FSE

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Chapter 3

Possession

It was a cloudy day and the air was filled with moisture as the day called for rain. Over in the Supreme Region, everyone was going about their business as a couple of Fire Dragons looked up at the sky and scowled at the possibility of rain, but let it go, because they knew that the world needed water. Up in The Pearl Tower, classes were being held as many dragons were learning all they could, but there were five that were at the top of their classes.

It has been seven Dragon Years since the incident in the cave, where Raz learned of his new power and discovered the cave they were in was a neutral point between two worlds; this one and The Dark Realm. To this day, Raz has not forgiven himself for endangering his friends like that, even though his friends have and the King even told him that he must forgive himself or it will forever haunt him. But try as he might, Raz could not bring himself to do it.

Raz, Maz, Buckner, Rocky, and Kyle were sitting in class, waiting for their final exam, even though they had an idea that they would pass it with flying colors. The class was a good size with it being eight dragon lengths long and nine dragon lengths wide as there were a total of fifteen dragons in the room. Raz and Maz sat together as the others sat in a circle around them and they all were locked in conversation except Rocky who was flirting with a lady dragon of whom he had been interested in for a while.

Raz saw this and rolled his eyes, because he knew he had better things to do then get caught up in that kind of mess. Especially with his lady dragon who had a crush on him and took the class so she could be with him. Raz was not interested in the least, because he felt those kinds of relationships would distract him from his duties and the fact that he thought of it was a waste of time.

Raz was staring off into space when a paper wad was chucked at his head as it bounced off and landed on the desk in front of him. Raz looked back and saw the lady dragon that had red scales with a white front as her hour glass figure made her pick dress more beautiful and had a pink bow on one of her horns and blue eyes that appeared to be full of energy. She stood a little below a dragon's length as her tail swished mindlessly and her name was Amber Ashwood and she was a talented young fire dragon. Amber winked her eye as Raz opened the paper ball to see the words "I Love You!" written on it as he rolled his eyes again and turned back around.

"Hey Raz, why do you turn her down every time she reaches out to you, I think she likes you?" Maz asked as Raz looked at him and replied, "I do not get

into relationships like that. I am too busy with what I have on my plate now."

"Not to mention that I have not found one of the females in this room attractive all. Is there something wrong with me or maybe I have not found the right one yet. See! This is what I mean. It is way too confusing and besides, I have to remain focused on graduating. I will worry about that stuff later." Raz thought as Maz replied, "You are way too worried about this role, but I understand why, and let us not forget you already proved yourself capable of protecting us."

Raz looked at him crossly, but decided to drop it, because he knew it would do no good. For how could they understand the pain he felt and still is feeling from the incident that happened seven dragon years ago?

Raz smiled and decided to let the mood ease as Maz was about to say something when they heard a whistle sound and they all stood at attention. The teacher of the class, who was also a Lieutenant of The Supreme Region, came in and stood at the front of the class. He looked at everyone then walked over to the far window with his hands behind his back. He stood a dragon's length and two dragon's feet high with green back scales and brown front scales as his wings were a light green with the span being the same as his body. He had black ram-shaped horns and three-quarters of a dragon's length long tail that swished slightly as he walked and wore the traditional golden armor except his cape was green with The Earth Symbol of a tree on it as he wore a greave that was knee-length and was called Lt. Rockwall. It was said that he was the toughest Lieutenant in the Supreme Region and in The Earth Region and Rocky was coming up fast behind him.

The Lieutenant turned back to the class and took a moment to collect his thoughts. Then he said in a rough voice, "All of you have done well in this class and now comes the final exam for your tactics training. When I call your name, you will come up here to be a part of the Alpha Team: Raz Drakken, Maz Drakken, Rocky Earthbond, Buckner Stillwater, and Kyle Whirlwind. You five received the highest marks in the class and rightfully so you should be on the Alpha Team. Now for the Beta Team: Amber Ashwood, Cody Icebreath, Aaron Stormpoint, Ean Diamond, and Isis Riptide. Your team is the second highest in the class. And finally, Team Gamma: Blaze Kindle, Misty River, Derek Breeze, Amy Breeze, and Emily Terra. Your team is third and now I will announce the captains of each team.

