~*~
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: OMG guys, I just saw Legacy last night. The Marguerite and Roxton scene... *drools* AND OMG DID YOU SEE THE PREVIEWS FOR NEXT WEEK! MY GOD IN HEAVEN!!! *faints* "I'd give my last breath for you, Marguerite... I love you." AHHHHH! *faints again* *dreamy sigh* Well, anyway... Now that I'm all agitated I've been inspired to write more in my fic. Here's part eleven! Gosh, how did this fic get so long...?
veggie5 - ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF LONG REVIEWS! I think you are like the first person ever to have a review so long that ff.net had to cut you off... I am very impressed, and I feel very honored! *grin* Yes, I can tell you're WAY too into the story, lol... but that's okay, it makes me feel special! And about Veronica walking off on Malone... I know! Gosh... but it'll all work out in the end, I promise! :O) And uh... BOO-URNS?
Veronica - I just realized how long you've stuck with me through this story and I wanted to extend a big thank you! I enjoy your reviews and suggestions and I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Keep on reading, and never stop watching Lost World! *grin*
Audrey - Well, the sedative didn't effect her because technically she's not a person... she's fear taking on human form. So therefore the sedative wouldn't really have the same effect as it would on a human. Well, now that I sound like a science professor, hehe. And don't worry about N/V, it'll all work out in the end... But seriously though, I don't think Julian has a heart. You never know, though... the story ain't over yet!
Jaclyn - I really would like to link Marguerite's Chosen One status into this fic but you know, there are just too many fics out there that deal with it. There's too large or a chance that it will seem like I'm ripping someone off, ya know? All I've got to say is... next week's episode almost looks like it's ripping YOU off, LOL! Anyway, go update... I NEED THE REUNION!!!
Evil Irish Eyes - WHERE OH WHERE IS MY EVIL FRIEND?!?! She didn't review my last chapter... *goes into a fit of tears and gets a really runny nose* Now look what you did, you went and upset Roxton! *heavy sigh* Lol, j/k. I know you've gotta be busy, because you're going to send up chapter 21 soon RIGHT?!?! Hehe... GO! GET WRITING! *grin*
Crimson Cat - Yeah I know, I've got alot to clear up. *Sigh* I have no idea how I'm gonna do it, though. I plan on wrapping this story up within the next chapter or two, so I've got ALOT of planning and writing to do! And don't worry, I'm sure Challenger will be just fine... *grins evilly*
Mayhem Mountain (11/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
Veronica sat alone in the dark confines of the tent she shared with Malone, her legs drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees. She sighed deeply and laid her head down on her arms, thinking over the conversation she and Malone had only an hour before. She closed her eyes and imagined him in her head, hearing him confess to her how much she meant to him.
It was what she had always dreamt of, wasn't it? Having him look her deep in the eyes and tell her things that one could only say to their soulmate, the one they wanted to spend their life with? If it was what she truly wanted, then why did she push him away? Why did she walk away from him when she should have pulled him close and kissed him so hard he forgot that a woman named Gladys even existed?
Veronica drew in a deep breath and realized that Gladys was the problem. Sure Malone had informed her he no longer had an interest in his financé, but it was still a hard thing to comprehend. How did she know that if he found his way back to London he wouldn't run straight back into her arms? There was no way to be certain that when he saw her again his feelings for her would not resurface.
So that was it, Veronica was jealous. She was jealous of a woman she had only met in a dream, a woman who was halfway across the world and had no way of knowing what Malone was doing. She was jealous of someone who Malone hadn't had contact with for nearly three years. It was a stupid jealously, an emotion that had no right to be in her heart... but it was, nonetheless.
'I really should talk to him about this,' she thought. 'He needs to know that it's not him, it's me. I'm selfish, and I'm jealous. I shouldn't let my insecurities keep us apart anymore.'
Veronica nodded, telling herself that she was going to talk to Malone as soon as he came back to the tent. She was going to fix this whole mess and make things right between them. She loved him, she had even been so bold as to tell him. Now it was just a matter of putting aside petty fears and letting her love for him show. She would make everything up to him if it was the last thing she did.
