CHAPTER: The Beginning of the End: Part 1
AUTHOR: IrishTomboy@attbi.com
RATING: R
PAIRING: Thorn/OC, Daphne/Freddy (of course)
DISCLAMIER: I own none of them except Jaguar and Cú and anyone else that
aren't part of the original Scooby-verse, though I wish I did.
FEEDBACK: Welcome
WARNING: If love between two women bothers you then get out NOW!
Also. If you see any words encase by these ** ** it means that the person
is speaking in a different language.
The afternoon sun beat down on everyone's heads.
"This is really strange. Yesterday it was like a tornado and now it's bright and sunny. I wonder how that could be."
"Cú. He loves to flex his power anyway he can." Jaguar said quietly. She and the others walked along the street to where the concert was being held. The plan was to get a feel for the land so there wouldn't be any tricks. Jaguar was sure that her old sire would be striking at the festival. More then likely when the Hex Girls were playing. More people together, more targets to kill.
Sweat beaded on the woman's forehead. She had on her trench coat despite the nearly ninety-degree weather, to conceal her falchion and gun. Rose had on her own cloak, hiding the quiver and arrows while Celeb wore a leather jacket to hide the buck knife. Though they were sweating like pigs they knew it was necessary just in case Cú became to eager and decided to start the party early.
They crossed the street and plopped down into the shade of the oak trees in a secluded spot. Jaguar took off her jacket, welcoming the air across her sweltering skin. She also took off her weapons, hid them then stood. "Celeb. I need ya to change."
"But," The black man looked at the Scooby Gang.
"They're going to find out anyway. Besides I need you to smell if Cú or any of his thugs have been around lately."
Celeb sighed and nodded. He stood and took off his jacket. "You guys might want to look away if you don't want to see me naked." He growled. The group's eyes, minus Rose, Jaguar and Nathaniel's, widened and their mouths dropped.
"What?"
"Just do it." He waited until everyone's eyes were closed or turned away before stripping to his birthday suit. He then closed his eyes and searched his mind. Finding where the animal slept he woke it up and instantly felt the change come over him. He doubled over as his skin bubbled and bones crunched.
Every heard the loud popping and crunching and looked over to see as man merged into animal. Something once only thought to happen in fairy tails was happening right in front of them.
Celeb screwed his eyes shut at the sharp pain of his spine snapping, shrinking then fusing back together then the sweet release. His hands and feet turned to paws, nails hardened and shrank and a pelt and tail sprouted from naked flesh. Then the hardest part took place. The jawbones grew and formed a muzzle, followed by the teeth growing and becoming sharper. With a growl Celeb, or more accurately Cerberus, shook his entire body and danced around, trying to stretch its muscles.
"All right all right. Get over here." Jaguar bent down as the dog walked over. "I need you to search around and try to find any sign if Cú or the others have been around lately." The dog nodded and darted off into the wood.
"Can I go help him?" Nathaniel asked.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea Nat." Rose replied.
"Yeah. Cerberus's got it." Jaguar ruffled the boy's hair playfully before turning to look at the group. There wasn't one eye that wasn't wide or one mouth not hung open. "What was that?" She asked their silent question. The group nodded. "Well that is was you'd call...a weredog."
"Weredog?"
"Yeah Velma. See most people only know about werewolves but there are different kinds of changelings out there. Weretigers, Weresnakes, even Werespiders." The group just looked at the blonde in completely dumbfounded. Jaguar laughed and scratched her head. "Sorry if I just confused you even more." She turned around at the sound of the black dog returning. "That was fast." Cerberus growled and Jaguar nodded. "Really. Where?" The dog took off running with the Hunter trailing behind.
"I hate it when she does that." Rose grumbled. "Sometimes she knows too much about other changelings. Even for a changeling herself."
"She's a changeling?" Freddy asked.
"Oops." Rose covered her mouth.
"Nice going sis." Nathaniel nudged his sister in the leg.
"Shit. Don't let Jaguar know that you know. She'll kill me." The group still looked shocked but nodded. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Rose let out a relieved breath just as Jaguar and Cerberus came back.
"What did you find?" Velma asked.
"It seems that they were here not too long ago. They had tried to set up a trap but luckily we found it."
"A trap for who?"
"Us." Jaguar pulled from inside her cloak what looked to be a landmine. "Cú knew that we'd be looking and so he set this up." She placed it back into her coat.
"Are you sure that safe?"
"Yeah. I disarmed it." The blonde made sure the device was tucked safely away before turning to Cerberus. "All right. I think that's it. You can change back." The dog nodded. Ever one turned away and waited as the man changed back and put his clothes on.
"Okay." Eyes turned back and opened.
"So, like, what do we do now?" Shaggy asked.
"Relax and have fun. That's all we can do." The Hunter replied. "Rose. Why don't you guys go with Freddy and them? I, uh, got some things to finish up. I'll see you guys back at Thorn's place at around...what? One thirty?"
"Sure." Rose nodded.
"All right. I'll see ya." And with that the Hunter took off into the forest.
"Come on guys. Let's go get something to eat." They agreed quickly to Shaggy's suggestions and walked down to Jake's restaurant. More people were in today since the weather was slightly more agreeable. Jake looked happy as he walked to the various tables, serving people and joking with the townsfolk.
"I can't wait to eat." Shaggy grinned.
"Reah." Scooby licked his chops as they found a table and sat down.
~*~
Jaguar flopped down on her bed and discarded her long coat and weapons. Even though she thought she had gotten over the fear of Cú there was still a part of her that was the little girl that would cower whenever she messed up, fearing that a whip or hand would strike her next.
She pulled her pack to her and rummaged around until she found a small pouch. Her mother and father gave it to her just before her fifth birthday. Before she fell ill and was sentenced to Hell.
