by Katie Tsang
Billy tentatively reached out and stroked her translucent wing. Small sparks flickered beneath his fingertips, like tiny fireflies.
Billy looked up at the dragon, his dragon, and smiled. ‘How do you feel about Spark?’
The blue dragon responded by flying up in the air. Her wings extended even further, growing and growing, and waves of blue light streamed from her scales. Her mane lengthened and began to glow a vivid electric blue, and her bright blue eyes morphed to gold. A gold ray of light ran from her heart to Billy’s.
As it did, Billy felt a jolt go through him, as if he’d been electrocuted, but in a good way. He felt all of Spark’s joy at being bonded, her pride at being stronger.
‘Thank you,’ said Spark, floating back down to the ground. ‘I love it.’
‘So that’s it?’ said Billy, looking around at the others and wondering if they all felt what he did. Elated and excited and ready for anything. ‘We’re dragon-bonded now?’
‘The bond is just the beginning,’ said Tank.
The Eight Pearls
‘Joining us is not without risks,’ said Spark. ‘We cannot promise you will come out of it alive.’
Billy’s stomach tightened. The thought had occurred to him earlier, but hearing the dragons say it out loud made it so much more real.
‘We won’t be bringing you into battle completely unprepared,’ said Tank. ‘You will also be strengthened by the bond.’
‘There’s another important thing that needs to happen before we go into the Dragon Realm,’ said Xing. ‘And I think you are all going to like this part.’ She held up the jade stone that had been encased in Ling-Fei’s necklace. ‘Do you have any idea what this is?’
The children all shook their heads.
‘I just know it was my grandma’s,’ said Ling-Fei.
‘I wonder…’ said Spark thoughtfully. ‘I wonder if your grandma knew how valuable it was.’
‘What do you know about the Eight Great Treasures?’ asked Xing.
‘I know what they are in Chinese mythology,’ said Ling-Fei, frowning, ‘but I thought they were just symbolic.’
‘Well, I didn’t think dragons were real,’ said Dylan. ‘And here we are.’
‘The Eight Great Treasures are real,’ said Xing, ‘but not in the way you might think. There are eight ancient pearls, each of a different substance. The Flaming Pearl – a pearl glowing with an eternal flame. The Ice Pearl that is always cold and can never be melted. The Lightning Pearl with a storm captured inside it. The Coral Pearl. The Granite Pearl. The Gold Pearl. The Diamond Pearl. And the Jade Pearl. No dragon or human knows exactly where they came from, and we are not sure of their full capabilities. But we do know they provide a measure of protection over the one who carries them. A single pearl will not make you invincible, but it will protect you from harm, to an extent.’
She gave Ling-Fei what Billy thought was an attempt at a gentle smile, or as gentle as she could, given her perpetually fierce expression. ‘Your grandmother might not have known exactly what it was, but I suspect she recognized it as a protective talisman of sorts. By gifting it to you, she’s been protecting you even though she isn’t here.’
Ling-Fei blinked away tears. ‘It’s always sung to me,’ she said simply. ‘I feel better when I have it close.’
‘That isn’t all the pearls do,’ said Buttons, hopping up and down, barely able to contain his excitement. ‘Tell them! Tell them!’
‘We know that there is power when all eight pearls are together,’ said Tank, ‘although I do not know if that has ever happened. The Dragon of Death was trying to find all eight, but only managed to locate one.’
‘Not that!’ Buttons burst out. ‘Tell them the other thing about the pearls. The thing they’ll want to know.’
Billy’s eyes darted back and forth between the dragons and the pearl. He didn’t think he could be any more excited than he already was, having just bonded with a dragon, but there was something about the way Buttons was talking that had Billy’s heart racing even faster.
‘When a human who is dragon-bonded has a pearl, the pearl awakens a unique power in the human,’ said Spark.
‘A power?’ breathed Billy.
‘Are you saying I’ve been wearing a magic pearl for half my life?’ said Ling-Fei, her eyes huge.
‘Not any magic pearl, but a magic pearl that I once carried,’ said Xing. ‘It was lost many years ago, but it sounds as if your family has been keeping it safe. And now it has come back to me, just when I need it most. You being the one to return it to me makes it all the more valuable. Two treasures instead of one.’
