Chapter 20 “Breaking Point”

Akira flung her hands out at the far wall with all her might. A large fireball burst into the direction she was aiming and flew at a great speed before it collided with the wall. She watched as the flames spread into different directions before they ceased to exist altogether. Moodily she sent another crashing after the first, this time following it up with another before it could disperse.

The blackened wall at the far end suggested many days of practice in here. This was in fact, a room Brandon has assigned to Akira to practice her fire skills in. While she did do a lot of practices on the roof, Brandon had suggested that perhaps she cut down on them after a few riders almost got hit by stray fireballs when just flying past at roof height.

It had only been two day since Will had stabbed Drake. The news of the event had spread through the academy like wildfire before they could be stopped and by now, every student had a good idea of what was going on. The knowledge that Steeson was actually controlling riders set everyone on edge and there was a tension in the academy like there hadn't been in a while.

Yet while this tension affected Akira in a way, it was not as bad as the other thing that she could not get off her mind, her meeting with Steeson in her dream. No matter how much she tried to block it out, it just kept replaying in her head. The last night she had gotten little sleep because of it, and now she was trying to take out some of her anger in the room she was currently in.

“It’s sad really. A legend controlling our every action,” Steeson's words echoed in her mind and Akira frowned. Was Steeson right? Was it a legend that was controlling her actions? She had never considered this up to now, always thinking that what she did was because she wanted to. And yet considering it, it was because of a legend that she had gone up against Haiden, it was because of trying to fulfill a legend that she had gone blind and later almost lost her life. And yet even now, after she seemed to have fulfilled that same legend, another black dragon and rider were brought into the picture, putting her right back where she started. So was Steeson right?

Angrily Akira shot another flame forward at the wall.

“I want to thank you by the way. For without you, I would have no dragon, and without my dragon, all this would not be possible.” Gritting her teeth as the words ran through her mind Akira held her hands opposite each other and watched as a flame appeared in the gap between them and slowly began to grow into a fireball, getting larger by the second.

Steeson was right. It was because of her that Deception had been born, because of her that a new evil now existed. It was her fault that Deception existed, just as she saw it as her fault that Will stabbed Drake. She should have realized what was wrong sooner and stopped him.

“The first two white dragon riders ruled the Lands together did they not? That means that we, as their successors have every right to rule.” Akira stared at the growing fireball as she contemplated those words. True, the first two white dragons and riders had ruled the Lands together. There had been peace and everyone was happy. But then again, that power only made Haiden want more, turning him against his own brother.

“Why not just claim what is rightfully yours and rule the lands? You could after all ensure peace like that once and for all,” she could almost see Steeson smirking as she remembered him telling her this.

Snorting Akira released the fire ball between her hands by thrusting them forward both at once. She watched unfazed by the heat that blasted back in her direction as the fireball hit the wall. For a moment she stood before she wiped the sweat that was dripping down the forehead.

She cocked her head to the side. Things would be a lot easier if the Lands were under one rule. If there was one person who said what happened and if everyone listen to them. But then again, if the person ruling turned bad, who would be there to question them? To oppose them and make sure they did not turn in to an oppressor like Haiden in the past and the council in the future?

Sighing Akira shook her head. Steeson was nothing like Haiden and yet he was exactly the same. She herself didn't know if that made sense, but that was how she felt. There seemed to be one big difference in the two though. While Haiden had been purely out for power, Steeson seemed to be a little more laid back, bidding his time, or as Redemption had put it, he almost seemed to be waiting for something.

But controlling riders, staying hidden in the academy and at the same time letting Akira know that he was not exactly a good guy, what was the point in it all? It didn't make sense!

“You'll understand things soon enough...” Steeson's words echoed in Akira's mind.

“Oh I'll find out what’s going on alright,” she muttered as she angrily thrust another fire ball at the wall.

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the door to the side open a crack and seconds later Gina's head peaked in. Akira saw her raise her eyebrows at the heat in the room, yet ignoring her Akira threw another fireball at the far wall, letting it disintegrate before following up with another.

