Dragon
Wars
Episode 17: March Vacation
Act One
In the Ottawa Dragon Shelters, the Alpha Team is gathered together in the lobby, where Drake makes an announcement to everyone.
Drake: Listen up, team. It's ten past three. The bell at Carleton had rung, so now… it is March Break.
[team cheers]
Quinton: Finally! March Break.
Michael: Two whole weeks without school or doing homework. Just chilling out and relaxing all the time.
Vanessa: Uh, Michael? Hate to break it up to you, but March Break means no school, and we have to resume our duties in the Army. Along with working in the Shelters.
Ethan: Which gives us enough time. I am on the brink of achieving my goal to master chi spells and counter dark spells.
Dusty: You know, you could stop it with blue cheese.
Rocky: [laughs] Oh, that's funny.
Ethan: I said "chi", not cheese. There's no "S".
Drake: Guys, look. We're all taking it easy for us. With two weeks, we can be more focused on training dragons and protecting Ottawa from multiple enemies.
Vanessa: He's right. With the Regges dealing with the Blackhawks, we have to deal with Redman's robots. Not to mention those Sea Demons.
Quinton: Actually, if we're gonna vote on this subject, I'd vote for the Chicago Blackhawks. To be honest, they're easier to deal with because they're more… incompetent than dragon-hunting machines. [chuckles]
Drake: You're not wrong, Quinton. But we'll see. Because we just started March Break so we'll wait and see.
Vanessa: Captain on deck!
The team salutes as Tyler and Gilbert walk into the lobby.
Tyler: At ease. Drake, Vanessa, the General is calling a meeting at the Rideau Centre, approximately at 1530 hours. No exceptions.
Vanessa: Alright, we'll be there. [to Drake] Might as well save the briefing another time.
Drake: Yeah, I agree. Team, stay here and wait for further details.
Later, Drake gets on Shadow with Tyler and takes flight, just as Vanessa flies on Ariel with Gilbert. They fly over the arena and head off to the city.
Gilbert: [shivers] Blimey, I keep forgetting about this blistering cold, even when it's March Break.
Drake: I know. It snows five months of the year and rains the other seven. There should be a time when it stops snowing when February starts.
Tyler: Well in 2023, it rarely snowed here. It saved the trouble of suffering the blizzards and plowing we always do, but not the entire biosphere.
Gilbert: But I have a thought. If the General has a heart, he will permit us to go somewhere warm and refreshing.
Vanessa: Yes! I'd like that too. Now that the war's over, we could all-
Tyler: Hold your horses there, Vanessa. No one's doing anything unless the General gives the order.
[Shadow moans]
Drake: Yeah, I know he is.
Tyler: What? Are you talking to Shadow?
Drake: He may not speak English, but he makes sounds that I can understand, and that means you're so difficult.
Tyler: I'm difficult?! Oh, no he didn't.
Gilbert: [sighs] Cousins.
Later, Shadow and Ariel make a landing on the parking lot near the Rideau Centre, whereas their riders dismount to head inside the mall.
Drake: Shadow, you stay here with Ariel. And keep out of trouble.
[Shadow chirps]
Drake runs over to join Tyler at his side, but the former looks disagreeable about something.
Tyler: There's no way you can understand what he's saying.
Drake: Maybe not, but he understands me, just as all the dragons do.
Tyler: Augh, you and your reptilian subjects.
Gilbert: Hop to it, you blokes. It's almost time.
They enter a meeting room, where a bunch of soldiers are conversing. Two men are arm wrestling; one pins the other's arm down with a huge thud, surprising Drake. He walks to a chair and sits down there, joined by Vanessa at the left side.
Soldier: Atten-hut!
As General Falcon enters, everyone stands up and salutes to him.
Stanley: At ease. Everybody, sit.
Everyone sits down, and listens to Stanley's speech at the podium.
Stanley: I've got three items on the docket. First… we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Alexandra Jameson.
Everyone looks at a woman soldier, Alexandra Jameson, who looks like she's in trouble.
Stanley: Happy birthday.
Then the soldiers around Alexandra get involved in a tussle.
Jameson: Heh, oh yeah?
She gives a man a noogie, but after that, everyone looks back at the General.
Stanley: Okay, save it for the field. Second, it's March Break already, and The Spot Ottawa on Merivale is having its free cider night. Just a heads-up. And finally, ever since February, we've been having numerous reports about this Sea Demon activity. Our sources say this may be either the work of our enemies, or some new ones, and the Prime Minister has announced to us that we have to add in some new rules. All for us and the civilians. Rule one: Stay in groups. Rule two: Stay very close to your neighbourhood at all times. And three: Be careful out there. But I had to add in a fourth rule: Be on the lookout for any traders you run into. They travel the world with discovered treasure, but they all must be checked before anyone gets the idea of purchasing them. Meeting is adjourned.
Everyone: [salutes] SIR!
Now that the meeting is over, all the soldiers take their leave to head out of the room, but Drake stops when the General calls out.
Stanley: Dalloway, why don't you stick around for a minute?
Drake straightens out his hair and clears his throat, before heading over to meet his commanding officer.
Drake: Yes, General?
Stanley: I thought I'd want to talk to you, after saying the fourth rule. Mainly because of Louis Roche, since he travels around the globe.
Drake: I understand what you mean, sir. Louis may be a peddler, and peddlers can be rough from time to time with their customers. But he's an old friend of my family. I've always trusted him since I was a toddler.
Stanley: It has nothing to do with trust. You always know who to trust. That's the most important thing while serving the Army. The point is, our borders cannot be opened to everyone. They define the sanctity of our country, and as long as I'm General, we're making it our top priority.
Drake: Yeah. Mainly because of Hunter and Redman. But also, the Sea Demons.
Stanley: [nods] Very good. Now… let me hear everything about Thorn. But before that, let's have a drink of hot cocoa. [smiles] My treat.
In the shopping area, Michael is walking around, and he makes a stop at The Body Shop, where he poses before the customers there.
Michael: Wassup, ladies? How's about you hang out with the wingman of the Dragon King?
But none of the girls seem interested in him as they walk away. Michael sees another girl coming over; he leans closer to her, drawing his face closer.
Michael: How about we ride over the clouds together?
Then a big man, perhaps the girl's boyfriend, shows up and grabs Michael by the collar, ready to pound him.
Big man: How about I pound you into the crowd?!
Michael: [nervously] No, no, that's okay. Um… I just thought she was having a stroke or something.
Michael was released, and left everyone by all the passing customers.
Michael: Sheesh. I feel like I can't pick 'em.
Then, he sees another girl walking over to the food court, which grabs his attention once again, and he proceeds to follow her.
Act Two
Drake and Vanessa are sitting together with Stanley, having drinks and a conversation.
Stanley: I still can't believe Saul Thorn is back in town. The last time I saw him, he was going to have his way with my daughter, until I pounded him. Right out the window and onto the shed.
Vanessa: And that was on the night after I dumped him.
Drake: But right now, he's seeking to be, uh… a wizard king. He was taught by some witch who's helping him out with his own affairs.
Vanessa: Plus, Ethan's working on his way to simply counter him.
Stanley: I see. If I never knew about Shadow's gift, I would've called you both crazy and just… discharge you. And after what you told me, we can't share all the details to the public. The idea of saying that magic is real would be….
Vanessa: We know, dad. Ethan's uncle made us promise that we never share everything he knows to everyone.
Stanley: There's no need for alarm. We've kept the secrets of the Dark Saber's powers to ourselves, but… that would be pretty much it.
Drake is beginning to ponder about something as he stares at his cup of hot chocolate.
Vanessa: Drake?
Drake: Uh, sorry. The fact about Shadow's power still boggles me. Sure, it was my dad who found a prophecy about a guardian angel, but those monks had attempted to awaken the power last year, and, um….
Stanley: Say no more, son. There are some secrets that even the top minds could not unlock or identify. Most of the time, it takes time. Maybe even as long as you found out how to train dragons.
Vanessa: He's right. I'm sure it'll come to you.
Drake: Well, it's not like it would just walk in the door.
Suddenly… POW! Michael is thrown across the food court, smashing on tables and breaking things. Drake and the other two notice it, staring at it in shock.
Drake: Michael?
Stanley: Now what?