Ling-Fei blushed. Billy was surprised to hear Xing being so sentimental about both the pearl and Ling-Fei. He wondered if Spark felt like that about him.
‘But it is magic?’ asked Dylan, staring at the pearl.
‘You need the dragon bond for it to do anything really magical. Only then can the pearl unleash an innate power within the human who holds the pearl,’ explained Spark.
‘So I get… a magic power?’ Ling-Fei said, staring at the Jade Pearl.
‘You all get a magic power,’ said Buttons, sounding delighted. ‘Dylan, I have the Granite Pearl for you. Nobody expected me to have a pearl, but I’ve been saving it for many years. Now I can finally bestow it on a human! On my human!’
‘And I have the Gold Pearl for you,’ Tank said to Charlotte. ‘I have always carried a pearl.’
Billy looked expectantly at Spark. She shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Billy, I do not have a pearl for you. I once had the Lightning Pearl in my possession, but during our battle with the Dragon of Death it was lost.’
Disappointment washed over Billy like a wave, so strong it almost knocked him down. Would he be the only one without a magic pearl? Without a power to help defeat the Dragon of Death? Could he even survive in the Dragon Realm without one?
‘But,’ Spark quickly went on, ‘we believe the Lightning Pearl is close. I cannot bestow it on you, but you can retrieve it. And then your power will be unlocked.’
‘What?’ exclaimed Billy.
‘How do you know it’s close?’ said Charlotte.
‘Xing can sense magic, and because of that she can sense the pearls, the way an animal can track its prey,’ said Tank. ‘And she knows this pearl is nearby.’
‘It is in the Human Realm,’ said Xing. ‘I sensed it when you opened the mountain.’
‘I think I know where it is,’ said Billy slowly. A memory was tugging at him. A flashing orb. A storm.
‘Slow down,’ said Dylan. ‘We literally just learned about the existence of these apparently magical pearls and you somehow know where one is?’
Billy felt his ears get hot. ‘I might be wrong.’ Everyone stared at him. He took a deep breath. ‘The other night, during the storm, I had to go to the bathroom—’
‘How all great stories begin,’ said Charlotte.
‘Shh! Let him finish,’ said Ling-Fei. She nodded at Billy encouragingly.
‘And, when I was walking back, I saw something. Whatever it was, it was letting off its own light. And I thought I saw flashes of lightning around it.’
‘Billy, buddy, sounds as if it could have been a lot of things. A light bulb, a glow-in-the-dark toy, a lamp, a laptop…’ Dylan listed the items on his fingers as he went. ‘And where even was it?’
‘In the small cabin near the bathroom,’ said Billy.
‘That’s Old Gold’s office,’ said Ling-Fei.
‘Who is Old Gold?’ asked Xing.
‘He’s the closest thing I have to a yeye. He runs the camp we’re at.’ She paused. ‘He loves collecting old artefacts. He might have come across it and not known what it was. Like me with the Jade Pearl.’
‘Interesting,’ said Xing. She turned to Billy. ‘Did it light up like this?’ She tapped on the side of the Jade Pearl and, whereas the thing Billy had seen let out blue sparks of lightning, the Jade Pearl gave off a soft green glow. It was different in colour and form,
but the effect was remarkably similar.
‘Yes!’ said Billy.
Ling-Fei stared open-mouthed at the glowing Jade Pearl. ‘How did you do that?’ she asked.
‘You will learn,’ said Xing.
‘It sounds as if what you saw might very well be the Lightning Pearl,’ Buttons said. ‘Do you think you can retrieve it?’
‘Definitely,’ said Billy with more confidence than he felt. ‘We’ll find the Lightning Pearl and then come back –’ he swallowed – ‘to join you against the Dragon of Death.’
‘A good plan,’ said Tank. ‘But, before you go, there is one thing we must do. It is time to unlock your powers.’
Hidden Powers
Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei stood in the centre of the cavern with their palms out.
Billy watched, hoping his jealousy wasn’t too obvious. Even though he knew he would be getting his own pearl soon, he wished he had it at the same time as his friends.
And a small doubt had planted itself in his head. What if he’d been wrong and it wasn’t the Lightning Pearl he’d seen? What if they couldn’t find the fourth pearl? What if his friends all got special powers and Billy didn’t? But it was more than that. Without the added protection of the pearl and its power, would he be able to survive in the Dragon Realm?
