The Story of the Creeper (100 page short novel)

[Dragon16]

I wrote this many years ago when I was young. I went to get it published, but unfortuantly when they found out my age (it was a really good story for someone my age back then), they wouldn't publish it. So, please don't steal this, as I hgope to one day rewrite it when I'm not so busy. Enjoy. I'm not too fond of it, as it seems... like a child wrote it.... which was what I was... anyways... here it is, in sections.


A cold shivering male looked up at the midnight sky, he watched as the bright full moon quickly became dim from the haze of mist gathering over it. He then looked ahead of him; he saw dead lifeless trees standing in neat rows, which formed a road in the barren forest. He felt a long, cold gust of wind roar up from that road. He slowly turned around and looked at a female figure lying on the ground. He knelt down beside her and stared at her trembling body.
“I’m going to go and find help for you.” He whispered as his freezing hand drifted through her black hair. Her lips trembled as though she was trying to speak.
“Don’t talk dear Angie.” He whispered again. “It’ll drain all your energy.” Angie looked at him and slowly started to raise her arm, she pointed as best as she could at the sky. The man nodded his head, as if reading her thoughts.
“Yes, Angie. I will have to fly.” He said taking off his jacket and putting it over her frozen body. Angie shut her eyes, as if enjoying either the thought of warmth or soaring in the starry skies. The man put his face close to hers and kissed her pale cheek.
“I’ll be back. I promise.” He whispered in her ear. He felt her hand grasp his, but as he got up, she let go. He turned away from her and ran. He ran until he reached the beginning of the road, then he turned to look at Angie lying alone on the hard cold ground. He felt his heart beat quite fast; he shook his head and turned back to the road.
“Concentrate.” He thought aloud. He clenched his fists, and with that he shot eighty meters into the air, his legs expanded, and strengthened, as did his arms, then a long red tail zoomed out, as his spine grew longer, and his body sleeker. His head changed shape rapidly, his jaw jutted out, and so did his nose. And on his back grew two almighty wings. And all the while you could hear his bones crunching and grinding as they transformed. This man had now turned into a dark red fire-breathing Dragon. He let out a roar that was as loud as fifty lions. He spat flames out, which went one hundred meters into the air. Then he sped off, wings beating, legs tucked in, still exposing five sets of sharp, long, black talons, which were thick as a man’s finger. As he flew to the horizon, he kept thinking, ‘Why couldn’t I take her with me.’ but of course he knew that his instincts had to be trusted. He had a feeling that she had damaged her spine, and she mustn’t be moved.

It was near daybreak when he reached a small town called Wiltmere. He landed in a clearing, and accidentally knocked over bins and trees from the powerful winds. He quickly transformed back to human shape, and he was glad that he could transform with clothes. Then as fast as the howling winds he’d flown with, he zoomed to the side of a tall, old building. He spread his arms out, and put his back flat against the wooden wall. He shut his eyes tight and took a deep breath, then he started to go through the wall, he sunk into it as though he was falling through water. He opened his eyes to find himself in a very dark and very large room. He blinked his eyes several times, and at once his eyes turned into those of a cat. His slit pupils scanned the room for any sign of life. Then he looked down at his hands, they were turning into huge, pure white paws, and the rest of his body was turning into a very large, white cat, with sabre-fangs. Then there was dark black stripes, starting from the tip of his snout, down his muscular back, and finishing at the end of his powerful, long tail.
He growled and sniffed the air, as he padded noiselessly to the centre of the room. This room was very different, from a modern one, no one could get in, and no one could get out. There was no doors, no furniture, nothing. He started to turn around, but then at the very end of the room a dim light came on. He watched it flicker slowly on and off, then it grew brighter, and the whole room lit up. The cat had to close his eyes, but the brilliant white glow still penetrated through. He cried, as he tried to cover his eyes with a paw, but it was no use. Then a thought shot through his mind, and he quickly changed back to a human again. ‘There’ he thought, ‘the light’s not so bad now’.
“We know what you are!” a deep voice bellowed from behind the light.
“Then maybe you can help me?” the man asked, shielding his eyes.
“Help a monster like you?” the voice snorted.
“I’m not like the ones you hear about.” The man cried.
“Prove it!” the voice shouted so loudly, that the poor man had to cover his ears.
“My loved one is dying, I have no time for this.” He whispered.
“You creatures can never love.” The voice scolded.
“I have proof.” The man said, while reaching into his jeans pocket. He pulled out a small blue stone, which shone like a diamond in the light. He put it on the ground, and rolled it towards the light. He heard a lot of whispering; ‘there is more than one person in here with me.’ He thought.
“Where did you get this?” a quieter, gentler voice asked.
“From Angie, she is hurt, and cannot move, and possibly dying.” The man said quickly. “I must find help for her.”
“What is your name?” the voice asked again.
“Ryan.” The man answered hurriedly. Then there was more whispering.
“We’ll help you.” A shadow stepped in front of the light.
“Why?” Ryan asked.
“Turn that light off Lou, and turn the normal ones on.” The shadow said. Ryan stood there patiently and waited for his answer. The bright light turned off and the normal ones came on, and dimly lit up the room. Ryan could see that there were two men, and one woman.
The women looked younger then the oldest man, but still old enough to be in her late forties. She had a slim build, and straight, dark orange hair, with big green eyes.
“Now Ryan, the answer to your question is, because we all know Angie.” The woman spoke up. “She’s mine and Lou’s daughter.” She said pointing at the older man, who was staring coldly at Ryan. He had short, wavy, grey hair, and grey stubble covering his chin and cheeks. He had a large round stomach, and the rest of his body was very bulky. His light blue eyes seemed out of place, compared to the rest of his body. He beared a long, deep scar down his eye on the right side of his face. Ryan kept staring at the scar and wondered how he came to get such a mark. Ryan then looked at the younger man, he was probably in his early twenties, he had biceps, and a very bulky body. He had dark brown, wavy hair, hazel eyes, and a smooth shaved face.
“And I’m going to be her fiancé.” The younger man growled through clenched teeth. Ryan just stared at him, and laughed.
“You find that amusing, you idiot?!” The man shouted, taking several steps towards Ryan.
“Yes.” Ryan answered. “Now how are you to help me, when you are all just weak humans?”
The woman sighed. “Carefully, now come with us.” She walked to a dark corner of the room, and opened a trap door. She signalled everyone to go through it, but as Lou went through he said,
“Jenny dear, how do you know to trust him?” all she did was gently shove him through the portal.
“You too, Ryan.” Jenny said. Ryan obeyed and walked through. It was a step downhill tunnel, which would’ve been very dark; if it weren’t for the flaming torches everybody was holding. They were all in single file, even though there was enough room for two rows. The younger man was at the very front, and then it was Lou, then Ryan, and then Jenny. Ryan slowed down so he could walk beside Jenny.
“What is his name?” he asked her.
“Capracoldo, but I suggest you do not call him that.” Jenny smiled.
“How did you know I was talking about him?” Ryan asked. Jenny just smiled again and said,
“I know things.”
“Example….” Ryan tested her.
“Example?” she said raising an eyebrow at Ryan. “That these burning torches don’t last forever, and we must walk in the dark very soon.” Jenny pointed to a part of the tunnel that could not be seen.

[Dragon16]

“I can fix that.” Ryan said, as the last torch burned out. There was silence, and then suddenly a large dog-like creature growled in the darkness, and almost immediately, flames covered every inch of the large dog.
“A Flaming Wolf. Excellent thinking Ryan.” Jenny nodded her head. Ryan bounded to the front of the line, and led the group, down the tunnel.

An hour later Ryan stopped in front of a wooden door. Lou came up and turned the handle. The door creaked slowly open and they all peered into a dimly lit room. In the middle of the room was a man with four arms, sitting in a chair, and smoking a pipe. The man had yellow eyes, bright green hair, and he looked very tall and thin. His face was very pale, that it reminded Ryan of his own face. Ryan turned back into a human, and smiled coolly at Capracoldo. It made Capracoldo frown, and a flicker of envy and hatred shone through his eyes.
Jenny walked up to the man in the chair,
“Dear, Howard.” She started, as the man shut his eyes. “We need your help. My Angie is hurt and dying.”
The man’s eyes shot open; he took the pipe out of his mouth and said.
“Where is she?”
Jenny turned to Ryan, hoping for an answer.
“In the Silent Forest.” Ryan muttered.
“Let us go then.” Howard murmured. “Luca! Ready the Pegasus’!” Howard shouted to a small slave that had only just walked into the room. Ryan told him he would fly without one.

It was midday when they set off. The winged horses drifted into the air, they had huge feathery wings, and each horse was a different bright colour. Ryan was still on the ground, he waited until they were far away, then he transformed into the red Dragon again. Quick as a flash of lightning he caught up with the group. There was an almighty roar, as he crashed through the group, he did several twists and spins, then he hovered.
“Did you have to do that?” Capracoldo moaned. Ryan laughed loudly and shot off to the horizon.
He reached the spot well before the others; he looked down at Angie, and circled the area. They saw him, and headed in that direction. Ryan drifted to the ground, and changed back to a human again. He quickly walked up to Angie, and knelt down beside her.
“They’re coming.” He whispered, as he put his hand under her head. He could hear a faint murmur from her,
“Who are they?” Angie silently whispered.
“Your parents found me.” He gave a half smile. It made Angie sigh. ‘Perhaps she knows who else was with them.’ Ryan thought. Then he heard horses neighing and then everybody’s voices.
“Angie!” Jenny gasped as she ran up to her.
Ryan moved out of the way to let Howard get through.
Howard was carrying a plastic box. He knelt down in front of Angie’s feet.
“Can you feel this?” he asked, while pinching her toes.
Ryan watched her shake her head.
“It’s bad.” Howard murmured as he rummaged through his box. “I’ll need someone to hold her for me…” Howard pointed at Ryan. “You’ll do.”
Ryan slowly walked up to Angie again.
“Hold her head still, the rest of you will have to stand about eight meters away.” Howard said as he pulled out a small stick.
“Why’s that?” Ryan asked.
“Humans can’t come into contact with magic, unless they’re being healed. Now please hold her head as this will hurt her.” Howard sounded so experienced.
Ryan sat down next to Angie’s head.
“Keep her occupied.” Howard instructed, as he lifted up all four of his arms. Ryan grabbed her face,
“How are you feeling?” he asked her as he heard Howard chant a spell. Angie groaned. Then this ball of light surrounded Angie and Ryan. It felt warm and cosy on Ryan’s face, but he looked down and saw that Angie had tears streaming down her cheeks. Then there was an annoying buzzing sound.
“It’s alright baby.” Ryan hugged her, but she kept on crying and moaning. Eventually he could hear her cry louder, and then she screamed very loudly. All the while, Ryan just kept on holding her.
“It’s okay, It’s okay baby, It’ll be over soon.” He whispered in her ear. And he was right. It all stopped just seconds later.
Jenny walked up to them.
“Angie, sweetie? Are you all right?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t feel to good.” Angie whispered up at Ryan.
“You’ll be alright baby, just get some rest.” Ryan looked into her sad green eyes. Angie grabbed his top and pulled him down closer to her.
“I don’t want to stay here.” She shivered.
“Nothing’s here that could hurt you Ange.” Ryan looked at her confused.
“That’s what you think.” Angie groaned. “I don’t won’t to stay here a minute longer.”
“I’ll go tell the others that we’re leaving then.” Ryan said getting up. He turned around to find Jenny standing there watching him.
“How long have you been standing there?” Ryan asked surprised.
“Long enough.” She said. “I heard every word.”
“Good then we must leave.” Ryan urged.
“Howard?” Jenny called out.
“Yes?” he answered.
“Can Angie be moved?” Jenny asked sheepishly.
“I guess so.” Howard replied scratching his chin.
Immediately Ryan turned into the red Dragon again, and gently picked up Angie, with his sharp talons.
“Good then we’re leaving. I think the safest place to go is Black Mountain.” Ryan said hurriedly.
“What?” Capracoldo screeched. “You’re not taking her anywhere!”
“Watch me.” Ryan smiled. With that he shot into the air and soared towards the distant hills.
The wind blew across their faces, as Ryan raced at one hundred and twenty kilometres an hour. They reached a tall, menacing mountain that towered over a bunch of smaller ones.
Ryan flew around the mountain, until he found a small dark cave, which went deep inside the hill. He walked inside on his hind legs, while carrying Angie. He stopped when the tunnel turned into a small rocky room. Ryan put Angie on the ground, and covered her in his jacket again.
“I’ll be back Angel.” He hissed through his Dragon mouth. With that he galloped outside the cave, and stood on the cliff, he leapt off and into the air. He seemed to just hang there, and then he started to plummet to the ground far below him. This is what he wanted to do, as he went into a nosedive and smiled. He spread his wings, when the dirt, and bugs on the ground were noticeable, that way he could drift around the forest in search of wood. Ryan reached out his arms and grabbed a nearby tree branch, and dropped it onto the ground. He did this several times, until there was a nice big pile of firewood. He heard a noise in the distance, and looked up.
‘Great’ he thought sarcastically, ‘It’s Capracoldo and the parents’. Straight away he dropped to the ground picked up the wood, and soared back towards the cave. He reached the cliff face when he heard their voices echo through the valley. He smiled as he shot upwards, and through the cave, when he reached Angie, he put down the kindling, and transformed back into a human.
After a while he made a small fireplace, he bent over the pile of wood, and spat a small flame onto it. His lovely fire started to burn. He sat down next to Angie and stayed with her until he heard noises at the mouth of the cave. Ryan turned in a large cobra with two big front legs, and sharp, poisonous fangs, which he called a Crowndor.
“Ryan, Angie?” It was Jenny’s faint whisper. Jenny, Lou, Capracoldo, and Howard walked slowly into the clearing. Ryan flicked his split tongue in, and out numerous times.
“It’s alright we came to warn you.” Lou gruffed.
“Ttthhhaaannnkkksss, but no ttthhhaaannnkkksss.” Ryan growled.
“Ryan change back now!” Jenny ordered. Ryan quickly became human again.
“What did you want to warn me about?” Ryan groaned.
“I advise that you keep a look out for Tyromel.” Jenny whispered, “Howard and Cappy here, say they saw him, just as we were leaving.”
All of a sudden Angie sat upright, and repeated his name loudly, and then she started to cry. Ryan rushed over to her immediately; he knelt down next to her and hugged her.
“It’s okay Ange, try to go back to sleep sweetie.” He said, while gently lying her back down. She closed her eyes as Ryan stood up and walked slowly back to the group.
“Who is he?” Ryan asked quietly.
“A dark soul.” Capracoldo said menacingly, and trying to scare him. “He only shows to those who have seen death, or have had terrible grief.”
“Then I should be able to see him, what does he look like?” Ryan said staring down Capracoldo.
“Like a shadow, but 3d and he feels cold as the winter winds. He moves as fast as lightning, and nothing can stop his path of destruction.” Howard recited.
“Stay here you all, I’ll be back.” Ryan ordered.
“What do you think your doing?” Jenny spat. “It’s dangerous.”
“I want to see him.” Ryan said excitedly. He pushed past them and slowly walked to the mouth of the cave. A few seconds later he jumped off the cliff as a Dragon again, like he had before.
He soared a bit above the trees for five minutes, and was about to go back, but something caught his attention.
It was a small black flicker of something running through the forest. He swooped lower and followed it. It was no longer small, but quite large. It was moving rapidly, and black swirls came off its back every three seconds.

[Dragon16]

Then the shadowed figure turned it’s head right around and looked at Ryan. It felt like time froze for him, somewhere he knew that face, but he didn’t have enough time to recognise who it was. Because it stopped in it’s tracks and shot into the sky, towards Black Mountain, towards Angie.
Ryan raced to catch up, but it climbed so high into the sky the Ryan squinted. Then like a lightning bolt it came down upon Ryan without warning. They both went tumbling through the air, and amidst the teeth and claws the creature broke away, leaving Ryan to plummet to his uncertain death.

