Time of the Dragon's

Continued from Night Messenger.....

Rex Peterson meets Kogasuma Emperor Sanamoto in the Imperial Palace concerning the abduction and forthcoming ransom demands from the Shockers. Sanamoto warmly greets Rex as he enters his private quarters. Sanamoto says, "What is so urgent my friend. I was informed that there is some bad news to report." Rex says, "Yes sir, I have been informed from a source I have learned to trust that Juno Kamihoto has been kidnapped while dueling with Yamada last week. Juno was accompanied by Eratic and Heidi Dawson. I have no information on Eratic or Dawson. This source informed me simply through a note that Juno is being held at a CM mill and the CM Shockers will be sending a ransom soon." Sanamoto looks shocked and says, "Did you know about this duel with Yamada beforehand?" Rex says, "Yes, as you know I dueled with Yamada multiple times with similar request for a duel. He usually came alone back then, but I guess he had the Shockers with him this time." Sanamoto sits and thinks to himself. Rex says, "I can get Hasamatchu and Tia Hasamisha to make an attempted rescue." Sanamoto says, "I agree, we need to swiftly get Juno back. The longer he's in captivity the more they'll want and the greater the risk to Juno. Do you think Gen. Fuji or Dark O Fu could help?" Rex looks out of the window and says, "He's my student and a member of my clan. I would prefer to handle this unless it really gets tricky. I may even ask his brother Jamesu to help." Sanamoto says, "Yes, I heard he saved many lives by fighting off a Demon Ninja attack on Dam 6 last month. The dam was destroyed but the villagers and many villages were saved. Juno told me of his bravery." Rex says, "Indeed. He is very modest and doesn't want any special attention regarding this. I will try to find him later today." Sanamoto say, "Please, Rex, if there is anything I can do, just ask. Juno is a very special member of my family." With that Rex leaves and starts his search for Black Dragon Jamesu.

At Neipei village, Black Dragon Jamesu is helping the village rebuild after the Demon Ninjas destroyed Dam 6 and flooded the region. As Jamesu helps build a roof, the village mayor yells for Jamesu. Jamesu looks down and sees the mayor standing next to Rex Peterson. He climbs down off the roof and bows to Peterson and says, "Greetings Master Peterson. What can I do for you sir?" Rex says, "I have some troubling news to tell you. Your brother was kidnapped late last week by Yamada and the Shockers. He was to duel Yamada and they must have ambushed him. Eratic and Dawson accompanied him but nothing has been heard from them." Jamesu looks stunned by the news. He sits on a stone wall nearby and says, "That was a very foolish thing for him to do. Why did he go, he had nothing to prove to that fool?" Rex says, "Juno believed Yamada was insulting the honor of his family, clan, and nation. He, as well as I, believed Yamada would be the only member there, besides maybe a few CM soldiers. I fought Yamada many times on similar challenges and he always was alone or with only a handful of CM soldiers." Jamesu says, "Juno really takes the honor of his nation and family very seriously. What do you need? I'm at your disposal master." Rex says, "Hasamatshu and Tia Hasamisha will be part of a mission I'm assembling to rescue Juno. I got a note from Melinda Fox giving me the location of his whereabouts. I will also take part in this mission. Juno is like a son to me as you know." Jamesu says, "Do you trust the information Melinda Fox gave you, it could be a trick?" Rex says, "I helped her a few years ago by giving her information on the people in our empire that killed her parents. I trusted her by giving her the whereabouts of these people which included Mo Mello, our emperor's father. She could have easily killed him and been a hero, but she spared him because he didn't order the killing. I could have been in very serious trouble by giving that information out but she honored her side and didn't abuse the information I gave her. For that I trust her." Jamesu says, "I see. Well, I have to inform my sister if she hasn't been told." Rex says, "No she wasn't told." Jamesu says, "You know, maybe this is the time my sister Princess Meiko needs to come back to her 'Dragon' roots. I'll be off to the Imperial Palace at once. I'll meet you there." Rex and Jamesu bid each other farewell for now.

On that evening in the Imperial Palace's main court a greeting is underway for a governor of a northern Kogasuma province. Jamesu has met Rex again outside the palace with Tia Hasamisha and Hasamatshu. They all greet one another and discuss the mission. Jamesu says to Rex, "I have to talk to my sister but she is in the middle of a royal party." Rex says, "I can bring her out for you." Jamesu says, "No, I better do it. She is after all my sister. I just hope that nitwit Zuki Wu doesn't give me trouble." Jamesu makes his way to the banquet room and enters. Several guest look in amazement as Jamusu walks in, masked and carrying a sword, something forbidden within the confines of the official banquet room. Jamesu walks up to Princess Meiko and whisper in her ear why he is here. Within a few seconds Zuki Wu and a small group around him gather. Zuki says in a high pitched voice, "So I see a barbarian has crashed our affair. Ninja are not to be seen in here, especially a mongrel such as Jamesu." Meiko and Jamesu look outraged by the insult. Meiko says, "You plebian in patrician cloths. You better think twice before making statements about being a mongrel. Since your sister Yuki is a close friend of mine, I'll spare our audience the details." Jamesu pleads, "I don't have time to exchange verbal insults with this troll, I need to talk to you in private urgently." Meiko and Jamesu quickly leave the room and go to Meiko's quarters.