"Raz Drakken is captain of the Alpha Team; do not let it go to your head. Amber Ashwood is captain of the Beta Team and finally, Misty River is captain of the Gamma Team. Now that we have that settled, your mission will be in The Earth Region and the objective is quite simple. Capture the flag without the use of your elemental powers. You may fly, but I would advise against it, because in order to win this mission; you must become one with your surroundings; is that clear!"

"Yes Sir!" They all shouted and then the Lieutenant spoke, "Your mission starts now!" Within an instant, all three teams vanished as the Alpha Team was moving fast along the ground, heading towards the Earth Region.

"Rocky, you know the Earth Region better than any of us; where do you think the flag is?" Raz asked as Rocky thought for a moment, then answered, "If I am correct, it will probably be in the great forest at the center where there is a clearing. It would be a perfect spot to launch an ambush. So stealth is essential to this mission."

Buckner was looking up at the sky when something occurred to him, "Uh, Raz?" Buckner exclaimed as Raz nodded to let Buckner know that he was listening.

"You know the Lieutenant pitted us against our fellow class mates, right?" Buckner asked as Raz simply nodded. "So, then you do know that we will probably have to fight the other teams, right?" Buckner asked as this stopped Raz's thoughts for a moment, "He is right. We will have to fight against

the other teams, but we are the Alpha Team. So this will be easy."

Raz looked back with a confident smile as he said, "Yes, I know. But remember, we are the Alpha Team and so getting that flag is a sure thing."

They barely entered the Earth Region when out of nowhere; something hits Raz directly in the face. Sending him crashing to the ground in a huge crater as Amber appears and dusts off her dress. She puts her left hand on her hip and points at Raz with the other who looked totally dazed.

"Do not think for one dragon second that just because you're Team Alpha that getting the flag is going to be easy." Amber said as she smiled and winked as she flew away with her team.

"Raz, are you okay?" Maz asked as Raz slowly sat up with a dent in his armor from hitting a rock on the way down to the ground.

"I hate that female!" Raz said with a groan as he got back up and did an inventory of his body to make sure everything was in working order.

"Wow, she made you eat dirt." Maz said as Raz just scowled at him for a moment, then replied, "Come on. We have a mission to complete."

Buckner and Rocky were looking over the map when Buckner took a step forward and a line snapped as he instantly dropped to the ground as a log came swinging by.

"Uh, guys. I think this forest is full of traps." Buckner said as Raz rubbed his head and replied, "Traps are a good thing. It means we are on the right path and besides, traps do not scare me as much as that female does."

Raz continued to rub his head as he winced in pain, then he and the others took off running again. They were half way there when another trap was tripped and darts came spraying out of the trees on either side as everyone jumped out of the way just in time.

"Come on guys. We have to watch out for the traps." Buckner said as they all agreed and took off again. Moving fast through the trail and finally arriving at the clearing.

They took cover behind some bushes as they all peered over to see what looked to be two small maple trees at center of the clearing. Thunder crashed over head as the rain started to fall as Raz and Maz both cringed at the rain, because they were both Fire dragons and only cared for the Hot Springs of their region and not the cold drops of rain.

"Okay, I think we have a shot if..." Buckner stopped in mid-sentence, because he noticed that someone was missing.

"Raz, where are you?" Buckner asked as Maz tapped him on the shoulder and pointed out towards the flag where Raz was poorly concealed by the branches of the first maple tree.

"Raz, No! What are you doing?" Buckner asked as he put his hands on his head and cringed, but Raz was too deep into thought. "I will not be out done by that female." Raz started reaching for the flag and almost had his hand on it when it was smacked and caused him to fall out of the small tree.

Raz looked up to see he was surrounded by the two other teams and knew he was in trouble, but suddenly, four others quickly joined Raz in the center of the circle.

"Could you use a little help there, Raz?" Maz asked as the others chuckled then looked their adversaries.

"I told you Raz, not to underestimate us. We may just surprise you." Amber said as her teammates just laughed.

"What do you suggest we do, Raz?" Rocky asked as Raz thought for a moment and then replied, "Looks like we use the tactics we been working on. Hmm, let's use Tactic Whirlwind." Everyone on Raz's team knew what thatmeant; but left their opponents confused.

