Chapter 17 “Dragon Wash”

The group of four riders and dragons left from a spot that Dominique assured them would bring them out in the quarries in the future. Just outside of Academy City. It was a risky move, appearing so close to the city, and yet when Akira had told them that Will and Seth had been found out everyone, except for Redemption, had agreed that they had to get to the city as fast as possible. It would also save time, as well as that Dominique, had to go to the city and get what was needed to change Redemption's color once again.

One moment they were standing on flat ground in the past and the next they were found themselves falling. While Dominique had been right that they would appear in the quarries, they just so happened to appear above a large dug out pit. It took a moment for the dragons to spread their wings and stop them from plunging in to the dugout ground below.

Both Drake, Kirk and their two dragons shot Dominique a glare while he only looked sheepish. Redemption himself seemed to have enjoyed the fall if anything. Yet nothing was said and the next moments all the dragons and riders, except for Akira and Redemption, were off to academy city that loomed ahead.

Dominique promised that he would be right back while Kirk and Drake would go straight to the dragon wash in case Seth and Will were already there. Akira and Redemption waited in the quarries under a small ledge that made sure that they were out of sight of any dragons flying overhead.

“If he brings a pink color this time I'm going to kill him,” Redemption thought as he shifted to try and get comfortable in the small space under the ledge.

“But Fluffy, I thought you liked that color!” Akira told him, eyes wide in mock surprise.

“Shut up,” Redemption muttered and Akira grinned.

They didn't have to wait long for Dominique to return. He jumped from Breeze and hurried over to Akira and Redemption, who stepped out from under the ledge to meet him.

“Pink?” Akira asked hopefully while Redemption shot her a glare.

“Nah, I thought we'd try something different,” Dominique replied as he lifted up the bottle he held and threw it to Akira. She stared at the color before raising her eyebrows.

“You sure this won’t attract attention?” she asked doubtfully. “I mean are there even dragon's out there that are this color.”

“There is now,” Dominique grinned as he pulled out another bottle and began to shake its contents vigorously. “And besides, riders in the city change their dragon's color constantly these days to...unusual colors, it’s currently the fashion,” he uncapped the bottles lid and walked towards Redemption who had a suspicious eye on the bottle.

“If you’re sure,” Akira shrugged as she shook the contents in the bottle before she walked forward and joined Dominique. Together they worked quickly, applying the new color to Redemption's scales as quickly as they could while trying to not miss any spots. Once they were done they stepped away to survey their work.

Redemption turned his head and spread his wings, seeming to examine this new color and trying to decide that to think of it while Akira stood, trying not to laugh.

“Much better than last time,” Redemption finally announced happily as he displayed the new color, a bright, sparkling neon green.

“You look like one of those signs in the city,” Akira remarked.

“You’re just jealous,” Redemption huffed, yet he seemed to do a double take and peered closer at his wings.

Realizing that her dragon was about to change his mind about the new color Akira quickly tossed Dominique the now empty bottle.

“Let’s get going,” she announced as she hurried up to Redemption and swung herself on to his back who waited for Dominique to mount Breeze and stash the empty bottles in his pack, before spreading his wings and taking off.

Redemption and Breeze circled upwards before turning and heading for the city that lay ahead.

“So...” Dominique began as Breeze pulled up beside Redemption, who kept shooting glances his wings as though to make certain that they really were not pink. “Steeson found them out huh?” Dominique continued.

Akira nodded in reply to Dominique's question as she stared at the city before them that seemed to sparkle with the sunlight that reflected off its buildings.

“And how do you know?”

“I...” Akira frowned. She didn't want to have to explain the whole dream thing, not at the moment when she wasn't even sure how she had done it. It scared her that she was able to communicate with people through dreams and it made her wonder if she could do anything else. It seemed like because she and Redemption had reached maturity so fast that they hadn't been able to find out everything they could do yet.

“I...just know,” she told Dominique softly as they reached to outskirts of the city. The first few buildings from the city passed below and moments later they joined a long line of dragons flying further into the city.

