~*~
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: Well guys, it's official- I'm a total disappointment! I took what, a week to get you part ten? And I warn you, it's very short... *sniffle* I sowwie! But really, I've been working it and reworking it and I just can't get it the way I want it. So today I pretty much said screw it, it gets posted as is. There was going to be much more but hey, things don't always go as planned! *grin* Anyway, here's part ten and some nice little notes to my faithful reviewers! (P.s. My personal a/ns are totally outdated because I originally wrote them the day before Tapestry aired, lol...)
Jaclyn - Favorite chapter, really? And here I thought it sucked, lol. Well all I can say is thank ya! Yeah, I thought the message was really sweet. I ended up dreaming about that scene that night and I was all crying in my sleep, hehe. Man, I really am a poor sap... *sigh*
Audrey - Julian might have a heart? ARE YOU NUTS? Lol, okay, she's really not that bad... it's just like, a hunger. She's sorta like Tribune in a way, only kills because she has to. And about the episode tomorrow... *Runs around screaming with you* ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY! He... ha... hehe... haha... *clears throat* uhm, yeah.
TLWROX - AH! YOUR BACK! *sniffle* I thought I'd lost you as a reader... *cries a bit* Sheesh, don't scare me like that. But anywho, glad to have you back and I'm glad you like the latest developments of MM!
Evil Irish Eyes - I'm sorry! I'm sorry! A thousand times sorry! I didn't mean to leave you out of last chapters notes but I was sorta just replying to those people who had reviewed, ya know? *sniffle* I SOWWIE! Am I forgiven? By the way, you're right. It was true love that saved Marguerite and Roxton from eternal damnation. As Challenger said, true love prevails over all. "As it always does," says Malone. Hehe... And yeah, Tapestry does seem a bit out of character for Roxton, but ya know, this is really the first time we've ever really gotten to learn about his past. I mean yeah we've seen all about William, but that was just one event. Maybe this will help us learn more about why he goes after Marguerite... maybe he understands.
veggie5 - Well, lets see... TRUE LOVE! That's what saved Marguerite *grin* I'll try to get a little more into detail in this chapter and have some big M/R moments. That way I'll satisfy your quest for knowledge and my major love for M/R lovey doviness. And yes, that was a very short review. I'm disappointed, oh queen of long reviews! *gives you a stern look* Hehe, I'm just kidding. Just don't let it happen again! :O)
Mayhem Mountain (10/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
"I'm crazy, I'm insane," Challenger muttered as he ran through the forest of the plateau. "I've has some wild ideas before, but this one tops them all!"
Challenger stopped running long enough to survey his surroundings and estimate how far he had gotten from the others. He couldn't recognize a damn thing and he was starting to wonder if he hadn't been running in the wrong direction. Hell, they'd all been running in the wrong direction for a week, in one big bloody circle.
Challenger had noticed it a few days back when they began passing the same trees time and time again. Somehow, even though they seemed to continue traveling forward the whole way, they had managed to come full circle atleast three times. It must have been the distractions of the Ultouma that had caused them not to notice they were heading away from the mountain at times.
If his theory was correct, all Challenger would have to do was backtrack, and before long he'd find himself at the treehouse. It couldn't be more than a day away by his calculations. But then again, he had no way to truly tell how far they had traveled from the treehouse. They could be mere miles away, yet they could have gone halfway across the plateau.
"If I get Julian far enough away from the mountain she won't have the power to feed on any of us," Challenger thought aloud. "If she gets weak enough and turns back to her human state, I should be able to sedate her."
Challenger nodded, reaffirming his plan. It sounded logical enough, but the truth was, he wasn't sure if it would work. He had no proof that Julian needed Maschou Monso to feed, but it seemed possible being the attacks didn't begin until they were all within range of the mountain. He only had one way to test his plan, and that was to go through with it.
"God help me," he sighed as he started off again. "God help us all."