As Ryan was falling he heard an evil cackle, which made him shudder, because he had realised who it was. He made several attempts to fall feet first, by twisting and turning his body. He succeeded, but he was far to close to the ground. He quickly spread his winds,
‘If I beat my wings, they would certainly break.’ He thought quickly, ‘but if I hold them open, it might cushion the fall.’
Ryan hit the ground hard with a loud thump, and the wind was knocked out of him. He groaned, and tried to get up, but he couldn’t move. He shut his eyes, he knew he had broken his arm, and he slowly changed back into a human and rolled onto his back, he grasped his arm and cried in pain.
The pain was so intense that he shut his eyes even harder and his expression changed into that of hurt and terror.
He opened his eyes to see the shadow floating over him.
“Poor, pathetic Ryan, and father said you were the baddest.” The shadow retorted. “He should see you now.”
“Go away!” Ryan shouted in agony.
“What? Don’t you want to see your baby sister?” The shadow growled. “This is what you deserve for leaving the family.”
“Rachael, you know why I left. Let’s not get jealous.” Ryan puffed out.
“Me jealous? Apparently you never knew me, I am so powerful now that I told father that you died, and he never believed me, but now I’ll have evidence.” Rachael snorted. “Besides the power would’ve been to much for you to handle.”
“I don’t care anymore, I never liked that life.” He choked.
“Whatever, you loser. I should just leave you here to die.” Rachael drifted up into the air, laughing evilly.
“Oh, and your little friend, is going to die too. I mean I can’t have any competition.” She added, and then her figure dissolved into the gloomy atmosphere.
Ryan just lay there dazed and confused at what she had said and then he closed his eyes, probably for the last time.
He dreamt strange dreams with death and sorrow in them, and amongst those dreams he heard a voice, a quite friendly voice, which was hurt and needed him.
“Ryan, you must wake up, and come back to me.”
It beckoned. Then in the blur of the dreams he saw Angie, standing there calling him. Almost at once he opened his eyes and whispered her name. He slowly rose to his shaky feet, and he felt awkward because of the blow from the impact. He held his arm, and limped over to a large boulder, where he turned into the Dragon once more. He threw his arm up with all his might, and smashed it down onto the stone. There was an earth-shattering roar that erupted from his trembling jaws.
Large tears rolled down his scaly cheeks. He hobbled over to a clearing and very painfully unfolded his huge red wings. He looked up at the sky with a face full of hurt and distress. He sighed deeply as he took off slowly into the air.

As he flew back to Black Mountain he kept hearing Rachael’s word’s play over and over in his mind,
‘Your little friend is going to die, I can’t have any competition’. He shuddered as he thought of something terrible happening to Angie.
His arm still ached, but he knew that it was no longer broken, just sore from two painful impacts.
He reached the mouth of the cave, and cautiously walked into the clearing. Jenny was sitting near Angie, Capracoldo, Lou, and Howard huddled around the fire, trying to keep warm. When they saw Ryan, he walked to the darkest corner and lay down. Jenny walked over to him,
“What happened? Did you find him?” she whispered fearfully.
“Yes, Jenny.” Ryan sighed painfully. “I found her.”
Howard looked up from the fire.
“What do you mean her?” he questioned hurmorly.
“I mean she was, is my sister, Rachael.” Ryan sulked.
Jenny gasped and said she was sorry.
“Don’t be.” Ryan scolded. “She was never your problem.” He got up slowly and limped over to Angie, where he changed back to human and knelt down beside her beautiful body. Angie stared up at him, and smiled weakly. It brought tears to his eyes, because he knew that sooner or later she would be gone from his life. Ryan shut his eyes hard and tried to get rid of the thought. It was then that he felt a soft, cold hand caress his cheek. He looked down at Angie with a half smile and held her hand.
“Are you okay?” she whispered while her sad green eyes sunk deep into his heart.
“I’m okay, for now.” Ryan paused looking at her gorgeous face, he had never lied to her before, and he never would start. ‘I must tell her’ he urged himself.
“But, dear, sweet Angie, I fear that it is your life that is in danger.” He tried to look away from her menacing stare.
“What do you mean?” she sat upright and never took her eyes off of him.
“Tyromel, or Rachael says that she wish’s to kill you, because you are competition.” Ryan said weakly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?’ Capracoldo glared at Ryan as he walked over.
“I don’t know.” Ryan muttered while shrugging his shoulders. He looked down at Angie again, but she turned her face away.
“But I think you do.” Ryan directed the words at Angie.
“I thought it would never cause a problem.” Angie sobbed. Ryan realised that she was starting to cry.
“What going on?” Ryan asked confused.
“We never thought she would have these problems.” Jenny said putting a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “We thought her powers had disappeared years ago.”
Ryan stood up. To shocked to say anything, he just turned and stared into the fire.
“How could you lie to me?” Ryan asked miserably.
Angie got to her feet for the first time.
“Ryan, darling. I never lied. I, we had thought that it was a phase, but I guess it’s come back then.” She stood next to Ryan and stared into the fire too. “When I was little, a Tomboda, a creature that can change the ability of any other thing alive, came to me, and changed my ability of…well, everything I guess.” She cried shortly before carrying on. “I can’t die a natural death, nor can feel the taste of food or drink in my mouth, and I can draw terrible foes to myself.” She turned and stared into Ryan’s grey eyes. He smiled sadly at her, and turned back to the group. ‘That explains everything about her then.’ He thought unhappily.
“What are we going to do about the threat then?” he threw his arms into the air. “I mean, somebody has to protect the most beautiful treasure on this planet.”
Angie smiled warmly at Ryan and her heart felt as though it was flying away.

[Dragon16]

Part Two: Bringing Back the Past

Jenny, Ryan, Angie, Lou, and Howard sat down next to the fire and discussed their plans. Capracoldo on the other hand was sulking on the other side of the cave. Angie watched him out of the corner of her eye, and it reminded her of when she was younger. They all had agreed that they had to hide Angie, and Ryan would have to defeat his own little sister. Though it brought tears to his eyes thinking about it, Ryan said he would. He stood up and walked outside to the edge of the cliff, where he stood staring at the landscape. Angie joined him, but when the winds got stronger she said she’d go back inside. The winds blew through Ryan’s short, je****lack hair, causing it to ruffle and stick up. He closed his eyes and remembered the time him and Angie first meet.

The storm was getting louder and closer, the rain was pouring down and Ryan walked slowly through the barren forest. He had his hands in his jeans pockets and was staring straight ahead, as if searching for something. A lightning bolt struck the ground nearby, it made him jump, but he continued to walk aimlessly through the woods. Not long after that, he heard a faint cry. At first it sounded like a hurt animal, but after a while when Ryan got closer, he realised that it was a human girl sobbing. He paused and listened, trying to track the exact location of the cry. He walked quickly to the right, and followed the sobs through the thunder and lightning. He came to a clearing, at the foot of a very tall mountain; there on the ground laid a girl. He walked slowly up to her; he knelt down next to her trembling body, and watched her in confusion.
“Why do you cry?” he asked while still watching her. The girl stopped crying and looked up, puzzled to see someone so far out from town.
“I think I broke my arm and leg.” She sobbed feeling hurt and surprised.
“Does it hurt?” he looked shocked.
“Yes, I can’t get up. Why do you ask such a question?” the girl answered sadly.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I have felt such pain before.” Ryan pondered. “Do you need help?”
“Yes.” She replied shakily. With that Ryan picked her up carefully in his arms, and walked to a nearby tree that sheltered them from the rain. He laid her back down, and was careful not to hurt her. She asked him if he would go fetch some thick twigs, and a cloth. Ryan wondered where he would find cloth, but as he stood up he tore part of his white t-shirt off. He reached up into the tree and pulled down several branches. He knelt down next to her again, and helped her to tie the sticks around her broken arm and leg. He was amazed that she didn’t jump or cry when he tied her arm up too tight, all she did was flinch slightly.
“How did someone as pretty as you, come to get such disastrous injuries?” Ryan smiled warmly.
“I fell off the top of Black Mountain.” The girl said coolly.
“Why?” Ryan asked surprised.
“I felt suicidal.” She said looking away. Still surprised, Ryan thought there should be a change of topic.
“Uh…what’s your name?” he asked hesitantly.
“Angie.” The girl replied slowly.
“Angie? That’s a nice name.” Ryan complimented with a smile. Angie looked up at him and smiled too.

Ryan woke from his daydream when he felt rain on his pale cheek. He blinked his eyes and slowly walked back into the cave. Jenny was still talking with Howard, Angie, Lou, and Capracoldo was with them now. Ryan walked up to Angie, bent down and kissed her cheek.
“You’re wet.” She exclaimed with disgust, while wiping her face. Ryan smirked, and said it could have been worse.
“Depends on what you mean by that?” Jenny interrupted.
“Ahh…Nothing.” Ryan said sitting down, trying not to look at Jenny’s menacing stare. As soon as he sat down Capracoldo got up, glared enviously at Ryan and Angie, then went and sulked on the other side of the cave again. Ryan just smugly looked on, Angie would have told him off for it, but was to busy concentrating on what the others were discussing. Then Angie got up, probably annoyed at what they were talking about, and stormed off outside. Ryan wasn’t too far behind, and he was glad that the rain had stopped. Angie sat down again and let her feet dangle off the cliff. Ryan stood behind her and stared at the moon rising over a range of hills on the horizon.
“Do you remember when we meet?” Ryan asked in a trance.
“Yes.” Angie sighed heavily, “I think about it all the time.”
“Why did you jump off the cliff?” Ryan blurted out. Angie trembled, not from the cold, but from her past.
“I thought I had told you before, I tried committing suicide.” She replied dully. Ryan sat down next to her, and stared at her beautiful smooth face.
“Why?” he mused sadly.
“I don’t know.” She scratched her head. “I used to think that my life was terrible. I guess I never wanted to live the life I had.”
“What was wrong with your life?” Ryan asked. “Because I think you live a brilliant life, with a family that loves you, friends, and anything you could ask for.” He quickly added. Angie sighed again and lay down on her back, her green eyes shone like diamonds in the moonlight. It was quite some time before she responded, and Ryan just sat there patiently.
“It was never like that.” She sadly smiled. “With my so called gift, and all, it was hard for me to talk to my parents. They stressed day and night over me, making sure I had a husband lined up, ready and waiting. Some days I snuck out of the house just to stare at the moon, and beg for my powers to be gone by morning. It was awkward when I was invited to a birthday party, as I don’t eat. I didn’t know if I should eat, or just say I was full.” She closed her eyes, and shuddered.
“Well…what happened?” Ryan said lying down on his back too.
“You don’t want to know.” Angie said staring into Ryan’s tired grey eyes. “Does your arm still hurt?” hoping she had changed the topic.
“Just a little bit.” He said while inspecting it. Ryan rolled over to face Angie. He stared at her, and he focused on every part of her adorable, thin figure. From her black frothy hair, her luminous green eyes, high smooth cheeks, to her pale, thin, succulent lips.
“What?” Angie smiled at him.
“Nothing.” Ryan remarked casually.
“Oh, okay then.” Angie sighed. Ryan rolled onto his back again, and stared at the stars. He secretly wished that this moment would last forever, him and Angie alone, but he knew it wouldn’t last long. Angie decided to break the silence.
“Ryan?” she called aloud.
“Yeah.” He answered while shutting his eyes.
“What was your home like?” she asked curiously. Immediately Ryan opened his eyes, sat up and said,
“I’m never going to tell you.”
“Why?” she asked while sitting up to join him.
“Because you don’t need to know.” He gruffed.
“Oh, do you want to go inside then?” Angie asked sadly.
“Yeah alright.” Ryan stood up. Angie flung her arm up, and Ryan helped her to her feet.
“I wish you did tell me more about yourself.” She sighed again.
“Shhh…” Ryan grabbed her hips and pulled her in close to his body. Angie smiled sadly up at him, as Ryan bent down and kissed her. Angie raised her hand to his cheek, and held his head there, not wanting it to end. They continued to kiss for another twelve seconds before Ryan broke away.
“I can’t breath.” He said sarcastically. Angie smiled and put her arms around him.
“I love you.” She whispered as she rested her head against his chest.
“I love you too.” Ryan half smiled, before giving her a hug and stepping away. She looked up at him one more time, before casually walking into the cave. Ryan looked at her figure, and sighed heavily before following her in.

[Dragon16]

He put his hands in his jeans pocket and felt the small blue stone that Angie had given him when they first meet.

It was probably close to midnight, when Jenny said Ryan and Capracoldo would keep watch while the rest slept.
“You know I’d love to baby, just not with him.” Ryan whispered in Angie’s ear. All she did was smile, kiss him, and went to sleep with the others.
Ryan was crouching at the mouth of the cave, when Capracoldo asked,
“Do you love her?” it was a question that he didn’t want answered.
“I guess so.” Ryan said, not really paying attention. Capracoldo was annoyed.
“She still is my fiancé to be.” He said trying to intimidate Ryan.
“Keep dreaming.” Ryan rolled his eyes.
“You can not steal her from me.” Capracoldo flared.
“Who was stealing?” Ryan mused. “Besides she has a choice.”
“I think she would choose me.” Capracoldo said dreamily.
“Why?” Ryan tried not to laugh.
“Because I am brain and brawn.” He smiled devilishly at Ryan.
“Where’s the proof?” Ryan asked staring him down. Capracoldo flicked a sharp knife out of his jeans pocket.
“Here in my hand.” He said evilly. With that Capracoldo lunged at Ryan, hoping to stab him in a fatal area. Ryan was knocked off his feet, and as Capracoldo came in for the second attack, Ryan rolled out of the way. Every time Capracoldo tried violent monuvers that would be impossible to miss, Ryan would dodge left, dodge right, duck down, and even do a backhand spring.
“Why don’t you fight?” Capracoldo beckoned.
“I don’t want to hurt you.” Ryan said sadly, as he dodged another blow.
“You couldn’t. Face it Ryan, you won’t survive this.” Capracoldo glared at him. Ryan suddenly thought of Angie, and missed his footing. He slipped and fell onto the ground hard. He tried to get up, but Capracoldo put a foot on his chest. He held the knife to his throat, and cackled.
“If you make one more move…” He warned. Ryan closed his eyes, ‘This might be the end.’ He thought sadly.
“Capracoldo don’t!” a voice yelled from inside. Capracoldo looked up, Ryan saw his opportunity, and he rolled away, and jumped to his feet. Then he grabbed Capracoldo’s hand that held the knife, and placed it against his throat. Ryan pressed harder, hoping it would softly sink into his flesh. Angie ran to where they were,
“Ryan please don’t.” she cried. Ryan looked up, he then realised what he was doing. He had done the exact same things to people many years ago. Ryan took the knife and threw it off the cliff, but he still had hold of Capracoldo. He threw him down onto the ground saying,
“I thought you said you are brain and brawn. I didn’t see any of it.” Ryan smirked. Angie looked on, terrified.
“Its okay Ange, sweetie. Nobody’s dying tonight.” He smiled weakly. Just then Howard and Lou rushed out, Angie told what she saw, they grabbed Capracoldo and took him inside.
“You’re hurt!” Angie exclaimed with terror, as she saw blood dripping through his white t-shirt.
“Wow, and I can’t feel anything.” Ryan said amazed and shocked. Angie told him to stay out here, she went back inside, and a few moments later she returned with several pieces of cloth. She lifted up his top, and inspected the wound on his abdomen. It wasn’t that deep, but it was bleeding badly. Angie held a piece of cloth down on it hard.
“Oww.” Ryan flinched sarcastically.
“Keep still.” Angie growled. Ryan obeyed, and after a few minutes, she had made a nice bandaid for him.
“Thanks baby.” Ryan sighed.
“Don’t mention it. Why did Capracoldo do that?” Angie pressed.
“He wanted you.” Ryan said quickly, and then he walked away. Angie sighed, ‘Yeah.’ She thought, ‘My powers are defiantly back.’ When Ryan went to sleep, Lou was only guarding Capracoldo. He had his hands tied, and his feet, so he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
By the time everybody got to sleep it was near daybreak, so they would have to get up in a few hours.

Ryan was the first up; he was sitting on the cliff edge, when he heard a noise down in the trees below. He became curious of the noise, and decided to find out what it was. He stood up, walked inside and woke Angie.
“Ange, sweetie?” he paused waiting for a response.
“What?” she groaned.
“I’m going down to the woods, I’ll be back soon.” He promised.
“Yeah, whatever.” Angie agreed still half asleep. He started for the mouth of the cave, when suddenly Angie realised what he had said.
“Wait.” She ordered while jumping to her feet. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ryan explained to her about what he was doing.
“Just don’t get into trouble.” She groaned trying to think of an excuse for him to stay. Ryan smiled coolly at her and headed for the cliff edge. He changed into a Shadow Pegasus; he floated off the edge, and plummeted to the ground. He swooped low, and scanned the forest for any sign of trouble. He heard sobbing and whimpering just ahead of him. Ryan landed silently on the ground and trotted over to the area, he hid behind some trees and watched the scene. There was a woman and her dog, looking at a dark shadow creature, which was the same as Rachael.
“Please Sir, I gave you all I have.” The woman sobbed.
“Kneel before your master.” The shadow spat. The woman did as she was told, and knelt down.
“Give me the wolf.” The shadow pointed at her companion.
“No Sir, he is my friend.” She tried to protect the dog.
“Silence!” The shadow roared. It hit the woman and knocked her off her feet. The dog curled its lips and snarled. Ryan sprung into action; he leapt out from behind the tree, and stood between the shadow and the woman.
“Out of my way, pathetic horse.” The shadow growled. Ryan reared up on his hind legs, and kicked him in the chest, causing the shadow to be thrown backwards. The shadow scrabbled to his feet, and lunged at Ryan. Ryan felt sharp fangs sink into his soft flesh. In a cry of pain and terror, Ryan broke free. He saw two gapping holes on the bottom of his shoulder blade dripping with blood. Ryan changed into the giant cobra with two front legs.
“What’s this?” the shadow declared with amusement. “Another Creeper?” he leapt out of the way of Ryan’s attacks.
“Uuusssed to beee.” Ryan hissed angrily, and spat poison flames at the shadow.
“Wow, what else can you do?” it tested Ryan. Ryan changed into the Flaming Wolf and howled flames into the air, causing it to come down upon the Creeper.
“Ouch.” The Creeper declared in pain. He changed into a Sabre cat, and charged at Ryan. Ryan turned into the Dragon, and stood there towering over the cat.
“Naomi?” the Creeper asked through the cat’s mouth. Ryan cocked his head to one side.
“How do you know the Dragon’s name?” Ryan asked confused. The cat changed back into his Creeper form.
“The Creeper I knew when I was growing up, had a Dragon just like this one.” The Creeper recalled.
“Grant?” Ryan asked shakily.
“Yeah?” the Creeper responded. “That’s my name.”
“Grant, I want you to leave and never return.” Ryan said hurriedly.
“Why, Ryan?”
“You remembered my name?” Ryan asked curiously.
“Of course, I do. You were my best friend.” Grant replied sadly.
“You can’t stay, everybody’s lives are at risk here in the woods.”
“I’m not going Ryan.” Grant growled.
“Look if we were best mates, then trust me. You can come back I few years time.” Ryan urged. Grant still shook his black head, and Ryan stepped forward,
“Don’t make me hurt you.” Ryan threatened. Grant glared at him, and disappeared.

