"Wolf, I believe we should start training these Dragons." "Training? They're just kids. Look at them." "So were you. The Villagers have been waiting and patiently expecting Dragons." "And I have brought them." "Not willingly." "Hey, I said I brought them and I did." "I'm just saying.." "And I am just saying. If my kids aren't good enough for you then maybe it's not the villagers who are the problem, but you." "I know, but." "Yea, your butt, not mine." "Psst, over here." "Huh?" "Psst." "Who are you?" "My names Elara, want to get out of here?" "I don't think we can...you're a stranger." "I promise you won't regret it. Cross my heart less I die. Let parents fight in peace, you are Dragons.....Deadroses, but above all kids. You deserve a childhood." "How do you expect us to get out? There's so many of us." "Do you trust me?" "Ye....yes." "Then link hands like a train and close your eyes. Count to three, make a wish anywhere you want to be and it'll come true." "Mean it?" "I can't lie." "Okay." "One....two....three." *POOF* ".....No, it's your butt that needs to be scrubbed because...........it's.....not the Dragons. Where'd they go?" "See, look at what you did, Elwin. You scared them off. Some host you are." "Me?" "Yes you." "Come on, we have to go find them. They can't have gone far." "Where are we?" "Open your eyes and give a look." "Huuuhhhhhhh. It's.....beautiful. How did you." "Welcome to Candy Island. My name is Miller and I will be your host today." "Miller?" "Hey, you......saved our Shadow." "I....guess I did; but how do you." "He raised us." "I thought Wolf raised you." "He protected us. There's a difference." "Oh. Well....who cares about details; the point is today is all about you. Now, all of these candies are alive, but try not to eat them." "You're not our dad...." "Yeaa,," "Yeaaaa." *CHOMP* "Bradley!!!!!!" "How do you know my name, Elara?" "I know everything." "What's my favorite color?" "Blue." "Food?" "Pancakes...no syrup,wait....no peanut butter." "I thought you said you can't lie?" "I can't. You liked Peanut butter so Shadow made a feast of pancakes and you..." "Don't say it." "Threw up all over." "Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!" "You were so allergic." "Elara, Elara, where was I?" "Sam, why you were the one that gave him the pancakes with extra butter." "Yes, Ma'am." "Why you little..." "And me?" "Sofia, your intentions were true but you got to control that fire." "Who needs napkins when I can burn everything? I burn everything I touch but when needed I am there." "Guys, why are you asking Elara stupid easy questions? Don't you see the gem we have. We can ask it anything? Miss, can you see the future?" "And the present..?" "As well as the past?" "You must be Howard the terrible." "Hey." "And yes." "ooo...goodie. Gang, gather. Let's figure out what to ask her." "Ashiiibashiibashiishasshiiii." "What do you think they're gonna ask?" "They're kids, Miller. Kids." "Erhermmmm. We got it." "Yes." "When...when do we die?" "....I'm not answering that." "So, you don't know?" "I do." "Then tell us." "Yeaaa." "As a messenger it is your duty to warn us of things." "Yea." "Yea." "Death isa warning." "Death is time.....we all die,but not everyone lives. .......You really want to know?" "Yes." "Yes." "Yes." "Please, auntie Elara." "Woo, ok I am no auntie but.....ok. One of you kills Shadow." "Huhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!" "And Wolf kills you for it." "Say it isn't so. Say it isn't so. Please, auntie." "......It is." "Noooooooooooooooooo." "I don't and won't believe you." "No way." "Would it help to know it was an accident?" "How would that help?" "You purposely try but fail but then a blue road...." "A Blue road what?" "I said too much." "....Auntie Elara? Do you know when I die? ....Why? Why are you crying? Do you know when you die?" "Sofia, you're all.....you're all kids. Why can't you stay kids?" "Auntie Elara?" "Yes, Howard?" "Will we see you again?" "Come here kids and give your auntie Elara a hug. I'll always be in