Tennessee Dragon

Chapter 11: Vessel

3 days after Lee had sent the telegram, the group was still in their bunker, waiting for their deaths. The food stock was running low and Skyler and Juan were cursing Lee’s decision to leave most of the food at the mall. The destruction outside sounded some ways off and Julian brushed the dirt off a window to have a look. Once he could see, he called the others to the window. They could see the tremendous forms of Wyraach Ur and Cynder about a mile in the distance. It made Peter’s blood boil to see the damage they were doing. “Ooh how I wish I still had my powers!” he cursed.
“If you still had them,” Skyler said, “we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“We’d still be at home if Lee hadn’t demanded we come here!” Juan yelled.
“So now it’s my fault is it?”
“Yeah, if you didn’t listen to everyone all the time, not-a-one of us would be here.”
“You didn’t have to come you know!”

Juan had had enough and jumped Lee. With his superior size, he had Lee pinned initially. However, Lee had trained karate with his dad since he was 10 and was recently promoted to 2nd degree black belt. He used his escape skills to throw Juan off him and across the room. Both dragons stood and Juan charged Lee, who ducked the punch and caused Juan to hit the wall. Roaring in pain, he turned the regular fight into a dragonic one by shooting a fireball at Lee. He saw it coming and leapt into the air to avoid it. Juan had recovered enough to put all his remaining strength into one blow and, since Lee was just landing, struck Lee hard in the snout. He stumbled backward and his instincts kicked in. All his training was lost to him and he flew at Juan, claws ready to tear him apart. At the last possible second, Julian, with his immense strength, caught one of the warring dragons in each arm and said, “Cease this senseless violence immediately!” Both stopped squirming at this abrupt statement.

After they had calmed down a bit, Julian said “Is there anything you 2 want to say to each-other?”
“I’m sorry for attacking you Lee. I guess I was beginning to go stir-crazy from being cooped up in here,” Juan apologized.
“It’s ok. I think we’re all losing it a bit.” Lee walked around he room as he said this. Suddenly, he stopped at the window opposite the one Julian had looked through and said, “Come over here guys!” The others crowded the window and cleared a place to see. What they saw was truly a blessing. They saw dragons, very very many dragons. At the head of the group was what appeared to be the World Dragon Council. Councilor Kulde was at the head of the flock. He split from the group and called for anyone left alive to leave the area. Skyler heard this and said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m not staying for this.” No one made a move except Lee, who walked toward the door facing the impending battle. “Lee, are you crazy?” Skyler called after him.
“No, I’m not crazy. I just happen to know that it’s our duty as dragons to help them any way we can.”

The group went outside and met Kulde, who had just landed. He walked over the the 4 young dragons and introduced himself. “I am Councilor Kulde, the Swedish Dragon,” he said. “I got your letter to Michael Holland when he forwarded it to me. The entire Council came to help your dire situation.”
“Thank you kindly,” Lee said.
“Now,” Juan interrupted. “I suggest we get to work on these beasts, or will I have to do this alone?”
“You aren't getting all the credit for this one, feral boy!” Skyler challenged.
“Feral boy?” Kulde asked.
Juan and Skyler both sweatdropped and said, “Ohh, its nothing.”
Kulde kept a suspiscious look on his face, but turned to Skyler saying, “I'm glad you are so anxious about this very dangerous situation. After all, all of us could be killed and the world could end.”
Everyone got very big-eyed at that statement, but kept somewhat enthusiastic about it.

Kulde took off to help the battle effort, leaving the 4 youngsters to decide their fate; should they risk their lives and fight, or should they turn tail and run away?
After a long, silent moment, Julian said, “You idiot! You almost blew it! If the Council finds out about you having a feral form, they might think you're some kind of double agent working for Wyraach!”
“At least he left without thinking much of it,” Lee added.
“Either way,  we need to figure out what we're gonna do,” Skyler said.
“I know what I plan to do,” Lee announced. “I'm helping out my fellow dragons in this fight! And I strongly suggest that you come with me.”

