Resurgence of Times Lost Ch. 26

Resurgence of Times Lost
Ch. 26
A Discovery

John felt a cool breeze on his scales and looked up seeing a familiar grassy field around himself

“You're probably wondering why you are here,” Roluth said

“Yeah a little” John said sitting up

“Well I wanted to something about that magic you used earlier,” Roluth said

“What about it?” John said a little worried

“Well every use of magic comes with a price” Roluth said

“So what price did I pay for my use of it?” John asked even more worried

“Most likely some part of yourself you lost, and I wish I could tell you what part it was, but I don’t know,” Roluth said

“I just hope it's not too bad, whatever it is,” John said as the land around him faded out


John woke up feeling a talon prodding his side and looked over seeing Alusia standing there poking him

“Shh don't wake them up,” She said in a quiet voice as John started opening his mouth to speak

“What are we doing?” John asked in a low voice

“Let's have a little us time,” She said

“What do you mean 'us' time?” John asked her confused

“Come on let me show you,” She said as she started walking towards the cave entrance, John curiously got up and followed her out as she walked into the forest eventually stopping in a clearing and laying down looking at him

“Why are we out here?” John asked again still very confused

“Come over here and let me show you,” She said flicking her tail back and forth

“O-okay,” John said slowly walking towards her

“Come on slowpoke I won't bite,” She said with a glint of amusement in her eyes

“I’m not slow I’m just confused about your behavior,” John said

“What do you mean?” She asked obviously confused about his confusion

“Well you brought me out here and now you have laid down and are telling me to come over to you so I don't understand what is going on,” John said

“You don't?” She asked clearly surprised that he didn't know what she meant

“No I don't,” John said wondering what he wasn't getting

“Do I need me to court you first?” She asked

“Court me? Wait you don't mean you want to-” John said suddenly realizing why she had brought him out here

“Yes I do I want to stay with you forever and raise little ones with you,” She said

“But we just met,” John said

“So?” She asked

“No, I’m not ready for a relationship like that yet,” John said

“What, why not any other wolf would jump in joy to have me as their mate,” She said

“I’m not a wolf,” John said

“Oh right I’m sorry,” She said dipping her head as she realized her mistake

“It’s okay who knows maybe someday when this whole thing is over?” John said

“That would be wonderful,” She said lifting her head back up and looking at him happily

“Now let’s go back to Tamenth and Kelly before they wake up,” John said trying to divert from the uncomfortable topic

“Okay, fine,” She said standing up and following him as he started walking back to the cave

John dipped his head sniffing the ground following their scent trail to lead him back to the cave eventually spotting it and walking up to it. With a peek inside he saw that both Tamenth and Kelly were still asleep and slowly walked in settling down in the same corner he had been laying in before then feeling Alusia lay down next to him nuzzling him
You knew this was going to happen, didn't you? John questioned
Yes I did it was quite obvious that she loved you Roluth said
Was it? John asked incredulously
Yes, in fact, Tamenth and Kelly probably could see it too Roluth said
It was just so blunt with how she said it John said
She was a wolf she doesn't understand your view Roluth said
Yeah I get that it was just very strange and surprising John said
Well get used to it Roluth said
Yeah, okay John said still uncertain of how he felt about Alusia’s actions

“I hope you won't hold what I did against me, I didn't know that you weren't quite ready for a mate yet,” Alusia said

“Don't worry I won't,” John said hearing the sincerity in her voice

“Thank you,” She said letting out an audible sigh of relief

“Of course, I understand that you were just trying to express your feelings in the way that you knew how to,” John said

“I’m glad that you won't push me away like my pack did,” She said looking down sadly

“Hey, don't be sad I will never leave you,” John said putting a wing over her in an attempt at comforting her

“T-thank you,” She said her voice a little shaky as John noticed that her eyes were watering

“I am so sorry about your pack but remember this no matter what we face I will always stand by your side” John said feeling her bury her muzzle in his side crying softly, John stroking her back with his tail “It’s okay we are here for you” John said continuing to try to comfort her
John laid on the floor of the cave continuing to try to comfort her as she softly wept then he heard movement behind him and turned seeing Tamenth watching him.
Tamenth quickly looked away as John noticed him staring.

