*All dragons are copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 11

Plans

Bay City. Peter looked around with interest. He'd never been here before, "Why here?"

"Because, Peter, we have a much better underworld system here. There's no Protector here to stop us, only a bunch of cops that are all part of that underworld society. Now move it. My employer does not like to be kept waiting." Peter felt the griffin's gun jab him in the back as they started walking again.

"Why is he so interested in me?"

"You'll see. Now keep moving!" They walked through the city to a small building that looked near to collapsing. Peter smiled. It was the same design he had made for his 'ruined' home. The structure was probably more stable than most of the other buildings in the city. Peter was pushed through the front door into a seemingly empty room. He studied each and every crack in the walls, then found it.

"They have a secret door just like mine..." He found himself wondering what else they'd copied from him. Over to the left, by the secret door, was a crooked picture frame, which in reality would hold numerous guns and amunition behind it. The griffin opened the secret door and ushered Peter inside. There was a long hallway that headed down in a slant almost unnoticable, "These people have copied every aspect of my house!" However at the bottom of the hallway was not a stash of weapons, nor were there any illegal drugs stuffed inside it. It was a whole new room, filled with many other griffins and dragons. Peter recognized one instantly. He stopped right where he was and bowed to a winged griffen with blue feathers, "He wants to see me?!!! Why would the greatest crime lord on the island want to see me?!!"

There were a few chuckles around the room as that very griffin walked over to Peter. The griffin was wearing black clothes from head to foot, including the black gloves he wore at all times. His boots were sleek and almost shined in the dim lighting of the room, "Get up, Mr. Whitman. You do not need to bow." Peter looked up at the crimelord. He only knew of one thing to call him.

"I have to, Master. No one is superior to you."

To his surprise, the griffin laughed, "You might be right there, Whitman, but I don't think so. Now get up."

Peter slowly rose to his feet. When the griffin held out his hand, Peter didn't quite know what to expect, but he shook it. There were gasps all around the room, then every eye was on him, "What's happening?"

The griffin laughed again, "I've just named you my successor. You are now the second most powerful figure in this city."

Peter was stunned, "B--but why?"

The griffin flicked his hand, a signal to the rest in there to leave, for they all started filing out. He motioned for Peter's gaurd to leave as well, and when they were alone, the griffin sat down, "First off, Peter, I'm not called master by anyone unless they are simple petty crooks who can't do anything without help. Secondly, you call me Sylo."

Peter flinched at the name, "You can't be serious."

"And why not?" Sylo reached behind his back and pulled out a mask. It was one of an electric dragon, "Who better to watch you than the very one who wants you to replace him? You were the one who made this place. Your designs were brilliant. No one has even thought to look in here. That's why I have decidied to give it all to you, the rightful owner."

Peter looked around the room, "He wants all of this to be mine? He wants me to be the next crimelord?!! Why?!!!!!"

Sylo ushered a dazed and confused Peter into a new room, "This is your new home, Peter. You start controling tomorrow."

"WHAT?!!!"

"I'm retiring. I've gotten too old to do anything but sit in my chair and tell people what to do. Finding you was the last thing I planned to do before letting go...It's all yours now. I'm willing to bet you want to get rid of that girl--what was her name? Hana? You do that with the help of your men and then start running the place. I'll show you what we own in this city." Sylo led him around various parts of the city, explaining what was there and why. He answered every question Peter gave to him and even showed him a few secrets he claimed that only he knew about. They had already made plans for what Peter would do when he had finished with Hana by the time they came back to the ruined house.

"Hana?.."

Hana opened tired eyes when she heard the voice, "Gareth, is that you?"

"Hana!" She felt arms wrap around her, hugging her where she lay, "Hana, I was so worried!"

"What happened?.." She started to sit up. It became to hard when dizzyness set in. She let herself fall back onto the bed, "I remember telling someone..."

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm so sorry about what I did!"

