Disclaimers: I do not own The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Snow Queen, The Shannara Series and "The Shannara Chronicles", "Star Wars", "Moana", Ella Enchanted, and The Unicorn Chronicles. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Hans Christian Andersen, Terry Brooks, MTV, Spike, George Lucas, Bioware, Disney, Gail Carson Levine, and Bruce Coville. Any other canon material belongs to their respected owners. All original material belongs to me, the authoress of this fanfiction story.

*.*.*

Welcome to the conclusion of my fanfiction mini-trilogy, Roger and the Shadow People, part of my Origin Series and my Long Series. :)

Once again, this is not the end of my Origin Series, and nowhere near the end of my Long Series. But this will be the end of my Second Age Anthology, in which we transition to my Third Age series, where I'm still working on the series' title. Also, we get to see Roger and Felicity together and find out if they're like what the characters said about them in my previous fanfics for this mini-trilogy.

Enjoy! :)

*.*.*

Previously on 'The Origin Series', Part 1

The Beginning of Time Trilogy

A World Torn Apart

"When this world ends, we'll be on our own," Janus admitted. "I will find you again, if not in this life, then in the next."

"Mum?" Janet asked, confused.

BOOM!

"Now, waste no time. Go! GO!" Janus spoke before her daughter could protest.

Janet looked on at her family and the rest of the order. There were so many lives at stake, all because of her. No! That wasn't it! It was because of Maximus. The rose… the one he plucked… could it be that's what started this whole mess?

Her mind returned to the present. She looked up again, watching a meteor shower draw closer to the earth. She knew it was time to go. She watched Aslan lead her family and the other members of the order through another golden hued light. She ran inside the ship, closing the door behind her. She managed to sit down on one of the bench, right as the strange alien driver piloted the ship into orbit.

The last she saw of the First World was the ground shattering into a million tiny pieces, before blowing up into oblivion.

.

Bang!

The sound penetrated the deep darkness, growing louder in strength and perspiration. Another sound followed, that of a great roar. At first, Janet didn't want to believe it until she looked out the cockpit window and witnessed stars falling throughout the night sky, eventually reaching their final destinations and staying there.

"No way!" Janet said in awe.

"Stay back!" The alien cried out in a high-pitched voice. "Rrawr!"

"Okay, okay!" She spoke, temperamentally. She took a step back from the captain's chair, long enough to watch the universe finish its demonstration.

One by one, she witnessed the stars blink back and the shape of a ghost lion bend them to his will. Was that Aslan? Was he causing these stars to form, shining their lights down on her pod and others like it, as they sailed to their unknown destinations? There had to be a reason why this was happening… or maybe there wasn't one. Maybe she just needed to have an open mind.

In minutes, the shooting star show ended. The stars continued to move in a much slower fashion, or what seemed to be a slow procession. Time just seemed outside the pod's boundaries. Janet sighed, taking a seat on the bench, wondering when she would ever find home again. She looked at her hands, realizing then that she was alone in the universe with no one except her alien driver for company.

-x-

Before the First Age Anthology

Janet and the Druids Trilogy

Moondust

"Who are you?" Janet asked him, curious.

He [the gentle-hobbit] smiled down at her. She loved that. "I'm Tobias."

.

Tobias cried out in agony. His limbs grew stronger. His hairy feet turned as well, becoming longer and fuller. His clothes… they were attaching to his body, as brown fur protruded from the skin and clothes. A long nose replaced his smaller one, taking root until his teeth grew longer and sharper. His ears… they became furrier and stood on his head.

Oh, how he wanted this nightmare to end. It didn't. He was fully transformed into a wolf. He knew it, the moment he saw his reflection in Janet's parents' water dish.

.

"We are in Paranor," Brona said, digging through his vials. "The Druid's Keep. It will keep you both safe for the time being. At least, until we can find a way to stop the Rakatans' Infinite Empire."

What's he saying? Tobias asked, facing his wife in confusion.