“I’m sorry I didn't mean to stare,” Tamenth said

“It’s fine,” John said continuing to try to comfort Alusia

“So why is she upset?” Tamenth asked curiously

“She is worried that we will leave her like her pack did,” John said

“Well Alusia,” Tamenth said causing her to lift her head and look at him “I promise I will never leave you and I know that my big brother never will,” Tamenth said smiling at her

“T-thank y-you so much,” She said suppressing her tears

“Of course, we are here for you like family,” Tamenth said standing up and walking over to John and nuzzling her as well as she nuzzled him back, Tamenth then broke away from her walking over to Kelly and prodding her side

“Wake up sleepyhead,” Tamenth said

“Ugh, fine” Kelly said slowly standing up and stretching

“Okay now that we are all up how about we go about finding our way out of this forest,” John said

“Are you sure we should go back to humans, what if we stayed here?” Alusia asked looking at him hopefully

“I am sorry to say but I must return, I can’t just leave my parents like that, they most likely think that I am dead,” John said hiding his own worry at what would be waiting for them upon their return

“Well if you must go back, then I will stay with you,” Alusia said

“I am glad to have you by my side,” John said nuzzling her as she did the same eventually breaking contact and looking over at Tamenth and Kelly realizing they had watched their exchange and immediately feeling embarrassed.

“Alright let's go,” John said standing up with Alusia doing the same in an attempt to break the silence and hide his embarrassment

“Yeah okay,” Tamenth said walking up to him with Kelly next to him and they walked out of the cave, John looking around himself attempting to find a trail or path that he could follow to a city or town.
They walked out and turned beginning to walk in the opposite direction they had come from the previous day, John once again entranced by the size of the trees that surrounded him and looking up at the canopy overhead.
I wish I didn't think so, but how nice would it be to just stay here John said
It would be nice but you have tasks that must be done and if you stay here the world will most likely be consumed by darkness Roluth said
Yeah, I know John said pushing thoughts of staying out of his mind
They continued walking searching for any sign of humanity weaving around the trees and around fallen trunks.
John eventually  spotted a bright area in front of them and turned towards it hoping it was what he thought it was and walking into it, he looked up a smile on his muzzle as he saw that there was an opening in the canopy overhead

“Good spot now we can fly out of here,” Tamenth said spreading his wings

“Umm, I don’t know how to fly,” Alusia said

“That’s fine, here I’ll teach you,” John said turning towards her

“Really, Well then what do we do first?” She asked obviously happy

“Well first thing you should do is spread your wings,” John said demonstrating watching her copy him

“Okay, what next?” She asked with her wings spread

“You need to flap angling your wings to catch as much air as possible on the downstroke,” John said demonstrating in slow motion as to not rise as he did so

“Like this?” She questioned copying his movements stirring a bit of air in the process

“Yeah good job, now see if you can do it a little faster and with more power,” John said

Alusia did as he said launching herself into the air and doing a flip landing on her back

“OW!” She said hitting the ground

“It’s fine, I had trouble as well,” John said helping her back up

“That hurt,” She said standing up

“Well you did do quite a flip” John replied

“I’ll get it next time,” She said

“Then let’s see you do so,” John said watching her spread her wings again and take a large flap launching herself into the air

“See, I’m doing it just fine,” She said taking another flap and managing to stabilize herself

“Great now just keep that up and you will be fine,” John said

“Yeah, ahh” She lost control and fell John catching her right before she hit the ground

“A little more practice might be a good idea,” John said

“I thought I had it,” She said getting back to her feet

“Nope you put a little too much power into your left wing flap and knocked yourself out of control,” John said

“Hmm, fine let me try again and I will do it right,” She said

“Alright let’s see,” John said

Alusia spread her wings angling them then with a strong flap she pushed herself into the air with a visible look of concentration on her face

“Wow, she got it quick!” Tamenth said coming up next to John

John watched Alusia push herself higher into the air then look down on him

“You coming or not?” She asked

“Of course I’m coming,” John said flapping into the air as well feeling the wind from Tamenth and Kelly’s wingbeats as they flew up into the air.

They flapped up out of the canopy of trees as John looked around them seeing redwoods extending off in all directions from where they were except where he was able to see the ocean crashing against the shore.

