Somewhere in Guangzhou,
Guangdong province,
Qin Dynasty,
278 BC
(Omniscient POV)
A pretty barefooted girl could be seen jogging through the market with a dark purple purse slung over her shoulder. The market seemed busier than usual as everyone seemed eager to find out the juicy motive behind Minister Qu Yuan's death.
Shi grunted in frustration as she gripped the hem of her lilac dress so as to not get soiled in mud as she dodged the hawkers who were parading gossip more than their wares.
“Father would definitely roast me alive if I don't get back before he notices I've snucked out." she thought as she quickened her pace towards the Pearl River.
On getting to the river's tributaries, she looked around till she was sure she wasn’t being followed before diving into the ocean. She had no time to enjoy the coolness of the water because she was already late. She swam for miles under the water, resurfacing at intervals to gulp in air. She took a deep breath before diving deeper to the bottom of the ocean. There was no time to enjoy the coolness of the water, her eyes adjusted to the darkness as she effortlessly slid into a crack in the cliff's bedrock. The crazy corals lit a secret passage which led her upwards, causing her to surface in a cozy underwater cave with a few furniture and a large nest in the middle.
Shit sighed in relief on seeing her five little angels snuggled against one another.
"I'm home!" she announced, completely coming out of the water.
“Mama!” the five dragons squealed, excitedly flying towards her.
“Hey darlings!” she chuckled dropping her purse so she could hug them.
“Oh, you're all getting heavy!” she groaned playfully, causing them to laugh. “So what have you all been up to when I was away?!”
“Mum, Austin bit me!”
“No I didn't!”
“We're hungry!”
“What took you so long?”
“I'm starving!”
“I'm sorry I came late my dears.” she said briskly, bringing out five plates from the old cupboard, according to their colors: yellow, red, black, white and azure.
“But you were late.” piped the red dragon, as she dished out some food on his plate.
“But I didn't mean to be late. I got a little... distracted.”
“You kicked some dirty demon's booty didn't you?” grinned the black dragon.
“Maybe...”
“Whoa!”
“How many times did you slice their throats?”
“Did you break their bones?” inquired the white dragon, eagerly.
“I couldn’t really tell.” she said, tipping out the last remnants in her purse unto its plate. “But I did break a couple of bones for you, sweetie.”
“Save some for me next time!” it muttered, in between a mouthful.
Wen Shi beamed in pride as she watched her babies eat to their fill. She then placed the white one on the laps, combing its hair as it couldn’t sleep while the others were snoring in the nest.
“Mum?” It called out, breaking the silence.
“Yes, dear?”
“Can we go out with you tomorrow?”
“No!”
“Why?”
“I meant no… not yet!” she said, correcting herself on seeing his chest fallen face and drew him closer to her bosom.
“Outside is too dangerous for you and your brothers to fly freely. Not with those bad hunters still roaming around…”
“Why do they want to catch us? Why do they want to kill us?”
“Because you are special and they don’t understand why.” she explained, stroking its spine. “Don’t worry, darling. When you’re in need, I’ll protect you…”
“Promise?”
“I promise… Baidi.”
***
Back in the church,
10:51 am
(Omniscient POV)
The Agents had almost reached the gates when an earsplitting roar stopped them in their tracks.
“W-what was that?” stuttered one of the Agents, visibly shaking in the knees.
The Agents shook like leaves in the wind as they noticed that their men were being picked by strange creature one by one, only to be dumped back gored with various degrees of scratches
“What on earth...?”
“Dragon!” squealed an Agent, not before she was swept away by a spiky tail, slamming her into some cars parked nearby.
The ninja Agents found themselves against a beautiful purple dragon, twice the size of a full grown man, with its ominously greyish-blue eyes raking over them.
“What are you all waiting for? Attack!” barked the high ranking Agent in the blue uniform.
The formidable Agents were left stupefied, as the dragon left them in the dust, with its super-fast reflexes, accurately dodging and countering every weapon hurled at it.
“Boss, it's too strong what do we do?”
“Squad Alpha and Squad Gamma, I want you to tame that beast at all cost.” ordered their leader. “Make sure you bring it back to base alive. Squad Beta and I get the hostages in the van.”
But the dragon seemed to have other plans because immediately their leader finished talking it flew over them, barrel rolling twice, landing catlike on the other side and blocked their access to the gate. It then crouched menacingly, like it wanted to lunge at them, demonically baring its fangs, like it was daring them to come closer.
“Sir, what we do now? This is the only exit in the perimeter.”
“I think we should....”
“I have an idea!” chipped in Agent X, causing everyone to groan.