[Dragon16]

Ryan turned around to check on the woman. She was lying on her face. Ryan changed back to human, and rolled her over on her back, the wolf snarled as it watched. The woman flitted her eyes open and shut several times before asking.
“Where is Sir?”
“Gone for good.” Ryan said helping her to her feet. He looked at her amazing figure. ‘Why do I always find the pretty ones out here?’ he thought with a smile.
Her gorgeous body was beautiful and yet it seemed cunning in a strange sort of way. She had long blond hair that reached her waist; she had bright blue eyes, almost chubby cheeks, and a slim, attractive body.
“Who are you?” she asked while brushing herself off.
“I’m Ryan. Do you need anymore assistance?” he asked casually.
“Yes please, I’m lost. And I fear that there is a storm brewing.” She petted her dog.
“Well, there is a cave at the top of Black Mountain if you wish to stay there for a while.” Ryan said scratching his chin.
“That would be wonderful.” She said, taking a step towards him. Ryan stepped back, a little nervous at her immediate trust in him.
“Why did he want your dog?” he asked looking at the canine sitting by her feet.
“He’s not a real dog.” She said looking at him funny. “He’s a Flying Hound, and he can read thoughts.”
Ryan looked at the wolf. ‘It doesn’t look any different.’ he thought.
“Are you a human?” Ryan tested her.
“No.” she said batting her eyes. “I’m a Numbre.”
Ryan took a step back.
“Aren’t they killers.” Ryan asked a little shakily.
“Not all.” She replied smiling. “I haven’t hurt anybody before. I’m the vegetarian type.” She paused. “And how are we going to get to this cave of yours?”
“Ahh…Carefully.” Ryan said taking more steps back. “I’m a Creeper.” He said changing into the Dragon, Naomi.
“Oh, of course not a deadly one?” she was scared then.
“No I’m good.” He smiled through his dragon mouth. Ryan signalled for her to climb on his back. Ryan drifted into the air, and when he was well above the trees, he looked down and saw the wolf follow. They reached the cliff, where Ryan landed and the girl climbed off.
“Rory! You made it.” She said hugging the dog. Ryan changed back, and watched Angie walk slowly out of the cave.
“Ryan? Is everything okay?” she asked nervously. Then she eyed up the woman. “Who’s your friend?”
“Angie, this is…” Ryan was aware that the women hadn’t told him her name.
“I’m Jessica.” The woman said putting her hand out to shake Angie’s. Angie ignored the request, and stared at her dog.
“Flying Hound right?” she asked inspecting it.
“Yes, his name’s Rory.” Jessica watched her reactions.
“Ryan can I talk to you?” Angie glared at him.
“Ahh…Sure.” He scratched his head. They walked slowly inside; Ryan saw that Jenny was awake and cooking something over the dying fire.
“Why?” she stared angrily.
“She needed help. Another Creeper was there. I found out that he was my old friend Grant. Though it didn’t fix anything.” Ryan started.
“What if she’s not what you think she is?” Angie worried. Ryan put his arms around her, looked down into her big green eyes and said,
“Baby, it’s called trust. I know it sounds weird and all, because my sister’s out there.” He shuddered.
“I guess you’re right, but for one day.” She kissed him, and walked over to her mother, who had seen what they did.
“Jessica. You can come in.” Ryan called. Jessica walked cautiously in with Rory at her heels. She looked round at everyone.
“I didn’t realise there was so much people here.” Then she eyed up Capracoldo, who was still tied. “What did he do?” she stood next to Ryan.
“Oh, him? He only tried to kill me.” Ryan boasted, and he looked down, she had a gorgeous body, ‘but not as good as Angie’s.’ he thought, trying to keep his eyes off her.
It wasn’t long until everyone else woke up, greeted the new arrival and then had breakfast. Jenny had offered her bacon and eggs, but Jessica refused, she explained that she was a vegetarian. Jessie watched them eat and was surprised that Ryan and Angie were not.
“Why don’t you two eat?” She asked with a friendly smile.
“I can’t.” Angie coughed.
“And I’m a Creeper. They can never eat.” Ryan smiled back. Angie elbowed him in the ribs.
“What?” he whispered in her ear.
“Aren’t you going to ask her?” Angie’s eyes blazed with jealously. Ryan nodded his head, and stared across at the fire.
“So, Jessica? When do you want to return home?” Ryan asked casually.
“I don’t have a home, but I’d be glad to be dropped off in Wiltmere.” Jessica stared at Capracoldo again. “Maybe after lunch?”
“That sounds good.” Ryan agreed. Then suddenly Rory stood up and growled at Angie, Jessie nodded her head, and without looking at it’s owner the dog calmly sat back down.
‘I wonder what Angie was thinking?’ Ryan looked at the two girls, who were exchanging serious glances. Ryan got up, and walked outside he hoped Angie would follow, and she did.
“What were you thinking before?” Ryan looked at her. He knew they would be out of earshot of everyone else.
“Nothing why?” Angie pretended to ignore him.
“That dog can reads thoughts, baby. You must of thought of something evil, that concerned its master.” Ryan growled. Angie smiled thoughtfully.
“I called her a cow.” Angie said and she stopped smiling. “I don’t like her, Ryan.” Angie stared at him.
“She’s here till lunch, baby.” Ryan kissed her again, and rubbed her cheek. Angie smiled sheepishly and headed back inside. Ryan stayed outside for a few hours, just staring out at the landscape, and remembered when he was younger, and was still living with his family.

Ryan walked into a large room, where there was a long wooden table. Ryan saw his father sitting at the far end counting the jewels he had stolen.
“Rangoon! How many times have I told you to stay in your proper form?!” his father yelled at him from across the room.
“Sorry pa.” Ryan changed into the Creeper’s original form, which is a black shadow creature.
“Don’t you ever say sorry, you good for nothing.” His father raged. Just then his sister appeared beside his dad.
“Just ignore him pop. He’s just doing it to get attention.” She stared evilly at him.

Ryan woke up when he felt a dog lick his face.
“Eww, get off Rory.” Ryan pushed the dog away. He stood up, walked in the room, and found Jessica sitting with Capracoldo, laughing and giggling.
“Are you ready to go?” he yelled across the room. She nodded her head.
“But I want Cappy to come with me.” Ryan and Capracoldo were surprised, though everybody agreed.

Ryan dropped into a clearing at Wiltmere, and let down Jessica and Capracoldo. Rory floated to the ground beside them.
“Give us yell, when you need help okay?” she said excitedly.
“Sure.” Ryan roared through Naomi’s jaws. Just then he heard a small voice pop into his head.
‘You’ll need our help.’ Ryan looked down, and the dog smiled.
‘You’ll need all the help you can get for what’s coming up soon’ the dog barked. Ryan shook his head.
“You heard that?” Jessie seemed surprised.

[Dragon16]

“Yeah… Thanks… Goodbye.” Ryan shook his head again, drifted up into the air and headed back to Black Mountain, back to Angie.

Part Three: The Fight

She was breathing hard and fast, while sweat dripped off her trembling face. She crouched down with her hands on her knees, and struggled to keep herself up. She looked ahead of her and saw a dark shadow creature, most likely a Creeper. It stared at her coldly, and then lunged with its mouth open wide, exposing sharp fangs.

Angie jumped awake, as the picture of the creature burned into her memory. She cried and gasped for air, as she looked around the familiar room. Ryan was immediately at her side. She grabbed his top and pulled him closer to her trembling body. Ryan held her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.
“It’s okay Ange, baby. It’s just a dream.” He whispered, trying not to wake the others.
“It felt so real.” She sobbed quietly, aware of how loud she was crying.
“It’s alright baby.” Ryan continued to comfort Angie. Then he paused to think. “If it makes you feel any better Ange, I have dreams like that all the time.” Angie looked up at his face.
“I haven’t seen you cry when you wake up.”
“Me, Cry? I don’t mean I cry, but I have dreams like that.” Ryan laughed casually. Then he heard a faint murmur from behind him.
“Ryan? Is everything okay?” Jenny came up to see what was the matter.
“Yeah, everything’s good, she just had a bad dream.” Ryan replied quietly. Jenny nodded her head and went back to her bed.
Ryan held Angie for five minutes, then she slowly wiped her eyes, and said she wanted to go back to sleep.
“Are you okay now?” he helped her lay back down.
“Yes.” She whispered, looking into Ryan’s caring, soft eyes. Ryan kissed her cheek, and prepared to get up. Angie quickly grasped his arm and said,
“Wait, stay with me.”
Ryan half smiled at her beautiful face.
“Why?” he said still smiling.
“I don’t want to be alone.” She replied quickly, trying to think of excuses.
“Hmm…Maybe I’ll stay.” He said lying down with her.
“I’m taking this as a yes then?” Angie cuddled into his arms.
“I guess so.” Ryan held her closer, but not wanting anything to happen.
“What’s wrong?” Angie looked up at his face.
“It just seems awkward, because your parents are here.” Ryan kissed her forehead. Angie nodded unhappily and fell asleep slowly in his arms.

Ryan and Angie woke up at about six in the morning, watched Jenny, Lou and Howard have breakfast, and prepared to set off.
“Where are we going again?” Angie sighed.
“To Highneeba.” Howard answered.
“Where’s that?” Angie asked confused.
“It’s a small town on the other side of Black Mountain, hundreds of kilometres away.” Ryan said holding her again. Jenny watched out of the corner of her eye, just to make sure he wasn’t making Angie feel uncomfortable. Angie smiled up at him,
“Thanks Ryan.” She kissed him and then broke away.
They set off again, but this time Ryan rode on a Pegasus, because Capracoldo had left.
“Why aren’t you going to change into Naomi?” Angie looked confused.
“I do get tired Ange. Creeper’s do need to rest.” Ryan looked sadly at the winged horses.
“Oh, okay.” She stood beside him. “Wait, if Creeper’s get tired after transforming so much, then why are you still in human form?” Angie asked curious.
Ryan glared at her.
“Because, I don’t want to turn into my original form ever again.”
“Sorry.” Angie squeezed his him.
“No, Ange, I’m sorry.” He kissed her for a while, and then he pulled away, upset that she wanted to know so much about his previous life.

They took off from the cliff face. Ryan rode on a purple Pegasus, it made him feel weird and uncomfortable, but he got used to it. It had taken them quite a while to reach the quarter way mark, and the Pegasus’s were exhausted, because they can’t fly fast or for very long.
Ryan was the first to get off; he searched the area on foot for any sign of enemies. He signalled the others that the coast was clear; they landed all at once, and tied the Pegasus’s to low tree branches.
“I can’t believe that it took three hours to get quarter way there.” Ryan grumbled. Angie quickly hugged him, and almost immediately he mellowed. He smiled sheepishly down at her, and moved away. He heard a faint rustling in the bushes. Ryan tried to change to Naomi the red Dragon, but he was too weak. Ryan pushed Angie behind him, preparing to protect her even if he couldn’t transform into any other creature. He pulled out a secret knife from the bottom of his pants. It was very long for a knife, but not long enough to be a sword. Angie looked at him full of surprise.
Then all of a sudden a wolf jumped out of the bushes. It snarled and bristled up, and then it changed shape. Ryan watched confused, as it grew larger, and took on, almost a human figure.
“A Were-wolf.” Jenny gasped, while holding Lou in front of her for protection.
“Get down!” Ryan ordered, and he quickly stooped low to the ground. “He won’t hurt us, if we don’t stand tall.”
Angie and Howard obeyed, and followed Ryan’s movements. Lou and Jenny saw what they were doing and also bowed. The Were-wolf also stooped low, then stood high again. Ryan knew what it was doing, and he also stood up.
“Hello.” Ryan talked to it fearfully.
“Good day.” It replied. Angie jumped up and looked at the beast.
“I didn’t know you creatures could talk.” She responded surprised. The Were-wolf grunted,
“What, you think we are just monsters?” It eyed her up.
“No. Not at all.” Angie tried to show respect. The Were-wolf ignored her and continued to talk to Ryan.
“I am Dandon. The only Crow-zon in this area.”
“Dandon? What does your name mean? I understand that Crow-zon is Were-wolf, but my ancient Creeper language is dusty.” Ryan looked at Dandon.
“Dandon means Jacob in human language. You know some of the Creeper language?” Dandon looked curiously at Ryan. “Are you a Creeper?”
“Yes I know some of the Creeper language, but I wish never to be called a Creeper again.” Ryan replied angrily.
“Ahh…I’ve heard of you. You’re the only Creeper to change their ways. Wasn’t your name…Rangoon?” Jacob scratched his chin.
“Yes my name was Rangoon, I’ve changed it to Ryan.” Ryan turned to Angie, who knew nothing about his past. “It means Dark Terror.” He looked at the ground.
“Not to frighten you or anything Ryan.” Jacob stared at him full of excitement. “But I am a huge fan, you are my hero.”
Ryan smiled, “Yeah, I’ve never really heard somebody say that, beside my dearest friend.” Ryan looked at Angie again. She tried to smile, but she was to shocked after she learned about his old name.
“We the Crow-zon’s want to let you know that we will help you if you need it.” Jacob bowed low to the ground.
“Thank you Dandon.” Ryan bowed his head. “We really must be getting along though.”
“Oh, of course. Sorry to disturb you, I do hope you have a safe journey.” The Were-wolf slowly walked away into the bushes.

Angie stood next to Ryan,
“You never told me about your old name.” She stayed with him, while the others prepared lunch.
“I told you, I don’t want to tell you about my old life.” Ryan sighed heavily; he was starting to get annoyed.
“I know, but can I still find out about your old life?” Angie tested him.

[Dragon16]

“No! I don’t want you to know what I’ve done!” Ryan stormed off to a nearby tree, and slumped down beside it.
Angie watched him upset, and ran off crying towards the Pegasus’s.
After a while, Ryan walked slowly over to her.
“Ange?” he stood nearby, casting a shadow over her.
“What?” she sniffed. Ryan sat down next to her, and watched her pick thistles out of a blue Pegasus’s mane.
“I’m sorry.” He looked at the horse, whose eyes were shut, as if enjoying the attention.
“It’s okay, I guess I deserved it.” Angie looked up at him.
“No you didn’t deserve it.” He said hugging her. “If you really want to know about my life I’ll tell you, just not the part I’m concerned about you hearing.”
“No, if you don’t want to tell me about it, then you shouldn’t.” she kissed him for a long time, then they both broke away laughing, for the Pegasus snorted, because it wasn’t getting any attention.
“Come, on. We have to get going.” Ryan helped Angie to her feet. He quickly kissed her again, and then hand in hand they both walked back to the group. Ryan put his other hand in his jeans pocket and held the pretty blue stone.

