Chapter 10 "Truth or Lies?"

Everyone was up at dawn. There was no rush as Lindsy offered everyone a large breakfast, during which she assured everyone that her parents wouldn't mind that fact that she had had guests over when they came back from their trip to another a city four days from Academy City. While the boys polished their plates in no time and sprang up ready to go, the girls took their time and in the end helped Lindsy, who explained that it was her maid's day off, wash up the plates. 

"So are you also all going to go to the academy?" Lindsy chirped while the girls washed the dishes. 

"Uh..." Akira began. 

"Sure," Gina beamed, shooting Akira a 'play along' look. 

"Cool," Lindsy nodded her head. "I heard they were recruiting riders like crazy," she chatted on. "Apparently the numbers have almost doubled in the last two days alone!" 

Akira, Anita and Savannah shot each other frowns while Savannah and Lindsy continued washing without noticing. 

"Doubled huh?" Gina muttered. 

"So Lindsy," Akira quickly cut in. "Why aren't you at the academy?" 

"Are you kidding?" Lindsy giggled. "I think its great and all but honestly, it's not the life for me." 

"Really?" Anita asked sarcastically as she shot a look at Lindsy's manicured nails. 

"Yeah," Lindsy replied seriously. "Just all that fighting stuff they learn and what not...its not for me, you know? Daffy and I are happy just how we are." 

"I bet," Anita muttered while Gina and Akira couldn't help but grin as they pictured Lindsy's dragon in their minds. 

They finished washing up in no time and while Gina, Savannah and Anita went out to the garden with Lindsy to join the boys, who were waiting there until the girls were done, Akira hurried to Anita's room where she had forgotten her sword. She found it just where she had left it and grabbing it, hurried back towards the others. Yet on the way, in one of the larger rooms she passed through, a large bookshelf caught her eyes. 

Pausing Akira stared at it before she hesitatingly made her way towards it. Curiosity filled her as she came to a standstill before the shelf. Her fingers traced over some of the books before she suddenly froze. On the spine of one of the books a familiar title flashed at her. It was called; 

"The Life and Death of the Last Rider of Legend." 

Staring at it Akira remembered how she had seen this very book the last time she had been in the future, browsing through the market stalls. She remembered exactly what the stall owner had told her at the time; "I can assure you, it has the entire life of the rider of legend in it and her untimely death." 

She frowned. At the time she had not dared to open the pages, not wanting to see what lay in store for her, IF it had been recorded right. Slowly her fingers traced over the title as thoughts raced through her mind. If she read it she could possibly see how she was meant to die. She could maybe prevent it, or if not, she would at least have a clue how long she and Seth had. 

A sense of forbidding filled her and yet ignoring it Akira slowly pulled the book from the shelf. Not taking her eyes off it she put her sword gently on the ground. Holding the book with one hand she carefully placed the other on it, her fingers trembling somewhat as she prepared to open the pages. 

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she made a move to open the pages. Yet somehow, something made her stop. Staring down at the book she wondered if it was right that she what would happen to her? Was it really so that she was allowed to see her own death and therefore try to prevent it? 

For a moment she stared at the book, torn between the decision of whether to open it or not. Letting out a sigh she proceeded to put the book back into the shelf. No sooner had she slipped it back into its slot than did a voice speak, "I really thought you were going to read it there for a second." 

Akira turned to find Seth leaning in the doorway of the room, his hair flopping in to his eyes that were filled with concern. "I have to admit, I saw the book earlier." 

"Did you read it?" Akira asked breathlessly, part of her hoping he had while another part of her hoped he hadn't. 

Seth studied her for a moment before he let out a sigh. "No," he told Akira softly. 

For some reason Akira felt relief wash through her. 

"You know," Seth said gently as he made his way over to Akira. "It is not up to us to see our own future and to try and change it." Upon reaching her he reached out and brushed a strand of her hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Besides," he continued, "what is written in that book is about a past that for us has not yet come to pass, and that in itself, is enough to guarantee that it can still change. So what is written there might not even come to be." 