Dominique frowned but didn't push her for an answer, and for that Akira was grateful. She concentrated on looking around for any Watchers of Night Riders who looked like they might find the group of three, yet anyone guarding that was around ignored them. Among all the other dragons that they were flying with they were well hidden. She also realized that Dominique was right about riders changing their dragons’ colors when she spotted a few odd looking ones that sported unnatural. Each time Redemption would see one he would shoot them a happy look, feeling right at home.

Once they had followed the line of dragons a while Breeze and Dominique took the lead, leading Akira and Redemption from the one line of dragons into the next. They headed a good way into the city before Breeze suddenly turned right and joined a line that was descending. Redemption followed, smoothly flying on after the dragon before him and soon they were landing in what looked like the middle of a cross roads.

On the roads all around dragons were pulling carts or carrying riders yet what struck Akira the most was the large number of horses that walked around. Dragons being given a choice of who to choose as their riders had put a lot of cart drivers out of business and forced the others to go back to the method of using horses. A lucky few had been chosen by dragons.

As Redemption neatly folded his wings and followed Breeze down a road which had a 'no fly' zone above it, Akira couldn't help but wonder at the sights and sound around her. While she had seen it all before it still made her question how it was possible for such a large city to exist.

To the side stall owners shouted of their products for sale and the smell of food drifted through the air, yet somehow the smell was mixed with that of horse manure, making Akira feel anything but appetite. It looked like using horses in the city did have its down side after all.

It was first when Redemption came to an abrupt stop that Akira turned her attention back to the front. The sight that greeted her made her jaw drop. Redemption, who stood frozen to the spot, stared with wide eyes.

Before her stood what looked like a whole clump of different metal pieces and pipes, yet it was what was happening between them that held her attention. For on what looked like a long piece of black material stood a dark red dragon.

She watched as his rider took his saddle off, walked over to a man and handed him a coin before going to sit by in a chair nearby.

The man who had taken the coin slipped it into his pocket before he walked over to a metal box and pulled a handle that stuck out of it. Almost immediately the black material under the dragon began to move, taking the dragon on top of it along. The dragon on top seemed unconcerned by these turn of events and stood calmly, looking almost excited at what lay ahead.

The moving material brought him between two metal boxes and then stopped. Akira watched, her eyes wide with amazement as both boxes sprayed out a white foamy material. Once the dragon was almost completely covered in it from head to toe they stopped and the black material began to move again.

When it came to a stop again Akira noticed the two men that stood with long poles with a brush at the end. She watched as they began to scrub at the dragon, making sure that the foam got to any areas the boxes had missed. The dragon himself made an almost purring sound as the brushes moved over him, seeming to enjoy what was going on thoroughly.

Once they were done the black material began to move once again. This time it came to a stop underneath a large, metal tub like object with a tube going in to it. For a moment nothing happened and then water began to sprinkle out from the tip.

“It's like a shower for dragons,” Akira murmured in awe.

Once the foam was completely washed off the dragon was moved once again, only this time when he came to a stop it seemed to be in a large metal tunnel where only the dragon's head stuck out at the front while the rest of him was submerged. Akira heard a sound similar to that of a great amount of wind blowing.

“He's getting dried off,” Dominique explained, a smile on his face as he saw the wonder in Akira's eyes. “All around in the tunnel there are holes where warm wind is being blown out off to get rid of all the water,” as he spoke the sound suddenly stopped and the dragon walked forward.

When he was fully emerged Akira could only stare in disbelief. His dull scales shone like nothing she had seen before and his nails suddenly looked very sharp and shinny. He looked cleaner than any dragon Akira had ever thought could.

“Cool,” Redemption thought in awe, “We've got to get us one of these at the academy!”

Akira smiled. There was no doubt in her mind that this, was the Dragon Wash. Letting her eyes wonder around she soon caught sight of Drake and Kirk who seemed to be in a deep conversation. Their dragons stood some way off, Kirk's looking exceptionally clean.

Dominique dismounted and made his way over to the other two boys, Breeze following behind him.

“Come on Redemption, let’s follow,” Akira told her dragon. There was no response as Redemption stared at the dragon wash, watching as another dragon stepped on to the black material at the start and the process he had witnessed before started all over again.

“Ree?” Akira asked.

“I'm in love,” Redemption thought dreamily.

