Copyright © 2018 Samantha Manon. All rights reserved.

ISBN

978-1-4828-8326-8 (sc)

978-1-4828-8327-5 (e)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

04/13/2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Dragons on the Moon

The Wishing Box

The Holidays

The Wish

The Summon of Friendship

The Visitor

The Odd Friendship

The Mystical Music

The Mysterious Request

The City of Azra

The Betrayal

The Royal Command

The Clue in the Old Book

The Kingdom of Flame

The Keeper of Secrets

The Temple of Eternal Flames

The Sun Sapphire

The Clue within the Eternal Flames

Franco the Falcon of Friendship

The Valley of the Twin Rainbows

The Riddle

The Aqua Pearl

The Magic Mint Carpet

Periwinkle Lake

Benny the Blue Dragon

Bluebell Lempika

The Elusive Pearl

The Quest Continues

Return to the Kingdom of Flames

Suria Tower

The Shadow Demon

The Meaning of TRUE Friendship

The Sultan’s Wish

Prisoners at the North Tower

Truth Sets Free

Friends for a Lifetime

Index

Acknowledgment

For my brother, Paul Sivanesan, (1964 – 2009)

the dragon that came to my rescue,

and

for MO.

CHAPTER ONE

THE DRAGONS ON THE MOON

Speare Morgan, a young dragon living on the moon, was having a bad day and it was barely noon. How was that possible? Had time stood still? His stomach growled with hunger as he carried files from the archives to his table in the corner of Grand Uncle Dragalileo’s large study. At this very moment, even the horrible mushroom and red pepper sandwich he had the previous week seemed appetizing. He hoped lunch would taste better and be served soon.

Grand Uncle, on the other hand, was oblivious of Speare Morgan’s distress, which didn’t surprise him at all. Buried in work, Grand Uncle was lost in a world that revolved around the Celestial Orbit, an observatory. Scrolls and books lay opened across his table as he scribbled away on a parchment.

Grand Uncle did important work for the DRAGANET: Detailed Research Across Galaxies and New Extreme Territories. After all, Grand Uncle was the head of research and shouldered huge responsibilities. He studied the planets and stars of various systems while gathering data needed by the Galactic Explorers and Travelers Unit.

The GET- U, as they were known, was an elite team of dragons. They travelled far across the universe, undertaking the dangerous task of discovering new frontiers and providing vital information required in setting up new homes for the dragons throughout the galaxies.

Speare Morgan admired Grand Uncle and hoped to emulate him one day by being a respected scholar. He always did his best in everything he undertook so Grand Uncle would be proud of him, but today wasn’t one of those days.

Late yet again, I see. When will you remember the importance of being punctual? reprimanded Grand Uncle when Speare Morgan staggered in two hours late and covered in dust.

The alarm clock… started a nervous Speare Morgan.

Almost immediately, he regretted those words. A lame excuse wouldn’t do, and he hated to disappoint Grand Uncle. Troubled, Speare Morgan stood still, uncertain of what to say. It was best to just tell the truth.

"I overslept. I am truly sorry. I awakened quite suddenly, having rolled off my bed, hitting my head on the stone floor. Cousin Ivor’s snoring kept me awake half the night along with his ramblings. It sounded gibberish to me except for a few words: Arabella, aching heart, fiery eyes. Maybe Arabella is coming down with the pox, and cousin Ivor is worried about her. What do you think, Grand Uncle?"

Grand Uncle remained silent as he was on the verge of laughing out. He always found it tough to be stern with Speare Morgan for long.

Speare Morgan sighed, taking his seat at the table. He felt light-headed and wondered if he had a concussion.

I knew I was late. I panicked and ran around like a dragon on fire. I had to get my own breakfast, make my bed and gather my books, which had mysteriously disappeared from my room. Then I forgot about breakfast until I saw smoke coming out of the kitchen. By then, I was really running late. The new no-fly zones didn’t help matters, continued Speare Morgan.

I believe I stirred up a haze, stumbling into dust pits as I ran all the way here. You are sure to receive an official notice. Grumbio will never let this one slide. The fortification works are taking forever, complained Speare Morgan. But look on the bright side, he added, suddenly feeling pleased with himself.

And what would that be? asked Grand Uncle, bemused.

The kitchen didn’t go up in flames.

That would indeed have been a catastrophe. Thank you for sparing us that disaster. Now go dust yourself and continue with your work.

As an afterthought he added, And Speare Morgan?

Yes, sir?

Stop calling our mayor Grumbio. That’s disrespectful.

Okay, agreed Speare Morgan reluctantly.

He also wished Grand Uncle would stop grinning. What could possibly be so amusing?

The Celestial Orbit was an observatory on the moon; the only home Speare Morgan had ever known. Covered in a soft dust, rocks, and craters, the moon had looked quite uninhabitable when the dragons first landed there. This soon changed as the dragons were master builders. They immediately took charge and started building homes that could withstand this harsh new environment, hence changing the landscape.

