HEEEEEY... I've been dead... EXAMS... GUUGH

HI! So YEAH... here's chapter 12, thank you again so MUCH to keacdragon for giving me the script! xD

OKAY GUYS... REALLY long chapter here... I think... to me anyways. It was 8 pages... 0_0 HEEEEH

ALRIGHTIE! Enjoy!

Disclaimer:... just for fuuuun... I don't own!

Chapter 12: Not Without a Fight!

Orange light spilled over the countryside, soft winds carrying through the monastery and beyond into the forest. Becca padded along between the trees, listening to the sounds of woodland animals, not really looking for food but keeping it in mind all the same.

So many things have been happening, I haven't been able to get my head around them. The ground began to slope as she encountered a rise, climbing up to a steep precipice high above the trees. A gentle wind whipped at her pelt, she blinked serenely, ears flicking at the sounds of the breeze. The moon is nearly full, perhaps that is why I've been acting so… strange? No, I was acting different long before it was close, so why? She had ruled out many other possible factors to her behavior, none of them had fit her natural full-moon cycle. Normally she would just become more humanoid and raid every grocery store from the North Pole to South America, she did not go insane like in the common werewolf stories; just immensely hungry.

I guess that understanding isn't going to be relevant any time soon, she sighed, tail wrapping about her paws for what little warmth it could offer. Yet I've been so emotional, I get worked up over even the tiniest mention of Bowen and Draco, and I can't stand to be in one place for very long unless I'm sleeping. What is wrong with me?

Letting go of her concerns for the time being, Becca lifted her muzzle and let out a mournful cry. The howl echoing over the forest, carrying towards the monastery where Geoff and Liane were walking together. Her voice rose and fell in octaves, like waves upon a disturbed pond, as if it were the very wind that twisted and turned about the world, the breath of the earth.

The two passed over a bridge when Becca's howl reached them, it was not as clear but it was equally chilling although haunting in the same way. Liane had a serious look on her face, where Geoff was bouncing along quite cheerily.

Finally Liane spoke up, "Drake's pretty disappointed," she said accusingly.

Geoff huffed, "Well, he shouldn't be. Didn't Kwan say that most dragons can't breathe ice?"

"Geoff, he is disappointed in you," Liane turned to him.

"In me? What because I didn't go flying with him this morning? I have more important things to do it I'm—"

"Don't you know what a miracle it is Drake even exists?" asked Liane in an upset tone, her face doing nothing to hide her own anger and disappointment with the boy. Reaching to her red sash that always hung around her, she pulled it from her shoulder to reveal a red amulet.

"Years ago, a dragon named Griffin led a rebellion against our Imperial City. When virtuous dragons captured Griffin, they took his heart as punishment and placed it in here," she held out the round amulet in her palm and reached for its side, "this is the withered heart, of the betrayer of the dragon pledge," opening the cover, Liane revealed a spiked and rather grotesque looking thing. It was shriveled and gray, appearing to me more of a wrinkly old hand than the heart of a dragon.

Geoff gawked, "That's a dragon's heart?"

With a sorrowful nod Liane went on, "The virtuous dragons brought this amulet to the emperor Quo Fang as proof that the evil had been destroyed… but by then the emperor was too fearful. He killed every dragon in the east," she closed the amulet, Geoff could almost see tears in her eyes. "Drake is the last of his kind… he is more alone than you could possibly imagine,"

Cool, early morning air greeted Becca when she trotted from her room and out into one of the many courtyards at the monastery. She shook her honey-brown fur and stretched, opening her mouth and yawning with her pinkish-red tongue curling up to the roof of her mouth. Readjusting herself she padded from the monastery gates and into the countryside, passing between the trees of the forest beyond. The werewolf guessed it was only about four in the morning, the horizon only gaining a little pale glow between the tree trunks.

I wonder if they're doing all right back at home… she thought hazily, ears pricking back and forth. Going back would be nice, but I can't leave yet… I have a feeling that something's not right… she stopped; nearby she heard a small howl, another wolf? She angled her ears forward, her tail sitting horizontally and completely stiff, trying to catch another hint of the noise.

