Chapter fifty! This took over five days to write, so you better like it!


My body was covered in the bandages I has specifically for wearing with my grey crop-top and slacks. The white fabric covered my knuckles to my legs. I had used my transformation powers to turn my white boots into blue ninja sandals, a type of foot wear that covers the whole foot, plus the ankle, but leaves the heel and toe open.

Thank you, Alto.

'Think nothing of it. You must remember that my only reason for protecting you is to protect myself. Anything I say or do is for my own benefit.'

Still doesn't mean that I don't own you my life for that. Hey, is it okay if I call you 'Black Ka'kari'? Or how about the 'Devourer'?

'Do not associate me with that Night Angel Trilogy you are obsessed with.'

Awww come on…you are just like the Black Ka'kari. You tell me what to do, you give me great unholy power and you make snide and unneeded commentary at my every move.

'Can't I just stick with 'Alto'?'

Humph. You're no fun…

'Just get back to the others.'

I smiled to myself and headed back. Alto might have been a jerk in the past, heck he still was a jerk, but he was a nice guy deep down. As I came through the bush I could hear the others talking.

"But it's not right!" Lloyd shouted in protest. "Just because she can turn into a monster doesn't mean she is one!"

"Then who do you suppose killed all those people?" Kratos reasoned. "I doubt that they all decided to kill themselves that day."

"But that doesn't mean Stacy did!"

"Lloyd calm down.' Professor Sage stepped in, grabbing the boy by this shoulder. 'For all we know Stacy is the person whom is responsible. Didn't you all say that she had a track record of heading off on her own?"

"Yeah." Sheena replied solemnly.

"I don't think that Stacy is like that." Colette chirped sadly. "I just know it."

I kept listening, waiting for Regal to defend me. But all he did was look at the ground, not saying anything. Is he that torn? Or…does he really believe that I killed those people?

"But the thing is Colette," Raine swapped into her teacher voice, 'We don't have any proof that she is innocent. All we have to go on is that people are dead and Stacy is known for losing control."

"But sis…"Genis grimaced, feeling the pull of loyalty to his sister and his friend.

"You don't have to prove anything." I said as I stepped out. "I know that I didn't kill anyone. But if you think that I'll stand by and let people persecute me like this then…." I couldn't find a threat to throw out there. I was hurt that Raine would be so two-faced to me.

"Look, if she said she didn't do, then she didn't do it." Loy announced, coming to my rescue. "I don't know why you're all giving her the third degree over nothing. So…just drop it okay?!"

"Loy is right." Regal choose then to speak up. "We have to trust Stacy and believe that she is innocent."

"Yeah!" Lloyd gave a fist pump. "Dwarven vow number eighteen! It is better to be deceived than to deceive!"

"I guess we should get going now." Sheena suggested, ready for a new topic.

"Yes, we need to get to a safer place before nightfall." Presea noted in her monotone voice, and everyone soon head down the path. Kratos held up long enough to give me a death-glare before following the others, leaving me and Loy behind.

"Thank you Loy." I hugged her, glad for a friend in this world.

"You're welcome. Now C'mon, I'll race you to the front of the group!"

"You're on!"


It had been a long day and we were all tired. Our lunch break had been a while ago, but I was still eating.

"You know if you keep eating like that you'll swell up like a balloon." Loy teased.

"So what? I'm carb-loading for tonight." I said as I bit into a biscuit that had cheese and bacon baked inside.

"Why?"

"So that I have energy for my training. If I have more stamina I'll be able to train longer, and then I'll be stronger in no time."

"Really?" Loy arched a brow. "Well, whatever, as long as you don't make me do any silly tree-climbing exercises."

"Don't worry, I won't." The bacon was so think and juicy. The grease flavored the bun, and combined with the cheese, it was a gift from God. Soooo gooood…

The sound of something sifting from branch to branch in the trees caught my attention. Forgetting about the bun I listened to what it was. I had made it a habit of keeping my senses heightened since the encounter with Kratos a few days ago, when he was confronting Regal about me. Whatever this thing was, it was big, like a bear, but it was agile and swift.

Alto, any ideas as to what this thing is?

'It isn't Yuan that is for sure.'

It's big. But how can something that large move so fast?

'I have an idea. It could be one of my former men.'

One of your soldiers?

'Yes. Quite likely a Lycan or 'Werewolf' if you prefer.'

A Werewolf?…wow. But don't they only come out at night?

'Only the ones who do not live on the moon. If it is one of my men then he won't have a human form to return to, making it possible for him to be out in sunlight.'

Do you think he's after us?

"Stacy! What's the hold up?" Lloyd called.

"You're falling behind again!" Sheena added.

"Sorry!" I ran to catch up, but still listened to Alto.

'Could be. Let's be careful from here on in. Are you going to tell the others?'

No. I don't want to start a panic. And if they think I lured it here I might end up in the hot seat again.

'Very well. Be careful master.'

I will. And you don't have to call me 'master' any more.

'Good. I'm sick of saying it.'

You really know how to make a girl feel special…


The gold amber of the sun had colored the trees, signaling to us that it was time for our trek to come to a temporary end so we could set up camp and rest for the night. Regal had volunteered to get firewood so that 'The Food and Sex God' Zelos could make diner for the rest of the party, while they set up camp. Kratos took charge right away, telling people what we needed and were things should go. Somehow I had the feeling for the Sylverant team, this was the norm. Seeing as how I was not trusted as far as I could be thrown by a few members, Genis was on babysitting duty, and I was the baby….