Off in the distance, a very evil grin spread across the face of a very evil creature. Julian Gatessi knew exactly how to take care of the blonde one, the one who thought she was better than everyone else. All she would have to do is transform into another blonde from a certain someone's past, and the fun would surely begin on it's own.
"Who needs to make someone's fear manifest when you can just be the fear itself? More fun can be had when you are the player instead of the pawn," Julian murmured as she slowly began to change shape.
Back at the campfire, Marguerite and Roxton were still engaged in a very deep, passionate kiss. They seemed oblivious to the world around them, too occupied with each other and their newfound love. Eventually Marguerite pulled back, quite out of breath.
"You know John, maybe we should head to bed," Marguerite said suggestively as she looked up at the hunter. She was grinning quite wickedly, and she obviously had no intention of going to sleep.
"Why Marguerite, I think for once you're right."
Roxton stood, pulling her up with him. His eyes never left hers as he started leaded her towards the tent. He opened the flap to allow her to enter, but before either one of them could go in a very annoying girlish voice greeted them.
"Excuse me, do you know Edward Malone? I'm looking for him."
Roxton turned to see who the source of the voice was and spotted a fragile looking blonde watching him expectantly. The woman looked rather afraid, much as anyone would be if they found themselves in the middle of the plateau. He could sympathize, but he was also suspicious. How in the world did she get there, and how did she know Malone? It was quite the coincidence that she had stumbled upon them.
"Why yes, we know Edward Malone," Marguerite said, also rather shocked that this woman, who was clad in high society London-wear, knew Malone. "He's right over-"
"Just how do you know Malone, Miss..." Roxton interrupted Marguerite, but trailed off not knowing what to call their guest.
"Oh, you must think I'm so rude! My name is Gladys, I'm Edward's financé. Do you really know where he is? I've been looking for him for quite some time now and I'm so worried!" the woman said.
Marguerite and Roxton looked at each other wide eyed. If this was truly Gladys, all hell was about to break loose in the campsite. They knew it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but they had to tell her where Malone was. It would be wrong to turn her away, afraid and worried for her financé.
Roxton signed and nodded. "Yes, we know him. He's just over there, along those trees."
Gladys looked over and spotted him, her eyes lighting up. "Oh Neddy!" she exclaimed as she broke into a run.
"Well this can't be good," Roxton said.
"Do you think it's really her?" Marguerite asked.
"How could it not be?"
"Well, we've been tricked before. She could be anyone," Marguerite said as she watched the scene before her.
"Oh Neddy!" Malone heard from behind him. His eyes widened and he spun around, only to have his suspicions confirmed. His financé, Gladys, was on the plateau.
"Gladys? What... what are you doing here?" he asked, stunned.
"Oh Neddy, I was so worried about you! I talked the Zoological Society into funding a rescue expedition and we've been searching for months!" Gladys said as she flung herself into Malone's arms.
'What in the world?' Veronica thought as she heard all the shouting outside. She stuck her head out of the tent and looked around, spotting only Marguerite and Roxton at first. She saw them looking off in the distance and turned to follow their gaze.
"Are you serious? A rescue expedition?" Malone asked, pulling away.
"Yes! We thought we'd never find you in this dreadful place," Gladys said. She suddenly realize Malone was pulling from her embrace. "Neddy, what's wrong?"
It was then that Malone's eyes locked on Veronica's as she looked on from across the campsite. He froze, completely unsure of what to do. This was a bad situation, one that he had hoped he would never find himself in.
Gladys turned to see what Malone was looking at and spotted the blonde jungle girl who was now fully out of the tent. She narrowed her eyes at her and spun back around to glare at Malone.
"And just who is that?" Gladys asked, the head of jealously obviously raring.
"Why uh, that's Veronica," Malone replied, hoping Gladys wouldn't press the subject.
"And what is she to you, Edward Malone? She sure doesn't look to happy to see you with me."
Malone looked up at Veronica, trying to figure out the best thing to say. It suddenly hit him that he had no reason to lie to Gladys about Veronica. Why stand there and hurt Veronica to try and make it up to Gladys when he'd spent the past three years trying to get over her?
