Claws of Change
Chapter Two
Description: Big Bob is the ruler of a large section of the forest and lives to teach his competitors that he is the strongest. His oldest daughter is more than capable, but his youngest needs to learn to be a killer. So Big Bob requests the help of a new warrior, Arnold, to teach his youngest, Helga, how to kill and fight.
Alternate Universe: Mythical Creatures and various shape shifters.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Hey Arnold or any of their characters.
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The night sky had vanished over time and the sun was shining down on Arnold's body. Arnold was still rooted to the floor of the woods with his eyes staring at the spot the oldest daughter of the Pataki's had stood. Arnold had managed to shimmy over to where his sword had fallen and searched for it, and now he gripped it till the inside of his palms started to drip blood. Arnold ignored the pain and tried to control his beating heart.
The shape shifter power had been terrifying. The way her eyes bled with anger and the smell of blood was fresh from her lips was still clear in Arnold's mind. The claws digging into his shoulder blade keeping him rooted to the ground. His skin still prickled with a red long mark on his backside from the burn the sudden shoving had caused.
He silently thanked Gerald when his galloping hooves came out from the cave. Gerald stretched to the morning sun and scratch his hairy calves, "Mmm mmm mmm, a great night that was. Only a bag of berries and those mermaids do wonders to this billy goat."
Arnold's concern for his own health vanished instantly at Gerald's comment. These mermaids were willing to give up their own bodies for a bag of berries? Did they not see the worth of such a intimidate gesture? Arnold whirled around expressing his thoughts to Gerald in a simple but straight forward, "Really?"
One of Gerald's hoof clicked the ground and he nodded down to his football head companion, "You betcha. Why? I didn't bother asking. Didn't want them to see how cheap they made em selves out to be."
"That's mess up Gerald."
Gerald's eyes squinted down at his companion finally taking in his appearance more. He clopped down to Arnold and took a whiff of him. Arnold was to shock by the sudden closeness to move, but once he recovered he shouted, "Gerald?!"
Gerald jump back, but not by Arnold's shout. Every inch of him was shivering at the scent burning on to Arnold's skin. He had originally ignored the scent since the territory reeked of the Pataki's to the point that Gerald's originally blessed instincts were having difficulties, not that Gerald would admit it. But this smell was stronger and Gerald cursed himself for not noticing it sooner. He blamed the intoxicating mermaids for his failure.
"You reek of a Pataki," Gerald explained. Arnold sighed and lifted himself up reminded of his sense of dread growing.
"Yeah, the oldest of the sisters threaten me. We have to steer clear of her and check as quickly as possible if my parents are here and continue through the forest," Arnold commanded. Gerald stared at Arnold before slowly nodding his head lifting his hands up as well.
"Arnold that's a great idea and all and I am totally supporting you dude," Gerald started. Arnold could hear the 'but' before it was even utter, "But maybe we should get out of here earlier before we run into anymore of those Pataki's."
"You ran into a Pataki?" A voice asked. Both looked towards the forest but only saw vegetation. Arnold took a fighting pose and Gerald stood behind him.
Arnold shouted to the intruder looking back and forth for the voice, "Who goes there?"
"I asked first, oblong face. You met a Pataki and lived?" The voice was masculine. A large human male pushed through the forest. His hair was brown and short. His body was filled with muscles and he was clearly older then both Gerald and Arnold. He wore no shirt revealing hairs on his chest and arms. The only clothing he wore were a dirty pair of brown pants.
Gerald gripped Arnold's shoulder and whispered into the boy's ears, "Just answer him, man."
Arnold growled back to the tall male, "Yes, I did. Now answer me."
"And lived? God, the Pataki's must be losing their touch," The man grumbled.
"Your name!"
The man invaded Arnold's space and Arnold regrettably flinch at the intrusion, "Relax."
The man moved back laughing at the obvious discomfort Arnold had. Once done the man responded, "Ludwig, is my name, of the forest of Wolfgang. The Pataki's must be growing soft to allow an intruder to survive. This is to perfect."
Ludwig lounged happily in the clearing showing zero concern towards the sword pointed at his face. Arnold defenses were still high at the potential threat arising from the situation. It did not help how Gerald was squeezing his shoulder shaking in fears himself.
"It's rare to see humans in this side of the forest," Ludwig commented dryly as he looked at his nails, "And with such a unique head too. You got a name, Blondie?"
"Arnold of the Shortman village," Arnold said with clenched teeth. Ludwig's eyes widen at the statement and he paused in his scrapping.
"Really? Came all the way from there?" Ludwig asked his attention gained. Arnold nodded slowly, "Interesting."
"Why does that matter? Do you know the village?" Arnold questioned.
Ludwig nodded and responded, "Heard of it. Far from home, Arnold."
Before Arnold could respond, Gerald's grip grew intense and he stammers the next words, "W-werewolf. He's a werewolf."