"So Raine really doesn't trust me…"

"Yep…"

"I should have figured as much. I mean, she didn't trust Kratos much either."

"Yep."

"But I suppose we should look on the bright side…"

"…The bright side? What bright side? The group is torn in two over whether you're good or not!"

"I mean the fact that we get to sit back and watch everyone work, while doing nothing."

"You're beginning to sound like Lloyd…"

"I am nothing like him. I understand the scientific meaning of the word 'work'. Lloyd can barely handle math at a third grade level! Heck! I could build a rocket and send him to the moon before he'll reach my level of finesse of intellectual prowess."

The young mage giggled into his hands.

"What's so funny?"

"You…" The Warlock laughed.

"Oh I am, am I? Well that's good. That means that my brother and sister are wrong and I can be funny!"

"So you do have a brother?"

"Two brothers actually. One who's seven years older than me and one who is a bit younger and my sister. The three of us are triplets you see."

"Wow that must be so cool! Do you have telepathy?"

"No, and to be honest don't think I want to know what my sibs are thinking."

"Yeah, I can understand that."

I looked over and saw the sky catch fire from the setting sun, red burring all the trees and members of our group.

"Hey, don't you think that Regal should have been back by now?"

"Yeah. Gathering fire wood shouldn't be taking him this long."

"I'm going to go look for him. He might have run into trouble."

"No." A stern and harsh voice said. Kratos stood in front of the sun, blocking my eyes from the light, his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword. "You can stay here where we can keep an eye on you."

"But Regal might be in trouble! And since I have nothing to do and can take care of most monsters that are around here I should go."

"You will stay here and that is final!" His voice erupted drawing the attention of the others over to us.

"I don't care what you have to say!" I growled back, the sun fading further and further behind the mountains; navy paint streaked across the sky. "I'm going to look for him!"

"You will do no such thing."

"Leave me alone!" I howled my voice filed with rage and malice. The fangs in my mouth began to grow, my eyes turned yellow, the muscles in my arms ripped the bandaging as the flexed. The wolf's tail and feet came out and claws soon adorned my hands. I was turning into a demon again.

"Wha-what's happening?!" Gins cried out in confusion.

"So...you really are a wolf in sheep's clothing." The blade of Kratos' sword 'shings' as he pulls it into battle. "It appears I was right to come after you."

"If you get in my way you are dead!" I snarl through clenched teeth. The sun had vanished from the sky and now the twinkling of little stars, and the two moons, one full and one new, were only the light to befall the land.

"It seems that Stacy really is a monster." Raine speculated.

"No! Stacy!" Lloyd called out. "Come back to us!"

"Prepare for death demon!" The mercenary readied his blade, in the name of his son; he would not let this monster to plague the world anymore!

"Stop!" Mewtwo bellowed, his eyes glowing blue. He had used his powers to stop Kratos from striking, but that didn't mean Stacy was out of danger.

"Master, I do not wish to harm you, but you must calm down."

"All you want to do is to kill me!"


Stacy had become delusional from her power. She was no longer concerned about Regal, but rather was convinced that she was facing a death sentence.

"Stacy, please stop." Colette pleaded. "We are not trying to hurt you."

"Leave me a-LONE!" Stacy roared, rearing up for an attack. But Mewtwo was ready from her. He pushed his master to the tree with his psychic powers and held her against it, her head thrashing around as she struggled for freedom. All the while her hair faded to silvery-white and two wolf ears emerged from her head.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The howl echoed through the forest, making everyone wince in pain. "Let me go!"

"I do not want to do this to you master!" The cat closed his fist to keep a tighter grip on his demonic master.

"GAHHHHH!! LET ME GO NOOOOOW!!"

"You've left me no choice." The Pokémon's eyes turned blue again and locked with Stacy's. Her eyes became a dull blue, empty of life, as if her soul was swallowed whole by darkness. Her head drooped down and was followed by her body, which fell to the ground.

"On your feet." Mewtwo commanded, and Stacy obeyed. Fluidly she got on to her knees and stood, but her head was still hanging and her eyes were lifeless.

"What's wrong with her?" Presea asked.

"She is under my control." Both Mewtwo and Stacy answered; Stacy's voice distant and hollow.

"What?!" Sheena asked on everyone's behalf. "Why would you do that to her?"

"She would have attacked everyone if I had not stepped in." Both master and servant responded in unison. "It was the only way to stop her without hurting her." Mewtwo then whipped his hand out to the side and released Stacy from his mind control. Stacy began to stumble but was caught by Mewtwo before falling to the ground.

"Uhhh…What…happened?" Her voice was slow and dazed, but it was undeniably her voice.

"Master, are you alright?"

"Mewtwo? Why does my head hurt?"

"The demon surfaced again. I felt it was necessary to step in and use mind control on you."

"Thank you…"


"Stacy..." Genis' shy and timid voice squeaked out. I stood up and turned my head to him. He looked shaken and terror lined his face. I knew what he was scared of.

"Not you too Genis…I thought you would understand…" I was hurt deep inside. Genis knew what it was like to be judged like this, and yet how could be a part of it?

"It's just your…No. You're you." He muttered, trying to remind himself that it was me.

"It me in here. It's still me. I haven't changed…much."

He couldn't look at me. I felt so rejected. So hated. I could feel everyone's eyes on my and it burned. It burned so much I wanted it to stop.

"Please don't do this to me. I thought we were friends."