Malone took a deep breath, looked Gladys straight in the eyes and said, "I'm in love with her, Gladys."
Roxton and Marguerite looked at each other in shock, and Veronica let her jaw drop. All three of them were stunned, and none of them could believe that Malone had actually said what he did. It took Veronica a moment to process that all of it was actually happening.
"What are you doing, Ned?" she asked, stepping forward.
"Yes, what ARE you doing? Have you lost your mind? This savage?!" Gladys shouted.
"Savage?" Veronica asked the woman angrily.
"Veronica is no savage," Malone told Gladys.
"You can't be serious, Neddy! How could you possibly love... her?!"
"It's not so hard to believe, Gladys. She isn't trying to change me, to manipulate me and make me perfect. She loves me for who I am, and I'm happy when I'm with her. Unlike you, she actually how I feel and what I think!"
"What? Have you lost your mind? I think you've been in this godforsaken place far too long!" Gladys yelled, enraged.
"If anyone's out of their mind it's you, Gladys. I'm perfectly sane, and I know what I want."
"And you're going to look me in the face and honestly tell me its her that you want?"
"Yes."
Gladys drew in a deep breath, obviously very angry. She turned to look at Veronica, who was staring at her and Malone like they had both grown another head. Gladys hiked up her skirt, stalked over to Veronica, and promptly slapped her across the face.
"Gladys!" Malone shouted, running over.
Gladys turned around to face Malone, all the while reaching under her skirt. She grabbed an object that was strapped to her thigh, pulled her arm back, and swung at Malone. Veronica reached out with lightening fast reflexes and grabbed hold of Gladys' arm seconds before the knife in her hand connected with Malone.
"I don't think so," Veronica said as she jerked the blade from Gladys' grasp.
"Oh but I do!" Gladys yelled as she spun around and kicked Veronica square in the stomach, sending her flying back.
Veronica let out a yelp as she connected with the ground, wincing. She grabbed hold of her broken arm and squeezed her eyes shut in pain from where she had landed on it when Gladys kicked her.
"Whoa!" Marguerite cried as she scrambled over to Veronica.
"I don't think that's Gladys!" Roxton exclaimed as he rushed over also.
"I told you!" Marguerite shouted.
"I don't care who she is," Veronica said through gritted teeth. "I'm about two seconds from kicking her ass!"
"Gladys, stop it!" Malone shouted. "This is crazy!"
"The only thing crazy here is you, Neddy," Gladys said as her eyes began to glow a haunting yellow.
"Holy God..."
"Hey Gladys," Veronica said sweetly, causing Gladys to spin around.
"What do you want?" Gladys asked, her voice now deep and evil.
Veronica grinned and held her good arm behind her back. She slowly twirled the knife Gladys had thrown at her, preparing to give the woman a taste of her own medicine.
"Missing something?" she asked.
Gladys looked around trying to figure out what Veronica was talking about, and Veronica took this as her chance. She hurled the knife straight at Gladys, making perfect aim straight for a chest. She let out a yell from the effort, for all of her anger and fear towards with woman went with it.
"AGH!" Gladys cried as the blade hit her chest, dead center. She flew back, hitting the ground and not moving an inch. The only thing that changed was her form as she slowly changed back into Julian.
"Julian," Roxton muttered.
"I should have known that little twit was behind all of this," Marguerite said.
"We all should have, it made no sense that Gladys would be here," Malone said, making his way over to them.
Veronica looked up at Malone, eyes moist with tears that threatened to fall. Malone wasn't quite sure why she looked like she was about to cry, but he took a step forward and pulled her into his arms anyway. He held her close, taking a deep breath of the smell of her hair.
"Veronica?" he eventually asked. "What's wrong?"
"I can't believe I was jealous of that, that thing!" Veronica cried.
"Jealous?" Malone asked, shocked.
Veronica nodded slightly and looked up at him to explain. "That's why I've been pushing you away lately, Ned. I was worried that you still loved Gladys and that you could never really care about me the way I care about you."