“Is it always this windy?” Jenny yelled back to Howard, as they flew slowly through the rough weather.
“No, it’s usually worse.” Howard replied worriedly.
Just then a large gust of wind whipped through the Pegasus’s and threw them off course. Ryan looked at the landscape, he had a feeling he knew this place.
“We should land.” Lou worried about the state of the horses, they were extremely tired after going through such winds.
“Yes, we should. The winds have died down.” Howard signalled for everybody to land in a small clearing. When the landed Ryan quickly got off his purple Pegasus and rubbed his eyes. He shuddered as he realised where they were.
“When can we leave again?” Ryan asked hurried.
“Not for another few hours Ryan. Why?” Lou answered, as he watched all the Pegasus’s collapse in a heap.
“Never mind.” Ryan grumbled. “We’ll just have to be very careful not to be too loud.”
“Why?” Angie asked curious. She walked up to him and looked him in the eye.
“Because we could attract unwanted attention.” Ryan looked sadly into her delicate, big, green eyes. Angie understood at once. When Jenny and Howard gathered food for the horses, and Howard went to collect firewood, Angie approached Ryan.
“What’s wrong with this place?” Angie shivered, because it was starting to get cold.
“I just don’t think we should stay here very long.” He took off his jacket and put it over Angie’s shoulders.
“Oh, okay.” Angie sulked, but enjoyed the warmth of the jacket.
“I used to live here. This is Creeper territory.” Ryan held her in his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? We could be in danger.” Angie broke away from his hold, feeling angry and hurt.
“Because I feel better. That means I can change into anything again.” Ryan answered softly.
“Oh.” Angie sighed.
They settled down for a rest under a dead tree. Ryan held Angie in his arms, and drifted off to sleep.
“Don’t be such a fool boy!” a Creeper yelled at Ryan. “How can you say such a thing?!” It continued to rage at him.
“But I love her, I would do anything to keep her alive.” Ryan stood up and faced the Creeper. “Even if it means telling my father I never liked him.”
The Creeper took a step back.
“What are you talking about? Where did I go wrong with you?” the Creeper flared.
“You never went wrong with me pop. You showed me how much of a monster you were turning me into.” Ryan grew angry at the Creeper.
“You are no pure Sighga-gron!” his father raged and hit him hard, that it sent Ryan flying. Ryan landed with a thud and got up painfully.
“You’re right, I’m not a pure Shadow-monster, and I’m not a pure Creeper. I never want to be!” Ryan gasped for air. His father hit him again, and this time Ryan flew into a wall.
“Torga-gron’s! Finish him off!” His father yelled at a group of hideous creatures on the other side of the room. They flew over to Ryan and bit his arms, legs and neck. Ryan could feel the blood being drained out of him.
“No!” he heard a loud scream. He looked up, his vision had become blurry, but he could see Angie crying. She was tied up, and surrounded by Creeper’s and Torga-gron’s.
“Please, leave her alone.” Ryan whispered, his eyes started to shut, but he continued to watch what they were doing to her. They picked up a glowing axe, and threw it down upon her head, with a loud thud.

Ryan jerked awake, he was sweating and almost in tears.
Angie looked up,
“Are you okay?” she asked rubbing her eyes.
“I am now.” He hugged her so hard that she gasped for air.
“Sorry.” He let go quickly.
“I’m guessing you had a bad dream.” She smirked.
“Yes, and we must leave now!” Ryan got up quickly, as he heard yells and screams coming from the distance. Angie joined him, as they rushed over to the group.
Lou, Jenny, and Howard were already preparing the Pegasus’s.
They jumped on their backs drifted silently into the air. Ryan could hear the yells getting louder and closer.
They had to fly overhead where the noise was coming for, and they all were praying that they weren’t going to be seen.
They looked down and saw a dozen dark creatures heading to where they had camped.
“Creeper’s?” Angie whispered to Ryan.
“No, not Creeper’s, but a close relative called Torga-gron.” Ryan responded quietly.
“What’s that mean?” Angie patted her Pegasus’s neck, trying to keep it quiet.
“It means Blood-monster. Or Vampire is the most common name. They are a very rare race of blood suckers, they are never grouped like this though.” Ryan was confused. All of a sudden Ryan’s Pegasus cried out, the Vampire’s looked up and screeched in the ancient Creeper language.
The Vampire’s were hideous black monster. That had eyes, which were redder then a poppy. Their bodies were made entirely up of black, almost shadow colours. They had long bandy arms and legs, and long, sharp, black claws, but their most fearsome feature was their fangs, which were drooling with saliva and hungry for the taste of blood.
“Can they fly?” Howard asked worried.
“Yes.” Ryan gulped as he watched the Blood-monster’s shoot into the air towards them.
“Bor on cre ta!” one of the Vampire’s stopped in front of Ryan.
“Qa.” Ryan spat.
“What are they saying?” Angie watched them surround the group, while the horses were freaking out.
“They want us to come with them. I said ‘no’.” Ryan shouted, above all the noise.
“Very well then.” The Vampire hissed, it signalled for the others to attack, and then it lunged at Ryan’s Pegasus. They bit and poisoned the horses, Ryan watched as the Pegasus’s turned a dark grey and black colour. Their eyes turned red, and their wings were no longer feathery, but scaly, like Ryan’s Dragon form.
“They are under our control now.” The Blood-monster hissed.
The Pegasus’s started to follow the Vampire’s, as they headed off back in the direction they had come from.
“These are no longer ordinary Pegasus’s. They look like the ones you can turn into.” Angie spoke quietly to Ryan.
“They are a Sighga-florg, meaning Shadow-pegasus.”
Ryan sighed deeply. He wondered where they were taking them.
“Are they going to kill us?” Angie whispered. Ryan realised how scared she was.

[Dragon16]

“I don’t know. If they wanted to drink our blood they would’ve done it straight away.” Ryan tried to comfort her, but not lie to her either. Angie shuddered.
“I’m scared.” She started to cry.
“It’s okay, I’m here to protect you.” Ryan said reassuringly.
“What if you can’t though?” Angie was stressing out, and Ryan was amazed that humans can get worried so quickly. He didn’t answer her, and was upset at what she said.
Jenny and Angie were both sobbing, while Howard and Lou were stressing at what might happen.
About fifteen minutes later they saw a large, tall building in the distance.
‘What is that place?’ Angie thought worried.
“It’s the Sighga Brondo, which means Shadow Castle.” Ryan said, as if reading Angie’s thoughts.
The Shadow-pegasus’s landed on the front yard; they reared up on their hind legs, which tipped Jenny, Angie, Lou, Howard, and Ryan off their backs. They then flew into an open window on the top floor of the castle.
“Follow us.” The Vampire’s growled. They followed the Blood-monsters to a large wooden door, the lead Vampire chanted a spell, and the door opened. Out of the doorway jumped two trolls, carrying large chains. They tied these chains on Jenny, Lou, Angie, Ryan, and Howard’s wrists and ankles. They walked into the Castle that was very dark, except for one single torch burning slowly at the very end of the large room. Angie was in front of Ryan, and she turned around, she could see that Ryan was getting angrier and angrier by the minute. The reached the burning torch, and they all saw a big chair, most possibly a throne. And on that throne was a dark shadow.
“Bow before your king!” the shadow snapped. The Torga-gron’s quickly bowed, and signalled for the group to bow as well. Jenny, Angie, Lou, and Howard obeyed, but Ryan stayed standing.
“That is a foolish thing to do, human.” The shadow was amused at Ryan’s objection.
“It is not foolish, because you are not a true king.” Ryan spat. The shadow half smiled, and Angie noticed.
“Undo their chains.” The shadow ordered. Immediately the trolls took off the chains. The shadow turned to Ryan.
“Do you know who I am?” the shadow leaned forward in his throne.
“Yes, you are a disgusting Creeper!” Ryan raged.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” The Creeper half smiled again.
“Ryan who is that?” Angie realised that his half smile was the same as Ryan’s.
“A filthy monster.” Ryan retorted angrily.
“Silence!” the creeper struck at the air, and a huge gust of wind knocked Angie off her feet. Ryan immediately changed into Naomi the red Dragon.
“Ahh…Another Creeper?” the Creeper growled.
“I’m no longer a Creeper!” Ryan bellowed through his Dragon jaws.
“Rangoon?” the Creeper paused.
“My name is no longer Rangoon.” Ryan helped Angie to her feet. He realised that what he just did was a mistake.
“Son? Why did you leave?” the Creeper stepped off his throne.
“Because I hate you!” Ryan snarled. The Creeper took a step back.
“Why? Look at how much I’ve done for you.” He started to get very angry.
“What, ruin my life?” Ryan changed back to human.
“I never ruined it. You did, with all this kindness.” The Creeper looked at Angie.
“I hate you! You never realised how much I hated my life!” Ryan looked his father straight into his black eyes.
“That was the point, to make your life miserable was my dream.” His father smiled evilly.
“Stop being such a jerk Loolika!” Ryan yelled out his father’s sacred name, that nobody was aloud to say. One of the Vampires smirked and started to laugh quietly. At once Ryan’s father threw his arm out, it stretched and rapped around the smirking Vampire. His father’s eyes filled with blackness, and everybody heard a crack, they knew that the Blood-monster’s neck was broken. Angie cried, as he threw the carcass onto the ground.
“Now look at what you made me do.” Loolika sighed. “I never thought that I would have to kill my own son, but if that’s the way it has to be.” He stood up and transformed into a creature with eight arms, two heads, and four legs. It stood so high that it touched the roof.
Ryan stood back and changed into Noami.
“Ryan it doesn’t have to end like this.” Angie wept.
“I know, but I also know my father he won’t stop at nothing to clear his path.” Ryan looked sadly into Angie’s eyes. Loolika made the first move; he threw his arms out like whips. Ryan dodged them and ducked down, he flew straight at the beast’s chest. Ryan clawed the flesh and breathed fire on his face.
“Rawr!” his father cried out. Then he spat a giant, yellow, sticky ball from one of his head’s mouth. It got stuck in Ryan’s wings, and he started to plummet to the ground. He fell onto the ground hard with a loud thump, he struggled to get up, but his legs trembled under his enormous weight, and he dropped quickly to the ground.
“Just as thought.” His father smiled. “You have become weak, because of your kindness.”
“I’m not weak!” Ryan shouted, and he quickly changed into a Crowndor. His snake body was still very small compared to his father’s, but Ryan’s venom was deadly.
“Ahh…A rare specimen indeed.” His father sounded proud, but he still tried to kill Ryan. Ryan lunged and bit one of Loolika’s arms that had come out to strike him. Loolika doubled back in pain, and Ryan went flying onto the other side of the room.
“Torga-gron’s! Finish him off!” His father yelled at the group of hideous Vampire’s that had watched the whole fight. They flew over to Ryan and bit his arms, legs and neck. Ryan could feel the blood being drained out of him.
“No!” he heard a loud scream. He looked up, his vision had become blurry, but he could see Angie crying.
“What?’ Loolika looked up from the wound on his arm. “You pathetic human, I’ll teach you to talk!” he was about to strike her when Ryan called out,
“Leave her alone!” It was only a whisper, but loud enough for Loolika to hear.
“I was wrong. It wasn’t your kindness that had left you weak, it’s her.” His father glared at Angie. “Torga-gron’s get the family, then you all can kill her!” he ordered. Four Torga-gron’s left Ryan and came back later with four other Creeper’s. They tied up Angie to a pole, and one Creeper pulled out a glowing axe.
‘My DREAM!!!’ Ryan thought quickly. ‘It’s coming true!’
The Creeper raised the axe above Angie’s head, while Angie was screaming and begging to be set free.
Ryan had tears streaming down his face, and so did Lou, Jenny and Howard.
Then it felt as though her life flashed before her eyes, as Angie watched the axe come down.
Then all of a sudden an ear-piercing scream arose from a dark corner of the room. The Creeper stopped and put the axe down.
“Master?” a Creeper asked frightened. Loolika was lying on the ground gasping for air. Even the Vampire’s drinking Ryan’s blood had stoped to see what was wrong.
“I’m dying.” He chocked out. Ryan’s head felt as though it was spinning, and he looked at his father.
“Rangoon, you did good.” His father smiled at him. “To bad I gave the power to your sister, now she’s the next in line for the throne.” Ryan couldn’t believe what he was hearing, how could his own father congratulate him, for killing? Loolika then coughed, transformed back to his Creeper form, laid his head down and died. Then immediately a riot broke out.
“Should we fulfil his last commands?” one Creeper asked, picking up the axe again. Then there was a bang at the door, and it fell down. There stood Dandon, with a dozen or more were-wolves and one little cat.
“You know the drill!” Dandon roared. Then they all bounded through the room, attacking the Vampire’s and Creeper’s. Ryan changed back to human, and he was helped to his feet by two were-wolves called Clyde, and Frog.
“We heard you were in trouble.” They chorused together.
“Thanks.” Ryan replied dizzily. He saw the other were-wolves killing the Vampire’s, and they looked as though they were enjoying it.
“The Creeper’s are getting away!” Lou exclaimed as he witnessed the Creeper’s disappear through a doorway.
Ryan rushed over to Angie, and helped to untie her.
“Are you alright?” Ryan asked concerned.
“I am now.” She jumped into his arms. Her face was drenched from her tears.
“Are you alright?” she said through sobs.
“Yeah, just a little drained.” He replied jokingly. Angie tried to laugh. Just then a Vampire ran past screaming, as a little cat chased him, but the cat tripled its size and swallowed the Vampire whole. Its collar was black, but after it ate the Blood-monster the colour changed to bright blue and it turned into a little cat again. It walked past Angie and Ryan, and then it stopped and looked at Angie. She bent down and picked it up, the cat purred and snuggled in. Dandon looked on surprised.
“Well, that’s the first time Killer’s ever done that. Say do you want to keep him? We really have no use for him here.” Jacob rubbed his large furry paws together. Angie nodded her head
“I’d love to keep him.” She beamed. Ryan paused,
“Wait we haven’t discussed this.” He half smiled at her.

A while later they all set off into the woods together, the were-wolves were there for protection, and Angie was still holding her new pet. Ryan sighed and scratched under the cat’s chin, then kissed Angie. They had lived to see another day.

Part Four: The Battle

“Keep quite!” Dandon growled as he changed to his wolf form.
“What’s happening?” Angie looked worried.
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.” Jacob slinked into the trees ahead of them. Angie trembled in fear and her cat Killer, seemed to double his size.
“It’ll be okay, Ange.” Ryan stood next to Angie and comforted her.
“Promise?” she asked hugging him.
“I promise.” Ryan held her in his arms, put his chin on her head, and secretly wished that everything would turn out fine. He let go of her and turned away.
“What’s the matter?” Angie became curious.

[Dragon16]

“Nothing.” Ryan’s words seemed to freeze into the frosty morning air. He thought about the fight he and his father had fought the night before. Ryan shut his eyes and played the scene over and over again in his mind. He opened his eyes, almost in tears, to find Angie standing there with her arms folded across her chest.
“What?” he whispered casually with a sad smile.
“Did you ever like him?” Angie started rubbing her cold arms.
“Who?” Ryan put his jacket over her shoulders and kissed her gently.
“Your father.” Angie said between each kiss. Ryan broke away and replied coldly.
“No I had never liked him.” Ryan sulked.
“Sorry I asked.” Angie tried to cheer him up.
“It’s okay baby.” Ryan kissed her one last time as he headed to the very front of the group. Angie sighed and recalled the time Ryan and her first kissed.

“It’s a bit rainy.” Angie tried to keep the rain off her by putting her jersey over her head.
“Just a little bit.” Ryan laughed hurmorly. He signalled for her to follow him under the nearby trees.
“Happy?” he asked while shaking the water off his jacket.
“I guess so.” She replied unhappily and peered out at the miserable landscape surrounding them.
“Where are we again?” she sulked as she watched lightning strike a tree close by.
“Baukrun.” Ryan hesitated. “It’s East of Wiltmere.”
“Wiltmere?” Angie was outraged. “I said I never want to go back home.”
“I know, I know.” Ryan tried to calm her down. “It’s just that, well…I don’t think it’s good for a girl who doesn’t know anything about me, to follow me around on my travels.” Ryan paused, and admired Angie’s striking beauty.
“I want to stay with you.” She took a step closer to him. Ryan overcame with mixed emotions, and backed away.
“No you don’t.” he was aware that it had stoped raining.
“Yes I do.” Angie continued to approach him. Ryan’s feelings had become too strong for him to control them. He rapped his arms around her; Angie smiled weakly and rested her head against his chest.
“Please let me stay with you.” Angie muffled out a quite whisper.
“No. You must go home.” Ryan coughed. Angie raised her to look into his confident eyes. He bent his head down and smiled sadly. He placed his forehead onto hers, their noses brushed past each other, and their lips almost touched.
They breathed deeply into each other’s faces, and Angie resisted the urge to giggle.
Ryan kissed her gently, and then he stopped. He looked away, feeling ashamed.
Angie put her hand on his cheek, and turned his head to face her. She kissed him back, but this time is was more meaningful than Ryan’s. It was an intimate kiss that felt as though it would last a lifetime for both of them.

A were-wolf violently brushed past Angie, causing her to wake from her daydream.
“Hey!” she croaked out.
“What?” it turned around; seeming somewhat annoyed that it had to stop.
“Nothing.” Angie cringed. The were-wolf grunted then carried on walking.
“Angie? Are you okay?” Jenny walked up to her daughter.
“Yeah mum, I’m fine.” Angie refused a hug. “But where’s Ryan?”
“I thought you might ask.” Jenny smiled sadly. “He’s with the others.” Jenny looked Howard, Lou and Ryan. Angie walked over to them.
‘They seem to be worried about something.’ Angie thought curiously as she observed their expressions.
“Where’s Jacob?” Angie asked hesitantly.
“Not here.” Ryan was the first to answer. He turned to face Howard and Lou. They both gave him a menacing stare, and then a sharp nod. Ryan looked at Angie.
“Come on baby.” He gently grabbed her arm and took her away from the group. Angie looked over her shoulder to see eight were-wolves join Lou and Howard. One of the Were-wolves started to shout something in the Ancient Creeper language. She turned to look at Ryan. He seemed disturbed at what the were-wolf said. Ryan took Angie to the outskirts of the large group.
“Angie…” Ryan began, but stopped to think of what to say next. “I love you, but try not to get in the were-wolves way…” Ryan’s talk was cut short when him and Angie heard a faint whine coming from the bushes in front of them. A large dog crawled out cautiously.
“Dandon?” Ryan eyed the wolf.
“Yeah?” he murmured. Jacob changed into his human form. He looked strikingly handsome with his huge grin, short brown hair, and hazel eyes. He had a very smooth musclebound body. Angie jaw dropped as she stared at his figure.
“Wow.” Angie smiled awkwardly.
Ryan quickly realised that Jacob was naked.
“Look away Angie.” Ryan ordered feeling embarrassed.
“Okay, but that picture is burned into my mind forever.” Angie teased with a smug grin.