Without a word Gina opened the door further and walked in. She stood, watching for a moment as Akira flung fireball after fireball at the wall. Then she suddenly walked towards the wall Akira was shooting at.

Pausing Akira watched. When Gina reached the wall she bent down and picked up a round clay like object that looked almost like a plate. A whole bunch of them had been stacked there. Her eyes met Akira's and a look of understanding past between them.

Suddenly Gina threw the clay plate right at Akira. Akira reacted, throwing out her palm and causing a fireball to meet the plate, burning it to crisp.

A smile spread over Gina's face and she began to pick up the plates one after the other, throwing them in quick succession. Akira burnt those she could while dodging others. Yet as Gina threw the last plate Akira whirled around and kicking her leg up hit the clay plate in mid flight, causing it to shatter into pieces.

“I remember when you first started practicing using that fire ability of yours,” Gina grinned as she wiped her hands on her clothes and leaned against the wall behind her, seeming suddenly oblivious of the heat. “You were all over the place. No one could come close for fear of getting hit. But you've really learned to control it now,” she added.

Akira wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I guess,” she said, “But it’s like the more I'm learning to use it the easier harder its becoming for me not to use it when I get angry. I mean it’s like when anger takes me over my fists bursting into flame is my first reaction and I suddenly want to burn the source of my anger to crisp.”

Gina chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Akira asked scowling.

“It’s just,” Gina's eyes twinkled, “I can’t see you burning anyone to crisp except for the bad guys.”

“Not yet,” Akira muttered in reply.

“Come on Akira,” Gina told her. “Out of all the people I know you can keep your temper in check the best. You're not the type of person to go around taking it out on the first person you meet. So what’s up, what’s got you bothered?”

“What makes you think something’s bothering me?” Akira muttered.

Gina raised her eyebrows as she motioned a hand, pointing around the room. “You don't come here often. And you especially don't throw fireballs at nothing, not unless something has gotten to you.”

Akira let out a frustrated sigh as she walked up to Gina, leaned against the wall beside her and slipped down so that she was sitting on the floor. Wordlessly Gina followed her friend’s lead.

“How is Drake?” Akira asked after a moment of silence.

Gina grinned. “Back on his feet and walking around like nothing happened. He's getting a bit annoyed with Will though, the guy won’t stop apologizing.”

Akira cracked a small smile.

“I thought that a near death experience would maybe change Drake a bit, you know? Make him begin to work on his manners a bit more and listen to me when I tell him something. But noooo, Mr. Big boy is right back where he always was,” yet even as she spoke Akira could hear the fondness in Gina's voice.

“We were really lucky Anita was around,” Akira murmured.

“Your right there,” Gina replied. The two lapsed into silence before Gina broke it. “All right, spit it out. Why are you holed up in here when you could be on the roof?”

“Because Brandon asked that I don't practice with fire that much up there anymore...”

“Come on Akira,” Gina cut her off, “Tell me what’s up.”

Akira sighed, knowing that Gina wouldn't drop it. “It’s just,” she began, “I feel so helpless sitting around here and doing nothing, you know? Steeson and Deception are out there, planning, and all I'm doing is sitting here and waiting!”

“We can’t just rush in,” Gina murmured.

“Yeah? Well I'd rather just get this cleaned up and be done with it,” Akira replied.

Gina shot her a look. “Akira...” she hesitated, “What’s really bothering you?”

Akira didn't reply as she stared at the far wall. Her jaw was clenched and her hands clenched in fists. Suddenly she let out a sigh, relaxing somewhat as she let some of the terminal inside her escape. “I just don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore Gina,” she said, the frustration in her voice evident. “I mean, the Rider and Dragon of Legend are supposed to bring peace, right?”

“You could say that,” Gina shrugged.

“Then why are Redemption and I only making things worse?” Akira asked.

“Akira,” Gina sighed, “You’re not...”

