~*~
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: *Grins evilly* Yes, I am evil, and so is Julian! Very good job to all of you who guessed correctly! So yeah, I know, I messed up my streak. I needed a break, yo! But that's okay, because there will always be another chance to get six in six! I'm sure I'll have to wait until my next story though, because I doubt this one will have that many chapters left... But you never know!
Audrey - I've already put it in a chapter, hehe... Check chapter seven when Marguerite woke up from the first dream. Right after she says, "No it wasn't just a silly old dream!" But like I said, be on the look out for a farther explanation and some good flashback scenes. I might have to make it into a fic of it's own! Hmm... I think I will!
And to all of you giving me great suggestions on how Julian should die... you will all be rewarded soon! *hint hint* hehe...
Mayhem Mountain (9/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
Marguerite watched the late night campfire as it burned, almost mesmerized. No matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Roxton. There had been many attempts to get him off of her mind, but she was starting to think it was near impossible. All she could do was sit silently and wonder what he was doing and if he was thinking about her wherever he may be. Was he even alive?
Marguerite stopped that train of thought as soon as it began. She knew if she started to worry about weather or not Roxton was alive she would become a nervous wreck. But perhaps that was the whole purpose of his disappearance. It was obvious Julian was with him wherever he was, so maybe, just maybe... her fear.
"Malone!" she suddenly shouted, jumping up from her spot beside the fire.
As it happened, Malone was the only other one still with them that had faced his fear. If this truly was a test of Marguerite's courage, than maybe Malone would know what to do.
"Wake up, Malone!" she shouted as she whacked the side of his tent.
"What?" Malone asked groggily. He and Veronica had both decided to make it a night rather early and he was practically dead asleep.
"Get out here right now!" Marguerite shouted at him, whacking the tent again, this time connecting with his head.
"Alright already!" Malone yelled back, pulling himself out of the arms of Veronica, who was now wide awake.
"What does she want?" Veronica muttered.
"I have no idea," Malone grumbled back as he pushed his way out of the front of the tent.
"What is it?" he asked Marguerite impatiently.
"I think I know what happened to Roxton," she told him, hope shinning bright in her eyes.
"Really?" Malone asked, a little ashamed for lashing out at her.
"I think... I think it might have something to do with my greatest fear."
"What are you talking about?" Veronica asked as she stuck her head out of the tent.
"Well, just yesterday I was thinking about how afraid I was that Roxton might... abandon me."
"Abandon you?" Malone asked, clueless.
Veronica sighed and pulled herself out of the tent. She led Marguerite over to one of the logs that were placed around the campfire and sat down. Marguerite sat down next to her and looked over at her with questioning eyes.
"Marguerite, Roxton would never abandon you. He loves you too much for that," Veronica told her.
"But what if he had no choice in it? What if because of my fear he's been taken away?" Marguerite asked quietly.
"You mean by the Ultouma," Malone said as he sat down across from them.
"No, Santa Claus," Marguerite said sarcastically, giving him a look.
"Well, if that's the case, then I guess we just have to wait it out. He'll be returned as soon as this whole test of yours is over, just like you and I were," Veronica told her.
"Which brings me to why I woke you up, Malone. How do I do this? How do I finish my test and get Roxton back?"
"I don't know, Marguerite. It just sort of ended once Veronica was..." Malone trailed off, not wanting to dredge up the memory.
"Dead," Veronica finished for him. "Once I was dead, I came back. The same thing happened to you. Maybe that's the key."
"You mean Roxton has to die?" Marguerite asked, suddenly rather panicked.
"I don't know, your fear is much different than his or Ned's. Both of theirs ended with an unstoppable death, which was cause for a quick end. We have no way of knowing how to make your fear end," Veronica said.
"Then there's no hope," Marguerite said quietly, looking down at her hands. Tears were quickly forming in her eyes.
"Of course there's hope," Malone said, trying to sound optimistic. "There's always hope."
"I told you," Veronica said, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "We'll find him, no matter what it takes."
Marguerite just nodded slowly, wiping the burning tears from her cheeks.