After a moment of contemplation of Lee's statement, the others decided to do all they could to help with the Wyrrach/Cynder problem. The whole group took off at once and flew to where the fight was taking place. When the entire scene came into view, it looked like a swarm of giant bees attacking 2 giant, dragonic beekeepers. Wyraach and Cynder had already killedseveral dragons when the group arrived and had began consuming their bodies. Each kill they made, they ate the body. 10, 20, 50 dead dragons lying on the ground, until they were slurped up by either Wyraach or Cynder. Since these dragons had been born, they returned to human form the second they died. This is what caused Wyraach's and Cynder's bloodlust to go wild.

When the battle had gone for about 24 hours, the dragons in the Council began to notice something. Wyraach and Cynder didn't seem to be resisting as much as they had when the fight started! They first thought that the 2 were weakening, but they soon found out it was the fact that they were getting full from eating all the human flesh, about 120 bodies worth in all. Councilor Andam found Lee taking a rest leaning on a building as he had been at the front lines for the entire time. “Lee! We've found a weakness! Wyraach and Cynder seem to be weakening from eating all the bodies of our fallen comrades!”
“What do you want me to do about it?” Lee called back.
“We think that they might be in a state where someone may be able to reason with them and you claim to be a prime negotiator, do you not?”
“I do, but you would trust me with such an important task?”
“Yes, especially since our best negotiator was just now killed.”
“Ok, I will do everything that I can, but I guarantee nothing.”

Lee rested a few more moments before taking off to find his other friends and tell them his new assignment. He found Skyler first, nearly exhausted atop a nearby building. Lee landed on the building and kicked Skyler in the side to make sure he was alive. Skyler jumped up and had his fists balled ready to face his assailant, only to see Lee standing in front of him, with a solemn look on his face. “Wow, what's up with you?” Skyler asked.
“We need to find Juan and Julian, if they're still alive, before I tell you”
“Umm ok. Then let's find them.”

They took off in a westerly direction, and, after about 15 minutes of searching, found Julian taking a rest a mile or so from the main battle. He saw the 2 approaching and said, “Hey...guys.” He was panting and out of breath entirely. “What...are..you...doing...here?”
“We came to get you,” Lee answered. “I have a special assignment.”
“Yeah, and he won’t tell me what it is until we find Juan!” Skyler blurted.
“Well…then,” Julian began to recover his breath, “let’s not waste any more time.”
“I agree,” Lee said, then he flew off. Skyler helped Julian up and they followed him.

It took quite a while to find Juan. He had shifted into his feral form for the fight and had been taken down by Wyraach and was now lying at his feet. Lee told Julian and Skyler to stay back while he landed in the street to sneak up and get Juan, who was passed out in the left lane of the road. As he inched forward, Lee could hear and see Wyraach munching on more dead bodies. Juan was soon in reach and Lee shook him to wake him. Lee covered Juan’s mouth to keep him quiet and said, “Get in your anthro form and come with me. Keep quiet or we'll be killed for sure.”
Juan nodded and after he went to anthro, followed Lee out from under the shadow of the Chaos God.

Wyraach and Cynder had continued to eat the corpses and were now close to getting full. Lee and Juan picked up Skyler and Julian and flew to a building about a half a mile away from the main battle area. Once everyone had gotten together, Lee said, “Guys, this may be the last time you ever hear from me.”
“Why do you say that Lee?” Juan asked.
“The task the Council has assigned me is a dangerous one. The fighters have noticed a loss in the Chaos Gods' resistance and believe it is due to their consumption of the dead bodies of our fallen comrades. They want me to go and try to reason with them and get them to stop their destruction, and maybe go into a state where they will not be as big a problem in society. Possible using Peter as a vessel for Wyraach to make his home in.”
“That's your assignment, to try and make peace with Chaos Gods?!?!” Skyler blurted.
“That's a short way of putting it, yes.”
“I'm not saying you should defy a direct order like that, but that's crazy don't you think?” Julian asked.
“I said I would do anything for the safety of the dragon race and if that includes possibly giving my life for the cause, then so be it.”
“We will not try and stop you, but we wish you luck,” Skyler, Juan, and Julian said together.