“Think about it Gina,” Akira cut her off. “We defeat Haiden. That’s was supposed to solve everything. Yet instead I find myself thrust into a messed up future. A future which I'm told was caused by me,” bitterness crept into her voice, “and then, when Redemption and I finally sort that out we find that because we went to the future we caused a new black dragon to be born. Can things really get any more messed up?”

“You have a point Akira, but out of it all positive things have appeared to,” Gina protested.

Akira shot her a withering look.

“Just look at it this way. I met my great, great, great......oh forget it, I'm not going to say that many greats. Anyway, the point is something good always turns out in the end,” Gina told Akira confidently.

“What good came from Drake getting stabbed and almost dying?” Akira asked.

“Oh that’s easy,” Gina snorted, “We discovered Anita's gift as a healer, and Drake actually wants to now move the wedding up.”

“Okay fine, what good thing came from Deception and Steeson appearing?”

“Like I told you,” Gina replied smoothly, “I got to meet Dominique and the others. We've been able to travel through time, something I would have never considered possible before meeting you.”

“Do you always see something positive in everything?” Akira asked.

“Yup,” Gina popped the 'p'.

Akira stared at her friend. “I sure wish I could see things from your point of view Gina,” she murmured, “but I just can’t. Wherever I look things are going wrong, and frankly, I'm getting tired of it.”

“Oh come on,” Gina slung her arm around Akira's shoulder, “Stop having a pity party and look at the bright side of life. Everything has a reason for happening. Trust me Akira, everything.”

-

-

-

Dominique stared up from the dragon saddle that he was cleaning to look over at Seth, who was talking with a rider form the academy. While Dominique had just come from a sword fighting class he had no idea what Seth had been up to the entire day. He never saw him in his classes and often wondered what the other boy was up to.

As he looked Seth over he wondered what he had that he lacked, for there had to be something for Akira to cling to him like she did. Seth had attacked her for goodness sakes, yes, he hadn't been himself but still! Wasn't that a good enough reason for Akira to break it off with him? But no, she still stuck with him.

Frowning Dominique began to scrub the saddle with new vigor. Beside him sat Drake, cleaning pieces of dragon armor while a few other students that had been appointed to cleaning dragon gear also sat around.

Upon seeing the guy Seth had been talking to walk away Dominique watched to see Seth turn to stare across the courtyard, a frown on his face. He seemed tense, and though a lot of riders had been so since the news about Steeson had spread, Seth seemed to be especially so.

“Seth is one of the top fighters around here,” Gina's warning echoed in Dominique's mind making Dominique snort. Sure, he had heard students talk of Seth's fighting capabilities with admiration, and yet he had never seen Seth fight before, making him wonder if it was all just rumors.

That was when the idea struck Dominique. Why not just find out just how good Seth really was? Dominique was itching for a real fight after all, and with Seth being so tense the perfect opportunity was here.

With a mischievous grin Dominique dumped the cloth he held onto the ground and put the saddle he was cleaning down. He got up and casually stretched before making his way over to where Seth stood.

“Dominique?” Drake called after him, seeming somewhat confused as to why he was suddenly just walking away.

Without replying Dominique continued on his path. He approached Seth, who after shooting a quick look to see who was approaching him, turned right back to staring across the courtyard.

“Stressed?” Dominique asked.

Seth didn't reply.

“You know,” Dominique continued, “They say you’re a really good at using those swords of yours,” he nodded at the two swords that were strapped across Seth's back. While Seth often walked around without them, sometimes he had them with him, as though ready for a battle. “Funny thing is,” Dominique continued, “I've never seen you use them.”

Seth shot him a look before returning to ignoring him.

“So my question is, can you really fight or do you just walk around with those swords to look all tough and try to impress Akira?” Dominique went on to ask.

Seth continued to ignore him and Dominique frowned, wondering exactly what it would take to get Seth to react. He already knew that the other boy was stressed and that he did not like him, so all he had to do was get Seth to snap and he would hopefully get the reaction he hoped for.

“Anyway,” Dominique tried again. “I was just wondering...what kind of guy attacks his own girlfriend?”