"But...it could happen," Akira whispered, staring up into Seth's warm eyes. 

"Yes," Seth murmured in reply. 

"So by reading it, we would have an idea of what's to come," Akira continued. 

Seth shook his head. "Life is meant to be a mystery. We never know what tomorrow may bring. We just have to live with the hope that in the end everything will turn out as it's meant to be. Besides," he added as he leaned his head down so that his forehead touched Akira's, "no matter what happens Akira, nothing will change the way I feel about you and I'll always be right here, ready to support you." 

Akira smiled up at Seth. "I know you will," she told him softly. She leaned up, brushing her lips against his when there was a sudden shout or surprise. Someone swore and there was a loud thump. 

Akira stared up at Seth with wide eyes while Seth turned and looked in the direction the noise had come from, a frown on his face. 

"Dominique have you utterly lost your mind!" a voice yelled, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Ray. With the realization Akira's eyes widened. 

"You're not yourself!" Dominique's voice yelled back followed by a thumping side. 

"What in the Lands are you talking about?!" came Ray's voice in reply before it was followed by an 'ouch' and more swearing. 

"We better go see what's up," Seth murmured. 

Agreeing with him Akira grabbed her sword and followed Dominique towards the courtyard. From what she heard she could make out that Ray was here. She frowned as she realized that if what Dominique had told her about Steeson controlling people then Ray could be a risk. Tightening her grip on her sword she made sure that she would be able to unsheathe it within seconds if need be. 

Moments later she and Seth burst into the courtyard. Both of them skidded to a halt as they took in the sight before them. 

On one side of the fountain a red haired, green eyed man stood, confusion on his face as he stared over at Dominique who stood on the other side of the fountain, a metal pole help threateningly in his hands. Every time he would take a step around the fountain, so did the red head, keeping the fountain between them. Behind Dominique stood his dragon Breeze, watching the red head with narrowed eyes. Behind him, stood a large purple female dragon, her neutral as she watched the exchange. 

"Ray?" Akira asked, staring at the red head. 

"Akira?" the red head turned to face her. Surprise f littered across his face before it turned to pleasure. "Akira!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, seeming to have forgotten Dominique completely. "I thought you'd left, what you are doing back here?" as he spoke he took a step towards her. 

"Don't," Dominique quickly sidestepped so that he was between Akira and the red head called Ray. "He's not himself," Dominique continued. 

The sound of footsteps behind Akira showed that the others had come to see what the commotion was about, yet upon reaching the courtyard they all paused, seeming to want to see how things turned out. 

"Dominique," Ray clenched his teeth, looking more than exasperated. "Has the sun gotten to your head? What on earth are you talking about!" 

"I'm talking about the fact that you chased me along with the rest of Steeson's men!" Dominique spat in reply. "You tried to stop me from getting back to the past to get Akira!" 

Ray stared at him with a blank expression. "Is this some kind of joke?" he finally asked. 

"Ray stop pretending that you have no idea what I'm talking..." Dominique began. 

"But that's exactly it, I don't!" Ray replied angrily. "All I know is I come to the academy to see how you're doing because Celine asked me to. Turns out, next morning I wake up and you decided to disappear! Then I start hearing rumors how your suddenly an outlaw!" 

Dominique narrowed his eyes. "Quite playing Ray, you came to the academy alright, but that very night you decide to try hunt me down like an animal under Steeson's orders!" 

"Who in the land is this Steeson guy?" Ray asked, looking at loss. 

"Why you..." Dominique began as he stepped forward with clenched fists. 

"Whoa!" Akira decided it was time to cut in. She thrust her sword into Seth's hands and before he could stop her she dodged past Dominique, coming to a standstill between him and Ray. 

"Akira," Dominique frowned. "He's working with Steeson..." 

"Could be," Akira corrected him. 

"He chased me for Steeson!" 