Akira shot a look at the Dragon Wash, her gaze landing on the Yellow male dragon that was getting washed. “Uh...is it safe to ask with what exactly your in love?” she asked as she eyed the dragon. “Because you do know that he's a...he...right?”

“Not him,” Redemption replied as he stared longingly at the dragon wash. He took a step towards it. “Can I have a turn?” he begged.

“No,” Akira replied.

“Please?”

“Ree, you can’t go on it,” Akira felt genuinely amused. “We can’t let anyone see who you really are, not yet anyway.”

“Later?” Redemption asked hopefully.

“Maybe,” Akira replied, shooting a glance over at Dominique who was beckoning for her to come over. “Come on Ree, the others are waiting,” she told her dragon.

Reluctantly Redemption tore his eyes from the dragon wash and walked over to join the others. Once there Akira dismounted.

“No sign of Seth or Will?” she asked worriedly.

“We're early,” Kirk replied, a reassuring smile on his face. “They other two wont be here yet and they might still take a while.” He paused as he glanced over at the wash. “I had Titan washed so we wouldn't look suspicious just waiting here,” he began, referring to his dragon, “But as we might still be here a while, I think we should have another one washed so that we don't look like we're just waiting...”

“It'll be my honor,” Redemption thought happily as he took a step towards the dragon wash.

“Oh no you don't,” Akira muttered and Redemption stopped, he shot her a pleading look but Akira firmly shook her head.

“Just a tiny little...” he began to plead.

“Nu uh Ree,” Akira told him. “Maybe another time,” she added with a grin, “and by then they'll have hopefully added a section where they clean teeth as well.”

“What’s wrong with my teeth?” Redemption asked looking surprised.

“Nothing,” Akira replied, her eyes twinkling mischievously, “It’s your breath I'm worried about.”

In the end it was Breeze who went for a wash while Redemption stood behind Akira sulking. Akira ignored him. Instead she concentrated on keeping an eye out for either Seth or Will. Once or twice she saw people walked by shoot skeptical looks at her sword that was strapped to her side yet Akira did not care. While Drake had left his sword the academy as not to attract attention, Akira had taken hers just in case things took a wrong turn. If Steeson already knew that there were riders from the past in the academy, then he could find out who they were at any moment. And if that happened, things were bound to get heated up.

When Breeze had made it to the front of the line that of dragons waiting for a wash, Drake tapped Akira and then nodded over the right. Following his gaze Akira caught sight of two familiar dragon's heading their way. A smile spread across her face as her eyes met with Seth's, yet then it faltered when warning bells went off in her mind that something was wrong.

Akira frowned as she glanced behind the approaching dragons, yet seeing nothing that could be of danger she brushed the feeling off.

Dominique turned and hurried to get Breeze, calming the annoyed man who ran the wash by throwing him an extra coin. He was making his way back when Seth and Will reached the group.

“Hey,” Will looked confused at seeing four people there to meet them. “Isn't such a large group to...obvious?” he asked.

“You've been compromised,” Drake replied.

Will's eyes widened while Seth raised an eyebrow, looking uncertain.

“Steeson knows someone from the past is in his academy...” Kirk began.

“But he doesn't know who,” Will guessed.

“Either way,” Akira spoke up. “Your coming back with us now. The risk is too high for you to stay.”

Will nodded. “It makes sense but...”

“We didn't find anything yet,” Seth finished off for him. “Steeson doesn’t know who we are, so couldn't we just go back and play cool? If we leave now, he'll know for sure that it was us.”

Akira shot him a quizzical look. Seth usually was not one to argue. He was always the first to draw back of he knew the risk was too great, especially when he was not the only one at risk. Yet he did have a point.

“No,” Akira told him as Dominique and Breeze joined the group. “I know enough of Steeson's plans to tell you he's up to no good.”

“What?” Dominique asked. Akira had not yet told any of them about her dream.

“How?” Drake asked, looking confused.

“I'll explain later,” Akira replied.

Will looked like he was about to ask something when Kirk spoke up, “Well, I seriously think we should be going. People will start to wonder soon...not to mention when Steeson finds out you are gone...”