'You have to let me go to her,' Roxton thought towards Julian.
Roxton was being allowed to watch Marguerite through a mental link, but was unable to speak to her or communicate with her in any way shape or form. That was the only price... to watch her suffer alone.
'No,' Julian said.
'Atleast let me tell her I'm alright and that I didn't abandon her!' Roxton shouted.
'You know the rules,' Julian said sternly. 'You cannot communicate with her.'
'Then take her a message,' Roxton said frantically. 'Go to her and tell her I'm alive and that I'm going to get back to her somehow. Tell her she just has to hold on and work through this damn test of yours.'
'Why should I?' Julian asked, obvious not impressed by his blabbering.
'Don't you have any sort of conscious? A heart?'
'I'm afraid not, Roxton. I have no feelings other than hunger, and I will do whatever I can to feed that hunger.'
'Please, Julian. Just go to her and tell her... tell her that I love her. It's all I ask,' Roxton pleaded.
'Again, why should I? You have given me no reason to do this for you,' Julian replied.
'I need her to know!'
'She knows, Roxton. She knows.'
Roxton just hung his head, knowing that his efforts were moot. He wanted nothing more than to hold Marguerite in his arms and tell her himself. He wanted to kiss her soft lips and never stop. He wanted to be with her forever, and never let go.
'Your feelings for her... they're eternal,' Julian said suddenly, almost amazed. 'You love her more than your own life!'
'You're damn right I do!' Roxton shouted at her.
Julian sighed, nodding. 'Very well, I'll take her your message. But Roxton, she will fail this test. I know it. I've seen stronger than her fall to their knees by my wrath.'
'She. Will. Not. Fail.' Roxton said, accenting every word.
Julian just sighed, slowly fading away into the nothingness of the abyss. When she rematerialized, she was standing just feet away from a very distressed Marguerite.
"Marguerite."
At the sound of her name, Marguerite jumped up and spun around. She saw the girl standing there and noticed something she hadn't noticed before. Since before this crusade began, Julian had grown atleast a foot. Before she only stood to Marguerite's shoulders, now she was almost taller.
"Julian! Where the hell have you been? Where's Roxton? So help me God-"
"He sent me to you with a message," Julian said calmly.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Veronica asked, standing at Marguerite's side protectively.
"Yeah," Malone said from her other side. "You haven't exactly been honest with us the whole time we've been helping you."
"I've been completely honest with you," Julian said, sounding offended.
"Bullshit!" Marguerite shouted.
Veronica and Malone looked over at Marguerite rather shocked. They'd both heard her rant and rave and tear into each and every one of them without a single bit of hesitation, but never once had they heard her use such language.
"You've been a filthy little liar from the beginning," Marguerite said, voice low with anger. "Don't think for a second that I don't know who you are!"
"Why whatever do you mean?" Julian asked with a smirk.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"What are you talking about?" Veronica asked her.
"Our little Julian here," Marguerite said, not taking her eyes away from Julian, "is the Ultouma."
"What?" Malone asked, wishing he had his rifle with him.
"I knew it," Veronica said, pulling her daggers. "I knew it all along."
"Come now," Julian said with a grin. "No need to get hostile. How ever would you save Lord Roxton?"
Marguerite grew tense, stepping closer to Julian. "Bring him back," she said, voice so full of anger even Veronica and Malone took a step back.
"Only you can do that, Marguerite. I'm only here to give you a message, and then I must be off."
"Then give it to me."
As the four of them stood there, a slight breeze began to blow. It whipped through the trees and brushed across Marguerite's shoulders, continuing on to capture everyone. As it blew past, they could all hear something within it, something almost human. The wind grew stronger, and finally the words became clear and Roxton's voice could be heard. It echoed throughout the valley as the wind continued to caress them.
'Please, Julian. Just go to her and tell her... tell her that I love her. It's all I ask.'
"Oh John," Marguerite said quietly, tears once again forming in her eyes.
"Enjoy your message, Marguerite, for it's the last time you'll ever heard his voice!" Julian cackled.
"No!" Marguerite shouted.