A muscle in Seth's jaw jumped and Dominique felt a twinge of triumph.

“Yeah, I know you were under Steeson's control and all but still, come on!” he snorted. “Attacking Akira?” he knew that Seth had been blaming himself for the whole incident even though it really wasn't his fault, yet Dominique was not about to tell him that. “To make it worse we have no idea how this whole thing controlling thing works so what if you aren't quiet past it yet? What if you suddenly go all crazy on us again?” Dominique casually threw an arm around Seth's shoulder and leaned in closer to him, “Don't you think that for Akira's sake its best to maybe give her up hmm? I mean if you did go all crazy again and attack her...who knows what could happen?”

“Back off,” Seth growled.

“Oh, I didn't hurt your feelings, did I?” Dominique asked innocently, “I mean I'm just telling you,” he leaned even closer, aware that Seth was not comfortable with him invading his personal space, “Don't you think it’s time to make way for someone more...sophisticated?”

Growling Seth pushed Dominique away from him, his eyes blazing.

Stepping a good distance back Dominique grinned. “Is that a yes?” he asked innocently.

Seth glared, his expression showing that Dominique had pushed him too far. All activity in the courtyard seemed to cease as every eye turned to the two boys. The tension between them was all too obvious and everyone held their breaths, wondering if they were about to witness a fight.

Seeing Seth lose his cool was not something one saw often and while fights between students did break out occasionally, it was rare for someone like Seth to be involved, usually because it was hard to wind him up, yet also because no one was stupid enough to try.

“Come on,” Dominique taunted. “How about we take care of this little issue the old fashioned way?” as he spoke he pulled his tube from his pocket. He twirled it before he pressed a button to turn it into a long pole.

“Trust me,” Seth told him, his voice dangerously low, “I don't think you want to do this.”

“Oh trust me, I think I do,” Dominique grinned in reply, ignoring the groan he heard from Drake behind him.

Seth stared at Dominique a moment longer. For a second Dominique thought that he was going to walk away, yet suddenly the other boy reach behind him with both hands and slowly unsheathed both swords from where they were strapped on his back.

“Oh boy,” Dominique thought he heard someone mutter, yet he ignored them, feeling triumphant at his success. Now it was time to see just how good Seth really was.

“Make your move,” Seth told Dominique, standing calmly with a sword in each hand, looking almost relaxed.

Dominique grinned. Oh this was going to be fun. He twirled the pole in his hands for a moment before he made a fake lunge forward, swiping the pole inches from Seth's face. Surprise filled him when Seth did not even flinch.

“Okay,” Dominique muttered under his breath, “Let’s see what you've got.”

As quick as a flash he charged, aiming his pole right at Seth's stomach. As expected Seth's blade moved and deflected the blow, yet Dominique followed up by quickly attacking from the side. Surprise filled him when again Seth easily deflected the pole. All the while, he had not moved once.

“Seriously,” Seth spoke, his eyes meeting Dominique's, “If that’s all you've got, then you might want to back down right now.”

A smile formed on Dominique's face before he jumped into action, raining down blow after blow. As both boys moved, with Dominique attacking and Seth easily defending himself, a crowd of both students and dragons began to form, each seeming interested in the fight going on, none making a move to stop it.

“I bet a week of dragon gear cleaning that Seth has this,” one boy in the crowd announced as the two boys moved across the courtyard and the crow followed.

“I don't know. Dominique looks like he might have something,” his friend replied as he watched Dominique continue to rain down blows on to Seth.

“Are you kidding? Seth has this hands down!” a girl replied.

“Oh, and how sure are you of that? You also want to throw in a week of dragon gear cleaning?” the boy routing for Dominique asked.

“Make it two,” the girl replied with a smirk. As of that was a signal, the students all around began to place bets and moments later the cheering began, each shouting for their favorite.

“You hear that?” Dominique grinned as he heard some students yelling his name. “Looks like some of them already know the outcome of this fight. I'm going to beat you hands down.” He was full of confidence, confidence at the fact that Seth seemed to be only defending, not attacking, making Dominique believe that his attacks were too ferocious for Seth to respond to.

