Dragon

Wars

Episode 21: Judgement Day Pt. 1

Act One

The last week of May, Sunday 26. At home, Rose is asleep in bed, until she wakes up from the sound of birds chirping outside. Nemo is asleep too, laying on a nest made of shiny metal.

Rose: [yawns] What a night.

[Nemo chirps]

Rose gets out of bed in her bed robe and walks over to her bedroom window, which has a bright sunlight like it is midday. But she notices the timing on her watch, which reads 1100 hours, much to her shock, and Rose looks at the timer on her drawer which is dead.

Rose: Christ, the timer's out again! I've slept in!

In a hurry, Rose rushes over to the bathroom to brush her teeth, runs down the kitchen for a piece of bread, and she gets dressed in front of her mirror. She notices Tyler standing next to her and screams, but when she looks back, he is nowhere to be found.

Rose: What the? Nemo?

But Nemo looks calm, meaning that Tyler didn't show up in her house.

Rose: What's gotten into me?!

In the Shelters, the lobby is vacant as Gilbert is on his phone, and Michael is staring at the window with a bored tone. But the Stilwells are dancing to Buscando Guayaba on the radio.

Rocky: Yeah! It's super fun with spring ending and summer's closing in.

Dusty: Not only that, but school's going to an end too.

Gilbert: [annoyed] Rocky, Dusty, keep down over there! I'm trying to watch this video.

Gilbert is watching a YouTube video of Macbeth.

Macbeth actor: There would have been time for such a word! Oh, tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow creeps… in this petty pace from day to day and all… our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.

Rocky: Hey, Gilbert, whatcha watching? Why don't you put on boxing or maybe One Piece?

Gilbert: I said quiet, you illiterate.

Rocky: I ain't illiterate. My parents were married. Right, Michael?

Michael: [disappointed] Uh…. Yeah.

Dusty: What's gotten into you? You'd usually preen yourself and think about which girl to flirt with.

Gilbert: Let him be. It's been over a month since he was left in duty for the Shelters, and… his encounter with that Zoe girl.

Michael: A whole month! Damn right, it was! I was like I hit the jackpot, and she's with the enemy. What's next, I'm dating a vampire?

Rocky: Hey, come on. What you need is some good quality stuff. And I found something that you'd be psyched to see. Check it out.

Rocky picked up an old, ragged wallet from his pocket, showing it off.

Gilbert: Nice, shredded leather.

Rocky: Shredded wha…?! What are you talking about? This is a primo wallet, one of a kind.

Gilbert: Rubbish, you mean.

Rocky: All right, that does it, Gilbert! You insulted my pride! That means death!

Rose's voice: Silence in the ranks!

Much to the group's surprise, Rose enters the lobby through the front door and they salute to her.

Rose: Okay. So where's Dalloway?

Gilbert: He's outside, tutoring the Sentinels.

Out on the field, Drake is giving a lecture to the Ottawa Sentinels with Vanessa at his side.

Drake: Now when it comes to flying or breathing fire, it's always a dragon's key to survive, either in the wild or at home. But to do that, it must know when to eat.

Brynn: How so?

Vanessa: The answer is simple. Because all dragons have two sets of lungs, and a secondary stomach. Both indicate a dragon would have to eat food twice its size a day. For when the food's being melted away by stomach acid, the gas and vapour would direct towards the lungs where the wings are attached. Same for breathing fire, so it's the same as… barfing.

Tom: Yeah, that's what I thought to myself.

Drake: Either way, always treat your dragon with care. Now take the Boulder-Back for example. It would swallow rocks, but it would have to be the right kind of rocks, so we do it by letting him show what he needs. Have it a go, George.

Brynn's Boulder-Back, George, walks over to the scene. He takes a whiff of the rocks on the field, which were each a different kind. The first rock he smells he rejects, but he sees the fourth rock in the row before he gobbles it up.

Brynn: Yay! That a boy!

Bastion: Sure, we feed 'em the right food.

Drake: Yeah, but like all animals, it won't eat when it's not hungry.

Vanessa: Now let's all show you their sweet spots.

Vanessa walks over to Ariel and scratches her hips, which she enjoys very much.

Vanessa: You'd always give it to them when they get the job done. It's the same as having a dog.

But without Vanessa noticing, Ariel is becoming so relaxed, she tumbles down and lands down right on top of Rose, who just arrives at the field. The group sees her and they burst out laughter, while Drake rushes over in a panic to hoist Ariel back on her feet.

Drake: Sorry, Rose. Didn't see you coming.

Rose: I had a long night. [stands up] Anyway, how come you're tutoring these rookies?

Drake: They'd needed to know how to treat their rides with care.

Rose: But what about your other training course? Running laps, pushing up and single combat?

Drake: Already done that. I took them all early this morning.

Then, Vanessa's phone rings, and she answers it right away.

Vanessa: Hello? Quinton? [pauses] Oh, shit. Drake, Sea Demons!

Drake: On it. Sentinels, follow us. Let's go fly!

The Sentinels roar in cheer before they dash off out of the field, while Rose is left behind.

Rose: Wait! What else did I miss?!

At Graham Bay near Carling Avenue, Ethan and Quinton are preparing to be attacked by a squad of Hi-Surfers and Hockey Patrol, all led by Kane

Kane: Go get 'em, boys!

The Sea Demons charge ahead to attack. But Quinton and Ethan quickly take care of the Sea Demons by knocking them into the river. Ethan jumps up and down on the last Hi-Surfer, and Quinton sits on him.

Quinton: Now that's using your head.

Kane: [enraged] Ooh, I will enjoy crushing you, fatty!

Kane attacks by swinging his Magni-Axe at Quinton, who dodges by moving out of the way in time.

Ethan: Quinton, give the signal. I got this one.

With Quinton making hand signals, Ethan takes out a steel pipe and engages in a swordfight against Kane. Both exchange blows before Ethan jumps further back.

Ethan: I can keep this up all day.

Kane: Taste our cold steel! Sticks of Frost!

The Hockey Patrol slam their chrome sticks down on the ground, turning the floor into ice, which makes Ethan slip on the ice. The Hi-Surfers that survived all pull out guns and point them at the duo. But then, Helios and Clover come flying around, breathing fire.

Kane: It'll take more than two-

All of a sudden, Shadow comes flying down at the scene with Drake on his back, followed by Vanessa and the Sentinels. He fires at the ground in between, causing the Sea Demons to back away.

Sea Demon: Retreat! Retreat!

Kane watches the scene, and he dashes off in angry defeat. As soon as the dragon riders arrive, all the Sea Demons vanish without a trace. Shadow lands near Ethan and Quinton before Drake dismounts him.

Drake: That's the third sneak attack they did this month.

Quinton: Yeah, but it also had fourteen attacks from the Blackhawks already.

Ethan: But we weren't fighting them too, were we?

Drake: We'll talk about that some other time. But… what were you guys doing here?

Ethan: Okay, well…. I was practicing my chi moves, while Quinton has been coming up with an estimation.

Quinton: Yeah. And hear this…. The General's having a meeting.

Drake: With who?

Quinton: With us. [beat] All of us.

During the conversation, Kane is spying on them behind a wrecked boat, and he slowly descends further back.

Act Two

In Brockville, Fox and Rufus are both watching Overlord on TV.

Rufus: Do you think Shalltear's gonna pull through with this fight?

Fox: Here's a better question: who cares? This anime is lame. Everyone is such a sap in it.

Rufus: What about Ainz? He's just pretending to be a sap to make himself look popular.

Fox: Oh… is that why you act like a sap? Cause it's not working. You're still a loser.

Rufus: Quiet! I'm trying to watch the show.

Then, Hunter comes along with Snoop, and they both stand up to salute him immediately. But Tiger Blade and Ice come along too, joining the supreme leader.

Fox: Morning, boss. Well, actually, it's ten to twelve, so we-

Hunter: That's enough, Fox. Rufus, how many times have we failed in attempts to attack Ottawa.

Rufus: Probably… nine times this month, and the last.

Snoop: Well, it ain't good to hear about news like that, Cracker Jack. Because of all the times we've failed, somebody's gonna have to be fired.

Hunter: Not only that… punished by being lashed, forced to swim across the river in your birthday suits… and THEN… being fired.

Ice: Yo, fired? All of us, dog?

Tiger Blade: Either just some of us or all of us. We have failed many times to achieve the Blackhawks' goal, so… our punishment is underway.