"You're right…You're right! We are friends!" Genis finally found the strength to look at me again. "And I'll always be your friend not matter what."

"Thank you. You don't know what it's like to have a friend betray you like I have."

"You're friends betrayed you?" Lloyd repeated.

"Yes. Some of my friends back home wanted nothing to do with me and…No. It's nothing. Never mind."

"So this is the demonic form I've heard so much about." Professor Sage marveled. "Fantastic! This is simply wondrous! A human taking on the partial form of a wolf. I wonder what biological changes she's gone under. What triggers it? I must know!"

"Umm…whenever I get enraged I will sometimes turn into this, because this deal I made. But I'll tell you about that later. Isn't Regal still missing?"

"Oh man. I forgot all about him." Lloyd moaned. "We'd better go looking for him right now." We headed down the path that Regal had taken earlier that evening in the hopes of finding him, leaving Loy and Mewtwo to look after the camp. We got part of the way in when we saw that a fight had taken place there. There was claw marks all over the trees, and some were even knocked down from the brawl.

"What happened?" Presea asked to herself.

"A fight. And a bad one. I can smell blood all over the area." I announced.

"You can smell blood?" Genis checked for verification.

"Yes. In this body all of my senses are heightened so I can smell more things...like blood."

"Do you think that Regal was here?" Zelos inquired.

"Yes." I gasped. "Some of the blood is his…" Regal… My nose twitched and I locked onto his scent. I could tell where he had gone after the battle. Regal! I bolted down the path, following my nose in the hopes of finding Regal, leaving the others in the dust. There hadn't been a lot of his blood, but it was enough to make me worry. I got to an opening that was flooded with Regal's scent. He was there, but was he hiding? Why can't I see him? Where are you Regal?

"Stacy!" Lloyd called. "Wait up!" He and the others had tried to keep pace with me, but I was too fast as a wolf demon. "Why…huff…did…huff…you…huff…take…huff…off…huff…like…huff…that?"

"I'm sorry. I found Regal's scent trail and was worried about him. I think he's somewhere around here."

"That's fine." Kratos said sharply, being the only one not winded. "But that doesn't mean you can run off like that."

"I'm sorry. I'm just really worried about Regal."

"Why?" Zelos posed the question. "He's strong. I'm sure he can handle anything out here. You don't need to lose sleep over him."

"Sorry." Something was moving in the bush behind me. But it was very quiet, I was sure only Colette and I heard it.

"Is something there?" The Chosen asked.

I looked into the bushes and could make out two eyes looking back at me. Reading their emotion, I could see that the creature was planning to runaway.

"Look out!" Kratos somehow predicted that the monster was planning on moving and jumped into action to stop it. He stood next to me, blade drawn, shinning in the moon light, about to bring it down on the animal's head. But his sword stopped short of its target, for I had gotten in front of him and grabbed the blade with my hand, which had cut it open. A long river of blood flowed over the back and front of my hand; obese droplets fell to the ground and made a pool at my now wolfish feet.

The monster towered over me, standing on its hind legs, its brown fur windswept and rugged. Its large fangs peeked out from under its lips, while its blue eyes focused on me. I turned to look at it, and said, full of concern, "Are you alright?"

The creature lowered its head to mine as softly whispered, "Yes. Thank you."

His response, it was almost enough to make me cry.

Everyone else though, seemed to be taken aback by it. Even Kratos had pulled his sword back and gasped.

"It-it talked!?" Genis raveled. "H-how is that possible?"

I wanted to explain what was going on, but fearfulness and worry, and my sense of smell reminded me to do something else.

"I can smell blood on you..." I placed my clean left hand on his right arm, where a four claw marks were made. "You were hurt, weren't you? This is all my fault, I'm sorry." He didn't answer, but kept looking at my right hand, his eyes mournful.

"You were injured too."

I clenched my fist, but my claws dug into the wound and I had to leave my palm open. "It's nothing. A lick would heal it."

"Stacy," The Professor called my name. "Would you mind clarifying who this is?"

"Is he a friend of yours?" Colette guessed.

"You mean you don't recognize him?"

"No...Should we?" Lloyd stated.

My eyes drifted into his, I held my breath to allow his scent to linger just a bit longer. It was these two things that told who it was without seeing his face. "It's Regal."

"WHAT!?"

It was true, this creature was a bit taller than Regal, and had the body of a wolf-man. Two wolf ears, large claws, a tail; everything was akin to a wolf, all of which hid Regal's familiar features, all except those eyes of his. Those were still the same. That and his masculine frame which was the structure that his wolf-like qualities seemed to go harmoniously with. The only trace of him ever being human was the black trousers that managed to endure his physical change.

"How did this happen?" Presea muttered in a state of shock.

"We can all talk about this in group therapy back at camp." I urged. "But right now there's something out there and I think we should get away from it."


Loy was sitting by the fire she had prepared with her feet up when I came through the bush.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't InuYasha's littler sister. How did the search for Regal...go...?" Here voice trailed off as Regal the Wolf-man came into view. "What in the name of Azarath is that!?"

"Loy...this is Regal. He got turned into a Werewolf and now we have to save him."

"Ohhh...so now I guess he really is a 'sexy beast'."

"Oh, shut up." I said that way only a lover could. Everyone gather around the fire as Zelos went about fixing diner, as previously planned.

"I am humiliated to have everyone see me like this." Regal mopped.