"What I mean is that the Rakatans can't have their empire forever. There will come a time when their empire will collapse and we will be the ones to see it fall," Brona said, choosing the right vial. "Ah! Here it is! Wolfsbane. It will cure a werewolf and make them human again." He poured the wolfsbane into a bowl, mixing it up with some water, before setting the bowl down in front of the brown wolf. "You have to drink it all. You'll feel the effects soon. You'll be a hobbit again."

Tobias sniffed the potion. It looked delicious. He licked the bowl, tasting the herbal mixture. It wasn't the best potion, but if it made him a hobbit-man again, then he would drink it all. And he did, licking the bowl clean.

When he was done, he felt so strange. He wobbled until he finally collapsed on the wood-planked floor. Grey smoke enveloped him, causing his limbs to grow smaller and his nose to return to his hobbit size. The fur was leaving him, the pale skin returning. His clothes were back, but in tatters. He stayed on the floor for a couple of seconds, before his wife sat next to him in tears. He chuckled, looking at her brown eyes in delight.

"I'm glad to see you, too. Come here," Tobias said, leaning in and kissing her on the lips. He dipped her, kissing her again on her jaw and not stopping until he kissed her neck and lips again. It took him moments to realize they weren't alone. Brona was watching them. "Thank you," he wrapped an arm around his wife, not letting her go. "Thank you for saving me back there. I don't think I would become a hobbit again without you."

"You're welcome," Brona said, smiling.

~o~

Rise of the Warlock Lord

"He is dead. Get over it," Brona said, coldly.

Anabeth looked up at him in anger. Oh, she wanted to make Brona pay for what he did! She stood up, walking in a circle around the same time as the older druid. He was once her friend, her mentor. And now look at him? He was a disgrace to all the druids! Murdering an innocent's blood! Oh, she would make sure he paid for what he did to Terrence, to every druid he ever met!

"Anabeth, this is not right! You're letting your emotions get the better of you!" Tobias cried, attempting to stop his daughter from doing something foolish.

"He's right. You're too vulnerable to do something reckless," Brona said to Anabeth with a joyful heart.

"I don't care!" Anabeth said, readying her magic. She told Brona, flat out, "You're going to pay for what you did! I'll make sure of it!"

"Anabeth, wait! Anabeth—" Tobias ran in-between Anabeth and Brona. However, it was too late! Brona waved his hand, shoving Tobias backwards through the air and up against a wall, falling unconscious in a matter of seconds.

"No!" Janet rushed over to her husband, watching him wake up in a weakened state. She looked down at his wound. An iron spike protruded through his stomach. Blood came pouring out from the wound, making it difficult for Janet to do anything, except try to move her husband off the spike.

Tobias pushed her arm away. "Leave it. There's nothing… we can do."

"No. I'm going to get some help! There must be a way to fix you," Janet cried, softly.

"You can't," Tobias heaved. He looked tired. "Janet… it's okay to cry. Sometimes, it's okay… to show emotions. I was wrong. Don't forget about your emotions. Remember me." He said last, "I love you and Anabeth. I always have." He closed his eyes, drawing his last breath.

Janet sobbed. Her husband was dead.

.

"Don't cry," Tobias said. He blushed. "I know it won't do any good. You can cry all you want."

"Thank you," Janet said, lowering her head in shame. "I don't know what we were thinking. Telling our daughter to hide her emotions." She shook her head. "We should have been better parents. We should have done what was right for her, for anyone."

"Ah! My portal's open!" Terrence said, following the purple light into druids' heaven. The portal closed, leaving Janet alone with her husband's spirit.

"Will I see you again?" Janet asked, concerned.

Tobias smiled. "One day, we will. For now, I will guide you and our daughter throughout these trials. I go to Aslan's country, where our family is there, safe and sound. One day, we will be reunited."

~o~

Origin Tales: Parker Dooley Series

The Encrusted Jewel

"He's not from this world, but neither did he grow up amongst dragonoids!" the second maroon dragonoid said, suspicious. "He's more human than dragonoid."

"He must prove his worth!" the third maroon dragonoid said, pleased.

"And so, we leave you with one task," the chieftain said, smiling at the red dragonoid.

"What is it?" Parker asked the chieftain, nervous.