Man: This happens every time! Every man in the mall! I don't know what to do with you! I can't leave the room for 10 minutes!
The man, who looks like he punched Michael, takes off his jacket, ready for another pounding.
Man: I'm gonna kill you, kid!
But then, Stanley shows up and halts the punch in the nick of time.
Stanley: Not so fast, that's my….
[five second silence]
Stanley: Wait…. Charlie, is that you?
Man: Stanley?
The man, identified as Charlie, grows a smile, and they both laugh before hugging each other. Drake and Vanessa arrive, hoisting up Michael back on his feet.
Drake: [to the people] Military business. Back to your drinks and food.
Stanley: How long has it been?
Charlie: Pakistan, '23. French Foreign Legion. [chuckles]
Vanessa: Wait a second. Dad, you know this guy?
Stanley: Aw, yes. This is Charles Austin. My best friend, just after Hunter moved out of the country. He rides all kinds of aircraft.
Charlie: Stanley, that bozo right there, he had his hands all over my niece. Now, soldier or no soldier, I gotta give him a beating!
Michael: Get out of the way, Drake.
Stanley: Stand down! [to Charlie] Now, as much as I'd really like you to teach him a valuable lesson, that's our duty.
Charlie: I suppose so. [to Vanessa] And you must be Vanessa, right?
Vanessa: Yes, sir.
Charlie: I thought as much. I gotta say, you have your mother's looks, except for those eyes. They belonged to your old man. More than that, I heard you're dating royalty.
Vanessa: [blushing] Me? Well, uh… to the dragons, Drake is their king. But it's only a title.
Charlie: Just like your father. He always got more balls than brains. [laughing]
Stanley: [sighs] Same old Charlie. Anyway, you two go on ahead, deal with Czarski yourselves, and I'll resume this conversation.
With Stanley now talking to Charlie, Drake and Vanessa drag Michael away to have a conversation with him.
Vanessa: Talk about reckless. What were you thinking?
Michael: Hey, I was making the most of it. I was just doing one of my daily duties, you know?
Drake: Flirting with girls doesn't count as a daily duty. That's a bother. No girl would ever want that.
Michael: Either way, I was doing what I do. I mean, you two have each other, Quinton has a girl from school, the Stilwells stay single, so does Ethan, and I was trying to-
Vanessa: Michael, if you're looking for someone special for you, it cannot be the way you think would work.
Michael: Are you kidding me? I'm a war hero, just like you guys. I rode on a dragon like he was a surfboard, even though that's what I named him. And I took every punk in my way. That should mean that I could have a date. But Drake is so popular, he gets four.
Drake: Uh, no. Belle and Jasmine just like to go gaga over me, and Empress doesn't count as a girlfriend to me. But if she had a change of heart, you could date her.
Vanessa: No way. That witch isn't welcomed anywhere around us within a thousand mile radius.
Drake: But anyway, Michael, if you just like to show off to whatever girl you're into, that just won't work.
Michael: Well… maybe not showing off all the time. What if I get one, and she comes over to the Shelters to observe our trophies?
Drake: Perhaps not. Anyway, we have to get to work, pronto.
Drake and Vanessa both take their leave, while Michael stays put where he stands with his arms crossed.
Michael: Was it too much to ask?
Later at night, Drake is in his bedroom, looking at pictures of captured dragons and sold to other people. Shadow walks inside and stands up to put both of his front paws on his shoulders, shaking him.
Drake: Shadow, down. There's no time to play around.
Tyler enters the bedroom as well, wearing an apron.
Tyler: I was going to tell you supper's ready. I tried some of the hand signals you did on him. And more. Thought it would-
Drake: Work? Well, maybe you'd have to show him what else would work.
Tyler: Well, I'm still working on it. Anyway, the General called. He was going to tell you something else before he ran into an old friend from high school. He said that now March Break is now, he's thinking of giving the Alpha Team some R .
Drake: [shocked] Wait- Is he?
Tyler: Oh, yeah. Two weeks, rest and relaxation. He knows how much effort you and the others have been doing, so starting tomorrow, I'm booking you a vacation spot… but we'd have to be brief on that.
Drake: Yeah, you're right. Everyone else would be stoked. But, um…. I didn't know the General had another best friend.
Tyler: Charles Austin? That guy I've heard of. He arrived in town two days ago, flying an A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Drake: As in… a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II? I thought they were all destroyed.
Tyler: Apparently not all of them. Six of them were recovered during the middle of the war, but Austin got his hands on one. With that, he became one of the top three dragon slayers, including Rose.
Drake: Top three dragon slayers? So who was the third?
Tyler: Easy. Gerard Kane. My hero. He used to be a professional wrestler, as strong and popular as Hulk Hogan. When the war broke out, he changed careers to slaying dragons. Only the best.
Drake: Apparently, you are a fan. Anyway, we should do the briefing tomorrow when we have the chance.
[Shadow barking]
Drake: Okay, I know you're hungry. We're going. [walks off]
Act Three
The next morning, everyone is in the conference room for a meeting.
Ethan: Two weeks of vacation? That'll be perfect.
Drake: So here's how it works. For two weeks, we'll be having some R , and we'll come back here pumped and ready for anything Ottawa has to throw at us for a few days. Does anyone have any vacation plans?
Rocky: I got one. We can all wear colour-coded skin-tight spandex suits and helmets with opaque visors. All identical except in individuals' colour, helmet design, and minor styling such as incorporating a skirt.
Dusty: So when we'd say "It's morphin' time!", we change and wear 'em.
Quinton: That's Power Rangers.
Dusty: Yeah, right? How cool is that?
Quinton: That sounds too impossible.
Gilbert: Troops, focus. This is no time to palaver. We've got a job to do.
Tyler: You make it sound like it's an assignment, Gilbert.
Quinton: I may have a suggestion. We could explore the wild zone and explore.
Vanessa: Not there. Last time we got there, we almost got killed. Not to mention one of us was captured there.
Drake: Vanessa's right. Although… it would have to be somewhere else.
Michael: We could go somewhere hot and sunny. How'd that be?
Drake is about to say something, but when he thinks about Michael's suggestion, he gets an idea.
Drake: Isla Calypso.
Tyler: What?
Drake: The island! That's where we should go!
Tyler: [puzzled] I don't get it.
Ethan: You mean… the island where we gathered all dragons against Goliath?
Drake: Yeah, that's the one! It'll be a perfect spot for a vacation.
Michael: Well, we've been there before, but it was rainy and dull. But if it is sunny, I'd go for that, dude.
Rocky: [to Dusty] I told you the Power Ranger idea wouldn't work.
Vanessa: You said it was a paradise. And since it's winter, the dragons should be all there, but most of all… I was the only one who didn't go there.
Tyler: All in favour of Isla Calypso, say aye.
Team: Aye!
Gilbert: Then it's decided.
Afterwards, the team is packing up their things into their bags and suitcases, stripping them onto their dragons' saddles. Gilbert comes over with his suitcase, while Tyler comes along with his gym bag full of weapons.
Gilbert: Must you bring your guns with you?
Tyler: Hey, they're all my babies. Show some respect.
Drake: Actually, Tyler, you and Gilbert should stay here while we take flight.
Tyler: Say what? You're just going to ride dragons, and we-
Drake: I know, but we have two dragons booked to be sold, and Bastion is still new around here. Just show him the ropes until we can make contact with you, when we've settled on the island.
Gilbert: That's fine by me. You just let us know, so we can take the plane over.
Tyler: [disappointed] Augh. This cannot slide for long. I'm still the captain around here.
Quinton: [on phone] Don't worry, Brynn. We're only going to be gone for two weeks, but I'll send you some pictures if I can. [beat] No, the Shelters will do fine without us. Anyway, we have to go, and I'll miss you. Bye. [hangs up] Okay, I'm ready.
Michael: This actually blows. We're going to an island and there won't be any girls there.
Rocky: There's always a female dragon. [laughs]
Michael: Not funny, Rocky.
Rocky: What? There's nothing wrong with dating an animal. Or having them part of the family. Hell, I got one for a sister.
Drake: Team, mount up. Just follow my lead. Shadow and I have been there more than you have, so try to keep up.
