Explosive Growth or Death? (II)

"You're the last one." Zero towered over Valiant with a glint of mischief. His hands slowly bore down upon Valiant, who was pinned against the wall.

"N-n-n-o-no-no, you can't. I'm innocent!" Valiant's ears were pulled back in fright. His tail shuddered and shook underneath him.

"What the hell are you spewing." Zero grabbed him and roughly stuffed a beetle in his mouth.

Valiant shuddered and fell down onto the group with a flop. His green eyes glowed bright and black flames erupted around him. Three large skeleton's emerged from the ground protecting him with swords.

Zero backed up, satisfied with giving all of them the beetles to help them grow. He wiped his hands on his pants and waited for Valiant to grow. Seka and Valiant grew the most out of the eight dragons, and they no longer looked like sweet innocent foxes. Instead, they were the same size when Zero fought Lilith. They even had small horns starting to grow out of their skulls.

"Are you trying to kill us!" Kai's prowled over like a panther heated with anger. "You could have told us what it does, then forcefully fed us!"

Zero shrugged his shoulders and did not reply.

"Calm down. I don't think you want to go head-to-head with Zero right now." Leona gently patted Kai's emerald green skin. "Plus, you look so handsome now." She gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

"I- wait, um-" Kai stuttered. He blushed scarlet red and bowed his head.

"Sit down so that I can climb on your back."

"Wh-ha?" Exclaimed Kai, his legs shook, and his leg gave out.

"Thanks!" Leona climbed onto his back like he was a horse. "Come on, gooooooo~" She pointed towards the exit.

"I-I don't think this is a good time to go right now."

Leona puffed up her cheeks and frowned.

"Let's go." Zero didn't explain a single thing and instead whistled with glee. His job was done, and the strange problem was found. He needed to remember to come back another day to farm the Queen Silver Beetles and sell them.

"B-but you haven't explained anything!" Kai chased after Zero.

"You already know the answer. Just accept it. Let's get out of here and go to the sauna."

"Sauna? I'm in!" Bee trotted next to Kai.

Kai gave up and followed the rest of the crowd. Every single one of their partners rode on the young dragon's back as they returned back to the top. The trip back was easily bypassed as the Lunar Rabbits killed off any enemies quickly. The dragons and their companions could also dispatch any monsters without needing the Lunar Rabbits' help anymore.

"They've come a long way." M2 was walking next to Zero.

Both Zero and M2 did not take a single part in the extermination of the monsters. Instead, they leisurely walked, conversing with one another till they reached the exit. They then walked back to the Draconis Village and went towards the Bathhouse.

The baby dragons and even residents were looking at Zero with awe. Eight large dragons with their companions riding on their backs were following him closely. Even the Lunar Rabbits walked behind him like soldiers. Only M2 was walking next to him with his hands against his head as if nothing was wrong. They were like personal bodyguards. Their intimidating aura made others move back with unease.

"They are larger dragons in town?"

The whispers of townsfolk curiously stared and talked among themselves. They were a lot more new baby dragons appearing every day. The streets were filled with brimming with life and happiness. Bronze baby dragons sang their new songs as people sat down to hear them sing.

"Are they the elites?"

"How were they able to grow so fast? I wonder what level they are?"

"Isn't the average level for a dragon right now only in the fifties?"

"I don't know, but it seems those eight have possibly hit higher than that."

"Wow, they must be the first dragons of their color to hit a growth spurt."

"Did Zero personally train them?"

"I don't know, but I am reaching their level soon."

Zero reached the bathhouse and went in. A young female Lunar Rabbit was stationed at the front desk taking in customers.

"Chief Librarian." The Lunar Rabbit smiled. "You came to take a bath today?"

"Yes. How much do I owe?" Zero rummaged through his Zenith Pouch for coins.

"Please, you do not have to pay. You may go in for free."

"Really?" Zero asked, enthralled at the prospect that he did not have to pay.

"Yes. Even your partner has gone in ahead."

"Partner?" Zero tilted his head confused. "Oh! You mean Agnis."

The Lunar Rabbit shook her head. "We have two different types of bath, one for Drezo Regalia in their Dragon form, while the other is for a human form."

"A dragon bath?"