Back at the campsite, the same thought was echoing through everyone as they sat around the fire. None of them had the energy or the will to head back to the treehouse, and none of them had the desire to go on towards Maschou Monso. All they wanted was a moment of peace, but it would not come. The only thing their minds would allow to them think about was Challenger.
"Do you think he's alright?" Marguerite asked quietly. She was still quite shaken up and she clung to Roxton like her life depended on it.
"I'm sure he's just fine," Roxton said. "He knows what he's doing... I hope."
"You hope?" Malone asked, not sure he liked the way that sounded.
"You know what I mean," Roxton said, shooting him a look that said 'shut up before you get everyone more worried than they already are.'
"Right," Malone said quickly. To tell the truth, Roxton was being rather intimidating. Then again he had been through alot, just as everyone else had.
Marguerite sighed and looked up at the sky. It was so clear and bright that if she tried hard enough it seemed like nothing was wrong. The stars were shinning so strong, the light emitting from them so pure. 'If only it were so simple,' she thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Roxton asked softly.
"The sky," she replied with a small smile. "It just seems to peaceful. It almost makes it hard to believe that all this is happening."
"I know what you mean. I just wish it were true," Roxton said in return.
Looking down at Marguerite now, Roxton longed to be able to just take her away from everything and make all of her pain and her past go away. He could see the way it weighed her down, how it pulled at her very core. He saw it more and more everyday as she slowly but surely let him into her heart. With what was happening now, she looked like she could break at any moment.
Of course no one else would be able to tell this about her. To everyone else she probably looked just as strong and defiant as ever, but Roxton could see past it all. He could see down into her soul and feel the pain that she tried to hide so well. One day he'd make her understand that he loved her, despite her past. He would help her through the pain and he would never leave her.
"You and me both," Marguerite said, snapping Roxton out of his thoughts. It almost took him a moment to realize what she was talking about.
"Don't worry, Marguerite. We'll get through this, all of us. When it's over we'll throw a big party to celebrate the end of this insanity. We'll drink lots of wine and dance all night, hmm? How's that sound?" Roxton asked with a smile.
Marguerite laughed and grinned up at him. "Oh, that sounds divine. I wish Challenger would hurry up and get back so we could get started!"
Roxton laughed too and kissed the top of her head. "Soon, Marguerite. Soon."
"Look at them," Veronica whispered, holding her injured arm. "Don't they look so sweet together?"
"Yeah," Malone said on a sigh. "A perfect couple."
"Is something wrong?" Veronica asked as she looked over at him.
"No I... I was just thinking about something Challenger said to me the other night."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me if I thought that when the time comes to go home you'd come with us, and if not, would I be willing to stay here," Malone told her hesitantly.
"What got you thinking about that?" Veronica asked, not really wanting to get into a discussion about what he said.
"Seeing Marguerite and Roxton so happy together. It just got me thinking about me and you and I was wondering if we could ever have that," Malone replied, daring to glance over at her.
"I don't know what to say, Ned."
Malone shrugged. "You don't have to say anything. I know how you feel about me, and you know I feel the same way. I know neither of us is really ready for a relationship at this point in time so I won't push it. I just hope that someday we can be as happy as they are," he said as he nodded towards Marguerite and Roxton.
"I thought we were happy with how things were now, since this trip," Veronica said, confused. She could have sworn they had become much closer since her brush with death.
"Oh I am happy, Veronica. I'm very happy that I'm getting the chance to get closer to you."
"Then what is it you want?"
"I want to be able to hold you like Roxton holds Marguerite. I don't want to have to hide my feelings for you when everyone else is around and only kiss you when their backs are turned. I want everyone to know how much I love you, Veronica. Doesn't that only seem fair?" Malone asked with pleading eyes.
"I'm just not ready for that," Veronica said softly. "I'm sorry, Ned." With that, she stood and headed into their tent.
"Damnit," Malone muttered under his breath.
"What happened?" Marguerite asked as she watched Veronica walk away.
"Nothing," Malone snapped. "Just forget about it." He stood and walked to the edge of the woods, propping himself against a tree.