No one disagreed, though Seth did frown, making Akira wonder what was up. They all mounted and began to head back the way they had come. The whole journey back to the quarries Akira could not shake the feeling that they were being watched, yet whenever she glanced back, there was no one there. Redemption too, felt somewhat nervous, sensing that something was up. Only when they reached the spot they had traveled from the past from, did dragon and rider relax.

“Right,” Dominique announced as he lead the group up to high, flat ground.

“Why not leave from the same spot we came from?” Drake asked as he looked at the large hold they had appeared in before that was now behind them.

“Because genius,” was Kirk's reply. “If we go from down there then we'll most likely end up underground in the past as that hole has not been dug yet.”

“Oh,” Drake blinked, yet the confusion on his face showed that he did not get it.

Kirk rolled his eyes.

“Let’s just go,” Dominique spoke as the others inched closer to him.

“Akira,” Seth suddenly appeared beside her. “Can we maybe stay for a moment?”

Akira gave him a quizzical look, wondering what was up.

“We need to talk,” Seth told her gently.

Akira shot Dominique, who was watching her with a frown, a look. “Go ahead guys, we'll meet you at the academy,” she assured.

Drake shrugged while Dominique looked none too happy about the arrangement. Yet he complied and moments later Akira and Seth watched as their friends seemed to fade until they were completely gone.

Akira turned to look at Seth questioningly only to see that he had slipped from Emeralds back and walked a few steps forward, staring at the view before them.

“What’s his deal?” Redemption thought.

“Let’s find out,” Akira murmured as she slipped from Redemption's back. She made her way over to Seth, wondering what was up. “Seth?” she asked as she approached him. When she received no answer Akira raised an eyebrow. She made her way in front of him and turned to look at him. “Hello?” she waved her hand in front of his face, “Anyone home?”

Seth stared at her and blinked. No sooner did his eyes meet Akira's than the feeling that something was wrong filled her once more. Seth reached out his hand and tucked a strand of her hair behind Akira's ear. At the familiar gesture she relaxed.

Suddenly Seth threw his arms around her. “I missed you,” he murmured as he hugged her tightly.

Akira blinked, wondering what was up. “Uh...I missed you to?” she began as she slowly put her arms around Seth. She shot Redemption a questioning look over his shoulder but her dragon looked like he wasn't sure what he made of the situation. As Akira's eyes wondered over to Emerald she was surprised to find the green dragon watching, a strange look in her eyes, a look that seemed to be warning Akira of something.

“Seth,” Akira tried to pull away from the embrace. Seth reluctantly let go, yet he put one hand on Akira's shoulder as though to keep her close. “Surely it couldn't have been that bad,” Akira joked as she looked up to find Seth gazing down at her.

Only then did it hit her what her brain had been trying to tell her the whole time.

“S...Seth...” she stuttered staring into his eyes, confusion filling her, “What's wrong with your eyes?” For his warm brown eyes had what looked like a black ring outlining them.

“My eyes?” Seth asked, sounding confused.

Akira tried to take a step away, yet Seth's grip on her arm tightened. At the same time she heard the sound of a sword being drawn and felt the weight of her own blade from her side, disappear.

“Akira!” Redemption shouted in alarm.

Yet Akira had already realized the danger. Ripping herself from Seth's grasp she jumped back, sidestepping just in time to avoid the blade that slashed through the air where she had stood seconds before.

Stunned she stood, staring at Seth who returned her gaze with a cold, emotionless look in his eyes. In his right hand he held none other than Akira's sword which he had stolen from where it had hung at her side.

“Seth?” Akira asked confusion and hurt filling her. What was wrong with him? Why was he doing this? And yet something told her that all this wasn't Seth.

Redemption narrowed his eyes and growled as he took a warning step towards Seth. Yet Emerald suddenly stepped forward and blocked his way, shooting him what almost looked like an apologetic look as she did so. Redemption glared at her, seeming not sure of what to do.

Akira stared at Seth while he stood ridged.

“Seth, what are you doing?” she asked him.

She never got a reply. Instead Seth suddenly lunged forward, sword swinging. Jumping back Akira dodged the blow, watching with wide eyes as the blade slashed across the ground, leaving a thick gash where she had just stood.

“Not good!” Redemption thought just as Seth lunged again.