"We want you to use your power to turn us into little men," the chieftain said with a smile. "Go on, Parker! You have the ability to manipulate objects, people, and creatures. We've seen you do it before!" The chieftain demanded. "Turn us into the meanest little coconut creatures you could ever come up with! Go on! Transform us into little men!"

"Go on! Go on!" all the maroon dragonoids chanted, taunting the red dragonoid.

Parker looked at Eliza with uncertainty. He cocked his head, turning to all the maroon dragonoids gathered. He remembered this kind of power. It was dangerous. Any side effects could be disastrous! He stood up, waving his hand at the maroon dragonoids.

Fog engulfed the area. Parker coughed, as did Eliza, Darron, and Turen. Honestly, this was not what he expected! By the time the fog cleared and his senses returned, Parker jumped at the little men looking at them. They were donned in coconuts. The men didn't speak, with the exception of their drums. In the process, they drew angry faces on their coconut armor.

Parker realized it was time to let them go. "Go away!" He blasted a strong wind at the coconut men, dowsing their sacred fire in water. He chuckled, stunned for a second when the coconut men tried to attack him. The wind pushed the coconut men back, driving them through a portal and out of Beleriand. He sighed in relief, knowing what to call them. "Those maroon dragonoids are the Kakamora. Well, let's hope being pirates will do them some good."

"One can hope," Eliza said with a giggle.

~o~

The Freedom Fighters Trilogy

Return of the Dragonoid

Aslan waited until the three families – Melena's, Parker's, and Janet's – were gathered around a larger table in the war room, before beginning the meeting. "Welcome." He smiled at them, knowing what they were doing was a suicide mission. "Where you're going is dangerous. I don't ask much of you. This mission is not to defeat Vitiate. I know that is your intention, but someone else will defeat him. He is still too powerful for any of you to face, including you, Parker." He looked at the red dragonoid, hoping he would seek reason. So far, Parker's expression was hardened.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot let him win," Parker said, admitting frankly.

"You're still recovering from being the dark lord," Corin told him, shocked. "If you go there now, you'll be vulnerable to Vitiate's attacks! Whether or not he lets us go will be another question."

"I'll ensure he will let you all go," Aslan said. "The Emperor is strong, but not strong enough to combat my powers and that of the Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. My Father wouldn't allow it. That I can assure you."

.

"We'll get that sorted out, as soon as we defeat Vitiate," Parker said, determination in his eyes. "Weaken him. Something!"

"Parker, it's too risky," Corin said, sharply. "You don't know what you're getting into."

"Look, Vitiate betrayed me!" Parker said, seriously. "All I can ask is to have some vengeance for what he's done. He's responsible for turning me evil and for helping me break his connection. Well, that's what happened. He just let me go!"

"I get it. You're angry. Just don't take your vengeance out on someone whose more powerful than you!" Corin said, louder and more precise.

"He's right. That's what I've been telling you," Qua'ra spoke to Parker, trying to give him one last chance to turn back. "Parker, you're Emperor of this Shadow Empire. Your family can live on if you choose. What you're asking to do will change you. You won't be the same."

"I'm going," Parker said, keeping firmly to his decision.

Aslan nodded. "Then let it be so. We're going as soon as everyone's ready." He walked out of the war room, heading to the hangar.

.

Whack!

Parker grunted. The force of the stab to his heart sent shockwaves up his spine. He hardly noticed Vitiate stopping, enraged by what he saw. A chilling sensation coursed through Parker's veins. His physical scars healed, but not all of the scars had vanished from his head, body, and tail. He turned around, not by his own will, as he looked at Anabeth, who was smiling at him.

"You're nearly whole again," Anabeth said with a warm-hearted smile. "The icicle seeped inside you. It's gone now!"

"Anabeth, I don't know what to say—" Parker was cut off by Vitiate, who was clearly vexed.

"Enough of this!" Vitiate screamed, blasting another bolt of Force Lightning in the air, targeting his next victim.

Parker spun around, stunned to see his family back away from the blast. All except Eliza! Eliza was standing right in the middle of the target zone, where Vitiate was blasting his Force Lightning at her! "NOOOOOO!" Parker screamed, charging towards Eliza and moving in front of her. He kept his back to Vitiate as the blast of the Force Lightning struck him.

