New Dragon's World Chapter 22

New Dragon's World

Chapter 22: Eig'nia, Second-in-Command

Time had passed and still Titus remained in the exact same spot, not moving an inch, just staring into the sky. His friends and family watched him, curious as to what he was thinking about. Ben walked up to Titus and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Look, Titus…I know how you feel. It hurts. It hurts terribly. But we need to keep going, man. Your mom and dad, and Lucas and his boys are all waiting for us. C'mon." Ben said.

"Yeah…" Titus agreed as he rubbed his eyes.

Ben walked Titus back to his car and opened the door for him. Titus sat down, grabbed the steering wheel, and plopped his head on it.

"Titus…How about I drive?" Asked Sarah.

Without saying a word, Titus removed himself from the driver's seat and walked around to the back of his car and opened the back door on the right side. Everyone else piled into the car soon after. As they made their way to Baker Valley, almost everything was dead silent. All but the sound of the car engine and the tires on the dusty road.  Eventually they had come to the desert.  Titus leaned against the car door. He dully watched the mountains, cactuses, and rocky terrain pass by as he shifted around in his seat and folded his arms. His face was pressed against the window and he sighed to himself.

Jessie placed a hand on Titus' shoulder. "Titus?" She asked.

Titus mumbled incoherently.

"Titus, please listen to me. I know how bad you're hurting. It's never easy to lose somebody close to you. But you can't let Theian's death be what defeats you." Said Jessie.

"Aunt Jessie's right, Dad!" Drake said, beaming. "You're stronger than this, I know it! You're the strongest dragon ever! And I know you can beat Saulstrance no problem!"  

Titus unfolded his arms and looked at his family. They all looked back at him with warm smiles. Smiles that showed love and understanding.

Sarah pulled the car over and turned around in her seat so that she was facing her husband.

"Uncle Titus, remember when Grandma and Grandpa died? Back then I didn't even really know what that meant.  When I was a little older, dad explained what had happened and what dying really meant. And I just cried. I didn't know what else to do."  Said Kyle as he looked into his uncle's eyes.

Kyle rubbed his left eye. "I can't even remember what my grandparents looked like. But I do remember that the one who helped me the most when I was grieving was you, Uncle Titus. I looked up to you as a kid, and I still look up to you.  You've helped me so much and now I want to be able to help you."

Titus shut his eyes as he smiled and nodded.  Where would he ever find friends and family like them? He placed his left palm over his eyes whilst still smiling. Under his hand, his eyes started tearing. With his palm still obscuring his eyes, he tried to wipe the tears away. Everyone else had no idea what he was doing but it looked sort of funny to them.

"Thanks guys." He said as he took his hand off his face.

"Are you feeling a little better, Titus?" Asked Sarah.

"It still really hurts. But I'll be okay." Titus assured everyone.

Sarah smiled. "That's good. So should we get going?"

"Yeah. Let's go get Luke."

Sarah licked her lips and gripped the steering wheel. With a gleam in her eye, and no other cars on the road, she pushed down on the gas as the car zoomed off to their destination. Everybody grabbed on to the car seats and screamed for dear life. Kyle, Drake, and Crystal tried to tighten their seat belts as they prayed that they make it to the next town.

"Sarah, stop!! For the love of God, please slow down!!" Titus exclaimed.

Sarah slammed on the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt, kicking up dust and pebbles. Sarah turned around in her seat to see everybody panting, wide eyed and clutching their chests as they took in deep breaths.

"Please…Sarah…Drive slower." Ben said with terror in his voice.

"Yes…please…" Rick said trembling.

"We have to get to Baker Valley as quickly as possible, don't we? I mean what if Saulstrance got to Luke and the kids? What if he killed Titus' parents and destroyed the town?"

"Gee, thanks for that, Sarah!" Titus said sarcastically.

"What?" She asked.

"Can we just get going?" Titus asked just as Sarah placed her foot on the pedal. "And no more speed demon stunts! I don't wanna be a pancaked dragon when I fight Saulstrance."

"Alright, guys, I promise." Sarah said as she started the car once more.

As the car continued on its way, Drake was still wide eyed.

"Your mom can be really scary sometimes." Crystal said to Drake.

"She can be a lot than a lot scarier than this. I know." Drake replied.

"What was that, Drake?" Sarah asked, batting an eye to her rear view mirror.

"N-nothing, mom! I was just telling Crystal how nice you are!" Drake said as a bead of sweat trickled down his neck.