Jamesu tells Meiko of the details of Royal Dragon's predicament. Meiko is shocked and says, "I know he had a commitment to honor last week but I never thought it was a challenge from Yamada. I was wondering why he was gone all weekend. What do you want me to do Jamesu?" Jamesu says, "Do you remember the times you had with our father and the skills he taught you? I think this is a time that his 'Princess Dragon' can be seen again. Have you kept up on your martial arts training?" Meiko looks away from Jamesu and says while rubbing her arms, "I don't know if I have the skills I use to have. The true Dragon within me is locked in my head, simply through forgetfulness over time. You see Jamesu, dad died when I was still very young and my memory isn't as vivid as with you and Juno. Believe me, I which I could remember, or tap into that knowledge dad gave me." Jamesu says, "Have you kept up on your studies in his art of ninjutsu?" Meiko looks at him and says, "I still practice my Tai Chi every morning, swim, strength train and practice Iaido. I don't know if any of that would help you on this mission." Jamesu says, "Then we will have to unlock that memory. Rex knows how to do that." Meiko and Jamesu leave the Imperial Palace and head to his cottage.

Meiko and Jamesu go to Rex Peterson's cottage and they ask if he can help her unlock her knowledge of her father's Dragon ninjutsu. Rex believes he can through hypnosis and they go to a small remote temple nearby which is very isolated and quiet. Hasmatshu and Tia Hasamisha join them and stay nearby. Rex has Meiko sit on the temple's floor and blindfolds her. He says, "This may take some time and the initial release of memory may be violent but it should work well, especially someone of your youthful age." Jamesu sits in the back of the temple watching this. Meiko says, "I'm not afraid. I'm now eager to see what happens." Rex sits in front of her and starts talking in a relaxed voice and tells her to concentrate. He hypnotizes her with a series of mellow voice patterns. Rex says, "Concentrate on your memories of you father. Remember any details that come to mind. Remember his look, his smell, his voice, his laughter, his anger." He does this for several minutes and then stands and walks to Jamesu and says, "Her mind is now ready to be released of that information." Jamesu says, "She said all she's done over the past years has been to practice daily Tai Chi, some strength training and Iaido. Would those skills help?" Rex says, "If she remembers what your father taught her, that will be very helpful. The Iaido will make her swordsmanship better and the physical training will make her even more powerful." He walks to her and says, "Breath deeply and try to remember the Dragon ninjutsu your father taught you. Remember the lethal power it gave you, remember the..." With that Meiko teeth clinch and her hands firm up. Rex says, "Do you remember the Dragon?" She says in an angry voice, "Yes, I remember. I remember training with my father, with Jamesu, with Juno. I remember being one with nature, being one with my skills. I remember the power it gave me." Rex says, "Then it's time to release those skills, that Dragon." Meiko breathes deeper and an angry growl comes from her stomach. Jamesu runs to her and grabs her hand and says, "Sister, we need to prepare prepare ourselves for a battle to save Juno. He needs his Dragon siblings." She stands and says, "I remember everything." She says," I can feel the power rushing through my body. I can remember my long days of training. I am a Dragon!" Rex gently removes the blindfold from her face and her eyes open. She says, "I will not lash out violently. I was taught self control. The Dragon is alive and ready to join my brother and clan in battle." Jamesu says, "Meiko, do you remember everything?" She says, "Yes, it is as if a switch was turned on in my head. I remember everything. It seemed so simple." Jamesu says do you feel different?" Meiko answers, "I feel as if my body is in full readiness. I feel stronger and I'm much more confident in myself. It seems I remember how to do things I only saw you or Juno do. Amazing!" Meiko asks Rex, "Will I continue to keep this knowledge 'unlocked'?" Rex says, "Yes! Since this was memory from when you were a child, it will be re-implanted within your current memory. If you were older, it may have been harder." Meiko says, "I now have to get a uniform to use when I join you. I can't fight in this royal kimono. I have something that may work. I'll be back in an hour." Meiko runs off as Jamuesu and Rex exit the temple and join Tia Hasamisha and Hasamatshu.

Rex returns to his cottage as Jamesu, Hasamatshu, and Tia Hasamisha await Meiko's return. Rex finds a cable has been sent from the Emperor's aide instructing that a ransom has been delivered and states that the Shockers want 500,000 tales of gold for the safe return of Royal Dragon. Rex thinks to himself, "Yamada and the Shockers are in for a shock of their own."

Continues in Juno's Hope.....

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