"What was that all about?" Marguerite asked as she and Roxton watched Malone stomp off in a huff.
"I have no idea," Roxton replied. "Must be relationship problems."
Marguerite sighed. "Oh to be so young and naive again."
"You mean you aren't naive now?" Roxton asked playfully.
"Why you little devil!" she exclaimed with a grin as she smacked his arm.
"Yes, and I'm your little devil," Roxton replied with a soft smile. He got the desired effect when Marguerite looked up at him, speechless. "What?" he asked.
"You never cease to amaze me, John," she said softly.
"And I never intend to," he told her, leaning closer.
Their lips met in a soft kiss, and Marguerite sighed as she pulled him closer. She reveled in the feel of his arms around her, more glad to have him back than he would ever know. She began to think that maybe it wouldn't be so hard to open up to this man. It was plain to see he had no desire to hurt her like all the others had, he was genuine. For once in her life, she felt truly loved.
"Closer, almost there," Challenger muttered as he began to recognize the scenery around him. He was only about a half a mile east from the treehouse at this point.
"I hope Julian isn't too close behind me. I need time to make the sedative formula!"
A low roar surrounded him, signaling a beast somewhere off behind him. He knew it had to be the Ultouma, there was no dinosaur on the entire plateau that made a sound like that.
"Damn, this is going to be close," he muttered, pushing himself harder and picking up the pace.
Challenger rounded the last clump of trees that were in between him and the treehouse and lowered his head to reduce any wind resistance that might have been slowing him down. He could hear the beast getting louder as he went on, and he knew that it was only a matter of time before it would be right on him.
"Argh!" he yelled as he hurled himself into the elevator. He slammed down the lever and braced himself as it started it's trek upwards.
Once inside the treehouse, Challenger used his last bit of energy to make a mad dash for his lab. He scrambled around grabbing a dash of this, a pinch of that. It was only a matter of minutes before Julian would arrive, and by then it would be too late. He had to hurry, there wasn't enough time...
"Only one more ingredient," he muttered. "Where is it, where in the bloody hell is it?!"
A loud screech tore through the area around the treehouse as the large beast burst onto the scene. Apparently it had forgotten about the electric fence and it had stepped right into it, electrocuting itself. Challenger could only smile even though he knew his time was almost up.
"There!" he suddenly cried as he spotted the item he needed. He lunged for it, grabbing it up and tossing it into the mixing bowl.
"For that, I will make your death long and harsh!" howled the beast as it finally disentangled itself from the fence.
"Why isn't she deforming?" Challenger asked no one in particular. He figured she would be in full human form by now.
"Come out come out wherever you are," the beast said with a smirk, stalking closer to the treehouse. "Yoohoo..."
"Can't we just talk civilly?" Challenger called from his lab.
"Civilly? I don't think so, Challenger. I know you're probably plotting some way to kill me as we speak, aren't you?"
"Of course not!" Challenger called back. "I have no reason to kill you, Julian!" He turned back to the mixture and muttered for only his ears to hear, "I only want to knock you from your high horse."
"Good, because you can't kill me. There is no way to kill fear!"
With a savage yell, Julian thrust forward and tore into the treehouse. The force of the blow jolted Challenger and he fell to the ground, barely catching the bowl before it slid off the table. He managed to gather it up and pour the mixture into a container and slapped the cap on it.
"Come and get it," he growled. "It's dinner time."
The treehouse shook violently as Julian made her way up the side, climbing without effort. It no more than five or six strides she was to the top. She slung herself into the treehouse and looked around in a huff. She didn't see Challenger anywhere, but she knew he was near. She could smell the fear running off of him in waves.
"Oh Challenger, where are you?" she asked sweetly. She was slowly transforming back to her human state as she walked through the treehouse.
Receiving no answer she pushed forward, coming across a door she had never actually entered. As she wracked her brain she remembered seeing Challenger enter it a time or two before their departure and she grinned. It had to be his room or atleast a lab of some sort.
