The Crystal Dragon Series Collection

by Katie Cherry

  The black dragon’s snout wrinkles and he snorts in anger again. We wouldn’t need the green dragons to take care of survivors if Gale had either had the blacks join us- or my clan to go alone, themselves! Our clan is the strongest as well as the largest, besides the greens. It isn’t right! Dragons are not to be calling a retreat when fighting those puny weaklings- they should be the ones running from us! I don’t care if they are led by a man whose name is Patrick! I don’t care if one of them suddenly has a ton more power and is his runner-up; I don’t care! We should have destroyed them with ease! …I will have to talk with Gale the Gold about this.

  He stalks towards the council room where Gale and the other council members await his report. When he enters the vast room, he heads directly towards Gale, the largest of them all. The black dragon had been taught to respect him, but he was too proud. Gold dragons were supposed to have immense power when needed, but he doesn’t believe it. If he has that kind of power, then he would use it to protect us, to wipe the humans off the face of Zilferia and rid us of their power-hungry wars forever! But he hasn’t. He is a weakling and a disgrace to all Dragonkind.

  It’s with this attitude that he approaches the leader of the dragons, the one dragon he resents most. Except, perhaps, the Dragongirl. She had one mission, and she had failed. Horrifically. He would never forgive her for that- or for the council for foolishly trusting her to save them.

  Gale lifts his head at his approach. “Ah, very good. You are back, Vincent the Proud. How did it go?”

  Vincent snorts flames once more to show his seething anger. “We had to call for a retreat. Half of the attack party is dead. Most of the survivors are out cold and being tended to by the green clan. We lost this battle. …And it was all because of you, you stupid, weak, pathetic excuse for a dragon!” he continues, his anger unable to be contained any longer. “If you had let me lead my clan out into battle, then we would have been victorious. We would have succeeded if the council had fought as well- that is, if you are as powerful as you have led everyone to believe. We lost because the purple clan is weak. They were slaughtered like lambs. It was pathetic, and I am disgusted by your neglect. We cannot win a war like this. The Sohos, despite what you believe, will not be able to help us. They are weaker than us and are weaker than the Dragon Hunters as well. The mermaids may be fighting their underwater war, but they are losing as well.

  “Soon all of Zilferia will be at war with these humans, and we will all be destroyed. We are the most powerful of all creatures in Zilferia, yet we cannot stand up to them because of weak leadership.”

  Gale sighs wearily. “What do you mean to do about it? If the Dragon Hunters are more powerful than us, then they are simply too powerful for us. There is nothing we can do.”

  “Wrong. We are not weak; we are the most powerful of all creatures! We are only losing because you do not know how to direct an army.”

  “And you think that you do?” The sapphire dragon bites back.

  “Yes. The black dragons are known for their great abilities at fighting.”

  “Maybe so, but they are not so good at strategizing and planning ahead.”

  “Well, look at how far that’s gotten us in this war! We are losing because you just sit in here and think! Well, thinking will not be what wins this war. It will be the amount of power and strength we can muster. Thanks to your failures, we won’t even have as much force as we had to work with before.

  “…I ask, for the good of our very race, to be a part of this council. I also ask that the council will join us in fighting. The dragons have no heart to fight when their leaders are cowering and hiding. They need someone to lead them. I will lead them, but if you join me, they will be more courageous and therefore have the power and drive to defeat these rebel humans.”

  The dragons are silent, stunned by Vincent the Proud’s forwardness. They then begin arguing among themselves. Grinning to himself, the black dragon lowers himself to the ground, content to wait for them to reach a conclusion. It doesn’t take long for them to get back to him. The silver dragon steps forward to deliver their answer.

  “Vincent the Proud,” he begins, “We have considered your offer and have discovered that we are divided. Some of us would have you join, but some would not.” Gale, the sapphire, and the white dragon glare at Vincent while the rest of the council glare at the other three. “We are very sorry, but this will cause a delay until we can all have a more unanimous vote. We would still be very pleased if you would continue to lead a part of the army.”

  Growling, Vincent finally manages to lower his head. “Very well. I trust the council has their reasons for not wanting to let me help. I will continue to lead the dragons into battle on the hopes that we may be able to win this war despite our lack of leadership. Good day,” he concludes before stalking away from them and flapping up to the hole at the top of the volcano. He perches on the highest section of the rim and gazes out over what used to be a beautiful view. Now it is nothing more than something to inspire him to never give up, or else the future could be even worse.

  Vincent looks out sadly at the burning section of the forest where the Dragon Hunters are cheering after yet another victory. The last few rays of light from the sun catch the smoky air and reflect on the metal machines the Dragon Hunters had created to destroy his race. A tear slides out of his eye as he pictures a future with no dragons; no life. He feels an immense sadness weighing on his heart. I will do all that I can to prevent that from happening, he promises himself. I will never let these humans completely destroy the world. If I have to, I will stop them all myself. It shouldn’t be that hard. I just have to kill the one called Patrick and his underling, the one they call Hunter. I know that Hunter recently gained strange powers, but they will not be enough to defeat me.

