For a few moments, time stood still. Rudy's heart froze, his blood standing still. His breath got caught inside of his chest, burning for oxygen. Shivers spread down his spine as his gaze couldn't be shifted away from the horrendous beast that stood before him, an amalgamation of various species. Rudy took a step back as his mind reeled. The hybrid's dark eyes examined him, its long tail twitching. It adorned a long slender body and arms topped with clawed hands jetted out of its shoulder.

And in one of them, it held Penny.

Rudy gasped as pain echoed in his side. He forced himself to fight against it and stand up. He broke into a run. "Let my friend go!"

The creature's teeth flashed and its jaws snapped at Rudy. It released a rumbling hiss from its maw. It slammed its foot into the ground, kicking up dust, as it drew closer towards Rudy. Snap, now freed, rushed behind the creature and grabbed onto its tail.

"Let her go, you oversized lizard!" Snap yanked on the tail.

Penny clawed at the creature's hand. She jerked herself from side to side, but the creature simply squeezed harder. Penny resorted to biting. A spark sizzled and Penny released her grip with a shout.

"Penny!" Rudy and Snap shouted in unison.

Squeezing Penny tight, the hybrid twisted its body around and swung its tail outward. The collision sent Rudy and Snap rolling across the ground. Rudy clutched his side and gritted his teeth. A twinge echoed all over his body. Had one of his ribs been broken?

Snap rushed over and helped Rudy up to his feet. Even with Snap's help, Rudy's legs quivered in an effort to keep standing. Penny's cry chased off the pain as ice chilled Rudy's veins. Rudy yanked himself from Snap, sprinting towards the reptilian creature. His racing mind didn't allow for much thinking, only action. Rudy lunged and gripped the thick fur covering the zoner's chest.

"Let. My. Friend. Go!" Rudy tugged on the zoner. His legs shook from the effort and his feet skidded as the zoner stepped back. "She's done nothing to you! Why are you doing this?!"

The hybrid gave only a grunt as a response. It shook Rudy off with a single jerk. Rudy yelped as he crashed against the dirt. He tottered on his feet, aches spreading along his legs. Rudy ran back towards the large zoner, only to falter when the creature's other arm sprang towards him.

"Look out, Bucko!" Snap shouted.

Rudy let out a gasp as his body was pressed between large claws, the wind knocked out of him. His feet no longer touched the ground as he was hoisted in the air in one swoop. Rudy struggled in the zoner's grasp. It was no use. The only thing that could help them now was if he used the magic chalk.

But as Rudy tried to get his chalk ready, the creature let out a hiss, its eyes focusing on him. Rudy froze, his muscles going stiff. Did this thing read his mind?

"Don't you dare think of hurting them!"

Rudy gasped as Snap ran towards them. Rudy wriggled in the creature's grasp before calling out, "No! Stay back, Snap!"

Penny joined in. "Don't come any closer!"

"Don't worry you guys! I'll get you out of there!" Snap shouted as he lunged at the massive zoner. "Hey! You want a piece of m...!" Snap's voice was strained and cut off as teeth pressed into his body.

"No! Stop that! Let him go!" Rudy thrashed about with renewed vigor. "You monster! Leave him alone!"

Penny strained to lean herself forward, her wide eyes glued on Snap's trapped form. "Snap!"

Snap's bravery was gone for a moment. He shook his head and he began throwing punches at the creature's jaws. Each blow caused the massive zoner to flinch and after a few seconds, it started to growl. Snap yelped when the jaws closed in tighter, but he kept striking.

"You will let my friends go!" Snap's voice oozed of determination. He pulled his fist back and struck against the creature's nose. The blow caused the creature to shake its head. Snap turned his attention to the eye. "Nobody hurts my friends and gets away with it! Do you hear me, you punk?!"

The large zoner snarled and swung its head as it threw Snap several feet away. Snap's scream was followed up by a crash. Snap got up and wobbled about, flailing his arms to keep himself balanced. He lost his footing and collapsed into the ground.

"Snap..." Rudy whispered. His hand hung limply as his brain swirled with incoherent thoughts. He ground his teeth and, with a yell, bit down onto the creature's hand.

Pain overtook Rudy's world as his body was pressed between the creature's hand and the ground. Rudy kept his teeth locked on, his jaws tightening. Chalkiness covered his tongue and he shuddered. Rudy fought the urge to cough. Rudy clawed at the ground as he tried to pull himself out. The weight pressed against his back, leaving him no room to twist and fight back. Penny's cries for Rudy fueled his adrenaline to keep trying.

The pressure was eased off of him and Rudy took this chance to scramble to his feet. Rudy whipped around just in time for his vision to fill with the creature's claws. Agony rippled along Rudy's toppling form. Everything around him became garbled and spun around him like a funnel cake in a skillet. When Rudy came to a halt, his body had been twisted at an odd angle. Rudy groaned as he rubbed his head.