"You wanted to talk civilly, right? Well, here I am. I'm not even a beast, right now. I'm trying to be nonthreatening here, Challenger. I don't want this to end bad," she said, suppressing a grin.
"Alright," Challenger said, opening the door to his lab. "Let's talk."
"Ah, there you are," Julian said with a convincing smile.
"Yes, I'm here. Let's sit down and have a drink shall we?"
"A drink?"
"I don't know about you, but that run has me quite parched. You do know we ran nearly seven miles, don't you?" Challenger asked as he began to fill two glasses with water.
"Is that all?" Julian asked nonchalantly.
"All? My dear, that's a long way for someone like me to run! I feel like my legs are about to give out on me," Challenger told her.
With his back turned to Julian, Challenger raised the vile that contained the sedative and poured some into both of the glasses. He figured that way, no matter which glass Julian chose she'd still be getting a dose of the sedative.
"Here we are," he said as he placed the glasses on the table.
"Why thank you," Julian said, picking up a glass and bringing it to her lips. She noticed Challenger watching her closely and she paused.
"You know, you do look rather thirsty," she told him. "Go ahead, have a drink."
"Yes of course," Challenger said with a nod. He hesitantly picked up the remaining glass and nodded it towards her in a toast. Julian nodded hers as well, mimicking his gesture. She watched as he raised the glass to his lips, waiting...
Challenger took a small sip but held the liquid under his tongue. He knew that if he swallowed he'd be out in mere minutes. He looked over at Julian to see if she was drinking hers as well, hoping she would hurry up so he could spit it out before his tongue began to absorb the sedative.
"This is very good water," Julian said as she took a sip.
"That it is," Challenger muttered, nearly letting the water dribble out of his mouth.
Julian suppressed yet another grin as she swallowed down the cool liquid. She could taste a slight twang in the water, no doubt some sort of formula to kill her or render her unconscious. She gladly took another sip, a larger one this time, delighting in the fact that the man before her actually thought she would be so easily manipulated.
Across from her, Challenger was not fairing so well. Even the small dosage of the sedative that was being taken into his body was beginning to have an effect on him. His vision blurred slightly and he swayed a bit, catching himself on the edge of the table.
"Problems?" Julian asked sweetly.
"No, not at all," Challenger lied, gripping the table so hard his knuckles were turning white.
"Maybe you should work out more often, old boy. It looks like you're about to collapse!"
"I... I'm fine..." Challenger managed as the remainder of the water dribbled down into his beard. With a huff, he collapsed to into a gasping pile on the floor.
"Strong stuff," Julian said as if she was commenting on an alcoholic beverage. "Nice try, but no cigar."
With a truly evil grin, Julian sauntered over and picked up the glass of water that Challenger had left sitting on the table. She leaned over him, tilted his head back, and poured the remaining liquid down his throat. Unable to stop her, Challenger could only watch and reflexively swallow. Before long, he was out cold.
"And now," Julian began, her eyes changing from a cool blue to a glowing yellow, "you and your friends will pay. They will pay for their ignorance and you will pay for your stupid mistake. Say good-bye, George Challenger. You have seen your friends alive for the last time."
~*~
End part ten
~*~
Authors notes: You know you've got problems when your authors notes start taking up almost as much space as your chapter... sheesh... But anywho, guess what? The final battle is almost here! The next chapter man, it's all down to good versus evil. Who will win? And even if good wins, then what? *Hops around the room in anticipation* And is it just me or was this another filler chapter? Anyway dudes, did ya'll catch Tapestry? AHHHH! *sigh* Damn good episode... I was totally surprised when it turned out that Marguerite was a GOOD guy for once! *grin* But I shoulda known she was the double (well, triple really) agent instead of Roxton. Only makes sense! Maybe my new fic should be about that... herm...
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 11:
Who will win the age old battle of good versus evil?
Will Roxton, Marguerite, Veronica and Malone meet their doom?
What happened to chapter nine's questions?
Maybe we'll never know... but you could always read and try to find out!
