The Grey Woods Beast

By Kushie

I do not own NCIS: I do not own Anthony Dinozzo, L.J. Gibbs or any other team members.

Please understand that some English spellings and types of dialogue differ from the American

ones. Some of us put the letter 'U' in a lot more word endings. I'm sorry if you find this awkward

It's second nature to me. As is putting certain words, in front of the verb, instead of after

This story bears no relation to any of my other stories. It is set in a totally different Universe.

Warning! Alternate Universe. Many Characters act out of Canon! Don't like don't read.

Chapter Seven: A Nasty Surprise

Once Jethro gave Tony the 38, he over ruled himself and so could not veto Abby's inclusion

in the Search Party. Fornell tried, but Tony pointed out. Only Abby knew the correct pronunciation,

of the invocation. That would, hopefully, negate the creature's speed and ability, to morph it's shape.

It was a valid argument and one that Tim backed. Yes! It could, possibly, place Abby in danger.

But the risks were outweighed by her knowledge.

The next hour was spent briefing the troops and checking weapons. Roberts eyed the one, they knew

could actually harm the monster. He still felt he should have it. But Tony was in charge and it was his.

The FBI tracker was again examining the tracks, left by the creature, the night before. In daylight they

appeared even more like hood prints. Ducky crouched and with Jimmy's help took some plaster casts

of them. As he worked he mused on the size. They were big enough to support an Elephant. Not

that the, good, doctor had ever made casts of Elephant tracks.

While everyone was distracted, with the bustle of preparation. Tony drew Abby to a quiet corner,

out of sight behind the command tent. Abby was about to protest, that she didn't need extra

precautions for her safety.

"I'll stay well back.."

"That's not the reason I bought you here," Tony cut her off. He glanced around, anxious to ensure

they weren't overheard. Then he touched Vinni's satchel. "I've sort of had another vision." He didn't see

the need, to say it was a dream.

"Another one?" Abby grew nervous.

"In it I was told I was told. You would know a spell To wake up the Servant of the Goddess. Abby

blinked and correctly surmised.

"You haven't told Gibbs have you?" Tony shook his head. Abby understood.

"If he found out? He wouldn't let you go on the search, and neither would the Duckman."

"Exactly! But you and I know I am the only one who can take it down!" He wasn't bragging.

It was a fact!

Abby was a Wiccan, not an overt one. She tended knowledge of it limited to her closest friends.

"So do you know the words?" Tony pressed urgently.

"I know of some. That are alleged to wake up sleepers." she admitted. "I guess in view of what

we're hunting. It's not too much of a leap of faith. To suppose Vinni could be the repository of a

Sleeping Soul. Tony was satisfied by this explanation. They rejoined the massing troops.

The column was forming up, pretty much along Agency lines. With the Tracker at it's head.

Gibbs, Fornell and Roberts took up position behind him. Although Gibbs had given Tony Case Lead.

He still relegated him to a spot behind him. Jethro was, now more than ever, anxious to protect Tony.

Ziva took up an alert stance on his left. Tim flanked his right. Abby was several people behind,

with Ducky and a small clique of medical staff. This vulnerable group were surrounded by

Roberts' soldiers. His men were also working as outlying scouts. Two man teams that would run

parallel to the main column To watch out, for any attempts, by their quarry To launch a

counter- attack from the side.

Tony eyed Ziva. She was as expected, heavily armed. But what impressed him most was the

Gold Coloured Recurve Bow she carried. He pointed to it.

"Nice!"

"One of my distant Ancestors was a Jannisary!" Tim looked around Tony

"A what?"

"The Jannisaries were an Elite Body Guard Sworn to defend the Ottoman/ Turkish Sultans to the death.

But they were never recruited from the Arab races. My people were preferred. They considered us more

expendable, than their own." Tony touched her bow.

"And this?"

"It is said, that long ago Sultan Murad I, had an Alchemist skilled in the ways or working metal.

While you crusaders were still reliant on stone and iron. We had steel composite weapons."

She ran her hand down the shaft of her silver coloured bow. "This has been passed down through my family,

on my mother's side, for hundreds of years. It is always presented to the oldest daughter."

She gave Tony a rare smile. "What ever this creature is. Guns have little effect. My arrows are sharp

They have a greater chance, of penetrating it's thick hide."

"Pity you couldn't have dipped them in Curare, like the Amazon Indians." An FBI agent remarked from behind.

Ziva raised an eyebrow then cryptically replied.

"There are many other poisons just as deadly." Up ahead Roberts gave a signal and the long line, tensed.

