Dragon
Wars
Episode 13: Operation Switchblade
Act One
A new year dawns for 2047. Everyone is sound asleep in bed at night as it snows outside, with the winter holidays being over.
Narrator: Christmas is over, and so is Hanukkah. When it comes to a new year, it's all about new things. And that means everyone changes. But sometimes with a new year, there can be some things to happen that even the military cannot predict or react to. Personal log: I'd have to think… if everyone's learned how to train dragons like I can, and the question is: what comes next?
Vanessa Falcon is in her bedroom, sleeping in bed. But in her dream, Drake Dalloway is running away from the Chicago Blackhawks (military junta) looking for him in the streets. But when he reaches the end, he finds himself standing on top of a cliff, where he can see the dead bodies of his friends down below.
Drake: Guys? Ethan? Vanessa?!
Blackhawk 1: There he is.
Blackhawk 2: Target in sight.
When he's spotted, Drake makes a run for it, but the ground begins to break apart and he jumps out of the way before a building falls on top of him. Then, an enormous boulder rolls towards him, so Drake starts running like the wind to try to escape the boulder.
Drake: Shadow! Where are you, bud?!
Suddenly, the floor starts to break apart. He makes a jump, but Drake misses his chance, hanging on the brink. Then, Adam Hunter, the supreme leader of the Blackhawks appears in front of him.
Hunter: [smirks] You let your own country down, boy.
Then, Vanessa wakes up, gasping. She realizes it is all a dream, so she relaxes, until she hears the door knocking from downstairs.
The door is answered by Vanessa's father Stanley, who is in his nightgown and he looks pissed, as he is saluted by a soldier at the doorway.
Soldier: General, sir!
Stanley: Well, what? What is it?
Soldier: Forgive the intrusion, sir. Captain Tymbark is calling you, and she says it's urgent.
Stanley: Gimme that.
Stanley grabs the walkie-talkie from the soldier, answering it.
Stanley: This better be good, Rose.
Far away in the countryside, Captain Rose Tymbark and her team, SC Reg, are patrolling the perimeter, where they can find some burned marks and slashed cars around.
Rose: [to walkie-talkie] Pardon the wake-up call, but I thought you'd want to hear my report. My troops have been finding all kinds of damages around here outside the city. I've counted nineteen cars, all burned or slashed, but no bodies found.
Stanley: [through speakers] It's probably just wild dragons looking for food.
Rose: I wouldn't think so. Because I've found something here.
Looking down, Rose picks up a black ski mask, which she knows what it means.
Rose: I think… the Blackhawks have done this, and this could mean they've finally learned how to train them.
Stanley: You think? [pauses] Find more clues, Captain, and stay alert.
Rose: I understand, General. So… we'll keep you informed.
Done, Stanley hands the walkie-talkie back to the soldier, who walks away from the house. The General walks up the stairs, yawning, before Vanessa comes out of her room.
Vanessa: Dad? Who was that?
Stanley: Just an early wake-up call. Just get some sleep. [beat] But… when we get up, I think we'd have to talk about curfews now.
The next morning, Drake's cousin, Tyler Jones, is at home in the kitchen, making waffles, right before Drake comes down the stairs to meet him.
Tyler: Morning, sunshine.
Drake: Morning, Tyler. Augh. I feel like I've gone through a marathon.
Tyler: Was it that dream again?
Drake: The one where… Hunter's captured me? Yeah.
Tyler: Look, we all made it back. We almost missed Christmas to come looking for you, and we got home in time, so stop worrying.
Drake: I can't help myself. I can't even control my dreams. Something tells me that they could be a… premonition or something.
Tyler: Don't be like that. You should just eat some breakfast before we get to work.
Tyler stacks up a dozen waffles on a plate; Drake takes the stack and walks over to the garage, where Shadow is waiting for him.
Drake: Morning, bro. Tyler's famous waffles.
He sits down on the bed, and eats a waffle while Shadow eats more.
Drake: You know, tomorrow I'd go back to school. We should make plans about what we can do before it begins.
[Shadow chirping]
Drake: Well, I don't know where we could go. Maybe… back to Gatineau Park or something. See what it's like with all the snow. We could do that after work today.
He finishes his waffle, but when Drake is about to have another, Shadow finishes the others.
Drake: Greedy pig.
Later, the Alpha Team (minus Vanessa) is rounded up and back together in the Shelter, talking in the conference room. Michael Czarski, the Stilwells (Rocky & Dusty), Ethan Li and Quinton Gunn are enjoying a conversation, while Drake sits alone, thinking.
Michael: So… there you have it. I actually found another hot chick, other than Vanessa or Empress, and the first thing that she says was… asking if I'm Drake Dalloway.
Dusty: Lemme guess, you said no?
Michael: Well, yeah, I did. I wish I did, so she wouldn't give me a huff.
Quinton: I don't think girls like it when you'd just lie to them. Right, Drake?
They look over at Drake, who only nods. Michael jumps off his seat.
Michael: But still, who wouldn't resist me? I mean, look at my face. My awesome, pretty face. Who'd say no to this?
Ethan: Maybe someone who's seen Beauty and the Beast and… knows a Gaston wannabe. [laughs]
Michael: Gaston? I look nothing like Gaston. He's an asshole, and I'm not.
Drake: Hey, guys, let's focus here, please. We're all here because we'd like to come up with some ideas. Like ideas that would help us train dragons for the better, and, uh… see what orders were made while we were on vacation.
Rocky: Here's an idea. We could train a dragon to… pull the pin from a grenade.
Dusty: Yeah. That might come in handy.
Drake: No…. Maybe that will not work out for us.
Ethan: Actually, Drake, we do have orders in the mail. Apparently, someone is asking for a dragon, but not the ones we ride on. He's asking for a…. A special kind.
Quinton: But what kind?
Then, Vanessa enters the conference room, grabbing everyone's attention.
Vanessa: There you are. I've been looking for you guys.
Drake: What, Vanessa?
Vanessa: Well, uh…. Orders from my dad. A curfew. [beat] Uh…. None of us are allowed to be on dragons in the afternoon or outside of the downtown area.
Everyone: WHAT?!
Vanessa: Hey, orders are orders. He just told me this morning.
Drake: But…. We can't just leave our dragons behind. Not when we're introducing them to society.
Vanessa: I know. But my father's been getting reports about Hunter managing to train his own dragons.
Quinton: That's impossible. Drake hasn't shared any info to the Blackhawks.
Vanessa: Not according to Rose Tymbark.
Michael: Well, what can we do without our dragons?
Rocky: If anyone's asking us to do chores over riding dragons, screw it.
Vanessa: We don't have to not spend time with them. We just don't get to ride them or go so far away from Ottawa.
Ethan: I don't need to ride Clover so much. I've got some other things to work on for the future. It's, uh…. It's personal for me.
Drake: [downed] Well, I was gonna go out to Gatineau with Shadow for some sightseeing.
Vanessa: Look, I'm not making any of this out, guys. I'm respecting my father's orders because you owe me, Drake.
Thinking about it, Drake remembers how many times he left Vanessa beside last year, so he sighs in defeat.
Rocky: But why do I feel like we're being punished for nothing? Wait, is there something wrong we did?
Drake: You heard her, guys. We can't argue with the General's orders. I'm afraid… we'll have to go with this curfew. Let's just… check on the ones we have in cages now and see if we can housetrain them. Meeting adjourned.
Now that the meeting is over, the Alpha Team takes its leave out of the room, and Drake looks more disappointed than everyone else.
Act Two
At McKenzie's farm, Tyler is with Gilbert Hackett, where he gets a call.
Tyler: Yes, sir. I understand completely. But I'm sure that until we get further reports from Rose, we'll carry out this curfew for national security. I will have to speak with Drake about this later. Over and out. [hangs up]
Gilbert: Probably for the best. Drake has been a prisoner to the Blackhawks throughout Christmas Eve. Chances are… they might've gotten some of the information they needed.
Tyler: I wouldn't count on that. Drake is a tough guy for anyone to get through his head, and there's no way he'd give up secrets to others, unless he'd know who he's dealing with.
Gilbert: But we don't know that. If he did, he'd tell us… wouldn't he?