Arnold jumped back from Ludwig at the information. Werewolves were as threatening as any shape shifter, but unlike shape shifters they could ignore pain and heal instantly in both human and wolf form. The only problem was that the werewolves were reckless killers at night, especially at full moon. They were known for destroying villages and being a force to be frightened of. Animals tended to run in fear of them and that must be the reason Gerald was so unnerved by Ludwig. The only source to injure them was iron.
Thankfully the sun was burning down so Ludwig was not allowed to turn into a werewolf. That was one of the advantages Arnold was relishing in and the iron blade his villagers had produced for him.
Ludwig shrugged off the information with a chuckle, "Bingo, little goat. Want to know your prize?"
Ludwig pulls Arnold away from Gerald and threw him into the open lake. Rhonda and the other mermaids screamed at Arnold's sudden intrusion and swam away from the tussle. Arnold coughs up the water and swam to the edge of the lake. Fear for Gerald's safety alerted Arnold and Arnold charged out of the water towards Ludwig his sword out.
Ludwig had Gerald pinned down and a shit eating grin spread to his features. Ludwig's hands gripped Gerald's neck as he whisper his next words to Gerald, "Say night, night, goat boy. You're tonight meal."
Arnold slashed his sword across Ludwig's back and Ludwig let out a cry of pain. Arnold stepped back as Ludwig recovered Arnold's sword out ready to fight. Ludwig whirled, around and his face lost all amusement only replace with a glare.
"You're going to regret that oblong head," Ludwig threaten. Arnold gulped and ran off into the forest with Ludwig close behind.
\/\/\/
Helga had spent the majority of the night and morning by herself. She had burrowed herself into a tree as a squirrel when her sister's calls echo the forest. Helga could hear the concern in Olga's voice, but she chose to ignore it not wanting to spend the time heading home scolded by Olga and her father. Helga didn't mind the solitude, in fact she embraced it.
To get away from the senseless murders of her father and his urge to grow his empire made Helga's stomach knot up. When she spoke of her dislike to her father, he had stated that the bad genes in Helga were showing. He was referring to his mistress, Miriam, or Helga's and Olga's mother.
Unlike the majority of the family, Miriam was a human. From what Big Bob had told her, he had swooped and conquered his mother's village. The village had given them their prized woman in exchange of being spared. Once he had obtained Miriam, he had destroyed the village weeks later and everyone in it.
Big Bob found the whole idea romantic and Miriam just stared off into the distance. Miriam never responded to Big Bob's story. She was too busy drinking down a bottle of wine. The only time Miriam show any interest in her family was when art was mention. She love books and artwork and she would get lost in it. Olga would play her music and show her various artworks from the homes of nearby humans' Olga had pillage. Miriam's eyes would sparkle and she would reveal a small smile. It was probably the only human characteristic of Olga that Helga cherished.
Olga may be a murderer, but at least she was kind to her family, Helga mocked her thoughts.
Miriam's interest seemed to pass down onto Helga as well. She would get lost in the books Miriam own. Her favorite were the romance stories that pivot two lovers against their families custom and embrace each other instead. Helga couldn't relate to the romance, but she could dream of one day pushing past Big Bob's beliefs and be herself.
Helga let out a sigh of content and embraces the silence of the forest.
"Come back here so I can pound you!"
Helga's eyes widen at the familiar yelling. Transforming into a blonde bird she scanned down the forest floor and her feathers rustled at the sight before her.
Ludwig, an enemy of the Pataki's, was chasing down a small blonde boy who head structure was...weird, Helga's mind whispered. Ludwig seemed furious pushing past everything to charge his prey. She felt sympathy for the boy, but it instantly vanished at the idea of seeing a good pounding at least.
"Who doesn't like a good show," She asked herself, "Oh, shut up subconscious. I can like a good tussle at least once in a while. I am no saint."
With her conscious squashed down, she follows the wrecking.
/\/\/
"You little brat, get back here," Ludwig roared. Arnold zigzagged through the tree opening slowing down his pursuer's speed. When Ludwig's head rammed in to a tree, he cursed the sudden pain. Soon rage overtook his whole features and he got on all fours and began thundering down towards Arnold. Arnold's skin prickled with fear. Arnold increased his speed and almost screamed at the closing in on a large hill.
Arnold leaped towards the hill and began to climb upward with panting breath. Ludwig's ragged breath tickled Arnold's leg. Arnold gasped and turns to his enemy. His eyes gleam with pride at his capture and before he could throw down Arnold to the ground, Arnold unveiled his sword and plunged it into Ludwig's open eyes. Arnold pulled the sword back and began to crawl away as Ludwig screamed in agony covering the ghastly wound. Ludwig moved his hands to look down with his good eye at the pool of blood in his palm. He cursed a series of incoherent words.
"You little punk!" Ludwig screamed. Arnold had managed to reach the top of the hill. He was exhausted having no stamina or energy after staying up all night seeking the eldest daughter's return, he was surprised he managed to get this far.