And there was something else. Something even bigger than his own survival. The dragons had made it clear they needed all four of the children, with the pearls, to have a shot at defeating the Dragon of Death.
So Billy really, really hoped they could find that fourth pearl.
Tank came forward, holding three shining pearls in his claws, all secured onto chain necklaces. ‘I am a bit of a jeweller,’ he said, and then glared at everyone as if daring them to contradict him. ‘And this way you can wear the pearls and keep them close.’
‘Remember,’ said Xing, ‘the pearls awaken an inherent power within you. Something that you are already good at or comes to you naturally will be amplified. But, if you are separated from the pearl, you will lose your power.’
She took the chain holding the Jade Pearl from Tank in her teeth, and dropped it over Ling-Fei’s head. ‘Keep a closer eye on it this time,’ she said. Ling-Fei gripped it in her fist.
‘I’ll never lose it again,’ she said fiercely.
Tank presented Charlotte with the Gold Pearl.
‘I have been saving this for a long time,’ he said. ‘The time is now. I hope you prove worthy of it.’
‘Of course I will,’ said Charlotte.
‘Your confidence will serve you well in the Dragon Realm,’ said Tank, sounding proud.
‘But do not let it be your downfall,’ warned Xing. ‘Listen to the others. Know your limitations.’
‘And for you, the Granite Pearl,’ Buttons said to Dylan, his voice low and sonorous, like a cello. ‘I do not know how your power will manifest itself, but I know it will be a great one. Do not doubt yourself.’
Dylan nodded and held his head a little higher.
‘Billy,’ Spark said gently, nudging him forward next to his friends, ‘as you know, I do not have a pearl for you, but I believe in you. You will find the fourth pearl. And together we will defeat the Dragon of Death.’
‘How can you have so much faith in us?’ asked Billy. ‘You’ve only just met us!’
‘We can read a heart,’ said Spark. ‘And we know your hearts are loyal, strong, brave and true.’
‘And now you have a little something extra on your side,’ said Xing, flying round them. ‘Tell me, children, can you sense your powers?’ She gazed intently at Ling-Fei. ‘How do you feel?’
Ling-Fei blinked slowly, as if waking from a long slumber. ‘There… are other living things here in the mountain,’ she said. ‘I can… hear them.’
‘Yes,’ said Tank. ‘There are fish in the underground lake.’
‘Can she hear the fish? Is it exceptional hearing? Is that her power?’ said Buttons excitedly.
‘Be quiet!’ hissed Xing. ‘Ling-Fei, what else?’
Ling-Fei lifted her head and peered around, as if she was trying to pinpoint something. ‘If I focus, I know exactly where the sun is, even though it is outside the mountain. Isn’t that strange?’ She sounded even dreamier than usual.
‘Have you always loved nature?’ said Spark.
Ling-Fei nodded.
‘It is too early to know for sure, but it appears your power is an affinity with the natural world,’ said Xing. ‘You can sense things others will not be able to. It is a good power. I am proud. As you should be.’
‘Charlotte?’ prompted Tank.
Charlotte opened and closed her fists. ‘Well, I certainly can’t hear any fish,’ she said. ‘But I feel –’ she paused – ‘stronger, somehow.’
Tank rolled a boulder towards her with his tail. ‘Lift this,’ he said.
‘There’s no way,’ Billy said under his breath. The boulder was huge, too big even for Charlotte to get her arms all the way round it.
Charlotte squatted down next to the boulder, and put her hands beneath it. ‘I feel silly,’ she said, looking up.
‘Just try,’ said Tank.
Charlotte took a deep breath and lifted the boulder.
‘Oh, my stars,’ she said, so surprised that she dropped it immediately, almost on Dylan’s toe. ‘Did you guys see that?’
‘I should have known strength would be your power,’ said Tank proudly. ‘It is fitting.’
‘That’s awesome,’ said Billy, and he meant it. But he couldn’t help wishing that he had his pearl so he could know what his power was. He forced the feeling away. ‘What about you, Dylan?’ he asked.
Dylan clenched his eyes tightly shut and kind of grunted.
‘Dylan?’ Billy asked again, confused.
‘I’m waiting,’ said Dylan. ‘For it to kick in.’
Everyone stared at him. ‘Are you all staring at me? I can sense it! That must be my power!’