Pulling the drawstrings open revealed a golden cross, a ring. Taking both items out of the velvet pouch she set it aside and examined the objects she hadn't held in so long. The cross was a golden one with a pentagram right at the center. It had been passed down in her family for many generations. She could practically feel her family's presence when she held it close. Feel her mother's gentle touch, her father's bear hugs or her big brother's playful punches.
She smiled then turned to look at the ring. It too was gold and nothing more then a simple band but inside was an inscription written in her native tongue. It read; 'Ill aoweye biee wote yeu.' Which in English meant: 'I'll always be with you.' It was as if her parents knew that they'd be separated and wanted to make the parting easier.
The Hunter hooked the necklace around her neck and clasped the ring tightly. Her eyes screwed shut and words she'd only spoken a few times before came out.
"Mother. Father. I need help. Tomorrow I face the one man, or thing, that scares me. I don't know if I can make it." She looked out the window into the clear sky. "I have so many lives to protect. Not just the town's but the world's as well. I tell the others that I am ready to fight but inside I don't know. Will I be able to fight tomorrow? Will I find the strength to overcome my fears or will they finally drag me into the depths of my soul that I had always wished never to venture again?" She once again dug into her knapsack and pulled out a picture. It was slightly worn but the picture was still clear. It was of her family in front of their home. They were a happy family then...
But that happiness was cut short by a man named Cú. To everyone else he was a righteous man with a strong interest in helping others. But that was only an act. A sham put on by a man that wanted nothing more then power. He was a cruel teacher and a maniac. Why had her parent's let her go with him? Was it because he had saved her life?
"He didn't save my life. He condemned it." She closed her eyes and willed the tears away but this time they didn't leave. They flowed from her eyes freely. Her entire body shook with the effort to keep them back. "Why? Why did they have to die? This can't be happening. I can't protect anyone."
~*~
"Nathaniel! Be careful!" Celeb called out to the little boy as he ran ahead of them, chasing Scooby.
Shaggy shook his head at the sight of the Great Dane acting like nothing more then a puppy. "He really likes Nathan."
"Yeah. Nat kinda grows on you." Rose paused. "Great. I just made my little brother sound like a fungus."
"But this he's, like, a cute fungus." Shaggy joked.
"Let's get off the fungus thing." Rose replied. They lapsed into silence as they continued on their way.
~*~
It almost six o'clock and the entire gang was walking around the festival grounds. Celeb and Jaguar were both carrying large duffle bags in each hand, each full of weapons for the night's fight except for one which held the Soul Stones. They hoped that there would be no need for all of them but one thing you learned in the business of being a Hunter was to be better safe then sorry. They had spent most of the day just relaxing, playing games and walking around. Now it was nearly ten minutes until the concert started and they were making their way over to the concert grounds.
"What are we going to do with these?" Freddy motioned to the bags.
"When we get there I'll hide 'em. Then we'll wait for Cú to make his attack." The nine made their way over to the stands. Jaguar and Nichole volunteered to stand over the bags and hide them so the others took a seat on the wooden benches.
"Do you think he'll attack soon?" Nichole whispered as she looked out at the crowd.
For a moment Jaguar only looked at the people. So innocent. So pure. "Yeah. If I know Cú, and sadly I do, he'll attack right in the middle." She replied in quiet tones.
The two were cut off from anymore talking by the Hex Girls' arrival. Cheers punctured the dusk air as the three made their way onto the stage.
"Hey Oakhaven!" Thorn called, placing the guitar strap around over her shoulder and beaming up at the crowd. Her fangs glinted in the light. "Ready to rock!" Cheers exploded all around, making every Changeling fell shortly disoriented before they became used to the rumbling of the crowd.
Thorn began to play the first couple of strings to 'Earth, Wind, Fire and Air,' glancing back at her friends as she did this.
"Ready girls?" She tried her hardest to keep her voice from shaking but she was glad anyway for the loud music that covered up any slips.
"Let's do it." And with that the speakers blasted with the Hex Girl's song.
Jaguar kept an eye out for Cú but her gaze kept returning to the singers and the entire crowd for that matter. There wasn't one face that wasn't smiling or laughing. Hell, even Celeb was smirking. It made even the stoic feeling Hunter crack.
That was until she noticed a movement to the side of the stage. 'Shit. I didn't expect them to be this early.' She picked up all the bags and pointed out the movement to Nichole. The Changeling scowled.
"Damn. They're early."
"I know. Get everyone else and meet me behind the benches." With that she turned and disappeared. Nichole tapped Fred on the shoulder and whispered to him; "Come on. It's time to go."
He nodded and relayed the message to the others. All of them got up and started to leave, all except for Shaggy and Scooby that is.
"But they, like, just started don't you think it would be kind of rude to leave right in the beginning?"
"Come on." Freddy grasped both of them by the collars and dragged them to where the others all ready stood.
"All right you guys. This is it." Jaguar replied, looking at each face in turn. She had a fleeting feeling of a coach talking to his team before a big game. She quickly shook off the feeling and turned back to the matter at hand. "Now if you have any last minute questions then ask now because in a minute you won't have the chance to ask."
"Yeah. Can me and Scooby, like, not do this?"
Jaguar eyed them for a moment before shrugging. "If you want," Everyone was taken aback by this. No more so then Shaggy or Scooby themselves.
"Reary?" Scooby asked.
Jaguar nodded. "Yes. I need someone to stay here and look after the stones. You guys think you can do that for me?" They both saluted her. "Great. All right. What's going to happen is the rest of you guys are going to go around the left and I'll go right. I'm going to be the distraction so when I've drawn most of the attention you guys try to take out as many as possible."
"Do we have to...kill them?" Velma asked.
"You don't have to. Just try to knock them out as hard as you can." Jaguar answered. She picked up two bags and handed one to Celeb then the other to Nichole. "Take these and pray we won't need them." Taking the third bag she straitened. "Let's do it." They silently agreed then turned and went their separate ways, trying hard not to bring attention to themselves. Scooby and Shaggy watched their friends leave before hefting the last bag up and returning to their seat. Nichole and Rose leaded the group to their spot with Celeb bringing up the rear.
