Chapter 19 “Will”

As soon as they were back in their time Akira and Seth's dragons headed straight for the academy. No one spoke as they each went over their own thoughts in their minds. Seth still looked somewhat shocked, as though everything that had happened hadn't quite sunk in, while Akira hoped with all her might that if Will was being controlled, he hadn't done anything yet. For the possibility that he would harm an unsuspecting friend, if he was being controlled, was all too real.

When the academy came into sight Akira tensed, leaning forward in anticipation. As Redemption approached the roof she saw that there was a class of riders with their dragons. With them was an older man and beside him Akira saw an unenthusiastic Gina, who looked like she would rather be elsewhere, helping. Anita also stood among the riders, wearing the uniform of the academy and looking a lot more interested in the class than Gina was.

The class paused as they saw Redemption and Emerald approaching at full speed. Even before Redemption had landed fully on the roof Akira slipped off his back and fell a small distance before landing in a crouch.

She looked straight over at Gina. “Where are they?” she asked urgently.

While the whole class looked confused yet Gina understood. “You were taking a while so Dominique, Kirk and Drake took Will with them to meet with Brandon and give him an update,” Gina replied. “Akira...” she began as Seth slipped off Emeralds back, his face grim.

“Crap,” Akira turned and sprinted towards the trap door.

“What’s going on?” Gina yelled after her while the other students watch in confusion.

Seth just shook his head and ran after Akira, who was already disappearing down the ladder. Gina turned to the older man who was obviously in charge of the class.

“I'll be...back,” she told him. She grabbed Anita's hand and pulled her along with her as she sprinted on after Seth and Akira, looking happy at having finally found an excuse to ditch the class while Anita looked a little more than bewildered.

Akira took the stairs, not bothering with the lift as the floor she was heading to was not far below anyway. Upon reaching the floor she sought she rushed over to the familiar door that lead in to the room where they had discussed their plans up to now.

She burst into it to find Brandon sitting behind a desk while Will and Drake standing before him, seeming to have been in the middle of a conversation. Dominique was leaning against a chair, looking like he had been bored, yet upon Akira's manner of arrival he seemed to perk up. Kirk on the other hand, was standing near a display of weapons which he seemed to be examining intently.

“Akira,” Brandon frowned at her, “You seemed to have quite a habit of just bursting into rooms of late. There is such a thing as knocking you know.”

Akira didn't reply, her eyes glued on Will, the only person who had not turned to stare at her when she had entered. Yet now he slowly turned his head and lifted his eyes to meet hers. What she saw made Akira's heart plummet, for around each of Will's blue eyes there was a solid, black ring.

For a moment Akira stood frozen as she stared at Will's eyes and wondered how no one else had noticed the change. Then she remembered that she herself had not noticed the change at first in Seth either and realized that unless you were looking for it, the change was so small it did not stand out.

“Will,” Akira met his eyes evenly, “I think we need to talk.”

Will stared at her.

“Akira,” Seth suddenly appeared behind her, out of breath. “Is he...?” he began, yet upon seeing Will he trailed off.

“Akira,” Brandon frowned, “What on earth...” yet before he got to finish Will suddenly whipped into action. He snaked an arm around Drake's neck, threatening to cut off his air supply. Surprised Drake did nothing but stand while everyone else just stared.

“Will?” Brandon seemed confused.

The sound of footsteps announced the arrival of Gina and Anita, both of whom froze behind Seth as they took in the situation.

“Let him go Will!” Brandon demanded when he realized that Will was not joking as he backed up against the wall. Still staring at Akira Will did not react.

“He won’t listen to you,” she told Brandon softly as she slowly reached for her sword.

Will's gaze followed her hands before his eyes snapped back up to meet Akira's eyes, his own as expressionless as Seth's had been.

“Will, this isn't you,” Seth spoke as he stepped forward.

Will's eyes flickered to him and for a moment he relaxed, looking as though he was about to let Drake go. The suddenly, before anyone could react, he pulled something from his belt. Kirk saw the glint of silver first and lunged forward while shouting a warning, yet he was too far away to stop Will as he plunged a knife into Drake's back.

Drake's eyes widened in surprise and he let out a gasp of surprise and pain, yet it was not heard as Gina let out an ear piercing scream. Kirk reached Will who released Drake, letting him slump to the ground, and turned to easily to meet Kirk. He lashed out, hitting Kirk in the face with his fist and sent him stumbling back, stunned.