Ethan checks all of his books, which contains instructions on how to perform tai chi movements and performing spells. Then he puts them into his bag.
Ethan: There. Just give the order, Drake.
Drake mounts up on Shadow, who spreads his wings, and takes off into the sky. The rest of the team take off as well, following his lead, while Tyler and Gilbert watch them all leave, standing on the parkway.
Gilbert: There they go again. Taking off without us. Then again, we weren't present when they started riding the beasts.
Tyler: You know, it makes me think it's another one of those fads. Teens are always the first to react, while the rest are just… too slow for it. Anyway, let's go talk to Bastion.
Inside his factory, Dr. Redman is looking at the blueprints of his Gunner units as he sits at his desk.
Redman: Let's see…. We can't just make ordinary Gunners. Same weapons, same colour…. I should add in some better details, and….
Then, Black and White enter the office through the door.
White: Beep, bee-beep.
Black: Yes, White is asking for your opinion, Doctor. Is there?
Redman: Maybe not yet, Black. How many Gunner units do we have so far?
Black: Sixteen operational with a hundred more underway.
Redman: Good. Because I need to make a variety of specially-designed Gunners with better standards.
White: Boo-boo-boop, bee-bee-beep.
Redman: Yes, I know Thorn is here. Mainly because he called me. Black, bring me my breath mint, so I can speak with my client.
Later, Redman walks out of his and down the stairs, meeting up with Thorn and Cursula.
Redman: Welcome, folks.
Thorn: I thought we might want to tag along for a while. Thanks to Cursula and some of the Sea Demons, we've made our own fort. But it needs some power to charge up, so I thought we might get some from your factory.
Redman: I don't see why not. Most of my robots rely on satellite networks, and we have extra solar panels just in case of emergency. My robots will install it to your base, and then what?
Thorn: Proceeding with the plan. Pick fights with the Army, pummel the Dragon King, and everything on Earth will be in our grasp. Simple as that. But if things go south, that's when your robots come along.
Cursula: We've begun building sixteen Rings of Rameses, so with dragons under slave work, we can counter with our enemy.
Redman: Yes, you have told me about those collars. Actually, if you can capture and enslave dragons, I might need some to test my machines. See what they're capable of.
Cursula: Of course, Doctor. But I must warn you. I made the Rings, so I'm in control of them.
Thorn: But Cursula is with me, and my teacher. I trust her and all.
Redman: All and all, if you need power, just ask.
Thorn: Well, what are you waiting for? Bring it out!
Outside, there is a ramshackle floating, heavily-armed, mobile atoll called the Megalodon. Inside, there are people dressed like they're in a Hawaiian party; wearing swimsuits along with a few armour pieces, like gauntlets and greaves. Among them are the hockey men who showed up at the Nepean Sportsplex back in February. The flag has the logo of the Sea Demons waving on the pole, and everyone is having a party, dancing with rock music playing, until Thorn walks over.
Thorn: Hey, hey, everyone!
Sea Demons: YEAH!
Thorn: All of you Wicked Surfers and my Piranha Squad! Thanks to all of our hard work, the Sea Demons have been debuted, and now it is time that we show the world what we can do!
Sea Demons: YEAH!
Thorn: With the help of our witch and the good doctor, there'll be no more talks about dragons roaming the skies or the cities. Because this year, there will be talks about wizards and awesome, underrated people like us to make the Earth a better place. Party all day!
The Sea Demons roar in cheer again, as Thorn walks off to go somewhere with Cursula tailing him.
Cursula: Most enduring speech, Saul. Unfortunately, some of them would be thinking you'd mean wizard and witches.
Thorn: Nah, if I did, that would be bad news. Because people hunt witches, while wizards would be spared and respected, so I said what I can say. And besides, it's not like anything bad would happen from that.
Cursula: Maybe not. [beat] Not yet anyway.
A girl walks over to Saul. She has long black hair and wears rectangular glasses. As a member of the Piranha Squad, she wears a white bikini, as well as gauntlets, greaves, gloves and boots.
Thorn: [to the girl] Yes, Neo.
Neo: Well, sir? Not to object to you or anything, but I have something to say.
Thorn: Whatever it is, let's hear it.
Neo: Okay. Rumour has it that Canadian Forces have a Dark Saber that can repel magic.
Thorn: Pfft. Rumours are rumours.
Cursula: Yes. So don't get that through your head like it's a sickness. The Dark Sabers are on the brink of being extinct, so please… don't misjudge us.
Neo: Yes, ma'am. But, um…. Nobody is. I'll just… be on my way.
Thorn: And while you're at it, ask a girl to see me in my office. I'm in a celebrating mood today.
Neo takes her leave, going down a ramp, while Thorn walks up a stairs into his elevated office.
Cursula: Saul, if you're seeking to be a king, you'd need at least one to a queen.
Thorn: You're right. But I'm checking on the chicks we have one by one. So I can decide which I'd want for my queen. As long as it doesn't… include you.
Thorn chuckles, amused, before he walks into his office alone. Cursula, on the other hand, shakes her head in annoyance before she walks off. But at the other end of the atoll, a strongman with a horseshoe mustache is watching the scene from afar.
Act Four
The Alpha Team flies over the sea, leaving the mainland. Drake leads the way, while everyone else gets stoked for the journey.
Michael: We should make this a call sign. Say we're, um…. Going into the great beyond. Into the great beyond!
Everyone: The great beyond!
Drake: Well, it's not really great beyond. We've been to the Bermuda Triangle before, so this is no small feat.
Vanessa: Just lead the way, Drake.
Vanessa listens to We Know The Way by Lin-Manuel Miranda through her earpiece. As Shadow flies ahead in the lead, they come across a pod of humpback whales splashing and jumping in the sea. But hours later, the dragons are still flying, and everyone is getting bored.
Michael: [wearily] Into the great beyond.
Ethan: The great beyond….
Stilwells: The great beyond….
Quinton: The great beyond. [yawns] Are we there yet?
Drake: Oh, come on, you guys. So we had a couple of tough hours. Nothing that's worth anything comes easy.
Rocky: Is that one of your riddles? Cause now is not the time, my friends, we have to keep saying great beyond. Great Beyond.
Dusty: Great beyond.
Drake sighs while the twins still say "great beyond".
Drake: Shadow, let's just see if we can get there in one piece.
Suddenly, it starts raining. The wind blows so hard, most of the dragons are having difficulty trying to keep up with Shadow, who is flying with ease.
Vanessa: Now I know we're getting closer to the Triangle.
Quinton: Drake, I understand this is no problem for Shadow, but not the rest of our dragons. We need to find shelter until it… clears up.
Drake: We just have to keep moving forward until we're out of this.
But Helios looks down and sees something that is intriguing, then he swoops down to dive into the water.
Michael: Man over- I mean, dragon overboard! Or… underwater.
Dusty: Quinton can't be sleeping with the fishes now!
Drake: Stilwells, go see if-
Before Drake can finish, Helios comes splashing out of the water with a fish in his mouth. He eats it up, while Quinton spits some saltwater out, coughing it out of his lungs.
Quinton: Wasn't going to sleep with the fishes.
Ethan: How could Helios be hungry at a time like-
Vanessa: Drake, is that…?
Vanessa points ahead at something, which is light through the dark clouds, much to Drake's joy.
Drake: Yeah it is. Everybody, fly for the light.
Everyone flies right through the clouds, going towards the light. They were out of the storm, but they gaze at an island in amazement. It is Isla Calypso, the private nesting ground for the dragons. The Alpha Team land on top of the high ridge, where they can see Peckers, Waspos, Ironbacks and Sharktails lounging on the field around the lake. The team is marvelled to see the place, but Vanessa is even more amazed to see it for the first time.
Ethan: Aiyah! Ten years and nobody's seen this place!
Rocky: Now this is more like it!
Vanessa: It's beautiful. Like something out of a dream.
Michael: Drake, I admit it. This is a great choice.
Drake: I know, right? It felt like Calypso waterpark back then, so I named the island after the place. I even tried that waterfall over there.
A Waspo is sliding down the waterfall like a slide, then it splashes onto the lake, before the dragons roar in cheer for it.
Vanessa: What? [worried] You actually slid on that waterfall?
Drake: It's no big deal.
Vanessa: It looks like a big deal to me. You could've been hurt or something.