She gently put an arm on his shoulder, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted like that. You aren't to blame." She absently noticed that others were in the room with them, "Gareth, who are they?"

He smiled when she pointed to the figures behind him, "The Deep Rockers all came and stayed with me while we waited for you to wake up."

"The--you're joking. The Deep Rockers came to see us?!!"

"No, they came to see you." One of the figures behind Gareth said. Hana looked toward the voice, it was Ace, "When we heard what happened, we rushed over. We've been here for nearly twelve hours now."

Hana was shocked, "They all waited that long for me to wake up? But--but I don't even know them! Why are they doing this?!"

It almost seemed like Gareth had heard her thoughts whe he spoke, "They care about you, Hana. Just like I do. How do you feel?"

"Tired, and heavy. I can't feel my left arm anymore. Care to explain?"

Gareth's mood darkened, "You can thank me for that. When I was diving down at you, Peter had shot at you. I thought he'd missed when he ran off, until I saw a dart in your arm. He had shot you with a poison, and I thought you were dead. Another friend of mine--the one you talked to--brought you to the hospital. I--I thought you--Oh, Hana, I love you." He squeezed her again and let go.

"Aw, that's beautiful!" Hana watched Gareth jump up when he heard the voice. It belonged to a doctor who was standing in the doorway, "I can't believe I missed most of it!"

"Sarrah?!" Gareth started stuttering, "You--you were the--you--"

"Yes, Gareth, that was me." She cut him off before he could emberrass himself any further, "I told you the doctor had granted your permission to stay, didn't I? Who said I couldn't be the doctor? Or the surgeon for that matter. I've been studying biomechanics for a long time. Did you think I was going to let Bill have all the experience?"

"Who?" Hana asked. She felt more confused than ever, "What are you talking about?"

"Gareth, do you want us to leave?" This time it was Kia who had spoken.

Gareth sighed, "You don't have to, but it would be nice. Thanks for coming guys."

They all smiled and left the two of them alone. Hana turned her full attention to Gareth, "The Deep Rockers...I can't believe they came to see me!!"

"Neither could I until I saw them up in the observitory. There are a few things I think I should explain, but I think you already know about the shape-changing ability."

"What else is there?"

"Well--okay, I have to be honest with you. When I found you with the dart in your arm, I truly thought you had died. I think I went a bit overboard."

"What do you mean?" Hana asked as she motioned for him to sit on the bed with her.

He sat down, "I almost killed Peter. I was so crushed at the thought of you dead that I wanted to kill him. I was tempted to do something even worse!"

Hana shook, "What do you mean? What's worse than--than death?"

"I told him about how humans experimented with animals. I explained to him a fate worse than death that is entirely possible. In my world, scientist dissect creatures to learn more about them. It can get pretty gruesome."

Hana listened with growing horror as he told her what he had said, how he had enjoyed hearing someone else scream. He ended up crying long before he was finished. They sat in compaionable silence for a while after.

Babe walked outside when he left them, "How do I tell them? Is there even a soft way to break it to them? That dragon got away from me, how do I tell them when they think he's behind bars now?"

"Babe?" He turned when he heard Sarrah's voice, "Why are you out here?"

"Remember when I chased after Gareth? I saved that water dragon from being killed. I'm starting to think now that I should have let him die."

"Babe?"

"I know. I don't think I would have been able to, either. But he got away from me, Sarrah. He got away. A griffin dressed like a police officer freed him. I've been trying to think of a way to tell them..."

"I'll do it. They need to hear it, and I don't want you to talk yourself into a corner."

"Promise not to tell them who I am?"

"I won't even hint at it. You should head back to Bill's and get a tune-up. I'll call if anything happens."

Babe carressed her hair, kissed her goodbye, and walked away.

"Should we ask them? I say it'd be a great idea." Pik folded his arms for emphasis.

"Don't count on them saying yes. We'll have to wait until Hana can leave. I like it though." Player smiled.