"Oh yes, I'm afraid so. Because my dear, you have failed your test. Your soul is as impure as the devil himself!"
"Shut up!"
Julian just continued to laugh as the wind around them continued to swirl. It picked up speed, getting so harsh that everyone but Julian was beginning to find it difficult to stand. Marguerite covered her eyes, suddenly very afraid of what was about to happen. Yet to everyone's surprise, especially Julian's, a bright light flashed throughout the campsite.
"No! It's impossible!" Julian screamed as she stumbled back.
"Oh it's very possible, I assure you," came a very familiar voice.
As the light faded and the wind died, a very handsome John Roxton stood before them grinning like an idiot.
"JOHN!" Marguerite shouted, making a mad dash for him. As she threw herself into his arms, all he could do was hug her back.
"Hey you," he said with a chuckle.
"Oh God, I was so worried," she said, choking back a sob.
"Well if it means anything, I knew you'd pass your test. I had faith in you, Marguerite."
Marguerite just smiled and held him closer, fully intending to never let him go again.
All the commotion within the campsite awoke Challenger, who had slept through most of the excitement and was now quite behind in the situation. He emerged from his tent and looked around, confused. The only thing he knew for certain was that Roxton had returned, and Julian looked quite angry.
"What the devil is going on?" he muttered sleepily.
"Julian tried to keep Roxton from Marguerite, but he came back!" Malone shouted excitedly.
"Why would Julian do that?" he asked, somewhat shocked.
"She's the Ultouma," Veronica said pointedly. "I told you something wasn't right."
"Well uh, yes," Challenger said, somewhat embarrassed. "But it seems that true love prevailed after all, hmm?"
"As it usually does," Malone said with a slight smile.
Julian just stood there, fuming. She turned to Marguerite and Roxton and screamed, "How?! I had you, I did!"
"You had nothing," Roxton told her. "You never did."
"So what happens next?" Veronica asked. "Now that Roxton is back, what's your next move?"
"You and Challenger face your fears," Julian said, still fuming.
"I'm sure that if she and I faced our fears it wouldn't lead to your demise as you so stated once before. What's the point of this whole game?" Challenger asked.
"Game?" Julian asked furiously. "This is no game!"
"Call it what you want," Roxton said angrily, still holding on to Marguerite. "Just answer the damn question."
"If I must," Julian sighed. "As you have so unfortunately figured out, I am the Ultouma. I am the great Chucahna King and I rule all those who serve me."
As Julian spoke she began to transform from the lovely girl they first knew he as to the ugly demon she really was. Before everyone's eyes, Julian changed into the ugly beast from Marguerite's dreams. The collected fear of the plateau had been manifested.
"I proceeded to deceive you all so that I may have a feast of fears. I needed to feed, to quench this thirst that has so unmercifully been placed within me!" the beast screeched.
"You've feed quite enough," Marguerite said, not even the least bit afraid. "You've haunted me in my dreams for the past two days, and you've haunted us all for the past week. You've done enough here, just leave us be!"
"Oh I'm so sorry, have I bothered you?" the beast asked, rising to it's full height above the explorers.
"What do we do now?" Malone asked, staring up at what was formerly Julian, mouth agape.
"I have no idea," Challenger replied, just as astonished.
"Well we have to do something!" Veronica yelled, rushing towards the beast with her daggers ready.
"No, Veronica!" Malone shouted, trying to grab her. It was too late, she was out of reach.
"Yesssss," the Ultouma hissed as it saw Veronica running toward it. "Come, my child. Feed me!"
"Veronica!" Marguerite shouted as she passed. She pulled from Roxton and lunged for her, but just like Malone she wasn't fast enough.
Veronica continued to run closer to the Ultouma, almost possessed. She stopped mere feet in front of the hideous creature and looked up at it with wide eyes. It was as if she was suddenly released from her trance and had begun to realize her predicament.
"Damn," she muttered, trying to back away.
The Ultouma grinned, which was a disgusting sight on such a wicked creature. It reared it's head back and threw all of it's weight forward, knocking Veronica into the nearest tree. The tree cracked with the force of the blow and toppled over.