  …I will save all of Dragonkind, even if I have to do it alone. Reaching a decision, Vincent launches into the air and starts toward the burning section. He knows just where to find this ‘Hunter.’ He had seen him disappear when fighting one of his dragons, and he also saw him talking to a liger that then attacked a dragon- which was completely against its nature. He figures that wherever there is a clump of animals, the boy was likely to be there. He flies around the area until he spots a man suddenly lift into the air and begin moving forward. He is followed by five others.

  There he is… Vincent follows them and quickly catches up. He swiftly kills the five in the back of the group. The one in the front spins around, his brown eyes wide with fear. He promptly disappears. Growling, Vincent whirls around, trying to find him. Then he suddenly feels a strange weight at the base of his head. Startled, he quickly dives toward the ground, hoping the strong wind would tear the boy off.

  When he lands, he finds that he is still clinging to his horns, panting for breath. Angry, Vincent tilts his head back and looses a torrent of fire which then rains back down on them both. It doesn’t affect the boy. Oh, that’s right… these Dragon Hunters have some kind of removable scales that protect them from fire…

  He then hears the boy’s voice in his ear. “Be calm, dragon,” he soothes. Against his will, Vincent’s muscles slowly relax. “Yes, very good. Now listen to me, dragon. I am a Dragon Hunter. That means I kill dragons… in fact, I killed many of your friends today.”

  “They were not my friends,” Vincent bites back.

  “Ah… I see. You’re a proud one, no friends, full of yourself… did you think you could kill me all by yourself?” Vincent snorts and doesn’t answer, trying to buck the boy off of his long neck. He clings on stubbornly. “Calm down, I won’t hurt you,” he assures. Vincent’s mind rolls. He knows the boy is lying, yet he is calming down and relaxing. What is going on? “That’s better… you know, I could kill you… but I think it would be better to keep you as a pet, eh? Sound like fun?” At this, Vincent stands again and roars, shooting fire into the sky.

  “Never, puny human! I will destroy you! You might as well surrender now!” The boy just laughs at the threat.r />
  “Yes, I think I will keep you… then I can practice these new Gifts I’ve received. …My name is Hunter. Tell me, dragon, what is yours?”

  Against his will, he replies. “I am Vincent the Proud, Prince of the black dragon clan. …Get out of my head! I will not answer any of your questions!”

  Hunter laughs. “Oh, but you will, Vincent, you will. I simply use my new Gift of ‘befriending animals’ to control them… I’ve already gotten quite good at it, in case you couldn’t tell,” he chuckles. Vincent growls and wiggles beneath him, but he can’t knock him loose. “Although in case that doesn’t work,” the boy continues, “Then I shall just read your mind and pry out whatever information I desire. …I can even make it fun and make it hurt.” A werewolf then bursts out of the undergrowth. He freezes, eyes wide as he sees the black dragon before him. “Stay,” Hunter commands it. He remains frozen, although he looks very much like he wants to run. “Now then, Vincent, let’s see what you can do… kill the werewolf.”

  Vincent’s second stomach instantly starts rolling as he fights to disobey the command, but after only a few seconds, a stream of fire erupts from his mouth, shooting toward the werewolf and incinerating him in seconds.

  Hunter laughs gleefully. “This will be fun.”

  Pronunciation Guide

  Asoka: Uh-soe-kuh

  Beryl: Bear-ell

  Demeter: Deh-meat-er

  Giusto: Gee-oo-s-toe

  Hausdorff: Hah-s-dore-ff

  Nehru: Neh (like net)-roo

  Sietta: (Like Sierra) Sea-ett-uh

  Thaddeus: Thuh-day-us

  Y’vette: Yeh-vet

  Zilferia: Zill-fear-E-uh

  Zyloff: Z-eye-loff

  First Earth

  Book Two of

  the Crystal Dragon Series

  Katie Cherry

  Dedicated to my Family and Friends.

  Love you guys!

  PROLOGUE

  When Life Gives You Lemons….

  As the tears drip from Janet’s eyes, the skies above open in their downpour as well, seeming to join in the couple’s sorrow.  The rain begins to soak Janet’s long hair, but she remains seated on the old bench in the park, sniffling. Her husband, Dave, doesn’t bother attempting to console her, knowing she wouldn’t respond to it well.  Instead, he simply removes his coat, draping it over her shaking shoulders. His vest is thick and warm, but isn’t waterproof. Soon the soggy article of clothing clings to him, but still he patiently waits.

  Finally, she turns to him, teary-eyed. “Dave?” she begins, her voice quivering.

  “Yes, dear?”

  “Do… do you think that the obstetrician could have been wrong?”

  He hesitates, knowing that no matter what he says, it will be the wrong response.  “Well…”

  “I mean, I know we haven’t been able to have a child yet, but surely… surely I’m not infertile?”

  “I don’t know, darling,” he sighs.  “I know that you want children, but…”

  She continues on as if she hadn’t heard him.  “I mean, we’ve been married for five years… maybe she was right… maybe I just can’t get pregnant…” she sobs.  “Dave, what are we going to do?!”