Kia shook her head, "Listen you two. Everyone thinks this is a good idea. Let's ask them and find out what their answer is. We do need a new bodygaurd after all."

Ace laughed, "Yeah. Ever since our last one got trampled we've had trouble finding another that'll stay with us!" He cleared his throat, "So...who's going to ask?.." All eyes turned toward him. He stepped back a bit, "Oh, no. I won't do it." Five minutes later he found himself standing outside Hana's room, "I can't believe I'm doing this! Man, they owe me!!" Ace lifted his hand to knock on the door, only to have it open before he could.

"Ace? What are you doing here?" Gareth asked when he opened the door.

Ace scratched the back of his head, uneasiness starting to set in, "Umm...the gang and I were wondering if...well, seeing as how you've got those changing powers and all..."

"Yes?"

"Ah...we need a bodygaurd who'll actually stay with us when we go on tours. The last one quit when he got trampled..."

Gareth looked back inside the room, "What do you think, Hana? Should we say yes?"

"YES!!!! SAY YES!!!!"

Gareth chuckled, "I guess we're yours then. When do we leave next?"

"Soon as Hana can. We won't schedule another concert until she's able to leave the hospital."

"Then get packing." Gareth stepped to one side and showed Hana, who was literally jumping with excitement, "The doctor says she can leave whenever she's ready. She got used to her new arm almost immediately."

"Then that's it?" Ace could hardly believe how simple that had been, "Wow. And here I thought I'd have to beg or something...huh, go figure." He smiled and shook Gareth's hand, "Okay. I'll tell the rest of 'em then. Hana, can you get to Gareth's apartment tomorrow morning?"

She suddenly stopped jumping, "My jobs...I forgot completely about my jobs. How long would we be gone?"

"Weeks, at least."

"Then I can't go...there's no way I'd be able to keep my jobs if we left!"

Ace sighed with relief, "Then what are you worried about? We already planned to pay you. You're being hired, so you should be able to count on pay. We wouldn't ask you to do it for nothing! It wouldn't be fair!"

"C'mon, Hana. Ready to go?" Gareth turned to Ace, "Where's the first stop?"

"We're starting at Bay City. Then we'll--"

Gareth cut in, "Bay city's far enough for starters. I don't want to know where we go 'till we get there. I'm still new to this island, remember."

"Okay then. The gang and I will be at your apartment first thing tomorrow morning. See ya soon!"

*All dragons are copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 12

Train Ride

Gareth and Hana slept well that night. Gareth had taken the couch while Hana had slept in his bed. both would have had beds, but Emily had been invited by Shane to come over again that night, creating a bit of a problem until Gareth had offered to take the couch. In the morning they both said goodbye to Shane and Emily, then walked outside. Ace was just walking up to the door when they arrived at the bottom floor. Gareth waved and half-ran the rest of the way. Hana wasn't far behind. They got on a bus that had been parked outside their apartment and waited as they were driven, with the Deep Rockers, to a train station. From there they were told it would take about a day to reach Bay City. Gareth and Hana sat down by a window to watch the scenery go by.

"Well? How do you like it so far?"

Gareth looked away from the window, "Hmm? Oh, hey Player. It's not bad. Wanna sit with us?"

He smiled, "Thanks, but I promised to spend some time with Tammy. This is her first train ride."

"Tammy's here? Why not let her sit with us?"

"She's having too much fun just running around. I wouldn't be able to get sitting still unless she was hungry!"

"Why not tell her that Gareth's on the train?"

"You're in dragon form right now. How would you plan to change with all of the others walking around!"

"I was thinking of heading to a vacant bedroom to 'change'. See ya in a few minutes!" Gareth walked through a few of the train cars before he found any bedrooms. He went into the first one he saw, which was fortunately vacant, and changed back into a human. He expolred some of the train cars as he walked back. There were quite a few others on this train, "It seems like this is the main source of transportation. I wonder why they don't just fly everywhere? It can't be that tiring, can it?" Gareth watched as trees passed by the window at a dizzying rate, "Maybe this is just faster than flying." After a few minutes of watching the trees, he decided to head back. Their seat was almost completely full by the time he returned, mostly with fans trying to reach the band huddled in the center. Gareth pushed and shoved until he was there with them, "So--this is why--you hired us?"