"This isn't a death sentence, you know." I snapped, remarkably sounding similar to Kratos' variation of that line. Regardless, this seemed to do little to help him. On impulse, seeing him so sad, I rested my head on his shoulder as my tail darted back and forth in glee.

"What I would like to know," Professor Sage announced the questions of her mind. "Is how Regal became this...this..." She paused to look for the right word. "What would you call it Stacy? Being of a similar race and all."

"A Werewolf?"

"Is that what it is called, fascinating."

"So I am a Werewolf?"

"Well, there's another name for it...I think it starts with an 'L' but I can't remember what it is."

"So how much do you know about 'Werewolves' Stacy?" The Wise woman inquired.

"Not much I'm afraid. My culture has been all up on Vampires recently so not much Werewolf information is going around."

"So you aren't our resident Werewolf expert." Loy quipped.

"No...but! I know someone who is!"

"Who?"

"Alto!"

"You want to ask Alto?!" Sheena said again. "Why him!?"

"Because right now he's our only chance to help Regal. If there is anything I know, it is that Alto is highly affiliated with Werewolves."

"But do you really want to trust him?" Lloyd confirmed.

"Yes. I trust him, and right now we don't have any other choice."

"Who's Alto?" Genis requested for his and Raine's sake.

"He's the spirit I made a pact with so that I could be stronger, and he is also the reason why I took this form earlier."

"I see." Raine speculated. "But how do you plan to summon him?"

"I don't need to summon him. He is always with me. But he really is the one who controls when he comes out."

'Why should help this human?'

"If you don't I subject you to great lengths of mental torture."

"Excuse me?" Raine sounded mad, like I told I didn't feel like doing schoolwork.

"Ah, not you. I was talking to Alto. Sorry."

'I may not wish to help Regal, but I will come out simply to get some time away from your mind.'

Go for it.

I felt Alto untwining himself from me as was soon sitting next to the fire, as if he had always been there.

"Okay, I'm here. What do you want me to do?"

"Well why don't you just take a look around and tell me what you see. Oh and by the way, if you have time maybe you could, oh I don't, help Regal!?"

"Watch who you speak too, human."

"Hey, don't forget. I'm the one keeping you alive here. You'd better showing me some respect." I leaned into his mug, nose to nose with the old wolf.

"Please, if not for me, you would have expired by now."

"Fine then, we're equals. But right now we need your help and..."

"And...?"

"I need your help too."

"So you admit that I am a powerful entity that is in full position to be regarded with only respect."

"Yes...But, if you do anything I don't coincide with, you'll be in big trouble."

Alto glared back at me and as quick as lightning latched himself onto my ear, digging his canines into the soft tissue. I let out a sharp whine in pain. What I didn't notice was that Regal, who was watching, let out a deep, powerful, pack-leader type grow at Alto, who jumped back right away and remarked, "Well now, it looks like he's taken to his new blood quite well."

"What?" Regal was still cluing into his own actions just now.

Nursing my bitten ear I informed him that he had just given us a very wolf-like reaction to the situation.

"So it appears that not only did Regal physically change, but mentally as well." Raine continued with her observations. "What else should we expect?"

Alto sat back down to answer. "An increase is aggression, ambition, territorialism, instinctive responses, blood lust, craving the flesh of children, nocturnal vision, immunity to disease, reduce ageing, increased sensitivity to both smell and sound, increase muscular ability, speed and a higher sensitivity to females who are ovulating."

"Ah, one of my favorite things about the canis lupus. They get so affectionate while the female are in heat." I said dreamily.

"What, you holding out for something?" Loy sneered.

"Don't make me bite you..."

"Do I have to get you a choke chain?"

'Grrrrrr."

Regal just sat back with a look of pure misery and dismay on his face as the reality of his situation sunk in.

"Am I going to be cursed with this aliment for eternity?"

"Aliment? This isn't an ailment. This is one of the greatest things I've ever had happen to me!"

"Hey Stacy," I looked back at Loy. "Go fetch!" She tossed a stick off into the woods and I dashed after it like a puppy dog.

"Is that what I am to become like?" Regal started to freak out a little.

"Well you can't really hold a candle to her in terms of your new persona. Stacy is more of a puppy than anything. You will most likely show much more restraint than her." The Guardian Spirit of the New Moon clarified.

"U'm 'ack!" I said with the twig in my mouth. "'Uth's 'ong?"

"Just you."

"Grrrrrr."

"So Alto," Lloyd spoke up. "What can we do to get Regal back to normal?"

"Well first we have to determine what turned him into a Lycan in the first place."

"A Lycan?" I had spit the tree branch out now. "Is that the word?"

"Yes and it is the correct term, not the horrid 'Werewolf' term you humans came up with centuries ago."

"I see. Well taking notice of the large scar on Regal's arm, I'd say he got bitten or scratched by another Were--err--Lycan."

"Well that is rather abnormal. Lycans are not know for showing mercy to a potential meal."

"To be honest, something bearing wolf-like qualities did come after me, but left once I was able to fend it off for long enough."

"I see." Alto closed his eyes in meditation. "Like their wolf counterparts, Lycans will leave their victims be if they put up to much of a struggle. Simply put, both are lazy is some regards of hunting."

"I'd like to get a look at some of the composed knowledge of Lycans, if that is alright with you." I requested.

"Very well." A large, leather bound book appeared before me and landed in my lap. I began flipping through the pages.

"Look at some of this. Definition, Origins, Types, Powers, Becoming...This must have every detail about Lycans."