Tyler: He would. [pauses; suspiciously] Unless… he'd be hiding it from us.
Gilbert: Maybe…. But we'd have to be sure.
All the way in Chicago, a Siren Viper slithers around in Soldier Field, where a dozen Blackhawk troopers backed away from the serpentine dragon. Just then, Hunter walks over to the dragon, giving it a serving of pork roast in hand, which entices it.
Hunter: Right here. Come to it.
The Siren Viper moves closer towards Hunter, without even letting out a hiss at him. It sniffs at the roast, then it eats it without even bothering to attack Hunter, who has his chance to pet its snout.
Hunter: That's it. She's tamed.
An applause is heard, which comes from his operatives: Obadiah Snoop,
CD Fox, Wreck-it Rufus, Wallbreaker Ice and Tiger Blade.
Snoop: Well done, Hunter.
Wallbreaker: Yo, you're in the house, boss!
Hunter: I'm so glad that I picked this one. She knows who the boss is, but she knows who to trust. So says… our short-lived guest. Guards, take… Athena to her cage.
Troopers: Yes, sir.
Some of the troopers pull the Siren Viper, now named Athena, by the chains around her neck, and she slithers away into her cage. Now done with what he had to do, Hunter walks off out of the field with the operatives, giving out his plan.
Hunter: Now that we have completed this assignment, we can move on with Operation Switchblade.
Fox: Um…. Maybe you haven't gotten all the details, but we've only managed to train three dragons, including that snake of yours.
Rufus: Yeah. But maybe if we could get more dragons, we might-
Snoop: Rufus, you know it ain't gonna work. All the wild dragons have flown south for the winter.
Hunter: That is true. However, that's something we can change. Because according to our intel, the Alpha Team have taken possession of a football stadium, where they house their own dragons.
Wallbreaker: Um…. So what?
Snoop: SO?! That's because if they have dragons in the football field like a beehive, that's when we'd get to get some like we're getting' honey.
Rufus: Getting honey? [realizing] Oh! Gotcha, boss. We storm inside and get the dragons in cages… have them join us.
Hunter: Precisely! Surely with our own, we could handle any of the Canadian Forces' dragons. They have about six in service, all under the Alpha Team's command. But if we cripple their forces, we will have an advantage on entering their Dragon Shelters, taking what we can.
Tiger Blade: Sensei, I'm in no position to object to you, but I should ask a fair question. Which breed are we going to get?
Hunter: I think I'd know which. Furious Phantoms. They have horns, spiked tails, acid, and they're covered in a skin that repels fires. Plus, we could get a surplus of them. Two to three of them.
Snoop: I'm down with that idea.
Hunter: Good. Now… here is what we will do.
Back in Ottawa, Drake is in the garage, writing down his essay about his time over the holidays. He looks distraught for not going out to fly tonight, but he looks at the photograph of when he was at McKenzie's for that Christmas dinner. He then hears Shadow chirping and clawing at the garage door.
Drake: Shadow, down. We're not allowed to go flying. Besides, if Tyler hears about-
Tyler: [angrily from inside] Drake Dalloway!
Drake: Augh. Now you've done it.
In the kitchen, Gilbert's grandfather McKenzie is working on a platter as Drake enters.
McKenzie: Evening, Drake. Tyler's in the living room.
Drake enters the living room, where Tyler and Gilbert are watching TV.
Tyler: Drake, you have to keep Shadow down, so we can watch basketball tonight.
Gilbert: Because if you can't control that bloody lizard, he'll have to go.
Drake: But he's bored. If I could only let him out for… an hour or two.
Tyler: Not an option. We all know the curfews. No one's allowed to fly at night or away from Ottawa. At least from Parliament Hill to South Gloucester.
Drake: Well, what if we've got shopping to do and we just… missed something that you forgot to get?
Tyler: The answer is still… no.
Tyler gets up and walks over to the kitchen, while Drake sulks about it, until Gilbert talks to him.
Gilbert: Listen, Drake, don't think too harshly on the General. He's only doing this in order to protect us all. So you should be a little more grateful. We've all listened to your words, allowed you to tame dragons, we let coexist peacefully, and all that purely out of the goodness of our hearts, including the General's.
Tyler: Are we almost ready, McKenzie?
McKenzie: Aye. As soon as the Toronto Raptors play.
Gilbert: Which should be any minute. Why don't you join us, Drake?
Drake: I'd like that, but I… have to take your advice. I'll find a way to control Shadow, so he wouldn't… trash the house.
Drake walks down the hall and goes back into the garage, where he catches his Dark Saber about to open the door.
Drake: HEY!
Alarmed, Shadow backs away from the door, and sits down acting so innocently.
Drake: You have any idea what would happen if everyone found out that you escaped? You'd be thrown away.
[Shadow barks]
Drake: Don't give me that. I'd know you're about to escape. So….
But instead of finishing his sentence, Drake grabs some bungee cords and ties them around Shadow's wings, much to the dragon's confusion.
Drake: Instead of flying, we're gonna have to do it the old fashion way. Walking.
Afterwards, Drake is now wearing his winter coat, and he goes outside with Shadow lashed onto a leash like an actual dog. They both make their journey down the street, which barely works out for Shadow. But they run into the neighbour Mr. Reed, who is shovelling his driveway.
Mr. Reed: Ah, Drake.
Drake: Hey, Mr. Reed.
Mr. Reed: Looks like you're walking your dragon, eh?
Drake: Yeah. I mean he's not really an indoor lizard.
Mr. Reed: Oh I'd share that feeling. I have heard from the military about this new curfew. But you know, you could always find a hobby for him.
Drake: I could, but it's not like Shadow's human. He wouldn't know what a hobby is.
Mr. Reed: Well, you could always introduce it to him. Just as how you'd introduce dragons to the city.
Drake is thinking about what Mr. Reed told him, and he thinks it can work.
Meanwhile, Rose is roaming around in the deserted area where her teammates (Stryker, Dozer, Bazooka, Javelin and Crossword) are having a quick bite to eat. But when they see her, they stand up and salute.
Stryker: Captain on deck!
Rose: At ease. Stryker, any bodies to find?
Stryker: Still nothing, ma'am. We've checked the entire perimeter. Still… no casualties accounted for.
Javelin: But Crossword did say he's found a heat signature.
Rose: So why are you sitting on your asses? Move it!
Immediately, the team rushes over to go somewhere, but at the same time, something is stalking them in the shadows. Crossword is using a handheld device to scan the area, but he's finding no dead bodies around. He and Javelin find a damaged car with a shining grill, which seems to interest the hidden being.
Crossword: Still nothing. I must be tracing a stray cat or something. What should we tell the Captain?
Javelin: The truth, Private. Just tell her that it was just a cat.
But when Javelin looks back, the grill is gone from the car. He hears a clanging noise, which is coming from the side of the car, and he finds the grill being dragged away. He reaches for it, but it gets yanked away, and when he tries it again, the grill keeps moving away from him.
Javelin: Since when does a grill have a mind of its own?
Very carefully, Javelin tries to go after the dragging grill, only for it to go further away from him, but after a few seconds of stopping himself, he pins it down with the stock of his sniper rifle.
Javelin: Gotcha!
Then, something blew smoke on his face, and that causes Javelin to cough, making him withdraw as the grill disappears in a junk pile. Crossword hears the coughing, and he rushes to the scene.
Crossword: Javelin, what happened?
Javelin: I just had a smoky feeling.
Rose arrives at the scene, checking up on the other two. But in the junk pile, the creature spots Rose's metallic arms, seeing how shiny they are.
Rose: Explain, troopers.
Javelin: Ran into a cat, Captain. No casualties or bodies here.
Rose: Don't count heads just yet, Javelin. The Blackhawks are obviously up to something, and we cannot stand idly by while they-
Suddenly, the creature jumps onto Rose and wrestles with her, trying to bite the arms off. Rose fights back, falling into another junk pile, as the rest of the Regges rush to the scene.
Bazooka: What was that?
Dozer: Captain, you okay?
Very soon, Rose regains her bearings and she pins down on something under her hands.
Rose: I'm okay, men. But look what I got.
The team looks over to see what Rose catches, and they're shocked to see what it is.