“Not now, Agent X.”
“Don’t worry, boss. It will work!” he added as a buzz of disapproval waved amongst the other Agents.
“It's not like we have a choice.” sighed their leader. “Let’s hear it then!”
Agent X grinned proud to get the General’s audience as he came closer to whisper to him.
“It's time to bring out the big guns!”
“What?”
“There's no time for details, just keep the dragon at bay and I will finish it off.” with that he bowed and slipped away.
“You all heard him, attack!” barked their leader in blue.
The three squads then joined forces in keeping the dragon at bay. The dragon, on the other hand, was doing a good job in keeping THEM at bay as it lashed out and growled at any Agent who dared to come close to it; yet artfully dodging all missiles and weapons hurled at it.
Some Agents were in so much awe of its gracefulness as it artfully dodged the missiles hurled at it that they failed to notice it’s on coming tail. The dragon tail swept most of them away, sending some headlong into the cars parked nearby. The strike had successfully reached the Agent, whom was holding Ari, on the head. He placed a hand on his head to stem the blood trickling down, enabling her to wriggle free from his grasp. But luck was not her side because that was when Agent X had released the big gun. He was in a car he stole driving at a very high speed towards the dragon with, unfortunately, Ari in his way.
“Agent X, no! The hostage is in the way.”
While Agent X slammed on the brakes, Ari felt frozen as the car sped towards her when suddenly she is was engulfed in a scaly hug.
It all happened in a flash. All she could remember afterwards was the screeching of rubber on asphalt followed by a large bang and a small explosion which sent her soaring through the air before ramming into the wall. Luckily, the dragon cushioned her fall breaking a wing in the process. Painfully, it moaned as it slowly slid down the wall before landing on the floor with a loud thump. Little Ari’s heart broke as she beheld her savior. Tears coursed down her cheeks as she gently placed its head on her laps.
“Thank you, Mr. Dragon!” she croaked, showering it with kisses.
It gave a low grunt, probably of appreciation, licking the tears off her face with its serpentine tongue which caused her to giggle.
Suddenly, mist began to hiss out of its pores engulfing both of them in a thick fog. Alarmed, Ari began to fan it away but as the mist dissolved, so did the dragon.
It was gone!
***
Still in the church,
(Omniscient POV)
Nathair cursed as Agent XXV and XLVII carried the disoriented Agent X into the van, followed by some other Agents before Agent VI took the wheel.
“Mission failed!” he muttered, as the other Agents piled into the van. “The masters won’t be happy!”
“Bleep that dragon!” cursed Agent X, as Agent XIV applied First Aid on him.
“Why do you need the children?” Dr. Lu mumbled in pain, now wrapped in chains, his face tattooed with bruises.
“None of business, Henry!”
“What happened to the roomie I used to know?”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Oh, that Nathair? He died a long time ago. Too bad you missed the funeral.” he retorted sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“How do you sleep at night?”
Nathair exhaled in relief when his shrill ringtone interrupted the already awkward silence
“Talk to me!” he muttered on picking the call.
“Boss, we have a problem...”
He glanced at Dr. Lu before replying “Spill!”
“The other vans aren't working.”
“Why?”
“That's the problem. They were fine this morning. It looks like something tampered with the wires.” was the reply.
“We'll be there soon to pick you all up.”
“Hurry! The Long girl has alerted the peasants in the church and they are chasing us.”
“Bleep!” cursed Nathair “Everyone get to the meeting point. Agent III is in charge till I pick you all up.
With that he roared to the driver who gave a sift drift back as he sped back to the church.
***
Back in the church,
At the same time.
(My POV)
I groaned as I used the hood of a maroon jeep to help myself up. Still drowsy from the tranquilizers, I wondered if the kids were safe. I had found Ari though, and fortunately she wasn't hurt...well, physically.
“Mr. Dragon! Why?! It should have been me!” she bawled on the top of her lungs through the dissolving mist.
I chuckled ruefully at her antics, causing me to wince in pain as I clutched my sides. Soon, I heard the sound of people approaching, maybe to join hands with others as they tried put out the fire from the burning car. I was grateful that the impact of the crash was loud enough to alert them but I couldn't help but think I was forgetting something.
“Help! Someone help me!” squealed a little white boy with a thick auburn fringe, being forced into a van.
“Ben!” Ari and I cried in unison; I in realization while hers was in despair.
“Help! They've my cousin!” yelled Ari, pointing at them.
I felt my blood boil, I couldn’t dam the rage surging through my veins as I dashed towards the gate, ignoring the alarmed and disapproving glares I received from some women I whooshed past. Unfazed and not pausing, I snatched the exhaust pipe of the now battered car and charged towards the Agents who were running away. I overtook and batted every Agent out of the way but just as I reached the van they shut the door in my face.
