Dragon
Wars
Episode 6: Love & Trouble Pt. 1
Act One
At the Billy Madison Centre, Vanessa is walking down the hallway, but she has Brynn at her side.
Narrator: Everyone has a fad. Whenever it comes to girls, they would talk about whatever they're into in life. Either it'd be music bands, or favourite food, or even the cutest or the most popular thing to happen. Most of the time, it can be someone they have a crush on, but unlike any other fads, this subject shouldn't be kept a secret before it is too late.
Vanessa: I've finally got the work done on time. I was a little worried.
Brynn: I wasn't. I was able to go through my tests without stopping, and I had to, uh… ignore all of the yelling from downstairs.
Vanessa: At least I got to….
But then, Vanessa sees a little photo of Quinton acting as a bookmark in one of Brynn's books, and when she notices it, she hides it.
Vanessa: Was that Quinton Gunn I saw?
Brynn: [dense] It, uh… was nothing.
Vanessa: No way. You actually like this guy? [beat] You got a crush!
Brynn: Vanessa, I don't want anyone to know!
Vanessa: Your secret's safe. But… you should tell him.
Brynn: Tell him? But I don't know what to say.
Vanessa: You'll know what to say, Brynn. Just speak with whatever's in your heart and that will be fine.
Brynn: [beat] Okay. But you'll have to say to Drake first.
Vanessa: [gasps] Wait…. Are you… daring me? Because if you dared me, I can't refuse. It's a rule.
Brynn: It is, and I dare you to confess your feelings to him.
Vanessa: Okay, okay. When he comes back, I'll tell him. But I'd double-dare you to confess your feelings to Quinton.
All the way in Sudbury, Drake and Shadow are both there with SC Reg, where the troops surround a caught Ironback at Ramsey Lake. The Regges use all their strength to hold down the dragon, and Drake approaches it carefully.
Crosswire: Take it away, Dalloway. This guy is a fighter.
Drake: Just hold him steady, guys. I'm almost there.
[Shadow growls]
Drake: Shadow, down.
Drake cautiously approaches the two-headed sea dragon, which is flailing around its head and blowing steam from its jaws. However, he isn't fazed as he reaches out his hands.
[Ironback trumpeting]
Drake: Easy, you guys.
But when the Ironback notices him, both of their heads simmer down with the aggression, and they lower themselves down to sniff Drake's hands. It calms down, allowing Drake to pet on the snouts. He rubs the dragon's snouts, finally settling down, and the Regges applaud.
Stryker: Awesome work, Drake. Never doubted you for a second.
All of a sudden, there is more applause from behind, and it is coming from the city's people who praise Drake's success. They all rush over to the team, praising them, and Ironfist marches forth to Drake's side.
Ironfist: Another wild dragon, captured and calmed. Anything else you can't do?
Drake: Hey, I just walked in and showed him I'm no threat. His fishing quarters were dwindling, and he had to find fresh meat. Ironbacks can't prey on sheep or cows, without the smell of their… manure.
Ironback: Don't get your hopes up just yet, Private.
Then, the mayor of Sudbury walks through the crowd to approach Drake.
Mayor: Mr. Dalloway, on behalf of the populace, Sudbury gives you a gratitude for saving the local fish market and the peace in Ramsey Lake.
Drake: All in good times, Mr. Mayor. However, this Ironback would need a relocation where he can find plenty of fish. Away from Greater Sudbury, if I may suggest.
Mayor: Absolutely. [to the police] You heard the soldier. Get a helicopter and take him into the woods where there's plenty of fish.
The police march forward to surround the Ironback, and as Drake calms him down as he pets him, they put a net around the dragon for the choppers to pick him up. Ironfist motions the Regges, which gets them to clear space. Drake gets on Shadow, and flies off to avoid the crowds in Sudbury, making a landing at Moonbeach Beach, where there's hardly anybody around.
[Shadow chirps]
Drake: Yeah, bro, we have got to take a vacation. I don't mind being famous, but it can be a headache. Signing papers, taking selfies, speaking quotes. Not that I hate them.
Shadow snickers, but Drake looks at his half-brother with a glare, so he pushes his head away. Then the dragon whips his butt with his tail. All of a sudden, there is the sound of laughter coming from the trees. It turns out to be an old man who looks like a Native American sitting on a log by a bonfire.
Man: Boys. Even when they're animals, they know how to retaliate for fun. I suppose you're avoiding crowds?
Drake: I am. But… if you want an autograph-
Man: No need. Cr'Laku does not need an autograph. That is my name. I spend most of my time seeing and hearing the nature of things around.
Drake: Cr'Laku? That sounds almost Black Panther. But… see and hear what?
Cr'Laku: Whatever that happens. For I am from a family of shamans, dating back to when… white people first settled in on these lands.
Drake is thinking about it, and he gets an idea.
Drake: Actually, I have something that might need some answers.
He walks to sit on a rock by the other side of the fire, and takes out an old, leather cloth with Native American pictographs, the prophecy found ten years ago, before giving it to Cr'Laku.
Drake: Do you know what it is?
Cr'Laku: Ah. This is truly incredible. This was written by the Mississaugas, the First Nations people in southern Ontario. It is said here… when the world comes to a great war, a guardian angel will come. And he's with us now.
Cr'Laku is staring at Shadow when he says the last sentence.
Drake: Um…. I think you were meaning to say-
Cr'Laku: I have known about it for a while. When the Ultimate War broke out, I took shelter wherever I could, hoping to avoid the involvement of killing off animals trying to survive in a strange world. I have seen and heard things from everyone: rock, tree and creature…. All crying and hoping for salvation, no wars and no needless killing, until this summer, when everything settled down.
Drake: Okay, but how could the First Nations people know about… Christianity or any religion from beyond the sea?
Cr'Laku: There are many burdens to carry when you can… see the future, whether it would take years or decades to come true. Even centuries. So by the looks of this, I would say the people who made this cloth knew about your people's God and his angels, including the Devil.
Drake is relieved to hear that, but he places his hand on his scared chest, and he feels concerned about something.
Drake: But… does it say what would happen… if the guardian angel dies?
Cr'Laku: Does not say. Only what the angel is capable of doing. There are some pictures missing, and it has ripped sides, so this is only a piece of the prophecy that's bound to happen. How and when the rest goes on, it would be entirely up to you. Because you and your dragon are both very important.
Drake hears a Jeep driving ahead, and he looks over his shoulder to find the Regges arriving, but he looks back to find Cr'Laku already gone.
Dozer: Warm and cozy by the fire, eh? Yeah, I'd find it relaxing too.
Ironfist: Alright, men. Now that we're done here, we're going back to Ottawa, and we're gonna do some strategy planning for the next Blackhawks attack.
Drake: Actually, Captain, I'm gonna have to pass. I've got things to do.
Ironfist: What? Dalloway, turning down your commanding officer can be a federal offense.
Drake: Maybe, but I'm in both school and attempting to make a living. See you at the Shelters on the weekend.
Drake salutes to the Regges and mounts on Shadow, taking flight back into the air. However, Ironfist stares at him with a glare, concerned about him.
Act Two
At night, Drake and Shadow make it back home in Ottawa. But as soon as Shadow lands in the backyard, Drake takes out his phone to look at photos of him and Vanessa being together. He stares at them in thought about something, then the concerned Shadow nudged him with his wing.
Drake: I'm good, Shadow. Really. I, uh…. [beat] What do you think I should… tell her?
[Shadow chirps]
Drake: Well, I mean Vanessa. This may be the time that I'd tell her. How to… confess to her, but how? [pauses] Nah, maybe I shouldn't ask you. It's not like you had a date.
Again, Shadow whips Drake at the butt with his tail.
Drake: Yeah, maybe I should've brought that out, with being… the last Dark Saber anywhere. But anyway, I'll think about it. Let's go inside.
The two of them enter the house through the backdoor, but they notice the entire room is dark with the lights out. They grow to be very cautious as they walk in, suspecting something to happen, until….
Crowd: SURPRISE!
Right on cue, the lights flicker on. The living room and kitchen are decorated with streamers and balloons. A banner is draped across the archway that reads: "Happy Birthday Drake". Tyler, Gilbert and McKenzie are all there together.