"Oh, that's what I thought." Sarah said, smiling.

"See?" Drake whispered to Crystal.

Crystal nodded.

Time passed and eventually, the car had pulled up to the entrance of a small town.  The sign read "Baker Valley, pop. 556." They had finally made it. Sarah parked the car as Titus stepped out, advising everyone else to stay in while he looked around.

Titus slipped his hands into his pants pockets and looked around. Things were awfully quiet, even for a town with such a small population. There were no traces of life to be found anywhere and so sign of Lucas or the others. Were they too late? Had Saulstrance already seized the town's population?

"Fwoo!!" A dusty wind blew past Titus. He shielded his eyes with his arm so as not to get dust in them.  He continued to look around while still slightly covering his eyes.  However the dust storm made it hard for him to look around. He waited for it to die down and once it did, he continued his search. Just then he heard footsteps behind him. He swung around, ready to attack. However…

"Gee, it doesn't seem like anyone's here, dad."

"Drake! What are you doing?!" Titus thundered.

"Well…I just wanted to help you look for everyone, that's all." Drake said meekly.

Titus placed his hands in his son's shoulders and looked him square in the eyes.

"Drake." He said. "I don't need help looking around. What I need you to do is look after everyone and make sure they're okay. These are really dangerous people we're dealing with, Drake."

"I know, dad…I'm sorry."  Said Drake.

Titus patted Drake's shoulder and smiled. "It's okay, buddy.  Come on, let's get back to the car."

They drove around for some time, looking all throughout the town, hoping to see at least one person. They checked through all of the small town's buildings, from the small convenience store at the entrance to the town, to the schools, even to the bars. Not a single individual was to be found anywhere. Their search eventually brought them to the town medical center that was perched atop a small hill. They made their way inside and proceeded to search every inch of the medical center. They searched the front desk, the many rooms, even downstairs, believing somebody to be hiding in the basement. As before, no one was to be found.

As they left the center, Jackie stopped at the entrance.

"What's up, Jackie?" Asked Kyle.

"Well I've been thinking: Doesn't this town seem a little strange?" She asked.

"Well of course it's strange!" Kyle replied. "We're the only people here!"

"No, not like that! What I mean is…well just look around. Notice the buildings? " Jackie asked.

Everyone carefully observed the buildings, not understanding what it was they were supposed to be looking for.

"See anything unusual?" Jackie asked again.

Everyone took another look at the buildings. At that moment, it clicked.

"Now that you mention it, Jackie, those buildings are just fine!" Titus exclaimed.

"Yeah. The other town that Saulstrance and his goons hit was completely ransacked." Jackie explained.

"As was the mall back home." Kyle added.

"Exactly! But these buildings are just fine. We haven't seen a single demolished building in this town yet."

"Well then Uncle Lucas and the others must have got here before Saulstrance!" Drake said with utmost optimism in his voice.

"That's definitely a possibility. But if that is the case, then where are they?" Rick asked.

Kyle frowned. "Wait, wait, hang on guys. How do we even know that they did get here in time?"

"What do you mean?" Titus asked as he leaned against his car.

"Well, it's just like Rick said: If Uncle Lucas, his boys and Uncle Titus' parents did get here before Saulstrance, then why haven't we seen him? Could something have happened to him?"

"Kyle." Jackie tried to interrupt.

"I think one of two things could have happened: 1) They were successful in getting here before Saulstrance and evacuated with the people of this town…"

"Kyle…" Jackie tried to interrupt in a slightly louder and sterner tone.

"…Or 2) They were captured along with everyone in the town. And the reason the town wasn't destroyed was because the people gave up like a bunch of Fre- -"

"KYLE!!!" Jackie shouted.

"What?!" He shouted back.

Fuming at her brother, Jackie pointed to their uncle, who slammed his fist on the car window as he held his head in his other hand while pressing it against the window.

Jackie grabbed her brother by his shirt sleeve and pulled him closer so to whisper in his ear. "Good going, Kyle."

Kyle looked back at his uncle again. His hand was still covering up one side of his face. Everyone went to Titus' side to try and cheer him up, assuring him that Lucas, Sean, Tim, and his parents were just fine and waiting for them.

"Oh, man, I- - Hey, Uncle Titus!" Kyle called out in an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry, I was just kidding! I'm certain they're all okay! No I mean, I know they're all okay! I know they weren't taken by Saulstra- -Oh, God." Kyle clumsily said.

"Kyle, just shut up before you end up saying something that you, or us will end up regretting." Jackie commanded with irritation in her voice.

