Chapter 11 "Arrival"

The sound of metal clashing against metal rang throughout the courtyard. Steeson watched the young students from the shadows as they fought each other with metal poles, mock battling for practice. A smile spread across his face as he realized that they were improving daily. 

"Steeson," a frown appeared on his face as someone said his name. He did not like being addressed by his name by just anyone, he preferred 'sir'. It was so much more formal. Turning around he was ready to reprimand the person who had called him by his name when he paused. Hurrying towards him was none other than Nemis, the gleam in his eyes giving away that he had something important to tell him. With a sigh Steeson waited for the older man to approach him. 

Nemis was indeed one of the few that got to call Steeson by his name, the reason, it kept Nemis happy as it made him feel somewhat important, and if Steeson kept Nemis happy then Nemis was less likely to betray him. Yes, Steeson did not trust Nemis in the least, for Nemis reminded him of a serpent ready to strike the hand of his handler if he had the opportunity. Even so, Steeson saw some use in Nemis and so kept him around. Nemis following him willingly was just another bonus. 

"What is it?" Steeson asked making his voice sound friendlier than he felt. 

"I have news," Nemis panted as he came to a halt some way before Steeson, his red face showing that he must have been in a hurry to get to Steeson to report whatever news he had. "Eleven dragons were spotted leaving the city. Six of them are definitely the students from the academy that ran." 

Steeson raised an eyebrow. 

"We have some Night Watchers keeping an eye on them. Just say the word and we can bring them in," Nemis' eyes gleamed. 

"I see," Steeson looked thoughtful. "Was the white dragon and his rider with them?" he asked somewhat eagerly. 

Nemis paused. "N...no. I believe that the white dragon was not with them. Yet five of the dragons were unknown so maybe..." 

"Tell the Night Riders to stand down and let them go," Steeson spoke up, seeming suddenly uninterested as he turned his attention back to the students practicing in the courtyard. He would join them, but to tell the truth, he was not the fighting type. Why bother when he had others to do the fighting for him? Besides, he had more important things to concentrate on. 

"Let them go?" Nemis asked disbelief in his voice. "But Steeson, these are the riders who could interfere with everything if they..." 

"Bringing them in now will not help at all," Steeson replied calmly. "You see Nemis, just because the white dragon and his rider were not spotted with them it does not mean that they are not among them." 

"But how..." Nemis began. 

"I believe that the kid known as Strider tricked you often enough by simply changing his dragon's true color?" Steeson reminded Nemis. 

"Then if it is possible that the rider of legend is with them then it's all the more reason to bring them in!" Nemis exclaimed. 

"My dear Nemis," Steeson shook his head. "Patience is an important virtue. What would we gain by bringing in the rider of legend now when we are not even ready for her yet? She and her dragon are strong, much stronger than me. Until we are certain that everything is as it should be we will not bring her in." 

"But..." 

"Let the riders and their dragons go, they'll return soon enough, trust me, until then we have a lot of preparing to do," Steeson waved his hand, gaining the attention of an elderly man overlooking the students practicing in the courtyard. Slowly the man began to make his way over. Steeson turned back to Nemis, "do me a favor and just do as you're told Nemis. Everything is going to turn out just right in time." 

Nemis frowned and looked as though he was about to object, yet the presence of the older man stopped him. 

"Ah, Argos," Steeson smiled at the newcomer, "I see the students are improving. I just wanted to give you my personal congratulations." 

The man named Argos nodded, a grateful smile on his face, yet suddenly it faltered and something seemed to flicker through his eyes. "Steeson...why....what...?" he began, looking very confused. 

Nemis shot Steeson a nervous look but Steeson just smiled calmly. "Ah yes. It's about that time isn't it?" he gave Nemis a smile. "I must excuse Argos and I. We have a little appointment. It looks like it's time for his treatment again." 

"Treatment?" Argos repeated, sounding somewhat confused. 