Drake: Hey, I checked the water before trying it out.
[Shadow sniggers]
Drake: What's so funny?
Quinton: Let's go check it out up close.
The team rushes down hill towards the valley. Drake shrugs and follows them, along with Vanessa and Shadow. The dragons all look over at the approaching humans, and they look very calmed to see them. The infant runs around the nests, playing with each other.
Quinton: This place is amazing!
Michael: Okay, if this place had some hot chicks, I'd never go back to Ottawa.
Rocky: [puzzled] Ottawa. What's that? Cause I forgot.
Dusty: Damn, this place is like the Great Valley in The Land Before Time.
Michael: Yeah, well, it's just like the Great Valley.
Dusty: The only things missing are tree stars.
Ethan: They're all settled. As if… they're not showing aggressions like they always do. Perhaps the atmosphere around here brings them tranquility.
Quinton: Either that… or they just didn't want to damage the flowers.
Helios walks over to some daisies and sniffs them, right before he flops onto the grass out of exhaustion.
Michael: Anyway, now that we're here, let the vacation begin.
Act Five
Afterwards, Drake sets up a satellite dish, plugging the wires to a car battery attached to the main pole. When he is done, he adjusts the dish to aim northwest, which is where Canada is at his position. But a beach ball hits him on the back of the head.
Drake: Guys, I'm trying to….
But then, he notices that everyone is wearing their bathing suits.
Drake: When did you change?
Ethan: Just now. Right after he put sunblock on. You should change too, because Vanessa's expecting it.
Drake: Come on, Ethan. I told Tyler that I would contact him when we get here.
Dusty: What, didn't you bring a swimsuit?
Drake: Well… yeah, I did. But I….
But then, Shadow picks up Drake by the shirt with his mouth, dragging him along to the corner of a boulder.
Drake: Wait, Shadow! Come on, I was….
Quinton: Now that's brotherly. Let's just go to the lake while we're at it.
As soon as the team walks away with the ball, Drake walks out of hiding in his bathing suit, grumbling at Shadow for the way he dragged him. Vanessa approaches him, wearing a white bikini and posing for him.
Vanessa: Well…?
Drake: [bushing] Uh, it's…. It looks nice on you, Vanessa. I mean, it's….
But Shadow whacks him on the back of the head with his wing.
Drake: Shadow, you're not helping.
[Shadow sniggers]
Vanessa: Come on, Drake. Let's all just enjoy ourselves here.
Drake: I want to. Really, I want to. But I need to make contact with Tyler. It'll only take a minute here, and we just need some energy to….
But Shadow interferes again. This time, using his electric shock to charge up the satellite pole to full power, while Drake looks at him with a grumbling tone. Then, a couple of Waspo babies roll over, grabbing Vanessa's attention.
Vanessa: [adored] Aww. Hi there.
One of them stands up and roars, but it falls down.
Vanessa: [chuckles] It's very nice to meet you as well.
In a plane, Tyler and Gilbert strap themselves in, then a walkie-talkie beeps with Drake's voice.
Drake: Echo-2 to home base. Does anyone copy?
Tyler: Just in time. [answers walkie-talkie] Drake, this is Tyler. Any reports?
Drake: Yeah. We've settled on the island. We're already having some R , while waiting for your arrival.
Tyler: We're on our way. Just give us the island's current position.
Drake: Copy. Our coordinates here… 31N 15' 41", 66W 9' 40"
As Drake shares the coordinates, Gilbert writes it all down on paper.
Gilbert: Got it.
Tyler: We're set. You stay put and set up camp. Over and out. Pilot, take us off!
Pilot: Yes, sir.
Back on Isla Calypso, the Alpha Team takes a dive into the lake, swimming with the Sharktails and Ironbacks. The Stilwells swim underwater, following a school of fish that are heading towards the tunnel, which takes them all the way to the other side of the island. The twins resurface, catching some air.
Dusty: There's even a secret hatch under the lake.
During that time, Ethan was posing in a tai chi stance, moving his arms around calmly with his eyes closed and breathing slowly.
Ethan: Be one with nature. Free your mind of all thoughts. Focus only on your breathing. Keep it slow…. Deep….
He looks up to a palm tree. The tree drops a droplet. Before the droplet could touch down, Ethan begins to do some moves and halts the droplet under his palm, levitating it. He then guides the droplet around, gathering a few more droplets that are going down, and he makes a ball out of water. When he sees it, Ethan is amazed by it, but it splashes down all over his hand, ending the spell.
Ethan: [sighing] Okay. Again.
One by one, the Alpha Team is trying out on the waterfall slide, and they enjoy it. Ariel is standing still like an ant guarding its ant hill, where a couple of babies play around her, bumping onto her let. She lets out a grunt, alarming them, but a Waspo baby looks at her with some thought, and when Ariel lowers her head, the baby rams its head onto hers in a form of playing.
Drake stabs a fish with a stick, and he roasts it over a bonfire, rotisserie style.
Drake: All these years of camping with Tyler have paid off.
Vanessa: Drake? Could you please put more lotion on me?
Drake: Uh… yeah.
He puts some sunblock on his hand and rubs it on Vanessa's back, much to her pleasure.
Vanessa: That feels so nice. I'm so happy you picked this place.
Drake: Well, it was either this or just pig out in the Shelters all week. But we all needed to be outside more often, and out of the snow.
Vanessa: Not to mention, play hooky. We all deserve the week off. With Rose Tymbark and the Regges out of our hair for now, try to chill out more often.
Drake: I could, but someone has to be responsible around-
Then, Vanessa yanks Drake down on the floor, and cuddles him.
Vanessa: Don't be a stick in the mud. This is what I want. Just the two of us… no one around to bother us.
She leans over to kiss him, until… a screech is heard from the sky. All the dragons, including the Alpha Team hear it, before a shadow swoops over the valley.
Quinton: We got company!
Drake: Take cover!
The team takes shelter in a cave with their dragons. All the other dragons stay put in their nests, protecting their babies. Then, something flies over to the valley, which is another dragon. It is orange with a white snake-like underbelly, red blotches running down its spine, and four spike-edged wings. It lands on the ground, folding its lower wings as legs, then it poses like a bird.
Quinton: A Metrobat. Terror Class, four sharp wings that can slash through a forest of trees.
Rocky: I didn't know you'd find one of these here.
Drake: I didn't. This never happened before. Look at the others.
The dragons remain still in fear, as the Metrobat walks around, checking on them. But it decides to walk away and head for the waterfall to drink from it, minding its business. However, one Pecker infant is chasing after a butterfly across the plains, and when it splashes in the lake, that's when the Metrobat notices it. With rage, the orange dragon screeches and runs after the Pecker baby, chasing it away.
Vanessa: Hey! Not the baby!
Drake rushes out of hiding, and gets in front of the Metrobat.
Drake: Knock it off!
[Metrobat screeches]
The Metrobat is about to do something, until Shadow steps out and lets out a roar, protecting his half-brother. Soon enough, the other dragons step out to defend Drake as well, snarling. The Metrobat stares at them all for a while, until it lets out a huff, then it flies away back into the air.
Ethan: Aiyah. That was a close one.
With the Metrobat gone, the entire valley was back to normal, but Vanessa punches Drake on the shoulder.
Drake: OW!
Vanessa: Don't scare me like that!
Drake: Well, I…. I couldn't let a baby die like that.
The Pecker baby chirps at Drake before it cuddles him in a way of thanking him for saving its life.
Drake: But you know… it's good to be the king.
Rocky: Uh…. A Metrobat? Never heard of it. But it sounds cool.
Ethan: Try reading the Dragon Journal once in a while. You could learn a thing or two.
Dusty: Well, she's gone now.
Quinton: Actually, Dusty… it's a "he". A male. Because Metrobats have sexual dimorphism.
Michael: Huh? English, dude.
Quinton: Well, they're like some kinds of birds, whereas the peacocks have the large feathers. But male Metrobats have only those red blotches, while females don't.
Ethan: And yet, something tells me… we'll be seeing him again.
Meanwhile, Redman is staring at a few recoloured Gunners standing side by side in front of him, with Cursula accompanying them.
Redman: This is more like it. Blue, Stinger. Green, Lancer. Yellow, Buster. And navy, Flyer. How's that?
