The Golden Scale/Fanfiction

Chapter one
It was around lunchtime and Drake, together with most of this schools pupils, was sitting in the Creepateria. But unlike the others, he wasn't eating. He had his plate of food in front of him and even though it was full with white chocolate pudding – one of his favorites to which he is always looking forward to – he just picked at it with his spoon while being in thoughts. So much so, that he did not notice his friends Gia and Mengyao sat down at the table. “What's the matter?” Gia asked. “Is something wrong with the pudding?” Drake looked up. “Oh...hey guys. No. The pudding is fine, I guess.” “You guess? Dude, it's white chocolate. Your favorite.” Mengyao remarked. “I know.” Drake answered and looked down to his pudding. “Okay, what's the matter? Usually you would be all over that stuff.” Mengyao asked with concern. Drake let go of his spoon and leaned back with a sigh. “It's just...tomorrow evening there will be the annual Dragon Gathering. You know, where we celebrate our heritage and witness the elder honor whoever is honorable. And I asked Suresh to come along. So that I can spend some time with him because ever since he is dating that stupid bunny-boy, he hasn't got any time for me.” Gia giggled. “It's cute how jealous you are. But they are dating for how long now? Three weeks? It's totally normal for them to be all over each other.” “Yeah, but in that time, he hadn't got a single minute for me. We are best friends and I feel this Will is taking that away from me.” “Okay, tell you what, brother.” Mengyao said. “Suresh isn't your only friend, you know. And if he does not want to come along, then Gia and I will take his spot. So what's with that gathering anyway?” Drake looked at his friend with confusion. “You don't know about this celebration? But...you are Dragons. Didn't your parents drag you along when you were little? Or at least told you about it?” Gia shook her head. “Maybe it's more of a western thing.” “Mh, maybe.” “But if we are allowed to come, we will happily join you. It's a great opportunity to learn about the western part of our culture!”

Later that day Suresh went to his place and took along his Beastfriend Will. They cuddled up on the sofa and were watching a DVD Will brought along. After a while in, Will looked up to Sures and asked whisperingly: “What are you thinking?” “Ah. It's about Drake.” he replied mumbling. “He asked me if I want to go to the Dragon Gathering with him. I turned him down and now I feel kinda bad about it.” Suresh replied. “Why have you turn him down than?” “Because this gathering goes on for a whole week and it's Dragon only so I can't bring you along.” Will chuckled. “How cute of you to think about me, but I think I can handle being seperated from you for a week.” Shures grinned. “Well good for you. But I don't think I can. I will miss you so much.” “We've been together for the last three weeks. I think Drake misses you, too. After all, your still best friends and you didn't spent much time with him lately. I kinda see why he doesn't like me that much.” “So...you are saying I should join him?” Will nodded. “It's just a week. It won't kill us. Besides, I have that play I have to finish by the end of the week and ...you kinda kept me from doing it. So this actually is a good opportunity to finally get started.” “Okay, it's settled then. I'll tell Drake.” Suresh let go of Will to reach out for his iCoffin on the living room table. He wrote him a text saying “I'm in. Pick me up tomorrow. S.” When he put his iCoffin back on the table, Will immediately snuggled up to him again. “So. What's it all about?” “Well...it's a bit like a huge scout camp for dragons.” “Yeah...'bout that. You said its Dragon only?” Suresh nodded. “But you aren't Dragon either.” Will remarked. “You're Naga” Suresh confirmed again with a nod before he started to far afield. “There were times, where they only allowed the real deal. It was like a very exclusive club for dragons. But they extended that rule a long time ago, now also allowing dragon descendants. And that I am. Every reptilian monster is.” “Ah, I see.” Will replied yawning. “Tired?” “Ja, it was a long day.” “Then you should sleep. I will go upstairs and pack some things.”