"Yes," Steeson replied calmly, "To make you feel all better." He slung an arm around the older man's shoulder and began to steer him away. "I expect you to do what I told you, Nemis!" he shot over his back as he disappeared into the large building of the academy. 

Nemis watched him disappear, a frown on his face. He was thirsty for revenge on the boy and the girl who had dared to expose him, to humiliate him and then lock him up. Steeson's command to let the riders go did not sit well with him, and yet he knew that disobeying Steeson was not an option. There was something about that man that radiated power and danger, something dark that made any thoughts of crossing him disappear in Nemis' mind as soon as they came back. It was this same something that made Nemis confident that if anyone could bring the rider of legend down, it was Steeson. A satisfied spread across Nemis' face, yes, Steeson would succeed where others had failed, he was sure of it, and that was why he followed him.

500 years in the past 

Surprisingly, getting out of Academy City proved a lot easier than Akira had expected. At one point she felt as though they were being watched yet when no one tried to stop them she brushed the feeling off. 

They travelled back to the ruins of Haiden's castle, deciding that it was the safest place at the moment. The whole journey went without a hitch and soon Akira and her friends were back in her time. She ignored the awed looks on the futures group faces as they stared at the different scenery and gave one comment after the other. She left it up to Gina who patiently explained things here and there as they made their way to the academy. 

When the academy itself came into sight silence settled over the group. For the sight of the tall building, glistening in the sun as it towered above the clouds, was more than any words could describe. 

Akira smiled as Redemption swooped down towards the large courtyard at the foot of the building. The academy was the one place she had come to see as home. It was her safe haven, where everything was as it should be. The one place she could call home. 

Each of the dragons touched down in the courtyard, one after the other, the new ones causing a few students in the courtyard to shoot curious looks over in their direction and a few stood, staring at Redemption as though not sure what to make of the pink dragon. Ignoring them Akira slipped off Redemption and turned to see that everyone else followed her lead, the ones from the future dismounting somewhat more slowly than the others, looking unsure of themselves. 

"I see your back," at the voice Akira turned to find Brandon walking towards them. He came to a stop as he surveyed the group of dragon's and riders before him, yet as his eyes landed on Redemption he raised an eyebrow and gave him a good look over. 

"So...I see you have decided to change your look." 

Redemption glared at him. 

"Oh yeah, after some deep mediating he finally got in touch with his true self," Akira grinned. In reply she felt Redemption's head butt into her back, making her stumbled a few steps forward. Yet she didn't let that bother her. 

"Don't look so amused," Redemption sulked. "You'll be the one washing this off after all," he added, some satisfaction in the knowledge. 

Akira let out a sigh. Washing a full sized dragon was far from fun, especially when it was Redemption. He always demanded that Akira scrub his belly, claiming that it was dirty when in truth he just enjoyed the sensation of receiving a good scratch there. 

"So, these are the seven," Brandon spoke as he turned his attention on to the new comers. "Well I guess I ought to say welcome," he smiled warmly. "I trust each and every one of you will work hard while you are here and do your best to learn something new." 

"Work?" Liam asked looking surprised. 

"We're here to figure out a plan of what to do with this whole Steeson deal," Isaac spoke up frowning. 

"Of cause," Brandon nodded his head. "But planning takes time, and until then I think it would be best that you all join in our classes. You did join the academy in the future if I was informed correctly so obviously you are all eager to learn something, am I correct?" his tone suggested there was no arguing. "Besides, this is an academy after all, not a leisurely resort. Riders come from all around to learn, not to mention that it would be best for you to blend in," he lowered his voice somewhat, "By now the entire academy knows that something is going on but I would like to keep it on a low for know, do you understand?" 

Everyone nodded. 

"Great," Brandon smiled. "Then how about we go inside and take a tour as well as go over a few rules?" 

No one argued. With a smile Brandon turned towards the academy and began to walk towards the entrance. The group from the future stood, looking at each other uncertainly. 

"We'll take care of your dragons," Gina told them. "You'd better hurry and follow Brandon. Don't let his age deceive you, he can walk really fast," she grinned. 