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: Well guys, it's official- I'm a total disappointment! I took what, a week to get you part ten? And I warn you, it's very short... *sniffle* I sowwie! But really, I've been working it and reworking it and I just can't get it the way I want it. So today I pretty much said screw it, it gets posted as is. There was going to be much more but hey, things don't always go as planned! *grin* Anyway, here's part ten and some nice little notes to my faithful reviewers! (P.s. My personal a/ns are totally outdated because I originally wrote them the day before Tapestry aired, lol...)
Jaclyn - Favorite chapter, really? And here I thought it sucked, lol. Well all I can say is thank ya! Yeah, I thought the message was really sweet. I ended up dreaming about that scene that night and I was all crying in my sleep, hehe. Man, I really am a poor sap... *sigh*
Audrey - Julian might have a heart? ARE YOU NUTS? Lol, okay, she's really not that bad... it's just like, a hunger. She's sorta like Tribune in a way, only kills because she has to. And about the episode tomorrow... *Runs around screaming with you* ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY! He... ha... hehe... haha... *clears throat* uhm, yeah.
TLWROX - AH! YOUR BACK! *sniffle* I thought I'd lost you as a reader... *cries a bit* Sheesh, don't scare me like that. But anywho, glad to have you back and I'm glad you like the latest developments of MM!
Evil Irish Eyes - I'm sorry! I'm sorry! A thousand times sorry! I didn't mean to leave you out of last chapters notes but I was sorta just replying to those people who had reviewed, ya know? *sniffle* I SOWWIE! Am I forgiven? By the way, you're right. It was true love that saved Marguerite and Roxton from eternal damnation. As Challenger said, true love prevails over all. "As it always does," says Malone. Hehe... And yeah, Tapestry does seem a bit out of character for Roxton, but ya know, this is really the first time we've ever really gotten to learn about his past. I mean yeah we've seen all about William, but that was just one event. Maybe this will help us learn more about why he goes after Marguerite... maybe he understands.
veggie5 - Well, lets see... TRUE LOVE! That's what saved Marguerite *grin* I'll try to get a little more into detail in this chapter and have some big M/R moments. That way I'll satisfy your quest for knowledge and my major love for M/R lovey doviness. And yes, that was a very short review. I'm disappointed, oh queen of long reviews! *gives you a stern look* Hehe, I'm just kidding. Just don't let it happen again! :O)
Mayhem Mountain (10/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
"I'm crazy, I'm insane," Challenger muttered as he ran through the forest of the plateau. "I've has some wild ideas before, but this one tops them all!"
Challenger stopped running long enough to survey his surroundings and estimate how far he had gotten from the others. He couldn't recognize a damn thing and he was starting to wonder if he hadn't been running in the wrong direction. Hell, they'd all been running in the wrong direction for a week, in one big bloody circle.
Challenger had noticed it a few days back when they began passing the same trees time and time again. Somehow, even though they seemed to continue traveling forward the whole way, they had managed to come full circle atleast three times. It must have been the distractions of the Ultouma that had caused them not to notice they were heading away from the mountain at times.
If his theory was correct, all Challenger would have to do was backtrack, and before long he'd find himself at the treehouse. It couldn't be more than a day away by his calculations. But then again, he had no way to truly tell how far they had traveled from the treehouse. They could be mere miles away, yet they could have gone halfway across the plateau.
"If I get Julian far enough away from the mountain she won't have the power to feed on any of us," Challenger thought aloud. "If she gets weak enough and turns back to her human state, I should be able to sedate her."
Challenger nodded, reaffirming his plan. It sounded logical enough, but the truth was, he wasn't sure if it would work. He had no proof that Julian needed Maschou Monso to feed, but it seemed possible being the attacks didn't begin until they were all within range of the mountain. He only had one way to test his plan, and that was to go through with it.
"God help me," he sighed as he started off again. "God help us all."