A bright light engulfed the area. Parker felt a strong wave reach his heart, lightening it and making him whole again, now bathed in the power of the Light Side. By the time the blast ended, the room returned to its dimly lit glow, Parker no longer had any physical scars. His irises returned to their usual yellow color. No more swirling red mist in his eyes, too!

They did it. They all did it, including Vitiate! Even if the Sith Emperor didn't sense it… or maybe he did. Either way, Parker Dooley was whole again, no longer bound to the Dark Side, even though he could feel a small amount of darkness linger inside his heart. That little speck was bearable, and he would live with that darkness for the rest of his life, including the part of himself that was Maranguan.

Maranguan would never leave his side. He would always be there, in his twisted, evil-grey manner, guiding him or just being cheeky.

"What?" Vitiate asked, stunned and angry now. "How dare you come in here and betray my trust! Get out! Never return! The lot of you. Really!" He seethed, hoping he at least accomplished something today.

"We did it," Parker chuckled, happily. The expressions on his family were grave. He turned to Eliza. She wasn't moving. She wasn't breathing. Her eyes were closed. There was no pulse. No! She was dead.

.

It was obvious. Parker Dooley was still mourning for his wife. Eliza Bowler-Dooley, his mate, had been more than a close friend to him. She was his life partner. And now, she was gone and he was still alive, with only his grief to save him.

What would happen now? How could he go on, if Eliza wasn't with him, tending him, checking to see if he was okay? He never expected to feel so much grief over someone so dear to him. How does one go on after this kind of loss?

"You'll just have to move on and bear with it," a light, masculine voice interrupted Parker's train of thought. Parker turned, facing a hobbit who looked just like him in human-hobbit form. Only this particular hobbit was donned in blue clothing. Who was he? What was he doing here?

"Who are you? Are you dead?" Parker asked, stunned.

The hobbit smiled. "I am. And now, you can see the dead, after witnessing your lover killed off. You may not have understood death in the past, but now, you do or are wrapping your head around it. You've seen death more than once, but never quite like this. It's almost ominous."

Parker snarled. Who was this hobbit and why was he mocking him?

"Easy! I'm a friend." The hobbit man said, extending his hand to him. "Tobias, father of Anabeth and husband to Janet. I come with a warning. Not particularly a bad one, but one you'll need to understand in weeks to come, maybe even Ages."

"Why? What do you know?" Parker asked, not liking this hobbit man one bit.

"Don't play coy with me, Parker Dooley," Tobias said, intimidating him. "I recognize your kind. Determined, never thinking about yourself, fighting the good fight! Did you know Eliza has been looking for you this whole time? Anyway, that's beside the point: I come with a warning, and that warning is that in each Age you enter, one of your generation, the masculine type, will look like me and you in hobbit-human form, depending on which form they take."

He patted Parker's shoulder, telling him, "Food for thought."

-x-

The First Age Anthology

Aftermath

Parker reasoned with that. Maybe his home was at the Land of Dragons, but for others, their home might be elsewhere. He hoped that one day, his family would return there. But when that would happen remained to be seen.

"I'll help you find a new home," Parker said, calmly. "If that's what you want. I'll help you, and maybe a few more things, like keeping the family bloodline going."

"I could handle that," Terrence said, shaking his head. "There's nothing for me here now."

"Then let's leave, find a new home, one where you're accepted," Parker said.

Terrence nodded, smiling back. "Let's do it."

~o~

Twitterpated

Parker briefly looked out the window, surprised it was nearly sunset. Well, he hoped he and Terrence weren't interrupted, even as they found a place to sit down that wasn't crowded. The moment they sat down, Parker noticed a few giggling hobbitesses staring at them.

"Ah!" Parker waved to the hobbitesses. He turned to Terrence, asking, "So, who is this Marjorie? I understand you grew up together. Maybe I can meet her someday. Have you thought about what you're going to say to her when you see her again?"