Stryker: Should we put it down?
Rose: No. I have a better idea.
Act Three
The next day, school has begun in the Billy Madison Centre. Everyone is getting inside for class for the first time in the new year. In class, Quinton talks to the trio (Forsythe, Hutch and Oxy), while Drake talks to Ethan and Michael about his idea he got last night.
Michael: A dragon hobby program?
Drake: Yeah. If we could find a hobby for our dragons to get into, it might help them to keep their minds out of flying.
Ethan: You know, it might work. Clover can't stand being inside the house all the time.
Michael: I have a question. Would this program involve riding?
Drake: We can't ride on them. It's too risky. What if they suddenly get the nerve to fly off somewhere?
Michael: But Drake, what's the point about riding dragons if we don't get to do it ourselves?
The door opens, and coming into the room is Professor Emmett J. Miller, who approaches the podium.
Miller: Good morning, class.
Students: Good morning, Professor Miller.
Miller: I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. Before we'd begin, let me remind you that today you'd have to turn in your five-page essay, and we can discuss the facts about both Christmas and Hanukkah. For most of you, you may think they're not the same. But they're both very important, because they're both supposed to keep families together and enjoy each other's company. They can all provide exquisite meals and gifts. Now that's done, let us go for some of the good stuff.
Miller turns and writes "Dragon Classifications" on the whiteboard.
Miller: Provided by the military, we're all going to discuss dragon classifications. Would anyone tell me how many classes there are?
Only a few hands are raised up, and Miller picks Oxy first.
Miller: Oxy?
Oxy: There are seven classes. There's Storm, Terror, Weird, Hydro, Pyro, Diamond, and Swamp.
Miller: Excellent counting. Any more info? Mr. Gunn?
Quinton: When it comes to knowing what class a dragon's in, it's judged by their characteristics. Like the Hydro Class, they're known for having long necks and they live close to seas, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. So we give them the nicknames water dragons, water-squirters or sea dragons.
Miller writes the nicknames on the whiteboard, while listening to Quinton.
Miller: Good, son. How about… Storm Class. Dalloway?
Drake: Oh. Yeah. The dragons in this class have blazing speed, extreme intelligence, and raptor-like heads. They are also the most difficult to train, but the most loyal once they have been trained.
Miller: [chuckles] Like how you were to your dragon?
Students: [laughs]
Miller: But in the end, Storm Class dragons are also known as thunder dragons, storm dragons, skystalkers and stormers. So in other words, it's like they get their powers from thunderstorms. In myths and legends, thunder is very prominent in various folklore; some said they came from their gods. The Norse had Thor, known for swinging his hammer, and the Greeks had Zeus, king of the gods and he held lightning bolts in his hand, crafted in Mount Olympus. But back then, they didn't really know anything about lightning as much as we do today.
Miller draws a picture on the board of a cloud with lightning, and a figure underneath it.
Miller: Now you'd say that when people are struck by lightning, you'd claim it to be the work of touching metal. I'd say something different. A lightning bolt is not, you might say a form of bad luck. No, it's energy. Pure, natural energy, which is electricity. Discovered by Benjamin Franklin, when he flew his kite under a storm with a key. You see, the clouds carry not only water molecules, but heavy particles and other molecules that have enough power to even trigger lightning without hands. BOOM! The bolts only strike where it's attracted to, such as metal or electrons, which can all be found in the ground. And when someone's struck by lightning, that's because… he's in the way, so that's a bad omen.
He erases the figure from the board, replacing it with a dragon underneath the clouds.
Miller: But for a Storm Class dragon, what's the difference?
Ethan: Oh, I'd know. A Dark Saber rides lightning bolts to reach supersonic speed, so… it absorbs the lightning.
Miller: Ah, yes! Absorbing pure electricity, which has enough capacity to kill a human being. It wouldn't kill a Dark Saber, because the dragon has skin tissue that carries a bolt, and blood cells that transfers pure electricity into its system, transforming it into what's called bioelectricity. He lives through that because he's adapted, evolved and lived with this ability, so he's a living battery.
Done with the presentation, Miller erases the picture off the board, before he can move on with the next lecture.
Miller: So what we're going to do is… we're gonna study other creatures that also have bioelectricity. Everyone, open your biology books and turn to page 269.
The entire class takes out their biology books, and flip the pages where it talks about the electric eel. Drake finds the page on his book, but he's still thinking about his program, which gets him to look at his friends everywhere in their separate seats. Then, Miller taps his ruler on Drake's desk to grab his attention.
Miller: No one should have any wandering eyes.
Drake: Sorry, Professor.
Later on, while everyone else is still studying, Drake manages to finish his work, so he could have his free time to write a list of hobbies. He writes "walking, swimming, exercise", and more. Until Miller grabs everyone's attention.
Miller: Pencils down. It's already lunch. But before you do, please put your essays and your studies on my podium.
[bell rings]
All the students walk over with their papers, put them on the podium, and walk out of class in an orderly fashion.
Miller: That's it. Single file, class. I'll see you in 1.5 hours.
In the cafeteria, Drake is grabbing himself a ham sandwich, while Vanessa walks behind him to get a slice of banana bread.
Drake: So there you have it. I need some ideas for what hobbies we can give the dragons.
Vanessa: Well, you could try walking.
Drake: I already did, and I put that on the list. But what I need are some ideas that could keep the dragons from flying without causing trouble.
Then, Quinton rushes over to Drake with the newspaper.
Quinton: Drake, look at this. Someone was caught flying at night.
He shows him the paper, which has a photograph of a dragon flying in the night sky. Drake is shocked and puzzled about it, while Vanessa simply walks away without a word.
Drake: "Dragon rider sighted. Authorities are unclear about who it is or what kind it was, but the military police suspect it to be a rebel ignoring General Falcon's curfews, where flying dragons are at its limits."
Quinton: You don't think it's one of us, do you?
Drake: I'm not sure. This photo is pretty faint. Depending on who it is, we'll have to think about this when we get to work today.
Quinton: Or maybe… it's a civilian who also has a dragon.
Drake: Not now, Quinton. I'd like to think about eating and hobby ideas.
Quinton: Uh…. Right. But, um…. How about security?
Drake is not agreeing with the idea for a hobby, but he remembers something.
Drake: Wait. Maybe there's a way.
In the meantime, Stanley is in his office, reading the newspaper as well, with Tyler and Gilbert seated near the desk.
Stanley: Are we seeing this? Someone's violated a military curfew at night, and there's no lead or clues about who it is or what this man was up to.
Gilbert: I'm afraid some people aren't taking a liking to this curfew, so it's just natural.
Stanley: Naturally, but not in this scenario. Hunter will be coming here any moment, and he'll be determined to get what he wants in this city.
Gilbert: General, we've gone through all the information you requested, and the results are STILL… zero. Whoever this rider is, he knows all the angles to avoid the press.
Stanley: [sighs] I can't believe I'd have to say this out loud, but… maybe we should talk to Dalloway about this. Interrogate him, if we must, to see he's going AWOL again.
Tyler: I wouldn't think it is him, sir. Because my next-door neighbours saw him walking Shadow like a dog. So it wouldn't be him.
Gilbert: But whoever this man is… we'll go looking for him.
Stanley: Alright. Dismissed.
Tyler and Gilbert salute before they take their leave. Stanley sits in his chair, staring at the newspaper photo in thought.
Stanley: Who could it be?
Act Four
After school, Quinton and Ethan are both in a room, where they are tied to a chair, being interrogated.
Voice: Tell us your secret, boy. Tell us now!
Quinton: I will never talk. Never!
Ethan: I won't talk either! You can't make us!
Voice: Oh, I think we can.
Suddenly, the light over the room goes out, and the pair are now bathed in an eerie darkness as Quinton looks around in despair.
Ethan: Aiyah. Uh… Quinton? Are you holding up?
Quinton: I am. I mean… my ancestors lived like this. I'm like…. I'm in the zone. There's not a shred of darkness that would break me.
[ticking]
Quinton: What's that?
Ethan: I hear it too. Usually… that's the ticking for a… bomb before it detonates.
Quinton: [desperately] I won't say anything! I swear!