Hunter: So today, I'm giving each of you an ultimatum. Three sunrises. Three sunsets. Three days.

Rufus: Three sunrises. Three sunsets. Three… days? Three, three, three. That's nine. Nine?

Hunter: No, Rufus. I mean… three. [walks off]

Fox: Three?! Oh, you mean, just three days? Oh, I'm having a bad day!

Snoop: Look, we just need a big dragon to change his mind. A big, big dragon.

Ice: Yo, bigger? Well, I saw this one from the photocopy book-

Fox: Quiet! I don't want to hear anything from that fake!

Ice: But-

Fox: But nothing! Just go blow stuff up!

Ice: Well, gee, you don't have to be a jerk about it, dog.

Fox: Yeah? What are you gonna do about it, bomber?

Rufus: Okay. Have it your way.

In her room, Empress is watching TV too, only this is an old video, where her parents are celebrating her first birthday.

Both: Happy first birthday, Empress!

Baby Empress starts giggling and she puts the cake into her mouth, as the older Empress watches with a smile. But next comes another video of baby Empress having lots of crying, and all Empress does is let out a sigh, as if she is depressed. All of a sudden, Athena pokes her head into the window, and nudges her off the bed.

Empress: Ow! Athena. I was busy here.

[door knocks]

Empress: It's opened!

Empress regains her bearings, just before Hunter enters the room.

Hunter: So you're in here, Empress? Why the long face?

Empress: Nothing, daddy. I was just… looking into my old baby photos.

Hunter: Oh, I know what's wrong. You thought I forgot… that tomorrow is your birthday!

Empress: Daddy…. You really…?

Hunter: Hey, it's not everyday a young woman turns twenty, is it? Well, this is early, but I've gotten everyone prepped for it. And here's a little something from me.

Hunter reaches into his pants pocket, and takes out a necklace with a blue gem shaped like a star.

Empress: Wow, it's so pretty!

Hunter: Yes, it is. It was your mother's when she was twenty. I've been keeping it safely since she passed away, hoping that one day you would wear it too.

Empress: I love it. But what would make this a pleasing birthday… is being with Drake Dalloway once more.

Hunter: Now, Empress, you know we can't just waltz into the city. Daddy's trying to deal with this… war-like mostly.

Empress: Yeah, but basically speaking… I'm still a student at the Billy Madison Centre, so that means… I could "infiltrate" it. Right?

Hunter: That wouldn't…. [pauses; realizing] Actually… that might work. Why didn't I think of that?

Empress: I may have mommy's beauty, but I have your brains too.

Hunter: [laughs] That's my girl.

Meanwhile, a meeting is held at the Rideau Centre, with people seated together around a large table. It's not just the Alpha Team or SC Reg, but the Sentinels and Charlie as well.

Bazooka: Now this is a military meeting. All top guns coming together.

Javelin: To be honest, I'm more used to small crowds.

Brynn: [nervous] Oh, this seems… too much for me.

Quinton: Don't worry about it. This is like a cakewalk.

Voice: Atten-hut!

Then, Stanley enters the room and walks up to the end of the table as everyone pays attention.

Stanley: Thank you all for coming. For some of you, this may be your first time in a briefing session, this will be a cakewalk for you.

Quinton: [whispers; to Brynn] Told ya.

Stanley: As far as we know, we're facing two fronts: the Chicago Blackhawks and the Sea Demons. The Blackhawks are stationed in the ruined city of Brockville, and the Sea Demons' current location is unknown. But recently, we've been having information by someone who goes by the identity of "Anonymous". Whoever this Anonymous is and why this has happened is beyond our understanding, but this has given us the info we'd need to know about another enemy: Dr. Redman and his machines. Windows!

Right on cue, the curtains have fallen to block all light from outside, and a screen shows the image of a satellite with the name "THOR" written underneath.

Stanley: Captain Tymbark, please.

Rose: This is what we all needed to know. It's called Project THOR, The Orbiting Reactor. It's how Redman gets control of his machines everywhere on a global scale, which is a satellite network. Like all of our cell phones, as long as THOR is orbiting and operational, Redman's robots can engage their targets anywhere. Although there are no weapon systems, the satellite does have a strong defense mechanism. It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from Redman's hidden factory.

Stanley: So the mission is simple. With all of you here, we will take one enemy squad at a time. First, we will engage the Blackhawks to force them out of Brockville, and then the Sea Demons will come after us, along with Redman's robots.

Tyler: But at the same time, the robots will engage as well. So before we proceed with the mission, Crossword will pinpoint the location on where the ray shield generator originates, which may lead us to Redman's lab, then we jam the reactor. Once the shield is down, our troops will create a perimeter, while another team tampers with the mechanics and self-destruct THOR. So with that, we can have Redman arrested and the enemy outgunned.

Gilbert: So this will be the same as Return of the Jedi. While the main team takes on the enemy, one part of it will be jamming the vital parts of operation.

Charlie: Well, that's all we'd need to know, is it?

Stanley: Affirmative. So this is what's going to happen. While Crossword tries to pinpoint the location, the rest of you will stay informed, but most of all, stay in or near downtown Ottawa. That will be all. Dismiss.

With the meeting over, everyone takes their leave out of the room. But Tyler walks over to Drake's shoulder.

Tyler: Hey Drake, Louis's here. And he's got something he wants to show you.

Act Three

Later at night, Drake and Tyler are both home, but they are walking through the side door attached to the garage. Shadow and Vanessa follow them inside, but it is completely dark, until Louis pushes a switch to turn on some lights.

Louis: Viola!

Much to Drake's surprise, the entire garage is redecorated to look like a typical boy's room, but he knows all the stuff around him.

Drake: That…. That's all my old stuff!

[Shadow chirps]

Louis: After your father's funeral, the bank had a thought of… holding all this stuff in storage, until the war was over. I had to look for the serial number for the container all this was stored in, and I managed.

Drake: It's like I'm back in my old house. Hey, that's my picture of when I was in the Grand Canyon. And there's my piggy bank.

Drake looks at a bank game. He makes the prospector model launch a coin to a cowboy model's hand that puts it in a barrel.

Vanessa: Cool! But what about this one? You push the top and-

Vanessa goes over to a bubble blowing toy, and the top for pushing down to get the bubbles going.

Vanessa: Oh, out come bubbles. Clever.

Tyler and Louis laugh while Shadow pops a big bubble with his teeth. Drake then looks to an old ping-pong table made out of a speed sign.

Drake: Hey! My dad's makeshift ping-pong table. He made this out of an old street sign.

He picks up the ball and hits it with a paddle, bouncing it on the wall.

Drake: And it still works!

Tyler: But… here's another thing. Your old baby videos.

Tyler flips on a TV screen, starting a video. A 1-year-old Drake is shown on the TV. Achilles places a birthday cake in front of him and demonstrates how to blow out the candle.

Drake: Hey, that's my first birthday.

Vanessa: Oh my God, you're so adorable!

Louis: Oui. That's the video I wanted to see. I was… in Paris when this was taken, but Carly was able to send it for me.

Baby Drake is puzzled as he looks at the screen, and he puffs up his cheeks.

Vanessa: [laughs] Come on, Drake! Blow.

Back to the video, Achilles demonstrates to him how to blow out the candle again, until the baby sneezes. Laughter is heard from behind as Achilles wipes off the birthday cake crumbs that went on him when Drake sneezed.

Drake: [embarrassed] Okay, so I was… awkward at that time too.

Vanessa: Aw, don't be a stick in the mud. We were all babies in the beginning, and in the end, that baby grew up to be a celebrity.

Vanessa looks back at the baby videos when Drake is having his first walk.

Vanessa: [to herself] He was so precious, he didn't even know. Will Drake and I have a baby like that?

Drake then walked up to a wall covered in tarp. Something behind them intrigues him. He pulls back the tarp, and it reveals a drawing of a young Drake and Achilles sitting together on the Alexandra Bridge, the latter holding hands with a woman.

Drake: That's my…. My drawing in kindergarten.

Drake looks at the drawing, looking sad, as the others look at it too.

Tyler: I remember that. You drew that when you were seven years old, almost a year before the Ultimate War began.

Drake: Yeah, but…. This was before… my mom took her leave without a word.

Louis: Drake, Carly loved you very much. She would never abandon you or Achilles, not after all the love she shared with you both.