"It's been a couple of months since I last saw her," Terrence blushed madly. "I can remember the first time Marjorie and I met! She was beautiful. We dated a couple of times, I asked her to marry me, but then she left. I never received an answer from her again." His expression was graved and solemn, shocking the light red dragonoid right to the core.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Parker said, sympathetic towards his great-grandson.

"No, it's all right," Terrence said. "I wish I knew what her answer was."

.

Parker punched two more soldiers out, giving the soldiers nosebleeds before knocking them unconscious. Soon enough, the soldiers were down for the count, causing Parker to roar in triumph.

"We did it!" Parker said, embracing Terrence and Marjorie.

"Look!" Marjorie said, pointing to the stone platform. Parker looked, too, stunned to see the conflict end as soon as it began. Sir Edgar, under his own scrutiny, grabbed the purple and white crown, putting it on his head. No way! Sir Edgar poisoned himself, for he fell on the floor, knocked unconscious.

Parker smiled, glad when Ella and her prince, Prince Charmont, kissed and, eventually, decided to marry. Parker turned to Terrence and Marjorie, smiling when the happy hobbit couple embraced and kissed.

"Is there going to be a double wedding?" Parker asked, grateful the two happy couples were getting what they wanted.

.

"You're not with your fiancée?" Parker asked his great-grandson, curious.

"Marjorie's asleep. I thought I'd wander around the castle for an hour," Terrence said with a warm-hearted smile. "I've been meaning to ask you: you know how to shapeshift. I doubt my father would have forgotten to shapeshift. I'm eager to learn about shapeshifting. Maybe our bloodline will always have shapeshifting in it."

"Only if they will unlock it," Aslan, the Great Lion, interrupting their meeting. He smirked, admitting freely, "That's all you need to do, Terrence." He blew on Terrence and Parker, waited until the mist blew away, before addressing them both again. "There. It is finished. Now, your bloodline will always have shapeshifters in it."

Terrence nodded. "Thank you, Aslan." He turned to Parker, asking, "Teach me. Teach me how to shapeshift. Please?"

"Close your eyes," Parker said, waiting until Terrence did this before continuing. "Now, clear your mind. Think of the creature you want to transform into. Focus on that creature." Terrence winced in pain. He was transforming. He could feel his body transform, as well as his clothes. Parker insisted, "It will hurt, but this is your first transformation. After a while, it won't hurt. That's it. Now, open your eyes."

Terrence did. The transformation was over. He looked at his hands, finding he had light blue scales, as well as black, fingernail-like claws on his hands and feet. He couldn't believe it, even as he looked at himself in a mirror Aslan made appear on the balcony. Terrence was a light blue dragonoid with black claws and black spikes. It was so easy.

Okay, he could transform. He closed his eyes, allowing his mind to think of himself as a hobbit. By the time he opened his eyes again and looked in the mirror, he was his old hobbit self. Terrence smiled, embracing Parker.

"I did it. I can transform. I thought it skipped a generation. Now, I know I can do it. I know I can shapeshift. Thank you, Parker, Aslan. Thank you both," Terrence said with a warm smile. He'd come a long way since meeting Parker and Aslan. It wasn't that scary. They had been the best creatures he ever met, and now he could shapeshift! That was a plus!

"Now, I'd better find Marjorie and show her what you taught me," Terrence said to Parker, leaving the balcony, even as Aslan blew on the mirror to make it disappear.

"He'll be all right. You'll see he will," Aslan said, as Parker looked out the balcony again.

.

In time, Marjorie adjusted to Terrence's new abilities. They were married on the same day as Char and Ella, and what a glorious wedding it was at the palace. Parker was, of course, invited to Terrence and Marjorie's wedding. Parker was grateful his great-grandson and new great-granddaughter-in-law got to spend their wedding amongst their new and old friends.

And yet, Parker's heart was desperate for his own love, Eliza. Would he ever see her again? He jumped upon seeing a pale-skinned, brunette-haired woman looking back at him. He recognized her elegant features and the way her dark green dress flowed as she looked at him with a smile.

It was Eliza, sitting on his lap and gazing into his eyes, so tenderly. "Did you miss me, Parker?"