“So where do we go now?” Alusia asked next to him

“I guess we should head away from the ocean since I live farther inland,” John said

“I have never seen the ocean before though” Tamenth said

“But we need to get back,” John said

“No, I want to see the ocean,” Kelly said flying towards it

“We need to go back!” John said

“You can’t make me!” Tamenth said flying towards the ocean after his sister as John watched them go

“Urg, what am I going to do with those two?” John said

“It’s okay we aren't on a schedule,” Alusia said

“Yeah, I guess you are right, I just want to get back to my parents as soon as I can,” John said

“Well a little longer won’t hurt and Tamenth and Kelly are already gone so it’s kind of too late anyway,” Alusia said

“Yeah I guess so,” John said turning and following Tamenth and Kelly as they flew towards the beach and looking down he saw that there was a road following the shore

If there is a road then people must be nearby maybe this was a good option, after all, John thought
It was the only option Roluth said
Well yeah I guess you are right John said
John continued following Tamenth and Kelly looking down on the road seeing a normal paved road and the redwood forest stopping at a line of hills but no houses in sight.

“I have never been to the beach before I’m really looking forward to it,” Alusia said

“I have gone to it before on trips, it’s really not as awesome as it sounds,” John said

“You have done it before as a dragon?” She asked with a knowing tone

“Well no I haven't, but how much different could it possibly be?” John said

“Well I never thought that the water of a lake could feel so good on scales yet it did, far more than on fur that’s for sure,” Alusia said

“I guess you’re right,” John said looking down at the water and seeing Tamenth and Kelly start their descent towards the sand of the beach

“Catch me if you can!” Alusia said as she folded her wings and dove towards the water

“Wait you don’t know how to slow down!” John said dropping into a dive after her

“I know, you need to catch me!” She said looking back at him and laughing

John angled himself getting as little drag as possible and speeding up to her, grabbing her and flapping as hard as he could slowing them to a safe velocity before hitting the water and then swimming to the surface trying to battle the waves seeing Alusia come up next to him

“That wasn't safe,” John said

“So what, I got you to grab me and slow me down,” She said

“And if I hadn't you could have gotten hurt,” John said looking back to shore and the cliffs behind the beach

“You would never have let me get hurt,” Alusia said with a laugh

“If you had it wouldn't be because I let you just because I was unable to reach you in time,” John said

“And you would never let that happen,” Alusia said looking over at him and laughing

“Just be more careful in the future okay?” John asked her

“Alright, I’ll be more careful,” Alusia said her smile fading slightly

“Good now let’s go to the beach,” John said turning and swimming towards shore seeing Tamenth and Kelly just landing and looking out at them
John swam to the beach surprised at how easy it was for him to cut through the waves that any human would have trouble swimming against and pulling himself onto the shore and standing up he walked over to Tamenth and Kelly with Alusia walking next to him.

“Alusia you did quite the dive,” Tamenth said

“I know it was wonderful having John catch me,” She said looking over at him and smiling

John feeling the sun on his scales and the sand radiating the heat back up decided to separate from the group and walked over to a spot a little ways away lying down feeling the sun and the heat from the sand under him radiating through his body and pushing out the stress that he had acquired.
Wow, the sun and warm sand works wonders for relieving stress and tension
Yes, it sure does!
John relaxed in the sun temporarily able to forget his troubles and stress and just relax finding he felt better than he had in a long time

“John, you mind if I lay next to you?” Alusia asked walking up to him

“Sure, It would be nice to have you with me,” John said lifting his head and looking at her unable to stop himself from smiling

“Great, Tamenth and Kelly are enjoying themselves with the waves,” Alusia said

John looked over at them seeing them running happily dodging waves or kicking sand into the air acting like happy children despite all that had happened to them

“They sure know how to have fun even when the world is falling into darkness,” John said as Alusia laid down next to him and cuddled close to him

“The world won’t fall into darkness if you have anything to say about it,” Alusia said nuzzling him comfortingly

“That’s what I’m worried about what if I-” Alusia suddenly cut him off looking into his eyes “I know you can, you are a brilliant and strong dragon and no matter what happens you will not be alone, no matter the danger we will face it together”

“Thank you for that” John said nuzzling her and feeling very happy for her presence

She responded by nuzzling him more and putting her wing over him purging his fear and uncertainty from his mind as he looked into her eyes finding a stirring warmth forming inside of himself at her presence near him and he hoped for the feeling to last forever
Don’t forget you have a task to complete and the world to save Roluth suddenly said barging into his thoughts
Do you need to do that? I am finally enjoying myself! John said rather irritated at Roluth’s intrusion
I do because I sense that you are contemplating leaving your duties which will not work Roluth said
John dipped his head breaking his gaze with Alusia and he tried to stand up feeling Alusia hold him down

“Leaving so soon?” Alusia asked him with a note of sadness in her voice

“We need to get going and find a way to get back to my parents and the rest of humanity,” John said