"Tactic Whirlwind? I never heard of that." Misty said as Amber piped up, "Do not worry. Whatever it is, it will not work." Raz just smiled as he replied and said, "You may have caught me off guard twice, but you will not catch me a third time."

Misty stood at the ready with her light blue back scales and white front scales that accented her ice-pink armor that covered her clothing on the shoulders, elbows, knees, and breast plate. Her under clothing were gray and matched her wings. She stood three-quarters of a dragon's length tall with her tail being half a dragon's length as her wings was the same size as her body. Her horns on the sides of her head were three little ones that spiraled up to create each one that stood three dragon inches tall as her sapphire eyes sparkled in the light.

Raz nodded to his teammates, who nodded back as they all smiled and moved into position with Rocky facing west and Buckner facing east. Raz and Maz faced forward towards the north with Kyle in the middle.

"Ready? Go!" Raz shouted as Rocky and Buckner ran opposite directions. Misty went with Emily Terra after Buckner as Amber sent Ean Diamond and Isis Riptide after Rocky. Kyle took to the trees, moving fast as Derek and Amy Breeze from the Team Gamma went after him along with Aaron Stormpoint from the Beta Team. Finally, Raz and Maz ran forward to combat Amber Ashwood and Cody Icebreath from the Beta Team and Blaze Kindle from the Gamma Team. Raz could not understand it, but he really liked Blaze for some reason or another, but he had to complete his mission. So, he had to put his personal feelings aside; at least for the moment.

Amber was ready for Raz as he came in with a roundhouse kick that Amber blocked easily as she grabbed his leg and swung him around. But, Raz was no fool as he came up with the other foot and caught her in the side of her body. She jumped back, looking furious, "I cannot believe you did that. You're not supposed to hit females!" Amber shouted as Raz smiled a little and replied, "Then what are you doing in Military Tactics, and besides what I did to you will not even leave a bruise, and I thought you were tougher than that."

Amber smiled as she drew herself up to her full height and answered, "Your right. I was checking to see if you were going to come to my aid and if you did. I would have called you a fool. Alright then. No holds bar." Amber reached into her sash and pulled out a rolled up white cloth. She unrolled it and started wrapping her hands as she spoke, "You want tough. I will show you tough."

Maz was squaring off with Blaze Kindle and Cody Icebreath. Cody stood a dragons foot short of a dragon's length with dark blue scales and light blue scales on his front as he wore golden armor on his chest, elbows, shoulders, and knees with a golden greave that went down to his knees. His wings were the same length as he body and were light blue as his tail was half a dragon's length long that swished like a whip.

Blaze stood at a dragon's length high with dark red back scales and white front scales that accented his gray wings that were the same length as his body. His tail was three-quarters of a dragon's length long as it lay relaxed behind him. Blaze wore black armor on his chest, shoulder, elbows, and knees as they had a golden trim on the rim that matched his knee length golden greave.

"Come on Maz. Give it up. You're hopelessly out numbered." Blaze said as he and Cody laugh a little as Maz smiled even wider.

"Oh, that is okay. I can take you two any day of the week and besides, you do not think we would risk losing the mission in a fight with you guys, do you?" Maz asked as Cody and Blaze looked confused there for a moment, but regained their composure.

"Come on, Maz. Stop bluffing." Cody said as Maz replied, "Then call my bluff. If you really think it is." Cody and Blaze ran forward as Maz ducked behind them so fast; they did not have time to see him launch two kicks that knocked both of them to the ground, but they soon were back on their feet as Blaze came with a roundhouse kick to the head and Cody with a leg sweep as Maz jumped and twisted his body between the two as he landed and stood at the ready.

Buckner was running fast as he looked back and noticed he was being followed by Misty River and Emily Terra. "Excellent. The plan is running at optimal levels." Buckner thought to himself as he suddenly stopped and turned to face his two opponents who stopped in front of him.

"Greetings, Misty and Emily. A pleasure to see you on this splendid day." Buckner said in a polite manner that made them stop with confusion before answering him.

"Hello, Buckner. I hate to say it, but you have been behaving foolishly, because The Alpha Team will not complete this mission." Misty said as Emily laughed.

Buckner smiled as he replied, "Well, it appears you seem to have us trapped in a corner, but I wonder if you stopped to realize the fact that things are not always what they appear to be." Misty and Emily were taken aback by this comment as Misty spoke, "What do you mean?"

