Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

Young Guardian Ariana." Enchantra smiled. "You will have to take care of her once you meet her."
"Why?"
"She will need your help and understanding. She needs a caring individual, such as you, to help her with the Dominionite Master. For the Master is a Dream Realm being that inhabits the Dominion's Dark Tower."
"You mean -- this Master is like a devil?" Derrick asked and Enchantra nodded. He thought for a moment, looking down at the mirror's image again. "I'll do my best to be her friend." Derrick determined, as he blew the image an imaginary kiss.
"Not only her friend, but her Earthly Protector. Protect her, and guide her, for she is the future Young Guardian." Enchantra lowered her voice. "She is the future of the Dream Realm, and needs a confidant."
"What?" He started to ask, but Enchantra interrupted his thoughts.
Enchantra took a deep breath. "Now it is time for you to go back. You have been here way too long, and the morning rays will awaken you soon." She predicted, once seeing Derrick was confused. "Come, I will assist you."
She walked him out the door of the Palace and he saw numerous doors.
She pointed. "Go through that door. It will take you back home."
Derrick looked to Enchantra. "When will I be able to come back again?"
She nodded. "Soon, I hope. Goodbye for now."
He walked through the door slowly, and as swiftly as he had come, he returned to his comfortable bed.

Just as Enchantra predicted, the early morning rays of the sun were on his face, and the warmth woke him.
Derrick sat up in bed and looked around, thinking it was all a dream. Enchantra, Lord Guardian O'Dell, Challandra, and Ariana Moon. Only their names seemed to stick in his mind.
His thoughts halted on her name.
Ariana . . . such a lovely name for such a mysterious belle. He thought to himself. She was his ever-lingering Dream Girl finally brought to life.
Could it have been just a dream? It all seemed so real!
Derrick shook his head and came back to life. He looked at the clock, and noticed it was time to wake up for the day anyway.
I might as well pull the covers off the bed and head to the bathroom before Luna wakes up. He mused.
By the time he had taken a shower and dressed, she was still asleep.
Derrick bent down at her and smiled. "Wake up, sleepy-head." He whispered in her ear. He kissed her forehead to awaken her.
Luna's limp, sleeping body produced a small groan. "Go away."
"Come on, Lu. We've got a big day ahead of us." Derrick replied.
He'd said it every morning for two months, and for two months, it was the same thing.
Today was a special day for both of them. It was their two-month anniversary as a couple, and he was going to take her out to the Chez Café‚ for a special luncheon.
"Aluna Star, don't make me tickle you!" He teased, tousling her hair. "Wake up."
A few minutes later, Luna was finally awake for the day. She sleepily headed for the bathroom, and Derrick went to his favorite spot -- the balcony. He had a lot on his mind since he had asked her out, and the feelings were worse now since he had the weird dream the night before.
He inhaled a breath of fresh, cool morning air.
Something wasn't right between them. It seemed she was the one for him, yet she wasn't. What was the deal? Sure, most of the time, Luna was mean, sarcastic and a rude brat, acting as his ex-girlfriend Adrienne used to. The rest of the time, when she wanted something, she could be sweeter than a candy bar. He didn't know what to do about her.
He compared Luna to the girl in his dream. They looked exactly alike, as Enchantra and Challandra had, but the girl was distinctly different. The girl acted nicer and gentler.
Wait, Derrick thought to himself. I’m comparing Luna to this Dream Girl. Not some real girl I could hold, see, and feel. He thought of her face once more, touching his lips.
Or kiss.
He heaved a deep sigh. What a mess! He was bound to go mad before finding this girl, if she was real at all.
What about the place he'd been? Was that real, or just a dream, too?
He was as lost as he was the night before, just away in his own world, daydreaming about his Dream Girl. He had so many questions, but too few answers.
"Hey, are you okay?" Luna's voice came from behind him. He turned to see she had her arms wrapped around his waist and was smiling up at him.
Derrick nodded, planting a kiss on her head. "Sure, Luna. I'm okay. Just lost, that's all."
"Sorry to hear that." Luna replied softly. "I hate to say it, but it's time for class."
They left together for the Commons Room, starting their tutoring sessions in many different subjects. Derrick was smart enough in math to be a teacher, not just a student. Luna was behind in math, always saying she hated the numbers.
Derrick sat himself at a table and waited for his three students. His mind wandered.
True, he had fun here, and he had a feeling in his heart that he truly belonged at the System. It was as if he never had a real family in Hill View.
Sure, he knew who his parents were, but he didn't really care. He knew what to do at the System, right from the start.
For his seventeenth birthday, Shannon and the Senior Officers, Big Guy, Cool Cat, and a Junior-Doctor named Love Joy gave him a birthday party. Even some of his agent friends, Shadow, Chips, Jammins and Luna were there. It was better than anything he'd ever imagined before in his life. Better than any poor excuse for some birthday parties he'd had growing up.
Yep, he thought to himself. He definitely belonged at the System. Everything in his life was perfect. He had friends, family, good times, an education, a cool place to live. He had the works! Life was perfect.
"Derrick!" He heard a voice interrupt his thoughts. He shook his head and came to find Shannon's hand on his shoulder, with her best friend Big Guy giggling.
"I thought I was day-dreamy!" Big Guy replied, laughing.
Shannon nudged her best friend and head Senior Officer with a smile. "Behave."
Big Guy shrugged, waved goodbye and was on her way.
"Get your act together, Reading." Shannon warned, handing him his teaching books and folder. "I found these in the computer room yesterday. You'll lose them if you're not careful."
"Sorry, Shannon." He apologized.
His thoughts disappeared in a romantic haze as he felt pairs of eyes looming over him. He looked up to see his students, waiting and willing to learn. He smiled at them and began their lessons.


