Hi everyone! So, after finishing my Christmas fic at last, this author thought it would be a good idea to try again. And this is the result, hopefully it will not take three years to finish! This fic is also a part of the L.R.A.E.R.T.D.S.S.O.A-project, which is top secret. (Yeah, go on and break your head over that one, a good guess might be rewarded with an answer ;) )

But before you leave or love this fic, let me just add that I'm gonna do my best to keep all the characters in character! Although the plot of course can be as crazy as I desire, the characters(owned by Darren Shan) will react as they probably would if they were ever placed in this crazy situation.

Which is, of course, the point of this whole story!!

Now, enjoy.

Love

Elena

They were all gathered in the living room. Eight persons, Evanna had told their names specifically. Neither one of them knew what they should expect from Desmond Tinys' moody daughter or why they had been summoned to this town. Why there were waiting in this large living room in the empty house with bedrooms that were clearly meant to be used by them. But none of them had (even though massive protests and discussions) dared to ignore the witches' call.

She had just shown up, two weeks ago, announced which persons should be present and then disappeared again. Her face had been grim, and she clearly disliked to deliver this message, which only made the vampires even more frightened of the news she might have.

But now they would soon get to know, it was exactly fourteen days later, and the evening had just fallen. The large room was heated up by a warm fire, spreading only so much light that the shadows were darker than ever. The persons in the room were spread out on different chairs and couches, all silent, waiting.

They all stiffened when the three knocks were heard, three short, almost playful knocks on the large wooden entrance door. It seemed like a few lifetimes ticked by until someone got on his feet and went to let in their guest. A cold breeze brought in the small, way too familiar man, who greeted everyone with a warm smile. But, as he started addressing them all, they felt a cold shiver run over their back at the mentioning of their name.

-"Good evening young Darren, thank you for opening the door for an old man. You have taught him well Larten." Desmond Tiny winked while he sat down in the armchair closest to the fire. His chubby fingers were playing with the usual small silver watch hanging from the chain around his neck. "What an honour to have you all here, Paris Skyle, Arrow, Mika Ver Leth... It is unusual for so many princes to leave the mountain at once." He grinned. "And there we have Kurda and Harkat... how nice, how nice..." Chuckling he twisted the watch between his fingers.

The vampires shifted in their chairs, they knew Desmond was playing with them, like a cat before it devours the master of time seemed to be more content than in a long time, stretching out before the fire with his wellingtons still on.

-"You know, since the War of Scars ended, before it had even begun, with the unfortunate death of the lord of the vampaneze, poisoned by one of his own men..." Kurda blinked. "...the murderer still unknown... I have had a really boring time!" The vampires exchanged confused looks, to assure each other they had heard right.

"Everything was spoiled!" Desmond seemed deeply hurt. "My whole plan... just, gone. So, I decided... To have a little fun." The smile that now crept upon his face like a snake made even the princes wish they had never set foot in this house.

-"As you know, I can manipulate time to my wish. I like to do so actually. And I have decided to play a little game with the seven of you." He gave them all an appreciating nod. "You will go through three years that according to many humans are the worst period of their lives. To do this... and experience it to the fullest... you of course need to return to being humans yourselves."

Arrow and Mika got on their feet, Kurdas face paled, Darren looked rejoyed and Larten horrified. But it was Paris that spoke.

-"Are you serious about this Desmond?" The old vampire said silently. "Turning back our ages until we are humans again?"

The demon nodded.

-"Of course Paris. But more than that, I will back all of your ages, to the point I find most amusing. And no matter if you actually were or weren't a vampire at that time, you will be human now." He looked very pleased with himself.

-"I don't get the purpose of this!" Mika snapped. "Are we supposed to spend the rest of our lives as humans?! You cannot do that!"

Desmond looked at him coolly. "If I wanted to, I certainly could, mr. Ver Leth. But it is only for three years."

-"Why only... three years?" Along with Darren, Harkat seemed to be the only one looking forward to becoming human.

-"That doesn't count for you I am afraid," Desmond said absently. "That would be too complicated. No Harkat, you won't become human, you'll just stay here and... guard the house while the others are out" He chuckled.

-"Why three years, what are we supposed to do??" Kurda asked with a stressed tone in his voice. "What if the vampaneze find out?"

-"I trust you, the vampaneze will not bother you. And, to your first question." The small man turned to Kurda, smiling, building up tension for his final words.

