Disclaimer: I do not own the Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon. I'm not sure who does. First it was Marvel, then Disney. If anybody wants to sell it to me, I'll buy it for a dollar! Also, though the story is mine and mine alone, it doesn't profit me. However, if you want to pay me for it . . . I can't stop you now, can I?

Legal Note: In addition to never getting caught for hijacking that airplane, D.B. Cooper is a bit of a joker. Ha-Ha. He would never accept any money. Please submit check to the following address. Heh-heh.

Summary: When tragedy strikes the young ones, one of them is changed forever. Please read and review if you wish.

Vengeance

By

D.B. Cooper

Chapter One

Death Comes To Us All

Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord

Romans Chapter 12 Verse 19

Sheila sobbed and held Bobby's lifeless body to her chest. Blood ran from his crushed skull. At first, she had thought that he had been momentarily knocked unconscious by the Orc.

Around her, the battle between her friends and Venger's Orcs still raged. Sheila was not in any condition to pay attention. Tears ran down her cheeks.

No matter how bad things got in the Realm, she had never thought it would come to this. Never. Her face pointed to the sky in grief as her wails rose to heaven.

Just as quickly as it had begun, the battle ended. Hank stood there, gazing at Sheila as she clutched Bobby to her chest and screamed. It took him a minute to realize what had happened.

"Sheila is he...?"

"Yes," Sheila replied, her voice quavering.

Eric, Diana, and Presto gazed on in utter horror. They were unsure of what to say or do. Uni came up and tried to nuzzle Bobby's lifeless body. Sheila pushed the little unicorn away and clung to her brother harder.

"Why? Why did we have to come here? We were never safe here. Half the time we don't even have enough to eat. Why? Why did this have to happen?" Her voice trailed away to sobs again.

Hank acted first. He came to her and laid his hand on her shoulder. He stood there for a minute, trying to think what to say. Before he could begin, Sheila shook his hand off and began to weep harder.

"Bobby oh Bobby, I loved you so much. Bobby! Why? Oh God, why? Why did this have to happen? Why...why...why...oh good lord, why? Bobby...! Why? Oh God, what am I going to do now? What am I going to do without my brother? Without Bobby... Oh God! Why? Why? Why? Why?"

Even worse to her was the thought of her parents. She wouldn't even be able to tell them. The thought made her weep for them, as well.

The others stared at Bobby' lifeless body in grief. Presto and Diana were both crying. Eric eyes stung, as well. He turned away so the others wouldn't see him.

The Ranger stood there, desperately trying to think what to do, how to lead during this tragedy. He tried to put his hand on her shoulder again to lead her away from her brother's body, but she rebuffed it with an angry shake of her body. Hank could feel his own pain and loss welling up inside him.

Sheila clutched to Bobby, sobbing until her tears had run out. After what seemed like an eternity. she laid him on the ground. Her hands wiped the blood off his still face with her cloak.

Finally, she stood on her feet and swayed. Bobby's blood was on her face, hands, and clothes. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"Come on," she said. "We have to take care of him."

At that moment, Dungeon Master appeared. He stood there, staring at the barbarian's body. Even he seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Take courage, Sheila," he began. "The young barbarian's death was not in vain. He sacrificed his life for the Realm."

Sheila listened to Dungeon Master in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "He's dead, and that's all you can say? That he sacrificed his life for the Realm? You brought us here, remember? He was only a child! You put my nine year old brother in harm's way! Why? Tell us the truth, for once. Please, Dungeon Master? For just once, no riddles. Just tell me the truth. Please?"

"Your brother's death is a sad day for all. However, you can find what you seek two days travel from here. Where the golden dragon meets the -"

Sheila interrupted him, her voice raw and strained from crying. "No. No riddles. Not this time. I want to know why you brought us here. I want to know what my brother's death was for. Tell me and tell me the truth."

Eric, Hank, Diana, Presto, and even Uni watched the exchange with interest. They, too, waited to hear what Dungeon Master would say. He seemed to grope for words. Finally, he just turned, walked away, and disappeared behind a rock.

Sheila just stood there and looked through tear stained eyes at where he had been. After standing there for an age, her decision was made. She knew what she had to do now.

Shadow Demon spied on the young ones from a glade of trees not far away. One of the young ones had fallen! This he must report immediately! Knowledge of his enemies was what Venger sent his spy out for. He slouched along on the ground until he was far enough to fly off without their noticing.

"Master," Shadow Demon began, "the young barbarian has fallen. One of the Orcs killed him. His friends are still in the valley, mourning him."

Venger rose from his throne. This was good news, indeed! Anything to hurt his father's accursed pupils!

"Excellent! What of his weapon? The club is all that matters. Bring me the barbarian's club, Shadow Demon, and you shall be rewarded. Go now."

"Yes, Master." With that, Shadow Demon backed into a wall and disappeared.

Venger sat back down on his throne and moodily began awaiting his emissary's return. It might take hours or even days for Shadow Demon to return. In the meantime, he would contemplate matters.

Venger sat there, deep in thought for hours as his mind turned. What would the young fools do now? A wide array of fates could be before them. They might stop following Dungeon Master. That would definitely work to his advantage. He could set a trap for them...

"They have destroyed the Barbarian's Club," Shadow Demon said to his master upon his return.

Venger collapsed back onto his throne, then looked at Shadow Demon impassively for a long minute. "Fools," he said, his voice echoing through his hall.