Cursula: Very good, Doctor. They all look the same, minus the weapons. But we need to be sure if they're all effective when it comes to handling dragons. Either to capture or kill.
Redman: You're so right. I specifically chose the Bermuda Triangle because this is where dragons migrate to have their babies. In fact, I've managed to find their secret island. That would be a good testing ground for my beauties.
Then, Black and White rush over to the scene, alarming Redman.
Black: Doctor! We just picked up a signal. A plane is flying overseas.
White: Bee-bee-bee-boo.
Redman: Heading this way? They can't have found us already. Put it on screen.
Right on cue, a waldo lowers down a flatscreen to show Redman a satellite video of a plane entering the Bermuda Triangle. But as he looks at it, he notices something that actually comes to his relief.
Cursula: Well?
Redman: They're heading to the island. Not here. So that means… nobody knows we're here, so we can press on with the subject. [to the robots] Okay, boys. Go do your stuff.
Cursula: But while you're at it, bring him with you.
Cursula gestures to the horseshoe-mustached man lurking the shadows.
Redman: Him? I don't know why Thorn called him hear since he cannot do anyth-
Then, the man grabs Redman by the lab coat, silencing him.
Redman: I mean… whenever he's ready.
Act Six
In the late afternoon, a military plane flies over the sea and makes a safe landing on the rocky coast, where Drake and Shadow await it. The ramp lowers, right before Tyler and Gilbert step outside with their guns.
Drake: Guys, there's no need for guns here.
Tyler: Don't tell us what we cannot do. We all have to make sure no dragon-
Gilbert: Tyler, our days of killing dragons are done.
Tyler: Yeah, but… we can't be too careful.
Drake: It's alright, Tyler. Really, it is. Just follow me and you'll love the place.
Drake takes the lead, escorting Tyler and Gilbert up the hill, and the duo look marveled at the sight of the valley. They even saw a hut made by the Alpha Team some time ago, where they whip up a barbecue.
Gilbert: By George. Look at this place.
Tyler: I'm seeing it. And damn, this place is awesome. It took us ten years to find it.
Michael: Welcome.
Quinton: We're having a fish meal. Provided by Helios, Fin and Flip.
Tyler: Looks like we got here just in time. I brought drinks.
Tyler and Gilbert enter the hut, where they take out some beer cans and soda cans, putting them on the table.
Drake: Whoa, hold on. I don't think we should be having beer here.
Tyler: What? You can't have a party with booze and beer. We're on vacation.
Vanessa: He's right, you know.
[egg timer dings]
Vanessa: Come and get it.
Afterwards, everyone is having fish, except for Ethan because he dislikes it, while telling the two commanders about what they witnessed today.
Tyler: I get it. A Metrobat shows up, acting like he's the godfather around here, and he… never bowed to you?
Drake: Yeah. Although, I shouldn't be that surprised. Not all dragons have seen me as the Dragon King.
Ethan: No, but there are bound to be rebels within a kingdom. Not that Drake has any or something.
Michael: Yeah. But if he had the Iron Throne, what then?
Quinton: Maybe not bring that up, Michael. Because nobody should think about stuff like that.
Gilbert: He's right. But all and all, picking this spot was a perfect choice.
During the conversation, Shadow is scratching himself, until he picks up a scent of something that makes him go away somewhere.
Gilbert: But very soon, we're gonna have to report this to the General.
Tyler: Once I fix up the transmitter first thing in the morning.
But Drake notices Shadow wandering off, and he stands up to follow him, which is taking him into the cave they were hiding before.
Drake: Shadow? Wait a minute.
But Shadow doesn't respond or look at him. Drake runs over in front of him, blocking his way.
[Shadow chirps]
Drake: Settle down, bro. What's the matter? You smelled something?
[Shadow barks]
Drake: Ah, I really wish I knew what you're….
But then, Drake hears a noise from behind. He looks behind to see it is only a mouse scurrying, until he sees something else. An axe stuck to the wall.
Drake: Wow. What's that?
He reaches out and takes the axe, but when he pulls on it, he can't yank it out. Drake tries to pull it again, and this time he succeeds. But when he looks at it, he feels his heart beating fast, then he looks at Shadow's chest glowing bright blue, illuminating the cave.
In the meantime, Cursula senses something that disturbs her so greatly, she draws her skull-tipped want in alarm.
Cursula: Wait…. [pauses] Can it be…?
Back in the cave, the blue light dies out, much to Drake's confusion.
Drake: What was that all about? Hey, guys?
Later, Drake shows the team the axe he found.
Michael: That's a cool axe, man. But I never thought you could pull it from the wall like King Arthur.
Drake: Well, I was just lucky.
Vanessa: [worried] Lucky? Are you crazy? What if it's cursed?
Drake: If it was, I would've known already.
Michael: Anyway, what do those scribbles mean on the blade?
Gilbert: These aren't scribbles. These are runes. Which means it can only mean one thing: Vikings.
Tyler: Vikings? They never came this far south.
Gilbert: You may be right. Whatever reason that axe was here for would just be… beyond our knowledge.
Drake: But… there's something else as well. When I pulled the axe, somehow it… caused Shadow's heart to react to it. It stopped now, but it's obvious that this isn't an ordinary axe.
Ethan: Perhaps you're right. I can feel a strong presence with it.
Rocky: Really? Cause… all I can feel is the wind and bugs buzzing in my ear.
Tyler: Either way, we should keep it with us at all times. There's no telling what else is on the island. I'll take it from here.
Drake is reluctant to give away the axe, but since he has no other option, he gives it to Tyler, who puts it into his gym bag, locking it up.
Tyler: Look, until we know what the axe is for, we shouldn't open this bag or use it as a toy. Got it?
Vanessa: Yes, sir.
Rocky: Why play with an axe? We got guns and bombs.
Dusty: Yeah. They're way better than swords and axes. Except for lightsabers.
At night, everyone is asleep in the hut, which is sealed with mosquito traps to keep the bugs outside. Drake and Vanessa are both under Shadow's wing, happily snuggled up, until Drake has a dream of his back in town.
Drake: I'm back?
Then, a shadow looms overhead and he looks up to see the horseshoe-mustached man holding the axe. Just when Drake is about to do something, the man attacks him with the axe, almost killing him. He wakes up, sitting up and panting, realizing that it was only a dream, then he goes back to sleep.
Act Seven
Morning light looms over the island, starting a new day. While everyone else is asleep, Tyler sits down on a rock, looking at the open ocean with a cup of coffee in hand, then Gilbert walks over to him.
Gilbert: I managed to translate the runes on that axe. All it talks about is… Magni, son of Thor, god of thunder. So we could… assume to call it the Magni-Axe, giver take.
Tyler: Good. [beat] Um…. Gilbert, have I… always held Drake back?
Gilbert: Well, yes, you had. Like back in the final days, you were too reluctant to let him join the Army. For real. So… why would that be a problem to you?
Tyler: I thought I haven't been doing so, but now I guess…. Maybe I still am.
Gilbert: You're just protecting him. That's what you do as a legal guardian. At least until he can mature to be on his own. So you have nothing to worry about.
Tyler: Maybe, but I promised his father to his grave that he will be safe and secure at all times.
Gilbert: And believe me, nobody knows that better than he does.
But all of a sudden, Tyler hears a sound coming from down the hill at shore.
Tyler: You hear that?
Gilbert: I did. This way.
Tyler and Gilbert draw their weapons and run downhill towards the source of that sound. All they can find are footprints of someone's boots, but nobody is around. Suddenly, a net falls on top of the duo, trapping them. Then, music is played from a boombox nearby, playing Be Prepared from The Lion King. Then, the horseshoe-mustached man leaps onto the van and that causes the duo to scream.
Horseshoe: Whoa!
Duo: [scream]
Horseshoe: What?
Duo: [scream]
Horseshoe: What the? Two soldiers around here? Now that's somethin' I've never seen.
Tyler: Wait. Are you… Gerard Kane?
Horseshoe: Well…. Yes. The top dragon slayer of all. [chuckles]
Tyler: [thrilled] Holy shit! It's really Gerard Kane!
Gilbert: Of course it is.
The horseshoe-mustached man, Kane, pulls the net off, before Tyler shakes hands with him.