“Your ego is too big,” Seth replied as he blocked another of Seth's blows. “And I think it’s time someone deflated it and brought you back down to reality,” no sooner were the words out of his mouth than he pushed Dominique back.

Before Dominique could react Seth attacked, driving Dominique mercilessly backwards. Dominique stumbled over a few crates behind him and just managed to regain his balance in time to block another blow. Yet with two swords coming from two complete different angles Dominique found himself struggling, and suddenly, his confidence slipped.

He defended another blow when suddenly Seth's sword skillfully sliced through the air and seconds later Dominique felt a burning sensation in his arm. Glancing down he saw that Seth had given him a small cut right below his shoulder.

Surprised he looked up at Seth who looked just as relaxed as he had at the start. He was not breathing hard like Dominique, his attacks seeming to take little physical effort.

“You know what,” Seth sheathed one of his swords, leaving himself with only one. “How about I make this a bit easier for you?”

Dominique growled at the obvious insult. New energy filled him and he made a move to attack, yet Seth never gave him the chance as he easily blocked the blow and attacked just as fast and skillfully with one sword as he had with two.

Dominique found himself retreating more and more, almost crashing into the crowd at one point and causing them to hastily move away to get out of the path of danger.

Suddenly, when jumping back to avoid a blow, Dominique tripped over a pile of weaved baskets someone had left in the courtyard. Before he was able to stop himself, he went crashing to the ground. He winced at the pain that shot through his back as it hit the hard courtyard and yet somehow through it all he managed to keep a hold of the pole in his hands.

Feeling something sharp against his throat he looked up to see Seth’s sword pointed at his throat. Seth calmly stared down at Dominique. Around him students groaned and some shouted in triumph, thinking that the fight was over.

“We’re done,” Seth told Dominique coldly before he dropped the tip of his sword and turned to walk away.

Dominique stared after him only to catch sight of the fallen baskets that Seth was now heading towards. As an idea flashed through Dominique’s mind a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. Nothing was over yet, he was just getting started.

Tipping his pole forward so that the end was facing the baskets, he pressed a second button. At once the end facing the baskets seemed to transform. The flat end disappeared and a claw like device unfolded, coming from the inside of the pole. Without hesitating Dominique pressed the button a second time. The whole pole seemed to kick backwards as the claw seemed to shot out, revealing the rope attached to the end of it.

There were gasps from all around, yet Dominique’s eyes were on the path of the claw. It flew just like he had hoped, grabbing a hold of one of the baskets. Sure that it had a firm hold of it Dominique pressed another button and the rope began to suddenly retract, pulling the basket with it back towards Dominique, right in Seth’s path.

Surprised, Seth was not able to dodge the basket in time and it crashed right into him, sending him stumbling backwards as it burst into pieces. Regaining his balance Seth whirled around just in time to see Dominique getting up and wipe off the dust that had settled on the back of his clothes. Calmly he looked up at Seth while pressing another button to make the claw release what was left of the basket and then retract back into the pole. The remains of the basket fell to the ground with a thud that was heard throughout the entire courtyard through the stunned silence.

“Leaving so soon?” Dominique asked Seth, a grin on his face.

Seth stared at him, as though studying him, before he let out an almost regretful sigh.

“I guess you asked for it,” as soon as the words were out of his mouth he sprang into action.

-

-

Gina and Akira were still sitting in the training room, with Gina telling Akira story after story of what embarrassing things had happened to her over the years. She had just finished telling her about a time where she had been so angry at Drake she had tried to punch him. In response he had ducked to avoid the blow yet unfortunately their tutor had just come to stand behind Drake to try to break the argument up. Gina claimed that she had tried to stop her punch in mid flight but Akira wasn’t so sure she believed her and laughed when Gina told her remorsefully that she had gotten dragon gear cleaning for a month for knocking the teacher unconscious.

She was just about to start on another story when the door opened and Drake's head popped in. Seeing Akira and Gina, relief washed across his face.