Back at the campsite, the same thought was echoing through everyone as they sat around the fire. None of them had the energy or the will to head back to the treehouse, and none of them had the desire to go on towards Maschou Monso. All they wanted was a moment of peace, but it would not come. The only thing their minds would allow to them think about was Challenger.
"Do you think he's alright?" Marguerite asked quietly. She was still quite shaken up and she clung to Roxton like her life depended on it.
"I'm sure he's just fine," Roxton said. "He knows what he's doing... I hope."
"You hope?" Malone asked, not sure he liked the way that sounded.
"You know what I mean," Roxton said, shooting him a look that said 'shut up before you get everyone more worried than they already are.'
"Right," Malone said quickly. To tell the truth, Roxton was being rather intimidating. Then again he had been through alot, just as everyone else had.
Marguerite sighed and looked up at the sky. It was so clear and bright that if she tried hard enough it seemed like nothing was wrong. The stars were shinning so strong, the light emitting from them so pure. 'If only it were so simple,' she thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Roxton asked softly.
"The sky," she replied with a small smile. "It just seems to peaceful. It almost makes it hard to believe that all this is happening."
"I know what you mean. I just wish it were true," Roxton said in return.
Looking down at Marguerite now, Roxton longed to be able to just take her away from everything and make all of her pain and her past go away. He could see the way it weighed her down, how it pulled at her very core. He saw it more and more everyday as she slowly but surely let him into her heart. With what was happening now, she looked like she could break at any moment.
Of course no one else would be able to tell this about her. To everyone else she probably looked just as strong and defiant as ever, but Roxton could see past it all. He could see down into her soul and feel the pain that she tried to hide so well. One day he'd make her understand that he loved her, despite her past. He would help her through the pain and he would never leave her.
"You and me both," Marguerite said, snapping Roxton out of his thoughts. It almost took him a moment to realize what she was talking about.
"Don't worry, Marguerite. We'll get through this, all of us. When it's over we'll throw a big party to celebrate the end of this insanity. We'll drink lots of wine and dance all night, hmm? How's that sound?" Roxton asked with a smile.
Marguerite laughed and grinned up at him. "Oh, that sounds divine. I wish Challenger would hurry up and get back so we could get started!"
Roxton laughed too and kissed the top of her head. "Soon, Marguerite. Soon."
"Look at them," Veronica whispered, holding her injured arm. "Don't they look so sweet together?"
"Yeah," Malone said on a sigh. "A perfect couple."
"Is something wrong?" Veronica asked as she looked over at him.
"No I... I was just thinking about something Challenger said to me the other night."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me if I thought that when the time comes to go home you'd come with us, and if not, would I be willing to stay here," Malone told her hesitantly.
"What got you thinking about that?" Veronica asked, not really wanting to get into a discussion about what he said.
"Seeing Marguerite and Roxton so happy together. It just got me thinking about me and you and I was wondering if we could ever have that," Malone replied, daring to glance over at her.
"I don't know what to say, Ned."
Malone shrugged. "You don't have to say anything. I know how you feel about me, and you know I feel the same way. I know neither of us is really ready for a relationship at this point in time so I won't push it. I just hope that someday we can be as happy as they are," he said as he nodded towards Marguerite and Roxton.
"I thought we were happy with how things were now, since this trip," Veronica said, confused. She could have sworn they had become much closer since her brush with death.
"Oh I am happy, Veronica. I'm very happy that I'm getting the chance to get closer to you."
"Then what is it you want?"
"I want to be able to hold you like Roxton holds Marguerite. I don't want to have to hide my feelings for you when everyone else is around and only kiss you when their backs are turned. I want everyone to know how much I love you, Veronica. Doesn't that only seem fair?" Malone asked with pleading eyes.
"I'm just not ready for that," Veronica said softly. "I'm sorry, Ned." With that, she stood and headed into their tent.
"Damnit," Malone muttered under his breath.
"What happened?" Marguerite asked as she watched Veronica walk away.
"Nothing," Malone snapped. "Just forget about it." He stood and walked to the edge of the woods, propping himself against a tree.