Titus sighed and brushed his hair back. "Well, standing around and talking about whether they're okay or not isn't going to solve anything. So what's say we keep looking around?"

"I have an idea." Ben chimed in. "What if we check the police station?"

"Hey yeah, that's a good idea! There's gotta be some policemen left in this town!" Titus exclaimed.

"And Luke and the others might be there too." Added Sarah.

Everybody huddled in to Titus' car and drove around the town in an attempt to find a police station.  As they drove around the town some more, they observed the passing buildings. Each one of them was just fine! There was not a single destroyed building to be found.  Everywhere they turned, all buildings remained intact.

After a few minutes, they came to a small building that resembled a reddish brown country house. In front of this building read a sign that said "Sheriff's Office". Everyone stepped out of the car and walked to the police station. Titus walked up to the front doors and peered inside. While the lights were on, it appeared as though no one was here either. Maybe Kyle was right, Titus thought, much to his chagrin. Maybe they were too late.

Titus walked from the police station and headed over to his car. But just as he opened the door, he looked ahead and saw a car that looked just like Lucas'. Believing it to be Lucas, Titus slammed the door shut and ran towards the car. Everyone followed behind him. As he got a little closer, it was still hard for him to tell, but it looked as though everyone was seated in the car. The person he made out to be Lucas was clutching the steering wheel.

"Lucas! Mom, Dad! Sean! Tim!" Titus called out, hoping to get their attention.

As Titus neared closer to the car, a wave of fire shot out from seemingly nowhere, completely enveloping the car which also caused it to explode. Parts of the car flew into the sky as the charred license plate landed right Titus' feet. Titus fell to his knees and starred in disbelief.

"No! Sean! Tim!!" Drake exclaimed.

Drake and Crystal ran towards the burning car. Ben and Kyle grabbed the kids and tried to restrain them.

"No, my friend is in there, let me GO!!" Drake shouted with tears in his eyes as he struggled to get free of his cousin's hold.

"Sean!!" Crystal shouted, also struggling to get free.

Titus clenched his fist and jolted up. He gritted his teeth as a fierce expression appeared on his face. He looked into the sky, hoping to find the source of that fire. In the sky he saw another dragon. It was one of Saulstrance's men!

"Get back to the car!" Titus commanded.

Everyone scrambled back to the car, except for Drake and Titus who watched as the dragon began to make its descent.  The dragon made its landing, standing between Titus and Drake, and the burning car. This dragon had dark silvery scales, two fierce, razor sharp fangs hanging out of both sides of her mouth, and the leather in her wings were a beautiful, dark ocean blue which greatly complimented her scales.

"Eig'nia!!" Drake exclaimed.

Sarah tried to start the ignition. After a few tries, the car finally started up. She stepped on the gas as the car sped forward. Titus and Drake jumped out of the way as Eig'nia's wings quickly unfolded and she took to the sky. They watched as the car made for the exit of the town. Both Titus and Drake turned into their respective forms and took to the sky as well. Just as Eig'nia prepared to give chase, Titus flew right at her as headbutted her in the side which caused both of them to fall from the sky and plummet back to earth. With a loud thud, the two dragons landed on the ground. Drake swooped down and landed next to his father, who had just gotten back on his feet. Likewise, Eig'nia effortlessly got back on her own feet and watched the father and son duo. Titus glared at Eig'nia with contempt in his eyes. His front legs began to shake with anger and he clenched his left paw into a fist. It shook violently as he bit his lip. He unclenched his fist and took a deep breath.

"Drake…" Titus said. "go catch up with everyone. Leave Eig'nia to me."

"But, dad!!"

"Don't argue with me, Drake…I am NOT in the mood."

Drake looked into his father's eyes and froze up. He knew what his dad was like when he was angry but he never saw him like this. At that point, his father had the most ferocious eyes he had ever seen.  Eyes full of scorn and rage.

"GO!!!!" Titus roared. "What are you waiting for?!?!"

"Ye-yes s-s-sir!!" Drake said in a stutter.

Drake took to the sky and flew off in the direction of the car. Just as Eig'nia opened her wings and was about to give chase just like before, Titus rushed her, headbutting her once more and knocking her off her feet.  Titus watched as his son disappeared into the distance and sighed a sigh of relief.