"Yes, since you have shifted into your dragon form, you have a larger pool. There, we will have a couple of people available to clean your body. Did you not think that your dragon form needed to be washed?"

"I thought my human body would wash my dragon form as well."

"Yes, it will, but we also offer a dragon bath. Many of our customers have reported it to be an entirely different feeling. So would you like to try?"

Zero thought it over. Was there a difference in taking a shower between the human or dragon form?

"Your partner may go in with you, though they will be wearing a swimming suit instead. It will be one gold coin to use."

"Come on, Zero. I'm going to try it." Valiant nudged Zero from the back. "Reed, sign me up!"

Reed sighed and fished out money to pay for both Valiant and Reed.

"Once you are done taking a shower, please shift forms to a designated area. You must take off all your clothes before entering the pool." The Lunar Rabbit pointed towards the third door.

Zero followed. Everyone else went in as well, curious about what they would see. The third door was divided into male and female, and all went their separate ways. A male Lunar Rabbit handed him a towel and blue shorts. The rabbit motions him to a changing room.

Quickly taking off his clothes, he put on the shorts he was given. Then he went through a different door, where a sign stated to change. Zero followed the directions and shifted forms.

Stepping out, he was at a gigantic pool with smaller pools surrounding it. Hot steam erupted around them, making the bathhouse misty. To him, it reminded him of a regular pool with girls and guys in their swimming suits. The only difference was that dragons of different sizes and color occupied the smaller pool. Their companion and a human attendant attended each being.

Zero was the only one who towered in size, while the eight dragons were the second biggest in the entire Bathhouse. The rest were filled with small baby dragons ranging from a wolf to a small fox cub.

They all stopped and stared at Zero and the eight dragons that trailed behind him. Even their companions beside them started as everyone made their way to their respective open pool.

"Zero?" Agnis called out. She was sitting on the edge of the hot pool wearing a bikini. A group of small baby dragons was sitting around her, being petted.

"Agnis? What are you doing here?"

"Playing with the baby dragons."

"In a bathhouse?" Zero stares, appalled at Agnis' mentality.

"Yea, why not? They even have small kiddy pools for the baby dragons to play in. It's so cute that I couldn't help myself."

"Are you a dragon pervert?"

There was dead silence. Agnis got up and walked towards Zero. She patted him on his shoulder, and suddenly a flying fist came at his face.

Crack!

Zero faces hit the concrete, leaving behind a large crack in the ground. He could feel a sharp sting on his face. Blood dripped from his mouth and he slowly got up.

"Agnis!" Zero roared. His claws extended, and he slashed downwards at her.

Agnis jumped out of harm's way and jumped into the pool. Zero followed behind her and jumped in. A huge wave was created from the splash, causing anyone in the pool to become swallowed up in the water.

"Agnis! Get your ass back here!"

Zero splashed and snapped at her. Agnis swam and used her water magic to steer quickly. Then, like a slippery eel, she dodged and swam in between his legs and arms.

She carefully swam towards his tail, popping out of the water behind Zero. Zero frantically looked around and turned his neck. He saw her attached to his tail. With a quick flick of his tail, he threw her up into the air.

"Gotcha!" Zero opened his mouth like a crocodile, ready to snap her up in one bite.

Inhaling her breath, she let out a large gust of wind that temporarily kept her afloat. Unfortunately, zero snapped too early, and Agnis tumbled down onto his face. She slid down his back and onto a solid floor.

"Well, that was a good workout." Agnis patted her hands. She squeezed her white hair, letting water drip away.

Bam!

Zero's claw hands came crashing down from above and pinned her onto the wet floor. "You think you can escape?" He closed his fingers around her and picked her up.

"Well, yes," Agnis stated and stared without flinching.

This damn woman. Zero eyed her evilly. "Was that necessary?"

"Yes. Though I believe your whole tantrum wasn't."

"My tantrum she says." Dangerous black smoke was escaping his mouth. He was ready to blow Black Fire at her beautiful face.

"Could you put me down, please? You just undid my bikini, and I can't tie it back with my hands pinned against my side."

"Wh-ha--at?" Zero stuttered. His eyes glanced down and noticed that the bikini straps were untied. The only thing keeping it from falling was his dragon's hand. His face flushed completely scarlet, and he panicked.