spirit." "Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!" "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you." "As will I. Always be brave, kind, and true." "Auntie Elara?" "Yes, Snake?" "Do all Dragons go to Heaven?" "uhhhhh." "Will you go to Heaven?" "Let's, we're at CandyLand after all. Say we do something?" "Elara, is it true if you eat too much candy you will go bluee?" "Where'd you hear that?" "Or that if you say your name backwards you enter a new dimension?" "Huh?" "Or...or...Santas not real?" "Woooo,wooooooo." "How dare you say that?" "Santas..... *Sniff* Not......real?" "Wait, I didn't mean it like that. I meant it as a question not a statement." "I..." "Sofia!!!" "I'm going to the bumper cars." "Sofia?" "You're really good at being Howard the bullie, that's true." "I.....Sofia, wait for me." "The rest of you, we snuck you out here. Make every second worth it. Go play." "Yeaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!" "Some parents we are. Can't even common properly." "Wolf, you fly that way I fly this. God, I hope they're ok. For everyone's sake." "What would Shadow do if he were here?" "What would Ruby do?" ".....Look, down there. Shadow stop." "What.....what is it?" "Looks like...Elara!!!!!!!" "Miller!!!!!!!!!!" "What are they....kids? Oh no. ....Hello, Elara." "Ruby, Shadow. What are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same thing. I don't think this was an authorized...field trip?" "We had to.....I.....had to. They were suffocating in there." "Suffocating?" "Torture." "Torture?" "They needed me. They needed....Aunt Elara." "Aunt Elara?" "The Kids call me that." "Aaah....I see." "So, you see I was totally justified. Right reasons right motives." "Right motives, wrong reason." "Huh. But they...." "You can't just kidnap kids." "But." "Even for a playdate. Elwin and Wolf must be worried sick. We have to take them back." "But..." "Miller, can you teleport them home?" "Yes, Ma'am." "But....they're not there. They'll be here in thirty though, before dawn." "That doesn't..." "So, we can wait for them." "Curse you and your sight. Fine, we'll wait." "As I told the kids, I snuck you out here, go play. Make the most of every minute before its gone." "But.." "Shadow, I'll have you arrested for unlawful assembly." "Yes, sir." "Elara." "Yes?" "When you said thirty did you mean seconds, hours, days, months, or years?" "They'll be here." "....I'll go get the kids." "Times a ticking. Thirty.....twenty nine, twenty eight, twenty seven, twenty, and....there he goes. I should go to the meeting spot so they know where they are." "Elwin, we've been flying for hours with no sight of them." "If I were a kid where would I be?" "Resting." "Huh?" "Rest stop ahead. We can ask for information there. Come on. *Ding, dadadading,dadadading* Where is everyone? Oh, there. Hey, Miss; we were wondering if...it's you." "Brochures?" "Elara, where's the kids?" "Sorry, can't help you without a ticket." "Elara!!!!!!" "No shoes no service." "I have....hey, that's not fair. Shoes don't fit me." "Sorry." "Elara, please; can you tell us where they are?" "Some here, some there, some everywhere. You know, it's hard to keep track." "Sofia?" "She's crying over mommy kissing Santa Claus." "Huh." "Howard is comforting her.....I think." "You think." "He's....not much of a softie is he?" "So I've heard." "And the others? Are they ok?" "I'll give you a young couples discount, free of charge but only for today. Tour the site, ride some rides and come back if you're satisfied." "Rides? What Rides." "Hey, where'd she go?" "Where'd the building go?" "She was here one minute and gone the.....Miller." "Well, shall we tour this map?" "What's the first place on the menu?" "Bouncy house." "Oh no. That's my...." "Come on. I am sure we can find a kid in there." "We better." "Elwin, Wolf; Elara said you'd arrive but wow.....you arrived." "Toby, get down from there." "Or you, up here. Catch me if you can. Na na na booboo." "Toby, you little.." "Wolf, watch out." "Waaaaaaaa...these trampolines are very.." "Catch." "Toby, you little..." "Gotcha, you're....out." "Oh, you want to play dodgeball huh? Elwin, avenge