Jaguar watched them go, praying to any god or goddess that would listen to keep them save, before moving herself. She hefted the bag over her shoulder and slinked across the shadowed grounds. While she moved, as effortlessly and unnoticeable as breathing the woman changed in to the Hunter. Her emotions steeled, her eyes hardened and her entire demeanor toughened.
Golden eyes traveled along the happy crowd and for but a moment her façade slipped. They were so happy. So naïve. But if they were to survive the inevitable horror that was coming that bliss would have to be sacrificed. It was a heavy price but it was either that or millions of souls were to be condemned to an eternity in Hell's fire.
Her front hardened once more and she looked around the corner of the backdrop. There he stood. Cú. He was ordering around other, some she recognized, others she didn't, but all of them looked ready for a fight if need be. Blocking out the Hex Girl's song she zeroed in on her old sire's words.
"Hurry up you insolent beings! We must hurry. The time is at hand." He seethed.
Jaguar set the bag aside, making sure it was hidden, then stepped out of the shadows and drew her gun. "For all of you to die? Yeah I'd have to agree with that." She aimed the barrel at Cú. His eyes traveled from his help to the Hunter with what looked to be a bored stare.
"Rebecca. What are you doing here?"
"My name isn't Rebecca anymore Cú. It's Jaguar. And I came to finish what I started."
"Are you going to kill me Rebecca? You don't have it in you."
"Don't test me Cú." Jaguar growled. Her eyes momentarily left the man to scan the others. Sure enough she had everyone's attention. It surprised her that none of them noticed the group hiding in the shadows, or at least smelt them. Quickly she returned her gaze back to cold black eyes.
"What are you going to do pup?"
She squeezed the trigger, thankful that she had remembered to put the silence on earlier and fired, hitting Cú square in the shoulder.
"Now guys." Rose growled. In a flash the nine jumped the closest opponent, effectively knocking them out. But that left around twelve or thirteen more.
Cú whirled around to see what the commotion was. When his eyes landed on the ambushers he laughed a laugh that made all in the proximity shiver.
"So. This is you're idea of trying to stop the inevitable, Rebecca?" He clicked his tongue, turning to look at her. "I would have expected better from my best student, pup."
"Yeah well. I think we can handle you." Jaguar said with more confidence then she felt. Her heart was beginning to beat faster but she tried to focus. She knew that if she didn't everything would be lost. So she steeled her resolve and glared at Cú. He was clutching his injured shoulder and blood was beginning to stain the dark robe.
Slowly she edged to her right so her back was to the stage. Another thing you learned quickly was never keep your back open for too long.
"Everyone drop what you have or I give Cú a matchin' hole in the other shoulder."
"What hole?" Cú asked, laughing evilly. His hand fell away from the wound to show blood stained flesh but no wound.
"Fuck." Jaguar gasped in surprise. The distraction cost her deeply.
"Biaee Sahler!" The Sorcerer created a fireball and hurtled it at his old student. Jaguar barely had time to throw up her hands before the attack hit her square on. The strike lifted her off her feet and through the backdrop. The Hex Girl's song greeted the Hunter but she paid it no heed as her back came in contact with the hard stage. Her gun skidded off somewhere as she rolled for a short time before coming to a stop on her stomach. Her arms and chest hurt like hell and looking down she saw that her skin was scorched and charred.
"Fuck." She struggled to rise, wincing slightly at the twinge from her burns. She sat back on her haunches and tried to steady her breathing.
"Jaguar!" The Hunter looked up to see that every eye was either on her or the gaping hole in the background. Thorn set her guitar down and ran to her friend's side. "What happened? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Jaguar rose to her full height, pulling the singer up with her and looked at the hole. Cú was walking through it, grinning mercilessly at her. Instinctively Jaguar pulled Thorn behind her and drew her falchion.
"My, my Rebecca. I'd have thought you'd be better able to take a hit like that. It was one of my smaller ones after all."
"I'm still standing and breathin' aren't I?" She hopped onto the stage and walked forward, motioning for Dawn and Luna to run. As they did she stood dead center in the middle of the stage and looked at her old sire.
Cú looked around at the people. "Look at all the people." His smile grew like a kid's at a candy store. "More to kill."
A gasp raced through the stands but it only made Jaguar walk closer, trying her hardest to keep Cú from moving anywhere. "You're killing no one and you're defiantly not going to use Tortert on anyone."
"Who's going to stop me? Your friends can't help. They've been captured."
"What?" The Hunter turned to see that he was speaking the truth. Every single one of the back up was in the clutches of Cú's goons. 'Shit.'
"What's wrong, pup? Afraid that your curse will strike again?"
"Shut up about that." Her anger returned and with it a new sense of determination. "Let them go."
"You know Rebecca." Cú continued as if nothing had been said. "I thought I had taught you about right and wrong."
"Your idea or right and wrong are very different from mine."
"Quite. See for me you'd no longer be a pup because you tasted innocent blood. Not only once I might add." A malicious grin appeared on his face as he watched the Hunter pale. "You remember then. The way their flesh felt when you ripped it apart. How sweet their hot blood tasted as it spilled down your throat. Especially the girl's."
"We're not vampires Cú." Jaguar tried to keep her voice stable but the onslaught of images hit her.
"No. We are something more. We are more powerful. You could have been as powerful as I if only you hadn't of run."
"You expected me to stay with you when I found out that you killed my parents? I'd sooner die."
"That can be arranged." He snapped his fingers and in less time then it took for anyone to blink the remaining goons had jumped the Hunter. Like lightening Jaguar took out three of them but the other two, both bigger then her, double-teamed and quickly pinned her. Her weapons skittered just out of her reach. Animalistic growls escaped the Hunter as she tried to free herself from her captives. Both began to beat her until she was barely hanging onto consciousness.