Fingers tightened around gun triggers as they entered the dense forest. For the first hour they all trudged

resolutely behind the FBI man. But the deeper they went. The more familiar the area became to Tony.

Suddenly the Tracker stopped.

"What's wrong?" Fornell demanded to know.

"I've lost it. The trail just stopped!

"Stopped? What do you mean stopped?"

"It's gone!"

"How can it just be gone?" Jethro touched Fornell's arm and pointed. Dinozzo had a knowing look on

his face

"Tony?" he said gently

"I've been here before!"

"When?"

"Not Physically!"

What's he talking about?" Robert was growing nervous. The trees seemed closer together and it was so

damn quiet. It was unnerving him.

"In my vision! This was the place I saw in my vision."

"So you know where we go next?" Fornell said hopefully.

"Not me!" Tony looked round "Abby!" She pushed her way forward. "I think it's time to wake up Vinni!"

He pulled the puppet, from the satchel at his hip. Abby blushed every eye was focused on her.

She'd never before been called, to use her powers so publicly.

"What if it doesn't work?" she hissed at Tony.

"Trust in yourself Abby. I'm not the only special one here." He gave her an encouraging smile as

he set Vinni down.

"What the hell are they doing? This is no time for a Bloody Teddy bears picnic!" Roberts blustered

"Oh! Shut the hell up!" Tim had grown heartily sick of the over bearing General.

Abby inhaled and remembered

"You are the power. You are the magic" She mentally told herself. Then she inhaled and began to chant aloud.

"Goddess of day. Goddess of the night

Eternal queen of the Earth and Seed

Infuse this sleeper with thy light

awaken him now in our hour of need

Endow his mind with gift of sight

And to thine darkened foe, us lead.

And with thy power, it's evil smite!"

At first nothing happened. But! As they watched Vinni seemed to twitch. A strange wind, arose from

no where. It picked at his fur. Then! Every single person gaped. Jaws flopped as the funny toy cat

suddenly turned it's head. It looked left and then right then up at Tony and blinked. Then raised a paw

and scratched at it's monocle. As though adjusting it. Tony crouched and ran a hand over Vinni.

"You are so fine." he murmured. The cat purred then seemed to sniff the air. A low growl issued from it's

throat. It slowly rose From it's normally fixed sitting position and shook itself. It turned around twice and

pawed at the ground, then snuffled it's own underneath. Apparently cleaning itself.

The entire company watched and waited. As suddenly as it had awoken the animal now moved.

It shot straight up a tree and ran daintily along a branch. Leaping to a second.

"It's moving! Let's go!" Jethro bellowed. "Tony keep your eye on it!" But the cat didn't run too far ahead

of them. Every few seconds it would pause and look back. Checking it's master was following.

Around and through the trees it led. Brambles and vines snatched at their clothes and hair.

Mud squealched into their boots. The forest had grown very was cold and a sickening odour of death hung

in the air.

"This place is a maze!" Jimmy griped. Ducky's blood cooled in his veins. The Minotaur's original home,

had been a Labyrinth. Were they now being stalked in the same way, the original had stalked it's victims?

He just hoped Tony's cat was truly on their side and not leading them into a trap. Vinni was still leaping and

running It's thick tail was up and it's golden eyes gleamed. But Tony noticed. As his mother had foretold.

It was totally silent. It's paws made no sound. At length it's pace slowed It had led them unerringly

To their target's lair

Even Ziva gagged as they came out into the clearing. Beneath a soaring precipice. Here the stench that

had been pervading the air for several minutes, was thick and cloying. Several soldiers did actually retch.

Slightly embarrassing the General. Abby gratefully accepted Tim's gallantry and wrapped his

scarf over her nose and mouth. Then it was upon them! Roaring and snarling. Throwing bodies around.

Decimating the column. Tony stepped forward and held up his staff. It was as if the sun had suddenly moved

Ninety million miles closer. A blazing light shone forth from it. A lot of people shaded their eyes.

Again the Minotaur seemed to retreat from it. But this time only as far as the entrance to his cave.

From within he dragged out. Tony wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel. This he hadn't expected!

The monster hauled a shaking, whimpering form forward and held it a few feet above the ground

Anthony Dinozzo Senior raised a hand and begged.

"Son! Tony! Help me!" The creature gave a horrible inhuman laugh. He had been right. The Chosen

was weakened, by the sight of his sire. Now he would devour the Last of the Thesian Line and have

his revenge on the Gods.

TBC