There! Between the trees she saw a dark shadow slinking about in a very wolf-like method. It was that distinct, effortless lope full of mischievousness and cunning, the exact walk of a wolf. Becca scented the air, but you don't smell like a wolf… and I'm down wind of you. Picking up her pads she trailed the other wolf, cautiously treading were her paws would make no sound. What are you doing here? She wondered. Wait, what am I doing here? I should be back resting! Yet she had a feeling if she turned her back on the wolf it would notice her and charge. If it was one thing that truly terrified her, it was following someone and suddenly turning your back. It was like offering your belly to an opponent and saying 'I don't care,' and just asking for trouble.

Come… follow me…

An eerie voice began to play in her head, Becca stood rigid.

That's right… I will not harm you, for you are a friend…

Becca snorted, If I know anything, it's that you never trust a wolf who manages to speak to you. Not even when it says it wont harm you. She growled deep in her throat and sent out a projection message, "Who are you? What do you want?" the black wolf ahead of her stopped, staring at her now with round yellow eyes.

I am a friend, no need to fear me. Come closer…

But his tail was straight up, his shoulders were hunched and his eyes never moved from her body. She shivered, this was not an omega stance! Not even a friendly stance, this was a: I'm going to just contemplate when I should pounce on you, kind of look.

"I am coming no step nearer, you do so and I tear your face to shreds!" and she meant it, word for word.

Tsk Tsk… I guess my other impression on you rattled your trust…

She cocked her head, "What impression? I've never seen you before in my life!" she bared her teeth, her fur fluffing out in protective anger.

Oh… you have though. See that cut on your leg? I did that… oh and that pretty one on your neck, that one's mine too. What about the lovely one I gave you on your cheek? There came a maniacal laugh, but of course you wouldn't remember me… would you? It was so dark…

"WHAT?" she snarled, "Give me a straight answer!"

Above her she heard the sound of wing beats, looking up for a split second she saw the silhouette of Drake in the sky and heard him calling her name. Becca glanced back to the wolf but he had vanished, she lashed her tail in frustration, ears flattened. Giving up on the strange wolf she turned and loped away to where Drake was calling her.

It was still early in the morning when Becca and Drake came in sight of the monastery, the dragon padding next to her in silence. Becca keeping to herself, thoughts whizzing through her head at a hazy speed, eyes their natural storm-blue but appearing troubled. Drake looked over at her constantly with a question on the tip of his tongue, unsure whether or not to ask her.

Becca's ears pricked, the anxiety coming from him was practically slamming into her. The wolf sighed, "What do you want to ask Drake? Is there something wrong?" her inquiry caught him by surprise.

"How did you know?" he asked.

She flicked the tip of her tail, "Lets just say I can sense these kinds of things," she motioned for him to answer her question by inclining her head in his direction. "So? Go on," she pressed.

He arched his head, thinking over his thought, "Do you notice Osric? How he's constantly glancing at me? And I saw him glaring at you as if he wanted to kill you on the spot," said the young dragon nervously.

"Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to kill me… but I have noticed those queer looks he gives you, it's seriously creeping me out," she shook, her collar and tags jingling, "Honestly I think he's just a creeper, but even then it's not easy for Curly to see, he idolizes Ostrich like a frickin' relic on a pogo stick…"

Drake chuckled, not understanding Becca's strange phrases, "He's just making me feel really weird, it's a little scary,"

"If he does anything to you I'll be on him like a flash… and when that old bird messes with me and thinks he'll win, he's got one more thing coming!" pulling her lips back in a wolfish smile Becca imagined stringing him upside down by his underwear, wearing nothing else, across a clothesline that stretched from one side of the castle to the other. Even better: putting a metal bucket on his head with only two eye slits that weren't even big enough and making him do archery… in his underwear. I think my thoughts are including underwear a little too much… she smirked.