‘I… don’t think that is a power,’ said Buttons.
Dylan slumped and opened his eyes. ‘Well, you are all staring at me. At least I was right about that.’ He looked at Buttons. ‘I feel the same as I did before,’ Dylan said. He tapped the Granite Pearl around his neck. ‘Maybe it’s broken?’
‘The pearls cannot break,’ said Tank.
‘Ah. Then maybe I’m broken,’ said Dylan.
‘Dylan, don’t be ridiculous,’ said Billy. ‘We just don’t know what your power is yet. It’ll come.’
‘Sorry, Billy,’ said Dylan. ‘I should have insisted you get this pearl. It’s wasted on me.’ He managed a small grin, but Billy could tell he was embarrassed.
‘Don’t worry, Dylan,’ said Ling-Fei kindly. ‘Billy’s right. Your power will come.’
‘And your power is going to be the best one,’ said Billy. ‘I just know it.’
‘Thanks, Billy,’ said Dylan.
‘Well, I don’t know if there is a best power,’ said Charlotte. ‘But you’ll definitely get a good one.’
‘Of course you’ll get a good power,’ said Buttons.
‘When you’ve finished wasting time reassuring the useless one that he isn’t useless, might I suggest that you get back to your realm to find the fourth pearl?’ said Xing.
Dylan stared at Xing. ‘Are you sure you have a heart like Ling-Fei’s? Ling-Fei is the nicest person I’ve ever met and you…’
‘I’m what?’ said Xing, moving her face very close to Dylan’s.
Dylan squirmed. ‘You are very intimidating, that’s all.’
‘Stop tormenting my human,’ said Buttons, stepping between them. He looked at Dylan. ‘You’ll find that Xing is like a melon – hard exterior protecting soft insides.’
Xing poked Buttons in the belly with her claw. ‘You have soft insides and outsides,’ she said.
‘Enough!’ roared Tank. ‘Now that we have bonded and three of you have your pearls, there is no time to waste. The faster you can find the fourth pearl and get back to us, the better
. We’ll be waiting.’
Billy cleared his throat. ‘And if we can’t find it?’ He wondered if they’d say that they would be fine with just the other three – that he shouldn’t bother coming back.
‘You will find it,’ said Spark. ‘We need all four of you to get back into our realm. We cannot do it without you, Billy.’
Even without a pearl of his own, Billy suddenly felt invincible.
‘I won’t let you down,’ he said. Then he looked at his friends. ‘I mean, we won’t let you down.’
Pork Buns And Persuasion
They left the mountain the way Billy had come in – through the hazy wall that was not a wall, down the tunnel and out into the bright sunshine.
They stared at each other as if making sure they were all still there.
‘Dragons,’ said Billy finally. ‘Actual, real-life dragons.’
‘I wonder…’ said Charlotte. She went over to a fallen log and hoisted it easily over her shoulder. ‘It works!’ she shouted. ‘The powers are real!’
Ling-Fei sat down on a rock and rubbed her temples. ‘I can sense so much… life all around me. All the plants. All the animals. Even the bugs. It’s overwhelming.’
Dylan’s belly rumbled. Loudly. He looked at his watch. ‘It’s almost lunchtime!’ He rubbed his stomach. ‘Can we get some food before we start our mission to save the world?’
‘Yes, definitely,’ said Billy. ‘I’m starving. And as far as saving the world…’ He paused. ‘Are you guys a little worried about what we’ve committed to?’ Billy suddenly was. In the mountain, next to the dragons, he’d felt fearless, unstoppable. Now, back outside in the sunshine, back in the real world, he felt like just a kid. He couldn’t believe that the fate of the entire world depended on him and his new friends.
‘Of course I’m worried,’ said Ling-Fei, looking up. ‘But I know it’s the right thing to do. The only thing.’
Billy nodded.
‘I’m terrified,’ said Dylan. ‘But I’m glad I’ll have you all there with me.’
Billy knew what Dylan meant. He’d always had friends back home, but they were school friends. Surf friends. Not the kind of friends he felt as if he could truly be himself with. But with these three, even though they’d just met, he felt as if he could trust them no matter what. They were all so different, but somehow, when they came together, they clicked and became something more. Billy didn’t know if it was because of what they’d experienced and faced together, or if it was deeper than that. If it was destiny.