Buckner continued to smile as he collected his thoughts, "Has it ever occurred to you the reason I choose this direction? Misty, you above all of the dragons should understand the events that have occurred and what is destined to happen." Buckner said as Misty's eyes grew huge as she turned to Emily who stood a dragon's length and a dragon's foot high as her back green scales matched perfectly with her tan front scales. Her green wings were the same length as her body as her tail was three-quarters of a dragon's length long. She wore a necklace with a crystal at the end that matched her leather vest and pants as her short ram-shaped horns were the same color that accented her purple eyes.

"Emily! We have to go back! This is a trap!" Misty said as they tried to go back, but found their way blocked by Buckner who raised his hand as ropes came out of nowhere and tangled both of them.

"Excellent work, friend." Buckner said to a shadow that was lurking behind him as the shadow nodded and disappeared.

Rocky was running as his arms were stretched out behind him like a "V" as he thought, "I know this plan will work. I just hope everything goes alright." Rocky was interrupted as Ean Diamond came from the above right at Rocky, who jumped out of the way as Ean made a crater in the ground about a dragon's length around. Rocky bounced off a tree and landed as Ean Diamond and Isis Riptide came down in front of him.

"Hello, Rocky. I am glad you have top marks in the class. However, I believe you will lose this mission." Ean said as Rocky started laughing and made Ean and Isis confused as Ean replied, "Why are you laughing? Do you not realize we are going to win?"

Rocky stopped as he looked at Ean who stood at a dragon's length and two dragon feet high with green back scales that matched his brown front scales. He had a similar outfit that Rocky had with a weighted light green poncho and a yellow shirt with dark brown leather pants. His tail was three-quarters of a dragon's length long that swished madly as his wings where dark green and being the same length as his body. He was confused and frustrated at being laughed at.

"You know how to make humor, Ean! But you do not honestly believe that I would go all the way out here for nothing, do you? Think about it." Rocky said as Ean took a minute to collect his thoughts then it hit him.

"Isis, run!" Ean shouted, but it was too late as ropes came out of nowhere and tangled them up.

Rocky walked over to them. "Sorry my friends, but we knew you guys knew every tactic in the book. So, we had to come up with one that no one else knew about." Rocky said as Ean smiled and nodded as he knew they were trapped. "Good work, Kyle!" Rocky said as Kyle walked out of the shadows.

"But, how? I saw you take to the trees." Isis said as Kyle smiled as he replied, "Well, I most certainly did, but I went all the way up to the tree tops and the other three that followed, missed me completely, which gave me the advantage. Mind you, it was not easy, because I had to pick them off one at a time, but after the last one, I continued with the plan of eliminating opponents, because we had a feeling this would happen. We even planned for Raz, who can be hot headed at times and that is saying something. Now, with you guys out of the way, getting the flag will be simple."

Ean and Isis were totally stunned as Rocky nodded to Kyle, who nodded back and took off for the flag. "You're not going with him?" Ean asked as Rocky shook his head and replied, "No, because this is only an exercise. So, I am not going to leave you guys out here like this and besides, I have to make sure you guys do not escape." Ean and Isis both smiled as they relaxed, because they knew they were not going anywhere.

The forest rocked as Raz and Amber were both locked in the heat of battle with shouts and grunts being heard several miles away. Raz was smiling as he parried a kick and went in with a punch that Amber blocked easily, and then came in with her punch that caught Raz in the face, but took that punch as he able to grab her tail and fling her into a nearby tree. "Not bad Raz, but you have to do better than that." Amber said as she wipe the blood from her maw as Raz panted from the battle as he had a black-eye, and was bleeding from his maw as his left shoulder pad was torn off and a couple more dents in his armor. "I am just getting started." Raz said as he looked up at the trees, but saw nothing and thought, "Come on, Kyle."

Raz's thoughts were interrupted as he saw Amber coming down with an axle kick and jumped out of the way just as she made yet, another crater as the whole area was scarred with battle as tree limbs and craters lay scattered about.

Maz was busy fighting Cody and Blaze as Raz looked to see if he was okay which was an understatement, because he was easily holding his own against his opponents who did not give him a dragon inch to do much else.

