Disclaimer: This is not meant to imply anything about the sexuality of any of the members of Nsync... It being a complete work of fiction, and all... If you're too young, or if this is illegal wherever it is you are... You should leave.
Note: Yeah, it was a mistake. Not a single response. Had some readers, then I screwed up, and lost them all, huh? I guess I'll just keep writing ... just in case there's one, or two of you left. I'll be switching POV's again this time. Only it'll go from Jacob to a narrator. Enjoy!
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I saw someone else. It was Justin. Then Lance. They were all standing over me. He was still kneeling. I couldn't stay awake any longer, but I wouldn't allow myself to sleep. I had to know who he was. The pain finally took over, and there was darkness. *****************************************************************************
Chapter 19:
"How's he doing?" I heard Gail's voice. "He should wake up anytime, now." It was Vincent. "What exactly happened?" Anthony's voice was distant. "He wasn't quick enough." Justin was close. It sounded like he was right next to where I was. "Who was that guy that ran off?" Gail was closer, now. "Beats me. He just showed up when that big guy was about to kill Jake." I had to remember to tell Lance that I didn't like my name shortened like that.
My eye lids were heavy. I couldn't open them for the longest time. Finally, I reached up. I felt a hand wrap around the arm I hadn't moved. It slid down, and grasped my hand. I ran my fingers over my eyes, trying to find out if there was anything keeping them from opening. I pushed them open. Light flooded into my pupils, causing me to shut them again. I opened, and closed them, trying to get used to the light in the room. Eventually they adjusted. Anthony was standing by the door to the room, almost guarding it. Gail was sitting on a small chair on the far wall. Vincent was putting something into a small black bag. It looked like a bandage. I looked down, and saw the blood stained cotton wrapped around my midsection. Lance was talking to Joey, and Chris at a table in a corner of the room. JC was leaning against the wall next to Gail. They were talking in low tones.
I felt something brush my cheek. I turned my head and saw Justin. I followed his arm with my eyes, ending at my hand. He was staring at me, a look of relief on his face. "He's awake." He said in a loud whisper. Vincent rushed over, and started looking me over. He helped me sit up, and checked the bandage. "You'll be fine, but it'll take a while. He only scratched you, but his blade was coated in a nasty poison. It ate away at your flesh until the wound was significantly deep, then it prevented the wound from closing. You're lucky that stranger helped. Do you have any idea who he was?" I thought over the possibility. "No." I lied. He nodded, and returned to his bag.
Justin ran his fingers through my hair. I still wasn't awake, so it took a minute for everything to register. I looked around the room, and saw a painting of Anthony's father. "No reason." I muttered, barely audible. "What?" Whispered Justin. "We came here for nothing. We failed." I put a hand on my wound. "This for nothing." He sighed. "They were in the trial dungeon until we came. They were expecting us to come, so they put them there so we would work faster. They moved them to this place. We may not have rescued them, but we saved their lives." I turned on the bed, and slid off. I stood there, in a daze. "What the hell is going on?" I hadn't realized how loud I was talking. Everyone turned to me with confused looks on their faces. I backed into a corner, and slid to the floor. Gail was across the room in a flash. "Are you okay?" I looked her in the eye. I could see that she was hiding something. I looked around the room. They all were.
I stood, and walked to the door. I rest my head on the cool oak, and closed my eyes. I concentrated, trying to see who was on the other side. Barry, and another heavily armored guard were standing on each side of the door. I turned around, and leaned against it. "Please tell me what's going on. Please!" They all looked at the floor. Anthony sighed, and looked up at me. "Celeste came to us. She told us more about the war of souls. She told us we need a fortress. We thought about Luke's temple, but it wouldn't be very well protected. The people of this city are opposed to my father, so we decided to take this castle." I looked down, and noticed I wasn't wearing much. After turning a deep shade of red, I was handed a white robe with black swirls. There was a crest on the chest. A blood red star. I slipped it on, and turned to Anthony. "Thats not a bad plan, except for two things." He raised an eyebrow. "It isn't a plan, for one, and the people are out there. We aren't." He smiled. "That isn't the plan. We may be in here, but Ryu, and Rosey aren't." I shook my head. "Thats ridiculous. Who's going to listen to a Dragon, and a Griffin?"
"Dammit, Rosey! I told you no one wanted to talk to us!" Rosey snorted at Ryu. "Ryu, I am a creature of beauty. Look at the way they clear the streets for me!" Ryu couldn't help but laugh at that. "Thats not out of respect! They're scared! I'm a full grown griffin, and you're a full grown white dragon! That, and we're talking to each other!" Rosey, and Ryu walked through the streets of Camelot, trying to find someone that wasn't afraid of them. Ryu had grown slightly than a mammoth in width, and as long as a large transport. (The equivalent to a large yacht, in your world.) His feathers had changed to a deep green, but retained their metallic shine. His fur was a shining yellow, resembling pure gold. The tip of his tail seemed to be on fire. It was burning brightly. His eyes still seemed to be laced with molten gold. When he was angry, there was a smell like hot brass that emanated from his body. He opened his beak, revealing a row of sharp teeth. Small, but resembling a jagged saw. He snapped it shut, creating a sound like glass shattering in an empty room. The echo seemed strange, with all the hustle, and bustle on the streets.