Sucking in what little air he had Arnold searched around him in a panic for a source to prolong Ludwig. The land was bare on the hill top only tall wild grass roamed the area and a pile of rocks. On top of the rocks was a yellow bird watching him with interest. Nothing of real value to keep the werewolf down. He would have to use his sword, which he blessed his superstitious family for making it iron. It was growing to be the only thing keeping the werewolf at bay.
But Arnold's body was growing too wary, his body screaming for rest. He couldn't lift the sword if he tried at the moment. Just a quick breath and I will run again, Arnold said. Before he closed his tired eyes, Arnold saw Ludwig's hand shot up and grabbed a pile of long wild grass.
/\/\/
"Oh man alive, that kid going to get himself killed doing something so stupid," Helga mumble. Ludwig paused in his climb and stared at Helga. Helga gawked back at him, praying he did not recognize her for a shift shaper. Crimeny, crimeny, crimennnnnnny, Helga's inner voice scream. Before she could take off, Ludwig ran forward and gripped her in his clutches. She struggled against the werewolf, but the resistance was useless. She didn't have the strength to take him out.
"Let go of me you big lug!" Helga demanded.
Ludwig shivered in laughter. He gave a satisfy grin his grip tightening around Helga, "Today really is my lucky day. Get one of the daughters of the Pataki's and I get to punch some dweeb's face in and bring him back for a celebration meal. Luck is a lady tonight."
Helga tried to transform into a wolf, but Ludwig was not having any of that. He squeezed her in her bird form threateningly causing her to cry out in pain.
"Now, now, now little birdy," He soothed her, "I don't want my wife to be to be injured."
Helga felt her body growing pale at the suggestion, "I would never agree to something so disgusting."
Ludwig laugh in her face, "Sex slave it is then."
She whirled her head back and gave desperate pecks to his hand. He showed no interest in her depressing attempts and gave her another squeeze. The pain was to much for her body and she instantly felt a pain overcome her. She let out a gasp for air and blacked out her body growing limp.
"No…"
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It was that tiny cry for help that made Arnold's eyes shot open. A girl lay on the floor near Ludwig's feet. Ludwig's back was to Arnold focus on the girl who lay on the floor. Her face was withering in pain and she has her arms wrapped around her rib cage trying to soothe the pain inflicted on her.
"C'mon princess, I can't bring a beaten wife to the gang. They will mock me for eons," Ludwig taunted down to the girl. The girl groaned in pain not responding to Ludwig's taunts.
Ludwig shook his head and used a false tone as he mocked replied to the girl, "Well, if you don't have it in you to be my bride. I will have to stomp you in to submission."
Ludwig lifted a foot slowly. The girl whimper begging for a silent no with her mouth movement and that was when Arnold felt the drive to protect. He grabbed his sword and race toward Ludwig a battle cry leaving his throat. Ludwig paused to look towards Arnold but it was too late, Arnold had whirled the sword into Ludwig's other eye and he screamed in agony for the second time that day.
As he cried desperately trying to find the sword with his hands, Arnold went full charge and pushed the werewolf towards the ledge. Ludwig tried desperately to regain his balance using both his arms to grab anything nearby, but Ludwig could not see so the effort was futile. Arnold pulled the sword from Ludwig's eye and pushed him off the ledge. The werewolf screamed as he landed to the forest below and a loud earth shattering sound echo the forest. Around moved to the ledge and stared at Ludwig's body.
It lay on the floor unmoving with a faint breathing. Arnold sighed, he only managed to tucker the werewolf out and blind him, but no death was granting the beast for now. Arnold whirled around to look at the girl who lay on the floor.
She looked through clenched eyes towards Arnold. She had a pool of blond hair descending on the hill floor and a pair of stunning dark blue eyes. She had an oversized brown coat on with a ribbon symbol that looked vaguely familiar, but that was ignored for the time being. She needs me, Arnold's thoughts screamed. Arnold ran towards the girl and gently lifted her up so she could sit in his lap.
Her breathing was shallow most likely due to an injured rib-cage that Ludwig had punctured. She looked up to Arnold a fear burning deep in her eyes. He tried to sooth her with formalities.
"I am Arnold," He introduced, "From the village of the Shortmans."
She moved her lips, but paused to cough. Arnold shushed her with his next words.
"Listen, don't talk. I am not here to hurt you and you're going to have to trust me. I will take you back to a cave and we can think from there on what to do. Just rest, okay?"
Helga slowly nodded closing her eyes and letting sleep overcome her.
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Author's Note: And that ends chapter two. Woo, working in a 'how they meet' scene was difficult. I wanted Arnold to show genuine concern for Helga's well-being but I had to think of a way to work in him fighting for Helga.
So I hope you guys enjoyed and I will love to hear what you guys think of this chapter. Thank you -Pocket Candy.