"Eliza, you have no idea," Parker said, teary-eyed. He hugged his wife, grateful she was here. However, she felt cold. "How? You're still a… a spirit."

"I will be for a long time," Eliza said, also teary-eyed. "One day, I will be reincarnated. You may not recognize me, but I will be watching over you, making sure you're safe."

~o~

The Moral Compass Series

The Land of Talking Animals

"Well, not everyone," Jine said, smiling at Parker. "Hello Parker. It's been too long."

Parker stared at her, as if she came out of one of his dreams. His expression turned sour at the memory of being scratched and beaten up by Jine resurfaced. He couldn't stop thinking about the memories, so much so that he growled aggressively, pouncing on Jine and pinning her against a wall. He seemed to do that a lot with people, creatures, and animals. Must have been his signature move.

"Why did you come back? Huh? I thought you were dead!" Parker snarled, his yellow cat-like eyes fiery in angst and aggression.

"Please don't hurt me!" Jine whimpered, not enjoying being pinned to a wall. She screamed, wanting to be free. "What did I do wrong?"

"You'll pay for your crimes," Parker growled, his cat-like eyes nearly turning blood red with rage. "You'll pay for what you did to me. Remember the scars you gave me?" He growled louder, his cat scratch scars revealed on his arms, his legs, his neck, and his face. It made Jine wince. She didn't know what Parker had been through. How much torture had this light red dragonoid seen?

"Parker, set her down! She won't hurt you!" Melisandre called, walking up to Parker from behind.

Parker huffed and puffed. He looked at Jine, seeing the terrified expression on her face. No, no! The pain and memories were flooding back. He acted like a coward before Jine when she beat him up. Now, he was seeing himself in Jine's terrified expression. He set Jine down, his eye color changing back to their friendly shade of yellow.

"I'm sorry," Parker said, softly. He breathed, intense anger in his eyes. "I'm not like you, Jine. I don't scratch someone out of anger, like you did to me." His scars faded on his body and his head, allowing Jine to see the light red dragonoid as he was now: scratch-less. He added, "When I was angry, I was evil. I was Maranguan and Maranguan is someone you don't want to know. He came as a result of all the pain and suffering I had been through." He exhaled. "He's in me. If he gets out, which I fear could happen very soon, at any time, then everyone would know it. They would see the monster I had become and will be again. He created the Shadow Empire and now it's me who sees it fall." He fell silent, leaving the conversation hanging.

"Well done, Parker Dooley. You know how to torture someone well," Melisandre said, getting Parker's attention. "I am Melisandre, the High Queen of the Land of Talking Animals. I trust Aslan sent you here."

~o~

The Shadow People

Parker made his way into Melisandre and Davin's throne room. The throne room was so huge. However, the walls were broken, the windows shattered, and the wooden thrones torn to pieces. Even the floor had loose stone scattered about the room, making the place desolate and frail like a great battle had torn across this part of the castle in the worst possible way.

He looked on, spotting another pile of rubble. There was the cream-colored Oriental Cat named Jine. She was unconscious… or was she? She wasn't breathing. She wasn't moving. By the time Parker arrived on the scene, greeting Alindor, his brown Burmese cat father Tracker, who was dying next to his wife Jine, the silver-streaked, brown pawed Oriental Cat Ulmayá, their children, and their grandchildren, Parker realized what transpired here.

No. No, no, no! He didn't want Jine and Tracker to go out like this! He didn't want them to die! That was never his intention!

"Jine? Tracker?" Parker cried in horror. This was bad. This was really, really bad! Wasn't there anything he could do to help them?

"Parker…" Jine lifted her head up a little, only to collapse a moment later, "…save me. I'm sorry…" she drew another breath, sighing in aggravation. Parker knelt beside her, terrified for her health, "…please forgive me… for scratching you up… that day… please… promise me you won't let that happen… to my children… promise me…"

"I promise. I'll get them out of the castle. They'll be safe." Parker said, kindly. He looked at her, telling her sincerely, "I am sorry for threatening you earlier. And… I forgive you, Jine, for what you did to me."