The Celestial Orbit was one of the many structures built by the dragons. Standing on the east, it was the largest observatory in this part of the galaxy, and many had commented it was the grandest building they had laid eyes upon.

Grand Uncle Dragalileo’s study was just below the observation deck. Ancient architectural designs were used in creating this unique room, which guarded many treasures and secrets.

Stepping into Grand Uncle’s study, one was immediately transported into a world dedicated to space exploration. Its high ceiling never failed to impress visitors. Suspended from it were spheres of various sizes and colours that gyrated within their own orbits, replicating planetary systems throughout the galaxies—a testament to the success of the dragons’ expeditions over the years.

The multi-tier aquamarine chandelier brightened the room, a gift from a grateful colony of dragons from Neptune. Named the Blue Ocean, it rotated gently to the sounds of waves rushing ashore. This was one of Grand Uncle’s most treasured possessions as it reminded him of Earth.

The walls were partially covered with bookshelves that rose high, almost touching the ceiling. They held the largest collection of books, gathered from various galaxies.

Knowledge is crucial. It empowers us dragons to travel the universe with greater success, emphasised Grand Uncle many times.

Paintings by famous dragons hung on the walls. Here, secrets of the universe yet to be fully understood were captured on canvases: dazzling trails of fiery comets, the mysterious black holes, the final years of a dying star and various constellations in the heavens—each a priceless treasure.

Spears Morgan’s favourite painting was by the artist Dragovinci who had incorporated various lighting technics into his masterpiece, The Evolution, the discovery of a new galaxy, seen for the first time. Its dazzling colours were captivating and alluring.

Ancient tools and gadgets used to study the stars and the heavens were on display in a special antiquity cabinet; there were sextants, astrolabes, telescopes, compasses, and even a quadrant. Grand Uncle was known to use these instruments on special occasions or when he was entertaining very important guests from different galaxies.

A sundial made of stone stood in a corner. Once used to tell time, it was very old and had come from Earth.

The grandest feature in the room was at the top of the spiral staircase. A long gallery led to the observation deck that looked out into the heavens. Here stood the powerful Galactic Telstar telescope, the pride and joy of the dragons, second to none.

Finding a box of chocolate dragon cookies (buried under all his files and notes), leftovers from the previous week, Speare Morgan was beginning to feel better. These would do until lunch, he thought as he munched on them. He would continue reviewing the files Grand Uncle had marked as vital for his education, and this required his absolute attention.

Therefore, he found it rather annoying that thoughts of cousin Ivor kept distracting him.

He always disliked cousin Ivor, who had a habit of teasing him.

Greeny, Mossy, and Slimy were some of cousin Ivor’s favourite names for Speare Morgan. With great effort, Speare Morgan had learnt to ignore these taunts. Some days, if he tried really hard, he could imagine cousin Ivor as a great big toad covered in warts, croaking loudly each time he spoke.

Strangely, it was the malfunctioning of the alarm clock that bothered him the most. He couldn’t help but suspect cousin Ivor was behind this. He must have deliberately switched off the alarm. After all, cousin Ivor had a habit of picking on him and loved getting him into trouble just because he was different.

The dragons that lived on the moon were known as the Malayan Green Winged Tornado Dragons. Their leathery skins were covered with heavy golden and brown scales. Green streaks that sparkled like emeralds ran along their backs and wings. They weren’t large, averaging between thirty to fifty feet in length. The adults had a wingspan up to seventy-five feet, and a pair of golden horns. Their sinuous tails with sharp green spikes gave them the added protection they needed to defend themselves against larger predators. But they were most famous for their ability to stir up winds with their mighty wings and lash tornados upon the lands to defeat their enemies, a skill that took years to master.

Alas, much to Speare Morgan’s dismay, he was completely green, without a speck of golden brown, and the only Green Dragon to be born in his colony in over a hundred years. Yes, he had the golden horns (although not fully formed), but these gave him no comfort. This stark difference was the cause of much of his grief.

Adding to his woes, when he turned three, it was discovered he couldn’t breathe fire like the other dragons. Fire gave his mouth painful blisters and a sore throat. Hence, he had to alter his diet and become a vegetarian, making him the only vegetarian dragon in this galaxy as far as anyone could tell!

The dragons thought him odd before, but they now laughed and viewed him as a freak.

A dragon that can’t breathe fire! Have you ever heard of such a thing? How very odd. What would that make him? An overgrown lizard? they mocked and laughed at him.

If Speare Morgan thought things couldn’t get worse, he was wrong.

One day, his cousin Steve let it slip that Speare Morgan loved honey. It soothed his inflamed throat. What? That’s unheard of! the younger dragons roared with laughter. He’s no dragon; he’s a mutant. A green bee!

Their daily taunts and jokes got worse with each passing day.

Here comes Mossy Morgan, the bumbling bee, green as can be, how awful it must be, they sang each time they caught sight of him.

Speare Morgan longed to be their friend and enjoy the many fun things the dragons did together, but they refused to befriend him. It was uncool to be seen with someone who was different. There were days when their apathy caused him much unhappiness.