Drake: Whatever the reason she left, it wouldn't… bring back the past if she comes back.

Tyler looks to Drake, who still has the sad expression.

Tyler: Hey Drake, I know you suffered because we all did. Even though we all survived, there's what's called a survivor's guilt. So many people today have wished for the past to come back, because they don't want to face the truth as much as we all did. But even though you lost people you're so close to at such a young age, you didn't let your pain change who you are… in here.

He taps on Drake's chest, indicating his heart.

Tyler: And look at the positive side. You finally got friends, and you have a dragon for a brother.

Shadow walks over and nudges on Drake's back, so he pets him on the side, which is cheering the latter up.

Drake: You're right, Tyler. We've all come along this far. And that…. That's something nobody can take away from this family.

Louis: Splendid. So how about we order a pizza? My treat.

Tyler: Get three pies; one with pepperoni and green peppers, one with olives, and one with extra cheese. Now I'd need some extra hands with the new jacuzzi outside.

Tyler and Louise both walk out of the garage, leaving the other three indoors, as Shadow lies down on the mattress.

Vanessa: So how much do you remember your mother? What was she like?

Drake: She was a fun woman. A, uh…. An animal person. The kind who would say… animals are people too. Someone who hates Jaws and loves The Lion King. In fact, she worked at the Papanek Zoo.

Vanessa: Wow. She sounds more fun than my mom, and she's an author. But hey, nobody's perfect. But Tyler's right. That's the thing about life, it's all about the choices we make. You're gonna make some good ones and, knowing you, you're gonna make some bad ones. But… as long as you remember to listen to your heart, you'll make the right choice when it matters most.

Drake: [pauses] Thanks, Vanessa.

With Drake feeling appreciated, Vanessa shares a passionate kiss with him, until Shadow hits them with his wing, before he sniggers. But the scene is being observed by a big drone, showing it to Redman in his factory office.

Redman: Would you look at that? Somebody's having heart-to-heart. But it makes me wonder how I got into a mess like that to begin with.

Black: I still don't know how heart-to-heart works, doctor.

Redman: Because you have no heart. That's why.

White: Bee-bee-boo-boop, bee-bee-boo-beep.

Redman: Thorn's coming? Well, let's hear what he has to say.

Redman exits the office and walks downstairs to meet up with Thorn and Cursula standing by.

Redman: Welcome, my friends. Another order for machines?

Thorn: Not quite yet. Before I could say the plan, I wanted to ask. When will this R-Series be ready?

Redman: They're all done, safe for… the battery.

With a snap of his fingers, a waldo lowers down a ball-shaped item glowing blue.

Redman: Behold… a Sonofusion battery. Unlike the rest of my creations, who rely on THOR's network, this battery keeps the R-Series running. I made three in the beginning, but I made a fourth after my… close encounter with the Dark Saber. So it will also cost you have them. I'll even toss in a little extra to kill more. [guffawing] Whaddya say? It's my final offer. Take it or leave it.

Thorn: [pauses] Yeah. As long as they can take out Dalloway and his dragon subjects. But… Kane had given us a scoop. We're going to join forces with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Redman: The Blackhawks. Indians and- [realizing] Wait. You mean, Hunter's forces?! But he's a war criminal! Suppose he-

Cursula: No, no, there is no risk. Because as the old saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So with that in mind, we can try to form an alliance with the Americans, and we can all help each other dealing with the Canadians in our way.

Thorn: He seeks to expand his borders, while I intend to be wizard king. So we could both achieve our goals, as long as we're on the same page.

Redman: Hmmmm. Perhaps you're right. I'm attempting to complete the R-Series this week, as soon as I charge up the batteries.

Thorn: Stay in touch, doctor. We'll be moving the Megalodon tomorrow evening.

Thorn takes his leave with Cursula, and he grows a smirk on his face, thinking about his master plan.

Act Four

The next morning in Ottawa, school starts at the Billy Madison Centre, as Drake walks down the hall with Vanessa, Quinton and Michael.

Quinton: So how was it? With the whole back-to-the-past thing in your garage?

Drake: Honestly, it was like what the doctor ordered. Thanks to having that talk with Tyler and Vanessa.

Michael: Still… you're lucky, man. Meanwhile I'm still….

Vanessa: Michael, don't worry. I'm sure you'll have another chance to-

But when they enter their classroom, they see someone that shocks them. It is Empress, sitting down on her seat. She looks over to notice Drake, waving at him.

Empress: So good to see you again.

Drake: Empress?

Vanessa: [angrily] What the hell are you doing here?!

Empress: Aw, come on. I just like to continue my time at school. And today's my birthday, so why not just be joyful?

Drake: This isn't one of those times, because your father is a war criminal.

Empress: Yeah. But I'm not, so there.

Vanessa: Forget about it. I should arrest you for trespassing.

But then, Professor Miller enters the room.

Miller: Class, to your seats now.

All the students take a seat right away as soon as Miller walks to the podium for a speech.

Miller: Well, class, it seems we have the return of Empress joining our class today. Although it will be for one day this week. So this is what I have to say to you all. This week, you're only going to be in class for two days. Today and this Friday, as for the rest of the week… you won't be in school.

[students cheer]

Miller: I haven't said a thing yet. This week is the final exam. While you're all at home, all you'd get is a massive amount of homework.

[students moan]

Miller: But it's not as bad as you think it is. Because summer is on its way, and here is what I only request from you. This is all about showing your teachers what you've learned and how much your grades have progressed. So think of the exams as Judgement Day. A memorial day from which… your intellect and experience in life has granted you from autumn to spring. For those of you who have survived the Ultimate War, it would be the same. And there's an added bonus. If you all pass your exams, not only would you be graduated, but you would have your photos taken and placed next to all the people who have rebuilt this school.

Forsythe: Guys. You know what this means? We would be as equally famous as the Alpha Team. The first students to graduate school since… dragons.

Oxy: Yeah, but…. I think Hutch is worried that he'll flunk the exams.

Hutch: What? No. I'm just afraid that I would have much less time to slack off than I usually do.

Oxy: Come on, we can always help each other.

Miller: So class, let's start off with a few math problems? But before we do, I must warn you all that everyone must keep our hands to ourselves. And that includes you, Empress.

Miller writes on the whiteboard a few math problems. Empress scootches herself over to Drake's side, nudging her shoulder onto his.

Drake: Empress, he said-

Empress: What? I'm not touching with hands.

Drake: Whatever you want for your birthday, it can't be dating me.

Empress: Not just that, but some time away from my daddy's coworkers. Those screw ups couldn't replace a light bulb without making ends meet. [giggles]

During the tests, Vanessa glares down at Empress, making sure nothing suspicious goes on from her.

In the meantime, Rose is at home, speaking to Jonathan in the living room with Nemo on his metal-made nest.

Jonathan: Heard you slept in yesterday. I assume that felt good to you?

Rose: Yeah. It did. To be honest, I never thought it would actually happen to me like that.

Jonathan: It wouldn't be the first time for you. You slept in on Thanksgiving back in 2035.

Rose: I know. Brick was alive that time before… Christmas.

Jonathan: Rose, life is always a precious thing to cherish, whether it was a gift from the Lord or a matter of science. Either way… it must never be taken for granted at all times.

Rose: Well, I have been taking your advice, Jonathan. I started to have faith in Dalloway, I've been open-minded to everyone under my command, and I… have become better than I used to be. What more could I do?

Jonathan: You could always… retire for a change. And, perhaps, settle down.

Rose: [shocked] Settle down? Are you kidding?! I've been at the top of my game since day one. Before I joined, the Canadian Forces were squandering. I've led teams throughout the war to take out dragons! I made Canada become a nation of fire eaters and bullet spitters! I mean, do you even know who I am?

Rose shows Jonathan her medal and trophy collection on the wall.

Rose: Fifty-six medals. Fourteen regional trophies. Six-time national champion!

Jonathan: And we've all been very impressed. But in the end, there are times when you have to take a break, which is what you'd need to do. And settling down is always an option for anyone, even a young woman like yourself. You cannot meet another man of your type, every decade.

Rose: Well…. I've never heard you say anything about marriage.

Jonathan: I can't. I'm a man of the cloth. But I've always treated you as you were my own daughter. You should try to… heed my advice. Because in the church, so many people would think of tomorrow as Judgement Day. I'll leave you to it.