[ten second silence]
Quinton: Okay, okay! Drake is the leader of the Alpha Team! He rides a Dark Saber named Shadow! Then there's Vanessa! She's very tomboyish. Her dragon is Furious Phantom, spits acid, loves chicken! Michael rides an Arrow Pecker, although he stands on him like a skateboard! Then there's the Stilwells. They share an Ironback- actually they fight over it.
Suddenly, the lights flicker on. The light reveals to be in a spare room in the Shelters, and it also shows the team, revealing their annoyed expressions because Quinton failed the interrogation test.
Quinton: What?! You KNOW when there's a ticking sound, that usually means there's a bomb!
Rocky: Yeah. Maybe next time… we use dynamite.
Dusty: Yeah. I was thinking the same thing.
Drake: Sorry, Quinton, but we have to know if we're all honest. We don't know who this mysterious rider is or where he came from.
Michael: Why don't we say it's one of Hunter's goons? You said it yourself he had dragons.
Drake: I know. But he will do a lot more than turn out the light to get you to talk. He had me locked in a cell, nearly freezing, while Shadow was chained and muzzled, all through Christmas Eve.
Ethan: Look, Drake, this is new to us for now. We're still waking up from our relaxation from the holidays, and we're trying to find a hobby for our dragons.
Vanessa: But Quinton… seriously? I'm not very tomboyish?
Michael: [sexually] It's okay, Vanessa. I like tomboyish girls.
Vanessa: [disgusted] Ugh!
However, smoke begins to sip through the air vents. Shadow sniffs it, and he starts barking in alarm.
Ethan: Smoke! Everyone, outside!
The team rushes for the door, but it's locked tight.
Michael: It's locked!
Drake: Stand back! Shadow!
Shadow sparks up electricity as everyone moves away from the door, and he fires his Thunder Blast to break it open. The team runs outside, only to find Rose standing in their way with her arms crossed.
Rose: Calm down. There's no fire alarm.
Vanessa: Goddamn it. But what was that? Dozer's smokescreen?
Rose: Not this time. I have a new friend who I brought home with me and trained personally.
Rose walks back to reveal the "new friend" she is talking about. It is a little dragon called a Scary Seeker. It is purple with a green underside and white half-circles on the sides. It stands two feet high by the hips, fourteen feet long and has pterosaur-like wings with clawed fingers. The Alpha Team are surprised to see the little dragon.
Quinton: That's a Scary Seeker.
Rocky: What's so scary about it?
Quinton: It's so named because it breathes a veil of smoke, and it sneaks up on its prey, usually terrifying it.
Rose: This is Nemo. I found this one, trying to take a piece of my arms. But after giving him a piece of my mind, he decided to let me train it.
Drake: You mean traumatizing it.
Rose: Kid, don't be a wuss. I was following your lead in training, and I thought about giving it a shot. Anyway, we need to have a word in private. Right now.
Vanessa: Just go, we'll wait for you.
Later in the stands, Drake is walking with Rose while Shadow follows behind, and Nemo tags along.
Drake: Should've known. I should've known that you'd tell us all to be grounded from dragons.
Rose: No one is grounding anyone. So stop thinking of me as if I'm your mother, because I'm your commanding officer. I'm telling you to not fly your dragons, until we can confirm what we're dealing with here.
Drake: What? What about patrolling, training?
Rose: What part of "ban on flying" did you not understand, Corporal?
Drake: Nothing. But it is ridiculous.
Rose: Are you calling me ridiculous?
Drake: Of course not. I would never call you ridiculous. I'm calling your advice ridiculous. Besides, stalking me for training a dragon without permission can be a federal offense, even though I'm the Dragon King.
Rose: Careful, boy. You too, dragon. I was nice to you for some time, and this time I wouldn't be.
Rose turns to the left, going back inside with Nemo, and Drake follows her in with more to say.
Drake: I'm telling you, dragon riding is important for the Alpha Team.
Rose: Yes. But not this time. Since you told us the Blackhawks have Winged Warheads, Freezing Titans and Siren Vipers, we had to confirm if it is true. But you know all that because you were in their custody.
Drake: Well, Hunter's also read the Dragon Journal. He's seen Vanessa train a Diablo Sharktail, and he sent his daughter to gain our other secrets.
Rose: Dalloway….
Drake: If Hunter learns how to train his dragons and he attacks with them, our only chance is to fight back with ours.
But then, Nemo blows smoke at Drake's face, causing him to cough and be silent.
Rose: I understand that. But we're not gonna risk your life or the lives of anyone who's trained a dragon. That's my final word. You're dismissed. [walks off]
Later, the sun is setting as Vanessa and Drake are walking down Bank Street with their dragons.
Vanessa: Wow. I forgot what a long walk it is from the Shelters. Sure would be nice to be flying home.
Drake: I know, right? Maybe I… should've taken Tyler's advice long ago and get a drivers' license.
Then Shadow notices the sinking sun and circles Drake, agitated.
Vanessa: What's with him?
Drake: He's bored. He likes it when we fly together, especially during sunset. I just don't know what sort of hobby he would need.
Shadow wanders off to stare forlornly at the sunset.
Drake: Sorry, bro. We can't.
Vanessa: Poor guy. No family, no night-flying, what's left for him, really? If only there's something we could do.
Drake: You could try telling your father to cancel the curfew.
Vanessa: I can't. He's the General of the Canadian Forces, who also happens to be my incredibly overprotective father.
Drake: Well, we'd have to get him to change his mind.
Vanessa: Sorry, Drake, but I'm in no position to make objections. You two just continue going home. I'll be riding the bus.
Vanessa turns to the right on Fifth Avenue with Ariel, while Drake walks alone with Shadow, pondering about what to do.
Drake: Maybe Rose is right, Shadow. Hunter has dragons, and he's determined to have things go his way, the next time we see him. But if he does have dragons, we'd have to act firsthand. So…. How…?
Drake looks to the left, seeing a display of Avengers posters and action figures at the window. Then, when he sees Captain America, he gets an idea.
Act Five
At night, Drake and Shadow are in the garage, where Drake is working on something. Then Shadow smacks Drake in the head with his tail.
Drake: Ugh, what?
Shadow growls and continues to bother Drake as he works.
Drake: Shadow, you have to relax.
Drake manages to get Shadow to lay down with hand motions, then Tyler enters.
Tyler: You sure got home late today, Drake. So I guess you flying with Shadow makes you come on time. Of course, you can't do that, what with the ban on flying, and all. So, what are we making?
Drake shows Tyler what he's been working on. A triangular shield decorated with the Canadian flag.
Tyler: A shield?
Drake: Yeah, a shield. Made from the leftover Bugsteel we had, and it's also rigged with hidden weapons.
Drake activates a hidden switch, which sends a mini bola out of the shield. The rope wraps itself around Tyler and awkwardly pulls Drake towards his cousin.
[five second silence]
Tyler: …This is awkward.
But Drake releases the catch, winding the bola back into the shield.
Drake: I'm still working on the kinks. But if we can't ride dragons, we'd have to defend ourselves, and… I'm still out of practice on firearms.
Tyler: I know. You actually have butterfingers when it comes to guns. However, I have something to say. General Falcon suspects there's a rebel in town, and he wants the guy caught in the act of dragon-riding.
Drake: And Shadow's acting up because he can't stand the curfew.
Tyler: You should listen to what Gilbert's told you about the General. He's just doing what's best for his army. That's what it takes to be a leader. You should know it, like I do. He's trying to keep you safe.
Drake: Yeah, but the problem is, the safest place for me, is on Shadow.
Tyler: Well, he's sent me to find the rebel, and to find the right troopers to find him.
Drake: Maybe your troopers should be a first choice?
Tyler: You are my first choice. You and Shadow. Because if I have to find the rogue rider, it'll have to be another flyer who's stealthy and well hidden.
Drake: [stunned] Are you saying….?
Tyler: I'm violating the curfew, but I'd never break the General's laws unless I have to. And now, I must. So Drake, from this moment on, I'm giving you the job to find the rebel.
So pleased to hear that, Drake grows a smile on his face and he salutes.
Drake: Sir, yes, sir!
Afterwards, Drake is on top of a building at Sparks Street, where he and Shadow are looking around for the rebel. He sees nothing through his binoculars, so he takes out his walkie-talkie to make contact.
