Harlequin rising chapter four: Naga reforms! Attack of the undead dragon.

Holly had been running after Naga, she was upset about the way she had acted. She had no explanation for what happened, she had just started feeling cold and empty after healing Granity, but she seemed all right now.

'I hope I reach Naga soon.' She thought as she ran, 'In his state, there's no telling where he could be.'

Suddenly, she turned a corner, and saw Naga, sitting on a old tree stump overlooking a lake. Holly walked up too Naga, and sat down next too him.

"Hello Naga, you want too talk?"

Naga remained silent.

"I'm sorry about the way I treated you before, I don't know what came over me."

Naga remained silent. Holly sighed and got up too leave.

"Nothing."

"Excuse me?" Holly said.

"I'm absolutely nothing without Moo." Naga said, skipping a stone across the lake.

"That's not true Naga." Holly said, placing her hand on Naga's shoulder, he pulled his shoulder away from her.

"Yes it is," Naga leaned back, "I was Naga, top baddie of the big bad four. The only guys that out ranked me were Durahan, Lillim, and Moo himself." Naga looked down and slapped his tail.

"Now look at me, a has been, I cant even keep a small army together anymore."

Holly sat there and smiled. "I know it's hard too adjust too life after being a baddie, to go back too the way that things were before."

"BUT THERE'S NOTHING BEFORE FOR ME!" Naga snapped. "Ive always been a baddie, from the day I was first unlocked Ive was raised by Moo, he was like a father too me."

Holly looked down, "I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"Yeah will now you do. I don't have the stomach for it anymore. I thought I could still do it without moo, but I cant. I'm a failure."

Holly put her hand on his shoulder again. "Listen, you can't change the past, but you can make a new future. You have been given a second chance, an opportunity to change and become a better monster. Listen, when I found out that Moo was my father, I was depressed about it. When you told me Moo ordered the attack on my village, it broke my heart, but now I know: that was my father that wasn't me. I could make something better for myself and I did. You can too."

Naga looked over too holly. "That's a nice speech, but what can I do? I have no special skills besides those specifically designed for baddies. What kind of life could I make with all the experience of torture of mayhem?"

Holly shrugged, "That's your choice, not mine. Do what your heart tells you."

Naga smiled and grabbed Holly gently with his claw, "Maybe your right, sister."

"What?"

"Moo is your father by birth, He raised me from the time I was a kid, In a way, were like siblings."

Holly smiled, "Yes, I'm sure your right." Suddenly, Genki came running up.

"Holly!" Genki yelled, "The village is under attack!"

"What?" Holly said, looking over to Naga.

"Hey, don't look at me!"

"It's not the baddies, it's some giant Dragon!"

Holly got up and she and Genki ran off, leaving to Naga, Holly's voice ringing in his head.

"Do what your heart tells you."

Naga smiled, "yes I will." And he slithered off.

***

The village was burning. The huge skeleton dragon had been burning the city and stomping around. Despite the efforts of the villagers, none could stop him. Even Granity wasn't able to injure the beast.

"This is hopeless." Pink eye said, getting up from the last attack. Suddenly, Holly and Genki ran up.

"Holly!" Granity said, getting to her feet, "You have to get away, it's after you."

Holly walked up to the monster. "What do you want?"

The dragon turned, "I was sent by Harlequin to capture you, come along quietly and no one else will die."

Holly stood shocked, "Who is Harlequin?"

"He will answer all of your questions when you meet him. Now come, or your friends will suffer more."

Use your hate.

'What? You again?'

Yes, use your hate, go too the dark place, and…

'NO! Not again, not after what happened before!'

YOU MUST!

'No!'

DOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOITDOIT!

Holly screamed and fell too her feet, the voice was huge, oppressive, crushing.

"That's enough!" A voice said.

Everyone turned too see Naga slithering into town.

"You want too take Master Holly, you gotta go through me!"

Next chapter: Naga vs. Death dragon!