McKenzie: Well, say something!
Drake: [deadpan] Uh… what's the occasion.
McKenzie: Aw, really, Drake- It's your birthday. Live a life.
Gilbert: Show some appreciation, mate. Your cousin and I worked so hard to make it perfect for you.
Drake: Eh, you're right. I don't celebrate my birthday so much. Not since after… my father….
Tyler: Yeah, but now that you've survived for ten years, you should give it a shot. For his sake, and for Shadow.
Drake looks at Shadow, who looks at him back so eagerly, then he walks over to the kitchen and sits there.
Drake: Alright. We've had a long ride from Sudbury, so I would like a slice of cake tonight.
Tyler: Good. Because McKenzie baked it himself, and it's cherry chip. Your favourite. For Shadow, he gets the chocolate one, straight from Farm Boy. So how were things at Sudbury?
Drake: They've agreed to relocate the Ironback we captured. But last weekend, I made plans to train dragons who can handle construction for all the builders out of cranes or bulldozers.
McKenzie: That's splendid news to hear, Drake. Your father would be so proud of you. God rest his soul.
Tyler: But not only that, Professor Miller says that you fell asleep in class.
Drake: That was two weeks ago, and I was working late. Plus, Ironfist has been putting me into basic training like always.
Gilbert: She may not be the easiest woman to get along, but she's completely loyal and devoted to the Army. Especially after she lost her arms, she always knows what to do in times of need.
Drake: Perhaps, but I'm still shaking about the fact that Hunter's capturing and training dragons.
Gilbert: Not quite. Our spies say he's trying to, but all the results are just failing one after another. Chances are, the Blackhawks won't be doing an arms race against us.
Tyler: But the problem is, he's determined to get it done as soon as he can. And when he gets his own dragon-riding army, he will do what he can to invade any part of Canada, including the wild zone.
Drake: He'll have to catch me first, Tyler. No way anyone could capture the Dragon King.
McKenzie: Hope that concludes the briefing. Because I've got both cakes ready to be served.
Tyler: Alright, let's eat!
McKenzie brings over two cakes of cherry chip and chocolate. Tyler cuts them both in half, handing the chocolate half to Shadow, while sharing two slices of each one to everyone else, and they enjoy it.
Tyler: Ah. Nothing like a slice of cake to put a pep in your step.
Gilbert: Oh, aye. But it gets better with a spot of tea.
Gilbert pours himself some tea in a cup, before he takes a sip of it.
Drake: Say guys, there's something I need to tell you. But, uh…. [whispers] It's off the record.
Gilbert: Is it? Grandpa? I need to talk to these two alone, if you please.
McKenzie: Say no more. "Military business". I'll be outside, smoking. [to Shadow] Don't take me cake.
McKenzie took his leave out of the kitchen and out the door, leaving Drake alone with Tyler and Gilbert.
Drake: Okay, now listen. I ran into a man who claims to know about the First Nations back in the day.
Gilbert: As in… the Aboriginals who once roamed Canada?
Drake: The very same, yeah. Anyway, I showed him the cloth that showed the prophecy. In which a guardian angel would come to Earth during a war. He told me there had been some shamans who could see the future, knowing some things beyond them, including Christianity.
Tyler: Well, that part with the seeing-the-future would make sense. But I never thought shamans could. Then again, precognitions can lead to fear and something ugly.
Gilbert: What else did he say?
Drake: Only what I need to know. But he said… it's ripped. The rest of the prophecy is missing, and claimed I'd have to find out on my own.
Gilbert: I'd have to agree on that. We went through the war, we lost a couple of bones, from which Tyler tried to find some treasure.
Tyler: Gilbert!
Gilbert: Sorry, mate. You misheard it being a Viking's treasure, but we all made it to the end, anyway.
Drake: I know, but… still…. If my dad was still here, he would find out what's so important about it.
Tyler looked at his befuddled cousin, then he put his cyborg hand on his shoulder to give him support.
Tyler: Now look, Gilbert's right. Not all of us made it this far, but we survived and you've made a hero of yourself. If your father knew about it, he would've wanted to give his life to make sure you'd grow up to adulthood. Maybe even… your mother.
Drake cracks a smile, agreeing with him. So he began chowing down on his cake slices.
At Millennium Park in Chicago, the Blackhawks attempt to train their dragons. A wild Arrow Pecker is in the ring. It attacks and wounds many troopers.
Blackhawk 1: Aim for the jugular!
Blackhawk 2: The hell's a jugular?!
Before it clamps its jaws onto the head of one soldier, Hunter grabs it from behind. He yanks it violently, and tosses it roughly back into a cage.
Blackhawk 3: Thanks, boss.
But instead, Hunter whacks him on the face, recoiling all the troopers in shock.
Hunter: If you want to thank me, find another way of training the animals.
Commander: We have, sir. We've used dog trainers, lion tamers, any tactics on anyone who works with animals, and the results… still blank.
Hunter: Then we should look for people outside the perimeter. Stewart is bound to retaliate after the invasion we pulled off.
Commander: We have enough weapons to engage a full scale assault. If we find any Canadians, we will blast them off.
Hunter: Don't get your hopes up yet, Commander. They have dragons, and one of them is a crafty genius.
But the Commander and some of the troopers laugh, until Hunter huffs to silence them.
Hunter: You find it amusing?
Commander: [nervously] No- I mean, negative… sir.
Hunter: Then proceed with the operation. I will come back next week and personally make sure this dragon-training program is flawless. Carry on!
Hunter takes his leave, as the troopers salute him for his departure. As he walks across the park, he is encountered by Snoop who walks with him.
Snoop: Uh, Hunter? He is right, you know. We tried everything, and my old man was friends with Caesar Millan. So why the rush?
Hunter: That's what happens when you attack an unsuspecting nation. If you attack, the enemy will counter attack next. Now that we know the Dragon King is among the Canadian Forces ranks, it'll be our duty to keep up with a little race of arms.
Snoop: Yeah, but… we have choppers that slice 'em to ribbons like a ninja sword with a watermelon.
Hunter: Perhaps, Mr. Snoop. But that's not the point. Helicopters can be controlled, but not dragons for they have a mind of their own. And Stewart has with him a Dark Saber. The fastest and the smartest. Smarter than a raven. He repelled the Apache missiles.
Snoop: I've heard of the same thing too, Hunter. But if you're thinking if we can get info from Ottawa, just cause they train 'em? That'd be a suicide mission.
Hunter stops in his tracks, and whips around to glare at Snoop, who recoils in fear.
Hunter: [calmly] Yes. Unless… you can think ahead of your time, gentlemen. I already gave the order to infiltrate the capital.
Voice: Yo, dude.
The men look to the source of the voice, coming from an African-American teenage boy with three bandoliers (two around his chest and one around the waist) holding various types of bombs.
Teenage boy: If y'all sent me there, I would get it done, easy-peasy.
Hunter: No need, Wallbreaker. This mission requires only a professional, not a saboteur.
Wallbreaker: Yo loss, dog. Cause Wallbreaker Ice would break some walls, and ice 'em good!
Snoop: Augh! [to himself] City folk. [to Hunter] Anyway, who have we sent?
Hunter: Only someone who knows the roads better than us. And someone who's a fan of the target. With that, they won't fail us. [sinisterly] I can see Stewart's face now, when he cowers over me with my own dragon. [laughs evilly]
Act Three
Back in Canada the next morning, Ariel wakes up in the backyard of Vanessa's house, stretching and shaking. Vanessa is in her bedroom; she gets dressed and packs her school bag, humming "Part of Your World" to herself, until Stanley enters the room.
Stanley: Morning, Vanessa.
Vanessa: Oh, dad. I'm gonna have Pop-Tarts again, so I can't wait for some eggs this time.
Stanley: I wasn't going to say that. You look even more happy the last time I saw you this way. What's going on?
Vanessa: Nothing serious, really.
Stanley: Well, I just wanted to know. I'm putting up the decorations now, since it's been… ten years since the war, and I'm trying to have some R for a change.
Vanessa: Decorating?
Vanessa looks at the calendar on the wall, seeing it is October and Friday, but Halloween is next Wednesday.
