Diversion

Detailed Synopsis

In Ontario, a catastrophic train derailment releases toxic chemicals that corporate and government officials attempt to "clean up" by burning, creating widespread environmental damage. This disaster awakens eight ancient dragons, planetary guardians who respond to a desperate call from Earth's dragon, Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster), who is dying from humanity's environmental destruction.

Fifteen-year-old best friends Hannah and Jacob encounter Jupiter, one of these dragons, while camping in Algonquin Park. Jupiter grants them "dragon sight," allowing them to see environmental damage invisible to others, and gives them magical dragon glass crystals. Through this connection, they learn about the dragons' role as planetary guardians and the devastating environmental impact of human activity.

Hannah and Jacob create two organizations: the public Young Dragons environmental group and a secret hacker collective called Dragon's Fire. They gather evidence of corporate and government cover-ups regarding the train disaster's true impact. They organize a massive student protest and release damaging documents, while Jupiter and the other dragons work to cleanse the toxic sky.

The story weaves together multiple threads: Jupiter's sacrifice as she uses her fire to clean the atmosphere at great personal cost; Jacob's journey of coming out as gay to his supportive family; Hannah's evolving relationship with her protective mother; and their growing network of allies, including a young girl named Anne who also receives dragon powers and an Indigenous elder who shares their special sight.

The narrative combines environmental activism with fantasy elements while exploring themes of sacrifice, responsibility, coming-of-age, and the connection between humanity and nature. It emphasizes both modern youth activism and traditional Indigenous wisdom about environmental stewardship, suggesting that saving Earth requires bringing together different forms of knowledge and breaking down barriers between generations and cultures.