Chapter Five:
Partner Crush: Act II

Derrick looked at his watch. He didn't want to be late for his luncheon with Luna. He had to talk to her.
Sure, for the past couple of months, they had cared for each other, but each time they kissed, he noticed, the Dream Girl popped into his mind again. He still didn't know whether she was real or if she was just a dream.
Derrick shook his head and ran to Chez Café, where he found Luna waiting at a table, looking down at her lap, nervous.
"Hey, Lu." He kissed her on the cheek and sat down. "Know what you want?" Luna continued to look down at her lap as if she didn't hear him. Derrick looked at her, concerned. He cupped her chin and met her tear-stricken eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Derrick, I don't think we should be a couple anymore." Her voice was sad. "It just doesn't feel right."
Derrick's eyes were wide, and a small smile spread across his lips. "You did it again, Luna." She looked confused. "You read my mind."
She sniffed. "Huh?"
"I was just thinking the same thing." Derrick told her. "Why doesn't it feel right?"
Luna shrugged. "I don't know. I guess my feelings for Shadow are getting in the way of my feelings for you."
Derrick sat down and looked at his lap. Somehow, her statement made everything seem okay.
It figured.
"You've liked him since the beginning, haven't you?"
Sadly, Luna nodded. A tear escaped her eye. "You're not mad at me, are you?"
He shook his head. "Of course not, Lu. I could never be mad." He paused. "You know what, though?"
"What?"
"I think a best friendship is in order for us, don't you agree?" There, it was out. Derrick heaved a mental sigh.
Luna smiled, looking at Derrick tenderly. "You read my mind."
He laughed, happy that things between them were finally at ease, and he was able to get on with his life.
They ate their meal in silence, for words would not express the feeling in the air.
After they had eaten, Derrick's pager went off. It was Shannon.
"Listen, Lu. I've got to go. Shannon needs me." He received no response. When he turned to leave, Luna finally spoke up.
"Derrick." She said.
He spun to meet her eyes. "Yeah?"
"I know what it's about.” Luna said softly, pausing. "Our lives are going to drastically change, starting from the moment you open the door to her office.”
Derrick looked confused for a moment. Luna's look made him wonder exactly what she meant.
He had no time for such thoughts!
He headed over to Shannon's office, quickening his pace on the way. He entered the Computer Lab and glided to the door.
Knocking softly, he entered. "What’s up, Shannon?"
Derrick's glance was not only on Shannon, but also on her visitor. It was the girl in his dreams, come to life! Identical to the last lock of reddish-blond hair as Luna. Was he imagining things? Was she real, and sitting in front of him?
"Agent Reading, I want you to meet Agent Ariana Sister." Shannon introduced them. "Ariana, this is Derrick Reading, your partner."
Agent Sister seemed a bit shy, but gasped before nodding in Derrick's direction.
Shannon smiled, turning to Derrick. "Why don't you take her to Fourth Floor and get her settled, then come back?" Shannon inquired. "I'll be waiting."
He didn’t exactly understand, but nodded, doing what he was she told him to anyway.
He walked the shy, quiet, and sad woman to his quarters. It was déjà vu to him, for he had done the same thing with Luna his first day. Derrick dropped her off quickly adding, "Take the bed by the balcony." He left, fearing she, too, might be able to read his mind.
Derrick returned to Shannon's office. When he opened the door, he saw a depressed Luna sitting on the desk.
There must be something wrong, he deduced. Shannon would never let anyone sit on her desk.
Both Shannon and Luna were solemn.
"She can't know about me." Luna told him sadly, shaking her head. "She can't know I exist. She's not even supposed to know she has a family."
"Why?" Derrick's question was unanswered as he moved closer to her.
"Everyone has agreed to keep Luna a secret from Ariana, and I expect you to do the same." Shannon replied. "No matter how much she knows about telepathy."
Derrick nodded, agreeing. He headed to Luna's side. "Why all the secrecy? What’s going on?"
"I'll explain everything after the ceremony tomorrow." Shannon told him.
He hugged Luna, comforting her. Derrick kissed her on the cheek and nodded to Shannon. "I'll do everything I can."
"Thank you, Derrick. You're a true friend." Luna replied, and kissed