Vanessa: Oh, yeah, Halloween. But, uh… yesterday was Drake's birthday, and I wished him a happy birthday, so I lost track of time.
Stanley: And that's what concerns me, Vanessa. Sometimes I can get worried about you. That's the important job in being a father.
Vanessa: Relax, dad, everything will be smooth-sailing for me. Anyway, I'm taking Ariel with me. I'll tell Drake you wished him a happy birthday too.
Vanessa puts on her bag, then she takes off out of her room, leaving Stanley alone in there. But the General is hearing his daughter marching out the house, and he looks out the window to see Vanessa, eating a Pop-Tart, riding Ariel out to the air.
Stanley: I think… I know what's what. She might have plans with our top dragon rider. [proudly] Already, my little girl is growing up. What would her mother say?
At the Billy Madison Centre, Shadow flies over to Alumni Park, landing there to let Drake dismount him. Then, the P.A. speakers made an announcement for all the students and teachers to hear.
P.A. speakers: Good morning, Carleton. Today, we'd like to announce that the special menu for the cafeteria is turkey tetrazzini and pan-fried potatoes, with Yukon gold and fatless bacon. Anyone who has the latest weather report, please mail it to the student council immediately and we can decide whether or not to have some football this week.
Drake: [to Shadow] I'll be on my way. If I need you, I'll whistle, okay bro?
Shadow lets out a chirp in agreement, then he takes flight to leave school. But before Drake can leave, his friends all rush over to greet him happily.
Team: Happy late-birthday!
Drake: Hey, guys. And thanks.
Rocky: So, Drake, how's it feel to be nineteen so far?
Drake: So far… nothing's changed.
Michael: Well, you should. Because an extra age is just indicating that he's still alive. No biggie.
Ethan: Maybe so, Michael, but being older can also mean… maturing. With Drake being the oldest of age right now, he's being more mature than he once was.
Quinton: Oh yeah, but… being older can also mean outgrowing your favourite clothes or your favourite shows and stuff. I mean… Blue's Clues was my favourite show, until my parents told me to forget about it.
Rocky: Aw, please. That's the lamest show ever.
Dusty: No, Arthur is!
Drake: Guys, it's almost time to go to class. So let's go. [walks off]
Ethan: [to Michael] Like I said… maturing.
The team walks off to join up with Drake, but behind their backs was a person hiding behind a tree to spy on them.
At class, Vanessa and Brynn are both together at the front row seats, where they talk together in private.
Brynn: So, uh… have you told him yet?
Vanessa: Not yet. Yesterday was his birthday, but I'd like to confess to him in person.
Brynn: Man, I wish I had your confidence, Vanessa.
Vanessa: But remember the dare. If I tell him, you tell yours, so no backsies.
Then, the two girls look over to see the Alpha Team entering the classroom.
Vanessa: There he is. Wish me luck.
As the others split up to their seats, Drake walks over to his own, then Vanessa steps in front of him with a bright smile.
Drake: [stunned] Vanessa.
Vanessa: Welcome back, birthday boy. You should tell me next time you're off to be out of town, y'know.
Drake: Uh, I did. I informed you I was going to Sudbury before leaving, and you wished me luck.
Vanessa: Hey, don't be a downer. We're just having a conversation. Honestly, I thought you learned how to be social nowadays.
Vanessa pauses for a minute, and she thinks about what to say to Drake, and she remembers to do what she was dared to do.
Vanessa: Drake?
Drake: Yeah?
Vanessa: Um…. I, uh…. Listen, I, um…. Uh…. I would like-;
Then, Prof. Miller enters the classroom, grabbing everyone's attention.
Miller: Good morning, class. [suspiciously] Miss Falcon, I fear you may be out of focus, so… please take your belongings to the mid-section.
Vanessa: What? [dismayed] Aw, geez. Uh…. [To Drake] I should go. I'll tell you when I have the chance.
Vanessa grabs her stuff and moves herself up the stairs to an empty seat, being with the Stilwells.
Dusty: Bummer, sis.
Vanessa: Oh, shush it.
Miller walks over to the podium, getting himself ready for his lectures.
Miller: And now, class, I assume you all know what happened yesterday. I should remind you that Mr. Dalloway was absent for military matters, but it was also his birthday, so he's now nineteen years old. You would be free to wish him as such, but not on these grounds. Having the students to be focused is the Chancellor's motivation.
Students: [muttering]
Ethan: We already did, so the deed is done.
Miller: However, focus and learning are both my quotas as well. Anyway, before I can proceed with math and dragons, we gotta get something straight and right away. A transfer student is joining our class today.
Students: Huh?
Drake: Transfer students? That's a first.
Miller: Yes, this is a first. But this was actually commissioned a while ago, so no need to be so surprised, students. When she comes in, I want you to treat her with the utmost respect, because she's from far away, and claims to be from Toronto. Life there was pretty tough during the war. Anyway, come on in.
Right on cue, the door is opened and someone walks inside. It is a girl, having long dark hair with two purple lines going down on the side and her left eye is covered by her bangs.
Girl: Hello, guys. My name is Empress.
Most of the boys in class are shocked and stunned by her looks. The trio widen their eyes; Hutch drops his jaw, until Oxy pushes it back into place.
Empress: Yes, it is true. I did come from the big city. With all those dragons out there, life was no picnic.
Michael: [whispers] Hubba-hubba, baby. That girl's as tough as I am.
Miller: Okay, okay, that's enough. We're all thankful to have the new student with us, but as I mentioned to you before, treat her well. Now, please take a seat wherever you like. Feel free to ask if you'd-
Empress: But before I'd go, I have a favour to ask.
Miller: Already? You have… anything to say?
Empress: Since I'm new in town, I don't know very much about Ottawa or the way how the city works. Would there be anyone who'd like to show me around town? I'd promise to make it worth your while.
Michael: [stands up excitedly] Me, me! I do! I'm your host!
Empress: Not you, but thanks.
Michael: [dismayed] Aw!
Empress strolls across the room and approaches Drake in his seat.
Empress: Drake Dalloway. How about you?
Drake: Wha- me? Well, I, uh…. I've been around Ottawa, so… I don't see why not.
Empress: [pleased] Delightful.
Miller: Okay, the favours dealt with. Please take a seat and we'll begin with geometry.
As soon as Miller writes on the whiteboard, Empress walks around the front row seats, and sits right next to Drake, which is making him nervous.
Empress: [sniffs] You smell so nice.
But on the higher seats, Vanessa stares at her and she looks pissed.
Vanessa: [grumbles; whispers] Who the hell is she?!
Rocky: I think she said her name was Empress.
Vanessa: That was a rhetorical question!
She bonks Rocky on the head, but quickly sits back down before Miller would notice her, and he stares at her suspiciously.
Miller: Today, class, we will continue where we left off at algebra. Please remember the way we do it. Just a little number at the side of the actual-sized number, like here for example. Put a little two by the bigger four, so that means four by the power of two, making sixty-four. Because you times it by four. As simple as that.
During the lectures, Drake is listening to the Professor, until he gets disturbed by Empress leaning her head on her shoulder.
Drake: Empress, do you…? Please, not in class.
Empress: Aw, what's the matter? Math can make you so sleepy.
Vanessa, once again, is brooding as she grits her teeth, staring at how close Empress is to Drake.
Ethan: Vanessa, steady yourself. Drake is not the type of man who would just accept girls right off the bat.
Vanessa: It's not that. That new girl is getting too close to him all of a sudden. I don't believe she's from Toronto, because the train yard have been closed for nine years, and it's under construction.
Ethan: Then maybe she had a car ride or something.
But Vanessa doesn't believe so as she continues staring down at the front.
Afterwards, Miller is now opening class for dragon anatomy.
Miller: And now, everyone, we're open for dragon studies, in which we should all be opening our ears for all the time.
Empress is sleeping, but she perks right up when she hears what Miller just said.
Empress: Really? Finally!
However, Vanessa is no longer brooding, now that she looks at her suspiciously.
Miller: Well, I'm grateful that, at least, one student is excited for my studies. But let's all be focused again, shall we? What we're going to do is examine the insides of a dragon, starting with… uh…. Ah, here it is. Hydro Class. I'd ask the Stilwells for this, since they have an Ironback, but apparently… they're too "spacey" to teach. So, would anyone like to share something? Mr. Gunn or Mr. Li?