"What was that all about?" Marguerite asked as she and Roxton watched Malone stomp off in a huff.
"I have no idea," Roxton replied. "Must be relationship problems."
Marguerite sighed. "Oh to be so young and naive again."
"You mean you aren't naive now?" Roxton asked playfully.
"Why you little devil!" she exclaimed with a grin as she smacked his arm.
"Yes, and I'm your little devil," Roxton replied with a soft smile. He got the desired effect when Marguerite looked up at him, speechless. "What?" he asked.
"You never cease to amaze me, John," she said softly.
"And I never intend to," he told her, leaning closer.
Their lips met in a soft kiss, and Marguerite sighed as she pulled him closer. She reveled in the feel of his arms around her, more glad to have him back than he would ever know. She began to think that maybe it wouldn't be so hard to open up to this man. It was plain to see he had no desire to hurt her like all the others had, he was genuine. For once in her life, she felt truly loved.
"Closer, almost there," Challenger muttered as he began to recognize the scenery around him. He was only about a half a mile east from the treehouse at this point.
"I hope Julian isn't too close behind me. I need time to make the sedative formula!"
A low roar surrounded him, signaling a beast somewhere off behind him. He knew it had to be the Ultouma, there was no dinosaur on the entire plateau that made a sound like that.
"Damn, this is going to be close," he muttered, pushing himself harder and picking up the pace.
Challenger rounded the last clump of trees that were in between him and the treehouse and lowered his head to reduce any wind resistance that might have been slowing him down. He could hear the beast getting louder as he went on, and he knew that it was only a matter of time before it would be right on him.
"Argh!" he yelled as he hurled himself into the elevator. He slammed down the lever and braced himself as it started it's trek upwards.
Once inside the treehouse, Challenger used his last bit of energy to make a mad dash for his lab. He scrambled around grabbing a dash of this, a pinch of that. It was only a matter of minutes before Julian would arrive, and by then it would be too late. He had to hurry, there wasn't enough time...
"Only one more ingredient," he muttered. "Where is it, where in the bloody hell is it?!"
A loud screech tore through the area around the treehouse as the large beast burst onto the scene. Apparently it had forgotten about the electric fence and it had stepped right into it, electrocuting itself. Challenger could only smile even though he knew his time was almost up.
"There!" he suddenly cried as he spotted the item he needed. He lunged for it, grabbing it up and tossing it into the mixing bowl.
"For that, I will make your death long and harsh!" howled the beast as it finally disentangled itself from the fence.
"Why isn't she deforming?" Challenger asked no one in particular. He figured she would be in full human form by now.
"Come out come out wherever you are," the beast said with a smirk, stalking closer to the treehouse. "Yoohoo..."
"Can't we just talk civilly?" Challenger called from his lab.
"Civilly? I don't think so, Challenger. I know you're probably plotting some way to kill me as we speak, aren't you?"
"Of course not!" Challenger called back. "I have no reason to kill you, Julian!" He turned back to the mixture and muttered for only his ears to hear, "I only want to knock you from your high horse."
"Good, because you can't kill me. There is no way to kill fear!"
With a savage yell, Julian thrust forward and tore into the treehouse. The force of the blow jolted Challenger and he fell to the ground, barely catching the bowl before it slid off the table. He managed to gather it up and pour the mixture into a container and slapped the cap on it.
"Come and get it," he growled. "It's dinner time."
The treehouse shook violently as Julian made her way up the side, climbing without effort. It no more than five or six strides she was to the top. She slung herself into the treehouse and looked around in a huff. She didn't see Challenger anywhere, but she knew he was near. She could smell the fear running off of him in waves.
"Oh Challenger, where are you?" she asked sweetly. She was slowly transforming back to her human state as she walked through the treehouse.
Receiving no answer she pushed forward, coming across a door she had never actually entered. As she wracked her brain she remembered seeing Challenger enter it a time or two before their departure and she grinned. It had to be his room or atleast a lab of some sort.