  “Janet, if you really want children that bad, we can always adopt…”

  She stands abruptly, Dave’s coat sliding off her back and splashing back onto the bench.  He sighs and patiently retrieves the coat. “No! I don’t want to adopt! Those are all other people’s children!  They would never really be mine!”

  “Sweetheart, you know that’s the only other option.”

  “No!” she cries, desperation in her voice as she stares at his face.  “No, I can’t be infertile! I can have kids!! We just… we just have to try again…”

  Dave sighs and turns his face to the heavens, growing exasperated.  “Janet…”

  “No!  Don’t Janet me!  There has to be another option!  I don’t want to adopt some random child!”

  “Janet, just give it a shot… if you look at all of them and you don’t receive any… signs that you should adopt them, I’ll let it go.”

  She pauses, looking at him with glittering brown eyes.  “...Fine. I’ll adopt a baby if I have a sign that I should do so.”

  He lets out his breath in relief.  “Good. Now then, can we go home?”

  “Of course,” she agrees, and they hurry to walk the last block to their apartment complex.

  Dave slips the key into the lock and ushers his wife into the room, shutting the door behind him.  They both freeze at the sight of a baby on their table.

  “What the…” Dave hurries over and scoops up the small child.  “Where did she come from?”

  “How should I know?” Janet asks, coming over to peer at the baby.  “Maybe she was… a gift?”

  He looks at her like she’s insane.  “A gift. From who?”

  “How should I know?  Maybe it’s a practical joke.”

  “Who would want to prank us?” He wonders.

  “Maybe they just got the wrong room, and it was meant for someone else!” she groans wearily.  “Either way, you should just take it to the manager’s office. Maybe he knows.”

  The baby stirs in his arms, stretching and yawning.  “Alright, fine. I’ll be right back.” he sighs, opening the door.  He carefully makes his way down the old wooden stairs to the manager’s office.  He knocks.

  “It’s open,” comes the call from within.  He eases the door open. “Why Mr. Shay… is there something wrong?”  The manager asks, eyeing the child in his arms through his thick glasses.  “Why did you bring a baby down here?”

  “That’s exactly what’s wrong,” he sighs, sinking into the chair on the other side of the old manager’s desk.  “I just got home, and someone apparently left this baby in my apartment… Janet and I were wondering if you know who it was.”

  The manager leans towards him, his arms resting on his potbelly as he inspects the baby. As he does so, she reaches out and grabs his large nose, giggling.  Grunting, he pulls back. “I’ve never seen her before.”

  “Well did you see anyone go up to the second floor in the past hour or so?”

  “No.  You are the only one on the second floor to arrive since you left.  No one has been up there.”

  Dave freezes.  “...What? What do you mean… no one’s been up there since we left?”  He pulls the baby’s hand back as she reaches for some crystals on the manager’s desk.

  The manager sighs and leans back in his office chair.  It creaks as more weight is put on the back of the chair.  “Yes, that’s what I said, isn’t it? Now go on. I’ll alert the authorities.  I’m sure you two can take care of her until they locate the parents,” he says as he yawns, then scratches the bald spot on the crown of his head.

  “But…”

  “I said, get!”

  Dave sighs, gets to his feet, and tugs open the door, letting it swing shut behind him.  He lifts the child in his arms up to his face. “What am I going to do with you now?” She pokes his nose and coos.  He smiles a little, then sighs and returns to his apartment.

  “Why is she still here?” Janet demands when he walks into the room.

  “He didn’t know where she came from either.  He says no one’s been up here since we left.”

  She groans and plops into her chair at the table, letting her head rest on her hand.  “Of course, he doesn’t know. Now we have no idea where to return this baby. What are we going to do with her?”

  Dave hesitates.  “...We could always keep her.”

  “No.  No way.  We have no idea where she came from!  What if we got in trouble with the police or something?”

  “Janet, I’m sure it will be fine.  If anything like that happens, we’ll deal with it then.  For now, this poor girl has nowhere to go, and we can’t exactly throw her out on the streets!”

  “Well… I suppose…”

  “Besides, if her just showing up in
our apartment isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.”

  “Fine,” she submits.

  “Now then… what are we going to call her?” he wonders.

  “I think it should be a pretty name,” Janet declares, standing beside him and peering at the baby, who stares inquisitively back.

  “Hmm… what about Crystal?” he suggests.  “I noticed she seemed to like the crystals in the manager’s office,” he explains.

  “Oh, that’s a gorgeous name!” she gushes.  “It’s perfect.” She gently takes the baby from Dave and smiles down at her.

  “Welcome to the family, Crystal Shay.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  Back to School

  The bus jolts as it goes over another pothole in the road, throwing Nathan Anderson straight into the back of the worn-out seat in front of him. He groans, rubbing his nose with his hand to try and get the pain to go away. A girl sitting behind him giggles and puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turns to see who it is and comes face to face with one of the prettiest girls he’d ever seen. He takes in a deep breath as his eyes discern her curled honey-brown hair and her sparkling hazel eyes that are made even more stunning by the subtle purple eyeshadow on her eyelids. She blinks, and Nathan realizes that her eyelashes sparkle a little in the faint morning light as the sun creeps slowly upward in the sky.