[Dragon16]

“Sorry. It has been so long since I have changed to human. I keep forgetting you creatures wear clothes.” Dandon mused good-naturedly. Ryan gave him his jacket to wear.
“I’m not wearing that again.” Angie giggled.
“Angie…” Ryan growled.
“What?” Angie turned around. “You know Ryan no matter how hard you try, Jacob still looks good.”
Ryan blushed, and then he jumped when he felt a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.
“That was weird.” Ryan tried to figure out why he had that feeling. He then explained to Angie what he felt.
“Awww…That’s so cute!” Angie declared. “You felt jealous.”
“It’s not cute!” Ryan grumbled. Angie squeezed his hips, which made Ryan calm down.
“Okay I have some good news, and some bad news.” Jacob broke the silence.
“What’s the good news?” Ryan looked curious.
“The good news is, nobody is out there that Howard had heard earlier.” Jacob smiled.
“I told you.” Ryan sang. Angie folded her arms and sulked, she had a feeling she knew what was coming.
“The bad news is…a village of Vampire’s and Creeper’s is close by.” Jacob hung his head.
“Great.” Ryan groaned.
“I’m sorry, but we will have to turn around and find another way to go about peacefully.” Dandon turned back into a were-wolf.
“No, we will carry on through the town.” Ryan demanded. Jacob nodded his wolf head and walked back to the others.
“At least he’s covered in hair now.” Angie giggled. “But why are you taking us through the town?”
“It’s the only way to go. If we went back, it would take several more weeks.” Ryan lectured.
“Okay.” Angie agreed glumly.

“What do you mean, go straight through the town?” Lou was furious.
“They won’t even know we are there.” Ryan tried to explain how his idea would work.
“Sure. They won’t notice a pack of were-wolves and a few humans. Oh, and lets not forget the traitor Creeper.” Lou was so angry that he walked away kicking tree branches that were lying on the ground.
“I think that it’s unsafe.” Jenny groaned honestly. “But I’m sure you’ll find a way.” With that Jenny nodded her head and walked over to Lou. Ryan sighed and wiped a stray lock of hair back into place.

It was midday when everybody finished debating on what was to happen. Ryan won the debate, and they started to set off down a dark, gloomy road.
“So, what’s going to happen when we reach the town?” Angie whispered, fearful that they might run into trouble.
“Wait and see.” Ryan answered harshly. His mysterious smile caught Angie’s attention.
‘What are you thinking about?’ she tried to figure it out, and then it hit her like a speeding bullet. The wind was knocked out of her, and Angie seemed to double backward.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked surprised. Angie raised her head quickly.
“I know what you’re up to.” She growled hoarsely.
“Good then you should know that it’s quite fair.” Ryan responded with a sweet smile. He looked about to make sure that nobody could hear their conversation. Then he realised that they were at the very front and nobody could hear them.
“I’m not so sure on that.” Angie sighed and looked away. “I mean, you are just going to march us in there, aren’t you?”
“I guess you know more than I thought.” Ryan was astounded. “Yes, and no. Not all of us are going in the way I have hoped.” He looked back at Lou, Jenny and Howard, who were muttering something about the landscape.
“But why?” Angie whined.
“Because, I have some unfinished business to take of.” Ryan answered smugly.
“No you can’t!” Angie yelled. “I won’t let you!” Jenny, Lou, Howard and a few were-wolves raised their heads, to see what the commotion was about.
“Baby, calm down. I’m only going to kill some of them.” Ryan whispered.
“No Ryan, I won’t calm down! Just because they’ve tried to kill us, doesn’t mean we can do it to them.” Angie was furious with Ryan for thinking that way.
“Just stop it Angie! I’m sick of people telling me what to do! They were my family, but as soon as I changed my ways they didn’t even want to know me. This is what they deserve.” Ryan raged so loudly that everybody in the group heard. He walked quickly away from Angie, who stood there shocked. Then she raced up and stood in front of him.
“Get out of my way Angie!” Ryan flared, but Angie stood her ground. Ryan looked down on her,
“You can’t stop me.” He growled.
“Then why don’t you move away?” Angie folded her arms.
“Because…because…because I don’t have to!” Ryan was starting to run out of words to say to her.
“Ryan, please don’t do this.” She lowered her voice and looked up at Ryan’s face with her big green eyes.
“I have to Ange. You don’t know what it’s like to be the outcast. I have to seek revenge.” Ryan had also started to quieten down.
“Ryan hello? Half-human here.” Angie flung her arms up into the air. “Ryan, please don’t do this. Be a good person, for me.” Ryan begun to cry,
“Why do I always listen to you?” he sobbed uncontrollably. Angie wrapped her arms around him.
“Maybe because you love me so much?” she tried to comfort him.
“Maybe.” Ryan choked out. “Okay, let’s just pass through.” He wiped his eyes, and then looked around. He jumped when he noticed everybody watching the scene. They had stopped walking, because Angie and Ryan stopped. Ryan signalled for everybody to start moving.
They all stopped at a high, long stonewall. Ryan knelt down and struggled to breathe.
“Are you okay?” Angie joined him and rubbed her hand up and down his back.
“Yeah, kind of. It’s just to tempting.” Ryan groaning. Angie realised what he was thinking, she held him in her arms.
“I won’t let you though.” She giggled when he grabbed her hips.
“Yeah I know.” He kissed her long and hard. She broke away when they all heard shouts
“What was that?” she asked breathlessly.
“Not sure.” Ryan stood up and peered over the towering wall. He watched a small group of Creeper’s march in two straight lines.
“Move it! We have intruders in the area!” a large Creeper at the very front of the lines, lead the group out of a huge gate a few hundred meters away.

“What’s going on?” Angie whispered frightfully.
“Shhh…” Ryan put a finger to his lips. Angie groaned silently as Ryan jumped to the ground.
“The news ain’t good.” Ryan whispered, while he looked at the group around him. Angie shuddered,
‘Great I bet we have been caught.’ She thought miserably.
“Have we been caught?” Angie repeated what she had been thinking.
“Yeah.” Ryan eyed the ground sadly.
“Oh.” Angie realised that their lives could all be over before they knew it.
Ryan looked up at the group; they all had their heads hanging glumly.
“Come on. They won’t get us.” He tried to boost their moral. He walked off confidently and expected them to follow. He was surprised when only half the group came with him. Angie walked beside him, she held his hand and said.
“I’ll always be here with you.”
Ryan sighed.
“You’re defiantly the same girl I meet a year ago.”
Angie giggled sadly, she turned around and saw the were-wolves walk slowly back into the woods.

[Dragon16]

“I guess we are back to where we started.” Jenny gulped in fear. Then she noticed five were-wolves had stayed with them.
“We only serve the true hero.” Dandon bowed humbly to Ryan.
“I’m not the hero. I was a bad guy. I mean I still could be.” Ryan pulled Dandon to his feet.
“We know you’re not.” Angie walked away hurriedly knowing that they would follow her. Ryan rushed next to her; he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him.
“What do you mean?” Ryan asked quietly.
“I mean I love you. I trust you.” Angie hugged him affectionately.
“Oh yeah?” Ryan held her while he walked. “What if I went back to my old self? Would you still love me?”
“I know you won’t. And Ryan, I’ll always love you.” She shook her head hurmorly, which sent her black hair flying. Ryan kissed her then turned away,
“I know your hair was dyed.” He tried to make a normal conversation. “What was its first colour?”
“Bright orange.” Angie dismissed the talk with a wave of her hand. “I never liked it.” Their chat had come to an abrupt end.

The group was noiseless as they crept quietly past a few broken down huts.
“The Creeper’s and Vampire’s don’t come out at daylight.” Ryan whispered as he sensed their panicky thoughts. They seemed to calm down just a little bit, but enough for them to get by.
“What happens if we get caught?” Jacob focused his eyes onto Ryan. Ryan was about to put a finger to his lips, when suddenly, ‘CRACK’.
Dandon had stepped onto a steel plate and his foot went straight through.
“Looks like you really put your foot in it this time!” a were-wolf named Frog, mocked Jacob.
“SHUT-UP!” Ryan hissed, but he knew that it was already to late. “They are coming.” He jerked his head in the direction where the Creeper’s and Torga-gron’s were approaching.
“RUN!” Angie hollered at the top of their voice. They began to flee, but Angie pulled Ryan to the side. They both looked back at Jacob, who was stuck. They tried to help him.
“No. Let me be.” Dandon growled, Ryan nodded his head and took Angie away.
Jacob grasped his leg and pulled as hard as he could. He saw blood seeping from underneath of the steel plate. Then a thought shot through his mind, and immediately he changed into a wolf completely. He started to run, but something hard struck against his back. He fell to the ground paralysed.
“Well, well, well. Look at what we have here.” A Creeper towered over Jacob. “Looks like a little lost dog.” Then more Creeper’s appeared and stood around his aching body.
“Do you know what we do to little lost dogs?” a Torga-gron interrupted rudely. Dandon closed his eyes slowly, and tried to ignore his mortal enemies.
“Well, firstly, we make them half dead. Then we drink their blood.” The Torga-gron hissed with pleasure. Then Dandon heard a Creeper laugh evilly,
“It is just your kind that drinks their blood. We’ll hurt him for you though.” It cackled hysterically at the group.
It grabbed Jacob by the throat, and glared crazily at him. Jacob gagged and gasped for air. The Creeper’s and Vampire’s were laughing menacingly while they continued to strangle him. Dandon’s eyes shot opened and he breathed deeply for air.
“Let me go.” Jacob choked out. The Creeper laughed hysterically again, then looked back at his family. They all nodded their heads hurmorly. His grasp around Dandon’s throat tightened, and tried to break his neck slowly. Gasping for air, Jacob tried to bite him, but a Vampire held his scared muzzle. While grunting, Jacob’s eyes flickered quickly open and shut. The Creeper stepped away,
“He’s all yours.” He grunted cruelly with a wicked smile that could freeze hell if it wanted. The Torga-gron’s leapt on his aching, trembling body.
“Feast time boys!” a Vampire snarled hungrily. The all bit enjoyably into his tired, old body. The Blood Monsters drank his blood slowly and satisfyingly. Their thirst for his blood was incurable.

Angie and Ryan watched the horrifying scene a few hundred meters away. They had hid behind a couple of dead trees.
“Shouldn’t we help him?” Angie sobbed miserably.
“No baby, we can’t. I wish we could.” Ryan tried to look away, but his eyes were peeled. He shuddered frightfully.
“I used to do that to Were-wolves.” He whispered out his old secret.
“Why?” Angie had tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
“I don’t know. I was not all there when I was younger.” Ryan eyed the ground as he heard Dandon scream for mercy. Angie ploughed into Ryan’s arms, she sobbed heavily. Ryan held her, and looked furiously at the monsters.
“One day…One day Dandon will have his revenge.” Ryan mumbled angrily. They walked sadly away, Ryan looked over his shoulder to see a bellowing cloud of green smoke cover Jacob, and then suddenly vanish.
“Don’t worry Ange, Jacob’s in a far better place.” Ryan hoped that he was right.
They walked slowly, but quietly to the other side of the town. They saw Jenny, Lou, Howard and the other were-wolves.
“Killer!” Angie cried happily. See was glad to see that her cat had made it out alive.
“Where’s Dandon?” Frog croaked fearfully.
“Gone.” Ryan mumbled quietly. They had a moment of silence for their best, honest, and truthful friend.
“Come on guys.” Ryan walked slowly ahead. Angie held a hand out, and realised that it was starting to rain. She looked down at her cat Killer.
“Come on boy.” She coaxed him along.
The walked along side an old, unused road, while the thunder banged and clapped, and the lightning flashed and fizzed.
Ryan found a dark, long, gloomy cave for them to shelter from the rain. Frog and another were-wolf went outside to collect firewood, which would keep them all warm for the night. Ryan walked over to Angie, who was drying off Killer.
“Are you okay baby?” Ryan asked hesitantly.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” Angie avoided Ryan’s eye contact and tried to finish drying off her cat. Ryan squatted next to her.
“Are you sure?” he continued to annoy her.
“Yeah. It’s just that…” her voice trailed off. Ryan nodded his head he knew what was wrong.
“Dandon will be okay.” He hugged her affectionately. Angie lay down onto her back and looked up into Ryan’s sad, tired, grey eyes.
“I love you.” She whispered and smiled sadly up at him.
“I love you too.” Ryan joined her down on the ground. He placed a hand on her cold, wet cheek. He kissed her tenderly, but this time he didn’t stop. They kissed for as long as they could. Minutes passed before them, then Angie suddenly broke away gasping for air. She giggled sweetly as he put his hand slowly up her drenched top.
“No more.” She looked happy for the first time in years.
She placed her hand on his, which was right underneath her breast. He kissed her once more before jumping to his feet. He helped Angie up and looked at her warmly. Angie’s cat growled, and full of jealously he walked away. Ryan laughed hurmorly,
“Do you remember what we did several weeks ago?” he tested her lovingly.
“I tried not to.” She giggled. “But of course I did remember. I mean how could I not? I lost my virginity that night.”
Ryan looked at her happily.
“Glad it was me instead of Capracoldo.” He teased her.
“Come on.” Angie walked back to the small group.

They woke to not the sound of the thunder, but to a noise that arose the whole crowd. Ryan and Angie walked outside to see what the commotion was about.
“STOP!” a voice roared above the weather, which made their ears ring in pain.
“RANGOON!” the voice continued to shout. Ryan looked up and missed a heartbeat. It was his sister Rachael.
“I’VE COME TO KILL YOU!” she snarled angrily. Angie watched her with tears in her eyes.
“Why?” Ryan asked casually, he was trying to hide his fear.
“Because you killed our father!” She raged at him.
“He deserved to die.” Ryan growled.
“And now you do too!” Rachael lunged at him, while she transformed into a Flaming Wolf. She howled like the wind whistling through the trees, but she was anything besides beautiful. Her muzzle was wrinkled from frowning at Ryan, and her lips were curled up exposing sharp fangs, which were shining in the morning light. Ryan dodged out of her way just in time. He transformed into a large white cat with black stripes and sabre fangs. He snarled at her, and full of anger he crouched low to then ground. Rachael spun around, howled and lunged at him again. Ryan jumped to his feet and charged at her.
Ryan struck her with his huge paw, and Rachael bit him on his neck. They landed on the ground, turned quickly and faced each other at the same time. Ryan quickly looked away from her, he saw everybody coming out of the cave.
“Ryan!” Jenny was horrified as she shouted for him to stop.
Rachael changed back into a Creeper and spoke mockingly towards him.
“I thought pop said you were a better fighter than me?” she transformed into a Crowndor and hissed at him.
Ryan changed into Shadow-Pegasus and he leapt at her. He was full of fury, because she had mentioned their father, which he had killed several nights before.

[Dragon16]

Rachael lunged with her mouth gaping. She prepared to inject him with the deadly venom in her fangs.
“Wassss tthiss the sssamee creature you usssed to kill father?” she hissed furiously, then whipped him with her long, thin tail.
“Yes.” Ryan answered angrily. He reared up on his hind legs, and a black lightning bolt flew out of his mouth and struck his sister.
“Ahh!” she yelled horridly. Then she summoned reinforcements as she spoke in the ancient Creeper language. Ryan quickly changed back to human and Angie rushed to his side.
“What is it?” she asked frightfully. Ryan threw his arms out as if to balance him.
“Shhh. Something’s coming.” He looked about the group and saw that the were-wolves were looking fearful. All of sudden they all felt the ground shake violently. They looked at the low, but distant hill. Their jaws dropped in horror at what they saw. There was over a million or more Creeper’s, Torga-gron’s, and other evil hideous creature’s marching towards their small group. Rachael laughed horrendously, and then signalled for them to attack.
“What are we going to do?” Angie held onto Ryan’s arm.
Ryan didn’t answer, but instead he stared blankly into space. ‘We’re all going to die.’ He thought sadly.