"Uhn..." Veronica moaned as pain filled her body. She tried to move her arm but an unbearable stab of pain shot all the way up from her elbow to her neck. "Ah!"
"Veronica!" Malone shouted, making his way over to her.
"Mmmmnot so fast," the Ultouma growled, stepping between him and his destination.
"Damnit!"
The Ultouma laughed and stared down at all of the explorers below. It took great pleasure in seeing Roxton holding Marguerite back and away from harm, Veronica down and nearly unconscious, Malone attempting to save her with really no chance, and Challenger... gone.
"What?" the Ultouma screamed, realizing it's mistake. It looked around angrily but couldn't find what it was looking for. It had forgotten all about Challenger and let him escape. "No!"
Malone realized what the beast had and grinned. "Looks like your little plan is about to get a big kick in the ass," he said.
"I will not be defeated!" it shouted. "I will NOT!"
With that, the Ultouma ran off into the jungle, leaving the four of them alone. Once it was gone, Malone ran over to Veronica and knelt down beside her. He began to pull her to him, stopping when she yelled out in pain.
"What, what is it?" he asked, afraid.
"My arm," she said through gritted teeth. "It's broken."
"Damnit, where's Challenger when you need him?"
"Off finding a way to save us, I hope," Roxton said as he and Marguerite made their way over.
"What do we do until then?" Marguerite asked, looking down at Veronica with a worried expression.
"We pray."
~*~
End part nine
~*~
Authors notes: I was going to continue on with Challenger's fear next, but 'The Elixir' really took the fun out of it. I didn't want to look like I was ripping TLW off so I decided to leave it out and continue on to the next part. So basically Challenger and Veronica are off the hook... for now. No one said there couldn't be a sequel! I guess I should actually finish this story before I worry about a sequel, huh? And I still have to write that M/R story for all of you, don't I? Hmm... By the way, did anyone see the previews for next weeks episode? *Runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off, screaming* AHHHHHHHHH! I can't wait!!!
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: *Grins evilly* Yes, I am evil, and so is Julian! Very good job to all of you who guessed correctly! So yeah, I know, I messed up my streak. I needed a break, yo! But that's okay, because there will always be another chance to get six in six! I'm sure I'll have to wait until my next story though, because I doubt this one will have that many chapters left... But you never know!
Audrey - I've already put it in a chapter, hehe... Check chapter seven when Marguerite woke up from the first dream. Right after she says, "No it wasn't just a silly old dream!" But like I said, be on the look out for a farther explanation and some good flashback scenes. I might have to make it into a fic of it's own! Hmm... I think I will!
And to all of you giving me great suggestions on how Julian should die... you will all be rewarded soon! *hint hint* hehe...
Mayhem Mountain (9/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
Marguerite watched the late night campfire as it burned, almost mesmerized. No matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Roxton. There had been many attempts to get him off of her mind, but she was starting to think it was near impossible. All she could do was sit silently and wonder what he was doing and if he was thinking about her wherever he may be. Was he even alive?
Marguerite stopped that train of thought as soon as it began. She knew if she started to worry about weather or not Roxton was alive she would become a nervous wreck. But perhaps that was the whole purpose of his disappearance. It was obvious Julian was with him wherever he was, so maybe, just maybe... her fear.
"Malone!" she suddenly shouted, jumping up from her spot beside the fire.
As it happened, Malone was the only other one still with them that had faced his fear. If this truly was a test of Marguerite's courage, than maybe Malone would know what to do.
"Wake up, Malone!" she shouted as she whacked the side of his tent.
"What?" Malone asked groggily. He and Veronica had both decided to make it a night rather early and he was practically dead asleep.
"Get out here right now!" Marguerite shouted at him, whacking the tent again, this time connecting with his head.
"Alright already!" Malone yelled back, pulling himself out of the arms of Veronica, who was now wide awake.
"What does she want?" Veronica muttered.
"I have no idea," Malone grumbled back as he pushed his way out of the front of the tent.