"Veronica... I told you, Gladys-"
"Was in the past, I know. But I just figured that once you found your way back to London you'd find your way right back into your arms. It happened once before, and it might happen again."
"No," Malone said firmly. "That is not going to happen. What happened before was a dream, it was not reality. When it comes down to the decision in real life I will always choose you, Veronica. Always."
Veronica just smiled, her tears flowing freely now. She pulled Malone back to her, hugging him the best she could with one arm.
"Guys?" Marguerite asked, trying to get their attention. "Not to burst your bubble or anything, but if Julian is here, where's Challenger?"
The four of them looked at each other, each sharing the same fear. If Julian was here trying to attack them, then Challenger had failed in his plan. Wherever he was, he was most likely hurt or in danger.
"We have to find him," Roxton said suddenly.
"Right, I'll grab the weapons," Malone said as he dashed towards the tents.
"What about Julian?"
"Oh I'll take care of her," Veronica said, voice full of venom.
"I'll help," Marguerite said, just as angry.
Malone and Roxton looked at each other, grinning. They had surely picked the right team to play on by the looks of things.
"What do you two plan on doing?" Malone asked.
"Well there has to be some way to get rid of her," Roxton said. "Some weakness we can use against her."
"Let's just throw her in a damn river and be through with it," Marguerite said.
"No, it can't be that simple. If it was, Challenger would have been able to handle it," Veronica said.
"Then what exactly do you suggest?" Marguerite asked.
"Well, Julian is the Ultouma, right? She's the physical manifestation of fear," Veronica said, deep in thought.
"Yes, we've established that."
"Well, there's an old Zanga legend about a creature that terrorized the village at night, stealing children from their beds. It's said that this creature stole the children because of their nightmares, and wouldn't nightmares classify as fear?"
"You think Julian is this creature?" Roxton asked.
"It's possible," Veronica said. "And it would make sense that only children were taken. They're young and it would be easier for them not to have the strength or will to pass the test."
"How does the legend say to get rid of it?" Malone asked.
"The Zanga discovered the creature was afraid of fire," Veronica told them. "They began keeping a flame burning in every home where a child lived and before long it went away."
"And wouldn't you know, Julian has been absent from every one of our little pow wows around the campfire," Marguerite said thoughtfully.
"That's it then," Malone said. "We torch her."
"Well, that would be easy if she were still here," Roxton said looking around. He couldn't see her anywhere, and he reasoned while they were talking she had found the perfect opportunity to escape into the woods.
"Damnit!" Marguerite shouted.
"Don't worry," Veronica said, full of determination. "I think I know where she's going."
With that, Veronica leaned down and picked up the biggest stick she could find. Holding it to the campfire she watched as it caught fire, almost hypnotized by the flame. She motioned for the others to do the same, and soon they all held torches.
"Let's go," she said without hesitation, and everyone fell back in line to follow her.
~*~
End part eleven
~*~
Authors notes: Well I guess Veronica wasn't totally out of the woods with the whole fear thing, eh? Sorry that Challenger wasn't in this chapter at all, but he just didn't fit in with what I had going, ya know? Lol, the writers at Lost World took my idea and made it so that Challenger just sorta showed up outta no where in Legacy, oblivious. I was laughing my ass off when he came out and said something like, "Good heavens, what was all that shooting about?" Sound familiar to anyone? *hint hint nudge nudge* My Challenger does the same thing throughout this whole story, man! :O) I didn't plan it, either... I guess Challenger is just my least favorite character (actually, Finn is). Nothing against him, he just isn't as fun to play with! And why in God's name can't Finn said "Veronica"? She's always gotta say "V". Okay sorry... my random rant for the day. She was just pissing me off yesterday in Legacy. *sigh*
P.s. I was half asleep when I wrote the last half of this chapter, so if it makes no sense that's why! *grin*
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 12:
Is Julian really the creature from the Zanga legend?
Will our heroes be able to defeat her?
How much longer is this god forsaken story?
You'll have to read to find out...