Jonathan stands up and takes his leave out of the house. Rose, on the other hand, ponders about heeding the Prime Minister's advice. She looks at a photo of herself with Tyler and Gilbert, thinking about something.

At Tyler's home, the jacuzzi turns on and he gets in with Gilbert.

Gilbert: By Jove, this is more like it.

Tyler: Tell me about it. I feel like I'm in a hot spring after a hard day's work.

Gilbert: Only… you've rarely done a hard day's work, and never dipped into a hot spring. Although you almost did when you were in Japan, then kicked out.

Tyler: Hey, I couldn't read kanji, and I really thought that was the men's room.

McKenzie's voice: SMITHEE!

Gilbert: Well, I'll go see my grandpa. You enjoy your time in the bath, chap.

As Gilbert takes his leave, Tyler remains in the hot tub, enjoying it. But then, he sees Rose walking over to him in a bikini, and she is blushing.

Tyler: Rose?

Rose: Look, uh… I was told to just… have some time off from military work, so don't get the wrong idea.

She dips into the hot water, sitting in front of Tyler.

Rose: Damn, these waters are always hot.

Tyler: Always the complainer. But it's rare to see you trying to settle down. And things are turning out right for you in the end.

Rose: Yeah? Well, it's funny because you usually spend your time in the armory tent. Not to mention your cousin at your side at all times.

Tyler: But he has been training himself from time to time.

Rose: Heh! I guess I taught him all too well.

[five second silence]

Rose: Actually, Tyler… I need to ask you something. Do you… fear tomorrow?

Tyler: What do you mean?

Rose: I had a talk with the Prime Minister. He'd usually say that we'd think of tomorrow as Judgement Day, which is meant to be the same as… Armageddon.

Tyler: Nah! I'm not that worried. There's always another day, even after tomorrow. At least, that's what my father would say. If there's a Judgement Day, let it come, because only time would tell. It'll always come and go as it does since it started.

Rose: [dense] So then… you're not worried at all. That's…. That's so you.

Tyler: How about a drink? I've got diet Pepsi in the cooler. I'll get it.

Tyler gets out of the tub to the cooler. Rose watches him go, and after thinking about what he told her, she grows a smile.

Nearly after school, Miller is giving a lecture to his class.

Miller: Well, we made it this far, so we can … appreciate it, can we? You know, when you all started joining my class, most of you were such delinquents in my book, while only a few of you have shown some potential. But to this day, you pulled through to pass your tests, studied as hard as you could, and you weren't willing to give up. That's how motivation works out. So when you walk out the doors, you will begin your exams and finish as much as you could. Because this week, it will determine how smart you've become, and it shows the entire staff that you may have a future ahead of you. That moment starts… now.

[bell rings]

Right on cue for the bell ringing, all the students walk over to get their exams and walk out the door into the hallway. Drake is approaching his locker, which has pictures of him and his friends during their time throughout the year. There's even a photo of Vanessa training the baby Cometrident Burst, which he smiles at, until Empress snoops over to his side.

Drake: Seriously?

Empress: What? I'd like to see if you have dirty mags in your locket. But it looks like you're very decent, just as I hoped for. Oh. That's a cute one. The red snake with wings.

Drake: It's only a baby and he's gone now. So just mind your business like your… exam?

Empress: Aw, don't be so fussy. Just be positive for me. That's all I ask for. Do you have to be like this to all of your fans, even your biggest?

Drake: No. It's just I have my duties in the military, and your father is on our wanted list. Whatever reason you have here can be part of his plan.

Empress: I haven't come here to stir up trouble. I only want to see your face without any conflict. And….

Without finishing her sentence, Empress gives a kiss on Drake's cheek and she dashes off down the hall. With Drake dumbstruck with that, he stands still at his locker, until Ethan walks over to him.

Ethan: She's either telling the truth or not. That's what we all need to think, besides engaging the enemy.

Drake: Maybe… you're right, Ethan. But have you been practicing more of your moves?

Ethan: I have. So now I'm used to it, I should be able to dispel over a dozen Rings of Rameses within a hundred yard radius. But even that would drain some of my chi until it's replenished.

Drake is thinking of something after hearing what Ethan said, and he gets an idea.

Drake: Wait. Shadow has his angelic powers. So… is there a way that you could, maybe… borrow a portion of his gift to yourself?

Ethan: Oh, there is a spell that could do that. It only works out with chi, but Shadow has pure powers from the Lord Himself. Chances are… it would either work or it… would be too much and too powerful for a human being.

Drake: So… in other words, it would kill you?

Ethan: I didn't say that.

Then, Drake's phone rings, and he takes it out to see a text: "Report to the General's office at 1520 hours".

Drake: That's the General. Ethan, I'll have to go.

Act Five

Afterwards, Drake and Vanessa are both walking into the General's office, where they salute him.

Stanley: You got here just in time. We got a report from Crossword, who's been looking at satellite surveillance. He says the Sea Demons are all in a ramshackle atoll, floating down the St. Lawrence River.

Drake: Okay, so… they're within our country.

Stanley: Yes and no. The river is split in between the States and Canada. But according to their trajectory, it's heading down. If Hunter meets them, this could mean something disastrous to us all.

Vanessa: Not only that, but Saul has Redman with him.

Drake: And that includes all of his robots to crush us.

Vanessa: So we're going to Brockville?

Stanley: Hold your horses. This is why I asked you both to be here. Because… the Alpha Team will split in two. Drake, Ethan and Bastion are going with SC Reg, while the rest will remain here.

Drake and Vanessa are both shocked to hear that.

Vanessa: You mean… I can't go there?

Stanley: It's already been decided. So Corporal, you inform the team right away and be ready to leave at 0700 hours.

Drake: [pauses; sighs] Yes, sir.

At night, Drake is at home on his bed with Vanessa. Shadow walks into the garage, but he stops to see them having a private moment, so he goes back outside.

Vanessa: This stinks. The Alpha Team should stay together at all times. Sure, we had to leave Michael at work, but that's a one-time thing. Why would my father think that…?

Drake: Vanessa, we can't argue with this. He's your dad, but he's still the General. We just… gotta go with it. That's all.

Vanessa: But even so, Brockville is now behind enemy lines. If Hunter sees you, you're dead. If anything happens… I…. I…. [worried] I don't know what to do.

Drake: Nothing is going to happen to me. Because I will always come back… no matter how long it takes.

Drake wipes a tear off her eye. Vanessa stares at him for a few seconds, then she embraces Drake. They lay down on the bed, and they consummate their relationship.

Meanwhile, Empress comes back to Brockville City Hall, informing her father and operatives of her trip.

Empress: So there you have it, daddy. He suspects nothing from me.

Hunter: [proud] That's my girl. But… what else is there that we'd need to know?

Empress: Oh, not much. Just the fact that Drake's… going to be having trouble with Falcon's daughter. [giggles] Jealousy, even. But I did see a photo of a baby dragon. Red, snakelike, and stuff.

Ice: Yo, bra, that must be a Cometrident.

Fox: Comet-what? I never heard of that dragon.

Ice: Oh, it's off the hook. A Cometrident is a 75-foot-long dragon, which makes it bigger than all the dragons we have.

Fox: Why didn't you say so before?!

Ice: [chuckles] You didn't wanna hear it. Remember, dog?

Rufus: Okay, so that's all we need to get.

Hunter: That may be so, Rufus, but you still have to find it, capture it and seek out a way of training it, which will take you two days without sleep. So use what we got and get… it… done.

Suddenly, the door is knocked, alarming the group. Walking inside the door is Thorn, Cursula and Kane, approaching the Blackhawk leaders. But they have Gordon held hostage by Kane.

Thorn: Adam Hunter. Big fan.

Gordon: I'm sorry, sir. I tried to stop them, but they were… super sneaky.

Hunter: Kane. Long time, no see. [to Thorn] But who the hell are you?

Thorn: The name's Saul Thorn. I lead the Sea Demons and the future wizard king. And no, I don't mean a king of wizards, I'm seeking to be a king that happens to be a wizard.

Rufus: I was thinking of it.

Tiger Blade: You're too late, kid. We've already claimed Brockville as our own.

Thorn: That's not why we're here. I have to reason to fight you. We have a thorn on our sides. We're facing….

Thorn indicates a poster of Drake on the wall, then turns to Hunter.