"What is it?" he asked Marguerite impatiently.
"I think I know what happened to Roxton," she told him, hope shinning bright in her eyes.
"Really?" Malone asked, a little ashamed for lashing out at her.
"I think... I think it might have something to do with my greatest fear."
"What are you talking about?" Veronica asked as she stuck her head out of the tent.
"Well, just yesterday I was thinking about how afraid I was that Roxton might... abandon me."
"Abandon you?" Malone asked, clueless.
Veronica sighed and pulled herself out of the tent. She led Marguerite over to one of the logs that were placed around the campfire and sat down. Marguerite sat down next to her and looked over at her with questioning eyes.
"Marguerite, Roxton would never abandon you. He loves you too much for that," Veronica told her.
"But what if he had no choice in it? What if because of my fear he's been taken away?" Marguerite asked quietly.
"You mean by the Ultouma," Malone said as he sat down across from them.
"No, Santa Claus," Marguerite said sarcastically, giving him a look.
"Well, if that's the case, then I guess we just have to wait it out. He'll be returned as soon as this whole test of yours is over, just like you and I were," Veronica told her.
"Which brings me to why I woke you up, Malone. How do I do this? How do I finish my test and get Roxton back?"
"I don't know, Marguerite. It just sort of ended once Veronica was..." Malone trailed off, not wanting to dredge up the memory.
"Dead," Veronica finished for him. "Once I was dead, I came back. The same thing happened to you. Maybe that's the key."
"You mean Roxton has to die?" Marguerite asked, suddenly rather panicked.
"I don't know, your fear is much different than his or Ned's. Both of theirs ended with an unstoppable death, which was cause for a quick end. We have no way of knowing how to make your fear end," Veronica said.
"Then there's no hope," Marguerite said quietly, looking down at her hands. Tears were quickly forming in her eyes.
"Of course there's hope," Malone said, trying to sound optimistic. "There's always hope."
"I told you," Veronica said, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "We'll find him, no matter what it takes."
Marguerite just nodded slowly, wiping the burning tears from her cheeks.
'You have to let me go to her,' Roxton thought towards Julian.
Roxton was being allowed to watch Marguerite through a mental link, but was unable to speak to her or communicate with her in any way shape or form. That was the only price... to watch her suffer alone.
'No,' Julian said.
'Atleast let me tell her I'm alright and that I didn't abandon her!' Roxton shouted.
'You know the rules,' Julian said sternly. 'You cannot communicate with her.'
'Then take her a message,' Roxton said frantically. 'Go to her and tell her I'm alive and that I'm going to get back to her somehow. Tell her she just has to hold on and work through this damn test of yours.'
'Why should I?' Julian asked, obvious not impressed by his blabbering.
'Don't you have any sort of conscious? A heart?'
'I'm afraid not, Roxton. I have no feelings other than hunger, and I will do whatever I can to feed that hunger.'
'Please, Julian. Just go to her and tell her... tell her that I love her. It's all I ask,' Roxton pleaded.
'Again, why should I? You have given me no reason to do this for you,' Julian replied.
'I need her to know!'
'She knows, Roxton. She knows.'
Roxton just hung his head, knowing that his efforts were moot. He wanted nothing more than to hold Marguerite in his arms and tell her himself. He wanted to kiss her soft lips and never stop. He wanted to be with her forever, and never let go.
'Your feelings for her... they're eternal,' Julian said suddenly, almost amazed. 'You love her more than your own life!'
'You're damn right I do!' Roxton shouted at her.
Julian sighed, nodding. 'Very well, I'll take her your message. But Roxton, she will fail this test. I know it. I've seen stronger than her fall to their knees by my wrath.'
'She. Will. Not. Fail.' Roxton said, accenting every word.
Julian just sighed, slowly fading away into the nothingness of the abyss. When she rematerialized, she was standing just feet away from a very distressed Marguerite.
"Marguerite."
At the sound of her name, Marguerite jumped up and spun around. She saw the girl standing there and noticed something she hadn't noticed before. Since before this crusade began, Julian had grown atleast a foot. Before she only stood to Marguerite's shoulders, now she was almost taller.