Lee flew back to where he had earlier spoken with Andam. The Councilor was still there and Lee greeted him. “Hello Councilor Andam. I have spoken with me friends and will take the role of negotiator.”
“I'm glad you will accept, because we have lost too many of our forces to this menace. They do, however, seem even more 'docile' than before so it might be easier to reason with them than we originally thought.”
“Yes, that does seem to be the case.”
“I wish you luck in your mission Lee.” Andam saluted Lee in a dragonic manor.

After he had saluted Andam, Lee took off toward Wyraach. He had to dodge many things to get close, some of these things were the remains of late dragons. Wyraach did not take notice as Lee landed on his shoulder until Lee began speaking. “Why do you consider us your enemies Chaos God?”
Wyraach looked around for a moment before noticing a blue speck  on his shoulder. “Why do I fight you? Becausse you fight me, and resssisstt me and yourrr own urrrrge forrr domintaion! You arrre loyal to thessse filthy crrreaturressss, the humanssss.”
“I am loyal to them because they are my former species.”
“Sssso you werrre once a human! That doessssn't make sssensssse.”
“It's a long story.”
“I have time.”
“I don't. Now let's skip the small talk. What is it that you hope to accomplish by destroying the Dragon Council?”
“Worrrld domination of coursssse. Why?”
“I just think that it may not be worth it.”
“What makesss you think that?”
“Because you will be lonely with just you two, you and Cynder here.”
“We do not plan to be alone forrreverrr.” He gave a loving nudge to Cynder.
“Too much information there... anyway, I propose a deal.”
“I'm lisssstening.”
“Well, how about this. You have magic powers do you not? Maybe you could use Peter as a host body. His soul seems to be perfect for you since he got the Coke containing your spirit completely by chance.”
“That would be nice to be able to live in normal sssociety without humansss pessstering me all the time. But, what about food? And what about Cynderrr? Sssshe will live underrrr consssstant attack!”
“As for your food, maybe you could come out once in a while to eat. As long as you control yourself, I don' think human society will notice a few missing people every few weeks. For Cynder, maybe you can use your magic to give her an anthro-form of some sort, that way she can still live with you in Peter's house until you find a suitable host for her.”
“That actually soundssss verrry good, and well thought out, essspecially for one ssso young. I will agrrrree to thosssse termsss, asss long assss Cynderrr issss ok with them.”
“I will leave you to think about it.”

Wyraach turned to Cynder and began asking her what she though about Lee's proposal as Lee flew back to Andam to give him the news. “They are considering my ideas,” Lee told Andam.
“Do you think they will like your ideas?”
“I sure hope so, or we will have an even more serious problem on our hands.”
“Them we will prey that they agree.”

Lee flew off to where he last saw his friends. When he got to where he was going, he was surprised to not see them. Unbeknownst to Lee, they had gone off to find Kulde and ask if there were any special assignments for them. Lee freaked out, thinking that they had gotten killed. He flew around the area roaring for the trio, with the worst ideas about their fate in his head. He did this for about half an hour before finally spying them standing near Kulde and a newly anthro Wyraach Ur and Cynder. They were discussing a possible peace treaty when Lee landed. “If we promise to keep you safe from the humans and to allow you to stay alive you agree to stop your rampage. Are these terms correct?” Kulde asked.
“Yessss, thesssse arrre the terrrrmssss upon which we agrrreed. The one thing you forrrgot isss my sssssemi-annual feedingssss.”
Kulde seemed a bit unnerved by this, but said, “We will agree to let you feed once in a while, but only as long as you control yourself.”
Peter was off to the sidelines listening to the conversation as best he could. Kulde called him over to ask his agreement. “Peter, do you agree to be the human host for the spirit of Mr. Wyraach Ur? This will include letting him take you over every few weeks to feed on a few humans.”
“I agree,” Peter said after a moment of reflection. “Mr. Ur, you may use me as an earthly host, but try not to let me taste it when you feed.”
“I will do all that I can,” Wyraach answered.