"Thank you, that's reassuring," laughed the dragon, Becca barked and nudged him in the side.

"Was that sarcasm or did you mean it?" she leaned on him for a split second before leaping ahead with a bound, loping through a small field and suddenly flinging herself on the ground, rolling about in the long grass.

He scoffed, "What are you doing?" looking around he saw some peasant women staring at them in surprise, "Come on Becca, people are looking,"

The wolf stopped on her back, mouth open and tongue lolling about, "So? I feel like doing it!" she giggled, "You don't need an excuse or permission, just act like an idiot and who cares who's watching?" catching sight of an early moth fluttering up from where she had jumped, Becca's head snapped out and she attempted to catch it. The little white speck flitted away carelessly, ensuing a chase between her and it.

What's with all these mood swings? Pondered the wolf, her romp slowing to a more thoughtful trot before coming to a halt. One minute I'm angry, the next I'm quiet, and then I'm happy! What gives?

"Hey Becca! Come on, lets go find Geoff and the others," came the dragon's voice over the field. Rounding on her paws Becca started back towards him, then a scent caught her nose and she paused, looking back at the woods. The scent of pine and ash, it made her think of that wolf. The questions that arose in her were slowly silenced as she pushed the thought away and returned to Drake, following him back into the monastery.

Becca scented the air ahead of her, perking her ears at the sound of armor and heavy footsteps. Drake had gone back to his room, he wanted to eat before they left with Kwan today. She herself had actually gone in search of Kwan and Liane, perhaps they might be able to answer my questions. Her hopes were soon dashed to pieces, however, for when she arrived in the courtyard she found the two of them and Geoff surrounded by armored guards. She changed her form and jumped down into the yard, standing a little distance from the crowd.

"The old man and his son are coming with us," Becca recognized Beard-guy's voice and saw his fluffly mop of hair in the crowd. The werewolf glowered at him, wanting so much to smack him on the head with a metal club.

Geoff protested, "This must be some kind of mistake, I'll go talk to Osric,"

"You're not in charge here squire," sneered another familiar voice, Becca felt more fury rise in her chest, Roland.

"Oy! Why don't you guys take your little pow-wow somewhere else huh? Your stirring up the air…" she waved her hand in front of her face, pretending that they stank, well in truth they actually did.

Some of them, including Roland, spun around and saw her leaning against the doorway. Beard-guy piped up, "Oh, and your girlfriend too," he jested, the others laughed.

"She's not my—" Geoff's second protest was cut off.

"Girlfriend? GIRLFRIEND?" Becca's eyes glinted amber, "How dare you! I wouldn't go out with that sorry mop of curls if you paid me! Sorry Curly, you're great and all but only as a buddy," she snapped angrily, "furthermore I'm not going anywhere without my… wait I guess you don't have lawyers… well I'm not going with you anyways and you can't make me!" crossing her arms she nodded sternly to emphasize her point.

Roland chortled, "Then why don't you come with me and we'll call it even?" he gave her one of those creepy seductive looks, the kind you see in movies. That did it.

"You sunuva freaking fish-spinnner! I have the right mind to slap you silly then drop you into a pool full of carnivorous, zombie alligators!"

Kwan interrupted, he and Liane had been silent the whole time and now were finally being noticed. He cleared his throat, gaining the attention from the guards and Beard-guy, except Roland of course. "We shall be gone tomorrow," insisted Kwan.

Beard-guy growled, "You'll be gone now!" he drew his sword, as did the others and attacked. Kwan pulled out what appeared to be an umbrella where two fans appeared in Liane's hands. Becca tensed when Roland's sword grated against its sheathe and he ran at her.

"Say you'll come with me and I'll see about taking you with the others," he snickered; Becca gave him a rather dramatic look of horror.

"And have to look at that ugly mug? I'd take the dungeon any day buddy," she snarled. A bark escaped her throat and she jumped through the air, transforming. Roland was ready and he held his sword up defensively, the tip of the blade slashed her side and she howled in pain.