“But you don’t want to go do you?” Alusia asked him obviously noticing the note of displeasure in his voice

“No I don’t, but I don’t really have a choice,” John said sighing

“We could stay here longer I doubt much could happen in that time,” Alusia said almost pleadingly

“No we can’t, I know that each second that ticks by is more time lost and I’m sorry to say but we are on a very strict schedule,” John said

“Strict schedule? What do you mean?” Alusia asked

“I doubt what we have already seen is the worst this darkness has in store, so since it seems that we are the only ones who can stop it or at least repel it we need to go and do so and do it as quickly as we possibly can,” John said

Alusia sighed “I guess you are right, I was just having a really good time relaxing out here with you”

John nodded “I know what you mean, I have been too but all good things must come to an end”

“Yeah, I guess you are right. Well let's go tell Tamenth and Kelly that it’s time to leave”

They then walked over to Tamenth and Kelly seeing them playing in the waves as one came up they would run back up the beach then go back when it receded.

“Tamenth, Kelly it’s time to go!” John called

With groans and moans they walked over to him and in no time at all they were once again airborne and John turned in flight following the road searching for any sign of human habitation.
John looked over the road and the beach with the stone cliffs behind it.
I wish I knew where we were John thought
Sorry, no help here, I've never seen this area before Roluth replied

“John where are we going?” Tamenth asked him

“I’m looking for someone's home or really any type of human-made structure,” John said

“That looks human-made,” Kelly said pointing out over the water and as John looked out where she was pointing he noticed a tall and slender structure on an island, with a light on the top of it that seemed to be rotating.

“That must be a lighthouse! Good spot Kelly!” John said changing his flight path to fly towards it the rest of the group doing the same, they then flew over the water towards the island that the lighthouse was on and landed on it looking around.

“So where to now?” Tamenth asked walking up to him

“I don’t really know, I figure we should try to find a human city or any other thing that can point us towards civilization,” John said looking over the water and at the mainland thinking he could slightly make out a town in the distance with some boats out at sea in front of it.

“John, I don’t think you need to look out there, someone's coming towards us right now,” Tamenth said drawing John’s attention to the path behind them where someone was slowly walking towards them with shaky steps, obviously in complete fear of the group of dragons in front of them.
John took a few steps forward trying his best to look non-threatening with Alusia walking up next to him.

“H-hello… W-what are you d-doing h-here?” The man asked his voice shaking massively as he obviously wanted to run as fast as he could.

“We are searching for a city or town do you know where one is?” John asked unconsciously twining his tail with Alusia’s as he attempted to make the man less fearful of him and Tamenth and Kelly.

“W-why a-are you l-looking for a c-city o-or t-town?” He asked obviously both suspicious and his fear not eased at all if anything he was even more fearful of them.

John sighed “Alright listen to me, we don’t intend to cause trouble or destruction or fear, we are just trying to return to humanity, there are certain things that if they go unchecked could cause panic and destruction and we are trying to prevent them, now please just tell us where we can contact someone, if you know how to get a line to the government that works too, just get us someone who is in charge” John said a little tired after dealing with so many things and trying to keep them all under control.

“Y-you don’t?” He asked his fear seeming to be slightly eased

“No, now please go tell someone we are here so that we can stop scaring you, okay?” John said

The man simply nodded and almost ran back towards the lighthouse in an attempt to get as far from them as he could.
John watched him go and laid down relaxing and enjoying the sounds of the birds and the ocean as well as the feeling of the sun on his scales.
How long has it been since I was human? It feels as if that was another life that I lead, one that wasn't my own John thought surprised at how much had happened to him in the short time since he had been human.
It truly does feel like a long time Roluth replied
Where do you think things will go from here? Do you think I’m going to need to face this darkness face to face? John asked
You most likely will considering the fact that it seems you are the only one it has taken true notice of Roluth said
It’s a very daunting task, to try and face something that has destroyed so many dragons before me, how can I fight that? John asked
You have powers that no dragon before you has used effectively, if anyone has a chance at defeating this darkness, it is you Roluth said
I just hope the weight of my responsibilities doesn't crush me before then John thought as he then heard a loud sound echoing over the water.

“What is that?” Tamenth asked lifting his head and his eyes narrowing on a spot over the land and as John turned to look he saw four gleaming dots with smoke trails behind them screaming towards the island they were on.