Yet Seth had already sprung into action. He reached Will and dodged his fists. Bending down and grabbing Will's midriff he slammed him against the wall. Will struggled but Seth held him fast, long enough for Kirk to recover and come over to help. Together they held Will between them while he struggled, his face still emotionless.

Gina had run to Drake's side and was kneeling down, staring at the knife that was stuck in his back and the blood that was seeping out around it. She was sobbing trying to get Drake, whose eyes were rolling, to look at her. Anita was kneeling down beside her, staring in shook at Drake.

“Look at me Drake,” Gina sobbed as she held his head between her hands. “Someone get a healer in here!” she yelled, not moving her gaze from Drake's face while Anita continued to stare at the wound.

Brandon, seeming to have recovered from his shook, shot Seth a glance.

“We've got him,” Seth assured him as he held on to the still struggling Will.

Nodding Brandon rushed from the room, going in search of a healer.

“You’re going to be alright,” Gina told Drake through her tears. “Drake you’re going to be fine,” she chocked.

Akira just stood, shocked as she watched her best friend kneeling in the pole of blood that was forming around Drake.

“Owe!” Kirk muttered as Will gave him a good kick, almost managing to dislodge himself.

Akira turned to stare at Will, anger filling her. She should have realized what was going on sooner, she should have seen this coming. Without further thought she put her hand on to the hilt of her sword and unsheathed it while walking towards Will, purpose in her strides.

Seeing her approaching Will promptly stopped struggling, his eyes on the blade in her hand. Seth shot her a worried look.

“Akira...” he warned.

Yet Akira did not listen as she approached Will. A few feet away she suddenly raised her blade.

“Akira!” Seth yelled as she swung her sword forward. At the last moment she lifted it so that the butt of the sword’s handle was aimed right at Will's head.

There was a crack and then Will went still. Akira looked up to meet Seth's eyes. He looked relieved while Kirk stared at Will's still form.

“Out cold,” he announced. Seth nodded before they let Will go and he slumped to the floor.

“Drake?” Gina whispered as Drake's eyes began to slide shut. “No Drake, you've got to stay with me!” she shouted hysterically. Yet she could do nothing as Drake's eyes slid shut. “Drake!” Gina yelled at him while she shook him, sobbing all the while.

Akira dropped her sword, staring in shock while Seth rushed over to where Drake lay. He pulled a sobbing Gina away and pushed her over to Akira, who caught her best friends in her arms, before he knelt beside Drake's still body.

Gina buried her head in Akira's shoulder and sobbed while Akira watched numbly as Seth put his check close to Drake's mouth.

“He's still breathing,” he murmured in relief. His gaze wondered to Drake's back where the knife was, a worried line across his face. “Where are those healers when you need them?” he muttered. He lifted his eyes to look at Akira. Her heart sank as she saw what was written in his. There was not much hope.

Needing to divert her attention from the scene before her Akira's eyes wondered the room as she held her best friend and let her sob. Moments later she caught sight of Dominique, who she realized had done nothing until now. Wondering why he had not tried to help she stared at him when she realized that he looked particularly pale. He was supporting himself with one hand and a small table while staring at his other hand which he held in front of his face.

A moment later Akira saw that he seemed to flicker, his whole body seeming to fade, before it was back again. She blinked, wondering if she had truly just seen what she thought she had. Yet when Dominique's terrified eyes met hers she knew she had not been imagining things and the realization hit her. If Drake died, Dominique would cease to exist. For without Drake, there would be no Dominique in the future. Akira's mouth went dry at the knowledge and her arms tightened around her best friend.

“No, you've got to keep the knife in. You could just do more damage!” Seth's protesting voice made Akira's attention return to where Drake lay. Anita was leaning over him and had one hand clasped around the knife that was stuck in his back, one of Seth's arms was on hers, trying to get her to let go.

“No we have to pull it out,” Anita responded, sounding unusually calm.

“Anita...” Dominique began to protest.

“Trust me,” Anita replied in a voice that it made it sound like she knew exactly what she was doing. Seth seemed to hesitate and yet then to Akira's surprise he let go.

Anita shot him a grateful look before, with one swift movement, she pulled the dagger from Drake's back. Akira winced as she watched Anita drop the knife and it clattered to the floor. Yet she could not tear her eyes away as Anita frowned and then suddenly placed both her hands on top of the wound. She seemed to suddenly be uncertain but then, as though not wanting to give herself the chance to back away, she closed her eyes.

For a few seconds nothing happened and then suddenly, to everyone's utmost surprise, Anita's hands seemed to begin to emit a soft, faint yellow glow out of them.