Thorn: Like you! And like you, I want to get rid of him! So that makes us think… that we have one thing in common. If we work together, we can both get what we want. You expand your borders, I become king. Simple stuff that the good people of Canada take for granted!

Snoop: Hoo-wee. If he's a wizard, we could need one.

Hunter: Leave us. I want to speak to our guests… alone.

Empress and the operatives leave the room. Gordon is released, letting run back outside. Hunter walks closer to Thorn, having a stern talk.

Hunter: Look around you. This used to be a hockey team, until I transformed it into a military junta. The Blackhawks were made from the best of the best.

Cursula: And yet, somehow… you kept failing to the Canadians. If your forces are what you claim them to be, that would mean you have the power to vanquish the Alpha Team long ago.

Kane: He knows that. It's been all over the news. From summer to winter, the Chicago Blackhawks have fought the Canadian Forces, and… always fail.

Hunter: We had no practice in handling teenagers on dragons in the beginning, but now we do. So we've succeeded sacking Brockville, but why would you think that I could help you?

Thorn: [grins] Well… ask a silly question. What do you say, Kane?

Kane: I'd say he's full of it.

Kane shows a Christmas stocking with Hunter's name on it. He takes out a flask, opening it and pouring an eerie green liquid out that dissolves the stone floor.

Kane: A batch of toxic waste, from your "overlooked" weapons dump. There's a whole truck load of this crap on the Megalodon.

Hunter: That could've come from anywhere.

Kane: Maybe. What about the documents that prove you shared state secrets during the war in Afghanistan?

Hunter: If there were documents not admission, I would have them deleted from the computers or shredded.

Kane: A good idea.

But Kane shows shredded papers stuck back together from the stocking.

Kane: A lot of tape and a little patience make all the difference. [beat] By the way, how's Vincent Sabat, your old partner?

Hunter: Vincent? Last time I heard from him, he went MIA two years ago.

Kane: If he went MIA, then it stands for… murdered in action.

Kane pulls out a severed head of a man with rotting meat and a swarm of flies.

Kane: It looks like he got ahead of himself, being buried in your backyard.

Thorn: This is serious, Hunter. I've had it with having to fight those soldiers, while my army is low on numbers. I need reinforcements. What more could I ask for from you, huh?!

Hunter: You know what? You made your point there. But aside from this, what could you provide for us?

Thorn: I've got a trained Metrobat, a robot genius making dragon hunters, and… mind-enslaved animals.

With a snap of Thorn's fingers, a Winged Warhead wearing a Ring around its neck walks over, sitting down like a bird. Hunter sees it, and he thinks about what Thorn's been demonstrating.

Hunter: Perhaps… this works out fine for me. If you want to be king, I will go with it. As long as you don't pose a threat to my men or my nation. So… can we make it official?

Thorn: [pleased] Yes! You won't regret this. Besides, I've always wanted to join the Green Berets.

Act Six

The next morning, Drake is prepared to leave as he loads up Shadow's saddle at the Shelters' doorstep, alongside Ethan with Clover and Bastion with Rocket. Tyler walks out the door with Gilbert at his side.

Tyler: So you'll be in charge while I'm gone. But if anyone asks for a medical appointment, tell them I will have to book it.

Gilbert: Understood. But you know, I think you should give Rose some more… encouragement about something she needs to say. It seems that whatever she has in her mind is holding her back. She's still flustered after what you told her weeks ago.

Tyler: It was to show her honesty. That's what we all need. So anyway, she'll come around during the mission.

When Drake is done, he turns to see Belle and Jasmine walking over to him with a basket of treats.

Jasmine: Hey there, cutie. We got something for you. Some chocolate, a few vegetables and lots of fruits.

Belle: Be sure to have blueberries too. They're very good for your eyes.

Drake: Thanks, girls. I probably need something like this. But I…. I want you two to alarm us in case anything goes wrong with Ottawa.

Belle: Don't worry. We can do that.

Then, Vanessa walks over to Drake, but she looks displeased.

Drake: Look… I don't like it either. I really wish you could come.

Vanessa: No, that's not what I came here for. [pauses] Just…. Please come back to me.

Drake: I promise I will.

Vanessa kisses Drake, then Jasmine takes a picture of them.

Vanessa: Hey, why are you taking pictures?!

Jasmine: Why not? It looked so adorable.

Bastion: Hey guys, it's time to go. The Regges are nearing the St. Lawrence River now.

Drake: Let's get ready, Shadow.

Tyler: Hop to it, boys! We're off!

Drake and Tyler mount on Shadow, and the dragon takes off into the air, flying with the other two riders. As they fly away, Vanessa watches them go with a sad look, worried about him, until Stanley walks over to her side.

Stanley: Don't you worry. They'll stay in tabs with us. And in the meantime, I do have a request.

Vanessa: Like what?

Inside the Shelters, Quinton stays in the lobby with Michael and the Stilwells.

Quinton: It looks like we're left here. So guys, we should proceed with the exam and check out on the orders for training dragons.

Michael: Maybe you're right. In fact, I've been… thinking about the way I acted yesterday. I could try to… forget about Neo and just find some other girl to flirt with.

Dusty: Yeah. That's what we've been waiting to hear.

Rocky: Really? Cause I was waiting for something awesome to happen.

Vanessa: General on deck!

The team stands up and salutes as Stanley walks inside with Vanessa.

Stanley: At ease. Now listen up, team. I've been thinking about this for a long time now. It's time for me to have… a dragon of my own to train.

Michael: Yeah? But, uh…. Any type you have in mind?

Vanessa: We only have one available. The, uh….

Later, the group, plus Gilbert, is on the field where the Rockhead is walking around, chained to its cage like a dog.

Gilbert: The Rockhead is a rough one, sir. We've tried many times to tame it, but it's too much of a wild animal.

Stanley: Yeah? Well, it looks like he needs some confrontation.

Vanessa: Dad, you can't get ahead of yourself on this one.

Stanley: Just let him see me.

Stanley walks a little closer, which is enough for the Rockhead to notice him. The dragon turns around, grunting and huffing like an angry bull. The General makes a stance like a cowboy, ready for a duel, and the dragon scratches the grass, ready to charge. With a roar, the Rockhead charges ahead, and Stanley jumps out of the way before he tackles him, pinning him down.

Vanessa: Dad! That's not how you do it!

Stanley: [excitedly] You gotta show 'em who's boss!

Gilbert: [sighs] This is going to be a long trip.

In the afternoon, Drake's team is now in Prescott, where he remains inside a tent to do his homework. Shadow is lying down, eating a Mr. Big bar, but Nemo begins snooping around towards the bar, until the Dark Saber lets out a grunt, shooing him. Then Nemo breathes smoke at his face, causing Shadow to cough, and Nemo snatches the candy bar with his teeth, but Shadow catches it with his own, having them both do a tug-of-war.

Drake: Guys, knock it off. We're busy here.

Bastion flies over with Rose on Rocket, landing next to the tent, and they both dismount to enter.

Bastion: Where's Tyler?

Drake: Gone to get provisions.

Bastion: Well, we have a scout report. It looks like they're building a wall out of old cars and junk.

Rose: So we should be able to storm the place. Bastion, inform the others.

Bastion: Yes, ma'am. [walks off]

As Bastion takes his leave, Tyler walks over with a small bag, which he opens to reveal various insects.

Tyler: Lunch.

Rose: [disgusted] What? How is that…?

Tyler: That's the important rule in surviving in the wilderness. You gotta eat what you gotta eat.

He takes a bite out of a few bugs, and Rose just looks away with disgust, but she looks back at Tyler for a bit.

Drake: They've built a wall in Brockville.

Rose: So now we need to come up with a plan.

Tyler: Been there, done that. You see, I was fetching food, I've done a little recon. There's a sewer that goes right under the old city. So the plan is to sneak our way in from underneath the wall, infiltrate one of the enemy's supplies, and then… we storm City Hall. It's where Hunter would most likely be.

Rose: [impressed] You…? You got that done already? I'm….

Tyler: Don't say it. I know.

Suddenly, a roar is heard at a distance, and when Drake hears it, he looks like he recognizes it.

Drake: It can't be!

He runs out of the tent to where all the other gathered soldiers stand, and they look up to see what is flying in the air. A Cometrident family consisted of two adults and a juvenile. Tyler and Rose come outside too, seeing the sight as well.

Ethan: Aiyah! Drake, is that…?

Drake: It is! It's Burst and his family!

