The Controller

Disclaimer: I, squirrellevel, do not own Jane and the Dragon or any of its characters, only any characters that are not part of the series.

Chapter 1

Dark clouds were circling above in the sky, similar to vultures, and added a depressing mood to the already gloomy day. Fog had reined in Kippernium for the last few days, darkening everyone's mood, even Pepper's. The new malicious-appearing clouds only contributed to this feeling. No animals seemed to be present, though they may have just been hiding in fear of the frightening weather. The days before these had been magnificent summer days, with songbirds chirping happily to each other and valley children playing games. Now, in these last few days, it was almost as if a new, dark force was present in the kingdom. Something was certainly amiss.

But even so, our favorite jingle-hatted boy was roaming through the forest, in search of ideas for his new ballad. The King wanted a happy, cheerful ballad to bring up his mood, but all Jester could think of were gloomy and depressing songs. Songs of lost love, which he seemed to coming up with more than often now a days. Probably because of Jane, he began to think but then forced himself to stop. There was no need to make himself even more depressed on this already murky day. But he couldn't stop himself. All he could think about was Jane. He had recently asked Jane to court him, and she had accepted, for she knew of his feelings for her and that it would break his heart if she said no. At first she had really liked their strolls in the courtyard together. But Gunther had started acting so good towards her. Jester was afraid Gunther was stealing her away from him. Bad Jester, bad, he scolded himself.

He wanted to be Jane's love so badly, but the determined knight-in-training was still acting hesitant towards him, even though they were courting. She was going to finish her training without any distractions, she had said. But Jester was skeptical. As Gunther was now acting friendlier and friendlier towards her, she seemed to enjoy his presence more and more. Jester suspected that as he matured, Gunther begin to have romantic feelings towards Jane. Why would Jane ever want me when Gunther is much stronger and braver? Jester thought to himself.

He continued his walk through the strange yet familiar feeling woods. They were the same trees Jester always strolled past, but they seemed different in a way Jester couldn't put words to. Which was strange in and of its self, for Jester could always put a word to something. And he was always able to cheer someone up, including himself, even on the worst of days. Something was definitely not right.

The blue boy (both in color and feeling) considered going back to the castle, but then thought, Stop being such a coward!

Just as he had finished his thought, something moved behind him. The fearful juggler whirled around, causing his hat to come off, and surveyed the setting. He hadn't heard any animal movement previously and didn't see any as he looked behind him. Carefully, he stooped to the ground to pick up his hat and tried to casually place it back on his head. You can fool other people, but not yourself, he thought. No matter what he did, he was still cringing with fear. After some minutes had passed, the jingle boy resumed to his walking, deciding not to go to the castle. If he could have known what was about to happen to him, he would have run back to the castle as fast as his skinny legs would take him.

Once again Jester sensed the movement. He again whirled around, then decided it was nothing, and continued walking. For the next few moments he pondered until he tripped.

It wasn't unusual for him to trip, for he was constantly in deep thought. But when he regained his posture and looked at the ground under him, he found that it was flat. There was nothing there to trip over.

The bewildered boy stood up and prepared to run. He waited for a few moments, and then let off his guard. There was peace and quiet, except for the gentle rumbling of thunder in the distance.

Then there was a spark. It was slight, but Jester felt it. He expected there to be the sound of thunder, and then realized it wasn't lightning. It was something else. He once again could not put a word to it, but he was sure he had felt it before. The spark felt like a memory.

There it was again, and stronger this time, almost as if it were getting closer. Jester was so engulfed with fear that he was petrified, literally, and could not get his body to move.

The source of the spark was getting closer and closer; Jester could feel the heat it was giving off. As it continued towards him, Jester began to feel the memory again. Then he realized what it was. Magic. Dark Magic.

Just as he began to comprehend what was happening, he heard an eerie voice. Jester grabbed hold of himself and started running. After a few seconds of it, he halted sharply. He did not mean to, for he seemed to no longer have control of his body. Almost as if someone else was in him, he started walking towards the voice, no matter how hard he resisted.

Jester suddenly regretted not learning Decent Magic. Everyone was capable of performing the simple spells, but Jester had always stayed away from magic, for he thought it dangerous. And Jester did not like danger. But as he was being pulled closer and closer to the voice, he wished he had known enough magic to resist it.

He tried chanting spells. "Relinquo, relinquo."

Nothing happened.

"Ignis, uti tu me."

Again, nothing happened.

Jester had never felt this scared in his life. Even when enemy knights had invaded the castle, he had not been as scared as he was now.

Then the voice uttered a spell Jester understood. "Victimae meae."

Note: The words Jester and the strange voice say are in Latin. The last thing that the voice says (Victimae meae) means "My victim."