Drake: Rogue-2 to Rogue Base. You copy?
Tyler: [through walkie-talkie] Loud and clear. What's your status?
Drake: There's nothing to see around here. Are you sure this is where he was?
Tyler: Affirmative. Judging by the background on the photo, it has to be right over Sparks Street, so there's a chance he might show there. Mainly because the military barely goes to the street.
Drake: Either that or they're just lazy.
Tyler: Look, you'd have to make it snappy. If anyone finds you flying, the General would demote me… for the thirteenth time.
Drake: Twelfth time, actually. That exploding microwave incident was your doing, not mine. Anyway, we'll keep scouting the area. Over and out.
Drake hangs up on the walkie-talkie and walks over to Shadow, dripping a Tim Hortons cup of hot cocoa. He sets up his brand new camera on a tripod, setting it up to snap a picture of the rebel if he's in sight. But after a few moments of waiting, he sits down on the snow, and gets a chill from the cold wind blowing on him.
[Shadow chirps]
Drake: I know, I'm cold too. But, uh… that's why I bought some hot chocolate from Tim Hortons. I even have one for your size.
He gives Shadow a bigger cup, which the dragon tries, until he reacts with a burned tongue. Even Drake feels it when he winces.
Drake: Slow it down. It's supposed to be hot.
Then, Shadow picks up a scent, which makes him look ahead over at Elgin Street.
Drake: Shadow? You got something?
Drake quickly rushes for the other side with his camera, ready to snap a picture. But when looks, there is nobody or a dragon in sight, and Shadow is still glaring at the vast empty space.
Drake: Where is he?
[Shadow growls]
Drake: Shadow, quiet. You'll give us-
Suddenly, something swoops up from below and knocks Shadow away, while Drake winces of feeling some pain on his chin. They both look up to see the rebel dragon-rider, shrouded in the night sky, flying away.
Drake: That's him! Shadow, let's go!
Much to Shadow's joy, Drake mounts on him and he takes off to chase after the rebel in the night sky. But the suspect is flying so fast and so far away from the lit buildings, none of them can see who he is as Drake grabs his walkie-talkie.
Drake: Rogue-2 to Rogue Base, target in sight. I'm in hot pursuit. The rebel is flying away and on his way to Westboro.
Tyler: Copy that. You keep chasing him. Over.
Drake: [hangs up] Come on, bro. Let's do your sonic speed.
Shadow sparks up electricity, ready to reach supersonic speed. But then, the rebel flies down and Shadow dashes ahead, missing the suspect. Drake can't see it, but they both crash into some trees, roll down a snowy hill, and end up in a haystack at a farm, scaring away the cows.
Drake: I think that was too fast.
Drake spits out some hay as Shadow shakes the rest off of him.
Drake: The Experimental Farm. We've finally got your flying time, and the first thing you do is crash into trees.
Angry, Shadow hits Drake on the head with his wing, but they both hear sirens blaring, knowing the military police are on their way.
Drake: Quick, hide!
Shadow grabs Drake with his teeth and rushes out of the barn, towards a boulder. The moment he touches it, Shadow wraps himself around Drake to cover him, and turns to stone, just as the MP personnel arrive to investigate.
Lead MP: You two, check in that barn. And you three, go over there.
All of the military police sweep the area, hoping to find Drake and Shadow, but none of them can see them due to the fact that Shadow is using magic in disguise. Shadow opens his eyes to see the scene, then Stanley arrives at the scene, grabbing the MP's attention.
Lead MP: Sir. We just got the report of a rogue rider in-
Stanley: I know that, because I gave the order. Any leads or clues?
Lead MP: Nothing at all, sir. But if we find this rebel, we will arrest him until Christmas.
Stanley: Negative. If we find him, I will speak to him directly, so I can make sure he doesn't repeat his incident. Do you understand?
Lead MP: Yes, sir.
But during the talk, Drake is actually listening to what the General said from inside of Shadow's wrapped tail, thinking about it.
Act Six
The next day in class, everyone is doing a quiz while Miller is reading the book Treasure Island. Drake is whispering to Quinton, Ethan and Michael about what he's gone through last night.
Drake: And that's all I know about.
Ethan: Okay, but how come you didn't see the guy?
Quinton: Well, nobody could, so give him a break. Speaking of breaking, what are we going to go AWOL? Again?
Drake: Actually, no. This is the part where I tell you Tyler's giving me a mission to find the rebel and Rose is wrong.
Miller: [clears throat]
When the four friends hear the cleared throat from Miller, they go back to studying.
Later at the end of the day, the bell rings at 3:00 PM. The other classes burst out the doors and run outside, while Miller calmly opens his door, letting his students out.
Miller: Class, you may now file out in an orderly fashion. No shoving, no back talks, thank you. Mr. Dalloway, a word?
Drake walks back into the class and follows Miller to his desk, where he sits down at.
Drake: [nervously] Yes, Professor?
Miller: There's nothing for you to worry about. I wanted to tell you that I've gone through your essay, and I was… astounded by it. You, looking for more Dark Sabers, and your experience in Chicago. The entire staff read it, and we felt like you were really writing a book.
Drake: Well, uh…. I have done my personal logs during the war. So I've had my experience.
Miller: Which is always important. However, you might need to do more practice on your mathematics with BEDMAS and algebra.
Drake: I'll, uh…. I'll keep it in mind.
Miller: There's a good lad. Now you head along home and try doing your homework. And remember… it's a tough one to accomplish.
Afterwards, Drake and his four friends are hiding under George Dunbar Bridge, where they can talk more about his idea.
Drake: What we're going to do is… black ops. I can't catch the guy by myself, so I would need your help on this one. We ride at night under the cover of darkness. Sharpening our skills against possible dragon attacks by Hunter.
Quinton: Sounds good to me.
Ethan: Yeah. But if anyone asks, we'll just… come up with an excuse or something.
Michael: Finally. We get to ride. Now that's what I call a hobby.
Drake: Michael, listen to me. This is off the record. So no one else but the four of us will know about this. That means… nobody knows about this. Not even Vanessa.
Michael: And the Stilwells? Because they're not really that good at keeping secrets from anyone.
Ethan: Perhaps, but if Vanessa finds out about this, she will tell her father.
Quinton: Um, yeah. That's what I was thinking. Or instead of her, Captain Tymbark might hear about this and she'll make us all do five hundred laps in one night.
Drake: No, I did five laps in two hours. But Quinton, this is a defining moment in the history of the Ottawa Dragon Shelters. Hundreds of years from now, when they're building statues of us in the middle of town, they're going to harken back to the courage it took us to do what was right, regardless of the consequences.
Quinton: So, I get a statue?
Drake: It was a hypothesis, really.
Quinton: Okay. So… when do we start?
Drake: At 4:30. That's when the sun sets, so at 1630 hours, we take off with our dragons and start the patrol.
Michael: Copy that. I'll get ready.
Then, Michael's phone rings, and he takes it out to see a text message.
Michael: But I… can't be at work today. I have to help my mom.
Act Seven
Later in the Czarski house, which is at 214 Rosemere Ave, Michael is in the kitchen, holding a compost bag while his mother is filling it up with bones.
Mrs. Czarski: There. That's the last of the turkey bones. That was one heck of a party we had last week.
Michael: You know, you could just do it without asking for anyone's help.
Mrs. Czarski: Now don't you be ridiculous, Michael. We may live in this house by ourselves, but now that we have no more dragon problems, this is when we'd all get to stick together like a family.
Michael: Well… too bad dad didn't think so.
Mrs. Czarski: Now, can you pass me the paprika up on the high shelf? I'm almost done baking the pudding.
Michael walks over to the upper shelf, where he reaches up to get the paprika, but then he is bumped from behind by someone. It is Autumn, his ten-year-old sister, who's running around with a pair of skates in hand.
Autumn: Mom, let's go skating! Let's go skating!
Michael: [ticked] Autumn, watch where you're going. Those blades could've cut me.
Autumn: Party pooper.
Mrs. Czarski: Now, now, Autumn. I just have to finish working here, and then we can go to the Rideau Canal.