"Maybe Dominique," Akira replied. Not bothering to emphasize she turned to Ray who was watching, looking somewhat angry at the way Dominique was accusing him of things he claimed he knew nothing about. "Look Ray, I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but could you please tell us what you remember happened on the day you went to the academy?" 

Ray looked at her, as though trying to figure Akira out. Suddenly he let out a sigh and lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head. 

"Fine," he murmured. "Look. Celine asked me to go check up on Dominique...you know how he is, trouble always seems to find him," Dominique scowled, "So I went. It was either that or have Celine nag at me the whole day, and trust me, with the baby due and all she is a lot more grumpy than before," he shook his head. "Anyways, so I went to the academy. Turns out Dominique seems fine..." he paused as he glanced at Dominique, "Though he did seem to have something bothering him, but otherwise, he was fine. So when I was done catching up it was already late. Argos offered that I stay at the academy the night and so I accepted. I went to bed and slept. Only problem is the next morning I find Dominique's gone. Apparently he bailed with some other students, rumors were they were planning to starts a rebellion and overthrow the academy." 

Someone near the house let out a snort. 

"He's lying," Dominique growled. "He didn't sleep that night. He got up and went after me. Chased me through the woods until I came to the spot where I traveled to the past!" he glared at his brother. 

"What are you talking about?" Ray asked, staring at Dominique as though he was mad. "I slept that night. I think I would remember if I got up and chased my brother through the forest!" 

"Stop lying!" Dominique yelled advancing towards Ray. 

"I'm not!" Ray yelled in reply as he too advanced forward, his fists clenched. 

"Stop it, both of you!" Akira snapped as she reached out both her hands, her palm landing on the chest of either guy to stop them. They stood, glaring over her head at each other. 

"Akira, he chased me, I swear. He's just...." Dominique began as though to defend his actions. 

"Shut up Dominique," Akira snapped. 

Dominique's mouth snapped shut, a surprised look on his face. Somewhere behind them Akira thought she heard Gina chuckled, yet ignoring her she turned to Ray. "Are you sure you slept through the night?" she asked softly. 

Ray nodded firmly. 

"You don't remember doing anything else?" she probed. 

Ray shook his head. Akira's eyes flickered over to Ray's dragon. For a moment she thought she saw something flash through the purple dragons mind, but in an instant it was gone making Akira wonder if she had imagined it. Besides, if Ray's dragon did know something Ray didn't, she would tell her rider, wouldn't she?  

Shaking her head Akira turned her attention back to Ray. She stared into his eyes, searching for any indication that he was lying, and yet she could find none. Still, she had to be certain. Taking a breath she did something she tended to avoid, something she didn't like as she never much enjoyed the thought of violating other people's privacy. She sought Ray's mind, almost like when she sought Redemption's, only this time, she had to concentrate harder. Moments later she was rewarded by suddenly seeing Ray's memories as clearly as they were own. Ignoring most of them she searched for the ones she sought, the night at the academy. 

Ray stared at her, looking beyond surprised and Akira knew he could feel her in his mind. Finding the information she wanted she quickly drew back out, letting out her breath. Ray was telling the truth, at least as far as he knew. Akira frowned as she turned her eyes onto Dominique. She didn't need to enter his mind to know that Dominique was convinced that his brother had been chasing him that night. So what exactly was going on here? 

"Ray isn't lying Dominique," Akira told Dominique softly. 

"How would you know?" Dominique protested. 

"Because I know," Akira replied. Her lips did not move and yet she made sure that Dominique heard her voice in his mind as he would hear his own dragon's. 

Dominique's eyes widened in surprise. 

"B...But..." he stuttered. 

"So, who's Steeson?" Ray asked looking curious. 

Akira turned to him, opening her mouth to reply when Dominique quickly cut her off, "no one." Akira's head snapped to stare at Dominique yet he gave her a pleading look. Frowning Akira realized that for some reason Dominique didn't want his brother to know. She wondered if it was because he still distrusted him or if he had other reasons. 

Ray seemed to think the same thing. "Fine," he muttered, "Don't tell me then." 