Player was crouching around something protectively, growling at anyone who got too close. Hana was busy trying to keep the crowd from running over Pik and Kia, and Gareth had accidentally found his way to the rest. Ace was busy trying to climb above their reaching hands, "Pretty much! Can we get a little help now?! Gareth nodded as he was pushed backwards out of the crowd. He ducked behind a corner and changed as fast as he could, then came back out.

"ENOUGH!!!" He shouted. His voice was so loud that several in the mob of fans looked over at him, "I SAID ENOUGH!!!!!!!!" that time he was loud enough that the entire group stopped what they were doing to stare at him. He bullyed his way through the crowd until he reached Ace again, "Sir, I think you and your group should retire for the day." He turned to the crowd, "Let them pass! Move aside and let them pass!" Instantly an isle opened up, letting the Deep Rockers walk back to the bedroom cars. Gareth shut the door as Kia, the last in line, stepped through. Once on the other side, everyone started laughing. Gareth walked up to Player, "How'd I do?"

Player slowed his laughter to respond, "Man! That was impressive! Where have you been all this time!"

Ace was next, "Yeah! No one has ever been able to do that before! Damn, but you were good out there! You'll stay bodyguard, right?"

Hana walked up by Gareth, "Are you kidding?! Here I finally get to hang out with the Deep Rockers, and you're thinking we'd want to quit?! I don't know about Gareth, but I'll stay!"

"So will I. That was fun!" Gareth chuckled a bit as he thought of the shocked looks he'd been given, "I've never gotten so much attention before! Can we do that again?"

"NO!!!" Pik and Kia both shouted at the same time. More laughter followed.

There was a tiny squeek in Player's direction as Tammy slowly ventured out from behind him, "Sir? Who are you?.."

Gareth crouched down to her height, "Hi, Tammy. I was hoping we'd see each other again under a bit less...stressful circumstances, but I guess it couldn't be helped." Gareth changed into human form, "How've you been, Tammy?"

"Gareth!" She rushed up and hugged him, "How did you do that?! That was so cool! I really thought you'd be--" Tammy stopped, emberrassed.

Gareth finished her sentence, "Dangerous? Coming from you, Tammy, I'll take that as a compliment." He held her out at arms length, "So...who do you think changed more since we last met?"

That brought a giggle from her, as he'd hoped it would. The rest of the train trip went on without much happening. There had been signs of another fan frenzy a few times, but each time Gareth showed up as a dragon, they either rushed back to their seats, hid, or stood frozen in place. Gareth began to like his new job.

"You told them?"

"Well..."

"C'mon, Sarrah! You did tell them, didn't you?!"

Sarrah rubbed her shoulder a bit, "I tried, but they were gone when I got to their room. I came back down to catch them, but I got stopped. Had another patient to check on...I tried."

"Sarrah! Call Kia right now! Gareth and Hana need to know!" Babe shook her where she stood, "If they don't keep their eyes open for that dragon, he'll be able to surprise them again! We can't let that happen!"

Sarrah gently forced Babe to let go of her, "But Babe. If I tell them, they'll suspect you. We've told so many about your secret already...do you really want nore to know?"

"Forget it! I'll fly and tell them!" Babe looked for someplace where he could pull out his wings unseen. He found a deserted alley, latched on his helmet, then flew toawrd Bay City, "I hope I'm in time!"

"Listen. I'm telling you, this rock concert is the perfect cover up." Peter slammed his fist on the table they all sat around, "Everyone will go to that concert. We could rob this city blind!"

"An what do you propose to do? We've been in this for a long time, we know what we could be doing right now."