Autumn: Okay, mom. But does Michael have to come too? He'll just be a stick in the mud, like he always has been.
Michael: That's not true. I've been keeping my cool. And I won't go because I have work to do.
Autumn: [smugly] Yeah. With the ladies. [giggles]
Michael: [ticked] Ya want me to show you how I got Surfboard's tooth out with you in it?
Mrs. Czarski: Michael, no fighting in the Czarski house. I don't allow it.
Michael: Augh! Fine! Anyway, I'm off now.
He looks at the timing on his watch, seeing that it's almost 4:20, and Michael steps out of the house to the garage, where Surfboard is waiting for him.
Michael: Get yourself ready, Surfboard. We're finally gonna fly tonight.
He puts the saddle on his Pecker's back, buckles his boots to it, and Surfboard takes flight into the air.
Later, Drake and his three friends are in the air, where they return over to the Experimental Farm, perching on the barn's roof.
Drake: This is the spot. Where I… ran into the rogue last night.
Michael: Okay. But why are we here?
Ethan: Isn't it obvious? Criminals always come back to the scene of a crime.
Quinton: But Drake, don't we even know what kind of dragon he's riding on?
Drake: Uh…. No. I couldn't see it. He was in total darkness and he's fast.
Quinton: Okay. Maybe faster than a Dark Saber, when it's not riding lightning bolts. But you know what's also faster? Winged Warheads. Birdlike dragons, spits venom and changes colour.
Drake: I guess…. [beat; realizing] Wait a minute. Changes colour?
Quinton: That's what I said, why?
Drake: Maybe that's what we're dealing with. Someone has trained a Winged Warhead, and I didn't see it because it was blending with its surroundings. So that means… it's a different guy.
Michael: But who? Who could it be to train one like that? Sure wasn't me, because I've had my gross encounter with one last Christmas.
Drake: It'll have to be one of Hunter's goons. He's got one.
Michael: So let's go find him.
Ethan: Not yet. We'll wait until the sun disappears. That way no one could see us riding our dragons.
Michael: But wouldn't that mean the guy would disappear too?
During the talk, Shadow is looking at the sunset, but above it he sees a flying silhouette heading off. He barks in alarm, alerting the others.
Drake: What is it?
Quinton: Drake, look! I see him!
Quinton points his finger at what Shadow is barking at.
Ethan: I knew it. He actually flew over the scene of a crime. Sneaky bastard.
Drake: Either way, we'll have to catch up with him. Let's go.
On their dragons, the team takes flight off the barn, tailing the rogue to see where he's going.
Drake: I just hope this changes everything.
Act Eight
In the Shelters, Tyler is fiddling with Drake's shield, as Rose walks over to him at the lobby.
Tyler: Now where did he hide it? Where is the trigger for that-
Rose: [interrupting] Tyler!
Tyler inadvertently activates the release for the rope and pulls Rose toward him. With the two of them in that position, Rose is blushing and glaring at Tyler with a grumble.
Tyler: Eh-heh. So, I'll just… unwind that, and uh… hopefully, no one is looking….
He manages to unwind the rope, before Rose pushes him away from her.
Tyler: Done.
Rose: [clears throat] Um… before I'd get to the point, may I ask what that is?
Tyler: Just a shield Drake made himself. Pretty cool, huh? I guess I taught too well on how to make things. Anyway, the point?
Rose: Yes, that point. Aren't you supposed to be finding the rogue?
Tyler: It's already done. I managed to send a… squad to find the guy. They haven't reported in, so they're still looking.
Rose: Alright, but who could it be? Gilbert's at his grandfather's farm, my team is working out…. You sent someone else?
Tyler: It's nothing critical. So I just-
Rose: [suspiciously] Tyler…. I know you've been keeping something from me.
Tyler: Keeping something from you? We don't keep secrets from each other.
Rose: So who did you send manhunting?
Tyler: That? Uh…. I'm not at liberty to say anything about that.
But Rose is pointing her pistol to a bewildered Tyler.
Rose: Don't toy with me. Tell me now before you'd have to cough out a bullet.
But before Tyler can say anything, a beeping comes from the computer, which he answers right away. It activates a video chat of the General.
Tyler: [salutes] Reporting in.
Stanley: At ease, Jones. I tried to call you on your phone, but you haven't answered.
Tyler: Sorry, sir. It's charging up, but what seems to be the problem?
Stanley: Is Vanessa working tonight in the Shelters?
Tyler: Negative. She said she was going home.
Stanley: Well, apparently not. I need you to go out there to look for her. If you spot her, relay a message to Crossword. I sent him to go searching in Gatineau.
Tyler: Understood. I'll start with Old Ottawa. Over and out. [hangs up] We'll ask questions later, Rose. We got a girl to find.
Rose: Hate it when this happens. [walks off]
Back with Drake, he leads the other three across the night sky, still on the rogue's tail, even though they can barely see him as he flies into the woods.
Drake: He went into the woods.
The team makes a landing towards the suspect's spot, but when they get there, he is already gone. Drake shushes his friends before he dismounts Shadow, and leads the way across the way. Drake finds a street sign called Lake Park Road by the trees.
Drake: All the way here? In Lake Park?
Ethan: Stay alarmed. If the rider's on a Winged Warhead, we'd have to be cautious.
Quinton: He's right. Winged Warheads hunt like wolves. One dragon lures a single sheep from the flock, then the others surround it.
Michael: But they're like birds, right? So they would be… above us in the trees, right?
Drake: Wait, down here. I've found tracks.
Drake points down to reveal a trail of tracks on the floor, and Quinton walks over to track them.
Quinton: These are fresh. But, uh…. It's not a Winged Warhead. This is something else.
Ethan: Like a different breed or… someone pulling our legs?
Quinton: I can't tell with all the snow. I'm more used to tracking on the dirt than most. But we can follow them.
With Quinton leading the way, the team ventures forth through deeper in the woods. The snow is falling hard, and the sound of howling is heard from a distance, which makes Michael nervous.
Ethan: Don't worry it's just coyotes. Quinton, how much further?
Quinton: I see… an opening. The edge of the woods.
Drake: We'll have to make it snappy. It's getting chilly already.
As the team make it out of the woods, they stumble upon a frozen lake, which the dragons gingerly walk onto. But very carefully, everyone walks over the ice, but none of them can tell that they're being watched by something or someone. Drake reaches shore first; he grabs Shadow by the saddle to help him get off the ice, but Helios slips and breaks the ice, falling down into the water.
Quinton: Helios!
Quinton tries to get in, but Ethan stops him before he can jump.
Ethan: Quinton, don't. That water is too cold for you.
Quinton: But Helios….
Drake: He'll be fine. Sharktails are one of the only fire dragons to swim and survive extreme cold. Remember?
Helios: [realizing] Oh yeah. I forgot about that.
But then, a noise is heard from behind. Drake looks back, seeing that it's a trio of Furious Phantoms snarling at the intruders.
Ethan: [shocked] Aiyah….
Michael: Oh crap. I guess we were tailing a wild Phantom without noticing.
Drake: Run!
The Phantoms spit acid at the boys who flee. Helios jumps out of the icy water, roaring at the horned dragons before he picks up Quinton.
Drake: Keep your distance! Their acid is only effective at close range!
Ethan: Not very comforting, when you're on a slow dragon! [to Clover] I'm sorry, girl, it had to be said.
Michael: There's only three of them, and four of us! We can take 'em!
Drake: No! Let's get out of here!
The boys are now flying out of the trees, but a hard blow from the wind knocks them back down to the snow. A Phantom follows them a short distance before Shadow's blasts send one away, but the others move on, about to spit acid at them. Then, Vanessa rushes over with Ariel, beckoning the wild dragons to back off.
Vanessa: No, no, no, no. Easy, you guys.
[Phantoms neigh]
Vanessa: Back… off….
Vanessa reaches out her arms at the dragons, managing to calm them down, and they walk away to where they were. There, they encounter several hatchlings circling them, so that means they were protecting their young. But when Vanessa looks back, she glares at the boys.
Vanessa: What are you doing here?!
Drake: What am I…? What about you?! Huh?!
Vanessa: Well, these are Ariel's siblings. She wanted to meet them, so we….