"It does."

"Let's look at 'Becoming'." The whole chapter was divided into thirteen other subchapters, all about the different way of becoming a Werewolf. "Hm...being conceived under the new moon, being born on a full moon, eating human flesh, eating the brains or flesh of a wild wolf," Loy took a peek over my shoulder. "Having se-oh...well that's interesting."

"Does that mean you are going to become a full Werewolf after tonight if you sleep with Re-" I swatted at Loy to make her shut up.

"-SHUSH! Do you really think I'd do that?"

"Hey. I'm just saying, with your condition you may be unable to resist."

"Oh look at this one, being bloodily murdered on a full moon."

"Okay, okay, point made.

"Excuse me," Regal interjected. "But could you please take a look at means of undoing the curse?"

I flipped through the pages until I found the chapter. "'How to deliver somebody from the curse of the Werewolf'. This sounds promising. 'Striking the person on the head with an iron rod, hitting him on the head three times with an iron knife, have a friend of the Werewolf give him three knife strokes'."

"I'm in favor of any of those." Alto yipped.

"Of course you would...but those seem...too easy almost."

"Well, they are. It is only temporary, and Regal would assume his Lycan form on the next full moon."

"What else is there?" Zelos said, trying to move things along.

"'Sweet water baths, drinking salt water, living off of milk and whey for three days'."

"All temporary." Alto proclaimed.

"'Draw the Werewolf's blood to fainting, draw three drops of blood, purge the Werewolf's colon and encourage vomiting, roll Werewolf in the dew, reproach verbally the Werewolf, log off the Werewolf's'--eh...let's skip that one."

"Yeah. That'd be a hollow victory for you wouldn't it?" Loy scoffed.

"You, shut up!"

"Let's do it!" Alto encouraged.

"Oh go take a long walk of a short cliff why don't you. Let's see...'Flog the Werewolf'. What does that mean?"

"It mean to pummel, beat up, abuse. Something to that affect. But like the other cures, it is only temporary."

"What else is there...'Address the Werewolf three times with a Christian Name.' Well that won't work. Regal isn't even Christian, and I don't know how to convert him."

"That's right, I forgot you were Christian. Hey, Alto what's her whole name? I want to try that one!"

"Stacy D--" I grabbed the wolf's muzzle before the word could come out.

"Don't you dare say my name or I'll use method number..." I quickly recounted the place of the 'lobbing off the Werewolves' gentiles' "Twelve on you!"

"I'd like to see you try."

"Hey, I was studying to be a vet once, remember that!"

"Are there more permanent cures?" Raine regained control of the situation with her question.

"Yeah, are there?" I asked my wolf spirit friend.

"On the next few pages."

"It says, 'Cast a circle of 9 feet, and a smaller one only 4 feet in Diameter in the middle. Place a series of candles at equal intervals, and place a wooden altar in the south. Within the inner circle place the Werewolf. Build a small fire exactly opposite of the altar, and 1 1/2 foot away from the inner circle. Place a pot over the fire, containing 2 pints of clear water and add:

1/2 oz. camphor

3/4 oz. ammonia

1/2 oz. hypericum

2 drachms sulfur

1/2 oz. castorium

6 drachms opium

3 drachms asafetida

Mix thoroughly and then add a portion of mandrake root, 1 live snake, two live toads in a linen bag, and a fungus. Bind together with a red ribbon a wand of three sprigs, each from ash, white popular, and birch. When the toads cry out from being immersed in the low boiling water, the mixture is ready. Take a cupful of the searing liquid and douse the Werewolf, as well as lashing him/her with the wand exclaiming 'Foul spirit release this person's soul, return to the great unknown!' Repeat three times. Later, rinse, repeat...'"

"I does not say that!" Loy cried.

"Actually it does...right here...." I showed here the page.

"Lather, rinse...oh for God's sake! The hell with that?!"

"The writer obviously has a sense of humor. But I don't know what half of that stuff is..."

"Yes. It is a rather hard spell to do. Most just kill the Lycan and leave it at that."

The look of shock and fear gripped Regal as he struggled to breath. "Why are all these methods so...violent?"

"It must because no one wanted to be nice to the Werewolf." I reasoned. "I mean when most of the folklore was created, people didn't want to person to be around if they got infected by the curse."

"I must also inform you about the details about making the Lycanthropy permanent. It is found with the information on Beta Werewolves."

"Permanent?" Regal gulped.

I flipped through the pages as fast as my fingers would allow and soon came to the chapter.

"'Those who have been cursed or bitten by another creature are all involuntary Werewolves. They have little or no control over their changes from Man to Wolf and Wolf to Man, and are subject to phases of the Moon.

The relationship between Alpha and Beta werewolves is a complex one. Once a subject is bitten by a werewolf, his or her life and death are doomed to the werewolf curse. The victim does, however, have some hope - as long as they themselves do not taste of human blood, the curse is reversible.

If the Alpha werewolf is killed - through some action of the Beta - the Beta's curse is broken. It is important to note that whether the Beta werewolf was bitten by the Alpha werewolf himself or by another Beta, it is the Alpha who must be destroyed - the source of the original tainted blood.

It is also an interesting note that since Betas and Alphas share common blood, an Alpha cannot physically harm a Beta of his own bloodline by his own hands without inflicting the same injury upon himself. However, if a Beta is harmed or killed by another, it does not affect the Alpha.'