Ethan: Me. Quinton and I agreed that I should give the lectures this time.
Miller gestures to Ethan to proceed, and the latter climbs down the stairs to the whiteboard where it shows various sea dragons set on display.
Ethan: A Hydro Class dragon is a classification of dragons who live underwater or at the coastal areas. To some, they're the same as sea dragons, or water squirters. What Miller wanted the Stilwells to share with is they have an Ironback, but I'd know about it better than they do. The Spectacle Ironback is a two-headed dragon, both have separate thoughts and different personalities. A dragon like this is distinctly known to spray boiling hot water. When both of the heads inhale enough water, it boils inside of its secondary stomach, from which the stomach acid burns up to work its magic, and then the dragon sprays it back out. And believe me, you don't want to touch that water. It's so hot, you would be burned and neutralized within seconds.
As Ethan is sharing the lectures, Empress is secretly taking notes under her desk, which Vanessa notices.
Vanessa: What is she…?
Ethan: But not all sea dragons spray boiling water. There is also the Freezing Titan. So named because of its water attacks. A Freezing Titan has a stomach like a big icebox, and it sprays freezing cold water. The temperature is at forty below zero, but that's enough to put a shiver down to your spine.
Empress: [bored] Yeah, yeah, yeah, get to the part where you train it, please.
Vanessa: [loudly] Hey! Keep it down over there!
The entire class looks at Vanessa for being so loud, which makes her feel self-conscious, and Miller narrows his eyes at her.
Miller: Miss Falcon, tone it down.
Vanessa: Sorry, Professor. [sits down]
Act Four
At lunch break, the Alpha Team are all seated together in the cafeteria, but Drake and Vanessa are both absent.
Ethan: You know, something is really up with Vanessa today. She was perfectly fine until the new girl showed up.
Dusty: Yeah. If you ask me, she is obviously jealous, because the new girl's being so clingy to Drake.
Rocky: [puzzled] Wait, who's jealous of who?
Quinton: Speaking of jealousy, Michael isn't showing any.
Michael: Who said I was jealous, Quinton? I can always leave a few broken hearts behind me, but…. If that girl has second thoughts, I can go next.
Ethan: Michael, it's a person!
Michael: Right?! How lucky is that?
Quinton: But guys, maybe we could just try to be more supportive for a change?
Rocky: Hey, bow-boy, who appointed you next leader?
Quinton: No one. But someone has to be responsible in this team, while Drake and Vanessa are absent.
Ethan: A fair point.
Michael: Well… maybe so. But in military duty, I can be third-in-command.
Ethan: Michael!
Michael: What?
Quinton: Anyway, we should… keep an eye on them both.
Outside the building, Drake walks over to Shadow hiding in the trees and gives him a Mr. Big bar, after checking to see that no one is looking.
Drake: Here, Shadow. A little treat for all the hard work we've done.
[Shadow barks]
Drake: Quiet. Don't wanna get in trouble here.
But then, the two of them hear a noise coming from the bushes. Shadow growls; he pounces over to get at whatever it is. But before he can get it, Empress rushes out of the way in time.
Empress: Whoa, there.
[Shadow hissing]
Drake: Shadow, down!
Drake rushes over to Shadow's face, calming him down with his hands on his snout.
Drake: Easy, there. She's new.
Empress: Is that… really a…?
Drake: Dark Saber? Yeah, he is. Shadow, go on now.
Shadow calms down a bit, but he looks at Empress with one glance, and he takes off into the air, flying home.
Empress: How did you do that?
Drake: Not important. Most of all, what are you doing here?
But instead of answering his question, Empress gives off a seductive smile.
Empress: Just wandering around. And to be honest, I knew you would handle any dragon in the world, even a Dark Saber.
Drake: Clearly, you're a fan.
Empress: [giggles] Guilty as charged.
Drake: Look, I've been nice to all the kids, I signed all their papers, but I-
Empress: Oh, no no no! I don't need your autograph. Meeting you in person is all I ever want. [seductively] Ever since I saw you, I've been crazy in love. I'm so glad that I get to be with you at last.
Empress holds onto Drake's hand, yanking him closer to her face.
Empress: I would like it if we would… continue this a little longer.
Drake: [nervously] Wait, uh…. Not, uh…. Not on school grounds and not in the middle of a park.
Empress: [giggles] You're so cute when you're shy.
She pulls Drake closer with her hand on his neck, and just when Empress is close enough to kiss him, Vanessa viciously barges in to interfere.
Vanessa: Stop it! What the hell do you think you're doing?!
Empress: Oh my, another fangirl?
Drake: No, she's with me.
Vanessa: Yeah. [to Empress] He's my boyfriend! Go find your own!
Empress: Oh-ho, is he? Well, has he ever asked you to bathe with him? Or have you ever slept together in bed?
Vanessa is stunned when she hears those questions. She blushes bright red, clearly stating that she might have never done them yet, since she hadn't confessed to Drake yet.
Empress: I guess that means… you haven't. [to Drake; sexually] That means you can be my part-time lover.
Vanessa: Drake has no interest in dating skanky witches.
Empress: [flipped] "Skanky witch"?! Are you talking about me?!
All of a sudden, Empress realizes how she reacted, and she calms herself to maintain her composure.
Empress: I mean, I'm just a random girl.
Vanessa: I find it hard to believe. I'm more random than you think you are.
Empress: Maybe, except for your lack of consciousness.
Vanessa is shocked, until she glares back at Empress.
Vanessa: [furious] I'LL BEAT YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS NEXT!
Drake: Vanessa, calm down. Nothing's really happening between us.
Empress: What about the time you attempted to kiss me?
Again, Vanessa is shocked by what Empress just said, then she jumps onto Empress to wrestle with her.
Drake: Vanessa!
Vanessa: [to Empress] You forced him to do that, you witch!
Empress: HELP! SOMEBODY!
That cry alarms everyone in the park, even a few teachers, including Professor Miller, who are walking by to see the commotion.
Miller: Good gracious!
Student: Yeah! Cat fight!
Miller: Students, phones down! [to the teachers] Miss Fable, control the situation! Mr. Chan, get that girl's father on the phone at once!
At the Shelters, Tyler and Gilbert are both putting up decorations in the lobby for Halloween. The two of them lift up a large pumpkin, which is super big for them both.
Gilbert: Lift it up higher.
Tyler: [straining] I'm trying to, Gilbert. This is a 50-pound pumpkin.
They make it to the table for the carving, until Ironfist enters the room.
Tyler: Rose, you came.
Ironfist: What's all this?
Gilbert: Something we decided to do. Next Wednesday is Halloween, and the General has approved that the Shelters can host a party this year. Besides, after ten years of warfare, this may be our chance to just just dance and drink.
Ironfist: Must've missed that. Anyway, Tyler, is your cousin still in school?
Tyler: Yeah. What did he do now?
Then, McKenzie walks into the lobby, grabbing everyone's attention.
McKenzie: If he's in trouble, blame it on the dragons. [to Tyler; quietly] Only if there's a political problem, laddie. [loudly] Another thing, the closet bathroom is still being fixed. I had to walk very far to the other one at the other end.
Gilbert: Grandpa. What are you doing here?
McKenzie: The landlord made me leave the house for three days. It has to be sprayed for bugs. This is how I spray for bugs!
He stomps his foot down to make a demonstration.
Tyler: Yeah, it's a real family affair in TD Place.
Rose: Anyway, I need to ask you something, Tyler. Your cousin is not in trouble, but I fear he may be distracted. My main objective is to see to it, and make sure he's focused at all times.
Tyler: Nah, he hasn't been distracted until the war's final days. Drake's always been focused on all of his missions and assignments. He's now nineteen years old, so that marks him being almost an adult.
McKenzie: Aye. That, he is. Our Drake is becoming a man, but things may become swell with her bonny wee lass at his side all the time.
When she hears what McKenzie just said, Ironfist looks alarmed.
Ironfist: Who? Who are you talking about?
McKenzie: I'm talking about Vanessa, the General's daughter. She and Drake make a cute couple, as I'd like to say.
Ironfist: [beat] I'll be departing.