Disclaimer, etc. in part one
~*~
Authors notes: OMG guys, I just saw Legacy last night. The Marguerite and Roxton scene... *drools* AND OMG DID YOU SEE THE PREVIEWS FOR NEXT WEEK! MY GOD IN HEAVEN!!! *faints* "I'd give my last breath for you, Marguerite... I love you." AHHHHH! *faints again* *dreamy sigh* Well, anyway... Now that I'm all agitated I've been inspired to write more in my fic. Here's part eleven! Gosh, how did this fic get so long...?
veggie5 - ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF LONG REVIEWS! I think you are like the first person ever to have a review so long that ff.net had to cut you off... I am very impressed, and I feel very honored! *grin* Yes, I can tell you're WAY too into the story, lol... but that's okay, it makes me feel special! And about Veronica walking off on Malone... I know! Gosh... but it'll all work out in the end, I promise! :O) And uh... BOO-URNS?
Veronica - I just realized how long you've stuck with me through this story and I wanted to extend a big thank you! I enjoy your reviews and suggestions and I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Keep on reading, and never stop watching Lost World! *grin*
Audrey - Well, the sedative didn't effect her because technically she's not a person... she's fear taking on human form. So therefore the sedative wouldn't really have the same effect as it would on a human. Well, now that I sound like a science professor, hehe. And don't worry about N/V, it'll all work out in the end... But seriously though, I don't think Julian has a heart. You never know, though... the story ain't over yet!
Jaclyn - I really would like to link Marguerite's Chosen One status into this fic but you know, there are just too many fics out there that deal with it. There's too large or a chance that it will seem like I'm ripping someone off, ya know? All I've got to say is... next week's episode almost looks like it's ripping YOU off, LOL! Anyway, go update... I NEED THE REUNION!!!
Evil Irish Eyes - WHERE OH WHERE IS MY EVIL FRIEND?!?! She didn't review my last chapter... *goes into a fit of tears and gets a really runny nose* Now look what you did, you went and upset Roxton! *heavy sigh* Lol, j/k. I know you've gotta be busy, because you're going to send up chapter 21 soon RIGHT?!?! Hehe... GO! GET WRITING! *grin*
Crimson Cat - Yeah I know, I've got alot to clear up. *Sigh* I have no idea how I'm gonna do it, though. I plan on wrapping this story up within the next chapter or two, so I've got ALOT of planning and writing to do! And don't worry, I'm sure Challenger will be just fine... *grins evilly*
Mayhem Mountain (11/?)
by: Brandy Leigh
~*~
Veronica sat alone in the dark confines of the tent she shared with Malone, her legs drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her knees. She sighed deeply and laid her head down on her arms, thinking over the conversation she and Malone had only an hour before. She closed her eyes and imagined him in her head, hearing him confess to her how much she meant to him.
It was what she had always dreamt of, wasn't it? Having him look her deep in the eyes and tell her things that one could only say to their soulmate, the one they wanted to spend their life with? If it was what she truly wanted, then why did she push him away? Why did she walk away from him when she should have pulled him close and kissed him so hard he forgot that a woman named Gladys even existed?
Veronica drew in a deep breath and realized that Gladys was the problem. Sure Malone had informed her he no longer had an interest in his financé, but it was still a hard thing to comprehend. How did she know that if he found his way back to London he wouldn't run straight back into her arms? There was no way to be certain that when he saw her again his feelings for her would not resurface.
So that was it, Veronica was jealous. She was jealous of a woman she had only met in a dream, a woman who was halfway across the world and had no way of knowing what Malone was doing. She was jealous of someone who Malone hadn't had contact with for nearly three years. It was a stupid jealously, an emotion that had no right to be in her heart... but it was, nonetheless.
'I really should talk to him about this,' she thought. 'He needs to know that it's not him, it's me. I'm selfish, and I'm jealous. I shouldn't let my insecurities keep us apart anymore.'
Veronica nodded, telling herself that she was going to talk to Malone as soon as he came back to the tent. She was going to fix this whole mess and make things right between them. She loved him, she had even been so bold as to tell him. Now it was just a matter of putting aside petty fears and letting her love for him show. She would make everything up to him if it was the last thing she did.