That's only the information related to beta-Werewolves, which it seems Regal is now one of. But I suppose if we can save him before he goes mental and bites one of us then everything should be fine."

"Actually, there is something else," Alto cut-in. "If we do not save him by tonight's end, then the affects of the curse will also remain."

"You mean we only have 'til dawn to save him!" Lloyd gaped.

"In a word, yes."

"No..." Regal grieved into his paw. I looked at him, my heart broken in two because of Regal's pain. I wanted to save him...

"Regal." I crouched down in front of his snout and looked him in the eye. "I will do everything I can to get you back to normal. I promise." I looped my arms around his furry neck and nuzzled my face against his shoulder. Somehow in this body, I wasn't so nervous around him. I could love with my whole heart and not hold back.

"We do have one final option." Alto pointed out.

"And what's that?" Raine asked skeptically.

"We hunt down and kill the Alpha Lycan that bit Regal. Thought it will have to be Regal whom kills it, but that will cancel the curse."

"Great!" Colette cheered. "Now we can save Regal."

I pulled away from Regal and glared at her. "You know, we will be taking another person's life. An Alpha Lycan is just someone who was born a Lycan and/or can control their transformation. Besides, Lycans are very fast and strong. We'll be hunting all night and may not get twenty feet near him until the sun comes up."

"Stacy is correct." Mewtwo affirmed. "There may not be enough hours in the night to catch a Lycan."

"Then we make it longer." I stated.

"How?" Genis protested. "You can't just go around extending the amount of time it takes for the sun to go around the planet, let alone the moon."

"We can use dark magic. Right Alto?"

"Now this is what I like about you. Never afraid to break the rules when it counts. Though we do have a small problem."

"What?"

"I am unable to use any magic without a physical human form. Normally I would use your body, but I need a second Lycan for the spell."

"So just borrow Regal's body for a bit."

"Absolutely not." The Duke objected. "Have you forgotten that he has tried to kill me in the past?"

"No. I know that. But what else are you going to do? Either you trust Alto with your body for a few minutes, or spend the rest of your life running away from the villagers as they try to kill you. The choice is yours."

"....Very well. But just this once."

"Good. And don't worry. If Alto does anything I'll rip him to shreds myself."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, master..."

"Oh stop your whining already. You know where my loyalties lie."

"Hmm." The old wolf turned to the Lycan. "I am ready when you are."

"Please just get this over with." The ex-convict stood up with dread.

"Fine by me." Alto charged him and vanished into thin air upon collision. 'Regal' twisted his neck to the side, making a noticeable cracking noise as the stiff tendons were flexed. "It has been awhile since I was in a physical form such as this."

"But you'll be able to cast the spell right?" Sheena checked.

"Yes. As long as we set things up properly."

"What do I need to do?" I requested.

"Like the spell for delivering someone from a Lycan curse, we need two circles, one nine feet, the other four feet, and candles need to be lit at equal intervals of the nine foot one."

"Sorry, no candles, could I use Willow Wisp instead?"

"That should work."

"Alight! I'm on it!"


We soon had the circle set up about twenty feet away from camp in a large clearing. The blue flames of my Willow Wisp arte gave the place an extra, supernatural touch. I stood on one end and Alto at the other. He was going to chant the incantation while I was there merely for a power boost. These types of spells are stronger if more 'Children of the Night' are present. And I had to give the sacrifice; Lycan blood. All it involved was reopening my cut in the middle of both circles and let my hand bleed for a bit.

"Lux lucis engulfed in umbra

ut EGO to order eternus obscurum

expleo explevi expletum is nox noctis*."

Alto let out a long howl that I joined to seal the deal. It was beautiful, in the most serene, calming way possible. I felt like I belonged there, like I was home. When we stopped a red light glowed from the blood in the circle, and little specks of red light began to drift into the air. More and more came out, like crimson fireflies released from a jar. A rune circle grew from the blood and engulfed the two we had drawn. Soon a burst of the ruby light came out and shoot strait up to the full moon. The navy sky was blood covered, and where the new moon had once sat invisible, it was now a black dot next to its brother; the only thing that remained pure in that night air. The light faded from below our feet and the runes vanished into the night.

"It's done. The night is young."

"The sign is nigh."

"This world isn't coming to an end. We just made the night longer. And for those on the other side, it will be a long day for them."

"I just hope this doesn't start some sort of panic. Well, that aside, you can get out of Regal's body now."

Again I was on the receiving end of a death glare.

"Now."

Alto had no choice but to listen, and soon there was three of us. I walked over to the man I loved. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. But my head feels hazy."

"I guess you know what it's like when I get taken over."

"It certainly is not a pleasant experience."

"I am standing right here!"

"Ah, don't get your tail in a knot, we're just saying that your not much fun to be with."

"Oh, I won't take that to heart at all."

"Whatever, let's just get back to camp. I can smell diner being served."


"I take it the spell worked." Raine greeted when we came back.

"Yep. We now have an extra twenty-four hours to save Regal."

"What if we start to run out?" Lloyd noted. "Will you cast the spell again?"

"I'd bleed to death if we went with that logic. In order to cast the spell we need a sacrifice of Lycan blood and since I promised Regal that Alto wouldn't damage his body, guess who gets to play blood donor!"

"Okay, you made your point." Sheena pacified. "Now will stop talking about it so I can eat without being sick?"

"Sorry."

"Alto, may I have a word?" Mewtwo inviting the wolf to sit next to him.

"What word is there to be had?"

"Issues I have to deal with now that we can speak to one another."