"Julian! Where the hell have you been? Where's Roxton? So help me God-"
"He sent me to you with a message," Julian said calmly.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Veronica asked, standing at Marguerite's side protectively.
"Yeah," Malone said from her other side. "You haven't exactly been honest with us the whole time we've been helping you."
"I've been completely honest with you," Julian said, sounding offended.
"Bullshit!" Marguerite shouted.
Veronica and Malone looked over at Marguerite rather shocked. They'd both heard her rant and rave and tear into each and every one of them without a single bit of hesitation, but never once had they heard her use such language.
"You've been a filthy little liar from the beginning," Marguerite said, voice low with anger. "Don't think for a second that I don't know who you are!"
"Why whatever do you mean?" Julian asked with a smirk.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"What are you talking about?" Veronica asked her.
"Our little Julian here," Marguerite said, not taking her eyes away from Julian, "is the Ultouma."
"What?" Malone asked, wishing he had his rifle with him.
"I knew it," Veronica said, pulling her daggers. "I knew it all along."
"Come now," Julian said with a grin. "No need to get hostile. How ever would you save Lord Roxton?"
Marguerite grew tense, stepping closer to Julian. "Bring him back," she said, voice so full of anger even Veronica and Malone took a step back.
"Only you can do that, Marguerite. I'm only here to give you a message, and then I must be off."
"Then give it to me."
As the four of them stood there, a slight breeze began to blow. It whipped through the trees and brushed across Marguerite's shoulders, continuing on to capture everyone. As it blew past, they could all hear something within it, something almost human. The wind grew stronger, and finally the words became clear and Roxton's voice could be heard. It echoed throughout the valley as the wind continued to caress them.
'Please, Julian. Just go to her and tell her... tell her that I love her. It's all I ask.'
"Oh John," Marguerite said quietly, tears once again forming in her eyes.
"Enjoy your message, Marguerite, for it's the last time you'll ever heard his voice!" Julian cackled.
"No!" Marguerite shouted.
"Oh yes, I'm afraid so. Because my dear, you have failed your test. Your soul is as impure as the devil himself!"
"Shut up!"
Julian just continued to laugh as the wind around them continued to swirl. It picked up speed, getting so harsh that everyone but Julian was beginning to find it difficult to stand. Marguerite covered her eyes, suddenly very afraid of what was about to happen. Yet to everyone's surprise, especially Julian's, a bright light flashed throughout the campsite.
"No! It's impossible!" Julian screamed as she stumbled back.
"Oh it's very possible, I assure you," came a very familiar voice.
As the light faded and the wind died, a very handsome John Roxton stood before them grinning like an idiot.
"JOHN!" Marguerite shouted, making a mad dash for him. As she threw herself into his arms, all he could do was hug her back.
"Hey you," he said with a chuckle.
"Oh God, I was so worried," she said, choking back a sob.
"Well if it means anything, I knew you'd pass your test. I had faith in you, Marguerite."
Marguerite just smiled and held him closer, fully intending to never let him go again.
All the commotion within the campsite awoke Challenger, who had slept through most of the excitement and was now quite behind in the situation. He emerged from his tent and looked around, confused. The only thing he knew for certain was that Roxton had returned, and Julian looked quite angry.
"What the devil is going on?" he muttered sleepily.
"Julian tried to keep Roxton from Marguerite, but he came back!" Malone shouted excitedly.
"Why would Julian do that?" he asked, somewhat shocked.
"She's the Ultouma," Veronica said pointedly. "I told you something wasn't right."
"Well uh, yes," Challenger said, somewhat embarrassed. "But it seems that true love prevailed after all, hmm?"
"As it usually does," Malone said with a slight smile.
Julian just stood there, fuming. She turned to Marguerite and Roxton and screamed, "How?! I had you, I did!"
"You had nothing," Roxton told her. "You never did."
"So what happens next?" Veronica asked. "Now that Roxton is back, what's your next move?"
"You and Challenger face your fears," Julian said, still fuming.
