Chapter 23: Senior Year

Pulling up to the student parking lot of Summer Valley High School was Aaron's truck. Aaron parked his truck and then he, Smolder and Megan got out of the truck. Aaron, Smolder and Megan started walking towards the front entrance of the school with their school bags. Aaron and Smolder transformed into their dragon forms after getting out of the truck.

"This is it," Aaron said. "Senior year. Our last year of High School."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Smolder asked. "Let's make it big this year."

"Ah know Ah will," Megan said.

Aaron, Smolder and Megan went into the school. The other students saw Aaron and Smolder walking in and they applauded as they were walking down the hall.

"Looks like the whole school is waiting for us to make it big this year," Aaron said. "Let's do it." Smolder nodded and they headed for their first class.

Since it was Senior Year, it was going to be the most toughest year. Aaron and Smolder will be taking US Government, Design Technology, and PE for their common classes on A-Days, and for their extra curriculars, Aaron chose Home Economics so he and Smolder would both be able to cook for themselves, and Smolder had chosen the Yearbook. They would continue their jobs until the middle of next summer to prepare for college. And for B-Days, Aaron and Smolder were going to take English-4, Calculus and Social Studies for their common classes and they both took Study Hall for their extra curricular so they'll have more time to finish their homework before going to work or to their games. Aaron, Smolder and Megan met up with Paul, Kyle and Slab in Government class. Aaron and Smolder went to their respective seats.

"Let's hope we'll make it through this year without a problem," Aaron said.

"Here's hoping," Smolder said.

Months had passed and Aaron, Paul and Kyle were training for their final Basketball Season in High School. They were currently doing their laps around the court. Coach Malcolm was watching them.

"Alright, team," Coach Malcolm said. "Fall in." Then all the Varsity Basketball players went up to Coach Malcolm. "Alright, team, it's time we make it to the State Finals again. With our new team captain, Aaron Blazer." Then the team started applauding. Kyle gave Aaron a slap on the back. "Alright, boys. Let's do some layups." Then all the basketball players went to the spots where they'll work on their layups.

"So, Aaron, where do you want to go for college?" Paul asked.

"I'm thinking of heading to Los Angeles," Aaron said. "Smolder and I are planning on going there together. Although, I... haven't told Aunt Marissa about heading that far for college."

"Guess it'll be hard for your aunt to accept you going off," Kyle said. "My big brother went off to college to play Football for Ole' Miss. My parents still go into his old room and never changed it. Especially last Christmas when he and his girlfriend came in."

"Well, I don't have any siblings myself, but I guess my aunt will be like that when Smolder and I go," Aaron said. "But she'll still have Tony and Jessica when I go."

"I bet you're planning on visiting them for the holidays," Paul said.

"Alright, Aaron," Coach Malcolm said. "Show 'em how it's done." Aaron nodded as he was tossed the ball. Then he started dribbling the ball up to the basket, and he got the ball into the basket as another player caught it and threw it to Paul.

One Saturday, Smolder came into the house with the mail in her hands while in human form. She went over to the table and sorted the mail. She then saw a letter addressed to her. It was a letter from UCLA.

"Oh, boy," Smolder said. She then changed into her dragon form. "Aaron! It's time!"

Aaron then came down the stairs and saw the letter from UCLA in Smolder's hands. Then Marissa and Liam came in from the backyard with dinner. Liam barbecued some burgers.

"Sorry, kids," Liam said. "The burgers got a little burnt. I'm a little rusty on the barbecue."

Marissa then saw the letter in Smolder's hands and asked, "Is that a letter from one of the colleges you applied for?"

"Yeah," Smolder said. "Although... you might want to sit down for this." Aaron nodded in agreement. Then Liam put the platter of cooked hamburger patties on the kitchen counter. Then both he and Marissa sat down at the table. "When Aaron was applying for colleges, he... applied for some colleges... outside of Florida."

"Really?" Marissa asked. "How far? Georgia? Mississippi?"

"California," Aaron said.

"Oh," Marissa said. "You're... going that far?"

"Yeah," Aaron said. "I'm planning on creating an apartment building and running it."

"Aaron will be fine, Marissa," Smolder said. "We're dragons. There's also the fact that we're protected by the US Government. And whoever messes with us will be in big trouble."

"Yeah, that is true," Liam said. "But it seems that Aaron and Smolder have their decisions made."

"But, it's still far away from here," Marissa said. "Are you two sure you want to go that far all by yourselves?"