Part Five: Beginning of the End

“Stay back!” Ryan ordered and he violently pushed Angie back into the cave.
“This is the beginning of a new era.” Ryan’s sister turned back into her Creeper form and then raised her arms up to the sky. “It is time for the pure blood’s to rule the world.” She clapped her dark shadowed hands together. That clap echoed throughout the valley, and then Ryan saw that the army marched victoriously towards them.
“We’re all going to die, aren’t we?” Angie spoke aloud what everybody was regretfully thinking. Ryan tried to think of something that would save them all, but he gave up and hung his head desolately.
“Yes, we are.” He trembled at the sight of the oncoming war and he knew everybody would have to participate in it. He turned to Angie, she was holding onto her mother and the two of them cried.
“Rangoon! I will avenge our father!” Rachael spat.
“Not if I can help it!” outraged Ryan changed into Naomi, and stood there towering over her.
“Pathetic.” Rachael grunted mockingly. She transformed into a Demon-dog. It had blood red eyes, and a black body. It also had two very large, leathery wings on it’s back.
Then she howled and attacked Ryan’s flank. Ryan roared in anger and spat molten hot flames onto her. By then the army of monsters was upon the small group. They marched through wiping out everybody.
Ryan ducked from her blows and embedded five claws straight down her back. Rachael bellowed in anguish, and then she transformed into a grizzly bear that was as tall as the tallest tree.
“Do you like it?” she asked vainly.
Ryan continued to attack her furry body, while on the other side of the plains Angie was trying to hide from the beasts. She hid behind a large boulder and watched a were-wolf get slaughtered by four trolls carrying axes and shields. Then all of a sudden something hit her. She wasn’t hit by a physical thing, but by a thought.
‘I should help, not hide.’ She thought determinedly.
She grabbed a large rock and threw it at one of the trolls. It was knocked to the ground and no longer stirred. It’s partners turned and looked furiously at her. She dropped another rock she had found and ran. She ran to some nearby trees and hid, but then after several minutes she crept noiselessly back to the dead troll. She took his axe and shield, and then she walked up behind another beast. She raised the axe above her head and threw it down upon the creature’s skull. There was a loud scream, and then absolute silence fell upon the plains. All of the monsters turned to look at Angie. She was the first creature to kill an evil one in this bloody battle.

Ryan heard the scream, but he had no time to look at what had happened. Rachael had him bottled up against a tree trunk. One of her thick killer claws came quickly down at his head. Ryan dodged the blow, but fell to the ground hard. He struggled painfully to his feet, but never saw her next attack. She knocked over the head, and sent him flying into a cliff. Ryan hit the side and slid slowly down. He dropped despondently to the ground and cried out in pain. She towered over Ryan, and shook her furry head.
“Poor pathetic Ryan.” She repeated several times before picking him up in her colossal claws. Ryan closed his eyes and he pretended to be unconscious. She shrugged her shoulders. “Down the hatch.” She roared proudly as she tossed him into the air. Rachael opened her jaws and prepared to sallow him whole, but Ryan had other ideas. He opened his eyes and transformed into a Tiger with wings, which was almost as tall as she was.
Rachael opened her eyes just in time to see a large cat about to fall onto her. She sidestepped and watched Ryan flutter to the ground.
“You idiot!” Rachael howled hysterically and she threw herself onto him.
“Look who’s talking?” Ryan taunted her as he dodged her fuming assaults.
“You are stupid and retarded if you think you will win this battle.” She growled uncontrollably. Ryan drifted into the air and nodded his striped head as he acknowledged her words.
“At least I don’t have a temper that controls my every actions.” He landed on her back and sank his teeth into the back of her neck.
“This is just my normal attitude. You haven’t even seen my temper!” she flared crazily as she struggled to get him off her back.
“Calm down little sis.” Ryan mocked her. “You might be as strong as me one day.”
Rachael’s anger was extremely out of control as she pitched Ryan off of her back and into the cliff again.
He jumped to his feet and twitched his handsomely striped tail.
“Bring it on.” He urged.

[Dragon16]

Angie hopped out of the way of several charging monsters, with sledgehammers as their weapons.
“Angie! Duck!” Her mother screamed as a large tree came flying at her. She jumped in a crevasse. She heard it bounce past, and Angie slowly raised her head to see where it had come from. She saw Ryan and Rachael fighting, with their paws on their opponent’s shoulders and pushing each other violently into nearby trees. She breathed heavily, in fear that Ryan would be hurt. Suddenly she felt a hand grasp her shoulder and pulled her along. She looked up to see her mother tugging her to follow the group.
“We are hiding in the caves. There is no way we will win this battle.” Jenny looked at her daughter with tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry Ange, but we might have to leave him to his chosen fate.” Jenny angled her head in Ryan’s direction.
Then a thought flashed through Angie’s mind. It was of Ryan surrounded by evil monsters and dying.
“No mum, you can go, but I will never leave him.” She looked determined and sorrowful at her unsure future.
“But what about the….” Jenny’s voice trailed off.
“I’ll be fine, and so will it. If it is truly there however.” Angie understood what her mother was concerned about.
“Just don’t tell anyone. I don’t want people worrying about me.” Angie wagged her finger.
“Sure thing sweetie.” Jenny kissed her daughter’s wet, cold cheek then rushed off to join the others.
Angie looked at them sorrowfully then looked over at Ryan fighting. She was torn between two choices, her family, who were running from the fight, or Ryan, who’d do anything to keep her happy and safe.
She gave her family one last sad glance before she ducked into some nearby bushes.
An army of beasts marched past, chasing her family and the were-wolves.
She crept slowly out and cautiously looked around and spotted a large group of soldiers fanning out into the bushes. They were searching for any more cowardly opponents, who were seeking refuge in the forest.
She knew that over a thousand had chased her family and friends, and another few thousand were searching for remaining victims. She also knew that were Rachael and Ryan were fighting there was hardly any other beasts there.
She walked boldly out into the open plains, where Ryan was. He stood towering above and took no notice. Rachael continued the attacks, which lead to Ryan falling over and over and over again. Each time Ryan fell down, Rachael grew more and more hysterical with insane pleasure at his misfortune.
Angie saw her opportunity and wearily climbed a nearby tree. She struggled to keep herself balanced, while it swayed and rocked from the breeze. And at one point when she was halfway up the very tall pine tree, she grasped a branch and leaned over the side. She started to gag and gasp for air. ‘Oh God. Please not now!’ Angie silently roared as she almost threw up. She continued the unstable climb and reached the top, where she knew Ryan and his vile sister would see her. She flung her arms wildly into the air.
“Hey over here!” she yelled as hard as her lungs would allow her too. Rachael turned slowly around and looked at her coldly.
“Pathetic human. What do you want?” she roared deafeningly that Angie almost toppled over. Ryan suddenly realised what she was doing, and he noiselessly drifted into the air. Angie tried thinking of an excuse and was about to curse and call Rachael names, but then she remembered that Creeper’s love harsh comments.
“I just wanted to tell you that I think you are very beautiful for a Creeper of you age.” To Angie or any other human it would sound like a gay complement, but to Creeper’s it was her death wish.
“You putrid, vile, disgusting freak! Do you want to die?” enraged, Rachael took several steps towards Angie.
“No, but I think you do.” Angie pointed over her shoulder. Cautiously, Rachael turned around and saw Ryan holding a tree trunk as a baseball bat. Ryan shut his eyes tight and swung as hard as he could. Rachael’s head felt as though it had burst. She transformed into many different creatures as she tried to regain consciousness.
Rachael looked at Angie and lunged, while still halfway transforming into the Giant Bear and the Crowndor. Ryan watched horrified, and immediately changed to Naomi and sped past Rachael.
“Grab hold!” he roared as he flew straight at the top of the tree. Angie’s arms wrapped around scaly skin, and Ryan nipped the top of the tree. He came crashing down to the ground, but he knew he couldn’t save himself.
‘At least I can save Angie.’ He curled himself into a ball and held Angie safe inside of it. The hit the hard ground quickly, and Ryan painfully unravelled from his position.
“Ryan, are you okay?” Angie jumped to her feet and helped Ryan up.
“Yeah, come on.” He urged, as he changed into a human. They ran for cover under a large gorse bush.
“Why did you come back?” Ryan asked while gasping for breath.
“Because I thought my crazy boyfriend would need some help.” She said good hurmorly.
“I guess that makes you as crazy as me then.” Ryan raised his sore, dirty hand to her face and kissed her quickly before looking out at the landscape. Rachael was still staggering about with probably a very severe case of concussion.
“Let’s get out of here.” Ryan signalled for Angie to follow as they watched a troop of soldiers brush past. Angie squatted next to him,
“I know a place where we can hide.” Angie tugged on his arm, and pointed deep into the bushes.
Ryan followed her as she tiptoed quietly through the woods. Half and hour later Angie doubled over in pain, she grabbed her stomach and kneeled on the dusty ground.
“Are you okay honey?” Ryan kneeled next to her. She started to throw up and all the while Ryan rubbed her back. She began to stand up, but then she looked at Ryan’s legs. She saw blood dripping out of his left pants jeans.
“What did you do?” she groaned heavily. Ryan looked down,
“Oh, how’d that get there?” he smiled tenderly.
“Let’s keep going.” Angie brushed herself off and continued to walk to her destination.
“Wait for me!” Ryan called after her and ran to catch up.
He walked quietly beside for several minutes, trying to think of something to say.
“How are you feeling?” he asked hesitantly as he disturbed the silence.
“Okay I guess.” Angie sighed, ‘I wish you knew what was happening.’ She thought sadly. “How’s your leg? Do we need to fix it?” she watched him limp and drag his bleeding leg. Ryan straightened himself up, and tried to walk casually.
“No I’m fine.” He walked very close to her cold body; he took his jacket off and put it over her shoulders. She smiled sadly and kissed his wet cheek.
“Thanks.” She whispered and leaned in close to him. Ryan put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her gently as he tried to walk without showing any signs of pain. They walked like that for an hour before Ryan stopped to listen to something Angie couldn’t hear.
“There are a thousand soldiers that away.” He pointed determinedly at the bushes ahead of them.
“What do we do?” she asked painfully as she grasped her stomach again.
“Hide.” Was Ryan’s only answer and he pulled her into a small cave. He listened vigilantly at the army marching past. They could hear their words, which were spoken in ancient Creeper language.
“Flun Got, Mog, Hun! Flun Got, Mog, Hun!” They all shouted as they ploughed through the silent forest.
“What does it mean?” Angie asked painfully, while still holding her stomach.
“It means, Hup two, three, four.” Ryan whispered fearfully, he was afraid that they would see them, and take Angie away from him. Ryan held her close to his sore and tired body, but after a while she groaned.
“I think I’m going to puke.” She squeezed Ryan’s arms.
“Please don’t, Ange. Not yet.” He whispered as his hand drifted through her matted black hair. She pushed her head deep into his chest and groaned quietly. At last Ryan heard the last of the troop’s amble past, but he still waited at least ten more minutes before crawling out of the cave. Angie wasn’t far behind him and she woozily fell down into some bushes where she threw up once more. Ryan couldn’t kneel down next to her, because the pain in his leg was unbearable, but as she stood up she collapsed into his arms.
“What the matter with you, babe?” Ryan carefully picked her up and carried her to the place she had told him about earlier.
It wasn’t a very large place, but at least there were three caves and a large rocky area. As Ryan placed Angie onto the ground he noticed something moving in a cave ahead of him. He watched angrily, but then was aware that it was Jenny, Lou, Howard and the other were-wolves seeking refuge. Jenny rushed out and kneeled beside Angie.
“How did you find us?” she asked while shouting at Lou and Howard to come to her.
“Well, Angie told me about this place. And she suspected that you guys were here too.” Ryan replied breathlessly. Howard walked up to Angie with a small bottle of water wrapped in animal skin.
“Take a sip.” He said kindly as he lifted her head. Angie gagged on the water and started breathing heavily. Lou and the were-wolf Frog began to pick her up. Frog grabbed her around the waist.
“Be careful with her!” Jenny growled. Ryan looked on amazed that Jenny would be so protective of her child.
Angie rejected the help and tried to stand up. She got up wobbly and hobbled over to the bushes to throw up again. Jenny looked at her and put her hands on her hips. Ryan was about to walk over to her, but Jenny put an arm out to stop him.
“Let her be.” Jenny looked at his leg, and full of concern asked him if he wanted help.
“No. I’ll be fine.” Ryan said stubbornly.

[Dragon16]

“No, Ryan. Get you leg fixed.” Angie gurgled out as she walked slowly back over to the group.
“It doesn’t hurt though.” Ryan looked at her lovingly.
“That’s the problem, Ryan. I know you better. It does hurt.” She told him to sit down. Ryan obeyed, but still refused their help. Angie rolled the pants leg up, and was in shock at what she saw. There was a deep gash running from the top of his knee down to his ankle, and it was still bleeding promptly. She asked Howard if he had some bandages, and Howard bought some over to her.
As she started to clean the wound, Ryan flinched slightly.
“Keep still.” She scolded, and continued to make him better. She got a t-shirt and pressed it down onto the cut.
“Owww.” Ryan jumped from the pain.
“Told you it hurt.” She growled as she wrapped the bandage around his leg. Then she stopped and admired her work. Ryan watched as Jenny, Lou and Howard walked away to find something to eat.
“Thanks, hun.” Ryan looked at her gorgeous face, but something was amiss. He raised an eyebrow as he noticed that her skin was quite different.
“Your skin is glowing?” Ryan touched her bright, healthy looking cheek.
“It’s probably just the light.” Angie reassured Ryan as she sat down next to him. Ryan sighed,
“Are you feeling alright?” he asked still worried.
“Yeah I’m fine.” Angie croaked out uneasily.
‘You certainly don’t act fine.’ Ryan thought cautiously. He lay onto his back and sighed once more.
“Never thought we’d get this far.” Ryan told her about Rachael’s newfound powers.
“That’s the problem with you Ryan. You don’t believe in yourself. You don’t trust yourself and others.” Angie whispered sadly.
“I trust you.” He whispered back. Angie sighed and lay onto her back too.
“I know, but not all the time.” She turned to look at him.
“What do you mean?” Ryan questioned. He was becoming confused at her conversation.
“You don’t trust me enough to tell me about your previous life.” She whispered fearfully.
“Here we go again.” Ryan sighed and exaggerated what he had told her.
“Ryan, this is what I’m talking about.” Angie stood up and stated to cry. “Why can’t you trust me?” she ran off crying and gasping for air.
“Ange!” Ryan called after her. He tried to get up, but he couldn’t. He sighed one more time before drifting off to sleep.

Ryan woke to somebody whispering in his ear.
“Wake up.” Angie tugged at his arm.
“What? What is it?” Ryan rubbed his eyes.
“You’ve been asleep for hours.” Angie pointed at the moon. Ryan jumped, when he went to sleep it has 5pm, but it was past midnight now.
“We have to keep moving. Howard says he heard a large colony of Trolls wandering this way.” Angie whispered hurriedly. Angie helped Ryan to his feet, and then he grabbed her arms.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered quietly. Angie smiled sweetly and kissed him. Ryan wished that they could’ve kissed all night, but he knew they all had to get out of there. Ryan walked up to Lou and asked him where were they to go.
“To the place we were going to in the beginning.” Lou scratched his chin. Ryan nodded as he just remembered where they were going. They had no idea where it was, besides Ryan and Howard, who lead the tired group to Highneeba. Ryan changed into the Flaming Wolf, and Angie walked next to him with her cat Killer in her arms.
“What is the Flaming Wolf called in you language?” Angie asked curious.
“Vanger Zon.” Ryan answered slowly. Angie was aware that he was still limping.
“What’s Killer?” she asked hesitantly.
“Karmut.” Ryan looked at her and smiled. To her his dog mouth was still attractive whenever he smiled at her. “It means ‘mythical cat with powers’.” Ryan recited.
“What is my name?” Angie smiled warmly.
“Not sure. Maybe, Murtag?” Ryan looked straight ahead.
“Okay, what about ‘I love you’?” Angie tested him good hurmorly. Ryan looked uneasy.
“Creeper’s hardly use it. Umm…” He tried to remember the language. “Ta fleg bor, maybe.” He looked at her and sweetly asked. “Why?”
“Because ta fleg bor, Ryan.” Angie smiled blissfully.
“I love you too, baby.” He walked beside her all night, until the break of dawn. Then he heard faint rustlings in the trees above their heads. Ryan changed into the white and black striped sabre cat. He cautiously climbed the tree, and a few moments later three Torga-Gron’s dropped to the ground.
“Spies.” Ryan spoke so robotically, that it almost scared Angie. The Vampire’s were already dead, but to make sure to checked for pulses. Ryan watched with pleasure as he turned back into a human.
“How long have they been watching us?” Angie asked horrified.
“Probably for a few hours. They have already told their leaders by now.” Ryan answered coldly.
“So are we being followed?” Jenny whispered, as she looked at the bushes and trees, feeling paranoid.
“They are closer than you think.” Ryan whispered uneasily. He walked ahead and watched Angie follow.
“What do we do now?” she asked, feeling nauseous again.
“Fight if they come.” Ryan replied dimly. Angie bent over and threw up again.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ryan feared her safety.
“Yeah, just a stomach bug.” Angie stood up and looked him in the eyes. Ryan still could see her face was glowing. Jenny grabbed Angie and pulled her aside.
“I’m hungry.” Angie whined, while rubbing her stomach.
“Yes, I know. You get that when this happens.” Jenny gave her a banana.
“I thought you couldn’t eat.” Ryan asked as he walked over.
“I can, but I can’t.” Angie gave the fruit back to her mother. “I go crazy when I do eat.” She walked away from both of them and threw up once more.
“What’s wrong with her?” Ryan looked at Angie’s mother.
“I believe that it is not me you should be asking that question to.” Jenny walked off and headed back to Lou.
Ryan helped Angie to her feet. He repeated the question to her.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” Angie pulled away, then walked up to the top of a small hill. Ryan followed and stood next to her.
“I don’t think I’m ready to tell you.” Angie stared out at the landscape. Then she jumped at what she saw. Time seemed to freeze for her, as she didn’t even realise that Ryan was talking to her.
“Baby?” he waved a hand in front of her face. She pointed out at the trees below them. Ryan followed her finger to the exact location.
“Oh, crap!” he spoke out the words that they were both thinking. “Run.” He whispered in her ear. She scrambled back down the hillside to tell everybody what was coming. Ryan watched a small army walk through the trees. Rachael was their leader, and she was mad. She was in her Creeper form, with four very large elephant like animals trotting beside her. Every time these strange creatures brushed past a tree, it fell down.
“What is it?” Angie was back by his side again.
“A Tom-Brag-Sighga-Gron.” Ryan replied shakily. “Which means, Giant-flying-shadow-monster.”
Rachael pointed at them and ordered the Giant-flying-shadow-monster’s to attack. The large elephant like creatures rose loudly into the air. They flew quickly towards them, and flames came out of their trunks.
“Duck!” Ryan shouted, as he grabbed Angie and fell to the ground. He groaned and moved to let Angie get up.
“That’s going to hurt tomorrow.” He declared with pain. Angie was horrified as she looked at his back. His clothes were burnt and smelt of smoke.
“Ryan!” Angie cried full of terror. Ryan put his hand out to stop her from helping him.
“Go back to the others.” He ordered painfully, as he stood up to face the fire-breathing beasts. Angie looked terrified, but obeyed and headed back down the hill.
Ryan changed into Naomi the Red Dragon, and drifted noiselessly into the air. The elephant creatures roared with glee and came flying at him again. They threw flames at him, but Ryan dodged each one. He spat a large fireball, which landed on all of the beasts. They went crashing to the ground and were burnt to a crisp. Ryan saw the sun gleaming over the edge of the horizon. It had made his head turn away, allowing for Rachael to break out a fatal attack. She shot into the air and turned into a Crowndor. She landed on Ryan’s back and sunk her fangs into his neck. In pain and horror Ryan let out a roar that echoed through the valley.