Dominique looked relieved at the fact that Ray wasn't going to push it. 

"How did you find us?" Seth's voice asked. 

Ray shot him a curious look and yet replied anyway, "Lindsy's is always the first place I look in the city when I'm looking for Dominique. He's usually here or dropped by at some time or another." 

Dominique shot Ray a glare. 

"In that case, we'd better leave," Gina warned. "We don't know who else could be turning up." 

"Why did you come here?" Dominique asked ignoring all the others, his voice suspicious as he glared at Ray. 

Ray shook his head as he stared at Dominique. "I came to make sure that my little brother was alright," he said, his voice taught. 

Dominique blinked in surprise. 

"But since I'm not welcome here I'll take the hint and leave," he turned and walked towards his dragon. 

"Ray!" Dominique called. 

Ray paused and turned back around. 

"Thanks," the effort of saying it clear in Dominique's voice. 

Ray nodded curtly before swinging himself on his dragon's back. Once settled he turned his eyes on to Dominique, the worry in them visible for the first time. "Just tell me this Dominique," he said his voice gruff. "You're not doing anything stupid, are you?" 

"We're not the bad guys here, if that's what you want to know," Dominique replied cautiously. 

"I know," Ray replied, "But then who is?" 

"We've got this. Go home to Celine Ray," Dominique replied. Akira felt surprised that Ray did not yell at Dominique for giving him orders. Instead Ray was just staring at Dominique calmly. 

"Promise me one thing," Ray shot a look at Akira, "Whatever you do, make sure no one ends up on the gallows this time." 

Dominique winced. 

"Don't worry," Akira assured Ray with a smile, "We'll work ion keeping your brother from doing anything stupid." 

"Good luck with that," Ray muttered as his dragon spread her wings. Moments later she jumped into the air and within the next few seconds became nothing more but a distant figure as she flew off. 

Everyone in the courtyard watched, no one saying a word. 

"So..." it was Lindsy who broke the silence. "Who is this Steeson?" she asked addressing Liam. 

"Uh..."Liam shot a helpless look around. 

Savannah responded by grabbing his shoulder and pushing him aside with a, "let me handle this." Clearing her throat she stood in front of Lindsy and stared into the other girl's eyes. "Lindsy, Steeson is..." everyone seemed to hold their breaths, wondering if Savannah was really going to tell Lindsy when they had purposely kept her in the dark until then. "He's a freak," Savannah finished off. 

There was silence as everyone stared from Savannah to Lindsy in disbelief. 

Lindsy's mouth slowly opened into a 'oh' before she turned her gaze on to Liam. "You'll come visit again soon, wont you?" she shot a look at Dominique. 

Akira felt disbelief fill her as she stared from a grinning Savannah to Lindsy. Was Lindsy really going to leave the subject at that? Was the answer Savannah had given her really enough to satisfy the girl's curiosity? Was that it? Her gaze wondered over to Gina who was grinning like a lunatic, shaking her head from side to side in disbelief. 

"Ah, yeah, of cause we'll visit again soon!" Liam spoke, sounding happy at the invitation. 

"Right, I think we should get our stuff. Gina was right, we'd better get going," Will spoke up. 

The others murmured in agreement and turned back to the house to get their stuff. Akira watched them for a moment before she turned back to Dominique who was still watching the spot where his brother had last been visible, a confused and yet at the same time pained expression on his face. 

"Why didn't you tell him?" Akira asked softly. 

Dominique looked at her, confusion in his eyes. 

"About Steeson? I mean you could have at the academy but you obviously didn't. He didn't have a clue. You could have told him now, but you didn't. Why?" 

Dominique looked away sheepishly. 

"Dominique?" Akira asked him softly, placing a hand on his shoulder and staring at him in concern. 

"Its just," Dominique turned towards her, a frown on his face. "Look, I already witnessed my brother's death once. He died in my arms Akira. I know it was stupid to go back for him but...I had to. And now that he's back I'm not going to take that chance again. Things with Steeson could get worse and if there is any way to keep my brother out of this, then I'll take it." 