It was Anita who stirred first and hurried on after Brandon. The others followed her lead, still looking somewhat nervous. 

Will watched them go. "You think they'll fit in?" he asked. 

"Are you kidding?" Drake snorted. "Even their clothes look off, no one at the academy is stupid, they'll figure out they're different straight away!" 

"Shut up Drake," Gina rolled her eyes. "Let's just get the dragons settled in comfortably and then we can follow." 

Akira turned her attention towards the stables when her attention was diverted to a large female dragon that lay curled up underneath one of the only trees in the courtyard. She smiled as she watched her for a moment. 

"You know, just because I have my eyes closed doesn't mean I can't sense you're looking at me," came a soft female voice in Akira's mind. 

Akira raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were asleep," she thought affectionately. 

"Ha," the blue dragon cracked an eye open and stared right at Akira, looking somewhat amused. "The term is I WAS asleep until you arrived. Youngsters these days are noisy in all they do, they can't even land in a courtyard quietly!" 

Akira shook her head in amusement. Over the last few months the blue dragon before her did little more than sleep. When she was awake she would often complain about how the younger dragons and riders made too much noise but then again, older dragons did little else. She surveyed the dragon for a moment, feeling affection for her. Her paler blue scales and the white on her chin showed that she was indeed old for even a dragon. She was called Destiny, the dragon who had rescued Akira when her village had been attacked by Haiden's men, the dragon that had raised her and been by her side from even the time before she met Redemption. Destiny had fought in the last battle against Haiden's forces, after which she had decided that she was too old for a life of adventure. Even though Akira didn't want to admit it, she knew that the dragon's time was drawing nearer every day, soon, she knew that her old friend would no longer be around. 

"You know, after your little trip to the future last time I thought you would be tired of going on adventures," Destiny sighed as Akira walked up to her. Behind her Seth, Will, Gina and Drake lead the other dragons away towards the stables. Redemption followed Akira dutifully, shooting glares at anyone who was giving him questionable looks due to his pink color. 

"I know," Akira sighed as she reached out a hand and placed it affectionately on top of Destiny's head. "I thought it was finally over and that we could live in peace. I was actually enjoying the quiet we had these last few months." 

"Were you really?" Destiny asked making Akira frown. Seeing her expression Destiny chuckled. "Akira, I know you don't want to admit it but I can see it. Deep down inside of you, you enjoy the challenges thrown in your direction." 

Shaking her head Akira wondered how Destiny could read her so easily. 

"I did raise you," Destiny thought in amusement. 

"Is it wrong?" Akira whispered, "I mean...to enjoy some of it?" 

"No my dear, it's just part of who you are," Destiny assured her. "As the rider of legend you don't get the luxury of sitting back and watch someone fix things, it's up to you and Redemption to take matters into your own hands," she paused, her yellow eyes showing her wisdom, "But Akira," she warned, "You do have to watch out for which parts you enjoy, for enjoying certain aspects can ruin you and all you stand for." 

Akira wrinkled her brow in confusion, yet Destiny did not bother to elaborate. Redemption in the mean time nodded his head in understanding. He knew Destiny meant. As she should, some parts of what Akira had to do she loathed, such as the killing. While in battle she did it without hesitation yet he knew that she always regretted it later. He had seen into some of the nightmares she suffered from afterwards where she saw the face of each person she had taken the life from. Destiny was right, if Akira ever began to enjoy the killing that came with everything else she had to do, then she would ruin the innocence she had, and Akira's innocence, her will to make everything right, was one of the things that made her as strong as she was. It was what kept Redemption and her pure and had separated them from Haiden. 

"Now, how about you get that ridiculous color off Redemption?" Destiny thought as she yawned. "He looks worse than any dragon I ever laid my eyes on!" with that she closed her eyes and went right back to sleep. 

"So, bath time?" Redemption asked gleefully. 

Akira shot him a withering look.