Off in the distance, a very evil grin spread across the face of a very evil creature. Julian Gatessi knew exactly how to take care of the blonde one, the one who thought she was better than everyone else. All she would have to do is transform into another blonde from a certain someone's past, and the fun would surely begin on it's own.
"Who needs to make someone's fear manifest when you can just be the fear itself? More fun can be had when you are the player instead of the pawn," Julian murmured as she slowly began to change shape.
Back at the campfire, Marguerite and Roxton were still engaged in a very deep, passionate kiss. They seemed oblivious to the world around them, too occupied with each other and their newfound love. Eventually Marguerite pulled back, quite out of breath.
"You know John, maybe we should head to bed," Marguerite said suggestively as she looked up at the hunter. She was grinning quite wickedly, and she obviously had no intention of going to sleep.
"Why Marguerite, I think for once you're right."
Roxton stood, pulling her up with him. His eyes never left hers as he started leaded her towards the tent. He opened the flap to allow her to enter, but before either one of them could go in a very annoying girlish voice greeted them.
"Excuse me, do you know Edward Malone? I'm looking for him."
Roxton turned to see who the source of the voice was and spotted a fragile looking blonde watching him expectantly. The woman looked rather afraid, much as anyone would be if they found themselves in the middle of the plateau. He could sympathize, but he was also suspicious. How in the world did she get there, and how did she know Malone? It was quite the coincidence that she had stumbled upon them.
"Why yes, we know Edward Malone," Marguerite said, also rather shocked that this woman, who was clad in high society London-wear, knew Malone. "He's right over-"
"Just how do you know Malone, Miss..." Roxton interrupted Marguerite, but trailed off not knowing what to call their guest.
"Oh, you must think I'm so rude! My name is Gladys, I'm Edward's financé. Do you really know where he is? I've been looking for him for quite some time now and I'm so worried!" the woman said.
Marguerite and Roxton looked at each other wide eyed. If this was truly Gladys, all hell was about to break loose in the campsite. They knew it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but they had to tell her where Malone was. It would be wrong to turn her away, afraid and worried for her financé.
Roxton signed and nodded. "Yes, we know him. He's just over there, along those trees."
Gladys looked over and spotted him, her eyes lighting up. "Oh Neddy!" she exclaimed as she broke into a run.
"Well this can't be good," Roxton said.
"Do you think it's really her?" Marguerite asked.
"How could it not be?"
"Well, we've been tricked before. She could be anyone," Marguerite said as she watched the scene before her.
"Oh Neddy!" Malone heard from behind him. His eyes widened and he spun around, only to have his suspicions confirmed. His financé, Gladys, was on the plateau.
"Gladys? What... what are you doing here?" he asked, stunned.
"Oh Neddy, I was so worried about you! I talked the Zoological Society into funding a rescue expedition and we've been searching for months!" Gladys said as she flung herself into Malone's arms.
'What in the world?' Veronica thought as she heard all the shouting outside. She stuck her head out of the tent and looked around, spotting only Marguerite and Roxton at first. She saw them looking off in the distance and turned to follow their gaze.
"Are you serious? A rescue expedition?" Malone asked, pulling away.
"Yes! We thought we'd never find you in this dreadful place," Gladys said. She suddenly realize Malone was pulling from her embrace. "Neddy, what's wrong?"
It was then that Malone's eyes locked on Veronica's as she looked on from across the campsite. He froze, completely unsure of what to do. This was a bad situation, one that he had hoped he would never find himself in.
Gladys turned to see what Malone was looking at and spotted the blonde jungle girl who was now fully out of the tent. She narrowed her eyes at her and spun back around to glare at Malone.
"And just who is that?" Gladys asked, the head of jealously obviously raring.
"Why uh, that's Veronica," Malone replied, hoping Gladys wouldn't press the subject.
"And what is she to you, Edward Malone? She sure doesn't look to happy to see you with me."