Angie looked up and watched their battle continue to rage on and on. Rachael then turned into her original form and laughed evilly. Ryan tried to attack, but his movements were growing weaker and slower. This was the moment Rachael had been waiting for. She wrapped her hand around Ryan’s feeble body; she raised her hand into the air, and threw him down to the ground.
Angie was distressed as she saw Ryan falling; there was nothing she could do to stop him. Tears were streaming down her face as she heard a loud thud; she knew that he had hit the ground. Then without warning, Angie bolted off into the direction where she had heard him crash.

She peered out of thick bushes and saw his trembling Dragon body. She rushed over and kneeled down next to his head.

[Dragon16]

“Ryan!” she screamed loudly at him to get up. His eyes fluttered open and shut, then he turned into a human. She saw his hand reach deep into his jeans pocket, and he pulled out the small blue stone and his small sword.
“ I love you.” He whispered sadly and then he begun to cry too. “Take it. I want you to have it.” He pushed the items into her hand. She was crying even more now.
“I’m dying.” He whispered slowly, and then he held Angie’s hand.
“No you’re not. You’ll get better promise me.” Angie sobbed uncontrollably.
“You know I won’t, Ange. I’ll always love you.” He smiled weakly at her.
“But who will be here to help me?” Angie cried and held his head.
“Your parents will.” Ryan squeezed her hand tightly.
“I mean to help raise my child.” Angie whispered hesitantly.
“What?” Ryan groaned. Then it started to rain heavily and there was thunder and lightning in the distance.
“I’m pregnant.” Angie put her head onto his and cried.
“Baby, I….” Ryan began, but couldn’t finish his words quick enough. “Love…. you…forever.” he kissed her forehead, and then closed his eyes for the last time.
“NO!!!” Angie screamed. “Ryan come back!” she howled so horrendously that it echoed through the woods. She put her head on his chest and cried and cried for what seemed like forever to her. She held onto his battered body and sobbed. The rain dripped off her black hair and onto Ryan’s pale lifeless face. She held onto him and her sobs and groans were drowned out by the weather.
“I’ll always love you forever.” She whispered shakily through each sob.

Part Six: End Of The Beginning

Angie was still holding onto Ryan’s lifeless body when her parents eventually found the crash site.
“Oh, Angie!” Jenny rushed to her side. Angie couldn’t hear her mother or see anything, but Ryan dying. The thought played repeatedly in her mind. It made her cry harder each time she thought of him. She sobbed uncontrollably for what seemed like hours, or even days to Angie. Eventually, poor Angie passed out from exhaustion. She was lying on Ryan and still clinging to him tightly.

Rachael could not be bothered to go see why that black haired girl was making such a big commotion over her older brother’s death. She laughed insanely and flew back to the group. The thunder and lightning was the perfect camouflage for their third attack.
“Third time is unlucky.” Rachael muttered to herself, as she and her army devised a new plan. It was simple; they would surround the group, and then pick them off one by one.

Jenny looked at Ryan and cried, as she carried her pregnant daughter away from him. She and Lou laid Angie down on the ground nearby. They kept her and the group dry, by making a shelter out of leaves and branches.
“Poor girl.” Lou said sadly, while rubbing her cheek. “Lost the best friend she ever had.”
“The only friend.” Jenny corrected him.
“She lost the one who she always had said ‘I love you’ too.” Frog the were-wolf piped up miserably.
“We’ll miss him.” Jenny sobbed unhappily, as she picked up the two precious items and placed them near Angie.
Angie stirred slightly then faintly whispered Ryan’s name before she passed out again.

It had been two days since Ryan’s death. Angie had hardly left his side, but only left him when she had to go to the toilet or throw up. Jenny thought it was unhealthy for her to spend so much time with Ryan, but she also sympathised the loss of her only love. Eventually they had to leave the decaying corpse and move to a safer place. Angie was aware that his body was beginning to smell and rot into the ground, but she didn’t want to leave his side, in fear that he might wake up and find her gone. After a long talk about what was best for them both, Angie reluctantly agreed to leave him. They started through the trees once more, but Angie hesitated and looked back at Ryan’s frozen, unmoving face. Then tears flowed from her eyes, as her mother gently walked her away.
“It’ll be alright, sweetie.” Jenny soothed Angie. Angie stared blankly into space and tried to forget the whole displeasing ordeal. They walked for several minutes, before Angie collapsed to the ground and refused to get up. Angie sobbed miserably as her mother watched numbly. Lou and Frog picked her up; they carried her for a few hours. It wasn’t long until they all heard to sound of an army clanking its way up the path. This time there was no need for silence, as the bloodthirsty troops marched loudly to their destination. Rachael appeared so suddenly out of the thick bushes that it startled the group.
“Poor, pathetic humans.” She shook her black head sadly. “Well, at least you Torga-gron’s can have a snack.” She murmured gradually, as she suspiciously watched the group. She stared straight at Angie and immediately sensed something was amiss. Rachael whistled loudly. To Angie, it felt as though her eardrums had shattered. Almost immediately all of the Blood monsters stepped forward. There were at least a thousand of those blood-sucking villains. They licked their cracked, pale lips and walked hurriedly to the petrified group. Angie cried sorrowfully as she clutched her stomach and kneeled on the ground. The Vampire’s stopped their approach and stared at Angie, confused on what to do. Rachael’s eyes opened wide, and shock suddenly swept through her ash coloured body.
“You carry the Fourth King of Sighga-Brondo!” She yelled horrified. There was a dead silence as everybody stared at Angie.
“How can that be?” a high ranked Creeper asked.
“My idiot brother fell in love!” Rachael raged through gritted teeth. “Lucasungad, Mouserad, Niolet, Beaverdas, take her away!” she shouted at four Creeper’s standing next to her. They stepped forward, preparing to drag Angie away. Suddenly Lou stepped in between them and his daughter. One of the Creepers snorted rudely, then struck the air so that it sent Lou flying into a nearby tree trunk. Two of them grabbed Angie by the wrists then dragged her back to their master. Rachael grabbed Angie’s hair and pulled her head back, so that they could look in the eye.
“I don’t know what he saw in you.” She cackled horrendously. “Hold her up!” she ordered, knowing that her slaves would obey. “Let’s see what you think of this.” Rachael looked mockingly towards Angie’s family. She whispered in the other two Creeper’s ears what they were to do. Rachael stepped away and snapped her shadowy fingers. The two Creeper’s smiled cruelly as they stepped towards Angie. One of them grabbed her hair and kissed her coldly.
“Was Rangoon as good as me?” the Creeper roared angrily. “You can call me Lucasungad, that’s Violence for short.” He muttered grimly. He kissed her again, and then swiftly punched her in the stomach. His friends laughed wrathfully and eagerly. Angie cried out in pain and tears streamed down her face, while Jenny looked on horrified. She leapt to her feet, but she was held back by two were-wolves.
“Let me go!” she screamed angrily.
“We cannot, or they will kill you.” A were-wolf whispered in her ear. Jenny didn’t care and she escaped from their hold. She dove at Violence and tried attacking his face. He merely laughed and tossed her aside.
“Try that again. I dare you.” He beckoned her. Jenny stayed on the ground and sobbed, there was absolutely nothing she could do.
The other Creeper hit Angie it the ribs.
“Hi you worthless freak. I’m Niolet.” Violence said that it meant Death. “I can’t believe that Dark Terror did such a thing.” Death shook her head disappointedly. “And with a human might I add.” She hit Angie once more then backed away.
“That’s enough.” Rachael barked. She then nodded to the army, and one of each species with the highest rank stepped forward. “You can carry on for them.” Rachael bowed her head and smiled cunningly. A weary old creature that looked like a dragon crossed with a cat stepped forward. It looked like that it had hit her really hard, but it was just pretending.
“My name is Grant. I was Ryan’s best friend, and I wish to do you no harm.” He whispered kindly in her ear. He then walked proudly away and lined back up. A troll then advanced and hit her in the stomach.
“You deserve this.” It growled furiously.
After at least ten minutes of this brutal torture the last creature stepped fourth. It was a Blood-monster. The Vampire looked hungrily at Angie, then turned and looked at Rachael. She nodded her head, and quickly the Vampire leapt onto Angie. He sunk his fangs into her abdomen and drank profusely. Angie cried out in pain and her body trembled painfully. Angie thrust her head left to right, to try and rid of the shining stars that circled around her head. Only she could see those stars, and it was because she was losing a lot of blood. The Torga-gron stopped and licked his lips.
“Very satisfying.” He murmured before stepping away from her drooping body. She was dropped to the ground, and then thrown back to the others. Jenny and Lou held onto her, as though she was their only protection. Howard suddenly remembered a spell that could teleport them five kilometres away from there. He said it out loud, while everybody clung on to each other. Then they vanished in a cloud of purple smoke.
“NO!” Rachael screamed. “Get them!” she hollered.
“Where are they?” Violence looked about wearily.
“I don’t know!” Rachael screeched. “Hunt them to extinction!” she roared angrily.

[Dragon16]

Part Seven: A Black Heart

Angie sobbed weakly, as Jenny held her in her arms. There was nothing she could do to heal Angie’s wounds, but all she could do was hold her feeble body. She tried to comfort her, but all she got out of Angie were sobs and groans. Angie was gasping for air; the pain was so intense that she could hardly bear it.
“This wouldn’t have happened if Ryan were here.” Angie groaned agonizingly.
“I know.” Jenny cried for her daughter to get better, but they all knew what had happened. Such blows like that would have accounted for Angie losing her child. Angie denied it and hid from the painful truth.
‘First Ryan, now this?” Angie thought dejectedly.
Angie eventually pushed her mother away, and asked to be left alone. Jenny walked solemnly away from her, and miserably sat near Lou. Angie was kneeling, while she cried. ‘Why?’ Angie thought, as she was feeling depressed. She clung tightly onto the blue stone that she gave to Ryan. She held onto it with all her might and as her tears dripped slowly onto the stone, a storm was heard in the distance. She didn’t bother to take shelter, but stayed there crying. ‘I wish I could die.’ The thought whined throughout her aching head. There was no longer a reason for Angie to keep on living. She lost Ryan, and to keep her going she thought about the baby, but it was gone. She lost her first child to a pair of fists and a cruel ruler. She couldn’t think of another reason that would allow herself to stand up and enjoy life once again. She sat there miserably and thought of ways to die, but a calmed voice echoed quietly through her head. It was Ryan.
“Get some rest, baby.” He spoke soothingly to her. Angie looked up to see Ryan kneeling in front of her.
“You’re alive!” she screamed with joy, but then suddenly realised that he was transparent and she could see the trees behind him.
“How I wish I was.” He put a hand on her cheek. “I’d give anything to hold you once more in my arms.” Angie began to cry again.
“I lost it, Ryan. I lost the baby.” Angie sobbed uncontrollably.
“Shhh…” Ryan whispered in her ear. “Maybe next time.” He said jokingly.
“Oh, Ryan. I want you back.” Angie cried painfully. Ryan stood up and walked away.
“Soon.” He muttered under his breath. Angie collapsed in a heap, as Ryan walked stiffly over to the group. Jenny looked up and jumped in fright.
“Ryan?” she asked wearily. Ryan blinked his eyes sadly in response. Lou and Howard looked up too. Then did Frog and all the other were-wolves. Ryan pointed at Angie’s stiff, pale, cold body. Jenny jumped to her feet with the others not far behind her. Ryan looked blissful then he turned to Howard. He nodded his head then walked off into the trees, while his body slowly dissolved into the cold, wet air.

Angie sobbed quietly that night. At least she knew that Ryan was looking after her. Jenny and Lou huddled close to the fire, which Howard had made.
“We weren’t dreaming. Were we?” She swayed her body back and fourth.
“No we weren’t. Ryan was there. He might still be with us. At least Angie has seemed to calm down a little bit.” Lou rubbed his wife’s shoulders.
“Let’s hope so.” Jenny whispered sadly.
The cold night air swept through the forest, it made everybody tremble with exhaustion. Angie was still in a deep sleep before daybreak, but dreamed of Ryan that whole frozen night.
She woke when she heard a strange noise that droned out all the other sounds. She opened her eyes and shuddered when a sharp, cold blast of wind struck her side. She felt uneasy and alone. The campsite was empty. Nobody was there. There was no sign of any items that might have been left behind. She started to cry and then wail loudly.
Suddenly her mother, Jenny jumped out of the bushes.
She ran up to her daughter and hugged her.
“I thought you had all gone.” Angie sobbed miserably.
“We are right here. We decided to move, but we would never forget you. Come on.” Jenny helped Angie to her feet. They walked slowly over to the edge of the clearing, where Lou and Howard were standing.
“We have to leave.” Howard urged sharply.
Nobody even questioned his authority. They all agreed and walked away from the clearing.

It was a cold frosty morning, but strangely colder than the night before. There seemed to be a sad emotion to the beginning of the day. Everybody was silent. It wasn’t unusual, because they had to keep quite, but nobody even whispered. The sun wasn’t shining at all, and if it was, they couldn’t see it. There was a large gathering of bold clouds hovering above their heads. Angie whimpered quietly as she trudged slowly alongside her mother.
She looked exhausted and weak, but she was also feeling that way too. Her cat Killer seemed to keep very close to her. And whenever somebody came near Angie and Killer thought they were coming to fast; he would bristle up and snarl protectively. They all eventually left her alone with her mum. The day seemed to drag on dully, but after what seemed like hours, nearly days, they came across another clearing.
“We’ll rest here for now.” Howard ordered serenely.
As they sat down on a large wet log, Angie shuddered.
“What’s the matter?” Jenny asked nervously.
“I don’t know, but it feels like something is going to happen.” Angie whispered tiredly. The words were barely out of her mouth, when thunder raged in the distance. Lightning struck the ground close by. The light was blinding, and the heat was scorching hot. Then as everybody had jumped fearfully away, there was a cloud of smoke. From that smoke there was a large dangerous figure, which was advancing courageously towards their tiny group. Angie squinted as she saw the large blob formed slowly into three separate figures.
“Rory?” Jenny asked cautiously. She watched as a wolf came bounding out of the smoke plume. He wagged his tail and drifted gently into the air. Then his master walked out. It was Jessica, and she was walking hand-in-hand with Capracoldo. They started running up to the group, as the group began running up to them.
Jessica hugged Jenny.
“How are you doing?” she asked sweetly. Capracoldo stood nearby. “Come on Cappy.” She called pleasantly.
He refused to move and hung his head shyly.
“We are, were…fine.” Jenny replied sadly. Jessica let go and quickly looked around.
“That’s a nice group of troops you’ve got there.” She said with a smile, but then she realised something was amiss. “Where’s Ryan?” she looked at Jenny and Lou.
“Gone.” Jenny whispered wretchedly. Angie looked up at Jessica with tears in her eyes, and then quickly looked away again. Her cat Killer hissed and growled as soon as he saw the strangers.
“Come Killer.” She whispered shakily. She was barely able to talk and the words she spoke were so quite, but they seemed loud enough for her pet to hear. He looked up and bolted after her.
“Not to be rude.” Howard butted in. “But, What are you doing here?” he seemed curious.
“I had a feeling. It’s hard to explain, but I swear that something is going to happen.” Jessica answered slowly. “I has mostly to do with Angie and Ryan.” She spoke calmly. Angie turned and walked angrily towards Jessica.
“Something did happen! Ryan died!” she raged furiously. “I got pregnant. Then I lost the baby! He died! He left me! ME! He died! He got killed! That’s what happened!” Angie cried hurtfully then fell to the ground. Jessica was shocked. It made Capracoldo raise his head, but he hung it dejectedly again. Jenny dropped to her knees and cradled her child.
“Oh, Angie.” She cried miserably. Jessica also knelt down. She touched Angie’s ragged black hair.
“It’s okay.” She whispered soothingly. “Things will turn out good. Trust me.” Jessica seemed so sure of everything she said. Angie was to weak to raise her head, but murmured something then fainted again.
“What do you mean?” Lou asked finally. Jessica stood up.