Tyler: I'm Tyler Jones. I gotta say, I'm your biggest fan.
Kane: I can tell. You're a man of good taste. [laughs] So, what brings you all the way here to the most dangerous part of the sea.
Gilbert: Well, if you must know, we're on vacation since it's spring break.
Kane: Oh, don't have to remind me. I may be in the wild, but I still have my calendar. What do you say you can all stick around and have breakfast? I'm whipping up Sharktail meat.
Tyler: Well, as long as you'd drain the blood out of it. Because that's how you'd get the hot and spicy stuff.
Gilbert: Ah yeah, Tyler hates meat when it's spicy.
Kane: So do I. Right over there, boys.
Back in the hut, Drake wakes up from under Shadow's wing, yawning, and he realizes that Vanessa is with him.
Vanessa: That felt so nice. I felt like I was sleeping under a warm blanket during a freezing night.
Drake: Yeah, uh…. Me too. Anyway, let's proceed with the vacation.
Later, Drake and Vanessa get dressed and walk out of the hut, but they find the team walking out of the cave.
Quinton: Morning, Drake. We were in the cave, and thought we might have something else in there. All we got was this.
Quinton takes out his phone, show Drake a photograph of more runes near the slot where the axe was.
Quinton: More runes. Since Gilbert is the polymath and not here, Ethan and I had to translate it.
Ethan: He's right. I brought my books, with one of them having runes for me to translate. It's already done, so here you have it.
Michael: Blah-blah-blah! What does it say?
Michael takes a parchment paper from Ethan, looking into it.
Michael: Hmm, here we go. "The power of Magni is too much for a mere man to carry or to wield. Only a man's fate of pure power and might can be… sealed."
Dusty: That doesn't sound like anything to me.
Rocky: Okay. Think, think, think, think, think. Think, think…. [pauses] I forgot what I was thinking about.
Drake: Maybe it's a warning. So we shouldn't….
But then, Drake sees something poking out from the top of the waterfall, but it disappears by ducking down.
Drake: Wait a minute. I saw something.
Meanwhile, Kane is roasting the dragon on a spit, with Tyler and Gilbert sitting on a log with him. He takes the dragon meat, and eats it.
Kane: Ah! Nothing like freshly cooked meat, huh?
Gilbert: Indeed. It has a little… Cajun spice mix in it.
Kane: You'd know it. Got that recipe from my late grandma. She was the best cook in the family. I gotta say, eating with you two is an honour, because you both are like the top minds in dragon knowledge.
Tyler: I'm really honoured. But I… hope we didn't disturbed you.
Kane: No, no, it's totally cool to have company, even fans. It's better than… running into punks like those assholes I ran into.
Tyler: No! Really?
Kane: Oh, yeah. You see, after I retired from wrestling, I began to settle down into a peaceful life. Raising a family, and enjoying myself, without wasting away. But that was when… dragons showed up out of nowhere. The first thing I killed was… a Dark Saber. I wrestled him, made his legs crack and I broke his skull real good. I fed his meat to my family, and I showed the skeleton to a local museum. But when they saw it, they said…. [laughs] They called me crazy, saying I made the skeleton out of clay or shit.
Gilbert: By Jove. That's a shame.
Tyler: I know exactly how you feel! I told everyone that I encountered a king-sized dragon I called a Calamitous Rex… named Goliath.
Kane: Oh! Good choice! But, um… what proof did you bring?
Tyler: Only this.
Tyler takes out the chipped tooth of Goliath from his battledress pocket.
Tyler: His tooth. I got it after that bastard took my eye. But everyone kept saying a C-Rex is a myth, and called me crazy. Although, he's dead now. Thanks to my friends in the Canadian Forces.
Kane: Yeah. So I've heard.
[five second silence]
Kane: But you know, it actually beats my story. Not too long after my first fight, I started a campaign to slay all dragons, not just for profits but to bring over freshly killed ones as well. I even collected their teeth, just like you.
Kane looks down and gestures to a necklace with hundreds of dragon teeth.
Kane: Beautiful, isn't it? My wife gave the necklace to me, just months after she died… trying to protect our baby son, as well as our daughter. I couldn't reach them in time, but… "kill or be killed" has been the number one rule all over the globe. Oh, I've spent a lifetime killing dragons. Sometimes, years go by between sightings. I even tried to trace them all the way here, where they migrate every winter. But the problem is… you couldn't go in after it. Once in, there's no way out. I've lost so many partners. [beat] And now, here they come, word all over the news that there's a boy posing himself as a king. A dragon king. But he's gotta find that reality… is a very dangerous place.
As he listens to what Kane said, Tyler is beginning to feel wary of him, like it wasn't the reaction he was hoping for. Gilbert is cautious too, sliding himself across the log.
Gilbert: You don't say.
Kane: Oh, I do. In fact, I was hoping to find soldiers like you.
Gilbert: Um, us? Why?
Kane: Mainly because… you two are dragon experts. I can feel it in my bones, and this Dragon King… just happens to be a soldier. Isn't that true?
Gilbert: Uh…. Well, I suppose….
Tyler: He was! [beat] I mean, he was within our ranks, but he was… discharged for his wild nature. So flew away on a Pecker. He's gone now.
Tyler is trying to keep it together, while Kane is glaring at him. But Kane stands up and unsheathes a machete, caressing its blade.
Kane: You know, Tyler… you and your friend aren't the only military officers I've run into. I met some other soldiers, who have told me their stories. A surveyor, making a map. A botanist, cataloguing plants. Then… another from the Canadian Forces, who said a teenager rides a Dark Saber… proclaimed as a guardian angel.
He throws the machete at the pile of firewood, glaring at Tyler.
Kane: Now that's the best one yet. I can't wait to hear how it ends. [grins sinisterly]
Gilbert: Well, it's been fun meeting you, sir. But we both have duties to do, so we should be on the move.
Gilbert takes Tyler by the hand, and they both are on their way, until Kane steps in front to cut them off.
Kane: You can't really hide anything from me. I'd know when you are, and when you're lying to me. But you can't even get past me. Because I've killed hundreds of dragons.
Tyler: Maybe, but I took on a foe bigger than you.
POW! Tyler delivers a hard punch on Kane's face, knocking him down, and that allows the duo to run for it.
Tyler: Damn. I finally get to meet my hero, and the first thing he does is try to kill us.
Gilbert: We must warn the team. Hurry!
As the two leave, Kane regains his bearings, spitting out some blood.
Act Eight
Back in the valley, Drake and the others are walking up to the top of the waterfall, but they can find nothing around here.
Vanessa: I don't see it anywhere.
Drake: This is where I saw it. I knew it was one of Redman's robots.
Quinton: Redman? You don't think he's here, do you?
Drake: Not sure, but maybe we should-
Then, the team hears footsteps walking over. They find the Stinger, which retracts light blue, electrically charged, 30-inch, interweaving blades from its forearms.
Ethan: Drake was right.
Michael: Don't worry. I got this.
Michael rushes over to attack it, but the Lancer parries his punch and throws him away into the lake down below.
Rocky: Damn! Nice form.
Vanessa: Call the dragons!
But then, the Lancer shows up, whirring its electric chain saw. The team makes a run for it, while the two robots slash around their electric weapons, trying to take them all out. Drake takes out the dragon-whistle, but when the Lancer almost slashes him, he accidently drops it down the hill.
[Shadow roars]
Shadow flies over the scene, and fires his Thunder Blast. The Stinger blocks the blow with its blades crossed over the torso, and the Lancer launches M32 grenades, blowing them up in the air to disorient the dragon. Eventually, Drake jumps his way up and gets on Shadow's back, beckoning him to fly away from the two machines.
Drake: Okay, bro. Maybe there's a lot more surprises from Redman. But we'll have to-
Suddenly, a Flyer flies over and shoots its wrist-mounted plasma gun at Shadow, forcing him away. He fires back with his Thunder Blast, but the robot blocks it with an energy shield generated from the right arm.
Vanessa: Ariel!
Right on cue, Ariel flies over, allowing Vanessa to mount on her, and she sprays acid at the Flyer, but even that is blocked by the shield.
In the lab, Redman is watching the scene on the TV screen.