Drake: You violated your father's law, haven't you?
Vanessa: Look who's talking. You and the Three Stooges are breaking the rules too. Although I never thought you wouldn't bring the Stilwells this time.
Drake: Vanessa, I thought you'd be going with the law. Usually, it'd be Michael or the twins to break them. But you?
Vanessa: [guilty] Look, I had my reasons. Ever since I started riding Ariel, I've felt so alive. [glaring] Is that a crime?!
Drake: Hey, no argument with that.
Vanessa: Don't tell you're not against it, mister.
Drake: Look, we just came here to stop you so that… your father wouldn't arrest you.
Ethan: Actually, she's not the only person the General punishes in life.
Michael: Maybe, but nobody knows who it was on the paper. They never had a proper picture, so nobody would notice her.
Quinton: Wouldn't notice? She's got a dragon with a dinosaur's head.
But then, they hear a whirling noise. The team looks up to see patrol helicopters flying over.
Vanessa: Patrol choppers. My father must've sent them.
Drake: Quick! Evasive action!
The five of them fly on their dragons to get away from being spotted by the choppers. After a long flight, Ethan makes it home. As does Michael, before Surfboard throws him inside of the garage.
Michael: Way to go, Surfboard!
Quintin and Helios land in front of their house, before Quinton gets into the house by the backdoor.
Quinton: That was close.
For Drake, Shadow flies in through the garage door and his rider closes the side door behind him.
Drake: [sighs] I think we ditch 'em, bro.
Vanessa and Ariel make it back; Vanessa signals Ariel to go to bed before ducking in her house.
Vanesa: Phew. I made it in time.
But then, Stanley stands in front of Vanessa, startling her, with his arms crossed, glaring down at her.
Stoick: Made it in time for what?
Vanessa: Dad! I, uh…. I was hanging out at a friend's house.
Stanley: On your dragon?
Vanessa: No, I was-
Stanley: Then how come the saddle's missing?
Stanley points his finger at the wall, which is where the saddle is supposed to be mounted on. Vanessa knows that means she's caught red-handed, and she hangs her head in shame.
Act Nine
Farther away from Ottawa, there is a bundle of Blackhawks assembled and ready to go, with Hunter standing beside his new dragon Athena. A Winged Warhead comes flying over, landing in front of Hunter, and Wallbreaker dismounts it to salute.
Wallbreaker: Yo, the flight was off the hook, and those sorry saps saw nothin'.
Hunter: Excellent, Ice. We're making great progress with our new steeds. How about yours?
Fox and Rufus are with a Freezing Titan, who's feeding on chocolate from the bat-wielding wrecker.
Rufus: We're all good to go, boss. Just say the word. Bloser will freeze 'em.
Fox: But why'd you call him Bloser?
Rufus: I find it cool. Because he's blue, and he's a total bruiser.
Fox: Absolutely NOT the best name.
Rufus: Better than calling him Willy.
Snoop: Enough already! We're on a mission, so take it like a man!
Hunter: Calm yourself, Mr. Snoop. It'll be thirty minutes before we get there, and then… Operation Switchblade is initiated.
Stanley sits at his desk with Rose by his shoulder as he admonishes the ashamed Vanessa. Drake watches from out of the room worriedly, with Tyler at his side.
Tyler: [whispers] Has anyone suspected you?
Drake: [whispers] Nope.
Vanessa: Look, General, I had my reasons to-
Stanley: Don't gimme that, young lady. I just don't know what we're going to do with you.
Rose: I was clear when I said we shouldn't fly at night. What could possibly be more important than following a commanding officer?
Vanessa: Ariel wanted to go see some of her family members.
Rose: Excuses!
Stanley: Rose, at ease. [to Vanessa] As for you, because of your careless behavior, the entire city would be encouraged to violate any more rules other than this curfew. But if they hear that you broke those laws, they'll assume that I can't maintain order.
But Drake rushes into the office before he salutes to the General.
Drake: But she's telling the truth. I was gone looking for her, until we- I mean, I ran into wild Phantoms.
Stanley and Rose look to one another, raising a brow, unconvinced.
Drake: I thought I was done for, until Vanessa came, sending them away. So… we were safe, and Lake Park would be off-limits to-
Stanley: Lake Park?
Drake is stunned, thinking he might've given Vanessa away. Vanessa covers his mouth as she looks angrily at him.
Stanley: But that's far away from downtown. And if you were there, then that means…. [realizing; angrily] Wait! You were on your dragon too? Weren't you?!
Before Drake can reply, wide-eyed, Tyler steps in the office to explain.
Tyler: Sir, he was there under my orders. I told Drake to go find the rogue, because his dragon is the fastest in service.
Rose: [stunned] You…? You sent him?
Tyler: We were both asked to find the rogue, and he did. Mission accomplished.
Stanley: [standing] In what way, Jones? He could've been captured by those Blackhawks, just like what happened on Christmas.
Drake: That was my mistake, so I-
Stanley: Silence in the ranks. Everyone, just go home and-
Vanessa: But if you would just listen-
Stanley: I SAID SILENCE! I want you all to go home on foot. And if I see you or hear about you flying on your dragons again, I'd the curfew where we'd have to put them down! Do you understand?!
Disappointed, Vanessa's lip quivers. She exhales and walks away with Drake tailing behind. Soon enough, Tyler and Rose take their leave, but the General realizes what he just said. He sits on his desk, shellshocked in remorse.
Stanley: I can't believe I said that.
Outside, Vanessa kicks a garbage can in frustration, as Drake and Shadow watch her.
Vanessa: No flying or we'd kill the dragons?! What's next?!
Drake: Hey, you need to calm down.
Vanessa: Don't talk to me now. You almost gave me away.
Drake: Well, I didn't let the press snap a picture of me on the front page.
Vanessa is about to smack on Drake's face, until she realizes that he is stating the truth. All of a sudden, Nemo pounces on the two of them, shoving them into the snow, as Rose walks over to them with Tyler.
Rose: I gotta hand it to ya. You both really are peas in a pod. Because you'd know when to ignore one's curfews and shit. If it was not snowing, I'd have you run laps all day.
Vanessa: Captain, leave Drake out of this. I violated the law, not him. He was sent to get me-
Rose: Correction. When one of us makes a mess, everyone else gets the blame.
Tyler: Rose, let 'em go. They've had enough.
All of a sudden, Tyler's phone rings and he answers it.
Tyler: Hello?
Gilbert: [through speakers] Tyler, the farmlands are under attack! Blackhawks, and they have dragons with them!
Tyler: What?! Hang on! [hangs up] Gilbert's in trouble on the farm! He needs help!
Rose: In the countryside?! My team won't make it in time!
Drake: Unless….
Rose is looking at Drake, still pinned down by the Scary Seeker, with a look that lets her know what he's referring to.
Rose: No! We're not doing it. We'll just call for an air strike.
Vanessa: But what if they killed the cows and chickens there? They're very scarce around here, so if the jets attacked, the farmers will-
Rose: My answer is no.
Tyler: Rose, we can think about rules later. Right now, my best friend is in jeopardy and so is his grandfather. We don't act with the Alpha Team, you'd be no better than anyone else.
Thinking about it, Rose realizes that maybe what Tyler told her may be true, but she isn't sure about which to pick: go by the rules or not. After a sigh in defeat, she comes to a conclusion.
Rose: Nemo, off.
Nemo gets right off of Drake and Vanessa, letting them regain their bearings.
Rose: You better have a way to save those farmers, or else you'd be dead meat this time.
Drake: I may have a way. But first… I'll need my shield.
Act Ten
In the countryside, two farms are being attacked by Blackhawk troopers, who open fire with their guns at the fleeing people, as flame troopers destroy structures with their flamethrowers. Gilbert uses his own rifle to fire at incoming troopers from cover, while his grandfather McKenzie runs across the snow to join him.
McKenzie: We have to go!
Gilbert: Just two more to go and then-
Suddenly, McKenzie sees a heavy trooper firing an RPG-7 at Gilbert's cover, almost blowing them both up.
McKenzie: SMITHEE!
Now urged to leave, Gilbert flees from the scene with McKenzie, until the Freezing Titan, Bloser, shows up from the trees, and blasts freezing ice around the two.