Javelin: Wait, that's the little dragon you told us about?

Bazooka: He looks bigger than I imagined.

Crossword: That's because babies grow up, Bazooka.

Rose: This is not good. If they come this way, they're going to be exposed to the enemy.

Tyler: Not unless we redirect their direction. Drake?

Drake: Right. Shadow!

Drake mounts up on Shadow and takes off, followed by Ethan when he mounts on Clover. The two half-brothers fly higher and higher to be at the same level with the Cometridents. Burst sees them; he lets out a cheerful squeak and flies towards Drake, nibbling on his hair, until Shadow growls to keep him away.

Drake: Easy, bro. And Burst, it's good to see you again. But you have to get out of here. Get your parents away from the-

Ethan: Drake! Incoming!

Drake sees Bloser flying to the scene, with Fox and Rufus on his back, but they have four Winged Warheads flanking them.

Drake: Ethan, make sure Burst's family flies away.

Shadow flies towards the Blackhawks, and then he flies up into the clouds. Thunder crashes and the two operatives arrive to confront the hiding soldier.

Rufus: Come on down, Dalloway! Unless you're chicken.

Fox: Forget that! [to the clouds] If you don't come down, we'll shoot you at the count of five. One, two, three, four-

Then Shadow shoots lightning at Bloser, freaking him out. He starts shooting lightning at the rest of the dragons. Bloser sprays his freezing breath and flushes out Shadow, leading him out of cloud cover and close to the water where the Winged Warheads join to fire as well.

Fox: We got him now!

But Rufus gets hit by one of the lightning bolts and starts babbling.

Fox: Rufus, quit talking like an idiot! Let's get those flying snakes! We can't miss this deadline!

The two spot the Cometrident up high and chase them. Bloser fires at the family, but it strikes back with their own firepower. The adults take the offensive and start chasing them. However, Burst is left behind, so he flies off.

Rufus: [blabbers]

The Winged Warheads fly over, spraying acid at the parents, sending them away. But Ethan poses on top of Clover to perform his chi spell. Like before, he slowly moves his hands away, forming an O-shape with his fingers.

Ethan: Huán, shìfàng!

Then, a shockwave occurs, and it shatters the Rings of Rameses, freeing the Winged Warheads from their enslavement. The dragons are all freed, but Drake notices something else. Burst flies over the St. Lawrence River, but the Megalodon is approaching him.

Drake: No! Burst!

Suddenly, a ballista fires a net, but Burst breathes fire and it burns the net away. However, Bloser catches him and pins him down to the low tide.

Fox: We got one! WE GOT ONE!

Rufus: [blabbers]

Fox: Relax, we're going back!

Drake: NO!

Drake and Shadow both swoop down to the rescue, until Razor flies over and attacks them. So the two are being chased by the Metrobat, who breathes his Lava Wave at them. He approaches fast, but gets hit by a fired rocket, sending him away. Shadow lands safely on the ground, but Drake looks back to see Burst being dragged away onto the Megalodon, and he looks disappointed as the others come along.

Stryker: You okay, kid?

Drake: [depressed] I failed. They got him.

Dozer: Hey, don't worry about it. He's just a baby, and the grown ups are gone.

Ethan: It's not that. The Blackhawks and the Sea Demons… fought us both and the operatives have mind-enslaved dragons. So that means….

Bastion: [realized] They've joined forces. Augh, I hate it when that happens.

Javelin: We're screwed. We're going up against former hockey players and anti-Hogwarts wizards, with guns and dragons.

Bazooka: We have a guardian angel with us. That's gotta count for something.

Rose: That's the problem, Bazooka. Because that makes him a bigger target to everyone.

Drake: A plan. We need a plan.

Tyler: Hey, remember when Burst was getting difficult for us? With that, Hunter would have a hard time training him as well.

Ethan: NOT without those Rings. No matter how young he is, he'll always be enslaved.

Rose: [determined] We're going in anyway. We stick to Jones's plan. We'll sneak our way into the city through the sewers, but some of us will have to infiltrate that ramshackle pile of junk.

Javelin: Count me in, Captain. I'm a good swimmer anyway.

Tyler: Alright. Drake, you go with Javelin, Crossword and Bastion. The rest of us will take the sewer route. Now let's move out!

Everyone takes their leave out of camp, proceeding with the plan.

Act Seven

Back in Brockville, Hunter passes around inside City Hall, with Snoop, Thorn, Cursula and Gordon watching him.

Hunter: What is taking those two so long? They should've reported by now.

Gordon: They're probably gone to just waste their time.

Thorn: Don't be so quick to judge. My boys were able to give me-

Then, Fox and Rufus walk into the building, pulling in Burst who's chained and muzzled.

Fox: We got one, boss! We got a Cometrident!

Hunter: [disappointed] Are you… kidding me? I gave you three days to get your job done, and you bring me a juvenile?! I should fire you both for your incompetence!

Rufus: [blathers "Told you so!"]

Thorn: Hold on there, big guy. Why not… use it instead? Dalloway would do anything to protect his precious subjects.

Gordon: The only thing a dragon understands is a smack on the snout.

Thorn: You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?

Gordon: Why should I?

Cursula: We have several spare Rings of Rameses, all designed to enslave any living being who wears them.

Thorn: Yeah! So if we lure the Dragon King into a trap, we can enslave him.

Hunter: [smirks] Now that's strategy, Thorn. My daughter's been tempted to lure Dalloway into her life, so she's probably desperate.

Snoop: Tell me about it. Ever since Valentine's Day, she's been bitchin' about her wrecked date and her cold like a racoon without garbage.

Thorn: So how about that? Just take my advice, and things will go as planned.

But then, the doors open and Redman walks inside.

Redman: Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Snoop: Redman?

Redman: Thought I might walk over here in person. I got my lab under constant surveillance. But most of all, I present to you… the R-Series.

Right on cue, three new robots walk inside. The first robot with R-01 on the side is human-sized, mutated by cancerous, bioluminescent growths all over its left side. The second with R-02 on the pelvis is a heavily-armoured, gorilla-themed robot with wheeled tripod legs. And the third with R-03 on its head is samurai-themed.

Snoop: [stunned] Holy shit!

Robot: R-01 Mimic maintains aerodynamic balance during the turbulence of burst combat. It's programmed to blend with the humans and assassinate whatever it targets. R-02 Chimera has the ability to change various weapon systems, from the simple automatic rifle to the more advanced mini-nuke launchers, or a prototype Heavy Flamer. Its heavily armoured treads also allow it to move at quick speeds to ensure it is the first responder to major firefights, or dragon attacks. R-03 Samurai can hurl bolts of lightning generated by the conductor unit on its back, which is wired into its right arm. The left arm uses a stealth blade it uses to strike at close range. It also has a third weapon mounted on its head: a prototype particle cannon.

Thorn: Awesome, doc. But…. Where's the fourth?

Redman: Still in production. I still have to charge up its battery, but when it's functional, it'll put the Dark Saber on edge.

Hunter: On edge? What's this one called?

Redman shushes Hunter, before he looks around to make sure nobody else is watching.

Redman: Alright. It does have a given name, but it must be kept between us, so that… nobody would know. I want it to be a big surprise to everyone.

He murmurs the name to the Blackhawks so they can hear what Redman is saying. Empress, on the other hand, walks over quietly and her attention is caught as she eavesdrops on the conversation.

Fox: Um…. What's wrong with it?

Redman: There's nothing officially wrong with it. Because it's programmed with problem-solving intelligence, but I should rig it to follow our authorities, so… nobody needs to be worried.

Thorn: Man, I love it when you're so smart. [laughs] But yes, it will deal with that Dark Saber of Dalloway's. When I get it all harnessed up, it'll be free to strike anyone it wants. Or, more precisely, anyone I want.

Hunter: Don't be so quick to judge yet, Mr. Thorn. You'll get your prize, but only after you fulfill the terms of our deal.

Thorn salutes to Hunter before he takes his leave, followed by Cursula.

Cursula: We have to be cautious, Saul. Kane's told me of Hunter's troubles in the past, so we must-

Thorn: We're here because of size of his army. We need more men to make sure we can kill off Dalloway. After we do, we'll dispose of 'em all.

Empress overhears what Thorn is talking about, and she looks disturbed as she runs off to her father.

Snoop: [to Hunter] Remind me again why we're dealing with this lunatic.