“What the...?” Kirk began while Seth just shot Anita a knowing look before looking up at Akira, relief in his eyes.

“Gina,” Akira whispered to her friend, “Gina, look!”

Gina responded by slowly lifting her head and turning around. Seeing what was happening her tears suddenly stopped flowing and a look of wonder and hope filled her eyes.

They watched as Drake's breathing seemed to become slightly shallower and a bit of color returned to his pale face. A few moments later the light from Anita's hands disappeared and she opened her eyes, blinking as though not quite sure what had just happened. Yet all eyes were on Drake.

There was complete silence as everyone waited. For a moment nothing happened but then suddenly, Drake's eyes flickered open.

“Drake?” Gina rushed over to his side grabbing, staring down at him.

Drake stared up at her, seeming somewhat confused before realization flashed through his eyes. “Who knew that getting stabbed actually hurts,” he croaked.

Seth chuckled while Gina burst into tears of relief. Akira smiled, relief flooding through her. She shot a quick glance at Dominique to see that he was not as pale as before, and he definitely was not flickering.

“How...?” Kirk began as he stared at Anita in wonder.

“I don't know,” Anita replied, looking over her hands as though trying to figure out if they were real or not. “It’s like one moment I wished I could help and the next I knew exactly what I had to do,” she looked at Akira as though she would have the answer, “It just felt like something inside me could help...and it did.”

“She's a healer,” Seth spoke as he stood, leaving Gina to cradle Drake's head in her lap.

“A healer?” Kirk frowned and then shook his head. “No, she can’t be. We don't have any healers in our time. We have doctors and medicines, but healers died out hundreds of years ago.”

“Apparently not,” Akira replied as she smiled at a bewildered looking Anita.

Just then there was a flurry of footsteps and a young man, followed by Brandon, burst into the room. Both looked very out of breath.

“I brought the...” Brandon trailed off as he stared at Drake whose eyes were wide open. Other than the blood around him he looked just as healthy as anyone else in the room.

“I'm guessing you don't need my help anymore,” the young man with Brandon spoke.

Akira nodded.

“Don’t you ever Scare me like that again,” Gina scolded Drake as she gazed down at him. “Do you hear me?”

Drake grinned up at her in reply.

“Keal, take the boy down to the infirmary for a checkup,” Brandon told the young man beside him. In response the young man nodded and walked up to Gina who was helping Drake to his feet. He was a bit unsteady and so Keal and Gina supported him with a shoulder each.

As they made their way out Gina shot Anita a grateful look. “Thank you,” she told her.

Anita nodded and watched them leave the room before she suddenly decided against staying and hurried after them. Akira watched them go, sure that the reason Anita was going was not only to see if Drake was really alright, but maybe also to find out what she could learn from Keal about healers.

“Now,” Brandon turned his gaze to the rest of the group left in the room and paused on Will's slumped form, “Can someone please tell me what on earth is going on?”

Kirk shrugged while Dominique looked as loss. Seth shot Akira a look and she returned it.

“Will wasn't himself,” Seth began.

“I could see that much,” Brandon replied, “Why?”

“He was being controlled,” Akira replied.

“What?” Brandon asked.

“I told you!” Dominique exclaimed at the same time.

Brandon shot him a look before turning back to Akira. “How can you be sure of this?” he asked.

Akira shot a look at Seth who suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Because,” she sighed, “Seth was also being controlled.”

Brandon shot Seth a questioning look while Kirk looked more than surprised.

“I'm sorry to have to ask,” Brandon sighed, “But how do you know he was being controlled?”

“Because, when the others left us he attacked me,” Akira murmured.

“He what?” Dominique glared at Seth while Brandon looked like he wasn't sure if he had heard correctly.

“Dominique,” Akira turned to him, “You told us that something seemed different with Ray when he was chasing you.”

Dominique nodded.

“Do you remember what it was?” Akira prompted.

Dominique shook his head.

Turning to a confused Brandon Akira began to explain, “I thought something was off about Seth and Will, but I didn't realize what it was until Seth and I were alone. It was his eyes...” she paused to make sure the others were still with her, “They had a black ring around them.”

Kirk snorted while Dominique looked thoughtful.

“A black ring?” Brandon asked.

Akira nodded. “It was first when I noticed that he attacked me.”

Seth looked away.

“He wouldn’t listen to me and just kept attacking until Redemption finally got him to snap out of it. Afterwards he didn't remember a thing that had gone on, not since he was back at the academy with Will...”

Brandon looked at Seth who nodded in confirmation while Kirk looked like he was having a hard time believing everything Akira was saying.