Gilbert: Blast it all!
Hunter arrives on Athena, who unleashes her Heatwave everywhere, burning down all of the barns. Now with all the farmers surrounded, the troopers round them up and Hunter dismounts his new dragon, basking with joy.
Hunter: Eureka burnout.
Then, two troopers drag over a farmer with a cow calf by a leash.
Farmer: [begging] Please, spare my calf. She's just a baby.
Hunter: I'm afraid, my new pet is hungry. The younger the cow the better, because it makes the meat tender.
The supreme leader motions the troopers to move the farmer away, leaving the calf behind. Hunter snaps his fingers and points at the calf, which signals Athena to breathe fire at the calf, killing it, before she eats it. Then, he sees Gilbert cornered with McKenzie by Bloser, so he walks over to them.
Hunter: It looks like… the Canadians sent only one savior.
Gilbert: Not quiet yet, Hunter. I've already called for backup.
Hunter: [smirks] Not so far away from downtown Ottawa.
Hunter draws out his pistol, about to open fire at Gilbert, until…. BOOM! A bolt of lightning blasts in between them, disarming Hunter of his weapon. The Blackhawks look up and they see Shadow flying over with Drake, armed with his shield, and Tyler on his back. Tyler fires back with two assault rifles, shooting at any troopers he can see, then the rest of the Alpha Team arrive on their dragons, also fending off the Blackhawks.
Hunter: Now we'll have some fun. [whistles]
By the sound of Hunter's whistle, Athena takes flight into the air, and flies towards Shadow, who snarls at the sight of her.
Tyler: Drake, jump now!
Drake and Tyler both jump, landing onto a snowbank. Shadow roars and clashes with Athena, picking a fight with her. With Tyler on the ground, Rose jumps off of Ariel, lands near his side, and punches all the Blackhawk troopers in her way.
Tyler: [to Drake] Go over to Gilbert. Make sure his grandfather's out of the way.
Drake: Alright! [runs off]
Tyler: Rose, this way.
The two of them run for more shooting, until Tiger Blade stands in their way, swinging his dual katanas for a fight.
Tiger Blade: This is where you stop.
Rose: Not in our country.
Tiger Blade charges ahead at Tyler and Rose, both armed with combat knives, and they begin a knife/blade fight. All of a sudden, Nemo pounces on Tiger Blade, blowing smoke at his face, then Rose punches the operative in the face.
Snoop draws his pistols and tries to shoot down Surfboard, who's flying everywhere in the air.
Snoop: Hold still, ye dern buzzard!
Wallbreaker: Firebirds, roll to the highways! Head to Ottawa!
By Wallbreaker's demand, a dozen Firebirds on motorcycles ride down the highway, until their path is blocked by Fin & Flip, who are spraying hot water everywhere, enough to get the Firebirds to fall off of their bikes.
Rocky: Too hot for you losers?
Dusty: I'd say too wet for them. [laughs]
Then, Fox and Rufus arrive with Bloser at the side of the road.
Fox: Speaking of wet….
Bloser sprays freezing cold water at the road, turning into ice, and the twins' Ironback begins to lose balance on the slippery floor before they all collapse. However, Helios dives down from below, showing the eye-like markings on his wings, and breathes fire at Bloser, forcing the Freezing Titan to back away from the road.
Rufus: Bloser, calm. It's just fire and you got ice.
Quinton: Don't count on it. When it's fire against ice, fire always wins.
Quinton aims his bow and shoots an arrow, hitting a tree nearby, but it has a grenade attached to it.
Rufus: [alarmed] GET DOWN!
The grenade detonates before Fox and Rufus jump off their dragon on time, but Bloser is now dealing with Helios, who keeps breathing fire at him. As for the Firebirds, Clover arrives and spews lava everywhere, driving them away on their bikes.
Ethan: That's the end for you biker boys.
Wallbreaker: The end? I hear no fat lady singing! Spit 'em!
Wallbreaker's Winged Warhead spits venom, nearly close enough to hit Clover's face. However, Ariel shows up and spits acid in front of the birdlike dragon, which scares him, and he flies away from the scene.
For Drake, he's close enough to go find Gilbert and McKenzie, who are hiding a barn.
Gilbert: Where're the reinforcements?
Drake: We're all the help there is.
Gilbert: I thought you would remain on the floor. Driving a car for a change.
McKenzie: No time for that, lad. We need to get out of here quickly.
Drake: Just follow me. Tyler should be on his way now.
With his shield, Drake bashes a hole through the barn's wall, and he leads the two Hacketts outside to safety. Suddenly, gunfire forces Drake into hiding and Gilbert to run off with his grandfather. Drake looks ahead to see Hunter, aiming a Mossberg shotgun at where he is.
Hunter: Your move, Dragon King.
Hunter shoots at the tree Drake is hiding behind. Drake sees Shadow still fighting Athena, so he can't help him. However, he narrowly avoids a few more of Hunter's bullets and is forced to hide again.
Hunter: You could've done the right thing and join us. We would've built a better future for everyone to cherish. I've seen the results, Dalloway.
Drake: Not me, I don't!
Stepping out from hiding, Drake uses his shield's grappling hook feature and fires it at a tree branch above Hunter. He then yanks his shield back and tears off the tree branch with it. The branch then falls on top of Hunter, trapping him underneath it.
Hunter: [frustrated] I HATE it when that happens!
With Hunter incapacitated, Shadow tosses Athena aside to the snow, beating her. Eventually, with so many troopers and Firebirds down, all the operatives begin to withdraw and flee.
Snoop: Hunter, they're too strong! We need to retreat!
Wallbreaker: So soon?
Tiger Blade: We must.
Hunter frees himself, and sees his men defeated. He looks ahead to also see Drake and Shadow glaring at him, not before he notices more Canadian soldiers heading over to the scene.
Hunter: AUGH! All units, fall back!
Now in defeat, he gets on Athena, and Hunter leads the others away from the battlefield, as Alpha Team roar in victory. The Jeeps arrive; Stanley gets out of one of them, barking orders at the soldiers.
Stanley: After them. Make sure they crossed the borders.
Soldier: Yes, sir!
Stanley: I want all farmers rounded up and under full care.
Done with the orders, the General looks over at Drake and Vanessa, glaring at them both.
Stanley: As for you two….
Vanessa: General, wait. It was my idea. They tried to stop me.
Stanley: No…. [pauses; apologetic] I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was just… trying to protect you. But it looks like… you can do it yourself. Guess this means… my little girl has really grown up. Would you accept a gunslinger's apologies? You too, Drake?
Drake: Yes, sir. We did this because it was the best thing to come up with.
Shadow walks over to Drake, allowing him to scratch the back of the dragon's neck.
Stanley: You're right. Without your dragons, all these people would've died before we'd arrive. I should think about terminating the curfew… or just change it a bit.
Among the rounded up farmers, Rose looks at Stanley from afar to see him talking to those two teens, knowing what he's telling them.
Rose: I guess this means the curfew is terminated.
Tyler: Either that or modified.
Rose: But Tyler… is this how it looks? To simply violate rules and regulations?
Tyler: In a way. But I did it a few times, Drake holds the record of doing it more than me. Now help me with that guy's sheep.
Tyler walks off to a farmer who's trying to gather all the sheep into a single flock. Rose thinks about what she did before the battle, and she shrugs to know it might've been the right thing to do, and walks over to join Tyler. Nemo perches on Rose, and she scratches him under the chin.
The next morning, the bell rings for the Billy Madison Centre. Drake and Vanessa are both walking together down the hall, entering their classroom.
Vanessa: Hey, Drake? I wanted to thank you for stepping up for me last night. I guess I was too pissed to say it.
Drake: I know what it's like to be scolded, so I…. Well, it just hit me.
Then, Vanessa kisses him on the cheek before she walks off giggling, and Miller enters the room.
Miller: [to Drake] Looks like you had a good time last night.
Drake: Yeah. I did. The curfew's changed, so we're allowed to fly around at night.
Miller: By the way, I'm looking forward to reviewing your homework today.
But when he hears that, Drake is completely shocked and horrified at the same time.
Drake: Crap! I completely forgot about that!
The End