Ironfist salutes to Tyler and Gilbert, before she heads outside to the Regges waiting for her at the stairs.
Crosswire: So the rumours are true.
Javelin: What rumours?
Dozer: Isn't it obvious, Javelin? Drake and the General's kid are dating.
Ironfist: [concerned] Yes. And that's what I thought.
Act Five
Back in Carleton, Stanley and Vanessa are both in the Chancellor's office, where Miller is sharing with them all the details about what happened lately. Vanessa has some dirt spots on her clothes, and Stanley is standing beside her, but he looks displeased with her.
Miller: General, this is not the first time we've had a problem with your daughter. Swinging from gym lamps, stealth walking with ladders, scaling the building with the fire hose….
Chancellor: Just like you, Emmett. You reminded me of a chimpanzee when you were little.
Miller: Chancellor…. [clears throat] Anyway, aside from all these incidents, which are only… minor damage, I just don't know where she learned to fight.
Stanley: She was in the military police, Professor.
Miller: I meant fighting fellow students. A new girl.
Stanley: What? [to Vanessa] You picked a fight with a transfer student?
Vanessa: General, I'm sorry, but she started when she-
Stanley: Silence.
Miller: Uh, sir? Maybe you two would like a private chat?
Stanley: Yes. I'll be speaking with my daughter… alone.
The two of them take their leave out of the office to the waiting room, where Stanley abolishes Vanessa.
Stanley: I just don't know what I'm going to do with you.
Vanessa: Dad, that girl was acting suspicious.
Stanley: That's beside the point. We're in the military, and this new girl is only a civilian. Do you think I want to hear about my own daughter attacking a citizen without thinking straight?
Vanessa: I'm seventeen years old; I'm not a kid anymore-
Stanley: [angrily] Don't you take that tone of voice with me, young lady. I am both the General of the Canadian Forces and your father, so no one raises their voices at me.
Vanessa: But something's not right with-
Stanley: Stop, stop. [calmly] That's enough. I don't want us to go through this argument anymore, and I almost lost you that time. Now you stay here, while I continue my talk with the Chancellor.
Stanley takes his leave back into the office, while Vanessa sits down on a chair with her arms crossed, sulking. Then Drake walks over to her, but she still sulks.
Drake: Vanessa, I had to come check up on you.
Vanessa: Yeah? Well, where's your fangirl, huh?
Drake: Empress is gone to change. So she's out of my hair for now.
Vanessa: For now, yeah. While I probably get detention. Seems like you were quite a playboy to get a freshman girl all riled up.
Drake: What? No. She was making me do things that I didn't feel like doing, that's all.
Vanessa: [suspiciously] Really? It looked to me like you were trying to kiss her.
Drake: I wasn't. Empress just pulled me, and I kept my mouth closed. If I wanted to kiss, it would be for the girl I love.
Vanessa is immediately relieved to hear that from Drake. But when she realizes that this is her chance, she stands up from her seat and faces him, but she begins to hesitate.
Vanessa: Drake, I…. I, uh…. I should apologize for what I did. In fact, I… uh… um…. I want to say-
Suddenly, she is interrupted when the doors open to let out Stanley and Miller together.
Miller: I heard the word "apology", and I hope you are. Because after talking to your father, I've agreed to only give you detention until Halloween afternoon.
Vanessa: That long?
Stanley: Yes, young lady, and I don't want to hear about you fighting another civilian. Do I make myself clear?
Without a word, Vanessa nods her head to agree with her father, and she exhales before she walks away down the hall. Drake salutes to the General before he takes his leave too.
Stanley: Son. A word before you go.
Drake: Uh…. Yes, sir.
Stanley: Is it true? About a new girl?
Drake: Affirmative. Her name is Empress, and she's from Toronto. That's it.
Stanley: I see. Well, perhaps we would all keep an eye on her for the time being.
Drake: But General, I would, uh-
Stanley: No buts, soldier. If she's new in town, we need to be sure if she's either with us or not. So if there's any info to get out of her, keep her talking if you can. That'll be all.
Just after school, Empress is wearing new clothes, and she is walking alone to go under Heron Bridge.
Empress: That girl. No doubt she has to be Falcon's daughter. She's more tomboyish than I thought.
Then, a man approaches behind Empress, stomping his feet loud enough to startle her. He presses on the side of his head, revealing to be CD Fox using his holographic glasses for disguise.
Fox: Remember me?
Empress: You can't stop yourself from surprising people, can ya?
Fox: What can I say? I'm a master of disguise. So, anyway, what's the intel you got? Any tricks to share?
Empress: They haven't shared much. The chubby one was telling all about dragons, but he only talked about classes which bored me to tears.
Fox: Alright, okay, fine. So, whatelsehave they got?
Empress:Oh, not that much. I mean, they pretty much have… each other.
Fox:[sarcastic]Awww. A moment while Ivomit.
Empress: Look, I know what I'm doing, so you shouldn't be jumpy.
Fox: Oh, don't get me started. I'm being jumpy because I have to. The boss is anxious to get the information, and when he gets anxious, then he switches to fury, taking his anger out on other people.
Empress: You worry too much. I know him better, and he'll give me what I want when this is over.
Fox: When it's over, right. [sternly] Well, then, straighten up and get with the program. And remember, you are here on business. You're not here to play around! [walks off]
Empress: Get a life, Fox. When I'm on a job, I never play around.
Act Six
In the late afternoon, Drake is riding Shadow all over town and he flies back to the arena with Ethan holding a stopwatch and Quinton taking notes.
Ethan: Twenty-five point two seconds. New course record.
Drake: So? How'd we do?
Quinton: Technically you're still the fastest, but someone, and I won't mention who, is gaining significant ground.
Drake: What?
Drake is looking at the Stilwells, who are just sitting on Fin and Flip's back.
Rocky: Don't look at us!
Drake: How can that be? How can Shadow be getting slower?
Quinton: He's not. Ariel's getting faster.
Behind Quinton, Vanessa is caressing Ariel on the back of her neck behind her neck frill, which the dragon enjoys.
Drake: Oh, yeah? Anything you'd like to share, Vanessa?
Vanessa: Let's just say she started her diet yesterday. Apparently, it's working, and it'll be enough to get at that Empress-witch before she'd try anything funny.
Ethan: Vanessa, you heard what Professor Miller said. You can't start another fight with her. And besides, sometimes the greatest victory is the battle not fought.
Then McKenzie walks over to the field, grabbing the team's attention.
McKenzie: Unless when it comes to facing bugs! [stomps] Anyway, you have a customer.
Right on cue, Empress enters the field, much to Vanessa's chagrin, and McKenzie takes his leave.
Vanessa: Why the hell is she here?
Drake: General's orders. [to Empress] Now that you're here, we've got a lot of questions to ask you before we can all get comfortable.
Michael: Comfortable, huh? Well, I could go for a-
Drake: [annoyed] Michael, please!
Empress: I understand I stirred up some… trouble yesterday. I came here because I had to. You see, my father has been facing severe dragon problems in our neighbourhood district. He'd like to know how to deal with them, but he's no trainer and none of us have phone numbers to call you or anything.
Ethan: That would make sense. We only started opening the Ottawa Dragon Shelters, and our main objective was to house train the animals here.
Drake: Perhaps we should be on the lookout for all surviving cities. Even with the war over, some people are still hiding in the streets. Here, we've been training the dragons to become part of our everyday lives. Chances are, we might be able to-
But Vanessa knows what Drake is about to say, so she rushed over to interject him.
Vanessa: Hold on! Drake, you can't just teach strangers military tactics!
Drake: But it's not military related. People ask us to handle dragons, and our objective is to show them how.
Empress: Yes. And believe me, I'd never share state secrets to anyone.
Vanessa: I doubt that, considering that outburst you blew off.
Empress: Because you called me a witch.
Ethan: Peace, peace. [to Empress] Please excuse Vanessa. She's only interning for the Shelters. And after hearing what you said, maybe we can show you some intel about our dragons. What about you, Drake?
Drake: I can understand how a single father can live with only a kid. If Empress's father needs help, we can provide it for her.
Empress is so pleased, she clings onto Drake's arm and kisses him on the cheek.