A smile touched Akira's lips. "Huh," she noted. "Looks like maybe you did grow in more ways than one," she leaned forward, peering into Dominique's eyes. "You sure your really Dominique and not some impersonator?" she asked. 

For a moment Dominique stared at her before his face broke into a grin. "Trust me, I'm all me." 

Chuckling Akira shook her head. 

"I wasn't lying though Akira," Dominique spoke softly. "Ray did chase me, he was working with Steeson." 

Akira let out a sigh. 

"I'm telling the truth," Dominique's eyes pleaded with her to believe him. 

"I know you are," Akira told him. "But so is Ray." 

Dominique frowned. "But that doesn't make..." 

"Sense," Akira finished off for him, "I know." She looked thoughtful. "We'll figure out whats going on here though. Something is just off about everything." 

Dominique nodded in agreement. 

"Well," Akira began. "We'd better get our stuff or everyone else will be waiting on us." 

"Yes mam," Dominique grinned. 

Akira swatted him playfully in reply. 

Chuckling Dominique turned and trotted off. Akira watched him go, a smile on her face. It felt good to have all her friends together at once. She turned her head to find Seth was waiting patiently for her at the door, still holding her sword. His brown hair covered his eyes, making Akira unable to read them or see where he was looking, yet she was sure that he had been watching the entire exchange between her and Dominique. 

"You already got everything?" he asked softly as Akira approached him. 

"I didn't bring anything except my sword," Akira replied as she took it back from Seth, "Oh and you," she grinned. "So I'm guessing that's everything but correct me if I'm forgetting something." 

"Nope, nothing at all," Seth replied with a smile as he tugged a strand of Akira's black hair. 

"So, what did I miss?" Redemption's voice asked. 

Akira turned to see her dragon walk into the courtyard. Besides the fact that the pink coloring seemed to have faded ever so slightly, Akira noticed that he was dragging his feet and his eyes showed his tiredness.  

"Late night?" Akira teased. 

"No thanks to you," Redemption shot her a glare. 

"What, no red claws?" Akira asked in mock disappointment, "I thought you would at least get a bow for your tail," she added while Seth chuckled. 

Redemption narrowed his eyes at her. "You do want to get back to our time in one piece, right?" he asked. 

"What wrong Fluffy?" Akira asked innocently, "got up on the wrong side of the stable?" 

In reply Redemption let out a huff. He dropped to his belly and laying his head on the ground. "I'm not talking to you," he announced as he closed his eyes. 

The others appeared in the courtyard soon after, each carrying their own packs. All their dragons gathered, making the area a bit squished, and yet still Lindsy didn't seem to mind when Gina's dragon ended up standing in the fountain and knocking the top off, making water gush higher than before, looking more violent than graceful. Neither did she seem to mind when a Will's dragon stepped on the lawn, leaving behind giant footsteps. In fact, she seemed so wrapped up in saying goodbye to Liam and Dominique that Akira doubted she even noticed. 

Akira got on to Redemption's back, settling down and getting comfortable in the saddle as she waited for the others to finish up with their goodbyes. Once done Travis took the lead, his dragon jumping into the air, spreading its wings and flying off. One after the other the others followed, until only Akira and Redemption were left. 

"Thanks once again Lindsy," Akira told the girl, smiling warmly at her. 

"No problem," Lindsy beamed. "You can bring Fluffy around anytime to play. Daffodil had a great time," she assured, shooting the pink dragon beside her a smile. In response the pink dragon's head bobbed enthusiastically up and down. 

"I'm sure Fluffy would love that," Akira grinned. 

"That's it, we're leaving," Redemption thought sulkily as he spread his wings. 

"See you," Akira told Lindsy as Redemption flew into the air. 

"Bye!" Lindsy yelled, waving like crazy. 

As Redemption and Akira flew off they left one mournful looking bright pink dragon behind. Redemption himself felt no remorse. As far as he was concerned he would not take a step near a pink dragon ever again.