"Can we please just bust them out? Humans tend to react better to other humans!" Ryu was now pleading with Rosey. "No! As much as I hate to admit it, they are our friends. They asked us to help, and we will!" Ryu stopped suddenly. "You hate to admit it? Why?" Rosey took a deep breath. "Gail is the only person I really like. When she created me all of the traits of a white dragon were inherited. Thats why I don't like most humans." She continued down searching the streets. Ryu took one leap, and caught up with her. "Then why don't I hate humans? I should have the traits of a Griffin, right?" Rosey looked at him, and laughed. "You do. Griffins are annoying creatures!" She laughed until a gleam caught her eye. Two men were standing before them, grasping their swords. "What is it you creatures want? You've been walking through the streets scaring everybody all day!" Ryu snapped his beak again. "Look, we just need help." Said Rosey, obviously disliking these two men. "HeLP wiTH whAT?" Ryu raised a feathery eyebrow at the way this man was talking. "We want to speak with the leader of a rebel group in town." The two men stood down, turning away from the creatures. "I'M nOT suRE aboUT thIS. SuRE, theSE creaturES couLd shiFT tHE balanCE tremendousLY, bUT whAT IF thEY tuRN againST US?" The first man was extremely worried about Ryu, and Rosey's loyalties.
"Why do you need to speak to a rebel leader?" Asked the first man. "Our friends are imprisoned by the king. They devised half of a plan. We find a rebel group, and free them. I am only allowed to tell your leader the rest." The men turned away again. They soon turned back, with worried looks on their faces. "We'll take you, but if you try anything we have mages that can seal your powers. Then we'll kill you." Ryu nodded, silently trying to calm Rosey.
The men led them through the city, trying to find a route to their stronghold that Ryu could fit through. "Hey, guys! Would it help if I was a little smaller?" They turned, and looked at him with faces full of confusion. Ryu's form shifted, and shrank. He continued to shrink until he was the size of a small dog. "Better?" He asked, grinning at the shocked looks he received. The men shook their heads, and turned toward an alley. They led them through this ally until they reached a dead end. "What geniuses you are!" Mocked Rosey. "Can't even remember where your own hideout is." One of them turned toward her. "Oh, shut up you stupid dragon! We're taking you there, just shut up." Ryu then found out where her name came from. Rosey's eyes flashed red. Red like a rose. "Do you want to die, human?!" She roared. The man just grinned. "You had better control your friend, or you both die. As an added bonus, we'll kill your friends, too." Ryu just snarled. "How can you get to your mages if you're dead?" The man's face twisted into fear. "I toLD yOU TO BE niCE! SorRY, frienDS." The man began chanting something, and the wall shook.
The inside of the hideout was decorated with various suits of armor. The walls were lined with them, ready to use if the need arised. THe two men led Ryu, and Rosey through various halls. The building was like a maze, protecting everyone inside. Without their escorts, they never would've found their way through. They continued through the halls, amused at how everyone froze when they saw them. A few brave ones tried to squeeze past them, but were usually almost crushed. They came to the end of the hall, and stood before large, oak doors. The men split up, and moved to either side of the door. They motioned for Ryu to pass, holding up their hands when Rosey moved. "Sorry, but we can't afford one of your freak outs in there. If we lose our leader, it's over." She rolled her eyes, and turned. The men thought she was going to leave. Instead, she lay down in the center of the hall, blocking anyone from coming, or leaving.
Ryu looked around the room. I was brightly lit by various mirrors reflecting the sunlight pouring in from a large window in the ceiling. The walls were pure white marble, resembling a palace. There were statues of different creatures around the room, holding the mirrors. Ryu traced the path of light with his eyes. It came in through the ceiling, and hit the first mirror. That mirror was pointed toward one of the statues. This continued until it reached a large crystal at one end of the room. He now noticed there were several rainbows dancing on the walls.