"Now my dear Rebecca. Watch. Watch as I become the ruler of this world." He turned towards the stands and waved a hand as if beckoning someone towards him.
Scooby and Shaggy both gulped and stared at each other wide-eyed from where they were hidden. A yelped escaped them both as the box lifted up, taking them with it. "No. You're, like, not going to take this, man."
"Do not try to stop me human. You are not strong enough."
Scooby and Shaggy struggled to keep the chest back but to no avail.
Everyone watched helplessly as Cú took back the one thing that could have prevented him from completing the ritual.
"Restrain them." Two more goons ran out of nowhere and restrained the two. "Thank you so much for giving me these back. I've missed them dearly." He opened the box and took out a familiar golden orb. "Especially this one. Ryan! Take these and set them up!" Ryan scurried forward, took the box from his sire and hurried to the middle of the clearing and began to set up the spell. Cú walked forward and knelt down in front of Jaguar. "I just need the other part of your soul and I can finally achieve my dream. But before you die I want to make your last few moments on 'this' earth...memorable." He straitened and turned toward the captives. "Bring forward Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel!" He boomed. The three were quickly brought over and stood in front of the warlock. Nathaniel whimpered in fear, his dark eyes glassy with tears. "Who should I test my powers on first, Rebecca? Rose? Or how about Celeb? No. I know. The little one."
"No!" Jaguar yelled, her voice slipping as her mind swam. She was walking the edge and this wasn't helping. "Leave...him alone...Cú. He's only a...a boy."
"You're right. I'll make it all the more quick." He turned back to the boy and beckoned the boy forward. Celeb fought hard against his captors, as did Rose. Both almost succeeded but it was too late. The spell had all ready begun.
"**Yelu, God of agony and pain, Bestow on this weakling your present to all those yet to be slain, Flesh to Liquid, Bone to Dust, Bring about your bloody lust!**"
Nathaniel looked around wildly as he was lifted into the air and from Cú's hand exploded a vile orange light. It encompassed the boy and everyone watched as his body began to twist. The sound of bones snapping made even the strongest stomach roll.
Jaguar diverted her eyes, but it was too late. The image was securely brunt into her brain. His cries of pain and fear made the strong Hunter shed tears as she realized that once again she couldn't save someone she loved.
"How does it feel Rebecca? To know that even with all of your strength, all of your weapons you still cannot help one small boy! You are no Hunter! You are a killer!"
Cú words ricocheted through the woman's skull. That mixed with the throbbing pain, Nathaniel's screams and her own pity finally pushed the woman over the edge into darkness.
~*~
More screams filled Jaguar's head as she slipped back into the world of the alert. Golden eyes looked up to watch as Celeb's flesh bubbled and his intestines and other organs slopped onto the ground, joining those of Rose and Nathaniel.
"Ah. You're finally awake, pup. I thought you were going to miss what I have in store for you."
"Yeah," Her hoarse throat cracked. "More surprises."
"Yes. I saved the best for last." He turned and waved his hand again. Jaguar turned and watched with utter horror as Thorn was pulled forward and lifted into the air. She tried to struggle but the guys on top of her wouldn't budge. "Aren't you going to try and save you're little girlfriend here, pup? I mean you weren't able to save the others." He motioned to the steaming pile of flesh on the ground.
"Don't...don't you dare...touch her."
"What are you going to do about it? You're weak in your human skin? Are you just going to watch her die like your parents? Like Michael? Did you know they were whimpering and cowering when I killed them?"
The Hunter felt her anger, which was all ready at the surface begin to boil over. "You're brother. To all Gods in heaven that boy is a coward. Ran away with his tail between his legs." The haze that had been clouding the woman's vision now turned blood red. A long forgotten churn in both her mind and her soul was first signal to the animal's arrival.
"You will not touch her." The Hunter's voice was distant and cold, making every head turn in her direction in surprise. Power that she hadn't felt in so long rushed through her veins, pushing away any pain, any weakness it encountered. "You will touch no one!" The two goons holding her down where thrown from her changing form with the force of an explosion. They landed a good fifty feet away and lay still. Eyes traveled from the still forms back to the Hunter. Her body seemed to be surrounded with and golden red aura that radiated power and fury. The golden fur that surrounded her seemed to stand on end, due to her vigor or ferocity was uncertain but she looked terrifying none-the-less.
With a growl she bolted forward, her long legs making the yards seem like inches as she raced towards Cú. Without breaking a step Jaguar launched into the air, grabbed Thorn and pulled her away from the magic. She tucked the smaller woman close to her body so no harm came to her.
Thorn felt her body jar as Jaguar grabbed her from the force field or whatever had her but then only felt strong arms around her, protecting her.
When they landed Thorn looked up into a golden eye. She truly wondered if this creature, as magnificent as it was, was her love. But the caring and worry in the golden orb was answer enough.
"Are you all right Thorn?"
The deep, rumbling voice ran through the singer like thunder, but she did manage a; "Yes." Jaguar only nodded before helping her to stand on her own, then turned to looked at a stunned, but smiling, Cú.
"So. You have gotten over you're fear."
Jaguar walked forward gracefully, like a predator stalking its prey. "You may call it fear Cú. You may not. But whatever it was is now gone and right now you have one pissed off werewolf on your hands."
"I'm very frightened." Cú said dryly. "If you wish to fight me fine. We shall fight but when I win I will enjoy watching your soul become trapped like the others."
"I look forward to it." Jaguar replied sardonically. She dropped her body to a fighting stance and waited as Cú decided to transform. Now, both in their furs, they faced off. Images of a long since dead past flashed by making Jaguar feel the familiar fear from seeing her old sire again. 'No. Do not show fear. It is a weakness and one you cannot afford right now.' She pushed the fear away from her and focused on the monster in front of her. His black fur made him stand out against the white of the stage.