He turned his attention to Eig'nia, who had again gotten back on her feet.  Titus began to hyperventilate. He let out a fierce, ear piercing roar as he swung his mighty tail at Eig'nia. Eig'nia took to the sky, just barely dodging Titus' tail. Titus launched himself into the sky and flew above Eig'nia. He flew so high that soon the sun had obstructed his form. Eig'nia gazed into the sun but its piercing rays quickly bothered her retinas, forcing Eig'nia to squint her eyes shut. She opened one eye ever so slightly and looked back up. Somehow, the sun was getting bigger and bigger by the second. She soon realized that it wasn't the sun that was coming at her.

It was a large ball of fire! Eig'nia quickly flapped her wings and flew a little to the right. She watched as the fireball passed her by and collided with the ground, starting a fire which in turn lit two trees.  She turned her attention to the sky again to see more fireballs raining from the sky. She flew every which way she could, doing her best to try and maneuver through the vicious barrage of fireballs. One eventually managed to hit Eig'nia's tail which in turn started to slow her down. Soon after she was being pelted by fireballs. She started to lose altitude until the fireball onslaught inevitably stopped.  She descended to the ground and tried to catch her breath. As she got air to her lungs, she looked into the sky to see Titus also making a descent. Titus landed on the ground. He was breathing heavily, worn out from the fireball assault.

"Doulstraz, what are you doing?! Are you trying this whole town ablaze?!" Eig'nia asked in a surprisingly shocked tone.

Titus panted. "What do you care?! You and your friends are looking to destroy this world anyway!!"

Titus lowered his head so that his horns were pointed right at Eig'nia. Like a raging bull, Titus charged at her at full speed. Eig'nia lowered her head as well. The two dragons' heads collided with one another, momentarily stunning both of them. As soon as they came to, they struggled to overpower the other, their horns scrapping against the others' horns. Soon Eig'nia overpowered Titus, lifting him into the sky, and sending him flying into the Sheriff's office. The entire building fell on Titus, completely covering him from head to toe.

"So I guess that's that." Eig'nia sighed. "That's a real shame. And here I thought you'd be the key to taking Saulstrance down…" She said in an oddly disappointed voice.

Her wings unfolded into the afternoon air and she took to flight. As she had gotten airbourne, she was unable to notice, but Titus shot out from amongst the rubble. He launched himself into the sky as he flew above Eig'nia, curled up into a ball, and just as soon as he was directly above her, kicked her in the back of the head with his hind leg. Not knowing what hit her, she fell out of the sky and landed right in the road, leaving a decent sized crater where she had landed.

Titus swooped down at superfast speeds with full intent on finishing Eig'nia off and avenging his fallen friends and his parents. He watched as Eig'nia struggled to get back on her feet. A wave of fire launched from her throat. Titus tried to fly away from it as it barely missed his tail. Thinking up a quick idea, Titus flew about ten feet higher into the sky. He noticed that the flame was unable to get him at this height. He waited until Eig'nia tired herself out.

The flame soon died down, and just like with Titus, Eig'nia panted and wheezed, trying her hardest to breathe. Her vision went blurry for a little bit so she shook her head and soon after, her vision started to return. She looked up and saw Titus spiraling down. She tried to get out of the way but her body was too worn out. She only managed to move a few inches before Titus collided into her, sending her flying into a house. Part of the house came down, covering all but Eig'nia's head, left paw, and tail.

Tired, beat, and his strength nearly gone, Titus walked out the hole that had been left from where Eig'nia had landed and made his way over to where the defeated dragon lay covered in the destroyed remnants of the house. She got back to her feet, shaking the rubble and debris off of her. Weakly, she walked over to Titus, breathing heavily. Soon, her body was unable to take anymore and she fell to the ground, the last ounce her strength gone. With so little strength left in his own body, Titus sat down and stared at the dragoness. Eig'nia stared back at Titus.

"Even if I'm the one laying on the ground like a defeated dog, that doesn't mean that you won." She said.

"Geez, talk about a sore loser." Said Titus, glaring at Eig'nia.

Eig'nia sighed in annoyance. "No, that's not what I meant. You let yourself be too easily swayed by your emotions. Doulstraz, you need to learn to control your emotions. Otherwise, you WILL lose to Saulstrance. If you go in fighting him, roaring like a crazy dragon and flames spurting all around, then you've already lost."

"I…I don't get it." Titus said, confused but a little calmer. "Why are you telling me this? I mean, you're the enemy. You're supposed to want to see me lose. But now it seems like you're trying to help me. Why?"