"I'm sure that if she and I faced our fears it wouldn't lead to your demise as you so stated once before. What's the point of this whole game?" Challenger asked.
"Game?" Julian asked furiously. "This is no game!"
"Call it what you want," Roxton said angrily, still holding on to Marguerite. "Just answer the damn question."
"If I must," Julian sighed. "As you have so unfortunately figured out, I am the Ultouma. I am the great Chucahna King and I rule all those who serve me."
As Julian spoke she began to transform from the lovely girl they first knew he as to the ugly demon she really was. Before everyone's eyes, Julian changed into the ugly beast from Marguerite's dreams. The collected fear of the plateau had been manifested.
"I proceeded to deceive you all so that I may have a feast of fears. I needed to feed, to quench this thirst that has so unmercifully been placed within me!" the beast screeched.
"You've feed quite enough," Marguerite said, not even the least bit afraid. "You've haunted me in my dreams for the past two days, and you've haunted us all for the past week. You've done enough here, just leave us be!"
"Oh I'm so sorry, have I bothered you?" the beast asked, rising to it's full height above the explorers.
"What do we do now?" Malone asked, staring up at what was formerly Julian, mouth agape.
"I have no idea," Challenger replied, just as astonished.
"Well we have to do something!" Veronica yelled, rushing towards the beast with her daggers ready.
"No, Veronica!" Malone shouted, trying to grab her. It was too late, she was out of reach.
"Yesssss," the Ultouma hissed as it saw Veronica running toward it. "Come, my child. Feed me!"
"Veronica!" Marguerite shouted as she passed. She pulled from Roxton and lunged for her, but just like Malone she wasn't fast enough.
Veronica continued to run closer to the Ultouma, almost possessed. She stopped mere feet in front of the hideous creature and looked up at it with wide eyes. It was as if she was suddenly released from her trance and had begun to realize her predicament.
"Damn," she muttered, trying to back away.
The Ultouma grinned, which was a disgusting sight on such a wicked creature. It reared it's head back and threw all of it's weight forward, knocking Veronica into the nearest tree. The tree cracked with the force of the blow and toppled over.
"Uhn..." Veronica moaned as pain filled her body. She tried to move her arm but an unbearable stab of pain shot all the way up from her elbow to her neck. "Ah!"
"Veronica!" Malone shouted, making his way over to her.
"Mmmmnot so fast," the Ultouma growled, stepping between him and his destination.
"Damnit!"
The Ultouma laughed and stared down at all of the explorers below. It took great pleasure in seeing Roxton holding Marguerite back and away from harm, Veronica down and nearly unconscious, Malone attempting to save her with really no chance, and Challenger... gone.
"What?" the Ultouma screamed, realizing it's mistake. It looked around angrily but couldn't find what it was looking for. It had forgotten all about Challenger and let him escape. "No!"
Malone realized what the beast had and grinned. "Looks like your little plan is about to get a big kick in the ass," he said.
"I will not be defeated!" it shouted. "I will NOT!"
With that, the Ultouma ran off into the jungle, leaving the four of them alone. Once it was gone, Malone ran over to Veronica and knelt down beside her. He began to pull her to him, stopping when she yelled out in pain.
"What, what is it?" he asked, afraid.
"My arm," she said through gritted teeth. "It's broken."
"Damnit, where's Challenger when you need him?"
"Off finding a way to save us, I hope," Roxton said as he and Marguerite made their way over.
"What do we do until then?" Marguerite asked, looking down at Veronica with a worried expression.
"We pray."
~*~
End part nine
~*~
Authors notes: I was going to continue on with Challenger's fear next, but 'The Elixir' really took the fun out of it. I didn't want to look like I was ripping TLW off so I decided to leave it out and continue on to the next part. So basically Challenger and Veronica are off the hook... for now. No one said there couldn't be a sequel! I guess I should actually finish this story before I worry about a sequel, huh? And I still have to write that M/R story for all of you, don't I? Hmm... By the way, did anyone see the previews for next weeks episode? *Runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off, screaming* AHHHHHHHHH! I can't wait!!!