Raz looked back up in the trees and noticed Kyle standing there with a smile on his face, waiting for the signal. Raz smiled as Amber stopped dead in her tracks as looked at him and he looked back at her. "You have lost!" Raz exclaimed as Amber turned around and saw Kyle holding the flag over his head. "But, how did you..." Amber started to ask, but then drew herself to her full height and slowly walked over to Raz with her hand extended, "You won and I acknowledge you as the leader." Amber said as Raz shook her hand. "Thank you." Raz said as she smiled and replied, "You're holding my hand." Raz quickly let go of her hand irritated again, but was glad they won.

Raz looked around and saw Rocky walking back with Ean and Isis, laughing as they told humorous stories and jokes as Raz waved his hand as the three waved back. Raz then looked the other way to see Buckner, also walking back with Emily and Misty as they were talking silently among each other. Raz waved at them too as they also waved and walked over to him and Amber as Lt. Rockwall stepped out from behind a tree. "Attention!" he shouted as everyone got back into their respective teams and stood at attention.

Lt. Rockwall walked in front of them all and studied them before speaking again, "Congratulations Alpha Team. You have captured the flag and so, your team will pass the class with top marks. However, I am going to give high marks to the rest of you for the amount of team work you have shown. For no matter how powerful you get, team work is always a must if one is to succeed in life." Lt. Rockwall finished speaking when suddenly the ground began to shake; causing some dragons to lose their balance and fall over as cracks in the ground broke open as everyone moved out of the way except for Blaze who was still on the ground as he tried to pick himself up, but kept getting knocked down as a giant crack was heading his way. Raz dove as Blaze fell through the crack, but Raz was able to grab his hand in time, "Come on. Let me get you out of there." Raz said as Blaze smiled as he was lifted out of the ground.

Deep in the crack a shadow lurked as it saw an opportunity and went into Blaze's body as Blaze was sat on the ground as the shaking stopped and Raz sensed a dark energy that reminded him of the cave and let go of Blaze's hand. Raz could see a dark Aura around him. "Blaze, are you alright?' Raz asked as Blaze lifted his head to reveal red glowing eyes with no pupils as he smiled an evil grin that sent chills down Raz's spine. "I am better than alright. But you will DIIIIIEEEE!!!!" Blaze screamed as black energy blasted out in all directions that knocked everyone off of their feet as he looked around and saw the Lieutenant looking directly at him.

"Raz! Do what you have to, but do not kill him." Lt. Rockwall said as he passed out. Raz looked back at Blaze getting ready to battle him when he felt someone's hand on his right shoulder and turned to see Maz standing there as Rocky, Buckner, and Kyle came to stand at his side, "Do not tell me you were planning on fighting without us, were you?" Maz asked as Raz looked back to Blaze and replied, "I do not wish to endanger your lives again." Maz shook his head and he continued, "Raz, what you have to realize we are highly trained now and about the incident in the cave; we have told you before. We do not blame you for the things that happened in the cave. Now, let us take care of business."

Raz nodded as he smiled and said, "Okay Alpha Team. Let us take care of this and save Blaze." Everyone nodded as they all took their fighting stance. Raz and Maz both blew out fire as Raz formed his fire sword and Maz formed a one sided fire ax. Buckner drew in the water from the air all around him and froze it to form a double-edged ice-sword and shield as Rocky stuck his arm into the ground and pulled out his rock mace as he stood at the ready. Finally, Kyle had a sword on his back that lay sideways on his back and matched his purple gee as he reached back to grab it. Raz looked back and saw this as he prayed that he would not over use the sword as the winds started to pick up. Kyle noticed the look and took his hand off as he turned the winds in his hands and stood at the ready.

"Alright, team. Tactic A." Raz yelled as Rocky, Buckner, and Kyle took up points on either side of Blaze to form a circle to surround him. "You all are going to die!" Blaze said as Raz smiled as he gave the signal. Kyle shot a blast of air at Blaze, who jumped and twisted his body around as he shot a blast of dark fire energy at Kyle, who dodged it easily as Buckner took his chance and charged with sword and shield in hand, but Blaze stepped lightly on the flat side of the sword as he built up energy. Buckner put up his ice shield, but knew that was not going to be enough as he looked back to see the unconscious bodies and knew he had to stop that blast or at the very least, divert it.