"Very well."

"Isn't it marvelous how they speak to each other!?" Raine's eyes lit up.

"What is it?"

"What is your purpose of remaining bound to my master?" Mewtwo spoke quietly so only the two could hear each other.

"To allow myself the chance of survival. Is that not similar to why you serve her. And that you wish to keep Regal at bay?"

"So you know about that."

"I am in tune with everything that goes on in her mind."

"So why haven't I been able to read your mind, seeing how yours and here coexist in the same space."

"My dark magic is something your powers cannot penetrate, no matter how powerful they are."

"I see. You knew my weakness upon 'meeting' me."

"Yes. And on that note about Regal, I do have to side with you. What goes on in her head in not something I wish on anyone."

"True, the fantasies entertained by teenaged girls is a horror that no man should know."

"An enemy of my enemy, then?"

"Agreed."

"What should our next course of action be?" The Seraphim asked.

"I vote for getting some sleep now that we have more time. You guys have been walking all day and are going to need your strength for the hunt." I rationalized.

"Alright then." Lloyd concurred. "So who's going to be the night watch?"

"Me and Regal can handle it."

"You mean 'Regal and I'." The Professor corrected.

"Yeah, yeah whatever."

"Why you guys?" Zelos pried.

"Because for as long as this spell is in effect, were aren't going to get much sleep, being nocturnal and all. So we might as well make use of that trait."

"Won't you be tired?" Colette fussed.

"Nah, I can handle the night shift! Just watch me!"


Four hours later, Stacy had fallen asleep at her post, leaving Regal to be the lone watchmen, while everyone dreamed of the excitement that promised to follow. Even Mewtwo and Alto were dozing by the fire, at peace with everything around them.

Regal looked at them all with eyes heavy from loneliness and grief. He didn't want to burden the others with the chore of looking for the other Werewolf. It was very strong and when he first fought it he could barely hold his own. And what if he himself went berserk on the others before finding it? What if he attacked his own comrades? He couldn't put them in that kind of danger. His leaving would be the best thing possible. He silently sulked into the woods and had gotten about fifteen feet away when something pinned his tail to the ground.

"And where do you thing you're going?...On four legs." I asked, having got his attention.

He looked down and saw that he was in fact, walking on all fours, instead of on his hind legs like he thought.


"You know somehow, I just don't believe you're up because 'nature is calling'."

"It would be best if I just leave. I have caused enough trouble for everyone."

"Don't go. It was my screw up that turned you into this in the first place. I knew that there was a Werewolf around here, but I didn't say anything incase I got blamed for it. That, and...."

"Yes?"

"Well in all honesty you kind of suck as a Werewolf. I mean you are too self-controlled when you fight, and since you are custom to using your feet you may run into some problems now that you are no longer human."

"Are you saying that I am incapable of fighting?"

"No. It's just that if you go this alone you'll get your tail handed to you. Literally."

"I see. Then I will be gracious and accept your help."

"Thank you. I've already told Alto that we were going ahead. He's going to hang back with the others. If we kept traveling in a big group like that we would have had to slowed down for them."

"You already told Alto?"

"I knew that you'd try to sneak off. And I also knew that you would be willing to accept help from someone who knew how to give it."

"You are quite the strategist."

"No, I just know you."

Long into the night we followed the trail of the Lycan, unsure if we were getting closer or mindlessly following an old scent. We had time to even stop for a bit and allow me to give Regal a few pointers about fighting with his new body. During this time we had the opportunity for a few discussions. Some on the affects of being a Lycan, some on what the Alpha Lycan would be like, some on...us.

"It is very brave of you to come with me."

"I'm not being brave. I'm not scared so technically I'm not doing anything brave."

"But what if I were to turn on you?"

"So? That doesn't matter. Even if you bit me, I'd just bite you back. Besides, better me than one of the others."

"You must truly understand self-sacrifice."

"No. If you bite me, then you won't become a Lycan permanently, since I'm a half-Werewolf."

"Really?"

"See, you're a full Werewolf, even though you haven't bitten anyone yet, but as for me, I still have most of my human body, I just have some wolf parts attached. It's because of my pact that I only get about 50% of a Lycan's power, but that is because Alto is so powerful I don't need the other fifty percent."

"You must really trust him."

"I don't know if I trust him that much. He is still hiding so much from me. i just want to know what going on with him."

"But you do not believe him to be evil."

"No. I think he has a reason. I just know he does."

"It seems you are always trying to see the good in people."

"Is that bad?"

"No. Not many have the strength to do that."

"I haven't tried to see anything good about the people who picked on me. They could see that I was crying and that it hurt but they didn't stop. Why do people have to be like that?"

"Your true self is revealed in your words and actions, but if your true self is repulsive, it will show no matter how much you try to hide it. In their case, perhaps they were showing their true selves."

"I wonder what my true self is..."

"For you, I would say that your true self is pure. You know what is right and wrong and live accordingly."

"No...I've done horrible things. I've even tried to justify those actions. I'm a terrible person."

"What I have seen of you does not support such a statement. You may say careless and blatantly rude things at times, but you are honest and true in everything you do."

"I don't know. It's easy for someone else to assess someone other than themselves, because you never see everything about them. But when you look at you reflection you get so confused because you know everything and you can't figure anything out."

"You have thought about this for a while I see."

"I'm just trying to figure myself out. I don't really know who I am as a person."

"Few people do. All you can do is live they way that you feel is right and do what makes you happy."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you living the way you want? Are you doing what makes you happy?"