Still on adrenaline and incensed by their guts, I went to the back as they tried to start their vehicle and slashed the two wheels. I paused to catch my breath grinning with relief as I watched them deflate. I clutched the pipe protectively when I noticed the Agents slowly surround me. Just then, they paved way another Agent, obviously a high ranking one, who came towards me and I instantly recognized him. He went pale as he stared at me like he just saw a ghost, I just kept my face fixed on him with a glare. It was the other one of the three kidnappers of earlier; the one that had held back Agent X.
“You again!” he spat. “I thought we got rid of you?”
“It'll take more than just 50 darts to put me down, you dog!” I heard myself say, wondering when I got the courage from.
“You think you are so brave coming here alone...”
“Enough with the chitchat!” I snapped, cutting him off. “I told you and your two friends "You can only have those kids over...my dead body."
“Do you have any idea of who are messing with? We are DAWN...?”
“Scared of lil' pretty me?” I drawled.
“I'm warning...”
“Let's finish what we started or are you all scared of getting your asses whooped, cowards in the claiming to be professionals.” I scoffed.
“What are you all waiting for?!” he roared, really incensed by my confidence and insults. “Kill her!”
I giggled because I felt like I had just landed in a fight scene in one of the many Kung Fu movies I watched when I was little as they menacingly brought out their weapons, sauntering forward to end me. For some reason I couldn't really fathom, I bravely struck tiger stance waiting for my doom.
All of a sudden, as they sprang to attack me, my vision turned fiery orange with flecks of grey only to for me to find myself, over the next couple of minutes, fluidly dodging all their attacks. I was feeling a little lightheaded as I successfully deflected their knives and shurikens with my pipe. I still ponder on how I was able to sense one persistent ninja Agent who tried to stab me from behind as I was under the mango tree but I cartwheeled away causing her blade to sink into the tree. Leaving no time for her to recover, I kicked her thrice in the midsection and followed up with heavy hit on the head with my pipe. I didn’t have the chance to celebrate because just then someone started to choke me with a staff. I could feel my life slowly slipping away as he added the pressure on every attempt to wriggle free.
“There’s nowhere for you to go, darling.” snickered a familiar voice I’d recognize anywhere even in my sleep and he tightened his grip on the staff.
“It’s a shame I have to kill you ‘cos you’re not pretty!” he taunted
I retched more in disgust than affixation, when I realized that it was the stupid ninja with an X on his chest who was Amongst the 3 idiots who had shot me earlier.
Agent X!
“We’ll see about that hotie!” I slurred, erotically. The shocked expression on his masked up face was totally priceless as I winked at him. Seeing he was distracted, I elbowed his stomach and face before flipping him over. Grabbing my pipe again, I hit him in the tummy causing him to yelp like a castrated dog and gave the last attacker a hot back kick in the zipper.
I couldn’t hide my smirk as their moans and groans serenaded my victory but almost immediately I felt like I about to be…
I was quick enough to jump out of the way as a black gleaming van drifted in front of the church. Their leader in blue gasped on seeing my hand work and quickly ordered a retreat. Groaning, the Agents sprawled on the floor helped themselves up limping into the van, some climbing onto the roof or holding the door as it sped off.
Clutching my side, I managed to drag myself to one of the vans they had left behind. I silently prayed as I managed to pry it open on the eighth attempt. I sighed in relief as I was greeted with squeals of delight. I found Ben safe and sound, with some other kids I’ve never seen before.
“Ben!” I panted, raking his anatomy. “Are you hurt? Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, we’re… Angie lookout!”
***
After the commercial break,
Back to where we stopped.
(Omniscient POV)
Before Angie could turn back to know the impending danger she was almost deafened by what sounded like a very hot punch followed by the cracking of bones before being engulfed in a passionate embrace as the ninja slowly dropped down, his dagger slipping out of his grip.
Angeline couldn’t tell if she was shocked at the fact that she almost died or she just got saved by the hottest and coldest member of the D5 or the fact that she was still in his arms. If this was a dream, she wasn’t going to wake up. Suddenly, the wild flashes of lights broke their train of thought as they turned to the fury of the paparazzi plus some reporters both, local and international, barreling towards them. They would have bowled them down if not for the Long’s bodyguards who shielded them. But that didn’t stop them from badgering the poor girl with questions.
“Young girl, what’s your name?”
“Miss, how do you feel being a hero?”
“We caught your fight on camera, do you tell us were you learnt those moves?”