Jine smiled. He loved her smile. It made the world grow lighter. "Thank you and… I forgive you, too. May you live… a long and happy… life." She sighed, her last breath drawn. Her eyes closed. She was gone. Jine was dead, too.

"Parker!" Tracker got Parker's attention. He was on the verge of death. "Take care of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. See they're out of this castle safe and sound."

"I will. Thank you, Tracker, for everything. You and your wife brought so much life into my life, even though I turned into Maranguan because to it," Parker said, wondering if he said the wrong thing. He looked up as Tracker laughed. The brown Burmese cat collapsed next to his wife. Well, at least they would find peace together.

"I forgive you, Parker. Don't worry about it. Take care of my son, Alindor. He needs you… now more than ever." Tracker drew his last breath, closed his eyes, and was gone.

Alindor only had Ulmayá, his children, and his grandchildren.

.

"Who are you?" Parker asked, trembling and turning away from the Shadow Man. A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder. It was calm, soothing, and curing him. Curing him? These Shadow People could cure people, animals, and creatures? "I thought you were harmful. I thought you were going to hurt me."

"Hurt you? We only kill when we feel threatened. You and your new friends are no threat to us unless you give us a reason to threaten you," the Shadow Man said, firmly.

"We only kill to survive, but Aslan swore we would help shed some light on the situation." The Shadow Woman explained. "We see your heart is pure, but Maranguan is no foe to us. You will come out of this fine, as will Alindor and his peoples, animals, and creatures that roam this land." She answered, finally giving Parker a reason to live. "We aren't Shadow People. We are the Guardians of the Unknown Regions, sworn to protect those who wish us ill and who will help us with our own tasks. We are not from the light or the darkness, but rather in-between both realms. We won't hurt you. We'll come from the Shadow Realm to help you out."

.

"We're not going with you," Alindor said at once, seriously. "I need to stay here in this realm with my family. I may not have long to live, but I know my heart is in the right place with my people, animals, and creatures."

"I would not have it any other way," Ulmayá said, agreeing with her cat husband.

Alindor looked up at Parker, approaching him and shaking his scaly, light red hand. "Good luck. May we meet again in the next life."

"Then I'll see you in the Portal Realm either way," Parker said with a warm, friendly smile.

"I'll see you there, too, after Alindor and I die, leaving this world in peace for the next one," Ulmayá added, wanting to stay closer to her golden house cat husband. She nodded with a warm, light-hearted smile. "Such is the way of things. The way of nature."

"Come on, Ulmayá! Do you really believe that? Death wasn't always in this Universe," Alindor said in disbelief, facing Parker, "and Parker knows this, don't you?"

"Well," Parker stiffened, calming down, "I know some things about the First World. I wasn't hatched there." He sighed, admitting to the two cats, "My home was in Oz. My original home. I was… treated poorly there. I was also raised by humans. That's why I have such strong emotions towards peoples, animals, and creatures. I'm not like other dragonoids, who were raised by other dragonoids. I'm just… me."

"Which explains why you married a human woman," Ulmayá said, smiling fondly at him.

"Yes," Parker smiled back, pleased to hear this, "Yes, that explains a lot. Well, at least I have Halflings in my family tree." He snickered at the memory. The spell he put on Frodo Baggins would wear off soon. He didn't have that much time.

~o~

Downfall of the Shadow Empire

Kat'ka joined Qua'ra a moment later, taking in their surroundings. "I'm sorry. I know Zeena meant the world to us. She's not gone. Look!" She pointed out Zeena walking around and playing with the scarred lions and lionesses. Qua'ra couldn't believe it! Zeena was alive! Or was she? There was a head wound from Zeena's injuries, but that faded fast.

"Is—Is she alive?" Qua'ra asked, excited.

"No," Aslan said, curtly. "No, she's dead. She died in the temple." Qua'ra looked down at the grassy field. She hated to hear that. "Are you angry? It's all right to release your emotions. I know how hard it must be for you."