Then one day, unable to bear the humiliation, Speare Morgan decided he would never venture outside again.

Why allow them to get you down? asked Grand Uncle. Indeed, you are different. You shall become a green ranger, the seventh to be born in our colony. Although, none was a vegetarian as far as I can recall. No matter, though. You should be proud of who you are and strive to be the best green ranger you can be. Serve your community with honour. Hiding isn’t the solution.

But Grand Uncle didn’t stop there. What he said next took Speare Morgan by surprise. If you trust me, I shall personally oversee your training. Hopefully soon, you will begin to appreciate and understand the role of the green rangers in our colony.

Hence, Speare Morgan’s training began a year ago. It gave him a new lease on life and a purpose. His daily classes encompassed studying the files in the archives, as history was an important subject, along with astronomy, galactic exploration, physics, chemistry, botanical studies, calculus, geometry, and algebra.

Speare Morgan couldn’t understand how these subjects would serve him in being a green ranger or help him survive dangerous and life-threatening missions. What he did find though, were fascinating adventures, useful information, and long-forgotten accomplishments.

Today, they worked in silence; the only sounds that broke the stillness within the room were that of files being dusted vigorously, the scuffling of papers and the scratching of ink quills.

Gggrrrrrrr.

Speare Morgan did his best to ignore the rumbles of his once again hungry stomach. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he realized it was past lunchtime. Should he interrupt Grand Uncle and point out this obvious detail, he wondered. If he didn’t eat something soon, he would faint!

Reaching out for the jug of fresh juice on the side table, he knocked over a thick file. It fell with a loud thud onto the floor. The fastener gave way and pieces of paper scattered across the floor. He let out a soft groan. He would have to redo this file, setting him back a good half an hour.

Unknown to Speare Morgan, Grand Uncle was observing him. The sound of his rumbling stomach and of the heavy file hitting the floor had interrupted Grand Uncle’s concentration. He smiled as he looked up at the time. Speare Morgan was working earnestly, but it was time for a break.

Lunch, I believe, is long overdue, said Grand Uncle as he stood up and rang a bell.

Speare Morgan didn’t move or answer Grand Uncle. He was caught off-guard, staring at the papers in his claw.

How are you progressing? asked Grand Uncle walking over. You must be hungry. Lunch will be up in a minute or two. I’ve ordered your favourite: a giant omelette with mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese along with pancakes with maple syrup and strawberries for dessert.

But Speare Morgan didn’t hear Grand Uncle. He was busy reading the documents that had fallen from the folder.

What’s this? asked Grand Uncle, reaching out and picking up the file. Their eyes met, and Grand Uncle smiled.

"This folder has your name, Grand Uncle, and these strange words: Sri Perkasa Naga Rimba Hijau. What do they mean? These papers hold a record of your travels on the planet Earth many years ago," declared Speare Morgan, puzzled.

So it does, affirmed Grand Uncle glancing through the papers. So it does.

But that can’t be right. There are no dragons on Earth.

Well, you are partly right, corrected Grand Uncle. There are no dragons on Earth now, but many years ago, a colony of us lived in its densely thick jungles.

What? You lived on Earth?

"Yes, I did, and happy were the years. Back then, we were given this name by a friend: Sri Perkasa Naga Rimba Hijau. It means ‘Mighty Dragons of the Green Jungles.’ But that’s Green Thumbs knocking on the door. Lunch is here," said Grand Uncle.

Lunch? Who wanted lunch? Here was an adventure he had often dreamed of, and Grand Uncle had experienced it first-hand and had failed to mention it to him! Not once! Not even a hint!

But I want to know more about these adventures, Grand Uncle. Here in the records, it says it was you who designed the first moon dome: an improvement to the igloos you came across in your travels through the northern territories on Earth. What exactly are igloos?

Igloos are blocks of ice, built into domes. They provide shelter to the humans living in extremely cold places, explained Grand Uncle.

So you mastered the art of building the moon domes from the humans?

Yes. Due to the unpredictable weather on the moon, we needed to build homes that were durable. My designs were eventually called moon domes; semi-circle stone buildings connected by underground tunnels for safe and easy access. Back then, we experienced fierce storms and wild winds during the meteoroid season.

I never knew that, whispered Speare Morgan. It was time to take his studies seriously. There’s another folder here that says ‘Secrets of the Wishing Box. I’ve never heard of a wishing box. What secrets does it hold?

Grand Uncle chuckled. The adventure surrounding the wishing box was one he was fond and proud to be part of.

Well? asked Speare Morgan, staring at Grand Uncle. He always thought of Grand Uncle as an academic, a true scholar without an ounce of an adventurous spirit within his soul. This discovery startled him. Suddenly, Grand Uncle looked mysterious and interesting, not the plain genius Speare Morgan thought him to be.

The wishing box is a mystical box. Only a few have the knowledge and skills to create one.

What? A mystical box? he asked, clearly doubtful.