Eig'nia's lip started to quiver. She squinted her eyes as she tried to fight back tears. Titus couldn't believe what he was seeing. He could have sworn that this was the first time he ever saw any emotion from her. Unable to hold back her tears any longer, Eig'nia started to cry.

"Saulstrance…he's been my friend since we were hatchlings." She said tearfully.

"Doulstraz… Would you believe me if I said…" She sniffled. "that Saulstrance used to be kind?"

Titus shook his head. "I'm sorry. But even if he was kind at one point, that doesn't change what he did. He's killed innocent people who did nothing to him. He's destroyed families, killed baby dragons for their blood, and he killed somebody very close to me! Even if he was kind, like you said, I still can't forgive him."

Eig'nia lay on the ground quietly for a few seconds. Then finally spoke.

"I don't expect you to forgive him for his sins. And I don't expect you to forgive me either. I don't deserve forgiveness for what I've done. But… will you at least listen to what I have to say?" She asked.

Titus shut his eyes and was silent for a short time. He pondered over whether or not he should listen to what she had to say. And even if he had decided to listen to her, what good what it do? It wouldn't bring Lucas back. Or Sean, or Tim, or his parents. Finally he opened his eyes…and gave his answer.

"No." He said coldly.

"After you killed my friends and my parents, you just expect me to just sit down and say 'Sure, Eig'nia, I'll gladly listen to what you have to say'?! NO! Nuh-uh! If you expect me to listen to you, then give me back my friends!!" He roared.

Eig'nia's eyes started to tear up again. "I'm sorry, Doulstraz…I really am…"

"Well I'm sorry too, I really am, but I need to get going.  The friends and family that you didn't kill are waiting for me."

Eig'nia shut her eyes and sighed heavily. "Well if you really want to protect them…then why don't you just kill me?"

"What?" Asked Titus.

"Go ahead and do it. I don't care anymore. I don't have anything left for me."

As angry as he was, and as badly as he wanted to make her pay, something was restraining Titus from finishing her. He didn't know what it was, or why he was holding back, but something was telling him not to do it. Unable to bring himself to kill her, he allowed Eig'nia to tell him what she wanted to say.

"Long ago, when we were just children, we had another friend. He was slightly older than both Saulstrance and I and we saw him as our older brother. Our friend had a dream: He wanted to create a world where humans, dragons and half-dragons would all be able to live together peacefully." Eig'nia explained.

"So then what happened to this friend?" Asked Titus.

"A horrible incident took place. And as a result of that incident…our friend ended up losing his life."  Said Eig'nia as tears streamed down her face.

Titus took a moment to contemplate everything Eig'nia had told him. It was all too hard for him to believe. In his mind, Saulstrance was the epitome of evil: no remorse for his actions, relentless, and cruel. How could somebody like that have actually been good at one point? Titus just couldn't see that being possible.

Eig'nia continued. "Saulstrance believes he's fulfilling our friend's dearest wish. His aspirations of turning this world into his kingdom are his own twisted perception of our friend's final wish. But this isn't what he wanted."

"You didn't agree with what Saulstrance was doing?" Asked Titus, still perplexed.

Eig'nia slowly raised her head and shook it.

"But then why were you with him? I know he was your childhood friend and everything but this isn't making any sense!".  Titus asked, now even more confused than before.

Eig'nia shut her eyes and lowered her head to the ground. She took in a deep breath and exhaled loudly through her nostrils.  "Because I was going to kill Saulstrance myself…" She said mournfully.

Titus' eyes widened in shock. His mouth dropped. He was absolutely speechless. He watched as Eig'nia continued to sob. Only this time, her sobs started to get louder.

"I love Saulstrance!!" Eig'nia cried her heart out as tears tricked down her face. She felt a lump in her throat.

"But I just…I just…I just can't stand seeing him like this anymore…" She said, her voice becoming more and more strained. "I wish I could have saved him!!"

Titus watched as the dragoness continued to cry. Despite all the crimes that Eig'nia had committed, despite her killing his best friend and his parents, he may have had a hard admitting it to himself, but deep down, he truly felt bad for Eig'nia. He even felt a little ashamed of himself for yelling at her before. But he still couldn't forget what she had done to his parents, Lucas, Sean, and Tim. Titus didn't know what to do. What was he to say? What choice should he make? Should he let her live? Maybe killing her would be the only way to stop her pain.

Weakly, Titus stood up and took ten slow steps from where he was sitting. His back legs tingled with slight pain as his front legs went a little numb. He winced in slight pain as he put pressure on both his front and his back legs. Just as he proceeded to unfold his wings, he looked back to see Eig'nia, who was still lying in the exact same spot, still crying. Titus sighed and called out to Eig'nia.