"I have been waiting for this moment for awhile now, pup. Let's just see what all those years of killing your own kind have done to you."
And with that the fight of the world began.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ On to part 2!
Which will be up as soon as I edit it.
The afternoon sun beat down on everyone's heads.
"This is really strange. Yesterday it was like a tornado and now it's bright and sunny. I wonder how that could be."
"Cú. He loves to flex his power anyway he can." Jaguar said quietly. She and the others walked along the street to where the concert was being held. The plan was to get a feel for the land so there wouldn't be any tricks. Jaguar was sure that her old sire would be striking at the festival. More then likely when the Hex Girls were playing. More people together, more targets to kill.
Sweat beaded on the woman's forehead. She had on her trench coat despite the nearly ninety-degree weather, to conceal her falchion and gun. Rose had on her own cloak, hiding the quiver and arrows while Celeb wore a leather jacket to hide the buck knife. Though they were sweating like pigs they knew it was necessary just in case Cú became to eager and decided to start the party early.
They crossed the street and plopped down into the shade of the oak trees in a secluded spot. Jaguar took off her jacket, welcoming the air across her sweltering skin. She also took off her weapons, hid them then stood. "Celeb. I need ya to change."
"But," The black man looked at the Scooby Gang.
"They're going to find out anyway. Besides I need you to smell if Cú or any of his thugs have been around lately."
Celeb sighed and nodded. He stood and took off his jacket. "You guys might want to look away if you don't want to see me naked." He growled. The group's eyes, minus Rose, Jaguar and Nathaniel's, widened and their mouths dropped.
"What?"
"Just do it." He waited until everyone's eyes were closed or turned away before stripping to his birthday suit. He then closed his eyes and searched his mind. Finding where the animal slept he woke it up and instantly felt the change come over him. He doubled over as his skin bubbled and bones crunched.
Every heard the loud popping and crunching and looked over to see as man merged into animal. Something once only thought to happen in fairy tails was happening right in front of them.
Celeb screwed his eyes shut at the sharp pain of his spine snapping, shrinking then fusing back together then the sweet release. His hands and feet turned to paws, nails hardened and shrank and a pelt and tail sprouted from naked flesh. Then the hardest part took place. The jawbones grew and formed a muzzle, followed by the teeth growing and becoming sharper. With a growl Celeb, or more accurately Cerberus, shook his entire body and danced around, trying to stretch its muscles.
"All right all right. Get over here." Jaguar bent down as the dog walked over. "I need you to search around and try to find any sign if Cú or the others have been around lately." The dog nodded and darted off into the wood.
"Can I go help him?" Nathaniel asked.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea Nat." Rose replied.
"Yeah. Cerberus's got it." Jaguar ruffled the boy's hair playfully before turning to look at the group. There wasn't one eye that wasn't wide or one mouth not hung open. "What was that?" She asked their silent question. The group nodded. "Well that is was you'd call...a weredog."
"Weredog?"
"Yeah Velma. See most people only know about werewolves but there are different kinds of changelings out there. Weretigers, Weresnakes, even Werespiders." The group just looked at the blonde in completely dumbfounded. Jaguar laughed and scratched her head. "Sorry if I just confused you even more." She turned around at the sound of the black dog returning. "That was fast." Cerberus growled and Jaguar nodded. "Really. Where?" The dog took off running with the Hunter trailing behind.
"I hate it when she does that." Rose grumbled. "Sometimes she knows too much about other changelings. Even for a changeling herself."
"She's a changeling?" Freddy asked.
"Oops." Rose covered her mouth.
"Nice going sis." Nathaniel nudged his sister in the leg.
"Shit. Don't let Jaguar know that you know. She'll kill me." The group still looked shocked but nodded. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Rose let out a relieved breath just as Jaguar and Cerberus came back.
"What did you find?" Velma asked.
"It seems that they were here not too long ago. They had tried to set up a trap but luckily we found it."
"A trap for who?"
"Us." Jaguar pulled from inside her cloak what looked to be a landmine. "Cú knew that we'd be looking and so he set this up." She placed it back into her coat.
"Are you sure that safe?"
"Yeah. I disarmed it." The blonde made sure the device was tucked safely away before turning to Cerberus. "All right. I think that's it. You can change back." The dog nodded. Ever one turned away and waited as the man changed back and put his clothes on.
"Okay." Eyes turned back and opened.
"So, like, what do we do now?" Shaggy asked.
"Relax and have fun. That's all we can do." The Hunter replied. "Rose. Why don't you guys go with Freddy and them? I, uh, got some things to finish up. I'll see you guys back at Thorn's place at around...what? One thirty?"
"Sure." Rose nodded.
"All right. I'll see ya." And with that the Hunter took off into the forest.
"Come on guys. Let's go get something to eat." They agreed quickly to Shaggy's suggestions and walked down to Jake's restaurant. More people were in today since the weather was slightly more agreeable. Jake looked happy as he walked to the various tables, serving people and joking with the townsfolk.
"I can't wait to eat." Shaggy grinned.
"Reah." Scooby licked his chops as they found a table and sat down.
~*~
Jaguar flopped down on her bed and discarded her long coat and weapons. Even though she thought she had gotten over the fear of Cú there was still a part of her that was the little girl that would cower whenever she messed up, fearing that a whip or hand would strike her next.
She pulled her pack to her and rummaged around until she found a small pouch. Her mother and father gave it to her just before her fifth birthday. Before she fell ill and was sentenced to Hell.
Pulling the drawstrings open revealed a golden cross, a ring. Taking both items out of the velvet pouch she set it aside and examined the objects she hadn't held in so long. The cross was a golden one with a pentagram right at the center. It had been passed down in her family for many generations. She could practically feel her family's presence when she held it close. Feel her mother's gentle touch, her father's bear hugs or her big brother's playful punches.