“Damien, why is she in your arms?”
“Do you tow have history?
“Is this your way to prove you aren’t gay?”
“Have you gotten over Valerie?”
“Is she your new girlfriend?”
It was then he realized their position releasing her from his embrace, to her dismay. Her lips parted slightly as their faces were just inches apart. She was about to get lost in those eyes again when Ben jumped on her, immediately snapping her out of it. She could feel her cheeks burn while she put all her focus on stabilizing Ben’s weight so that he doesn’t fall. He hugged her tightly, just as Ari joined us while the Icy Prince, whose name turned out to be Damien, and the rest of my church members helped the other kids out of the van. Still was still dazed as she, held by ari, and the rest of the kids were led to the Main Hall.
“Erm, Ben?” she asked on the way. “Do you have any idea why they didn’t drive off when they got you?”
“I don’t know what happened…But I heard them saying that the wires and pipes were chewed by a rat.” shrugged the little child in explanation while Ari shook her head in marvel, both of them oblivious to the knowing smirk on Angie’s face.
On getting to the pulpit, Angie didn’t blink as Ben and Ari narrated everything, the foreign and local news stations reporters around the hall having a field day of the story. She was lost in thought until Ari mentioned Mr. Dragon causing her to hold her breath for nothing because the church just laughed it over, hurting Ari a lot. Squeezing her hand a little, Angie assured her that she had seen it too, cheering the little girl up when Reverend David collected the microphone from them, wiping his forehead.
“Wow, this is incredible!” he exclaimed. “Angeline come forward…where are her parents? They should also come up here.” he added, beckoning on her phlegmatic father and exhilarated mother to hasten their steps in joining them on the pulpit. Angie tried not to gag over her mom who rapturing in joy - and maybe pride - beside her.
“What we’ve seen today, Mrs. Ozigi, shows us your training has not been in vain. The lord will bless you…”
“Amen!” chorused the congregation.
“Till today, I didn’t know we had a living Deborah in our mist.”
Angie fought to suppress her cringe, plastering a fake smile on her face, as the congregation erupted in mirth, like it was the best rip-cracking joke they’ve ever heard.
Her only consolation was that Ari felt the same the same way, judging from the confused expression on her face.
“What’s so funny?” she wondered aloud turning to Ben who just shrugged in reply, as Reverend David then made them to kneel and blessed them.
Wearily, she got up dreaming of cleaning herself up in the bathroom. But just when she thought the drama was over, it just got started. She was stopped in her tracks by two well-built bodyguards, in crisp white suits, who herded her back to the altar. The congregation’s murmurs of disapproval switched to curiosity when Mr. Cheng went over to the Reverend, whispering some things in his ear. Surprisingly, Angeline’s auditory perception seemed to be two times better than before but could only hear some strands of their conversation.
“What? Okay? Now? You have five minutes!” he said, giving the microphone to Mr. Cheng who came down and gave it to…
“Mr. Long?” she gasped.
“Praise the Lord!”
“Hallelujah!”
“I said, praise the Lord!”
“Hallelujah!”
“The Lord's good...”
“All the time!” they all replied.
“Firstly, I want to thank the Reverend for giving me the opportunity to be before you all today. I'm highly grateful.” he said with a slight bow.
“Secondly,” he continued. “I'm glad to see you again Dragon girl. I was in such a hurry earlier I forgot to get your name...”
“Angeline.” she said into the microphones the eager reporters shoved into her face till the guard beside her snatched one while the other three guards shooed them away.
“Angeline... I honestly lack words to express my gratitude. To show you how indebted I am to you for living up to your name when you turned into my grandkids guardian angel. Thank you.” he croaked emotionally pausing, as the congregation applauded her.
“You know,” he continued turning to address the audience. “When we first met this morning I felt her spark when she correctly identified the dragons on my cars and immediately I knew she was destined for great things. She then promised to protect my grandkids, didn't you?”
Angie just replied with a slow nod wondering were all this was heading to.
“I can't give much but no good deed must go unrewarded.” he said, beckoning on some guards at the door, each holding a large card the size of a crate, to come in.
“At home, whenever I am pleased with a person I give them three wishes. They only get five on their birthday.” he paused as the brethren chuckled. “But today, we’re gonna to do something a little bit different.” He said, taking her hand and guided her towards the guards holding the cards.
“I'm going to give you five wishes, five options, but you can only take three... Are you ready?” he asked, and Angie nodded in reply.
“Reveal the wishes!”
The body guards then flipped the cards as Mr. Long read out what was on them. They looked like the poker cards in a giant’s casino.