Everyone stepped back to allow Wyraach to do his work. He prepared a powerful spell to allow himself to live in a host body for an extended period of time. Casting the spell on Peter and himself, the 2 began to be magically pulled toward one another. They melded and Wyraach's anthro form appeared before the group. “Did it work?” Lee asked.
“I, I think so,” Peter said.
Wyraach then spoke. “Itsssss not the mossst comfortable place to be in, but it will do.”
“How do I change back to...me?” Peter asked seemingly no one.
“I have fixed that parrrt of the ssssspell to be quite easssy. Jussst concentrrrrrate on yourrr human forrrm and it will become rrreality.”
Peter did this and it happened just as Wyraach had said. The transformation was more bloody than he would've liked, but it happened. In only a few moments, human Peter stood before the Dragon Council, still fully clothed, to everyone's relief. “Well, how do I look?” he asked.
“Just as dark as usual,” Juan joked.
“Alright funny man, enough. We need to figure out something to clean this place up.” Lee commented.
“That,” replied Kulde, “would be our job.” He called the entire Dragon Council to him and they put themselves and the others in the group in a magic-proof bubble while they worked.  All the dragons called forth as much magical energy as they could muster and put it upon the city, making it repair itself within minutes. Lee, Julian, Juan, and Skyler were stupified by the sight of destroyed buildings being rebuilt from their foundations, just like a phoenix would rise from its ashes. When it was done, London looked just like it did 5 days before, when the Americans had just arrived. The bubble burst and everyone ran to the old safehouse so that normal human society wouldn't find out about them, at least, not yet.

Most of the world's dragons had gone home. Kulde and Andam were all that were left to see that everything went smoothly. Kulde gave Lee something and told him to give it to Julian. Lee walked over to Julian, who was staring out the window as the sun was rising. He had felt Lee's presence coming up behind him and said, “Beautiful isn't it?”
“What?” Lee was confused.
“The London sunrise. It's beautiful.”
“I guess, but don't go all hippy-dippy on me. Besides, I need to give you something.”
“What is it?”
“It's a magical business permit given to me by Councilor Kulde to give to you to allow you to legally continue the production of your Cokes, as long as they are kept pure.”
“Wow thanks!” Julian said, taking the card.
“I've been wondering something,” Juan announced.
“What is it?” Skyler asked.
“How are we gonna get home? We already know we can't fly all the way there by ourselves.”
“But can't you just...” Lee began. 'Idiot! He can't go feral around the Council!' Lee thought to himself. “You're right, how are we going to get home? Our parents must be worried to death.”
“I can get you there,” Andam offered.
“You wouldn't mind?” Juan asked.
“Of course not. It will just take a moment to chant the incantations.”

Lee walked over  to Peter, who, under Wyraach's control, was snuggling Cynder. “I am glad to see you two are happy,” he said.
“Yesss, thanksss to you, we can now live in sssemi-norrrrmal sssociety with privilegesssss.” Wyraach seemed pleased with his new lifestyle.
“Yesss Lee, thank you,” Cynder added.
“I guess I'll see Peter on DA sometime then.”
Councilor Andam had finished the chants and a lighted circle appeared on the ground in front of him. “That is your portal home. Just stand in the center of it when you are ready.”
“I'm good to go,” Skyler leapt into the circle.
“Me too,” added Juan. He stepped in as well.
Lee backed into the light waving to his friends and the Councilmen. It looked like a scene from an old movie. They all waved as the trio's bodies began to particulate and disappear into the light.

Lee, Skyler, and Juan came out on the other side or the portal to quite a surprise. Andam had made a slight miscalculation and put the trio under the waters of the local lake, which the dragons didn't notice until they tried to breath. They each got a nose-full of water and instantly fled for the surface. When all 3 had reached the air, Skyler, after spitting out a large fish, said, “Nice going genius!”
“Hey, don't be mad at him. At least we're in Soddy,” Lee defended.
“He could've at least put us at your house.”
“Don't be ungrateful. He didn't have to do that at all. If you had preferred to get home another way, you should have said so.”
“What ever. What's with him?” Skyler asked, pointing to Juan.
Lee went over an waved a hand in his friend's face, a failed attempt to divert his gaze, to which Juan said, “Look!”