She smiled then turned to look at the ring. It too was gold and nothing more then a simple band but inside was an inscription written in her native tongue. It read; 'Ill aoweye biee wote yeu.' Which in English meant: 'I'll always be with you.' It was as if her parents knew that they'd be separated and wanted to make the parting easier.
The Hunter hooked the necklace around her neck and clasped the ring tightly. Her eyes screwed shut and words she'd only spoken a few times before came out.
"Mother. Father. I need help. Tomorrow I face the one man, or thing, that scares me. I don't know if I can make it." She looked out the window into the clear sky. "I have so many lives to protect. Not just the town's but the world's as well. I tell the others that I am ready to fight but inside I don't know. Will I be able to fight tomorrow? Will I find the strength to overcome my fears or will they finally drag me into the depths of my soul that I had always wished never to venture again?" She once again dug into her knapsack and pulled out a picture. It was slightly worn but the picture was still clear. It was of her family in front of their home. They were a happy family then...
But that happiness was cut short by a man named Cú. To everyone else he was a righteous man with a strong interest in helping others. But that was only an act. A sham put on by a man that wanted nothing more then power. He was a cruel teacher and a maniac. Why had her parent's let her go with him? Was it because he had saved her life?
"He didn't save my life. He condemned it." She closed her eyes and willed the tears away but this time they didn't leave. They flowed from her eyes freely. Her entire body shook with the effort to keep them back. "Why? Why did they have to die? This can't be happening. I can't protect anyone."
~*~
"Nathaniel! Be careful!" Celeb called out to the little boy as he ran ahead of them, chasing Scooby.
Shaggy shook his head at the sight of the Great Dane acting like nothing more then a puppy. "He really likes Nathan."
"Yeah. Nat kinda grows on you." Rose paused. "Great. I just made my little brother sound like a fungus."
"But this he's, like, a cute fungus." Shaggy joked.
"Let's get off the fungus thing." Rose replied. They lapsed into silence as they continued on their way.
~*~
It almost six o'clock and the entire gang was walking around the festival grounds. Celeb and Jaguar were both carrying large duffle bags in each hand, each full of weapons for the night's fight except for one which held the Soul Stones. They hoped that there would be no need for all of them but one thing you learned in the business of being a Hunter was to be better safe then sorry. They had spent most of the day just relaxing, playing games and walking around. Now it was nearly ten minutes until the concert started and they were making their way over to the concert grounds.
"What are we going to do with these?" Freddy motioned to the bags.
"When we get there I'll hide 'em. Then we'll wait for Cú to make his attack." The nine made their way over to the stands. Jaguar and Nichole volunteered to stand over the bags and hide them so the others took a seat on the wooden benches.
"Do you think he'll attack soon?" Nichole whispered as she looked out at the crowd.
For a moment Jaguar only looked at the people. So innocent. So pure. "Yeah. If I know Cú, and sadly I do, he'll attack right in the middle." She replied in quiet tones.
The two were cut off from anymore talking by the Hex Girls' arrival. Cheers punctured the dusk air as the three made their way onto the stage.
"Hey Oakhaven!" Thorn called, placing the guitar strap around over her shoulder and beaming up at the crowd. Her fangs glinted in the light. "Ready to rock!" Cheers exploded all around, making every Changeling fell shortly disoriented before they became used to the rumbling of the crowd.
Thorn began to play the first couple of strings to 'Earth, Wind, Fire and Air,' glancing back at her friends as she did this.
"Ready girls?" She tried her hardest to keep her voice from shaking but she was glad anyway for the loud music that covered up any slips.
"Let's do it." And with that the speakers blasted with the Hex Girl's song.
Jaguar kept an eye out for Cú but her gaze kept returning to the singers and the entire crowd for that matter. There wasn't one face that wasn't smiling or laughing. Hell, even Celeb was smirking. It made even the stoic feeling Hunter crack.
That was until she noticed a movement to the side of the stage. 'Shit. I didn't expect them to be this early.' She picked up all the bags and pointed out the movement to Nichole. The Changeling scowled.
"Damn. They're early."
"I know. Get everyone else and meet me behind the benches." With that she turned and disappeared. Nichole tapped Fred on the shoulder and whispered to him; "Come on. It's time to go."
He nodded and relayed the message to the others. All of them got up and started to leave, all except for Shaggy and Scooby that is.
"But they, like, just started don't you think it would be kind of rude to leave right in the beginning?"
"Come on." Freddy grasped both of them by the collars and dragged them to where the others all ready stood.
"All right you guys. This is it." Jaguar replied, looking at each face in turn. She had a fleeting feeling of a coach talking to his team before a big game. She quickly shook off the feeling and turned back to the matter at hand. "Now if you have any last minute questions then ask now because in a minute you won't have the chance to ask."
"Yeah. Can me and Scooby, like, not do this?"
Jaguar eyed them for a moment before shrugging. "If you want," Everyone was taken aback by this. No more so then Shaggy or Scooby themselves.
"Reary?" Scooby asked.
Jaguar nodded. "Yes. I need someone to stay here and look after the stones. You guys think you can do that for me?" They both saluted her. "Great. All right. What's going to happen is the rest of you guys are going to go around the left and I'll go right. I'm going to be the distraction so when I've drawn most of the attention you guys try to take out as many as possible."
"Do we have to...kill them?" Velma asked.
"You don't have to. Just try to knock them out as hard as you can." Jaguar answered. She picked up two bags and handed one to Celeb then the other to Nichole. "Take these and pray we won't need them." Taking the third bag she straitened. "Let's do it." They silently agreed then turned and went their separate ways, trying hard not to bring attention to themselves. Scooby and Shaggy watched their friends leave before hefting the last bag up and returning to their seat. Nichole and Rose leaded the group to their spot with Celeb bringing up the rear.