Chapter two
It was very early when the doorbell rang. Will blinked and looked at his Beastfriends face, who didn't bother at all. Not even the second or third time, the bell rang. “Hey, Su. I think it's time to get up.” Su turned around and mumbled something along those lines of “Five more minutes, mum” Will smiled, shook his head and stood up. While doing so he was putting his long, blonde hair into a pony tail just so he wouldn't look too messy when he answers the door. “Oh. You are here.” Drake said bugged and crossed his arms. “Ja. Come inside, Suresh is still sleeping.” “Well, we really need to go now or we will be late.” “Okay, I'll wake him up.” Will turned around just to see Suresh already standing there. He winced and made a startled sound. “Stop doing that!” Will said poutedly. “Do what?” Suresh asked. “Creep up like that. You know how jumpy I am.” Suresh smiled, put his armes around him and kissed him on the forehead. “I'm sorry hun.” They were just about to kiss each other but where stopped when Drake harrumphed. “We need to go.” “Okay, okay. Give me five minutes. I will be with you. You can wait inside if you want.” “I'd rather not. Just hurry up.” Suresh nodded and went back upstairs to put on some outdoor clothes. Then he grabbed his backpack and came back down. “I'm ready.” Then he once again hugged Will kissed him and said goodbye, before he joined Drake and the others outside.

“I thought it will be only us two?” Suresh asked after greeting Gia and Megyao. “Well you were wrong. You are not the only friend I have, you know?!” “No need to be so petulant about it, geez.” Drake sighted. “Look...I'm sorry man. But...you know I'm a morning grouch.” “Anyway...what now?” Mengyao asked. “We're waiting for the bus to pick us up. Should be here in about ten to fifteen minutes.” Drake replied. “How long will we drive.” “Five.” “Minutes?” Drake shook his head. “Hours, I'm afraid.” “Okay.” As the bus finally arrives, all four of them got inside. The bus was empty, except for one blue skinned dragon girl who was sitting al by herself in the back row. The friends sat down somewhere in the middle and the bus started driving. When he came to a stand about five hours later and everybody got off. Gia looked around. They were standing in front a huge forest with a broad way leading into the forest and probably up the mountain as well. “Now what?” She asked. “Not sure” Drake replied. “Let's ask the other girl” he added and turned around, just to see the blue skinned dragon girl flying away. “Well...that's one way...” Drake mumbled before turning around to his friends again. “I'm not sure, if I know the way by heart, but it shouldn't be difficult, so let's just get moving.” Mengyao goaned. “Seriousely? A hike through a forest AND a mountain walk?” His Goulfriend Gia giggled. “Come on. Exercise never hurt anyone. Besides, you could definitely use it.” She was patting his belly while saying that. “Hey! I do not!” he disagreed loudly, what made Gia laugh. “Calm down, I'm joking!” She replied. “Guys, we really should get going. Unless you want to wander that forest when it's dark?” “Not if I can avoid it.” Gia answered and they started moving.

A couple of minutes in, they heard voices. It sounded like two people arguing. They stepped closer. “But...there NEVER were Normies around here. What do we do now?! They are blocking our path.” a young dragon girl said to someone who appeared to be Gorgon in a worrying tone. “Excuse us...what's the matter?” Drake interfered. The dragon girl turned around and widened her eyes. “Drake? Is that you?!” “Crystal? No way, you're here, too?” “Of course I am!” They hugged each other and then Drake turned around. “Guys, this is Crystal Drakon, a very close friend of mine. Crystal, these are Mengyao Dragon, Chinese dragon and his Ghoulfriend from Japan, Gia Scales.” “Nice to meet you.” “An I am Suresh Sampa.” “Ah Suresh. You're Naga, right?” He nodded confirming. “And you would be an ice dragon if I'm guessing right?” Crystal guggled. “What gave it away? The ice crystals or the chill air?” They chuckled before Drake asked: “And who's your companion?” “He? Oh, I don't know him. I just met him here. He said that there are Normies ahead” The Gorgon interfered. “The Name is Serpentine and I am here to warn you. You must not take this path for it is occupied by the ordinary.” “Err...what?” Drake asked confused. “Yeah, hes talking like that ever since I got here.” Crystal remarked. “It's a bit weird if you ask me.” She added but quietly so that only Drake could hear it. “Well...is there another way then?” Suresh asked and looked at Serpentine patiently. “Not if you don't want to trudge through the thicket and probably get lost on the way there isn't.” Crystal complained slightly bugged and crossed her arms. “Apart from that – we're all dragon bloods. We could just polymorph and march right through and those simple-minded Normies wouldn't even twig.” she added. “We should not be too wanton with our powers, when there is a path around the trouble. Please, just follow me.” Serpentine disappeared into the thicket and while still not particularly fond of that idea, everyone followed.