Malone looked up at Veronica, trying to figure out the best thing to say. It suddenly hit him that he had no reason to lie to Gladys about Veronica. Why stand there and hurt Veronica to try and make it up to Gladys when he'd spent the past three years trying to get over her?
Malone took a deep breath, looked Gladys straight in the eyes and said, "I'm in love with her, Gladys."
Roxton and Marguerite looked at each other in shock, and Veronica let her jaw drop. All three of them were stunned, and none of them could believe that Malone had actually said what he did. It took Veronica a moment to process that all of it was actually happening.
"What are you doing, Ned?" she asked, stepping forward.
"Yes, what ARE you doing? Have you lost your mind? This savage?!" Gladys shouted.
"Savage?" Veronica asked the woman angrily.
"Veronica is no savage," Malone told Gladys.
"You can't be serious, Neddy! How could you possibly love... her?!"
"It's not so hard to believe, Gladys. She isn't trying to change me, to manipulate me and make me perfect. She loves me for who I am, and I'm happy when I'm with her. Unlike you, she actually how I feel and what I think!"
"What? Have you lost your mind? I think you've been in this godforsaken place far too long!" Gladys yelled, enraged.
"If anyone's out of their mind it's you, Gladys. I'm perfectly sane, and I know what I want."
"And you're going to look me in the face and honestly tell me its her that you want?"
"Yes."
Gladys drew in a deep breath, obviously very angry. She turned to look at Veronica, who was staring at her and Malone like they had both grown another head. Gladys hiked up her skirt, stalked over to Veronica, and promptly slapped her across the face.
"Gladys!" Malone shouted, running over.
Gladys turned around to face Malone, all the while reaching under her skirt. She grabbed an object that was strapped to her thigh, pulled her arm back, and swung at Malone. Veronica reached out with lightening fast reflexes and grabbed hold of Gladys' arm seconds before the knife in her hand connected with Malone.
"I don't think so," Veronica said as she jerked the blade from Gladys' grasp.
"Oh but I do!" Gladys yelled as she spun around and kicked Veronica square in the stomach, sending her flying back.
Veronica let out a yelp as she connected with the ground, wincing. She grabbed hold of her broken arm and squeezed her eyes shut in pain from where she had landed on it when Gladys kicked her.
"Whoa!" Marguerite cried as she scrambled over to Veronica.
"I don't think that's Gladys!" Roxton exclaimed as he rushed over also.
"I told you!" Marguerite shouted.
"I don't care who she is," Veronica said through gritted teeth. "I'm about two seconds from kicking her ass!"
"Gladys, stop it!" Malone shouted. "This is crazy!"
"The only thing crazy here is you, Neddy," Gladys said as her eyes began to glow a haunting yellow.
"Holy God..."
"Hey Gladys," Veronica said sweetly, causing Gladys to spin around.
"What do you want?" Gladys asked, her voice now deep and evil.
Veronica grinned and held her good arm behind her back. She slowly twirled the knife Gladys had thrown at her, preparing to give the woman a taste of her own medicine.
"Missing something?" she asked.
Gladys looked around trying to figure out what Veronica was talking about, and Veronica took this as her chance. She hurled the knife straight at Gladys, making perfect aim straight for a chest. She let out a yell from the effort, for all of her anger and fear towards with woman went with it.
"AGH!" Gladys cried as the blade hit her chest, dead center. She flew back, hitting the ground and not moving an inch. The only thing that changed was her form as she slowly changed back into Julian.
"Julian," Roxton muttered.
"I should have known that little twit was behind all of this," Marguerite said.
"We all should have, it made no sense that Gladys would be here," Malone said, making his way over to them.
Veronica looked up at Malone, eyes moist with tears that threatened to fall. Malone wasn't quite sure why she looked like she was about to cry, but he took a step forward and pulled her into his arms anyway. He held her close, taking a deep breath of the smell of her hair.
"Veronica?" he eventually asked. "What's wrong?"
"I can't believe I was jealous of that, that thing!" Veronica cried.
"Jealous?" Malone asked, shocked.
Veronica nodded slightly and looked up at him to explain. "That's why I've been pushing you away lately, Ned. I was worried that you still loved Gladys and that you could never really care about me the way I care about you."