Jaguar watched them go, praying to any god or goddess that would listen to keep them save, before moving herself. She hefted the bag over her shoulder and slinked across the shadowed grounds. While she moved, as effortlessly and unnoticeable as breathing the woman changed in to the Hunter. Her emotions steeled, her eyes hardened and her entire demeanor toughened.
Golden eyes traveled along the happy crowd and for but a moment her façade slipped. They were so happy. So naïve. But if they were to survive the inevitable horror that was coming that bliss would have to be sacrificed. It was a heavy price but it was either that or millions of souls were to be condemned to an eternity in Hell's fire.
Her front hardened once more and she looked around the corner of the backdrop. There he stood. Cú. He was ordering around other, some she recognized, others she didn't, but all of them looked ready for a fight if need be. Blocking out the Hex Girl's song she zeroed in on her old sire's words.
"Hurry up you insolent beings! We must hurry. The time is at hand." He seethed.
Jaguar set the bag aside, making sure it was hidden, then stepped out of the shadows and drew her gun. "For all of you to die? Yeah I'd have to agree with that." She aimed the barrel at Cú. His eyes traveled from his help to the Hunter with what looked to be a bored stare.
"Rebecca. What are you doing here?"
"My name isn't Rebecca anymore Cú. It's Jaguar. And I came to finish what I started."
"Are you going to kill me Rebecca? You don't have it in you."
"Don't test me Cú." Jaguar growled. Her eyes momentarily left the man to scan the others. Sure enough she had everyone's attention. It surprised her that none of them noticed the group hiding in the shadows, or at least smelt them. Quickly she returned her gaze back to cold black eyes.
"What are you going to do pup?"
She squeezed the trigger, thankful that she had remembered to put the silence on earlier and fired, hitting Cú square in the shoulder.
"Now guys." Rose growled. In a flash the nine jumped the closest opponent, effectively knocking them out. But that left around twelve or thirteen more.
Cú whirled around to see what the commotion was. When his eyes landed on the ambushers he laughed a laugh that made all in the proximity shiver.
"So. This is you're idea of trying to stop the inevitable, Rebecca?" He clicked his tongue, turning to look at her. "I would have expected better from my best student, pup."
"Yeah well. I think we can handle you." Jaguar said with more confidence then she felt. Her heart was beginning to beat faster but she tried to focus. She knew that if she didn't everything would be lost. So she steeled her resolve and glared at Cú. He was clutching his injured shoulder and blood was beginning to stain the dark robe.
Slowly she edged to her right so her back was to the stage. Another thing you learned quickly was never keep your back open for too long.
"Everyone drop what you have or I give Cú a matchin' hole in the other shoulder."
"What hole?" Cú asked, laughing evilly. His hand fell away from the wound to show blood stained flesh but no wound.
"Fuck." Jaguar gasped in surprise. The distraction cost her deeply.
"Biaee Sahler!" The Sorcerer created a fireball and hurtled it at his old student. Jaguar barely had time to throw up her hands before the attack hit her square on. The strike lifted her off her feet and through the backdrop. The Hex Girl's song greeted the Hunter but she paid it no heed as her back came in contact with the hard stage. Her gun skidded off somewhere as she rolled for a short time before coming to a stop on her stomach. Her arms and chest hurt like hell and looking down she saw that her skin was scorched and charred.
"Fuck." She struggled to rise, wincing slightly at the twinge from her burns. She sat back on her haunches and tried to steady her breathing.
"Jaguar!" The Hunter looked up to see that every eye was either on her or the gaping hole in the background. Thorn set her guitar down and ran to her friend's side. "What happened? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Jaguar rose to her full height, pulling the singer up with her and looked at the hole. Cú was walking through it, grinning mercilessly at her. Instinctively Jaguar pulled Thorn behind her and drew her falchion.
"My, my Rebecca. I'd have thought you'd be better able to take a hit like that. It was one of my smaller ones after all."
"I'm still standing and breathin' aren't I?" She hopped onto the stage and walked forward, motioning for Dawn and Luna to run. As they did she stood dead center in the middle of the stage and looked at her old sire.
Cú looked around at the people. "Look at all the people." His smile grew like a kid's at a candy store. "More to kill."
A gasp raced through the stands but it only made Jaguar walk closer, trying her hardest to keep Cú from moving anywhere. "You're killing no one and you're defiantly not going to use Tortert on anyone."
"Who's going to stop me? Your friends can't help. They've been captured."
"What?" The Hunter turned to see that he was speaking the truth. Every single one of the back up was in the clutches of Cú's goons. 'Shit.'
"What's wrong, pup? Afraid that your curse will strike again?"
"Shut up about that." Her anger returned and with it a new sense of determination. "Let them go."
"You know Rebecca." Cú continued as if nothing had been said. "I thought I had taught you about right and wrong."
"Your idea or right and wrong are very different from mine."
"Quite. See for me you'd no longer be a pup because you tasted innocent blood. Not only once I might add." A malicious grin appeared on his face as he watched the Hunter pale. "You remember then. The way their flesh felt when you ripped it apart. How sweet their hot blood tasted as it spilled down your throat. Especially the girl's."
"We're not vampires Cú." Jaguar tried to keep her voice stable but the onslaught of images hit her.
"No. We are something more. We are more powerful. You could have been as powerful as I if only you hadn't of run."
"You expected me to stay with you when I found out that you killed my parents? I'd sooner die."
"That can be arranged." He snapped his fingers and in less time then it took for anyone to blink the remaining goons had jumped the Hunter. Like lightening Jaguar took out three of them but the other two, both bigger then her, double-teamed and quickly pinned her. Her weapons skittered just out of her reach. Animalistic growls escaped the Hunter as she tried to free herself from her captives. Both began to beat her until she was barely hanging onto consciousness.
"Now my dear Rebecca. Watch. Watch as I become the ruler of this world." He turned towards the stands and waved a hand as if beckoning someone towards him.