“Go away,” Gina told him rudely, “We're having girl time here.”

“I would,” Drake replied unfazed, “But we have a problem,” his voice sounded genuinely worried.

“What kind of problem?” Akira asked narrowing her eyes.

“Seth and Dominique,” Drake began.

Akira's heart sank. Was one of them hurt?

“You know how stressed we've all been of late...” Drake began.

“Spit it out Drakie, what’s wrong?” Gina asked narrowing her eyes.

“Uh...well,” Drake looked like he wasn't sure how to say it. “Dominique kind of wound Seth up...to make a long story short, they're pretty much fighting it out.”

Akira blinked, wondering if she had heard correctly.

“You mean they're actually physically fighting?” Gina asked, seeming to also not be sure of what she had just heard.

“Um...yeah,” Drake nodded

Akira shot Gina a look. “Is this one of your everything’s?” she asked.

Drake looked confused while Gina bobbed her head enthusiastically.

“Where are they?” Akira asked her voice dangerously low.

“The courtyard,” Drake replied. “At first I thought nothing of it but things started getting a bit too heated so I came to search for you.”

“Oh they know nothing about heated,” Akira growled as she got to her feet, anger flashing through her eyes.

“Oh oh,” Gina said as she looked at Akira, “Looks like someone is in trouble,” she sung.

As Akira walked from the room Gina followed closely behind her with a grin on her face.

“Oh goodie,” she mused, her eyes bright. “A fight. We haven't had a good one in ages around here,” she grabbed Drake’s hand as she walked past him and dragged him off after Akira. “You did place a bet for me, didn’t you?” she asked him hopefully.

Akira ignored the comment as she made her way to the lift. Anger, fueled by her stress, and disbelief, bubbled within her. Seth and Dominique seriously fighting? Had they lost it?

“You’re missing one heck of a fight kiddo,” Redemption’s voice suddenly thought in her mind.

“Ree!” Akira growled as the lift began to go up. “Stop them!” she told her dragon.

“I would,” Redemption sighed, “But this is just too good to interrupt.”

Feeling more than annoyed at her dragon Akira hurried from the lift, heading for the courtyard.

Upon reaching it she heard the clashing of metal and heard a yelp, yet a large crowd of cheering students blocked her view. She paused only a moment before she rushed forward and pushed her way through.

It was hard going as the students seemed reluctant at first to let her pass, yet once they actually recognized her they moved easily enough. Once at the front Akira paused to take in the scene.

A large circle consisting of both dragons and riders had formed, all watching the fight going on in the middle while making sure to stand far enough away to avoid getting involved in any way.

Akira stood and stared as she watched Seth driving Dominique mercilessly back. He was using only one sword, which showed that he did not consider Dominique a match enough to use two. Yet Dominique did not seem to be doing too badly, dodging blows and even managing to throw back one or two of his own. What surprised Akira the most though, was that Seth seemed to be sweating a bit and was beginning to pant. The fact that Dominique already looked twice as tired and was way more sweaty was as expected, Seth did that to many opponents but Seth showing some fatigue showed that Dominique was not doing too badly.

“Who's winning?” Gina asked excitedly as she managed to squeeze her way through the crowd. She took in the scene for a moment before nodding her head, “I knew it. Seth has totally got this. Anyone would be a moron to bet against him!”

“Oh yeah?” a guy asked beside her.

At once Gina turned to confront him, placing her bet.

“Okay, game over,” Akira announced, deciding that she wasn't going to watch this. She took a step forward yet Gina quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“At least wait till Seth is clearly winning, I have a week’s water fetching duty riding on him.”

Akira shot her best friend a withering look.

“Come on Akira, they're only playing,” Gina pleaded. “Look around, everyone’s having fun!” No sooner were the words out of her mouth than there was a loud groan from the crowd.

Akira snapped her head around to see that Seth had knocked Dominique down to his knees. He walked up to him, ready to follow up by pointing the tip of his sword at Dominique throat to show that he was the winner, when Dominique looked up and with a smug grin, said something.