Empress: That's your reward for being a sweetheart.
Vanessa, on the other hand, is so pissed she growls with her hands clutching tightly, then she decides to walk away with Ariel. However, Ironfist is standing at the corner, eavesdropping on the team.
At night, Vanessa is in the backyard at home, feeding Ariel a basket full of roasted chicken (revealed to be the source of her renewed speed and vigor) as part of her diet.
Vanessa: There you go, Ariel. This will be our little secret, okay?
All of a sudden, Ironfist enters the area behind Vanessa.
Ironfist: Vanessa.
Vanessa: [stands in attention] Yes, ma'am?
Ironfist: I want to ask. Is it true… you're dating Corporal Dalloway?
Vanessa: Um…. Well, I, uh…. Haven't said anything to him-
Ironfist: Then that's where I have to chime in. He may be a celebrity to the public, but at the same time… a moving target to all of us his enemies. If he gets in a relationship with anyone, that will put other people in jeopardy.
Vanessa: Maybe, but I can-
Ironfist: [sternly] Don't misjudge me. It has nothing to do with protecting yourself. It is about expecting the unexpected. If he has you for a girlfriend, that would exploit everything he knows, and that's when the killing takes place. I want you to break up with him.
Vanessa: What?
Ironfist: You heard me. This is for his own good. Just break up with Dalloway, and then… nothing will go wrong. Remember that.
Ironfist takes his leave out the backyard. Vanessa is left alone with Ariel, puzzled about what to do: confess to Drake or break up with him.
Act Seven
The next morning in the Shelters, Ethan is teaching Empress everything about his dragon Clover.
Empress: You have a Waspo?
Ethan: I do. Clover is her name. So named because of the four-leaf clover, which she likes very much.
Empress: To eat?
Ethan: To sleep on. Anyway, the Waspo Fourteen feet long, eighteen foot wingspan, five thousand, seven hundred and twenty pounds of kindness. She is light and strong at the same time. Both represent yin-yang, spiritual balance.
Empress: What about her tail? It looks like it could be a weapon.
Ethan: Perhaps. They look like wasps, hence the name of their species. But unlike the actual bugs, the spike on her tail is very less effective. However, her tail is strong enough to bash anything.
Ethan pats on Clover's hips. Alarmed, Clover whips her tail at Ethan, sending him flying off into a haystack.
Ethan: Aiyah! Thank God that didn't kill me!
Next is Michael's turn for tutoring Empress, with Surfboard sitting on the ground.
Michael: It's quite simple, really. An Arrow Pecker is all about being a bird. Or, at least… looking like one. But this guy right here? He puts the meaning of the word "cool".
Empress: Well, he does look like a bird. But why'd you call him Surfboard?
Michael: Oh, I ride him like a surfboard. Actually, I've always wanted to surf for a living back when I was kid, and I got that experience from him.
Empress: Very clever. But, uh… is he deadly?
Michael: From time to time, but Surfboard gets around pretty well. His beak and tail are both strong enough to break through stones. And if you come to see this, he likes getting scratched on the hips.
Michael scratches on Surfboard's hip, just like Drake before, and it causes him to thump his foot rapidly with pleasure. Then, Surfboard collapses right on top of Michael, but with him down, Empress is taking notes.
Next, the Stilwells are teaching next about Fin and Flip.
Empress: So, Rocky, why don't you tell me about your dragon.
Rocky: Easy. They're a two-headed dragon, different minds and stuff. So Dusty and I just share it, which is annoying.
Dusty: Speak for yourself. In fact, there's this one time we tried to make our own jacuzzi in our backyard, and we had Fin and Flip to fill it up with their hot water. [whispers] It was actually a bad idea.
Empress: Fin and Flip? You're giving the dragon two names?
Dusty: Yeah. We thought we could, you know… go with the flow.
Rocky: But while my sister and I blow stuff up, our dragon does the spraying on the bad guys. Just give me the signal.
Dusty: What's the signal?
Rocky: Um…. Dammit, we never get a signal.
Empress: How about: spray 'em?
The Stilwells both look stunned when they hear Empress's suggestion, and they both chortle.
Dusty: Spray 'em, I love it!
Rocky: Let's see if that works. Spray 'em!
Right away, the Ironback goes on a rampage across the football field, spraying hot water everywhere.
Empress: What now?
Rocky: Usually we hide… until Sergeant Jones finds us. Then we get in trouble.
Meanwhile, Drake is performing a barbell bench press while Bazooka spots him, and Shadow lies down nearby. He is straining, trying to use all his strength to lift up the barbells that weigh only twenty pounds.
Bazooka: Come on. Do it for the win. Do it for the honey.
Drake: I'm trying to- [beat; stunned] What?
Bazooka: Just repeating the words from that Honey Nut Cheerios commercial on YouTube.
Drake: Well, I should be done after my… second-last lift.
But Ironfist walks over to the bench pressing Drake, glaring down at him.
Ironfist: Think again, rookie. Your enemies will get stronger when you hold back, and no one should be holding back. More weight.
Dozer and Crosswire put some more weights on the barbell's end, and it nearly drops down on Drake's throat, as he strains to lift it up again.
Drake: This is… overkill, y'know. I'm booked for an appointment today.
Ironfist: Quit your complaining. The only time you're booked for something is when your life depends on it. Or should I add in twenty more pounds?
Drake: [worried] No, no, no! I'll keep pushing!
Ironfist: Five more. Move it!
Back outside, Quinton is tutoring Empress next as he had Helios with him.
Empress: So you ride a Diablo Sharktail? How does he get so strong to lift someone like you daily?
Quinton: I sit on his back. Just down to where the shoulder blades meet the bottom of the neck. I mean, I know I'm larger than everyone else in the team, but Helios is larger, so there.
Empress: He's named after the sun god in Greece?
Quinton: It was either that or Kratos, but I picked the former. Anyway, Helios is documented to be the most notorious dragon around here, but he's really a kind and gentle dragon. Once he's in a calm and submissive state, Helios can get along just fine with anyone.
Empress: So, how much does he weigh exactly?
Quinton: Five thousand pounds give or take. He's lighter than he looks, and he's an excellent swimmer. Care for a demonstration?
Empress: Actually, Drake already asked me to fly with him, and I said yes. So, Quinton, how does this whole fire-thing work with Helios?
Quinton: It's what's called a fire coat. You see, he has tiny little holes all over his body, and when they all open simultaneously, that's when it unleashes fire at will.
Empress: Does it work on command?
Quinton: Nope. Only when it gets frustrated.
Empress: You must know a lot about dragons.
Quinton: You could say that again. Me and Ethan know about dragons, but the real experts are Tyler and Gilbert. They document them, and always write it all down on this. The Dragon Journal.
Quinton takes out the Dragon Journal. Empress eyes the book, and when she is intrigued, she reaches out her hand slowly to get it. But all of a sudden, Drake comes over, exhausted from the weight lifting, and Empress gets excited when she sees his forearms, which have gained bigger muscles.
Empress: His muscles are amazing!
Quinton: Drake, you're here. I, uh…. I thought you weren't gonna make it in time, so I thought, uh….
Drake: I know. And I appreciate it. Anyway, Empress, sorry for the delay. My commanding officer can be a load of hardships.
Empress: No worries at all, baby-boo-boo.
Drake: Uh… what?
Empress: What? I find it to be cute. And it fits your expressions.
Drake: [dense] Well, uh…. In the meantime, what is there none of us has shown you?
Quinton: The Furious Phantom. Everything else? That's booked solid. Unless there's a sighting of another Dark Saber.
Empress: I do have one request. I remember asking you to show me around town just so I can… know my way wherever I'd go.
Drake: Well…. Yeah. I needed to fly around for a change anyway. Come this way. I'd have to put on Shadow's saddle.
Drake walks off; Empress manages to tackle him, and she opens his shirt to see his torso has six packs, much to her excitement.
Empress: I knew it! Look at all this beef! Lemme touch your abs, please!
Suddenly, Ariel swings her spiked tail around, scaring Empress away from Drake, and Vanessa comes over to hold her at gunpoint with her shotgun.
Vanessa: Get off of him right now.
Empress: Are you crazy?! That would've killed me!