"Eig'nia!"

At that moment, Eig'nia's sobbing had ceased. She slowly turned her head around and looked at Titus, who stood before her with apologetic eyes.

"Look…If you really want to save Saulstrance…then please…help us stop him!" Titus said.

Eig'nia didn't say anything. She looked to the ground, unsure. Titus turned away.

"It's your choice. But if you do decide to go back to Saulstrance…then I'll put an end to both of you myself. I won't let any more of my friends end up like Lucas." Titus said.

Titus unfurled his wings. But just as he was about to take flight, Eig'nia called out his name. His wings folded back onto his back and he turned around to see her holding her head up slightly. Eig'nia stared at him with sad, melancholic, and regretful eyes.

"I'm sorry…" She said.

Titus nodded. He turned around and once more, opened his wings.

"Like I said before, if you really want to make up for it…then please help us stop Saulstrance."

With nothing left to say to her, Titus flapped his wings. He began to ascend into the sky and set off to rejoin his friends, leaving Eig'nia to contemplate just what is was that she should do.

Meanwhile, about ten miles outside Baker Valley, Titus' friends waited anxiously for his return. The car was parked on the left side of the road and everyone stood around it. Ben, Jessie and Rick kept watch in the direction of the town should Titus come back. Drake sat in the driver's seat with the door open while Crystal sat in the passenger's seat. The cool air from the air conditioner blasted on their faces as they sat motionless and silent, just staring out at the dirt road in front of them. The two children couldn't believe it. They couldn't believe that Sean and the others were really gone.  No one could.  Since leaving Baker Valley, no one had talked to one another.

Crystal sighed and stepped out of the car. She made her way over to Sarah and called out to her.

"Ms. Flamel?"She asked.

"What's up, Crystal?" Sarah asked, in a motherly voice.

"Sean's not really dead, right?" The little girl asked as she clutched at Sarah's shirt.

Sarah frowned and looked away from Crystal for a second. "I'm sorry, Crystal…" She started to say before being interrupted.

"IT'S NOT TRUE!!!" Drake shouted as he slammed the car door shut, his outburst startling everyone around him.

"Sean's not dead! He's stronger than this! Right, Crystal? Remember? Before I found out I was a half-dragon, he always used to protect us from kids who tried to bully us!" Drake exclaimed as he rushed up to his mom and Crystal.

"Yeah, he did!! He always stood up for me and Drake! And he always kicked those bullies' butts! That's gotta be proof that he's still alive!!" Crystal exclaimed as tears started to build up in her eyes.

Sarah felt her heart begin to break. She clapped her hand over her eyes. She whimpered and bit her lip as she started to cry. She kneeled down and hugged Drake and Crystal tightly.

"I'm sorry, kids…" She said tearfully. "I'm so sorry…"

Tears started to stream down Drake's face. He placed his face on his mom's shoulder and cried, his arms wrapped around her.

"He's not dead…" Drake whined.  "He's not…dead…"

"What are you crying about?!" An angry voice called out. "You're a half-dragon, you're better than these humans! So why are you crying!?"

Everyone looked up to see somebody hovering in the sky. The person made a quick descent and stood before the grieving friends and family. This person was a young boy, no older than 14 years. The boy had long light brown hair that covered his ears and dark brown eyes. His long, red tail whipped around behind him, its spikes growing all the way to where his tail attached to his body. Two crimson wings hung behind him, growing out of two large holes left in the back of his shirt, a white jersey with the number 14 on the front.

"You're Alex." Drake said.

"Who's that?" Crystal asked.

"He's a half-dragon, like me. He was with Jake and the others the day the mall was destroyed." Drake explained.

"Everyone, get back! He's with Saulstrance!" Shouted Drake.

Everyone froze in place, carefully watching Alex. Alex batted an eye at each one of them and then turned his attention to Drake. Drake didn't know what he was supposed to do. With his father back in Baker Valley, and his grandparents deceased, he was the only one who could defend his family. But could he really protect them? This would be his first real fight by himself.

Drake broke away from his mother and walked up to Alex. Everyone watched as Drake slowly walked up to his fellow half-dragon. His legs shook and his palms started to become sweaty. He rubbed all but his index fingertips against his palms, wiping away some of the sweat.  He stood before Alex, eyes filled with uncertainty but also with an understanding of what he had to do. He would have to fight Alex.

TO BE CONTINUED