Rudy gasped as the large zoner started to run off with Penny. Rudy pushed through the pain as he pursued the zoner. "No! Let her go!"

The creature bounded off, creating lengthy space between it and Rudy. This gap grew larger with each passing second. Rudy's legs burned at every step. His lungs and heart struggled to keep supplying oxygen. This did little to slow Rudy down.

Rudy widened his eyes when the zoner's tail flipped upwards. Pain shook in his jaw as he fell onto his back. Sharpness attacked his tongue and gifted him an iron taste. Wiping the blood from his mouth, Rudy jumped up and resumed the chase.

Rudy's heart clenched when the large zoner increased the distance between them. Rudy tried to go faster, but his body didn't allow it. His lungs couldn't keep up with his legs and his muscles grew weak. Rudy's limbs lost their mobility and became too stiff to even continue running. The adrenaline that kept him going had reached its peak and as it dwindled, Rudy collapsed into the ground.

Coughing and spluttering, Rudy lifted his head as Penny's screams for help echoed in the air. Sharpness clutched at Rudy's chest. He swallowed bitterness and he pushed himself off the grass. A single step later, he was back down again. Shock waves sizzled along his legs. Rudy's breaths came out choked, his eyes squeezing shut. Rudy wiped at his damp face. Sobs replaced his breathing.

Why did this happen? Why did that thing take Penny? Where had such a large creature come from? There had been no warning. It must have been newly created.

Rudy's stomach churned and yanked as he fought back the urge to vomit, his body trembling. His teeth grated together. Warm wetness stung his cheeks, saltiness entering his mouth. Breathing grew difficult with each gasp. Rudy wrapped his arms around himself. He dug his fingernails against his skin. Energy built up inside of him until nothing could hold it back any longer.

"Penny!" Rudy screamed, his throat throbbing from the volume. He buried his face in his hands and cried.

After a few moments, a distant voice broke the silence. "Rudy! Bucko! Are you okay?"

Rudy groaned and tried to respond. His voice had dried up. His throat stung as he struggled to control his breathing. Tears blurred his vision and he wiped his eyes with an arm. Sniffling, he managed a small nod to acknowledge Snap's presence. Snap's expression caused Rudy's heart to sting. Rudy shifted his gaze away and hugged himself.

Snap touched Rudy's shoulder. "Are you hurt?" Snap paused and his voice became softer. "A-And where's Penny?"

Rudy swallowed a lump and let out a choked sob. "Sh-She's gone... That thing took her..."

Snap gasped then pulled at Rudy's arm. "Come on then! We need to help her!"

"I don't know which way that creature went. Too fast... Just too fast..." Rudy furiously wiped his tears, narrowing his eyes. "I'm supposed to be the Great Creator. What good am I if I can't even protect my friends?"

Snap grabbed Rudy's hand and squeezed it. "We'll find her. Don't worry."

Rudy forced himself to smile, but he couldn't shake off the pangs in his stomach. Coldness ate away at him and even Snap's hug did nothing to stop it. Rudy's body quivered harder and his voice came out in a squeak.

"Th-This is all my fault..."

"No it wa..."

"Yes it was! If I hadn't gone that stupid prison, she wouldn't... This wouldn't have..."

Rudy was cut off by his own yelp. As Rudy cradled his own cheek, Snap had grabbed a hold of his shirt collar. Snap heaved as he fought back tears. "Listen here, Bucko. This wasn't your fault. You didn't ask for this to happen. Blaming yourself isn't going to help Penny."

Rudy couldn't say anything as Snap's words sunk in.

"She needs our help. We just... We can't waste time like this." Snap's grip loosened until his hands fell away. "We might not know where she was taken, but we can still find help." Snap frowned and said, "There is someone who can help us track her down."

Rudy hesitated before he said, "Courtney...? But Snap, we don't know where she is either!"

Snap smirked. "She's a giant condor. Someone's gotta have seen her recently, right?"

"Well..." Rudy started to say.

Snap said, "Let's go ask someone in ChalkZone City."

Rudy hesitated. Snap's idea wasn't terrible but it also was not guaranteed to be useful. ChalkZone City's large size housed countless zoners. This would make it easier to find someone who may have seen Courtney. But how long would that take? The odds were nearly nonexistent that he and Snap would find someone within the first few tries. It would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Even if someone who had seen Courtney were found, that did not solve the dilemma. That would only give an idea of where Courtney had been, not where she was now. With Penny at the mercy of that wretched creature from before, time couldn't be wasted.