[Dragon16]

“The past is gone, right? Today is now, the present. Tomorrow is coming, true?” she spoke so awkwardly that it made everybody listen. “They will all add up, eventually. The present will never be, but the past. The past will be the future, and the future will be soon.” Jessica looked down at Angie. Rory trotted up and licked Angie’s pale cold cheek. Frog, the were-wolf, cocked his head to the side.
“I do not understand.” Frog spoke slowly.
“You must think about it.” Jessica then knelt down by Angie again. Killer raced up and tripled his size. He hissed and spat protectively, as he tried to guard Angie’s body. Rory barked and growled menacingly, as he tried to protect his owner.
“Easy does it, little Karmut.” Jessica turned to Killer. “Be good. I help one’s love.” She patted him and almost immediately, Killer relaxed and sat next to Angie’s stomach. Jessica resumed her work. She placed both hands directly above Angie’s body and muttered a spell. Her hands glowed and slowly the glow dissolved away.
“There I have healed her. She is now at peace with her body and spirit.” Jessica stood up, then she suddenly realised that they would not understand. “She has rest and has gained energy quickly.” She added rapidly.
The were-wolves nodded their furry heads in understanding. Angie’s eyes fluttered open several times before saying.
“I’m sorry.” Then she tried to get up, but failed.
“It is all right. I know what you are going through.”
Angie didn’t dare ask what she meant by that, but instead she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
Capracoldo grimaced at Jessica’s words. She seemed to sense it, for she turned to face him.
“I love you Cappy.” She spoke loudly. He jumped and blushed, feeling very embarrassed. He cleared his throat, but said nothing. Angie finally stood up she walked over to the large log and sat down. Rory and Killer were at her heals. They seemed to ignore each other and were both more interested in the well being of Angie. They both sat at her feet. She smiled sadly and patted them both. Jessica joined her.
“Smart aren’t they?” she looked at the two animals, who were comforting Angie.
“I don’t know. I guess so.” Angie murmured slowly.
“What I mean, is that they can tell when somebody is sick or very upset.” Jessica petted Killer. “They can even predict tornados and tsunamis too.” She quickly added.
Angie grunted.
“Will I always miss him?” Angie accidentally asked aloud.
“Maybe, maybe not. If you never see him again then yes.” Jessica looked out at the dark and gloomy scenery.
Angie sighed.
“I loved him more then I loved anyone.” She broke into tears and fell into Jessica’s arms.
“Yes, that does hurt.” Jessica’s bright blue eyes swelled with tears. “Can I tell you story?” she asked after a few minutes. She felt Angie slowly nod her head.
“There was this girl. She was young and reckless, loved being the centre of attention and loved mingling and all that.” Jessica paused then continued hesitantly. “She didn’t know what would happen each time she went out to socialize, but tried to make it great. One night, she got drunk and walked out into the woods. She was attacked by a race of creatures called Torga-gron. They left her to die, but they normally drink the blood of their victims, but this time they didn’t. She lay on the cold ground just hoping to die soon. Then she heard footsteps, shallow quite footsteps. Eventually a man knelt down by her side. He said,
‘Bad thing to do, by going out alone in the woods.’ He carried her to the hospital and stayed by her side for days, waiting for her to come around. Eventually she woke up and said,
‘Who are you?’ he smiled at her and replied,
‘I’m Jake.’ He continued smiling at her, and instantly she fell in love with him.” Jessica closed her eyes and smiled. “They went everywhere together his excuse was,
‘She might get hurt again.’ The man Jake changed her in so many ways. She was no longer an attention seeker, but still enjoyed the odd talk. After a while, she got pregnant and had twins, they both got married. And their lives were going great.” Jessica paused for a breath.
“This is a lovely story.” Angie whispered. Jessica’s smile faded.
“Sad part now. They were living in a nice house and one day a small group of Shadow-monsters barged in. They killed her husband and children and left her for dead, but she recovered. Her visible wounds were healed, but those scares that the Sighga-gron’s left deep in her heart will always remain.” Jessica had tears steaming down her cheeks. “Then one day, another Sighga-gron tried taking all that she had, her beloved dog. A hero appeared and saved her life. She was forever in gratitude. And because of him, she meet another man. She loved him nearly as much as Jake, but nobody can replace him. She tried long ago to bring him back, but her powers were weak. Now she is strong, but it is time for her to move on. She vowed to return the favour when the hero saved her. Now it is time to help you and Ryan.” Jessica ended her story. Angie jerked her head up.
“It was about you.” She looked surprised. “But how are you to help me?”
Jessica shook her head; it sent her blond hair flying.
“I know that you and Ryan have a strong love for each other. I sensed it when I first meet both of you. A love like that shouldn’t be broken. And it won’t be.” She got up and put her hand out to help Angie up. “You will receive another chance. The both of you.” Jessica pulled Angie to her feet. Angie’s eyes widened with excitement. She hugged Jessica tightly.
“You really mean it?” Angie squealed.
“I don’t lie.” Jessica smiled. “Come with me.”
They both walked quickly back to the group.
“I need an item that Ryan owned.” Jessica said loudly.
Everybody looked around confused. Then Angie
suddenly remembered the stone she had given to him.
She quickly pulled it out of her jeans pocket and handed
it to Jessica.
“Thank you.” Jessica said taking it. She asked if Howard
would join her and help with the task. He nodded his
head with curiosity.
“Do you remember what I said about the past, present and future?” Jessica asked as she ignored his questions.
“Yes, but I don’t understand.” Howard threw all four of his arms into the air.
“You must think about it. I can not do this if you all do not understand.” Jessica talked gradually. Angie realised what Jessica meant by the past, present and future. She was about to say, but Jessica raised a hand a silenced her.
“Is it about the present will be forgotten and become the past?” Howard scratched his chin.
“Yes, carry on.” Jessica smiled, and then noticed that Angie was becoming exhausted again. “Sit down please.” She pointed at the log. Angie obeyed, but was still overcome with excitement.
“The past will be the future. Do you mean that Ryan was in Angie’s past? Will he be her future again?” Howard was also becoming very excited. Jessica nodded her head.
“The past will be the present and future, but the old present will be the past.” Jessica held the small blue stone tightly. “Capracoldo?” she asked for him to join. He shook his head.
“It’s the least you can do sweetie.” Jessica folded her arms. Capracoldo hung his head and trudged slowly over.
“I need one more item.” Jessica looked at Angie again. Angie looked around and saw Ryan’s old sword. She handed to Jessie.
“Thank you.” She placed them onto the ground. “We must call his spirit.” She held Howard and Capracoldo’s hands. Then she spoke in a different language. It wasn’t the language of the Creeper, but of the Numbre. A language that is as old as time itself. Suddenly a small shadowed figure emerged from the trees. It was Ryan. He was a ghost, but looked so real.
“Hello.” He spoke with a smile. Angie pounced up.
“Ryan!” she screamed with delight. He half smiled and gave a little laugh.
“You look better.” He stared at her body.
“You must kneel.” Jessica ordered calmly. Ryan knelt in front of the two items. Jessica continued to chant, and then she raised her hands into the air. Howard watched in awe. Then he too joined. Capracoldo was next, and then there was a brilliant white light. It was like a lightning bolt, but it was not hot. It glowed around Ryan’s transparent body. Then it stoped. Jessica smiled with pleasure, as Ryan glanced down at his hands. Angie was quickly down by his side. He put his hand out, it wasn’t see-through, and Angie hesitantly placed her hand on his.
“I’m back.” Ryan whispered into her ear. Angie screamed with joy and wrapped her arms around him. Ryan hugged her for what felt like forever to him.
“I love you so much, baby.” He squeezed her affectionately.
“I love you too.” Angie whispered shakily with tears rolling down her cheeks. Ryan wiped them away, and then he stood up with her.
“Thank you.” He bowed his head at Jessica.
“You are welcome.” She smiled as she hugged Capracoldo.
“I owe you so much.” Ryan said sweetly.
“No you don’t. We are even now.” Jessica giggled.
Angie grabbed Ryan’s hand and ran back to the group.
“Mum! Dad!” she shouted happily. Jenny and Lou quickly raised their heads to see Angie and Ryan running at them. Jenny hugged Ryan and wept joyfully.
“I’m so glad you’re alive.” She kissed his cheek. Lou then gave him a hug too.
“I won’t kiss you, if that’s what you want.” He laughed merrily. Ryan smiled coolly.
“I love you all. Especially Angie.” He kissed her tenderly, and then turned to face Jenny. “I want to marry her.” He said abruptly. Jenny smiled and turned to Lou, he was also smiling.
“That sounds like a plan.” Lou said still smiling. Angie giggled when Ryan kissed her neck. Just then thunder cracked in the distance.

[Dragon16]

“Come on.” Ryan urged. They all walked quietly over to some trees. Angie and Ryan sat alone. She told him about losing the child.
“Why would they do that?” Ryan asked angrily.
“They’re monsters.” Angie shivered. Ryan held her in his arms.
“You’re safe now.” He whispered gently in her ear. Then he paused. “Wait. You said ‘only one did not hit you.’ What was its name?” Ryan looked at her tired pale face.
“I can’t remember. I think he said Greg, Gary…”
“Grant?” Ryan interrupted.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Angie looked at him, and then kissed his cheek. “Said he was your best friend and meant no harm.”
“That dork.” Ryan shook his head. “He’s going to get himself killed if he turns good.”
“That’s the truth.” Angie joked. Ryan half smiled then kissed her warmly.
“I love you.” He whispered as he rolled her onto her back. She giggled as his hand slipped slowly up her top.
“I love you too.” She kissed him long and hard. He placed another hand on her face.
“I love you a lot.” He whispered quietly. Angie’s response was a faint murmur. Suddenly Ryan sat up.
“What’s the matter?” Angie asked as she joined him.
“Shhh.” Ryan put a finger on her lips. Then he got to his feet. “Stay here.” He whispered with a growl. Then he crept over to the trees and changed into Naomi the Dragon. His tongue flicked in and out several times before he galloped off into the bushes. He returned some moments later, and then changed back into human form.
“I couldn’t find anything, but I’m sure I heard a noise.” He puffed out.
“You’re paranoid.” Angie said, while walking over to him. He looked at her attractive figure, but then quickly looked away. A reptilian creature bounded through the bushes. It was a strange looking lizard.
“Draco?” Ryan squinted at the creature.
“Hey, Ryan.” It talked slowly as its tongue tried to work out the words.
“Grant?” Ryan asked stepping towards it.
“Sure mate.” He turned his head sideways. “You’re alive?”
“And kicking.” Ryan joked. “What are you doing here?”
“Think I’m going crazy, Ryan. I don’t like killing for fun anymore.” He walked stiffly towards his friend. Angie looked at the reptile. It was over three meters tall and two and a half meters long. It had sharp slicing teeth, a short head, stiff straight tail, long arms, some feathers, long clawed fingers, long legs and a large fearsome sickle claw on each second toe of its feet.
“Ah…Ryan?” Angie asked shakily as she cowered behind him. “What is that creature?” Ryan looked at her.
“It’s Grant. He is in his favourite form, which is a Deinonychus.” He rubbed her shoulders. “It’s a type of carnivorous dinosaur that lived in the early Cretaceous period.”
“Expect you to know that.” She groaned.
“If you like, Angie. I will turn into a human.” Gran licked to side of his scaly mouth.
“Okay.” Angie stood next to Ryan. Grant changed shape gradually. It was like as though he was thinking about what type of human he should turn into.
“Turn into one with clothes.” Ryan shouted as he looked at Angie. She gave a mischievous grin. Grant nodded his dinosaur head and turned into a young human.
He had light brown hair with bits of blond sweeping through it. He had a tall, frail looking body and a thin, bony face.
Just then Rachael appeared out of the sky.
“Kill them all!” she screamed hysterically. Ryan pushed Angie to the ground.
“Hide.” He growled.
“No.” Angie objected.
“Just trust me, Ange, baby. I know what I’m doing.” He watched as his evil sister landed on the ground. Grant turned back into the Dinosaur, and then Ryan turned into the Dragon.
“I don’t want lose you again.” Angie whimpered.
“You won’t. Please go, baby. Trust me.” He looked so determined that Angie solemnly agreed and tiptoed noiselessly away.
“Rangoon?” Rachael cocked her head sideways. “What a surprise to find you alive, but not for long.” She lunged at him, unaware that Grant was right behind her. A large group of Creeper’s and Vampire’s circled the clearing. They didn’t notice Angie crouching in the bushes, but she noticed them. One stood right next to her, its smell was nearly unbearable.
“I heard you hurt Angie.” Ryan growled through gritted teeth.
“Oh, her.” Rachael cackled evilly. “Too bad she didn’t die.”
“At least you will.” He spat crossly. She looked at him confused, and then Grant leapt onto her back. He dug his sharp slicing claws into her shadow skin. Rachael shrieked in pain and tried to get him off.
“It’s no use Tyromel.” Grant growled through a chunk of her skin. Ryan stepped forward and grasped her arms. She struggled to get free, but her attempts failed. Rachael’s guards stepped forward to help, but Jessica and Howard had a trick up their sleeve. She chanted another spell and a blue ball of light covered the group, including Rachael, Grant and Ryan. There was no way that they could get through. It was a shield that would stop the soldiers helping their master. Ryan smiled menacingly down at his sister’s dark charcoal face. He rapidly changed into a Crowndor. He still had a hold of her arms, but he was now weaker in strength. He had to act quickly. He bent his snake like head down and sunk his long fangs into her neck.
“Payyy back bitessss.” He hissed in her ear. She screamed furiously at him, and then suddenly she was silent. Her body went limp and her head hung down.
Grant got down and changed into a human.
“I like this form.” He said inspecting his arms. “Not the strongest, but one of the smartest.” Ryan let go of Rachael and also turned into a human.
“Jessica.” He nodded his head towards her. She nodded back and removed the shield.
“You killed her!” a Creeper stepped forward and they were all shocked.
“Lucasungad!” Ryan shouted at the Creeper.
The Creeper took a step back. “How can you hurt somebody as innocent as Angie?” Ryan raged at him, and then turned to the whole army. “How could any of you?”
“It is our nature.” Lucasungad stepped forward and trying to defend himself.
“Is that what you keep telling yourself?” Ryan scolded.
“What should you know?” Niolet stood next to her friend Violence. “You were just like us not to long ago.”
“True. I was.” Ryan said calmly. “But then I found love. My life had no meaning, until I meet Angie. Can’t you see that what you do is wrong?” he looked about the group. “Was there anything that you enjoyed doing, besides killing and hurting?” nobody spoke, they all hung their heads and pretended not to hear him, but then Niolet advanced towards them.
“I like…I like patting my pet Jaguar.” She looked up with her big black eyes. “I love to talk to him and tell him what I don’t like in my life.” Then she turned around to face the crowd. “Don’t you know what Rangoon, I mean Ryan is talking about? There shouldn’t always have to be hate and anger in life.”
Angie came out from where she was hiding and stood next to Ryan.
“I apologize, for hurting you. Ryan, I wish to receive a better name then Death.” She got down on her hands and knees and bowed. Not too long after over half of the soldiers and guards bowed also.
“You are our true king.” They spoke so robotically that it scared Ryan.
“No I’m not. You need a ruler who can protect you, and who is a good fighter.” Ryan turned to his best friend, Grant. “What do you say, Grant?” Grant could hardly talk.
“Me?” he asked flattered. Ryan nodded his head. Lucasungad walked right up to Ryan.
“We, the pure evils will always serve our true king.” He pointed at the remaining warriors. “The one with the Black Heart.” Then they took off into the air and vowed never to return, until they found their new king.
“Now what do we do?” Angie looked up at Ryan.
“I have an idea.” He bent down and kissed her.






(DONE! this took a bit... hurr hurr. I still can't believe I wrote this at that age...)