Whatever it was, Akira could not hear it above the shouting crowd, yet by the flash in Seth's eyes she saw that he didn't take whatever was said well. Instead of walking forward to Dominique he paused and slowly unsheathed his second sword.

The grin disappeared from Dominique's face and he quickly scrambled to his feet, his pole still in his hands. He seemed to be smart enough to realize that when using two sword, Seth was taking things to a whole new level.

Twirling both swords Seth sprang forward and Akira could see the clear anger in his eyes, making her wonder exactly how Dominique had managed to wind him up. As Seth pounced onto Dominique he suddenly attacked faster than before, his blows coming so fast Dominique was left with nothing to do but try to defend himself while staggering backwards. The look in Seth's eyes showed that whatever calmness he still had had about him, it was gone, and Akira wasn't sure what he would do to Dominique now.

“I'm thinking play time is over,” Gina murmured, seeming to realize the same thing as Akira.

Although the crowd had not spotted it, things had just gotten serious. Dominique was now fighting for his life.

“Akira,” Gina warned, her eyes worried as she watched Seth, recognizing his attack. It was one he often used, a sequence of quick attacks with his swords, followed by a quick kick to the stomach. He would then sweep his opponent off their feet and follow up by stabbing his sword downwards, following his opponents fall by running them through. Yet how far he would go neither she or Akira were sure.

“I'm on it,” Akira replied as Seth launched into the quick attacks.

She pushed aside the last student before her and made her way over to the two boys who were oblivious of her approaching.

Seth kicked out, knocking an unexpected Dominique back. Akira's hand burst in to flame and shot a fire ball. It passed right in front of Seth, making him freeze and stop from lashing out and knocking Dominique off his feet. He turned his eyes on Akira, seeming slightly surprised. While he watched her, Dominique recovered himself and, taking advantage of the situation, suddenly lashed out.

Seth, who wasn't paying attention, got Dominique's metal pole right in the stomach. He gasped and stumbled backwards, yet recovering almost instantly he looked up at Dominique with a new light in his eyes. Slowly he stood up straight and began to twirl his swords, glaring at a smirking Dominique who in response twirled his pole.

Suddenly both boys lunged forward, swinging their weapons at the exact same time. With determination Akira stepped forward, stepping right in between the two and the path of their weapons.

Both boys' eyes widened in horror as they realized that Akira was now right in the path of their weapons. There was dead silence in the courtyard as everyone stared.

Seth had brought his sword to a halt just in time. It now rested against Akira's neck, threatening to slice right through. Dominique's pole was inches from her head, had it gone further it would have smashed right in to it.

“That’s quite enough,” Akira spoke grimly.

Seth at once dropped his sword arm so that the blade was removed from Akira's neck and Dominique did the same with his pole.

“Anyone want to explain what’s going on?” Akira asked in the same voice.

Seth looked away, seeming ashamed.

“You’re lucky she came when she did,” Dominique spoke up, seeming to not get the point, “Otherwise I would have so had you!”

“Why you...!” Seth growled as his head whipped around and he took a menacing step forward which Dominique quickly mirrored.

“Enough!” Akira yelled as she stopped them both by firmly placing one hand on each of their chests. At the same time she let heat rush though both her palms letting the boys know that if they made another move at each other she wouldn’t hesitate to make that heat unbearably hot.

The boys glared at each other over her head while Akira turned to the crowd.

“This show is over everyone,” she told them.

There were grumbles all around as dragons and riders grudgingly got the point and moved away. The crowd dispersed and students walked away, arguing over who had won. The only ones who remained watching were Gina, Drake, Will and the students from the future.

“What's wrong with you guys?” Akira growled as she shot glares from Dominique to Seth, both of who seemed a little taken back.

“We just had a small...disagreement,” Dominique shrugged, suddenly looking sheepish.

“A small disagreement?” Akira asked through clenched teeth.

“Yeah...” Seth began with a sigh, seeming to not want to explain more either.