"You wanted to talk civilly, right? Well, here I am. I'm not even a beast, right now. I'm trying to be nonthreatening here, Challenger. I don't want this to end bad," she said, suppressing a grin.
"Alright," Challenger said, opening the door to his lab. "Let's talk."
"Ah, there you are," Julian said with a convincing smile.
"Yes, I'm here. Let's sit down and have a drink shall we?"
"A drink?"
"I don't know about you, but that run has me quite parched. You do know we ran nearly seven miles, don't you?" Challenger asked as he began to fill two glasses with water.
"Is that all?" Julian asked nonchalantly.
"All? My dear, that's a long way for someone like me to run! I feel like my legs are about to give out on me," Challenger told her.
With his back turned to Julian, Challenger raised the vile that contained the sedative and poured some into both of the glasses. He figured that way, no matter which glass Julian chose she'd still be getting a dose of the sedative.
"Here we are," he said as he placed the glasses on the table.
"Why thank you," Julian said, picking up a glass and bringing it to her lips. She noticed Challenger watching her closely and she paused.
"You know, you do look rather thirsty," she told him. "Go ahead, have a drink."
"Yes of course," Challenger said with a nod. He hesitantly picked up the remaining glass and nodded it towards her in a toast. Julian nodded hers as well, mimicking his gesture. She watched as he raised the glass to his lips, waiting...
Challenger took a small sip but held the liquid under his tongue. He knew that if he swallowed he'd be out in mere minutes. He looked over at Julian to see if she was drinking hers as well, hoping she would hurry up so he could spit it out before his tongue began to absorb the sedative.
"This is very good water," Julian said as she took a sip.
"That it is," Challenger muttered, nearly letting the water dribble out of his mouth.
Julian suppressed yet another grin as she swallowed down the cool liquid. She could taste a slight twang in the water, no doubt some sort of formula to kill her or render her unconscious. She gladly took another sip, a larger one this time, delighting in the fact that the man before her actually thought she would be so easily manipulated.
Across from her, Challenger was not fairing so well. Even the small dosage of the sedative that was being taken into his body was beginning to have an effect on him. His vision blurred slightly and he swayed a bit, catching himself on the edge of the table.
"Problems?" Julian asked sweetly.
"No, not at all," Challenger lied, gripping the table so hard his knuckles were turning white.
"Maybe you should work out more often, old boy. It looks like you're about to collapse!"
"I... I'm fine..." Challenger managed as the remainder of the water dribbled down into his beard. With a huff, he collapsed to into a gasping pile on the floor.
"Strong stuff," Julian said as if she was commenting on an alcoholic beverage. "Nice try, but no cigar."
With a truly evil grin, Julian sauntered over and picked up the glass of water that Challenger had left sitting on the table. She leaned over him, tilted his head back, and poured the remaining liquid down his throat. Unable to stop her, Challenger could only watch and reflexively swallow. Before long, he was out cold.
"And now," Julian began, her eyes changing from a cool blue to a glowing yellow, "you and your friends will pay. They will pay for their ignorance and you will pay for your stupid mistake. Say good-bye, George Challenger. You have seen your friends alive for the last time."
~*~
End part ten
~*~
Authors notes: You know you've got problems when your authors notes start taking up almost as much space as your chapter... sheesh... But anywho, guess what? The final battle is almost here! The next chapter man, it's all down to good versus evil. Who will win? And even if good wins, then what? *Hops around the room in anticipation* And is it just me or was this another filler chapter? Anyway dudes, did ya'll catch Tapestry? AHHHH! *sigh* Damn good episode... I was totally surprised when it turned out that Marguerite was a GOOD guy for once! *grin* But I shoulda known she was the double (well, triple really) agent instead of Roxton. Only makes sense! Maybe my new fic should be about that... herm...
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 11:
Who will win the age old battle of good versus evil?
Will Roxton, Marguerite, Veronica and Malone meet their doom?
What happened to chapter nine's questions?
Maybe we'll never know... but you could always read and try to find out!