He cautiously stepped forward, not knowing what to expect. The crystal slowly began turning. He could see one side was carved out, creating a throne of sorts. When the crystal had turned completely, he saw what he guessed was the leader. It was indescribably ugly. A huge blob of disgusting flesh, obviously an elder ogre. "What is it?" The creature spoke in a surprisingly soft tone. "We.. I've come for your help, sir." Stammered Ryu, nervously. "No need to be nervous, Griffin. I am an elder ogre, not a mindless drone. I won't hurt you." Ryu couldn't help but chuckle. This creature was an elder, yet it didn't know how powerful he really was. "Yes, I do know of your true power, Ryu. I am an elder, after all." Ryu's chuckle faded. "So, let us begin. You wish for us to help you in taking this city? What do you get out of it?" Ryu sat on the cold marble, and began. "Our friends are imprisoned within the castle walls. They devised a plan that helps them in two areas." The elder raised a scaly eyebrow. "Have you heard of the War of Souls?" Shock spread through the Ogre's face. "The War of Souls?! The chosen ones?" Ryu simply nodded. "If you can help us take the city, we can free them. We will also have a fortress. We're in desperate need." The Ogre's form shrunk, much like Ryu's. He was now as small as a normal human, but still as ugly as ever. "I was hoping this time would never come, but I knew it was inevitable. Elders of any race are respected, but sometimes feared." Ryu didn't quite understand until the elder's form shifted again. This time his flesh folded in on itself, and smoothed out. It's hands curled, and also smoothed. It's once bald head sprouted shining, silver hair. All of the visible warts on it's body vanished.
"You're a werecreature?" Asked Ryu. The human/wolf nodded slowly, it's form shifting back to a more human form. Ryu looked around the room, and saw a statue that caught his eye. He looked from it, to the elder. Both the statue, and the elder were wearing the same robes. They both had the same length hair, only the elders was silver. The bodies were the same. Everything was the same. "Call me Andrea. I guess you weren't expecting a woman?" She smiled. Ryu shook his head. "No, thats not it. From hat first form I wasn't expecting you to be so beautiful." Andrea just smiled, and walked toward him. "You should know that someone with he ability to change form will never be ugly." She winked, and stroked his feathers. "Now, how are we supposed to overthrow the entire Camelot army?" She asked, calmly. "Thats why we're here. We were sure you would have some strategy." Andrea bit her lower lip. "Yes, we have plenty. They all involve power we don't have, though. Aerial assaults, and things like that." Ryu spread his wings. "The dragon outside has an impressive span, too." He clicked his beak. Andrea walked back to her crystal, and picked up a small emerald. She lifted it to her lips and it began to glow faintly. "All members above rank 1, please report to the throne room immediately." Her voice could be heard everywhere in the building, but not beyond the walls.
"Whats taking them so long?" I was pacing around the room impatiently. "Don't worry. I'm sure they'll pull through. You just have to be patient." I had finally been convinced that they could get a rebel group to free us, at least. I was still skeptical of our chances of taking the city. "What exactly are we gonna do once they get us out?" Asked Chris while he practiced creating tiny whirl winds on the carpet. "Depends on how strong the group that gets us out is." Started Vincent. "If it's big enough to take Camelot, thats what we do. If not, we find more help." Chris nodded, and his whirl winds began picking up dust, and other microscopic debris.
JC was playing with a small ball of fire, moving it with his mind. Lance was grooming his wings. Justin was trying to change only parts of his body, but couldn't quite figure out how. Joey was asking Gail various questions while creating small, contained earthquakes around him. My wings were getting cramped under the skin. My flesh parted, and they extended. The soft bone in one of my wings bent. I cringed in pain, and practically tore the robe down, letting them extend. "No holes?" I asked, trying to rub the base of my wings. "Sorry." Anthony said over his giggles.
Rosey had now joined Ryu in the throne room. There were a few mages here, and there. They did seem powerful enough to seal a dragons power. Andrea was sitting in her throne, in her natural form. There were a few nervous looks among the people in the room. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. I have learned something incredible! THe chosen ones are here, in Camelot!" The crowd started muttering to themselves. "They're imprisoned within the castle. They want us to help them escape, in return for the city." Someone stood abruptly. "The city?! They expect us to be able to hand them he city?" Andrea shook her head. "No, they expect us to accept their help int taking the city! Then they will use it for their fortress in the war." The same man stood again. "The war?! It's time?!" Andrea nodded, a sad look on her face. "It is time, my friends. We must help them!" The man shuffled nervously. "I agree, but you do know what this means?" Andrea looked down. "Of course. Our guests have asked that they be able to share their plan." She motioned for Ryu, and Rosey to step up. "OK, we think..."
TBC... ***************************************************************************** Don't you just hate me? :)
Don't have much to say, except... Hope you enjoyed it! To tell the truth, this story is really turning out to be an introduction to all the characters. Thats why It's going to be so short.
Yes, it will soon end. I am planning a sequel, though.
See ya!
(E-mail at TruamricanBadAss@AOL.com - This e-mail address was temporarily down for a while, but it's back! You can also e-mail at BronzeBastrd@AOL.com
If it doesn't work without the 'A' then use the 'A.' :) IM at either of those, or at Morbddream. ICQ: 75287134.) Bye-bye!