When It's Over…

By Loki

Chapter 1

The lush green plains where the purple buffalo roam expanded endlessly beneath the Fantastican sky. A warm wind whispered through the emerald blades, tickling the hoofs of the gallant steed that galloped across the landscape. A gentle laugh escaped from the horse's mouth.

"What's so funny, Artax?" The green-skinned boy who rode atop asked.

"The grass tickles my hoofs, AtreeeeEEEEYYYY!!!." The horse screamed as it left the ground. A pearl-colored serpentine creature grasped the horse in his paws and took to the sky. The dragon that carried the horse and boy had no wings, yet flew as easily as anything that did. Atreyu, the green-skinned boy dressed in animal skins and wielding a bow and quiver, had to press himself against Artax's back to keep from being crushed between the two animals.

"Did you forget about me, Falcor?" Atreyu yelled from underneath the luckdragon's belly.

"Sorry, Atreyu!" Falcor called, but the giggle in his voice made it clear he had meant it entirely.

"Falcor, you bastard!" Atreyu muffledly bellowed from against the dragon's belly.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" The luckdragon's boisterous laugh boomed through the clouds. "AHAHUC-"

The dragon choked on his own breath as he saw something that shouldn't be. A figure was standing, literally standing, on a cloud. The wind that purred over Falcor's body made the figure's long hair and coat flap in the open air.

"WHOA!!!" Falcor put on his draconic air-brakes, lurching Artax and Atreyu lurched forward with frightening momentum. Falcor screamed again as he felt his charges slip from his grasp.

The figure raised his arm, and the horse and boy's sudden freefall slowed enough for Falcor to swoop underneath and catch them on his back.

The luckdragon glided to the grassy plain and let his passengers off. None of them took their gaze off the airbound figure standing above them.

A collective gasp went up among them as the cloud-straddler took a step forward and began to fall. They collectively screamed when the figure vanished from sight mid-fall and landed on the grass mere feet from them. The man in front of them landed with the nimble grace of a cat. He stood full back up and tossed his long raven-black hair from his face. That face could make women swoon. It was soft and slightly effeminate, but held a strength and power that caused the trio to flinch. A ready smile, disarming as it was flawless, put them more at ease. Shining blue eyes made the black-clad person before them look almost angelic. If only for a moment. The fully black clothing, ankle-length leather coat, and sword hilt peeking out from inside the garment put them back on their guard.

"Since I'm the newcomer here, I'll start the introductions." The man said in a flavor of voice that never been heard in Fantastica. "I am Loki, from a realm far from here. I do believe I have the pleasure of Atreyu, Falcor, and Artax."

The Fantastican trio could only nod. They were too surprised to say anything. Loki nodded in return.

"Don't feel too alarmed. You all are rather famous. I'm the obscure one. At least right now…"

He looked around the plain. For a moment, he stopped when he spied a purple buffalo.

"Huh."

"What brings you here, Loki?" Atreyu boldly asked, trying to regain some solidity in the situation.

"I've actually read of your exploits, Atreyu. You're a fine hunter, and warrior, too. Falcor has luck with him all the time. Artax…is a horse that can talk. All very useful for the task I have ahead of me."

"What is that?" Artax asked.

"I'm looking for someone."

"Who?" Falcor pressed.

"Your time spent with Bastian Balthazar Bux is actually a very well-known story. The person I'm searching for connected with it so deeply he felt the same way Bastian felt when he read it. That it was written for him alone. So, subsequently, I know it as well as he does."

"Wait…" Atreyu said, starting to put things together. "Are you searching for a HUMAN, Loki?"

Loki nodded with exuberance. "Yes! One of extreme importance. He makes stories, too. Like Bastian, he's a god."

"Why are you searching for him?" Atreyu asked, prying for more.

"He's lost. He delved into darkness and can't find his way out. I'm the one best suited to help him. Since I'm new to Fantastica, it's most famous residents would be prime for the hunt!"

Artax surprised Atreyu and Falcor by asking something neither of them had thought of.

"If the human you are searching for is lost, and your realm is far away, how would you know to search here?"

Loki smiled.

"I just know. There's no explaining it. Just like I knew that asking you would earn your company."

Falcor, Atreyu, and Artax looked at each other. Loki was right. For some reason they did not know, they would aid him on his quest.

Truly, just the sound of going on another adventure sounded good to them.

"Fantastica is a very big place! Where would we start?" Falcor asked Loki.

"Given this is supposed to be the realm of all human fantasy, he could be anywhere. Literally. It might be best to start at the Ivory Tower. That's where things like this usually start, yeah? Someone there may have word of some weird things going down."

"Weird things? In Fantastica? That's the essence of this place!" Atreyu said almost with annoyance,

"Touche. Are we in agreement? The Ivory Tower?"

"That sounds good." Artax agreed. "Can you magically take us all there like you transported yourself from the sky?"

Loki shook his head.

"Only if I know where I'm going. Never been here before."

Atreyu climbed onto Artax, and Loki straddled Falcor's back.

"Atreyu, if you wouldn't mind leading the way…"

"HYA, ARTAX!"

The horse took off a gallop, and the luckdragon kept pace.

As the quartet began their journey to the Ivory Tower, Falcor asked Loki a pertinent question.

"Loki, what is the name of this human you are seeking?"

Once again, the Fantastican trio was surprised at their guest's answer.

"Oh…his name is Loki, too."