When Becca landed on the ground she stumbled, "Ow! You stupid soggy tomato of a moron! That hurt!" turning to him, red blood pooling at her feet, "Right! You'll pay for that!" she bared her teeth savagely.

Suddenly Roland vanished behind a throng of soldiers, Becca ducked beneath one who had been thrown back by Liane. Becca spotted a pair of daggers at the man's waist and snatched them, changing back into her human form and taking them in her hands. Becca faced three of the soldiers with the two small blades in her hands, they stared at her for a second before breaking into fits of laughter. Gritting her teeth she darted towards them and slashed a cheek, an arm and a thigh before either could even touch her. Again she flashed around them, dancing and cutting as she went until they all were completely frozen with surprise. She took a spot about a few meters from them, and all their clothes, including armor, fell away (well, save their underwear).

They shrieked, quite shrilly for men their age, and ran away to cover their bodies. Becca nearly split her sides laughing, but had to jump back into the battle. Liane was busy with her fans, sending one man flying into a small stone wall then using one of her fans to slice the rope of a heavy bell hanging above his head. The bell fell on his head with a loud DONG! And knocked him out instantly, Becca laughed, "GO LIANE!" she cried, following a man into the barn where she had seen Geoff and Roland vanish into.

Running through the entrance she was met with a sword and blocked it with her two daggers, the man who was holding her there smirked. "Have enough girlie? Need a break?" he made kissy-kissy faces at her. Becca frowned and slapped him on the head with the hilt of her dagger; the man fell to the floor with a stupid look on his face.

"Yeah I need a break, from really awful pick-up lines!" Becca admitted.

Geoff and Roland were locked in a fight, though it was more of a monkey-in-the-middle kind of fight where the dummy Geoff usually practiced with was the monkey. Roland scoffed, "I might have known you'd end up in the barn with the rest of the swillage stable boy!" he jested, swinging his sword in an arch, Geoff kicked the dummy and hit Roland. The blow knocked the arrogant man to the ground and he stopped himself just before he face planted a pile of… well… horse crap. Becca mentally cursed, wishing his head would—

Seeing his escape, Geoff stepped onto Roland's head and shoved it into the crap, the boy dashed from the barn. Becca howled with laughter as Roland brought his head up slowly, the shock and anger on his face too hilarious for Becca to stop laughing. She had to stagger her way from the stable, holding her sides for support, her amusement was short lived, however. More men converged on them, Becca dodged and ducked beneath clumsy, bumbling blows and disarmed each man, preferring not to kill.

"Oy, you guys really suck you know that? My dog could fight better than you!" enraging them only made them all the more clumsy. Becca laughed and disarmed two more, "Pathetic! Stupid sausage buns with ketchup for brains!" she giggled.

Kwan and Liane both fought off more soldiers, but it was clear it was not going their way yet. Kwan had lost his umbrella and Liane's fans had gone. She turned to Geoff, "Go to the cart, and pull the ram's head!" Liane ordered.

Geoff ran to their cart, which was magically in the courtyard with them, and yanked on the head. The entire cark jerked, the roof lifted and the sides unfolded and revealed what was practically a menagerie of weapons. Becca's jaw dropped, eyes gazing over the metal garden. Her eyes suddenly fell across the axes, one in particular caught her eye and she felt a sob escape her throat and her legs turned to strings. Resting against one of the sides, but still tucked into a little corner was an axe that looked frighteningly similar to the one Bowen had used…

Becca put a hand over her mouth, suddenly feeling sick as that same annoying and ever-present voice said to her, It's your fault… you were a coward. You didn't stop it and he's dead because of you… they will all end up the same too, so why even fight it? The colour drained from her face and she fell to her knees on the ground, unable to see anything but that axe, seeing the blood dripping from its sharp tip, knowing who's blood it was.