Drake: Hey, hey, calm down, all of you. Vanessa, what's gotten into you?
Vanessa: Are you that tense? She's being too clingy to you. I'd know a fangirl when I see one, and I can tell that she's nothing like that.
Drake: She already said she's a fangirl, but she doesn't want an autograph. She only asked for a tour around town, so that's all I'm going to do. Empress, this way.
Drake takes his leave to go somewhere else. Empress follows him, but she looks back at Vanessa to give her a smug look before heading off, and Vanessa starts getting even more angry.
Act Eight
Later, Vanessa is taking out her frustrations against the targets with her hatchet, brutally flinging it against them.
Vanessa: That witch! She comes storming into our lives, getting in between me and my boyfriend! [mocking Empress] Has he ever asked you to bathe with him? Or have you ever slept together in bed? [groans] Augh! I'm so gonna chop her head off!
She throws another hatchet, only to be caught by Ironfist, and she salutes her immediately.
Ironfist: At ease. You still haven't broken up with him, have you? Or have you forgotten about it?
Vanessa: I haven't forgotten. I just don't want to. Because I'm gonna punch that girl in the face, illegal or not.
Ironfist: That's not good enough.
Down the hall, McKenzie is drinking a cup of coffee as he walks across by himself. However, he overhears what Ironfist is telling Vanessa as he eavesdrops on them.
Ironfist: What I'm trying to tell you is for both of your own good. Break up with Dalloway, so he can have no weakness, and then… nothing will go wrong.
Vanessa: If I do, that witch will just be-
Ironfist: Leave her to me. In the meantime, go with the plan.
McKenzie is shocked to hear that. He dashes off to avoid being discovered.
Up in the air, Shadow soars over the downtown area. As she sits behind Drake on the saddle, Empress admires the scenery, and she hugs his back.
Empress: Thank you so much, Drake. It's been amazing.
However, to Drake, he doesn't feel right about it, like to him it was better with Vanessa instead of someone else.
Drake: Let's head back to the Shelters now.
In the lobby, it is still decorated with Tyler and Gilbert working on it, as they switched light bulbs with orange and green ones.
Gilbert: How could you add green lights for Halloween?
Tyler: It was either that or use black, but that colour doesn't work so well in the dark. So I decided to use green.
Gilbert: Very well. But not too much green. We'd want the lobby to look as gruesome as it can, do we?
Tyler is about to grab another bulb, until he notices an unidentified person making a run for it, attempting to flee the scene.
Tyler: Gilbert! A runaway!
Alarmed, the two of them give chase and find the person running towards Bank Street, until they hear policemen.
Policeman 1: Hey, you! Halt!
Tyler and Gilbert freeze as two police officers head towards him, and they feel like they're about to be in a panic.
Policeman 2: That's them.
Policeman 1: The two dragon experts?
Policeman 2: Affirmative, that's him.
Policeman 1: Can we get a selfie?
Gilbert: [relieved] Oh! By Jove. Oh, sure.
Tyler: Yeah, we don't mind.
Each of the police officers take a selfie with Tyler and Gilbert one at a time.
Policeman 1: Thanks a lot.
Tyler: See you guys later. Take it easy.
But when they both look back, the person is already gone.
Gilbert: You saw someone?
Tyler: I did, but…. I couldn't get a glimpse of who it was.
But Tyler gets on his hands and knees to look at the sidewalk, where the figure has left behind his muddy footprints.
Tyler: But whoever it was, he left a trail of muddy footprints. By the looks of this, it must be someone who just came from the canal. They have muddy shores at this hour.
Gilbert: But who could it be?
Tyler: [beat] I don't know. Maybe the cameras would know.
But before they can go, Shadow flies down near the stairs, and Drake dismounts him before Empress does the same.
Tyler: You were off for a flight?
Drake: Well, I promised Empress to show her around Ottawa, and I did. But we're going back into the arena, and we should-
Vanessa: Drake.
Hearing Vanessa's voice grabs everyone's attention, as she stands right by the nearest lamppost. But she looks like she's about to blow her top as she has an upset look on her face, as Drake approaches her. Unbeknownst to them, Stanley is walking alone as he enters the place, but he stops in his tracks to watch what is about to happen.
Drake: You okay?
Vanessa: No. [hesitating] There's something I have to tell you.
Drake: Okay. [beat] In fact, I have something to say too. I-
Vanessa: It's not working. You and me.
Drake: What?
Vanessa: I don't want to see you anymore.
Tyler, Gilbert and Shadow are all shocked to hear what Vanessa just said to Drake. Even Stanley is shocked from hearing those words.
Drake: What are you talking about?
Vanessa: [tearfully] I don't know. I'm lonely. You aren't there for me. I can't do this. It's over.
Drake: No. [heartbroken] Please don't say that. I know, I've been so reckless and absent-minded. But I can do better. I can change.
Vanessa: It's not that simple.
Drake: But…. We both have problems. When people have problems, they work it out. They talk to each other.
Vanessa: JUST SHUT UP! [pauses] Just do what you can and then be the hero everyone wants you to be! I don't want any part of it! I quit, and we're through!
Then, Vanessa runs off, crying with tears in her eyes.
Drake: Vanessa, wait!
Tyler: Let her go. She'll figure something out.
With a broken heart, Drake clutches on his fast-beating chest, and Shadow can feel how much it hurts. The whimpering Shadow walks over to Drake, licking him in order to try cheering him up.
Empress: Yikes. That's just sad. But you know, I could go easy on you, if we could just….
But then, Ironfist and the Regges show up, and stand in between Empress and Drake.
Ironfist: That's enough out of you. Corporal Dalloway doesn't have time for this. You wanna be a big help to him? Then get that smile off your face, get back home and finish your homework like everybody else.
Dozer: Like everybody else!
Stryker: Maybe not the best choice for words. But… just go.
Empress: I'm sorry, I was just-
But Empress is silenced when Ironfist points her cyborg finger away, which she acknowledges to take her leave.
Ironfist: Now Dalloway, pain must be in your mind. Walk some laps around the park until you're at ease.
Drake: Yes, Captain.
Without any objections, Drake makes his walk, heartbroken and dejected, on his own. But Shadow decides to go with him, while everyone else minus Ironfist feels sorry for him.
As for Vanessa, she still cries as she walks alone, wiping the tears off her face, with Ariel following her. But then, she encounters Stanley standing before her, and he looks at her with sympathy, because he heard and saw everything.
Vanessa: Dad….
She runs into her father's arms, sobbing, as he hugs her to give him comfort.
Stanley: [tenderly] I saw the whole thing. I'm sorry, Vanessa. I didn't want to see you this way, not when it was a short time.
Vanessa: I…. I wanna go home.
Stanley: There's no stopping you. You've got your dragon, so… fly home. I'll be back at five to six. Hoping to… do something to cheer you up.
Vanessa: [sniffles] Thank you, dad.
Vanessa mounts Ariel and she takes flight to go home.
Act Nine
In the lobby, Tyler adds in another photo to the Dragon Journal, putting it on the coffee table, while Gilbert is checking on the monitor screens.
Tyler: Anything yet?
Gilbert: So far, nothing. Whoever this chap was, he's a fast one to avoid our security cameras. We're gonna have to rewind two hours behind.
But while the two of them have their backs turned, Empress sneaks her way into the room without a sound, and frantically searches for the Dragon Journal, until she finds it on the coffee table. She quickly flips through its pages while hiding behind the sofa, searching for information about all the dragons she was told by the Alpha Team, then she snaps pictures of the pages with her iPhone. Just then, Tyler turns back to see the book is gone, but he finds Empress reading it.
Tyler: Hey, you. What do you think you're doing?
Empress: Um, just reading some books for some-
Tyler: Not with this.
He takes the book back from Empress's hands.
Tyler: The Dragon Journal is military property, so no civilians are allowed to read it. So for the last time, go home.
Empress: Yes, sir.
Empress takes her leave out of the lobby. But she holds up her phone, which has the photos of the journal's pages, and she sends them to someone.
Meanwhile in Chicago, the Blackhawks are struggling to control a Diablo Sharktail inside their own training arena. On the stands, Hunter watches the scene with Snoop at his side.
Hunter: Interesting…. It just unleashes fire at will?