"Maz! Get Buckner out of there! Rocky! I need the hardest material you can think of to block the attack." Raz yelled as Maz quickly ran towards Buckner as Rocky thought for a moment, and then he smiled as he closed his eyes and the ground started to shake. Maz grabbed Buckner by the collar and yanked him out of the way as a wall of black diamond shot up just as Blaze unleashed a blast that deflected off and flew into the sky as it exploded.

Raz took advantage of the time and shot a fireball at Blaze who deflected it, but with some difficulty as the blast left him exhausted. He looked up, but

he lost track of Raz, who came down with a kick to the head and sent him crashing to the ground, but the shadow was not done yet, as it finally had enough and sent out another wave of energy that leveled everything and knocked Raz and his friends off their feet again. However, this time it caused more damage as Raz looked up at hand and noticed he was bleeding, then the thought hit him as he looked around and all his friends were all on the ground and not moving.

"No! It is happening again. I cannot let this happen again. NOOOOOO!!!!" Raz screamed as he started glowing white and everything stopped as Raz looked around and he smiled, but looked over to see Blaze grabbing Maze's throat. "NOT MY BROTHER! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU! HURT MY BROTHER, WILL YOU!" Raz screamed as he blew out more fire as his anger grew and intensified his fire sword until it started glowing white and charged Blaze. "DIIIIIEEEE!" Raz screamed and was about to stab Blaze when he heard something in the back of his mind, "Do not kill him."

Raz stopped within an inch of stabbing Blaze as tears started to stream down as he slowly lowered his sword, but then punch Blaze as hard as he could as everything returned to normal time. Blaze hit the ground as the shadow left his body and evaporated into nothingness as Raz dropped to his knees as he still had tears in his eyes. "Raz, what is wrong?" Maz asked as he knelt down beside Raz and tried to comfort him. "I almost killed a fellow dragon. How can I lead when I came that close to destroying one of my own? I..." Raz stopped in mid-sentence as his body seized up and he started glowing white again. "Raz! What is going on?" Maz asked as he heard someone behind him answer.

"He's beginning to shift time. I knew I should have gave him something this morning." came the voice of Miles Drakken as he and King Zallerferd came in for a landing as he quickly went over to Raz who was beginning to fade. "Father!" Raz said as his father put a golden pocket watch around his neck and started the watch. Raz returned to normal as he slowly sat up and looked around to see King Zallerferd with his royal guard, Hector who was smiling.

"What happened?" Raz asked as Miles took a deep breath and answered, "Raz, your special ability is time or rather; you have the potential of controlling the time around you. Making you able to go as fast as you want for at least ten seconds, but without the watch to help you control it; you could very well transcend time. When I say ten seconds, I mean that is how long I have set the watch to allow you to go, because if you go any longer than that. The watch will not be able to help you control your time ability."

Raz looked at the golden pocket watch with The Dragon's Head Symbol on the cover and smiled as he stood up. "How did you know I was even here?" Raz asked as Miles smiled as he replied, "Well, when you see something that big explode in the sky, I had a feeling you were right in the middle of it." Raz kind of laughed, but then something hit him as he looked over and saw Blaze still lying on the ground as he ran over. "Blaze! Are you okay?" Raz yelled as Blaze groaned a little.

"Get a health potion over here, now!" Raz shouted as he looked back to Blaze who was alive, but beat up badly. "Hang in there, Blaze. You will be alright." Raz said as medical crews began working on him. "Raz. Come over here, please." King Zallerferd requested as Raz walked over and stood next to him. "What happened? I saw that blast and I had hoped that the barrier had not broken open yet." King Zallerferd said as Raz took a moment to collect his thoughts then answered, "It is Strife, or at least one of his shadows. It gained control of his body and he so much power, I honestly thought we were going to lose Buckner. So, I had Maz get him out of the way while Rocky raised a diamond wall to deflect it. It was the only way."

King Zallerferd was smiling as he heard this as he replied, "That was brilliant, I mean absolutely brilliant. I knew you had excellent leadership skills in you and you proved it." Raz nodded and looked to see Blaze was awake. "Raz,

do not hide your feelings. You know yourself better then you give yourself credit for." King Zallerferd said as he walked off over to the rest of the dragons as Raz smiles and looks up at the sky and said, "I hope so."