Scooby and Shaggy both gulped and stared at each other wide-eyed from where they were hidden. A yelped escaped them both as the box lifted up, taking them with it. "No. You're, like, not going to take this, man."
"Do not try to stop me human. You are not strong enough."
Scooby and Shaggy struggled to keep the chest back but to no avail.
Everyone watched helplessly as Cú took back the one thing that could have prevented him from completing the ritual.
"Restrain them." Two more goons ran out of nowhere and restrained the two. "Thank you so much for giving me these back. I've missed them dearly." He opened the box and took out a familiar golden orb. "Especially this one. Ryan! Take these and set them up!" Ryan scurried forward, took the box from his sire and hurried to the middle of the clearing and began to set up the spell. Cú walked forward and knelt down in front of Jaguar. "I just need the other part of your soul and I can finally achieve my dream. But before you die I want to make your last few moments on 'this' earth...memorable." He straitened and turned toward the captives. "Bring forward Rose, Celeb and Nathaniel!" He boomed. The three were quickly brought over and stood in front of the warlock. Nathaniel whimpered in fear, his dark eyes glassy with tears. "Who should I test my powers on first, Rebecca? Rose? Or how about Celeb? No. I know. The little one."
"No!" Jaguar yelled, her voice slipping as her mind swam. She was walking the edge and this wasn't helping. "Leave...him alone...Cú. He's only a...a boy."
"You're right. I'll make it all the more quick." He turned back to the boy and beckoned the boy forward. Celeb fought hard against his captors, as did Rose. Both almost succeeded but it was too late. The spell had all ready begun.
"**Yelu, God of agony and pain, Bestow on this weakling your present to all those yet to be slain, Flesh to Liquid, Bone to Dust, Bring about your bloody lust!**"
Nathaniel looked around wildly as he was lifted into the air and from Cú's hand exploded a vile orange light. It encompassed the boy and everyone watched as his body began to twist. The sound of bones snapping made even the strongest stomach roll.
Jaguar diverted her eyes, but it was too late. The image was securely brunt into her brain. His cries of pain and fear made the strong Hunter shed tears as she realized that once again she couldn't save someone she loved.
"How does it feel Rebecca? To know that even with all of your strength, all of your weapons you still cannot help one small boy! You are no Hunter! You are a killer!"
Cú words ricocheted through the woman's skull. That mixed with the throbbing pain, Nathaniel's screams and her own pity finally pushed the woman over the edge into darkness.
~*~
More screams filled Jaguar's head as she slipped back into the world of the alert. Golden eyes looked up to watch as Celeb's flesh bubbled and his intestines and other organs slopped onto the ground, joining those of Rose and Nathaniel.
"Ah. You're finally awake, pup. I thought you were going to miss what I have in store for you."
"Yeah," Her hoarse throat cracked. "More surprises."
"Yes. I saved the best for last." He turned and waved his hand again. Jaguar turned and watched with utter horror as Thorn was pulled forward and lifted into the air. She tried to struggle but the guys on top of her wouldn't budge. "Aren't you going to try and save you're little girlfriend here, pup? I mean you weren't able to save the others." He motioned to the steaming pile of flesh on the ground.
"Don't...don't you dare...touch her."
"What are you going to do about it? You're weak in your human skin? Are you just going to watch her die like your parents? Like Michael? Did you know they were whimpering and cowering when I killed them?"
The Hunter felt her anger, which was all ready at the surface begin to boil over. "You're brother. To all Gods in heaven that boy is a coward. Ran away with his tail between his legs." The haze that had been clouding the woman's vision now turned blood red. A long forgotten churn in both her mind and her soul was first signal to the animal's arrival.
"You will not touch her." The Hunter's voice was distant and cold, making every head turn in her direction in surprise. Power that she hadn't felt in so long rushed through her veins, pushing away any pain, any weakness it encountered. "You will touch no one!" The two goons holding her down where thrown from her changing form with the force of an explosion. They landed a good fifty feet away and lay still. Eyes traveled from the still forms back to the Hunter. Her body seemed to be surrounded with and golden red aura that radiated power and fury. The golden fur that surrounded her seemed to stand on end, due to her vigor or ferocity was uncertain but she looked terrifying none-the-less.
With a growl she bolted forward, her long legs making the yards seem like inches as she raced towards Cú. Without breaking a step Jaguar launched into the air, grabbed Thorn and pulled her away from the magic. She tucked the smaller woman close to her body so no harm came to her.
Thorn felt her body jar as Jaguar grabbed her from the force field or whatever had her but then only felt strong arms around her, protecting her.
When they landed Thorn looked up into a golden eye. She truly wondered if this creature, as magnificent as it was, was her love. But the caring and worry in the golden orb was answer enough.
"Are you all right Thorn?"
The deep, rumbling voice ran through the singer like thunder, but she did manage a; "Yes." Jaguar only nodded before helping her to stand on her own, then turned to looked at a stunned, but smiling, Cú.
"So. You have gotten over you're fear."
Jaguar walked forward gracefully, like a predator stalking its prey. "You may call it fear Cú. You may not. But whatever it was is now gone and right now you have one pissed off werewolf on your hands."
"I'm very frightened." Cú said dryly. "If you wish to fight me fine. We shall fight but when I win I will enjoy watching your soul become trapped like the others."
"I look forward to it." Jaguar replied sardonically. She dropped her body to a fighting stance and waited as Cú decided to transform. Now, both in their furs, they faced off. Images of a long since dead past flashed by making Jaguar feel the familiar fear from seeing her old sire again. 'No. Do not show fear. It is a weakness and one you cannot afford right now.' She pushed the fear away from her and focused on the monster in front of her. His black fur made him stand out against the white of the stage.
"I have been waiting for this moment for awhile now, pup. Let's just see what all those years of killing your own kind have done to you."
And with that the fight of the world began.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ On to part 2!
Which will be up as soon as I edit it.