Peter eyed the white jumper that sat in one of the chairs, "If we had someone moniter the concert to see when it was over, then we could call the rest and make it away and back here before the end of the last song! This plan is simple! In order to pull it off, you need only thieves who know how to break into a place, and cell phones! Have any of you even tried to use one before?! In fact, we could take some phones first, hand them out among the thiefs we plan to use, then take practically anything we want! It's easy!"

"Too damned easy. There are bound to be gaurds out. No one who owns any sort of business would leave theirs unguarded."

"What did I just say? We have common thieves break into the buildings. If you don't think one man can do it, then have groups of five go to every bank and store in this city! Why won't you agree?!!"

"It sounds too small. I say we--"

"TOO SMALL!!!!!!! YOU IDIOT!!!! WE COULD ROB EVERY PLACE IN THIS CITY, AND YOU THINK IT'S TOO SMALL?!!!!!! FOR THE LAST TIME, THINK!!!!!" Peter felt ready to shoot the jumper, "These fools aren't thinking at all! We have a golden opportunity arriving tomorrow, and they won't do a thing about it!" He decided to take matters into his own hands, "You bastards are all officially retired. None of you are thinking straight. Find someone you trust for your replacement by midnight tonight, or expect your entire gang of thieves to become mine by morning. I don't care how you do it, just find someone. If you don't start looking, I will personally kill you myself. Now go." There was a stunned silence in the room. Peter ground his teeth together, "ARE YOU ALL DEAF TOO?!! I SAID GO!!!!!"

They ran.

Late that night, Gareth woke to the sound of feet outside his door. He yawned a bit and rubbed tired eyes as he walked over to see what had woken him, "I've become a light sleeper. I keep waking up right when it's the worst possible time!" He yawned once more and opened the door. Waiting on the other side was Tammy. She was holding a stuffed toy, "More like squeezing it to death. What's she so afaid of?" Gareth started to kneel down, then thought better of it and transformed instead. He made himself look like a Risso pet: blue without wings.

Tammy giggled when he stood on all fours, "They don't allow many pets on this train, Gareth!" She whispered while trying to hold back more laughter, "You're gonna get us in trouble!"

"Well then, do you want to come inside?"

Tammy blushed a little, "Yes please." She walked in and let Gareth close the door behind her.

"May I ask what's wrong?"

"I had a nightmare..."

"You wanna talk about it? Or do you just need a place to sleep?"

"I can't sleep. I try to, but the nightmare keeps coming back...Can I just stay up tonight with you?"

"Why not Player?"

"He won't wake up. I even tried to shake him!" Tammy giggled, "He wouldn't even wake up when I threw water on him!"

Gareth smiled at the thought, "Well, since he's not awake, I guess you can stay in here."

Tammy smiled and hugged him, "Were you asleep when I came by?"

"What? Oh, nah." Gareth tried hard, but he couldn't stop another yawn from escaping him, "I've been up for a while now." Gareth went and sat down on a chair by a window, "Isn't that fascinating, Tammy? Look at how fast everything zooms by."

"Yeah...I've never been on a train before..."

Gareth perked up a bit, "Really? Me neither!"

She giggled again, "Yes you have. You're a grown up. Every grown up has been on the trains at least once."

"Who told you that? 'Cause if it's true, then they either lied to you, or I'm the only one on the planet who's never ridden a train until just now. Hey, Tammy, let me show you something. I forgot to mention it earlier." Gareth rumaged around in a little chest they had in their room. When he found what he was looking for, he smiled.

"But that's just a piece of paper..."

"Yeah, right now. Watch for about five minutes. I'm going to show you something called origami..."

Babe shot across the countryside. Below him were train tracks that led from Yann City to Bay City, and these were the only guidelines he had to follow the train. Somewhere far ahead his sensors picked up a moving object far larger than any animal on the island, "I'm finally getting close! Can I catch them before they reach Bay City?"