Snoop: It looks like that gal's proven to be useful today.
Hunter: All the more reason I should be proud of her.
Snoop: Her texts say everything the Canadian Forces know is documented in something called the Dragon Journal. If we have it, we can control any dragon like our own cattle ranch.
Hunter: So true, Mr. Snoop. But this will not be your average cattle drive. We're dealing with living bioweapons to help us counter Stewart. I'll call her to keep us informed of everything else.
Meanwhile, Vanessa is at home, crying in bed, still heartbroken for dumping Drake. But then, she begins to hear voices from outside through the opened window, and she walks over to see who it is. Much to her suprise, she sees Fox and Wreck-it Rufus at a side yard of her place. They talk to someone behind the the fence, which is Empress, but Vanessa can't see her, so she eavesdrops on them.
Fox: And then she cried?
Empress: Like a little baby with her candy stolen. I'd say this mission is getting better than I thought.
Rufus: So the job is done? Are we going home now?
Empress: Not yet. I was called fifteen minutes ago. We need to get more details.
Fox: More? How much more can we get?
Rufus: How about… the whole book? Remember the first Doctor Strange movie, when the Zealots only took the pages instead of the whole book? We should repeat those mistakes.
Fox: Y'know… you're right. So we'll get the Dragon Journal, and make for the rendezvous point.
Rufus: Oh no, not a good idea, Fox. They'll be onto us. Those two soldiers almost saw me back there. We'd have to go somewhere else.
Fox: Somewhere else? Like where?
[five second silence]
Empress: I know where. Port Hope. That's where we'll go. It's closer to the USA, so that's the place.
Fox: Alright. You just get the book, and we'll meet you there.
Vanessa still doesn't know who it is, but she can tell that with the Chicago Blackhawks, it would be no good, and grows determined to deal with this situation.
In the meantime, Stanley is in his office, saddened about Vanessa's broken heart, and he looks at a picture of her and Drake together, wondering about what to do.
Stanley: What can I do for her? Maybe… order a pizza? No, no, that won't be good enough. I should make something. But I haven't worked in the kitchen since college.
Intercom: General, sir. A dairy farmer wishes to see you. McKenzie Hackett.
Stanley: Hackett's grandfather? Send him in.
Right on cue, the door to the office opened, but McKenzie stands at the doorway, being a little nervous about talking to the General.
McKenzie: I mustn't get anxious. I must be relaxed at all times.
So he walks into the office and approaches Stanley at his desk.
McKenzie: [clears throat] Good afternoon, General.
Stanley: McKenzie, I'd say you might've arrived here just in time. I have problems with my daughter, Vanessa. She just broke up with Dalloway, and I need some helpful advice to cheer her up.
McKenzie: [shocked] Great Scott, she actually did it?
Stanley: Yes, and now that she's- [pauses; realizing] What do you mean, she actually did it?
McKenzie: Oh, I should've done it right away before. You see, I was walking down the hall, drinking me coffee, when I saw Rose talking to Vanessa, and she told her to break up with him, so that-
Stanley: Rose? [angrily] Rose Tymbark?!
McKenzie: Aye. The only Rose we know.
Act Ten
At Lansdowne Park, Drake is still walking laps around, but this time he is slowing down because of his broken heart. He is shedding tears, and he keeps wiping them, then he decides to take a break, sitting down on a boulder. Shadow walks over to his side, offering him a Mars bar in his hand.
[Shadow whimpers]
Drake: Thanks, bro. I could use this.
He opens the bar and eats it, but it doesn't feel good enough. So he stands up to continue his hiking. However, the Regges are all standing in front of him, having him stop.
Stryker: Kid? We're sorry. I don't know where this came from either.
Crosswire: Oh yeah, I was shocked too. And, uh… maybe you've had enough laps for today, so just take some time off.
Drake: You're… giving me a break?
Dozer: Why not? You're no use to us when you're exhausted or downed. And we like it when you're not this way.
Meanwhile, Tyler is at the conference room, where he informs the Alpha Team about what happened.
Quinton: Vanessa broke up with Drake?
Tyler: Yeah, and none of us know why this happened. Those two have always been happy together, but now she just… broke him up. And no one knows why she did.
Dusty: Maybe she just… needed some space.
Rocky: Or she's just sick.
But walking down the hallway, a shrouded figure sneaks its way, but it stops at the conference room to realize the Alpha Team are having their talk. But it proceeds down the hall, and the figure heads over to the lobby, where Gilbert is busy with the decoration, but it takes the Dragon Journal from the desk before leaving.
Back outside, Drake and the Regges are all walking together, until Ironfist stands in the way.
Ironfist: Hey. I didn't say anyone can take a break.
Stryker: Give him a moment, for God's sake, Captain. Can't you see someone is heartbroken?
Ironfist: One broken heart is not a serious issue, Stryker.
Bazooka: He's had enough training for a day.
Javelin: So have the rest of us.
Ironfist: Have you all forgotten what I told you before? Pain is in your mind. Do not twist the morals of your commander's words, and Dalloway… continue.
Drake is hesitant at first, but he decides to say one thing in objection.
Drake: Negative.
Ironfist: What did you say?
Drake: I've had enough crazy training and hardships for one whole weekend.
Ironfist: Having enough, eh? That's a federal offense in my book. That's when you'd start doing laps for a month!
All of a sudden, Stanley arrives at the area behind Ironfist's back, and the Regges salute to his arrival.
Stanley: No one is doing anything.
Ironfist: [salutes] General, sir! I was just giving Dalloway some-
Stanley: [glaring] What did you say to Vanessa?
Ironfist can tell what the General is asking her.
Stanley: Did you encourage her to break up?
Ironfist: What I told her was for everyone's good.
Stanley: Everyone? I hugged my own daughter, heart broken and crying, and I actually felt sorry for her. Better than how my wife left us because of my demeanor. But you? You had her break up with our national hero.
Javelin: [awed; quietly] Aw, shit.
Ironfist: Sir, it was not my fault she and Dalloway got that close.
Stanley: Are you saying it was MY fault?!
Ironfist: Negative. It would've been theirs.
Stanley is shocked to hear those words from Ironfist, and he glares at her.
Stanley: You idiot. I really thought you had a heart on this, but now it looks like you haven't changed at all. Therefore… you're relieved of duty.
He rips the Captain rank insignia from Ironfist's shoulders, much to her shock, and her squad.
Stanley: As of right now, you have been demoted to Private for your reckless actions and no longer in command of Special Combat Regiment anymore.
Ashamed, Ironfist stands back from the General, feeling disgraced.
Stanley: [to Drake] And you, son, give Vanessa a call to go back with her. I don't want to see her heartbroken any-
Suddenly, a smashing sound comes from the arena. Everyone looks up to see it is Vanessa flying away on Ariel
Drake: Vanessa? What is she…?
Then, Gilbert rushes outside and he looks alarmed.
Gilbert: Sir! Emergency! The Dragon Journal's been stolen!
Drake looks back up at Vanessa, and he gets a feeling what she did.
Drake: No. Shadow, let's go fly!
In the air, Ariel flies as fast as she can as Vanessa holds onto the Dragon Journal under her arms. However, Shadow zips over with Drake on him.
Drake: Vanessa! Put down the book!
But she just ignores him. As Shadow flies closer, Vanessa quickly yanks out a leg of chicken and tosses it into Ariel's mouth, which she snaps up, giving her her own boost of speed. Drake suddenly realizes that that's what she's been feeding Ariel all this time. But Shadow rides lightning bolts, and zooms over to bump into Ariel, but that gets her agitated.
Vanessa: [alarmed] Ariel, no!
Ariel sprays acid at Shadow, barely missing him, but it gets on the saddle, so the Dark Saber flies upward to get back at her, and they fight each other. During the fight, Ariel grapples her claws onto the scarf around Shadow's neck, taking it off, and the saddle snaps right off, making Drake fall down.
Drake: Shadow!
When he hears that, Shadow looks down to see Drake falling, so he flies back down and catches him before he can hit the ground. The dragon lands on grass, rolling over from that rough landing, but they are both safe. However, the two of them look up to see Vanessa flying away into the distance, baffled about why she stole the book.
Drake: Why?
To Be Continued