Hello everyone!

Well, this is my second Brave fanfiction story, and I'm pleased to be updating so soon! First off, I want to dedicate this story to T.E.M. for being my friend, my sister and my constant encouragement. May we have more fun adventures!

To Rylee, the horse I'm training. You're an awesome horse, boy, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing animal!

To my entire family, Mom, Dad, M, A, S, M, A, N, A, and R for being always there for me and for supporting my stories!

And to N.D.M, my good friend and colleague. Thanks for always encouraging me in my writings!

So, a little side-note to those who have not read my first Brave story. This will probably make no sense to you unless you read my first story, The Adversary's Daughter. Otherwise it really will make no sense to you at all. So if you want to read this story, I suggest reading my first one so this one will make more sense.

So, enjoy this story, please review and I look forward to hearing from my readers!

-Shire from CollieandShire

Chapter one

A Beast

He stared down at his hands in disgust, no longer the hands of a person but the paws of an animal, and he let out a roar. This was not what he'd asked for. He had only wanted the strength of ten men, but not in the form of-of-this!

That witch tricked me! His thoughts screamed. She tricked me! But yet, at the same time, she'd given him what he'd wanted. Not only had he been given great strength, but great size in the form of the beast he was now. He glanced down at his paws again. He had seen many of his kind before, but none with paws the size of his. They were half the size of a full grown man, with razor sharp claws. One swipe with one of his paws could kill someone.

He looked up, and roared again. The witch had told him something right before he left with the spell- your spell will be permanent by the fifth sunrise. To change it, you must remember these words. The witch had paused, and said in a ghost-like voice, to change your fate, you must first change yourself. You are who you chose to be.

He had rolled his eyes and left, thinking the witch was a bit on the odd side. Of course she is, she's a witch! What's normal about that? He thought. He had stared down at the caviar in his hand, and had barely walked half a mile before he decided he'd change now. That way, when I arrive at the castle, I can strike such terror in her heart it will be the perfect revenge. He thought with a grin. And thus he ate the caviar.

What happened next was a blur-he slightly remembered feeling sick and doubling over, moaning and groaning. Then suddenly he felt quite better. A little dizzy, but no longer nauseated. He had stood up, and tumbled over. Thinking the dizziness was causing this; he tried again, and once more fell over.

What's the matter with me? He thought, getting on his hands and knees, breathing heavily. He definitely could feel his great strength, and was pleased. He had looked down, and was horrified to see his cloak was in shreds, and his sword lying on the ground. He was larger than he thought! He reached over to pick up the sword, and yelled in horror at the sight of his hand, leaping back in a panic. It was then that he realized he was no longer a man-but the beast he had long admired, the animal his family had chosen as its symbol. He had become an animal, a monster, a beast of great strength.

Now he stood there on all fours, no longer trying to stand up, knowing it was useless. He glanced at his back, and a slight grin broke across his face. White as snow, with black stripes. At least he was not the typical red color that so commonly coated his type. He blended in pretty nicely with the foot deep snow too, which made it easy to ambush any prey.

Prey. He sniffed the air, and growled. He smelled something. It wasn't an animal either, but the smell of a human. How he could differentiate between the two, he had no idea. But he knew without a doubt that man was in the snow covered forest.

He went into stalk mode, and slinked behind a tree. Here came a brown haired man with a mustache, a sword strapped to his waist and a bow slung over his shoulder. He was whistling in a carefree way, and it was obvious he was Scottish, for he was wearing a kilt.

Stupid Scottish, why on earth do they were such despicable clothing? He snarled.

The man stopped, hearing the odd noise, and he glanced around nervously. "Oye, Matthew, did ye hear something?" the man said, turning around. Here came another man, this one a classic redhead.

"I didn't hear anything." he replied with a shrug. "Are ye sure you aren't hearing things again Ethan?"

Ethan shook his head. "I know I heard something. It came from that direction." Ethan pointed towards where he was hiding, and he snarled again. Time to act.

With a bellow like the men had never heard before, a giant white animal with black stripes leapt at them, hissing and spitting.

"Oye! What is that!" Ethan screamed, turning around and running. The animal couldn't resist a chase, and he jumped onto the Scotsman. Ethan cried out, and then yelled no more as the beast took the life out of him with one chomp of his jaw.

Matthew stared at Ethan in dismay, knowing he was dead. The animal turned towards him and shrieked in fury, than charged.

Matthew drew his sword, ready to defend himself. The beast lunged at his throat, and he threw himself out of the way. The animal landed face first in the snow, and screamed again, turning towards Matthew with such hatred in his eyes Matthew feared for his life.

Matthew stood up, pointing his sword at the monster, who hissed at him. The creature began circling, and Matthew followed his movements.

This man doesn't want to go down without a fight. He thought to himself. But he wasn't afraid, only angry. He had never felt such hatred before, nor had he known he was capable of it. But he didn't care. He had already tasted blood once, and now his very being lusted for it. He had to kill this man!

Matthew drew back in horror as the animal sailed through the air, its teeth barred and its paws outstretched.

He struck the man down easily, and roared in delight.

Another beast had returned to take the place of Mo'rdu.

Hope you like the first chapter! Please read and review!

-Shire