“I would almost say they look like military fighter jets… but why would there be fighters heading towards us… Move! Follow me now!” John yelled leaping into the air looking behind himself and making sure everyone was following him and seeing them all airborne as well he flew as fast as he could away from the land and towards the ocean. With a quick glance towards the lighthouse, he spotted a group of people looking out at them quickly ducking down as they saw John looking at them.
Roluth how far can we go before we tire too much to continue? John asked
At your current speed Kelly will tire first since she has flown the least overall so her flight muscles probably aren't very strong, so since I'm in your mind and not hers, you should probably just check in with her to make sure she is holding up well Roluth said
Okay, John looked behind him seeing that the jets were far closer than before How are we going to get away? We can’t fly nearly fast enough to outpace them, there must be a way out of this! John thought starting to panic
John, john, calm down, now, you need to think clearly! Roluth said
But what are they going to do if they reach us? John asked panicking more
Then we need a plan to make sure they don’t, you have three dragons with you as well as yourself, one of you must be able to do something Roluth said
We can’t just blow them up without being sure of their intentions! John said
You most definitely can! Roluth replied
NO John replied forcefully the human part of his mind retaliating against the thought
Fine, if you won’t do it then I won’t force you again Roluth said
Thank you, now let’s figure out a way to escape John said looking at Tamenth and Kelly behind him then at the jets seeing they were very close, the noise of their engines thundering over the water then he suddenly remembered that he could bend light.
John stopped his speed watching the rest of them stop as well.

“Why did we stop don’t we need to get away?” Kelly asked looking at the jets

“John has a plan,” Tamenth said looking at him “Don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m going to hide us from view,” John said focusing on the light around them and quickly bending it away hiding them from view instantly.

“Are we hidden?” Alusia asked looking at the jets fear showing in her gaze

“Yes, we are,” John said looking at the jets fearfully hoping that they didn’t know where they were as he hovered over the water.

Nice plan, now let’s hope it works Roluth said
I sure hope so, I'm fearful of what will happen if it doesn't John said
John looked over the water to their right suddenly spotting a destroyer class craft heading towards them and realizing that there was no way to get away.
I should have known there was no way to escape from the US military John said finally giving up on escaping.
You can’t give up! There must be something you can do Roluth said
This is the US military we are talking about, the strongest military on the planet, in your time you may have been able to escape from any situation but now… There is nothing that can be done, it would be suicide to fight head on John said as he watched the jets rocket over them then glanced at the destroyer seeing it continue its approach and he was slightly surprised as it corrected its course to continue in their direction.

“What is that thing?” Kelly asked as she noticed the destroyer heading towards them prompting Alusia and Tamenth to look at it

“It’s a destroyer, it has all sorts of weapons on it, if it is after us as well then that means that we are important enough that the US military has taken a large notice of us, so we need to just hope that they won’t kill us” John said worried that he was about to bring all of them to their deaths as the ship got closer to them and John counted four guns on it as well as a large one on the front of it.
That is a formidable arsenal on that thing… I really hope we don’t need to face it John thought
You could still probably destroy it Roluth said bringing up the point again

“John, you’ll protect us right?” Tamenth asked fearfully

“I’ll try my best, I just hope it’s enough,” John said looking at Tamenth, Kelly and lastly Alusia feeling his worry for each one of them, then he looked back at the destroyer bearing down on them watching with growing fear as it got closer and closer.

Alusia flapped up next to him “I know you will get us out, that’s what I admire in you, you never stop fighting for your friends”

John looked over smiling at her “Thank you, I try my best, I just hope it is enough” John looked back towards the ship seeing it getting closer and closer.

How do they know where we are if they can’t see us? John wondered
I don’t know, as you said I don’t know anything about this world Roluth said
Roluth what do you mean? John asked
I may not know about this time period, but I do know that there are more ways of tracking something than by sight alone, so if you ask me I’d say that these humans have figured out another way of tracking you Roluth said as John almost hit himself in the face for his stupidity
Of course! They must be using radar to find us, that’s why the craft seems to know exactly where we are, it is tracking us via radar, oh why didn’t I think of this before? John thought looking at the ship and shaking his head in defeat then lifting his head he once again heard the roaring thunder of jet engines as he saw two groups of four shooting over the water towards them.

“John! What do we do! They are going to get us!” Tamenth said fear shaking his voice as he looked at the things heading towards them

“I wish I knew,” John said looking out at the imposing ship and the jets one thought bouncing around his mind This is not good