"You are going to finish high school."

Desmond Tiny watched with an amused eye the different reactions spreading through the room. His game was going exactly as planned, and he loved it.
-"High school, what is that?" Paris asked. "Is it like an academy?"
Kurda nodded. "Almost, but it is…. Well…" He lacked the words. Mika was shaking his head furiously.
-"You cannot seriously mean we're going to school! With kids!"
-"That is just what you are going to do my dear Mika." Desmond smiled. "But don't forget, you will be 'kids' yourself. So, before I forget."
The vampires stiffened when the watch started glowing with a smooth red aura, lighting up its owners face with demonic rays of light. Larten opened his mouth to say something, Arrow stretched out his hand to stop him, Kurda and Harkat made a move away. But before anything could be done, the light suddenly blinded them all, leaving them no memory of what happened next.

-"Un…unbelievable… He did it…"
Darrren felt himself slowly regaining consciousness at the sound of a soft voice that he vaguely recognised. He sat up and blinked, the room was so dark. Although the first rays of sun were peeking out from the curtain he could barely make out the silhouettes of his friends. His body felt strangely fragile, and as he got on his feet this sensation became stronger. He aimed for the window, but tripped over a low bench and the thump when he hit the ground felt twice as much as normal. Cursing he managed to reach the curtains, and rip them aside.
Bright sunlight filled the room, and Darren heard moans and shuffling noises behind him. The sunlight shone strongly, but he felt nothing but a pleasant warmth as it fell on his skin. The young boy smiled happily and looked out through the window, for a moment leaving all confused and doubts behind him(literally) and just enjoying the view. Their house was on top of a hill that was situated just above the town, which was now bathing in sunlight. The cars could be heard even up here, although the sound seemed to be somehow muffled with his human ears, but the city was clearly awake and boiling with life.

-"Darren, shut the curtains for Charnas sake!"
The voice seemed to be Kurdas, although it sounded... well, younger. It woke Darren up from his thoughts and he turned around, curious to what had happened to his friends.

That they had changed drastically was the least you could say – where there had been a bunch of full grown and in some cases over-aged vampire warriors, was now a heap of... teenagers.

A blond boy with long hair that brought thoughts to the hippie style of the 60's, was the one closest to Darren, his clear eyes blue and blinking against the light. Where there had once been scars on his cheek there was not a mark, and the blue clothes he wore were too big for his thin body. To the left of him Harkat was helping someone up, and Darren had to fight hard not to burst into laughter.

The tall and cranky teenager with a mass of badly cut red hair and pimpled skin bore almost no resemblance to his mentor, but the red cloak told its story.

-"This is madness...complete madness..." The muttering down the room came from a relatively short guy, with chocolatebrown hair and ditto eyes. He had quite some muscles and looked tough – a bad boy look, but it was clear he hadn't grown up fully yet. Darren had to look very closely before he understood who he was looking at.

-"Arrow??" He grinned. The boy lifted his head and glared at him. "What??" He snapped.

Darren just shook his head and looked around, curious for the others. Next to Arrow a pale, slender boy with unmistakable black hair and a handsome face got on his feet and brushed the dirt of his clothes. He was taller than Arrow, but not near as muscular. He spread his fingers and looked at the tips, groaning at the lack of scars.

-"Don't tell me this is true..."
-"I am afraid it is Mika." The last person in the room said. If Darren hadn't known who stood there he'd never had guessed. The young man with a short reddish brown beard and hair in the same colour stood straight, only his blue eyes were the same as those of the ancient Prince they had all known. And even though his words were serious, it was obvious he was overjoyed to be young again.

So, here they were, five teenagers, a young man and a little person, looking at each other with mixed feelings in their eyes. No one could truly say they were not happy about being human again. But then again, this was not going to last, neither were they supposed to enjoy it. Everyone instinctively turned to the small table in the middle of the room, containing six letters bearing their names.
Darren was the first to walk up and take his, taking a deep breath.
-"Let's do this then, shall we?"

Just a little comment I wrote to Roxy while this fic was still in first stage of creation, and I told her why I didn't want Seba in it. She thought it was so true she asked me to put it up here. XD

''Seba is just dressed in Lartens clothes, having Paris' personality and playing with Darrens pets."

yup, that's my thoughts on the guy. ;P No offense Seba lovers, just explaining why he had to stay home this time.

Review? Just for fun?:P

See ya