Hunter: Because we need those rings. It's bad enough that we'd have to carry the burden to simply… train wild animals. That teenager thinks he can be king, but if we're lucky, I might be nominated President of the United States.

Snoop: I don't trust him. There's one rule I live by: never trust a fellow with a witch.

Hunter: Bullshit. I happened to be an excellent judge of character, Mr. Snoop.

Fox: [whispering] Oh, excellent judge. More or… LESS!

Empress: Daddy? We need to talk. I think Thorn's is planning to kill Drake.

Hunter: Don't be ridiculous. We will make sure everything is going according to plan. Men, take that runt out.

Hunter walks off as the operatives take Burst outside, but Empress looks displeased because of being ignored.

Act Eight

In Ottawa, it is nearly night time. Vanessa is outside of the Shelters, locking the doors with a key, and she walks down the stairs to where Ariel awaits for her. But she hears a ring from her phone, and she takes it out to look at a text from Drake: "Burst captured; going for the rescue".

Vanessa: Burst? Captured?

[Ariel nickers]

But then, she sees her father walking over to her, bruised and having a bandaged head.

Vanessa: Dad, what happened?

Stanley: That Rockhead put up a minor fight. He and I were seeing eye to eye, and he almost rammed me. Again.

Vanessa: Well, can you blame him? Because you basically tackled him. [to herself] I'm starting to sound just like Drake.

Stanley: Nah, we were just warming up! He loved it!

Vanessa: Apparently not.

Stanley: But in any case, now that work is over, there's somewhere I'd like for us to go to, right this minute.

The two of them mount on Ariel, and she takes off into the air over the Glebe. Just after they fly over Queensway to Centretown, they make a stop on top of a skyscraper, where they both look ahead to see the sunset. Vanessa sees the sight with amazement, while Stanley has a proud smile on his face.

Stanley: How's this?

Vanessa: It's…. It's beautiful, dad. But why'd you think about bringing us here?

Stanley: I think it's quite obvious. You're worried about Drake. I can see it in your eyes, and it happens from time to time with many people.

Vanessa: Well, it's not the first time we split. [worried] But…. If he runs into whatever he might run into, he could…. What if he…?

Stanley: Hey. You mustn't feel that way about him. Sure, he has been a loose cannon from time to time, but he has one thing we all needed. Motivation. I didn't see that until the day he decided to go under Rose's training, nor when he wanted to make sure nobody would go around to conquer Canada. You of all girls should feel lucky to have someone like him.

Vanessa: What about… you with mom? Did any of you feel lucky with each other?

[five second silence]

Stanley: To be honest… not really. She was a beauty in high school, and she's thoughtful of others. But as we grew older and started having different interests, that's when…. [ashamed] That's when some people would think about having a divorce, which is what I… agreed on. When you asked me if we were a broken family and I said yes, that's when I… knew I wasn't so lucky. Because I stood up to my duty above our family, which is far greater than any. Just as you were to your duties back then.

Vanessa: We're soldiers, it's our job.

Stanley: Yeah, but everything that's happened is in the past now.

Vanessa: I know. But I like you better as a father than a general.

Stanley: Yeah? So anyway, try to have faith in what he could do. The last thing I'd want you to do is follow in my footsteps, repeating history.

Vanessa: I won't have to, dad. Because I'm not you. I'm Vanessa Falcon, your daughter, working in the Ottawa Dragon Shelters, and official girlfriend to the Dragon King who is the best.

Proud to hear those words with a smile, Stanley chuckles and pats on her shoulder.

Stanley: That's my girl. Now let's go home.

Vanessa spurs on Ariel, and she takes flight to go home.

Meanwhile in Brockville, Javelin swims around the Megalodon everywhere, simply looking for a way, but he strokes all the way to shore, where Drake, Bastion, Ethan and Crossword are waiting for him.

Javelin: No way in. It's all locked up.

Drake: We could just fly over it, but we'd be exposed. Crossword?

Crossword: I was able to send a drone for aerial footage.

Crossword reaches out to let a drone land his hand, and he looks into the screen that shows him more of the Megalodon.

Crossword: Got it. It looks like… there's a lagoon in the centre, which means… you could've swam underneath it.

Javelin: The water's already getting cold. I have to change. Because if I keep swimming like this, I'll get hyperthermia.

Drake: Then I'll go. I swam through colder waters, so I will manage.

Javelin: Good luck, kid.

Drake takes a dive into the water and he swims underneath the Megalodon, emerging from the lagoon in the middle. He looks around to make sure nobody is around, until he hears the Hockey Patrol coming his way. So he finds a good hiding place to get away from them.

Hockey man 1: I thought I heard something in the lagoon.

Hockey man 2: Probably just a bird. Come on.

As soon as the coast is clear, Drake swims to the edge of the lagoon, climbs his way up, and finds a window. He opens it to let the group in.

Act Nine

Tyler's team is making its way into an opened pothole to enter the sewer. With their flashlights on, they make their way across on their way to Brockville. It is somewhat dark, and the walls are wet and dripping as a result of it filling up with water every high tide.

Bazooka: Damn, this place gives me the creeps.

[Nemo chirps]

Rose: Nemo, be quiet. We have to stay silent.

Tyler: We should be under… Windsor Heights now. So we go north, we'd be at Windsor Drive.

Stryker: No, no, no, that's Parkdale over there. Windsor is still ahead of us.

Suddenly, there is a loud rumble that shakes the sewer.

Tyler: Wh-what's… what's-what's-what's that?

Rose: That's one of their tanks. Which means… we're nearing the armoury.

Dozer: Only one way to find out. Bazooka, can you check it out over there?

Up top, Tiger Blade and Ice are riding a M1161 Growler, talking.

Tiger Blade: So they have a robot samurai. How fortunate.

Ice: Yo, dog, you got nothing to worry about. As long as the boss is in charge, that's all that matters.

Tiger Blade: But one of these days… we have a problem.

Out on the street, Bazooka pops his head into traffic and his head is hit by the approaching Growler, before it hits the brakes.

Ice: [startled] Whoa! The hell was that?

Tiger Blade: I don't know. But we have to see it.

Bazooka: [dizzily] Run, Sonic. Go save Amy.

Bazooka leaves, as soon as Ice and Tiger Blade walk over to check it out. But with the Growler underneath, Dozer sets a pair of bombs near the pothole, and it's rigged to blow.

Tiger Blade: There's nothing here.

Ice: I don't see 'em either. What's the dealio?

Suddenly, the bombs detonate. The Growler lights flash repeatedly, and the windshield wipers glide against the windshield, surprising the duo. Then, it drives towards them, causing them to run away. The electricity shocking vehicle impacts a streetlight and shocks its bulb, which falls out of its socket and lands on Bazooka's head, shattering in pieces. Bazooka regains consciousness.

Ice: Damn, that was a blast! Who did that?!

But a tear gas bomb is thrown, unleashing the gas, and it causes the operatives to cough, just as Tyler's team dashes off into hiding. Now they are looking for somewhere else to go on a building.

Dozer: Any word from the others?

Tyler: Nothing yet. But we have to press on. Find a-

Rose: Wait, look. There's the tank.

The team sees an M1126 Stryker driving over with several heavy assault troopers flanking it. Tyler gives a hand signal to Stryker, who aims his sniper rifle at the road.

Back on the Megalodon, Drake's team is making its way across without their dragons, looking for Burst.

Bastion: [whispers] Stay sharp. There's no what we might run into.

Javelin: Trust me. I'm a covert insurgent. I'm all about silence.

Unbeknownst to them, a Piranha Squad girl spots them and runs off. She runs down to the basement and places a rocket in the boiler. She lights a match on the rocket, and it shoots up through a smokestack. On dry land, Kane walks over with Thorn and Redman.

Kane: I gotta say, doctor, after what you told me about your R-04, I'm really impressed. I never doubted you for a second.

Redman: That's just the beginning. Imagine an army of-

Suddenly, the sound of fireworks turns their attention to the heavens. In it is a message saying "Onboard", signifying that Drake has arrived.

Thorn: That's him! Time to alarm Hunter.

Kane: You take care of that. I'm going myself. And I won't kill him, just his purple pet.

Back on the Megalodon, Drake and Bastion both pry a door open to enter the main office, where they all notice that it's Thorn's room.

Crossword: Man, this place is a dump. But he can't be inside here.