me." "With pleasure. You're going down, Fleabag." "I don't think so." As the volley of dodgeballs started flying, a game of wits out shown wisdom n grit. Toby had her in the first half for he knew his dragon more but slowly Elwin rebound and fought back just as fierce. As a the place turned into a dancehall, Toby was firing shot after shot while Elwin twirled and swirled and fought back with all the grace of an athlete. She rose victorious, shot Toby down and stood over his damaged body, like the goliath she was. One down. "How's it going over there, Shadow?" "Be with you in a minute, we are discussing something serious right now." "What could be more serious then....ok." "Shadow, you can travel anywhere; we asked Elara but she won't give us an answer." "She's stingy like that isn't she?" "Yea...and it's not fair. I am trying to calm Sofia down, but...is Santa real? Have you seen him?" "What did Elara say?" "She.....I'm asking you." "Well, he and I have crossed paths once or twice. Everyone needs help once in a while." "So, you've seen it? His workshop?" "His workshop? He's...you really want to hear it?" "Please." "Come with me first." "Where are we going?" "What do you mean? We're going to see Santa Claus and steal some presents." "That's...." "Hush it, Shadow. Wolf will be pleased we were good boys and girls." "You'll never learn. Is everyone here?" "All accounted for, Shadow. Ready to go back?" "Hold on a minute." "Wolf, pleasure meeting your acquaintance. Late as always; you can go home." "I would if I could but I need something first." "Snooze you lose." And with that he took the kids and vanished, leaving a confused Elwin and Wolf to cleanup the mess. Their first date? Oooeeeee. "Ummm...so...we got here to late, again." "I told you to ask for directions." "My fault? I was worried for the kids and had to.....never mind. Ready to go?" "Go...we just got here. You trust Shadow?" "As far as I can throw him which...isn't that far to be honest." "I see." "Hey, where are you going?" "Didn't know I needed permission to ride the Ferris wheel." "You get back here you little....I can fly faster then you you know." "In your dreams. Sniff my must." "You cut that out." "With the waning sun dipping lower and lower, two dragons lost as to where to go, flew higher and higher their wings becoming one as the night sky was blotted out by a subtle rhythmic of wings and grace. More kids flew in once they knew what was up. The Dragons have returned. The Dragons have returned. As shouts were heard throughout the towns; people looked up from their windows, rafters, and games to see a cloud of majestic beasts, flapping as one. A herd, a gathering, a group, a......family. Faster and faster they flew, dancing circles in the sky and breathing fire to remind others they were the only ones to be feared. Two fakes dared make their presence known and challenged the herd. The City watched with jaws ajar as to the confrontation about to be withheld. Could it be? The Fakes flew higher and higher to match, stared at the Royal family......then bowed. They twisted their tails, tucked their claws beneath their skin and slowly...flew away. No words were said for their needed none. Everyone got the message. The Fakes all rose as one to the sky, spread their wings.....and flew out of town; never to be seen again. The Royals had prevailed and everyone knew that night the Dragons were back and they were here...to stay!!!!! The Dragons flew down in a spiral, landed as one unit...and roared!!!!!!!! The night looked beautiful, until it didn't. As the fire ignited and flames shot out, the people started to get worried. This is getting out of control some said. Where are the parents, others screamed. Please pray end, others whispered. Get help others spoke. What started as a spectacle of power turned into a chaos of fear. The Dragons left as soon as they arrived, so by the time Wolf and Shadow arrived, it was aftermath. "Elwin, go chase them." "Yes, sir." "Elara, can you stop the flames?" "I can try." "Shadow, get them out." "...What about you?" "....Don't worry about