yi put the violin to her shoulder, took a deep breath and started playing. The strings glowed blue and the music seemed to flow over the white dragon. Edelweiss started to improve. Her body glowed slightly with the same blue light from the violin strings. Edelweiss relaxed as her airway opened back up. She lifted her head.
"Thank you," she said. Yi lowered the violin, relieved. Edelweiss got to her feet, breathing deeply.
"I didn't know you were allergic to anything," said Jun.
"Eels are toxic to most dragons," said Edelweiss. She spread her wings and flapped them a few times.
"You going to be okay?" Jin asked.
"Yes," said Edelweiss. "I recover fast, most dragons do." She flew off the cloud and back onto to the roof, the others followed.
"You think you'll be able to join the celebration tonight?" Jin asked. Edelweiss exchanged a look with Everest.
"I should be fine," she said. She picked up her mask and put it back on. Everest put on a red hat.
Then everyone headed out into the street to shop around for the rest of the day. Jun found several souvenirs to take home to her friends, and to her dragon. They also stopped at all the food stalls to get more treats. Edelweiss didn't touch any more food. She watched the people decorating the city. There were a number of dragon puppets going up and down the streets. Edelweiss liked watching them, and seeing the brightly colored puppets. Several people stopped to take selfies with Yi and her friends. Edelweiss didn't want her picture taken so she gnashed her teeth every time some one insisted.
As the sun went down, and the city lights came on, the group all headed back to Yi's apartment for New Year's Eve dinner. Edelweiss stayed on the roof with Everest and the Minticon. They all watched activity below. There were more dragon puppets dancing through the streets.
After dark everyone gathered at the water front to watch fireworks. All the magical creatures were there as well. Edelweiss settled down between Sewer Koi and Nian. The Minticon perched on Nian's back, and Funghuang perched on Edelweiss's horns.
"Did you enjoy your stay?" Nian asked.
"I did," said Edelweiss. "You guys have a beautiful city." At that moment the fireworks began. Everyone settled back to watch them. The crowd cheered excitedly. Then Edelweiss felt a tap on her arm. She looked down at Yi and Jun looking up at her.
"Maybe you can do a fly over," Jun suggested. "To honor the year of the dragon." Edelweiss considered.
"All right," she said. She spread her wings and took off. She flew over the water front, with the fireworks behind her. Edelweiss shot bursts of fire as she coiled and slithered through the air. The lights front the fireworks and from the city reflected of her scales like a multi colored disco ball. She danced over the water for a few more minuets, then flew over the streets. The other magical creatures followed, joining the dance. The people in the streets cheered louder.
The dance came to an end when storm clouds started rolling in and the wind picked up. The magical creatures met their human friends outside the dumpling shop, where Nai Nai was wait with a huge dinner waiting. The smaller creatures followed the humans into the shop, outside Nian shared a huge bowl of candied fruit.
When dinner was finished; all the magical creatures returned to their homes. Edelweiss, Everest, and the Minticon went up to the roof as the rain started. Everest retired to his cooling chamber, and the Minticon retired to their sugar cane. Edelweiss removed her mask and curled up in the middle of the roof. She fell asleep with her head under her wing.
The following morning it was time for Edelweiss and Jun to return to Rekke Town. Jun packed her bags, including the souvenirs she'd got for her friends. Edelweiss shifted back to her human form. She and Jun met their new friends on the sidewalk in front of the dumpling shop. Edelweiss was carrying both her guitar and her new mask. They all headed back to Mr. Burnish's tower. They talked the whole time.
"Shame you can't wear that mask as a human," said Yi.
"That's okay," said Edelweiss. "I can hang it up on the wall of my yacht. I know my queen will like looking at it."
They made it back to the helipad where Mr. Burnish was waiting next to Edelweiss's helicopter.
"It's all fueled up and ready to go," he said.
"Thank you Mr. Burnish," said Edelweiss. "How much do I owe you?" She reached into her pocket.
"Oh, no charge," said Mr. Burnish, waving his hand dismissively. "I don't charge dragons." Edelweiss smiled with gratitude.
"Well, at least take this tip," she said. She pulled out a chunk of dragoncite and handed it to him. Mr. Burnish looked interested.
"Oooh, what's that?" He asked.
"Just something from my world," said Edelweiss. "Don't loose it." Mr. Burnish accepted the dragoncite. Edelweiss then opened the big door of her helicopter as Jun was saying good bye to Yi and her friends.
"Thanks for letting me stay here," said Jun. "I had a blast."
"We did too," said Yi. "We'll defiantly come visit you guys next. I'd love to see more dragons."
"That'll be fun," said Jun. "I know Everest will like the Ice Realm." The Yeti grunted in agreement. Jun then hugged each of them. Edelweiss loaded her luggage, then loaded Jun's luggage. She got into the pilot's seat and started the rotors.
"Keep in touch," Jun said as she got into the helicopter, and closed the door. She strapped herself into a seat. Edelweiss lifted the helicopter off the helipad and steered it out of the city. Jun watched them fly away until the city was long out of sight.
The helicopter flew back the way it had come. Edelweiss sang to herself the whole way. Jun texted her mom that they were on their way home. They were both looking forward to being home again. The helicopter flew passed Mt. Everest, it's peak glowing in the sunlight.
The sun was setting when they reached the Kullersen Fissure. The helicopter approached ICARIS.
"Dracorex 1 on final approach," said Edelweiss into the radio.
"Welcome back guys," came Phil's voice. "The helipad is ready for you." Edelweiss steered the helicopter to the ICARIS helipad, where everyone was waiting for them. The helicopter landed and the rotors powered down. Jun opened the door and jumped out. Wu and Wei came bounding up to her, the other riders followed with their dragons. Jun beamed and hugged her dragon.
"Hey guys did you miss me?" She said. Edelweiss exited the helicopter looking tired but happy. Wei nuzzled Jun, while Wu gave Edelweiss a friendly nudge. She stroked his snout.
"Good to see you too," she said.
"So what happened on your trip?" Tom asked.
"Did you bring any presents?" Eugene asked.
"Let's go inside," said Jun. "I have lots to tell you. You want to come too Edel?" Thunder bounded over to Edelweiss and nuzzled her, roaring happily.
"Thanks, but I'm feeling very jet lagged," Edelweiss said, scratching Thunder's ears. "I should head back to my cabin." She looked to see her dragons coming to greet her. She gave Thunder a big hug then ran to her dragons, as Jun and her friends headed for their domes.