Chapter three
By the time they finally reached the top of the mountain, it already was getting dark, which is why all the gathered dragons and alikes started to put up camp fires. The whole group was beat. They decided to go to the nearest free campfire and sat down. “Now that was an unnecessary detour, thank you very much.” Crystal complained and pulled out leaves and small branches from her long hair. “I'm sorry you guys, but it's better if the Normies down there do not know that they're not alone here.” Serpentine replied. “They wouldn't if you just let us use our power.” “Yeah, they wouldn't know that you are monsters then, but don't you think they would've asked where you're headed? Though this place is hidden by ancient magic that keeps Normies from finding their way up here, we don't have to take the chance, do we? Besides, Normies shouldn't even be able to find this forest and yet they are here..” Serpentine explained. “Wait a second...” said Drake and looked at the Gorgon. “You talk different now.” Serpentine laughed. “Sorry, I just love to mess with new people. But I could go on if you liked it better?” Drake shook his head. “No, please don't.” It became silent and thus the friends were able to hear the conversations from around the other campfires. The number one topic seemed to be the Normies, who are camping in the forest below. “It's weird. Normies were never this close. This place was untouched nature for centuries...” Drake mumbled. “Yeah, expect for maybe the bus station at the entrance of the forest?!” Mengyao interposes. “Everything connected with this gathering isn't visible to Normies.” Serpentine explained. “Is it your first time here?” he added questioning. “Yes.” Gia replied. “We've never heard about this tradition before.” “Drake said you were from Japan?” Gia nodded. “I am. Mengyao here is Chinese.” “There you have your explanation.” Crystal said. “The origin of this gathering was all about survival. Normies used to hunt us down for our treasures.” The ice dragon explained. “And as far as I know, dragons were revered as holy, godlike beings in most eastern countries. So you ancestors didn't have to fear them at all.” Serpentine nodded affirmatively. “She is right. Back then dragons were about to die out because of the hunt. So the most powerful dragon of them all, who was said to have scales out of pure gold, organized this gathering and granted the remaining dragons the power of polymorphy. Legend says he died because of that sacrifice which saved the dragon blood.” While talking, Serpentine turned around to his backpack and pulled out a huge bag of marshmallows, which he shared whit the others. “And ever since that event we gather here in tribute to his sacrifice. Sacrificing the technological progress for a week and master the test of the wild.” Gia poked her marshmallow on a stick and held it into the fire. “Test of the wild?” she asked. “It's usually a huge scavenger hunt that's really popular with the little once. But as you can see – they are not the only one who enjoy it a lot. It's just a fun tradition where everybody comes together and having a fun time with friends you otherwise hardly see.” Serpentine spend second round of marshmallows for everyone. “And what's about that polymorphy power you were talking earlier?” Mengyao asked curiously. “It turns us Normie” this time Sures explained, though keeping it really brief. “And why would one want that?” “That was how our ancestors survived. They turned themselves into Normies and started to live amongst them, leaving the impression that dragon bloods died out.” “We are dragons.” Mengyao figured and looked at his Ghoulfriend for a brief moment. “Shouldn't we have this power as well? I mean if even a Naga like Suresh got it?” he moved on. Serpentine nodded. “Technically you guys should be able to preform polymorpy too. As far as I know the sacrifice of the great golden dragon affected every dragon blood, no matter if they actually needed that kind of protection.” Serpentine explained. “Well, can you show us how to do it then?” Gia asked excited. “I'd...rather not. Better you ask your friends for that?” The gorgon boy was looking at Drake and Suresh. The former yawned demonstratively. “We sure can.” he answered. “But can we do that tomorrow? I'm really getting tired right now.” Crystal nodded approvingly. “Same. Gia, you might want to come with me. The girl's tent is over there.” She pointed in said direction and Gia got up as well before she followed the ice dragon to one of the huge tents. “Ours is over there” Drake told Mengyao. They all got up and went there.

Chapter four
TBA