me. ...Awooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!" "...Show off. I hope you can carry a load cause I'll be dropping them on you." "Just have them follow me, I'll lead them into the next. ....Come on, let's go. Grrrrr!!!" "On me, this way." "TIME FREEZE!!!!" "You want to play tag......I'm it." "Big mommas onto us." "Keep going, don't stop." "But..." "I said don't stop, we're almost there." "Almost where?" "....Here." "Good thing Shadow kept the portal open." "Here she comes." "On my mark." "Three...." "I'm gonna get you." "Two...." "Don't you dare move." "Three." "When I get my.....aaaaaaaghhhh." "Close it, close it, close it." "Phew....that was inches." "How'd you get the sword? Shadow never takes it off." "Shadow? I found this on the ground." "...His dads sword!!!!!!" "Oooooo...." "How does it work?" "I don't know." "We should take it back." "To who? Shadow has his...we need ours." "For what?" "....Protection." "From who? We have no equal." ".....Give it back." ".....Who.....who's there?" "I said, give it back." *Swoosh* "I'll take that." "Hey, that's mine. " "Try to do something nice and this is what you get." "Where are you going?" "See u." Away in the night, fast as mice they scurried off with their booty and trophies in clutches. Where you might add? Their cave on a hill? Haa...back to their Deadrose. Everyone returns home eventually. "Recognize anything?" "My old room." "You mean our.....old room!!!!" "Shadow." "Shadow." "Shadow." "How'd you.....I don't want to know." "What do you have in the bag?" "The....bag?" "This...is your home, not........what happened?" As the gold lay sprawled across the floor, he knew. "Shadow, we can explain." "Playtimes over, time to step it up." "Five V one, I like those odds." "Don't get cocky, Deadroses. You learned nothing I taught you?" "Oh, we learned plenty. This is our home, not yours." "Over my dead body." "Gladly!!!" The war for ownership was raged. Dragon vs Dragons, fire vs fire and wits vs wits. The Mentor showed why he's the babysitter, the babies showed what good students can do. Evenly matched they were but their can only be one victor and that was...the floor. It crumbled in around them and buried them alive. Forever marred to the streets. Or....was it. "Huuuuuu.....haaaaa. Thanks, Elwin." "I heard some tossle.....not in my town." "They got the message." "Are they dead?" *Kick* ...."I wish." "Let's get out of here and return this stuff." "Yes, Ma'am. ....To the victor.....goes the spoils." As the Deadroses clambered back to life they could only look around at their diseray. Their home....laid to rumble. Shadow...gone, and with it their spoils. .....Mission.....unsuccessful!!! "We were made fools of." "Laughed at." "Weak." "Good thing he let us live. True mercy." "Mercy? I can barely breathe." "But you can breathe, can't you." YOU BETTER!!!!!!!!!" "Wolf." "Late to the party as always." "What happened?" "Shadow happened." "Uhuh." "That's it. Look what he did. He broke us." "You broke him. Really thought he could last forever?" "I...." "I have half a mind to seize the moment and let this sink in." "Don't do that." "Hold still, I am bandaging you up." "Ouch....that hurts." "Whose fault is that? We should've never come here." "Huh?" "Elwin wants you to be the saviors; some saviors you are." "We're not ready." ".....Then get ready.........sorry, I just." "No, no...it's ok. We needed that....more then you know. ...Truce?" "Truce." "Paws in. One....two...three...DEADROSES!!!!!" "Ok, let's get out there and show the world who we are." "Ahooooo.....ahoooo...ahooo." "Bring..it.....ONNNNNNNNNN!!!!" As the air of a new day fills the lungs in his chest, the young black falcon sits at the egde of his nest. Peering over the hills of yesterdays past, he vividly remembers the pain of stained glass. He was raised as a chick on the roof of this church and taught how to jump from the moment of birth. So, as the sun shares the same sky as the moon he hears the birds sing a different tune. The wind gives a slight push from behind and says you were never made to jump.....you were made....to fly!!!!!!!'