Redman: Good. Very good. Three of the variants have progressed very nicely. I just love it when a plan comes together. Okay, Buster, do your stuff.
Back in the valley, the Buster, a much stronger version of the regular models and equipped with homing missile launchers on each arm, walks over. It locks on target and opens fire, scaring off the dragons. Drake looks down, noticing the situation.
Drake: Another one?! And it's attacking the valley!
Quinton: Drake, we need our dragons. [whistles]
By his whistle, Helios flies over, activating his fiery coat in anger. He slashes his tail around, knocking away the Lancer from the back, but the Stinger strikes back, jabbing its charged blade to agonize him. Quinton launches an arrow, jabbing into its optic and blinding it. The other dragons show up and pick up with riders, while the Lancer launches more grenades.
Ethan: Aiyah! We're getting pulverised here.
Michael: I got my walkie-talkie. I'll contact Tyler!
Michael takes out his walkie-talkie. The Lancer sees what he is doing, then it generates an electromagnetic pulse from within the torso and disperses from the front, disrupting the walkie-talkie.
At the hilltop, Tyler and Gilbert make it there, where they can see the situation everywhere.
Gilbert: By Jove. Redman's found us.
Tyler: [to walkie-talkie] Drake, what's the situation? Do you copy? [beat] Drake, do you hear me? [pauses] I can't get a reading.
Gilbert: Me too. Our transmissions have been jammed, which means… we're on our own. But on the plus side, I was able to inform the General.
Tyler: I just hope we…. Wait. What's that?
Looking ahead, Tyler looks through his binoculars to find something arriving from the ocean. A fleet of trimarans and water scooters, but they all have the Sea Demon logo on them.
Tyler: Sea Demons. They're heading this way.
Gilbert: Blast it all. Just when we're on vacation.
Tyler: We're gonna have to make the most of it. We've dealt with greater threats than this.
The Sea Demons ride across the sea, nearing the shores. On one of the trimarans is Thorn, seated on his throne with Cursula at his side, thrilled as they near Isla Calypso.
Thorn: Let's all just give them a food fight. Piranha Squad, move out.
The Piranha Squad ride on their water scooters, armed with SIG Sauer P226 pistols and M4 Colt Commando assault rifles. They get on shore and charge ahead, until someone shoots near their feet to send them away. It is Tyler and Gilbert, fighting back by shooting their weapons.
But during the fight, a trimaran carrying six Sea Demons is sailing along to the other end of the coast. As they approach the land, they run into the two defending soldiers, shooting them as well, before they take shelter behind a boulder. Both teams open fire on each other with their rifles, taking out a man from the Sea Demons.
Tyler: Ambush!
As the firefight continues, a Sea Demon armed with an M60 machine gun fires at Tyler. However, he ducks down, and armed with a RPD, he takes him out. The Sea Demons decide to retreat; as they continue to run, Gilbert manages to take out two of them with his pistol. However, he runs out of ammo, and a Sea Demon armed with a M4 Colt Commando shoots him, but only at the wooden leg.
Tyler: Gilbert!
Gilbert: Relax. I lost this leg before.
However, another Sea Demon on a trimaran is manning an M2 Aircraft Quad Mount. He riddles the coast with .50 cal bullets, tearing it down. Tyler and Gilbert both take cover again, avoiding this much heavy fire.
Act Nine
On his throne, Thorn peers at the coastal battlefield.
Cursula: I don't see him anywhere.
Thorn: Well, we'll have this island in no time. Time for… "the rebels".
Cursula nods her head; she spreads her arms up with her wand glowing, summoning something. Then, a pair of enslaved Freezing Titans, both wearing the Rings of Rameses around their necks, come flying over the fleet, and they unleash their freezing water everywhere, turning the coast into ice.
The Alpha Team, in the meantime, are having their hands full with the three robots attacking them. The Buster is still firing homing missiles at all the other dragons. Michael swims to show, gasping for air.
Michael: Damn, I thought I was going to heaven.
But when a rocket almost hits him, he takes shelter into the cave. Drake attempts to go stop the Buster, but the Flyer keeps blocking his way.
Drake: Shadow… I'm gonna need some of… your powers now!
[Shadow barks]
Shadow is then knocked away by the Flyer, which hits him with its shield, and he clings onto the edge of the waterfall from falling down. He has severe injuries all over him, but thanks to him being soaking wet, the water heals him. Even though he's okay, Drake ponders about an idea, and he gets one.
Drake: Hey bro, can you…? [whispers]
The Dark Saber seems to understand what Drake is telling him when he smiles. With the Stinger and the Lancer on the water, Shadow climbs up and triggers his electric shock, which generates within the water, then it electrocutes both robots, blowing their heads off. Now that the two are downed, Ethan pulls a blade from the Stinger's arm and throws it in the air. The Flyer opens its shield to block, but when the blade hits the arm, the electricity short-circuits the energy shield, shutting it down, and then Ariel sprays acid at it, finally finishing it off.
Vanessa: Finally. That one was super annoying.
Dusty: Hey, there's another fight over there.
Dusty points ahead at the coastal brawl, which the team knows who it is.
Drake: Sea Demons! They found us?!
Dusty: Wonder how that happened.
Rocky: It's not my fault.
Ethan: There's more. Look.
Ethan points at the sky, indicating the two approaching Freezing Titans.
Ethan: Those two have the Rings on.
Drake: We'll have to split in three. Ethan, you try some chi spells. Michael's down there, so he and I will take the valley. The rest of you, take on the coast.
Rocky: You got it, chief.
Vanessa: Just be careful, okay?
Ethan: He'll try. And so will I.
As the team take off in the air on their dragons, Ethan stands still on top of the waterfall, posing and humming a tune with his eyes closed and hands clasped together.
Michael runs out of hiding from the cave, right before Surfboard grabs him to save him from an approaching rocket, then he climbs up to stand on his back, just as Drake and Shadow arrive.
Drake: Good thing you're safe. We've got a robot to bust open.
Michael: Are you kidding? He's got a homing signal and all.
Then, Michael ducks down when a missile almost hits him. Shadow swerves around and roars, before he pounces onto the Buster, slamming it down on the ground. But before he can destroy it, the Freezing Titans show up and spray their water, sending him away.
Back at the coast, Tyler and Gilbert are still taking cover behind the boulders, checking their inventory.
Tyler: Dammit! I'm out of ammo!
Gilbert: I knew we should've called for backup.
Then the Alpha Team shows up on their dragons, breathing fire, water and acid at the coast, sending the Sea Demons away.
Thorn: Alright! Now we're talking! Signal the plane!
One Sea Demon waves a flag, which signals an approaching Grumman HU-16 Albatross plane. When the door opens, it lets out the Wicked Surfers, who are on their hoverboards, firing their M60s and Colt Commandos at the Alpha Team. The dragons avoid the blow, but the Quad Mount is now shooting at them next, until it's jammed.
Gunner: Dammit! Swab it! Swab it, hurry!
But with the Quad Mount jammed, Helios swoops over and blasts it apart, sinking the boat and the Sea Demons on it. Then Quinton fires his arrows, hitting anyone floating near the wreckage.
Quinton: Not what I call a vacation.
Another trimaran had a trio of spearguns mounted together. The Sea Demon manning it sees Ariel flying over, then he fires it in the air, but Vanessa catches one.
Vanessa: Gotcha!
With Vanessa holding the spear and Ariel flying forward, the trimaran attached to its rope gets yanked forward and clashes with another boat, as well as a water scooter, exploding in the process.
Tyler: Hell yeah! That's more like it!
But Tyler looks back to see Kane sneaking his way up the hill on the other side, and he knows that he's going after Drake in the valley.
Tyler: Gilbert, take command. I gotta go back to the valley. [runs off]
Gilbert: Good luck, mate.
Back in the valley, with the Buster firing rockets and the Freezing Titans flying around, Drake and Michael have to fly all around in the sky to avoid being hit or killed. Eventually, the Buster runs out of rockets, and Surfboard gets his chance to blast it away, destroying it.
Michael: One down, two to go.
Drake: Ethan, please be conjuring that spell.
On top of the waterfall, Ethan is still standing still, humming a tune.
Ethan: Free your mind. Let go of thinking. Focus on the chi within.