"Zeena's dead and now there's one less of my family alive," Qua'ra said, calmly. "The Shadow Empire's fallen. I'll be a disgrace to those who know me and those who don't know me, if they already figured that out." She folded her arms, admitting. "I don't know about Melena. She seems all right with keeping her name intact. But for me… I'd rather be called Scar-ra. I'm shedding my old name. Parker can remember me by it. I'll let him call me Qua'ra from now on, too, if that's what he decides. But for everyone else, I'm Scar-ra and I will change into my scarred lioness form, in memory of my husband Gore."

"As you should," Gore Holdo, who was now a scarred lion, replied in a kind voice. "Valo's choosing to call himself Valentino now. Just Valentino. He's shed his old name, too. I myself have a new name, too. It's Gore. Just Gore. No last name."

Scar-ra chuckled, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't let Zeena go. It was too soon! She had to mourn for her youngest sister! It was the only way to get over her pain quicker… or not. She could mourn in her own time. For now, it seemed everyone was focused on other conversations… this was just too hard on her right now. She needed to find somewhere to mourn, but how?

"Well, I might as well call myself Katrina. Get it done and over with," Kat'ka said, now Katrina.

Scar-ra nodded. She looked at Katrina, asking her, "Are you ready to transform?"

"I am," Katrina nodded back.

Scar-ra sighed. There was nothing for it now.

"Then come on. Let's be scarred lionesses then," Scar-ra said, transforming into a light brown scarred lioness.

"I'll join you," Katrina said, also turning into a scarred lioness with brown fur.

Tack returned to the group, stunned to see his two sisters were now scarred lionesses. "Ah! Shedding your old lives!"

"They're our true forms. I see you're no longer using the name Daaron. Your birth name," Scar-ra said, intrigued. Fresh tears streamed down her face. She couldn't hide her pain.

Tack shook his head. "Ah. It wasn't for me." He nodded to her silently, understanding the pain Scar-ra was going through. He approached his big sister, hugging her as best he could. He would not see his sister mourn for their youngest sister alone.

"Thank you, Tack. I'm feeling a little better now," Scar-ra said, the pain still aching in her chest.

"It's not over. She's well. Zeena will be all right, as will you, my dear sister," Tack said with a warm, friendly smile.

"It's just as well," Katrina said with a smile. "Welcome back, brother."

"Thanks," Tack said, still mourning over the loss of their sister. He looked at his family, convinced they were doing the right thing. "Well, here's hoping we find a new home soon enough."

Scar-ra sighed, gazing at Zeena. Zeena was home, but Scar-ra knew her journey wasn't over. As she gazed at Aslan and Parker, who approached them and spoke to them all, one thing was clear: The Shapeshifter's Migration was about to begin.

.

"Frodo, what a surprise!" Parker said, seeing the smug look on Frodo's face.

"You cast that spell on me, remember?" Frodo asked, seriously. He recovered, slyly, "Don't worry, Parker. Aslan's made sure that every Age I pass through, I become young and I forget for a moment what happened to me in the previous Ages. You don't need to cast a spell on me for that. It's already done."

"Look, I'm sorry I did that, but you spoke so much, told too much information, and you thought I would betray you! You're my descendant, remember?" Parker asked, curtly.

Frodo chuckled. "I do remember. I forgive you, in spite of what you did. I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person, who happens to be your descendant." He added, out of nowhere, "I saw Terrence here today. He looked good. He remembered me, too, and what you did to me."

"I'm sorry about that again," Parker said, leading Frodo over to a railing, observing the cliff face.

"It's all right," Frodo chuckled, smiling at him. "You needn't apologize, but I suppose you would anyway. Wouldn't you?"

"Yes. I deserve to apologize," Parker said with a smirk. "Scar-ra's adjusting, but I fear her time is not yet done. She may as well accompany me to the Third Age if we're lucky."

"We will. Indeed, we will. The late Third Age is where I come from. I can't miss it," Frodo shook his head.

"I welcome it," Parker chuckled absentmindedly. "We make a good team then, don't we?"

"The best," Frodo said, glancing over at him. "Thank you for saving me. I'm glad to have met you, Parker Dooley."

"Me too, Frodo Baggins," Parker clasped his shoulder, convinced he and Frodo would be great friends. "Me too."

*.*.*

Thanks for reading. :)