Okay peoples...this is my first fanfiction--ever. I have noticed that there seems to be no one else on this site with a Mythadventures of Aahz and Skeeve—or any of the other books I was planning on writing a fanfic about, interestingly enough—so I might be breaking new ground, but please, people--correct me if I'm wrong.
I don't own any of the characters you'd recognize (Skeeve, Bunny, Gleep, et cetera). Robert Asprin created them, and Ace Fantasy/Meisha Merlin Publishers print them. But Jasmine and Valerian are mine, as well as any of the other "new faces." Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Stranger Flip…Twist…Pivot…Spiral…
I had finished my studies for the day—an easy thing when you set your own schedule—and I was winding down with the age-old feather drill. I'd mastered it so long ago that is was almost second nature to me. I could concentrate on other important things while keeping the feather up in the air—like eating an apple while sitting five feet off the ground.
I had just set the feather back on the table with my mind, stretched, and lowered myself to the floor when Gleep came bounding into the room.
"Gleep…see…stranger."
Now, Gleep is my dragon, and yes, he can talk, but he keeps it a secret from people. Most of the time he just goes "Gleep!" which is where his name comes from. He's also much more intelligent than people give him credit for. Which is why I put him on guard duty watching for unpleasant things like spider bears…and tax collectors. Also, at the moment, he was working double-duty since Bunny, my moll-turned-administrative assistant, is off visiting her uncle, Don Bruce, the local Mob's Fairy Godfather.
I rolled my eyes. "Another one? Do they hand out maps or something?"
I live in a former inn, and sometimes travelers who pass by try to book rooms here. I find it simpler to scare them off with illusion—I am, after all, a magician.
What? you say. Well, then how else would I have been able to perform those amazing feats of levitation at the beginning of this chapter? You really must pay better attention.
The name's Skeeve—known as the Magnificent or the Great in some circles, though to be honest my reputation's all hype. Several years dimension-traveling, surviving near-death situations and being President of M.Y.T.H. Inc., a company I started with my friends that can do just about anything assured that. But I'm still basically an apprentice, which is why I resigned from M.Y.T.H. Inc. to come study here, with just Bunny, Gleep…oh…and Buttercup, my war unicorn.
Don't ask. Long story.
Anyway, I like my privacy (if privacy can be defined as having a baby dragon, a unicorn, and an ex-moll running around the place), so I take steps to make sure I get it. One spell I have mastered without a doubt is illusion, and that's how I usually scare eager tourists off—by turning my cheery little inn into a haunted house and myself into a severely deformed innkeeper.
I was just beginning to concentrate on doing just that, when Gleep spoke again.
"No…hide…nice…stranger."
That stopped me like a brick wall. This mysterious person must be someone special for Gleep not to want me to scare them away. I wondered whether or not I should listen, then gave in. Gleep had saved my life more than once before; he wouldn't knowingly put me in danger, and his instincts were excellent.
I sighed. "All right, Gleep. But it better not be a tourist. And you'd better stay back—you're too noticeable."
Gleep hung his head.
"Awww…come on, Gleep. I just don't want to…surprise the person into leaving."
Gleep immediately perked up and gave me a lick with his long slimy tongue. Dragon breath, unfortunately, is stinky enough to wilt flowers…weeds, even.
I wiped off my face, gagged, patted Gleep on the head, and headed for the door. When I was almost there a knock sounded, loud and commanding.
I swung the door open to face…
A girl. With a D-Hopper.