On solid ground, Kane enters the valley, and draws out his shotgun, taking aim at Shadow. But then, Tyler tackles him, causing him to fire his weapon. The blast wave is heard from Drake, who looks down to see his cousin.
Tyler: No one messes with my cousin!
Kane: Oh! So he's related to you? Well, that explains why you were so suspicious, and after I thought you were okay.
Tyler: So did I… to you.
The two of them engage in a fist fight, and Kane is gaining an advantage in beating up Tyler, who's blocking with his arms.
Act Ten
Thorn watches the fight with satisfaction, and when he sees Ariel flying over, he gets on a hoverboard.
Cursula: Saul, no way. You cannot jump in like it's-
But Thorn just flies away on his board, much to Cursula's annoyance.
Cursula: What an idiot.
Thorn: Say cheese!
Thorn conjures a mace out of dark chi, flying towards his ex, but when Ariel swings her tail, it knocks the mace out of his grasp. He stops his board, hovering in the air.
Thorn: That was a ruined line.
Then, Vanessa lands on the hoverboard, standing in front of Thorn.
Vanessa: And here's my punchline.
She pounds hard on Thorn's face, knocking him off, but he clings onto the edge of the board, hoisting himself back up.
Thorn: You really know how to spoil a coming-out party, V. How do you expect me to live so happily without a proper hideout?!
Vanessa: This island is already claimed by the military, so screw off.
All of a sudden, a little tornado occurs, swirling around, conjured by Cursula. Vanessa jumps off the board just in time for Ariel to catch her, but the Alpha Team are now facing trouble with the tornado. However, an A-10 Thunderbolt flies over to the battle, piloted by Charlie.
Charlie: Hang on, kids, I'm coming.
He flips a switch, firing the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon at the lead boat. That triggers Cursula to lose her footing and fall overboard, disabling the tornado to allow the Alpha Team to resume the fight.
Back in the valley, Ethan slowly moves his hands away, forming an O-shape with his fingers, and then open his eyes.
Ethan: Huán, shìfàng!
Then, a shockwave occurs after Ethan says those words. But that is strong enough to shatter the Rings of Rameses, freeing the Freezing Titans from their enslavement. When that happens, the dragons fly over and aid the Alpha Team, taking out the Sea Demons.
Tyler is still blocking Kane's blows, until he punches him again on the face, knocking him to roll down hill. Kane is about to catch his rifle, but Tyler pulls him off, grabs the gun and hits it into pieces, destroying it. Then, Kane pulls out his machete as he uses it to attack Tyler. But then, Drake performs a karate chop, disarming Kane of his weapon.
Tyler: Drake, you need to get out of here!
Kane looks around for another weapon; he finds the gym bag, which contains the Magni-Axe. Thinking fast, he runs over, breaks it open and takes out the weapon. But as he holds onto it, the blade starts glowing, triggering something as Kane is feeling something inside of himself. Shadow's chest glows just like what happened last night, but Drake now knows that it is a bad sign.
Kane: Holy shit. [smirking] I can…. I can feel the power.
With one stroke, he slams the axe on the ground, making an earthquake.
Kane: Hell yeah! I'm like… He-Man!
So Kane charges ahead to attack, until Shadow slams him away with his tail. The dragon slayer is going to fight again, and Drake is prepared to fight with Tyler at his side, until someone flies overhead. It is the Metrobat, charging ahead downward.
Drake: Not again! Shadow, let's go!
Drake gets on Shadow and flies off, being chased by the Metrobat. But amidst the fight, Kane looks at it in thought.
Kane: I guess… not all dragons bow to him.
Tyler: Put down the axe, Kane! That is military property!
Kane: Too bad for you, it's all mine. I can feel it in my bones. We'll have another fight soon, Jones. I swear it.
Kane takes his leave, while Tyler grunts in angry defeat.
Drake and Shadow fly over the open ocean, trying to get away from the chasing Metrobat.
Drake: We can't keep this up much longer, bro. We'd have to-
But Drake sees the Megalodon dead ahead, even though he's never seen it before. However, he sees a rocket aiming at him, which he knows what it means.
Drake: [to the Metrobat] Hey, you! Turn back! Turn back! Stay away!
But the Metrobat just ignores him and the rocket launches towards them. Shadow flies upward out of the way in time, while the Metrobat doesn't as the rocket explodes into a net, then he is caught in it. Drake looks down and watches in shock as the Metrobat is captured and dragged towards the Megalodon, thinking the worse of what's to come. But in defeat, he and Shadow fly away.
After that fight, Isla Calypso is now safe and sound as the dragons fly back to the valley, enjoying themselves there. The Alpha Team watches them with relief, but Ethan looks so exhausted, he collapses on the grass.
Michael: Finally. No more fighting, right? Because… I'm out of ammo.
Dusty: What ammo? You didn't shoot with anything.
Michael: Neither did you. And you two are the demolition experts.
Rocky: Yeah, heh-heh. Ever wonder why?
Quinton: But Ethan, did you really… perform a…?
Ethan: Yes. I did it. I spoke to my Uncle Po about it. He says it always drains some of my chi, until I… use it more often. So I just need to practice more, and take a break… for now.
In the meantime, Charlie stands beside his A-10 Thunderbolt, admiring the valley with Vanessa at his side.
Charlie: This is really like from a dream. Your father would've wanted to see this, if he wasn't busy with his war with the Blackhawks. Way to go protecting it, kid.
Vanessa: All in a day's good work, Charlie. And besides, I can't imagine what would happen if… Saul Thorn would've conquered it.
Charlie: Ah, don't think that way. You've got a whole team you trust and a king for a boyfriend. Now, I need to recharge my ride's batteries and I'll be on my way, telling your old man that everything is under control.
Drake is sitting by himself and staring off into the distance; Tyler comes to join him. They sit there, quietly, looking distraught.
Drake: The dragon's been taken. I led him into that trap, and I….
Tyler: You're not the only one at fault. My hero came along, attempting to kill you, and he…. He took the axe.
Drake: Well… it looks like we're… just having a messed-up vacation.
Tyler: Not to mention… we have a new enemy. A dragon slayer, probably thinking you ruined his reputation.
[five second silence]
Tyler: But in the end, we succeeded in protecting the island. All these animals are safe and sound, thanks to everyone here.
Drake: I know, but sometimes whenever I'd have to be a king to them, I have wondered if I can be like one.
Tyler: Hey, being a king doesn't just mean being royal or just sit on a throne with a crown. It's all about knowing what it means to be a leader, from one man to an entire country. You've led this team to many fights, won a few, and took responsibilities.
Drake: Heh. You know, I've wondered if Rose would say that too.
Tyler: She wouldn't, but I do because you and I both know how to lead. Now, let's just break out the snacks and get this vacation started.
Tyler stands up and takes his leave, and Drake is about to follow him. But he stops in his tracks, wondering about what would become of the Metrobat now.
On the Megalodon, the captured Metrobat is shoved into a giant cage about his size, and he screeches as the door closes on his face. Thorn watches the scene with a thrilled look as he stands on the cage's top. Cursula and Redman walk over to see it too.
Thorn: This is more like it. A big, big, big bird. Not to mention, one with four razor-sharp wings. Oh, this one would be one hell of a slave.
Redman: Oh, yeah. And also, the Gunner variants have proven to be effective in battle, so I'll be making more in the meantime.
Cursula: But Thorn, you and I need to have a lecture about your demeanour.
Thorn: Chill-ax. We all made it in one piece, but what we want is an island. If that plane didn't show up, we would've succeeded. So we'll turn this one into another slave.
However, Kane walks over to Thorn, making an objection.
Kane: Maybe not. I've seen how it reacts to the Dragon King. It didn't bow down or withdrew itself, which means… it's a rebel-type. That means it could be trained instead.
Thorn: Trained? [pauses] Hmmmm. Is there a spell for me to train him better?
Cursula: There is. I just need to make a potion to be sure he'll listen to you.
As Cursula walks away, Thorn kneels down to eye the Metrobat.
Thorn: You don't like him, do you? You actually hate Dalloway because he's… no king to you? Oh, believe me, he'll be out of the picture. I'm going to be a much better king, and when I do, he's going to be dead meat. And… I hereby name you…. [beat] Razor.
The End