‘The Squashbuckler Diaries’ are the daily tales of Joy Shelley’s Life in the Dream. The ‘Lost in Dreams’ books will tell the story of what happens to her at ages 6, 9, 12, 15, and so on. The diaries tell us what happens before, after, and between the books.

#268: The Earth Destroyer, Part 2

By the time Dragon Father and Dragon Little had arrived at the bridge of the Earth Destroyer spaceship, the ship had almost reached its destination. 

Dragon Father and Dragon Little had fought their way through the corridors, defeating the entire alien military forces, but the bridge still contained the Evil Galactic Emperor and the ship was fully armed, prepared to destroy the Earth. 

Dragon Father had made it look like Dragon Little was fully helping, allowing her to gain confidence and experience, when he was actually doing all the work. 

Now they had broken into the bridge, and the Evil Galactic Emperor stood in front of them, two swords in hand, ready to fight. 

“Stand aside, Joy,” Dragon Father unsheathed two swords, one in each hand. “I’ll take care of this.” 

“You did it the last time!” Dragon Little said. “My turn.” 

“I am a galactic ninja,” the Emperor said. “Stand aside, girl, and let the grownups fight!” 

“Hey!” Dragon Father raised a finger to the Emperor to silence him. “Stay out of this. Only her father gets a say.”

The Emperor nodded and took a step back. The evil villains of Dragon Father’s dreams always had respect for Dragon Little and for the parenting time Dragon Father sometimes took to teach her a lesson. 

Dragon Father said, “Joy. He’s the best ninja in the galaxy.”

I’m the best ninja in the galaxy!” 

“You’re not even a ninja!” 

“Yes, I am!” 

“Joy. This is for me. When you’re older, you can do this.” 

“I’m doing it!” She was shouting, quite upset at not getting what she wanted.

“Joy. This is dangerous. Really dangerous. Stand aside. Stay there.” Dragon Father was forceful enough so that Dragon Little did not attempt to step forward and fight again. 

She pursed her lips together tightly and stared at him. Then, after two or three seconds, she shouted, “I hate you! I hate you forever!” 

Dragon Father’s eyes opened. “Really? Are we there now?” 

“Don’t talk to me! I hate you! I will never take you on adventure again!” 

She turned her back to him and left the bridge. 

The Emperor said, “Are you going to go after her?” 

“She’ll be fine. Let’s do this.” 

Dragon Father and the Galactic Emperor fought an amazing battle. Dragon Father won. He stopped the ship from destroying the Earth in time. 

Dragon Father put his handcuffs on the Galactic Emperor’s hands and led him out of the bridge. It was time to see Dragon Little again. 

But I grow tired from telling .I am an old and frightened dragon and I do not have the heart for anything prolonged. I will rest and will tell you what happened at the end of this adventure tomorrow. 

—Told by The Red Dragon

#269: The Earth Destroyer, Part 3

#267: The Earth Destroyer, Part 1