"Veronica... I told you, Gladys-"
"Was in the past, I know. But I just figured that once you found your way back to London you'd find your way right back into your arms. It happened once before, and it might happen again."
"No," Malone said firmly. "That is not going to happen. What happened before was a dream, it was not reality. When it comes down to the decision in real life I will always choose you, Veronica. Always."
Veronica just smiled, her tears flowing freely now. She pulled Malone back to her, hugging him the best she could with one arm.
"Guys?" Marguerite asked, trying to get their attention. "Not to burst your bubble or anything, but if Julian is here, where's Challenger?"
The four of them looked at each other, each sharing the same fear. If Julian was here trying to attack them, then Challenger had failed in his plan. Wherever he was, he was most likely hurt or in danger.
"We have to find him," Roxton said suddenly.
"Right, I'll grab the weapons," Malone said as he dashed towards the tents.
"What about Julian?"
"Oh I'll take care of her," Veronica said, voice full of venom.
"I'll help," Marguerite said, just as angry.
Malone and Roxton looked at each other, grinning. They had surely picked the right team to play on by the looks of things.
"What do you two plan on doing?" Malone asked.
"Well there has to be some way to get rid of her," Roxton said. "Some weakness we can use against her."
"Let's just throw her in a damn river and be through with it," Marguerite said.
"No, it can't be that simple. If it was, Challenger would have been able to handle it," Veronica said.
"Then what exactly do you suggest?" Marguerite asked.
"Well, Julian is the Ultouma, right? She's the physical manifestation of fear," Veronica said, deep in thought.
"Yes, we've established that."
"Well, there's an old Zanga legend about a creature that terrorized the village at night, stealing children from their beds. It's said that this creature stole the children because of their nightmares, and wouldn't nightmares classify as fear?"
"You think Julian is this creature?" Roxton asked.
"It's possible," Veronica said. "And it would make sense that only children were taken. They're young and it would be easier for them not to have the strength or will to pass the test."
"How does the legend say to get rid of it?" Malone asked.
"The Zanga discovered the creature was afraid of fire," Veronica told them. "They began keeping a flame burning in every home where a child lived and before long it went away."
"And wouldn't you know, Julian has been absent from every one of our little pow wows around the campfire," Marguerite said thoughtfully.
"That's it then," Malone said. "We torch her."
"Well, that would be easy if she were still here," Roxton said looking around. He couldn't see her anywhere, and he reasoned while they were talking she had found the perfect opportunity to escape into the woods.
"Damnit!" Marguerite shouted.
"Don't worry," Veronica said, full of determination. "I think I know where she's going."
With that, Veronica leaned down and picked up the biggest stick she could find. Holding it to the campfire she watched as it caught fire, almost hypnotized by the flame. She motioned for the others to do the same, and soon they all held torches.
"Let's go," she said without hesitation, and everyone fell back in line to follow her.
~*~
End part eleven
~*~
Authors notes: Well I guess Veronica wasn't totally out of the woods with the whole fear thing, eh? Sorry that Challenger wasn't in this chapter at all, but he just didn't fit in with what I had going, ya know? Lol, the writers at Lost World took my idea and made it so that Challenger just sorta showed up outta no where in Legacy, oblivious. I was laughing my ass off when he came out and said something like, "Good heavens, what was all that shooting about?" Sound familiar to anyone? *hint hint nudge nudge* My Challenger does the same thing throughout this whole story, man! :O) I didn't plan it, either... I guess Challenger is just my least favorite character (actually, Finn is). Nothing against him, he just isn't as fun to play with! And why in God's name can't Finn said "Veronica"? She's always gotta say "V". Okay sorry... my random rant for the day. She was just pissing me off yesterday in Legacy. *sigh*
P.s. I was half asleep when I wrote the last half of this chapter, so if it makes no sense that's why! *grin*
~*~
Possible questions answered in part 12:
Is Julian really the creature from the Zanga legend?
Will our heroes be able to defeat her?
How much longer is this god forsaken story?
You'll have to read to find out...