"Not yet. I still feel that I have much I must atone for."

"Really?" I was sad that Regal was still in pain like this. I could almost feel that pain for myself.

"No matter how hard I try to move forward, I am held back by the sin I have committed. I am so used to the weight of my sin I am afraid to let it go."

"I wish that you could move on soon. It really hurts to hear you say that."

"Really? You are hurt by this fact?"

"Well, yeah. I really care about you and I hate seeing you like this. When you get like this I feel like my heart is breaking."

"You have to be the first person after Alicia's dearth to say that to me."

"What about Lloyd and the others?"

"I am sure that they do care about me, but their minds are clouded with their own troubles, not mine."

So Lloyd was paired with Colette here. At least that tell me what Lloyd's relationships with his friends looks like.

"I never expected you to be dwelling on my issues. It seems that you have your plate full as it is."

"That probably has to do with the fact that I'm a procrastinator. If I can't deal with a situation right away then I don't worry about it."

"You are able to step back from your situation and look at it as a whole. There are many who cannot do that effectively."

"I guess I better go join the club. If something is really stressing me out it'll take a while before I can step back and refocus."

"But you are still able to concentrate on what needs to be done and do it. You do not let other things distract you."

"Tell that to my fifth grade teacher, and parents. The think I always have my head in the clouds, which I do half the time."

"That is your way of stepping back. You have enough detachment to figure things out and come back to it when you need too. That is not an easy skill for some."

"I suppose your right. Granted, you're usually right."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, but that might just be one of my faults talking. I'm always changing my mind and opinions after someone talks to me. Maybe what Alto told was true..."

"What did he say?"

"That I was a Goddess of the Moon in a past life. If that's so, that explains why I'm never consistent."

"How so?"

"Look at the moon, it's always changing and going through different phases. So if I was the entity of the Moon once, then maybe that had an effect on my personality now."

"I see. Do you think things just worked out that way. That you came to this world and happened to find someone who knew you from a different life?"

"No. I think that everything just happens. There are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason, and even if we can't tell what that reason is right away, we'll figure it out someday."

"You speak with a wisdom not found in people of your age."

"I must because I mentally tried to grow up, so that I could be bigger than then people who put me down. Either that or I just was tried of being childish and set out to change myself."

"I would like to have the ability to change and improve myself they way you can."

"But I don't you to change. I like you the way you are."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Normally when I talk to adults I feel like I'm some stupid little kid who doesn't know anything, but with you it's different. You talk to me like I'm an adult, even though I'm not. And I really appreciate that about you."

"Thank you. I appreciate you they way you are too."

I got bright red at this. "Ah...well...ah...Thanks..." I rubbed the back of my head. He likes me! he likes me! He really, really likes me!!

"Is something the matter?"

"No. I've just never had a guy say he liked me the way I am. I don't even know if my dad as has ever said that to me."

"Then I am honored to be the first."

Just say it. Just say that you love him...Now is the perfect time to do it!! "Regal..."

"Yes?"

"I--"

"-RWAAAR!!!" A large monster jumped out in front of us, saliva fleeing from its mouth as it roared. I recognized the scent right away. It was the Lycan that attack Regal.

"Get ready Regal, this is the guy you have to kill!"

"I know."

"You can't beat me." He snarled. "I am the strongest in my ranking. Two weaklings like yourselves stand no chance against me."

"That's what you think!" I snapped. "Last I checked Regal put up too much of a fight for you to finish the job while he was still human. And don't even get me started on myself..."

"Then I'll take your advice and finish you now!" The Alpha lunged at me but Regal rammed him to the side, gibing me the chance to get out Silver Wind, the only tool I had that could hurt him and attack.

"Try this! Silver Wind!" I slashed my sword through the air, sending out waves of silver at the Pureblood. The attack sliced past him, leaving large lacerations in his body.

"Is that all?"

I put the sword away, knowing that I had to get closer if I wanted to strike him in the carotid artery, the place that would do the most damage. I charged at him with full force, aiming for the neck. But with a swipe of his large claw I was sent back, landing on my spine. The Lycan was coming after me, mouth salivating from the thought of tasting a child's flesh. I looked at him, fearful that I was going to be eaten alive when a shadow came over me. Regal stood over me on all fours, growling and snarling to tell the other Lycan to back off. When he didn't listen Regal collided with him and tried to rip him to shreds. But they were both strong, even with Regal clamping down on his neck, Alto's Solider was proving his worth and power. Clearly he had been taught well. Watched Regal fight and knew something was wrong. His eyes were wild and uncontrolled. He wasn't himself. He was become more like a Werewolf, and losing himself in the process. I couldn't let that happen to him, but right now, we needed to kill this other Lycan. I jumped from the frying pan and into the fire, digging my claws into his hide and bit into the scruff of his neck. He thrashed about trying to get free from the gang-up. All I remember a large paw grabbing onto me, followed by a quick flight through the air, and then nothing.


*What Alto said was "light engulfed in shade, when I command eternal darkness, to fill the night" in Latian. Please don't try to translate the first line because it is obscure if you do, so what I have posted here is as close it's going to get. The other two lines are fine though.

I spent my extra compute time at school writing this because I finnish my assignment early so I could do whatever I wanted, so I wrote fanfiction!!!

!!!!ALSO, SO I POST CHAPTER TITLES NOW? SIMPLE YES OR NO IS ALL I NEED.!!!!