“Ray wasn't lying, he just didn't remember either,” Dominique exclaimed, seeming somewhat relieved at the fact.

“How exactly did Redemption 'snap' Seth out of it?” Brandon asked.

Akira shot a look at Seth. “He gave him a good hard whack which seemed to do the trick.”

Understanding filled Kirk's eyes as his gaze wondered to Will who still lay unconscious on the floor. “So Will here should be his old self again when he wakes up?” he asked.

“Hopefully,” Akira replied.

“Right,” Brandon nodded, “So apparently Steeson is really controlling riders. That does change things.”

“At least now we definitely know he's up to no good. So I'm guessing that it’s time to storm the academy and take him down,” Akira spoke as she picked up her sword from the ground and sheathed it.

“No,” Brandon replied firmly, making Akira frown. “We have no idea how he's controlling riders. If you run in to attack then who knows how many of us could end up under his control.”

“So we do what?” Akira asked getting frustrated, “Sit around a bit more hoping that the information will come to us?”

Brandon frowned at her before he turned to the others. “Boys,” he told them. “Please take Will here along and lock him up. Keep an eye on him and when he wakes up inform me if he's himself again or not.”

The boys nodded and while Seth grabbed Will's arms and Kirk grabbed his feet. Together they carried him from the room. Brandon shot Dominique a look who, realizing that he was supposed to also go, followed the other two, closing the door behind him.

Satisfied that they were alone, Brandon turned to look at Akira. “I know you are eager to take care of Steeson before he becomes a problem Akira, but acting rashly is going to do nothing but make things worse.”

“Come on Brandon!” Akira protested as she began to pace. “Steeson is controlling riders! How much worse can it get? If we don't act now then who knows what he'll do!”

“And if you rush in to take care of him and he gets a hold of a few of your friends?” Brandon asked.

Akira frowned.

“You saw what Will did. He would never in his right mind stab Drake. Imagine if any others got affected, do you have any idea of the chaos that could spread in the academy?”

“Then I'll go alone,” Akira muttered stubbornly.

“And if he got a hold of you?” Brandon raised an eyebrow.

With a defeated sigh Akira stopped pacing and looked away.

“I meant to ask you before,” Brandon began frowning, “When you came and rushed off so quickly with Dominique, Drake and Kirk, how exactly did you know that Steeson had found out about Will and Seth?”

Akira shot him a questioning look.

“Dominique filled me in on what he knew,” Brandon explained.

Akira nodded before she walked over the Brandon's desk and leaned against it. “Steeson told me,” she said after a moment’s pause.

Brandon raised an eyebrow.

“In a dream,” Akira continued. “Apparently it’s another thing Redemption and I can do. I've done it before but never realized what it was. Haiden also contacted me like that once...” she trailed off, frowning at the memory.

“Communicating through dreams,” Brandon murmured. “That’s an interesting development.” He looked up and evenly met Akira's gaze, “Telling you that he had compromised the boys was probably to lure you to the future to come and get them, which was exactly what he wanted. Did he say anything else that could be of help to us?”

Akira shook her head. “He wasn't about to reveal his plans...though he did say that I would know in time.”

At this Brandon frowned.

“He did let me know though that he has the same motive Haiden had, to take over the lands and rule,” Akira continued.

Brandon nodded, “Alas, he really is up to no good.”

“Then why not go in and take care of him now?” Akira urged.

“Akira,” Brandon sighed. “Before we take another step from here you might want to think of a way we can find out how exactly Steeson is controlling riders. If we could figure out how he does it we will at least have a great chance of not falling into his hands”

“Dragons were being forced into choosing their riders before Ree and I changed the laws in the future,” Akira said thoughtfully.

“That’s a start,” Brandon smiled. “But until we know more, it’s just not safe.”

Akira let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that Brandon was right. She wondered if at this rate they would ever find out what exactly Steeson was up to before it was too late. Clenching her fists she wished that she could just face Steeson face to face and fight him like she had with Haiden. It would be so much easier than sitting around helplessly, having no idea what he was up it.

“We will meet face to face Akira. I can promise you that. But you won’t be threatening me with a sword or any other weapon then,” Steeson's words echoed in her mind and Akira clenched her teeth. She was going to prove him wrong. She planned for their first face to face meeting to be with her staring down at him with her sword point at Steeson’s throat. Yet even as she thought about it, Akira couldn't help but shiver at the confidence that she remembered to be in Steeson's voice.

There was no doubt that he was planning something, and by the looks of things, it had to be something big.