"Stop this at once!" came Osric's infuriated voice, calling Becca back to reality. She shook her head to clear it and stood up, her moment of weakness past, for now. The man was astride a magnificent brown horse, accompanied by fancily-dressed guards.

"Awwwe Ostrich, but we're having fun you mushy party-pooper," she called, dusting herself off, tipping her dagger towards him, "I haven't gotten to the best part! When we all play 'Who's the Dickhead' and we all point at you!" Osric glared darkly at her.

Geoff straightened himself, angrily staring at the men, "Told you it was a mistake!" he reinforced.

Osric shook his head, "There is no mistake," he dismounted his horse and came up to Geoff.

Becca laughed, "Obviously not! We're all fighting here because there is no mistake… brilliantly put professor Ostrich,"

"Silence wench!" barked Osric.

She bowed deeply, "Oh YES! OH mighty LOOOORD Osric! Lord of AAAAAALL the land!" voice reaching her lilting tone, hoping for some laughter from Geoff as he had before.

"Listen to him Becca!" the boy shot sharply.

Becca recoiled, as if stung. The surprise on her face as plain as the sun, but it only lasted 1.5 seconds, "Fine! Be that grouchy guy that ruins everyone's fun! Maybe the Dickhead is you!" crossing her arms she huffed and trained her eyes on the ground.

With a proud nod Osric went on, "Until the Comet has passed Kwan and his ward shall be my guests at the castle," Becca made faces off to the side, Blah, blah, blah! Orders, orders, orders! When does he shut up?

"No!" cried Liane, "We must stay with Drake,"

"But I thought you said—" Geoff started.

"Geoff," Osric led him away and spoke quietly, Becca strained her ears to catch their conversation. I don't like you Osric… you're up to something. The lord went on, "These people are not like you and me, especially that… mouthy one, what do we really know of their intentions?" Geoff cast his gaze back to the others, confused, Liane returned the look expectantly.

Osric continued, "This is in Drake's best interest, don't you agree?" he said, words dripping with honey-coated sugar. Becca glared at him, wishing so badly that she could shave his head and kick him where-the-sun-don't-shine right then and there.

Finally Geoff relented, "Alright," he said, still sounding unsure about his response.

The guards seized Kwan and Liane, who went with them quietly, Liane though was quite pissed. This doesn't mean I have to go without a fuss, I'm a wolf for heaven's sake! When the guards approached Becca she leapt into the air with a twist and changed when her paws met the ground, darting on her paws she took off for the nearest exit. Hearing stunned shouts from the soldiers and an even more shocked yelp from Osric, Becca felt a surge of amusement. Let them be scared, I'm not about to let them take me without giving them a fight!

Rotating on a sharp angle she faced them, the men charged her and she grew in size. Towering above them like some demonized animal, of which many claimed she was. Becca gave an ear-blasting howl, baring her teeth to them in defiance. Her fur fluffed and spiked, her tail was held high and quivered in fury. Clicking her jaws together she licked her teeth, a strand of saliva dripping from her maw.

"What are you waiting for you idiots? Seize her!" Before Becca knew what was happening she was roped from behind and her head was stuffed in a dark bag. Unable to see she thrashed about, trying vainly to escape the bonds as more were placed on her paws to hold them together. Soon she was completely immobilized, back to her normal size and now only a snarling and bristling wolf caught in a bag.

Footsteps sounded by her head and she growled deep in her throat, "Take her to a different cell, I don't want her near the others," she heard Osric whisper.

Taking this chance before they knocked her out, since she was sure they would, Becca yelled through her link to Geoff. "See? He's not a good person! Don't listen to him!" those were the only words she was able to say before a heavy blow landed on her head and she was instantly wading in darkness.

0_0 I got a headache just writing about that...

WOAH... epic fight HAAAHAAA... Roland in the pile of sh***t... WOW... I'm happy about that... SNIIIICKER SNIIIICKER SNEEE!

Anyways, are we nearing the end? D8 I believe so! STAY WATCHING!

See you in the next chapter... DUN DUN DUN DUUUUUN!