“I don't believe it,” Akira growled. “We're facing an enemy who we know almost nothing about and you two spend your time taking your anger out on each other?” she turned to glare at Dominique.

“Hey, don't look at me!” Dominique protested.

“Akira!”

Akira angrily turned at the sound of her name. Seeing Brandon hurrying over to her she relaxed slightly and let her hands drop by her side. Maybe Brandon could take care of this.

“The council wants to speak with you,” Brandon told her, looking a little frustrated.

“The council?” Akira asked, all thoughts of Dominique and Seth fleeing her mind.

“Yes,” Brandon nodded, “Now that the word about the whole black dragon and rider in the future incident is out, they want to have a word.”

Akira's jaw worked. She had no love for the council, just as they had none for her. While Brandon was okay the others would have left her to die at Haiden's hands.

While of late they had her alone, they did occasionally butt into her business, annoying her more than anything else. Talking to them was not something she enjoyed.

“I don't like the either, but they are still the council,” Redemption told her softly as her dragon walked up to her, leaving the spot from where he had watched the fight between the two boys earlier.

Akira grimaced, knowing that her dragon was right. “Fine,” she nodded. Her eyes still ablaze she turned to Dominique and Seth. “You two,” she growled as she pointed an accusing finger at them, “Cool off and work things out.” Turning she made her way over to Redemption and swung herself onto his back.

Brandon, in the mean time, waited for Destiny to appear from the stables and slowly walk over to him. Her walk that old an old dragon, majestic and yet slow.

“I'm getting too old for this,” Destiny grumbled as she stretched and let Brandon climb on to her back before she spread her wings. She shot a look at Brandon who nodded, and then jumped in to the air, spiraling upwards, towards the clouds. Brandon did not have his own dragon. Akira was not sure what the story was, but rumors were that his first dragon had been killed a long time ago in a battle against Haiden himself. Yet Brandon had never told her himself and so she had never asked. Since Akira had come to the academy Brandon often used Destiny to take him to places only a dragon could.

Redemption paused, not following Destiny as he knew that Akira was not quite done with the two boys yet.

“I'm sick of this tension and waiting,” Akira told Dominique and Seth as she glared at them as though it were their fault. “If you want to make things up then by the time I get back, have a plan, or else Redemption and I are going to take care of Steeson my way.”

Dominique opened his mouth to protest but Akira never gave him the chance.

“Let’s go boy,” she told Redemption.

Her dragon responded by shooting both boys a meaningful glare before spreading his wings and jumping into the air. Without a glance back, dragon and rider disappeared in to the clouds.

Seth and Dominique turned to face each other, both seeming to be at loss. For a moment they just stared at each other before Seth suddenly sheathed both swords. Dominique followed his lead by turning his pole back into a small tube with one press of a button. The group from both the present and the future stared at the two; all waiting tensely to see what would happen next.

“Not bad,” Seth grinned. “How about for now we call it a truce?” he asked suddenly sticking out his hand.

Dominique shot his a quizzical look, looking somewhat taken back. Cautiously he reached out and took a hold of Seth's hand. The two boys stood across from each other, each staring at the other, before a grin suddenly spread across Dominique's own face.

“Truce…for now,” he agreed as he shook Seth's hand.

“Guys,” Gina muttered, “Sometimes I wonder how their minds work.”

“So...” Drake looked from one boy to the other. “Who won?”

“It’s a tie you idiot,” Gina smacked him across the head.

There was a triumphant yell from a student who had overheard her.

“A tie!” he yelled joyfully as he ran off to collect his debtors’ debts.

“Weirdo,” Gina muttered as she stared over at Dominique and Seth, who although they had declared a truce, still seemed somewhat cautious of each other. “So...” Gina walked up to them, “Anyone have a plan, or are we going to witness Akira storming into the future and doing something reckless.”

“We need a plan,” Seth quickly agreed, “But we can’t really go ahead until we know more about this whole controlling thing of Steeson's.”

“If its information you seek,” Dominique suddenly grinned, “Then I think I've remembered just the person to ask.”