The first guard flipped his card to reveal a very fancy queen card, with dollar signs on the edges.
“Wish One: A check of $10 million dollars.” He said, causing the gobsmacked church members to almost scream their lungs out.
The second guard flipped his card, the picture on it was a graduation cap on some books, with the emblems a fancy school on the edges of the card.
“Wish Two: An all-expense paid scholarship to any level you wish to attain in my school, Jade Stone University.” he announced, causing the congregation screamed in approval, Angeline’s mother a little bit louder than the rest.
The third guard then flipped his card, the picture on it was of a hot Barbie doll on a shopping spree with girly accessories at the edges of the card.
“Wish Three: A 24hr all-expense paid shopping spree.” It was the turn of all the female youths in the hall to bring down the roof.
The guards holding Wish Four and Five simultaneously flipped their cards only to reveal two blank cards with a question mark in the middle.
“Looks like you’ve gotten two blank checks. With these to cards you can wish for any crazy thing you kids of now adays want… plus I ran out of ideas.” He jibed fortunately, this time, everyone laughed.
“You have 120 seconds to choose your three wishes. And your time starts…now.”
“Number 3, 4 and 5!”
“Are those your final choices, child?
“Yes sir” she nodded as the three chosen guards stepped forward and the other two left, the congregation clapping them off.
“Alright, you have a chosen the shopping spree along with two blank checks for random wishes. So, what will your two random wishes be, child?
“I wish…” she started, giving him the fourth card. “That the $10 million be given to the church.”
Angie hoped a trip to the otolaryngologist could be added to her shopping list because the roar of the congregation had definitely severed her eardrums.
It took a while for them to settle down but just as she was about to say her last wish when Ari and Ben ran up to her tugging at what was left of her tattered skirt in order to get her attention. The brethren chuckled as Angie crouched down to their level while they excitedly whispered into her ear. Angie’s eyes widened in delight as she stood up, everyone looking upon with bated breath eager to know the last wish.
“I wish…my wish be given to Ari.” she announced, giving the microphone to Ari.
This caused a slight murmur of indignation from the congregation, especially the elders. Angie’s mother was a puffing in rage but tried to mask it with a smile but it made her look like a tiger smiling at its soon to be dead prey.
“Well, it is legal!” chuckled Master Long, slightly puzzled by the turn of events. “So, Ari dear,” he cooed, ushering her to face the congregation. “What will you wish for?”
“Grandpa,” she started. “You know how you’ve been promising to get us a nanny since last year?”
“Yes…?” Master Long concurred with a slight frown on his forehead, wondering where this was going.
“Well, look no further ‘cos I wish that you employ our number 1 candidate, with immediate effect.” she commanded.
The congregation began to titter in excitement, obviously knowing who it was going to be.
"Wish granted!" he beamed, with a knowing smirk. "And who is this number one candidate?"
"Big Aunty!" they squealed in unison, hugging Angeline tightly.
Angie was temporarily dazed by the zillion flashes of light, as the newsmen scrambled to get a better shot of this adorable scene. Everyone in the hall was on their feet, clapping and cheering her on as she shook hands with Mr. Long, before the guards led her, Ari and Ben back to their classes. The reporters tried to hound them with their infinite questions when they came out but thankfully Master Long's guards were able to bar them off.
Angie politely excused herself, slipping into the restroom, unnoticed by the Press, in order to recover her equilibrium. As though it’d been waiting for this moment, the tiny dragon flew out of her pocket, ricocheting around before finally landing, with a cute thump, in her palms!
“That was awesome!" it squealed. "I haven’t felt this alive in centuries! Thank you, Angeline Richmen-Ozigi.
"No, I should be the one thanking you for saving me out there.” she beamed in gratitude, as it floated out of her palm.
”Just doing my job as your spirit guide!” it shrugged, in pride.
Sighing in exhaustion, Angeline sank on the seat of the Water Closet, leaning her pounding head on the cool wall.
"What’s clouding your sunshine, O woken one? It’s overwhelming isn’t it?"
"First, I was fired, now I’m hired; I woke up this morning natural, only to find out that I'll go back to sleep as a supernatural for the rest of my life... So yeah, I'm overwhelmed." she confessed still in a daze, her eyes down making her oblivious of the dragon which was floating towards her face.
“Don’t fret yet, my Queen! You have a long way to go and the party’s just getting started.” It purred with an impish grin, as suddenly its eyes began to ominously glow yellow. Angeline turned to look at in awe as its amber eyes bore into hers. But rather being shocked, she too broke into a grin, her pupils suddenly ringed in gold, illuminating the two creatures in the little dark toilet.
TBC