"I'm sure of it," Aaron said. "I'll be fine Marissa."

"How about this?" Liam said. "This Spring Break, we all go to Los Angeles to check out the school and see if it's okay?"

"Well, I guess that'll be okay, but I'm still a little worried for my nephew to be so far from here," Marissa said. "I get that he wants to help people. But, it's still a far away place."

"Not as far as England or Australia," Aaron said. "I'm gonna keep it in the country."

"That is true," Marissa said. She then sighed. "When you move out there, just be careful. And since you'll be taking both of your cars, I don't want you two to be driving your cars alone. So, I would suggest you have your friends go with you on the road. All five of them."

"That would mean that Gallus would have to take time off for that," Aaron said.

"Yeah, that's true," Smolder said. "He's a big time royal guard back in Canterlot. We'll have a talk with Princess Twilight when that time comes." She then pulled up the letter. She then said, "Time to see if I got in." She then used her right forefinger claw to cut open the end of the envelope and then she pulled the letter out of it. She then started reading it. "'Dear Samantha Drake, this is the administration office of the University of California in Los Angeles. We have received your application to our university, and...'" She then saw something. "'...since you are planning to attend our university alongside your boyfriend, Aaron Blazer, we have decided to wait until the college scout we'll send to your school's final basketball game this season to make our decision.'"

"They're gonna wait for my final game to make the decision?" Aaron asked. "That's gonna be intense."

"Well, we're gonna wait until the time comes," Marissa said. Aaron's phone then buzzed and he checked the notification. He then went wide eyed.

"Whoa," Aaron said.

"What is it?" Smolder asked.

"Apparently, every single casino on the Las Vegas Strip has been robbed," Aaron said. "Every piece of cash was taken from each casino. MGM Grand, the Wynn, New York New York, Ceaser's Palace, every casino."

"Now that's a big problem," Liam said. "Who would need all that cash? And what for?"

"That's a big mystery," Smolder said. "Let's hope the President is doing something about it."

In the secret base, scientists continue to keep attaching mechanical parts to what was left of Ragnarok's body. General Crest was making sure that they wouldn't be doing anything to defy him.

"And what is taking so long?!" General Crest asked angrily.

"We're... trying our best, sir," one of the scientists said. "But it's not easy to attach machinery to a mythical creature. Especially with so much pressure on the line."

"Oh really?" General Crest asked. He then pulled a key out of his pocket and inserted it into a keyhole which was next to a button under a glass case. The glass case opened up and a screen on the computer showed a house in a nice neighborhood. "Well, how about... I launch a missile at your home with your wife and son at midnight tonight?"

"No! You can't!" the scientist said.

"Then get this thing up and running!" General Crest shouted. "All of you!" Then all the scientists started working faster to get the machinery attached to Ragnarok. "You all will regret messing with me. Ponies, dragons, whatever. Your monstrous ally will be your ultimate demise."

One of the scientists leaned closer to the first scientist and asked, "He does know that this dragon wasn't on their side, right?"

"Guess he only sees what he wants to see," the first scientist said. Then they continued working on their forced project.

Aaron and Smolder returned home one day from the first Basketball game for Summer Valley High. Of course they won, but they were disappointed. Marissa and Liam were also coming in, carrying Tony and Jessica.

"Sorry that the scout wasn't there," Smolder said.

"Well, we were told that the scout would be at the final basketball," Aaron said. "But still, it would be nice to see a scout for UCLA to show up."

"Well, we'll have a couple of months until then," Liam said. "But that doesn't mean you don't have to slow down your game. Give it your best shot."

"Alright, Uncle Liam," Aaron said. "We still got a few months until the State Finals. I'm gonna keep doing my best throughout the season."

"As long as we are at our best," Smolder said. She then got a whiff. "But for now, I think you should get in the shower."

Aaron sniffed his armpit and got disgusted by his own body odor. He then said, "Whew! You're right. I'm gonna head upstairs and head straight to the bathroom." Aaron then went towards the stairs to take a shower. Marissa, Liam, Tony and Jessica followed Aaron upstairs to get ready for bed. Smolder then went to her part of the house to get ready for bed as well.

Author's Note

Looks like General Crest would do whatever it takes to convince everyone he did was the right thing to do. Even though it's completely wrong. Aaron and Smolder might have trouble facing the cybernetically enhanced Ragnarok. Hopefully, they'll know what to do when the time is right. See you all next time.