Drake: No, but you have to hotwire. The rest of you, check the windows. Maybe we can find Burst in a cage.

Everyone does their job in the room. As Crossword begins hotwiring under the counter, the rest look around, and Ethan finds Burst in the cage hanging over the lagoon.

Ethan: There he is.

But Bastion looks over at the other windows, where he can see the remains of fireworks pouring down the sky.

Bastion: [nervously] Uh, guys? We're going to have company.

Crossword: Hey, stop hassling me. I only got one more wire.

But at the corner, there is a flashing red light. It begins to flash, triggering an alarm and electrocuting Crossword. POW! He is literally thrown from the counter. Javelin catches him, and they both fall down, but Crossword has his hands burnt.

Ethan: [shocked] Aiyah!

Bastion: Crossword! You okay?!

Javelin: He's fine. Let's just get out of here. Fast.

Back in City Hall, Hunter is alarmed about what's going on by Thorn.

Hunter: He's here?

Thorn: Told you he'd be here. But with the parents coming, you guys evacuate and find somewhere else to hide. I'll take care of him.

Hunter: Negative. I still have my daughter here. I should warn her.

Thorn: Leave it to me. Girls always listen to a king. Now go.

Hunter takes his leave, and Thorn walks the other way. Gordon stays put, standing by the howitzer at the front entrance. He sees a tank driving over to City Hall with the heavy assault men following it.

Gordon: Troopers? Any updates out there?

Suddenly, the troopers reveal themselves to be Tyler and company. They open fire on all the surrounding Blackhawks, and Gordon gets punched by Dozer. Nemo pops out, blowing smoke around to disorient the other troopers, right before Stryker shoots them down. The howitzer is rigged to open fire, until Bazooka fires with the tank's own weapon, destroying it. Gordon regains his bearings, wiping the blood off his lips.

Gordon: You're all dead! We have a hundred heavy assault troopers in Windsor Heights! They'll be coming here this instant!

Tyler: Were they dressed like this? Actually, it was more like seven.

Rose walks over, removing her ski mask and glaring at Gordon.

Rose: Remember me?

Gordon: [scared] What did I do to you? I did nothing.

Rose: No, but you conned my trooper into your schemes, had him share state secrets, and sided with the enemy.

Gordon: You can't do anything to me. I have rights!

Rose: You have rights? Well, you can tell that to God. Because I'm here to make sure you do. Nemo, kill!

With a roar, Nemo comes flashing out of nowhere and pounces on Gordon, who screams and falls back. Nemo is right on top of him, all tooth and claw all of a sudden. As Nemo makes the kill, the team strides over to City Hall, looking for anyone else.

Rose: Hunter?! Snoop?!

Stryker: It's empty. Guess they evacuated just in time.

Javelin: [from walkie talkie] Team-2 to Team-1. Do you copy?

Rose: [answers] Team-1 reporting. What's your position?

Javelin: We're in the Megalodon. We've found the dragon, but… Crossword is requiring medical attention, and Bastion thinks we're going to have company soon.

Rose: Roger. Proceed with the plan. I'm on my way. Stryker, keep searching.

Rose takes her leave, until Tyler stops her by putting his hand on her shoulder.

Rose: Don't try to stop me.

Tyler: I'm not. Just be careful.

But when she hears that, Rose is stunned and she is blushing, but she puts her hand on Tyler's. Then, she kisses him, leaving him flustered.

Rose: Take over. [runs off]

Act Ten

Back on the Megalodon, Drake and Ethan are giving away hand signals, calling their dragons to come over. But then, Empress holds Drake at gunpoint on a catwalk.

Drake: Empress, this isn't one of those times.

[five second silence]

Empress: There's a firework stash downstairs. Free the dragon and go.

Drake: What?

Empress: Just do it!

Puzzled at first, Drake signals Shadow to blast the cage, freeing Burst out, and he jumps over, before his dragon picks him up. Ethan sees some Sea Demons rushing over, but he fights them off with his martial arts. When the others come, he beckons them to follow him down the stairs. Empress is taking her leave, until she sees Thorn and Cursula in front of her.

Cursula: You dare let the enemy escape?

Empress: I wouldn't let you kill my hero.

Thorn: Then that… makes you a traitor, so we should silence you. Literally.

Bastion sees the scene when he gets on the catwalk. Cursula creates a large wind tunnel, blocking Bastion from them. Empress's voice glows and floats out of her mouth. She clutches her neck. Her voice travels into the shell in Cursula's skull-tip on her wand. Bastion braves the wind tunnel before it dissipates, and he sees Empress falling down to the water.

Bastion: Oh, no!

In the storage room, Crossword and Javelin light all the fireworks and then run for their dear lives. The fireworks go off all at once, as Fox and Rufus arrive on Bloser.

Fox: Christ Almighty! Who's the asshole to put so many fireworks onboard?!

Rufus: Don't look at me!

The duo duck their heads to avoid being hit. Then Bloser is hit by two more fireworks, causing him to fly off, while Bastion gets on Rocket who flies off with him. During that time, Razor flies over, then Thorn and Cursula jump on to fly off the other way.

In Brockville, all the other Blackhawks see the fireworks, just as the Megalodon explodes, then they all get a message from Hunter through their walkie talkies.

Hunter: All units! Evacuate the city! Fall back to Chicago, pronto!

Snoop: You heard him! Hop to it, ye dogs!

Ice: Don't have to tell me twice. Pesky!

Pesky flies over to Ice, letting him and Tiger Blade mount on her, and everyone else drives away or flies away to evacuate Brockville.

In the air, Drake looks back to see Brockville being evacuated, and he smiles to be pleased to see it.

Drake: We did it! Shadow, we won! Now let's go home.

Suddenly, a fired rocket hits Shadow, and he falls down from the sky. Kane sees the dragon fall from the sky with his binoculars.

Kane: Ha! Gotcha!

Shadow lands on the ground with a heavy thud. He is not killed, but he's gained dozens of wounds on his back, and so does Drake, who groans for sharing his pain.

[Shadow moans]

Drake: There's…. There's water over there. We could-

But Kane arrives at the scene, holding his Magni-Axe.

Kane: So good to see you again. In fact, I'm prepared for the death of the king.

He charges ahead to finish off Drake, then Rose runs into the scene and lunges at Kane to tackle him, sending both of them tumbling. Drake helps the weakened Shadow up to flee from the fight.

Rose: Go, Drake!

Rose successfully halts her fall by landing on her feet and capitalizes on Kane's instability, delivering a right hook to his face. Rose then backs up slightly, poised to deliver a knee strike to Kane's face. However, Kane counters by tackling Rose, sending her crashing to the ground, while Drake observes the confrontation from behind a tree. Rose uproots a tree, hits Kane with the tree and follows up by delivering a powerful strike to the centre of his back.

Kane: You fight like a girl.

Kane attempts to strike Rose with a fierce slash, but Rose evades the attack and counters with a formidable right hook, knocking Kane to the ground.

Rose: And you're an asshole!

Kane manages to regain his stance, only to be pierced in the left shoulder by Rose's knife and throws him. Then the Chimera and the Samurai come crashing through the trees to Kane's aid.]

Kane: You two. Kill the boy!

The two robots initiate their pursuit of Drake, who is attempting to escape with Shadow following him. The Chimera, however, is tackled to the ground by Rose, seizing its third leg, then delivers a sharp elbow to the knee joint and knees it in the side of the face, causing him to fall. As the Samurai charges at Rose with a retracted blade, the latter reacts with remarkable speed, landing two punches to the robot's face before delivering a kick that sends Kane backward. She then lifts the Samurai up and pounds it in the jaw, resulting in the robot tumbling away.

Kane: You should've sided with the righteous side, Tymbark. Because dragons have always been demonic and abominable.

The duo of robots encircles Rose in a menacing manner. The Chimera seizes her by the head, attacking her arms with a wrist-mounted router blade. In response, Rose retaliates by elbowing the Chimera in the face, forcing it back. Subsequently, Kane captures Rose and forcefully slams her to the ground, delivering a kick to her face

Drake: Rose!

The Chimera fires his machine gun at Rose, who is blocking with her cybernetic arms, while the Samurai retracts its head cannon and strikes her down with a powerful blast. The force of the attack propels Rose through the air, causing her to roll on the ground towards Drake, where they end up near the river. With Rose badly injured, Drake looks with horror as Kane and the robots advance towards them.

The End