But was trying to follow Penny a better idea? At this point, that thing must've taken changed directions, which made trying to track it more difficult. Flight would be the ideal method of going after Penny. Courtney was an understandable suggestion. Using the magic chalk would be faster. Rudy reached into his pocket and...

Rudy widened his eyes. Where was the magic chalk?

"Uh, Rudy..? Bucko? What's with that look? I don't like it." Snap said, a look of worry plastered on his face.

Rudy fought against the panic growing in his body. "I think...that creature took my magic chalk."

Snap let out a gasp. "Then we have to go to Biclops now and get you more chalk!"

Rudy rubbed his sweating face as his thoughts went erratic. Pain throbbed in his head almost as if someone banged him with a drumstick. Silent questions ran rampant in his mind. How fast could they get to Biclops? How long did Penny have? Was there another option?

It took considerable effort for Rudy to keep himself from screaming. That wasn't going to help Penny. After forcing out a sigh, Rudy said, "Right... let's go."

Rudy scanned the direction that the beast fled to. The urge to rush there still trembled in Rudy's body. The burning sensation refused to give him any peace. He replayed the incident repeatedly in his mind, his heart tightening further.

That thing had been deliberately sent to get Penny. It did not behave like a random wild animal. It went straight for Penny and didn't allow him or Snap to intervene. But who could have sent this thing and why? Skrawl was an easy target and he had kidnapped Penny before.

Rudy stiffened as memories called for his attention. There was someone else who lacked any qualms about harming Penny. Someone who, unlike Skrawl, could use the magic chalk.

Rudy seethed and clutched at his chest. Heat burned deeply into his heart, his head pulsating with one name: Reggie Bullnerd.

"Bucko? Why are you... Bucko! Answer me! Please!"

Snap's distant, echoey voice hardly registered in Rudy's mind. An eternal earthquake quaking through his body, Rudy bolted.

sss

Reggie let out a sigh as he sprayed the locker and wiped it down. Of all the things he planned to do today, playing janitor hadn't been on the list. If it weren't for what Mr. Quillon might do, Reggie would have tried to bail.

It turned out he hadn't been as sneaky as he hoped when he took Rudy's special chalk. Someone had seen him, likely a student from outside, and had snitched on him to Mr. Wilter. Reggie hadn't been prepared to be confronted like that and he wasn't able to come up with any sort of alibi. That wouldn't have mattered; Mr. Wilter believed everyone's word over Reggie's.

Reggie growled to himself, squeezing the spray bottle in his hand. Had he made the right choice in taking the chalk? Or should he have put up more resistance to avoid being turned into Mr. Quillon's little errand boy?

Why question it now? None of that mattered anymore.

"You...!"

Reggie turned his head and growled to himself. Look who decided to show up. Previous feelings of doubt melted away, replaced with a burning sharpness in his gut. Shall he continue to play the ogre for Rudy?

Reggie barely flinched when the locker was slammed inches from his face. Reggie smirked as Rudy glowered at him. Rudy's hands were balled into fists. Reggie leaned against the locker and said, "Ah Tabootie! Here to demand I give you back your precious little toy?"

Rudy growled and his answer came in the form of a shove.

Reggie rubbed his sore cheek and replaced his smirk with a scowl. "Aren't you overreacting?"

Rudy seized Reggie and yanked him. "Bring her back. Now!"

"Bring who...what...? Are you talking about Sanchez?" Reggie spluttered, blinking.

"Don't play dumb!" Rudy's voice deepened into a growl. "You took her away and you are going to tell me where!"

Reggie widened his eyes. "I never laid a hand on her!" Rudy's eyes narrowed. "...since that day!"

Rudy bared his teeth. He raised a fist, causing Reggie to flinch. "Why should I believe that?"

Reggie snarled and shoved Rudy away. Reggie huffed as he approached Rudy. "It won't matter what I say. You'll never believe me, will you Tabootie? I'm just an 'ogre' to you. Never once have you thought of how things were like from my perspective!"

Rudy seethed. "You attacked my friend!"

"And I'm sorry about that, okay?!" Reggie's hands shook, his fingers curled inward like claws. "I don't know how many times I need to say it before you get it in your artsy little head! I'm sorry!"

Rudy fell silent, the glare remaining on his face. Suspicion still radiated from Rudy's eyes, accentuated by his stretching frown. "...but you still kidnapped her."

Reggie stiffened, a flash of cold sifting through his body. "Wha..."

"You kidnapped her!" Rudy screamed. Rudy didn't hesitate to charge Reggie.

"Wait! I didn't... Huerk!" Reggie gasped as Rudy's body railed against him like a train. The back of Reggie's head connected against the locker, sending waves of pain across his skull. Snarling, Reggie yanked Rudy closer and said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Tabootie! Now get off of me!"

Rudy wasn't budging. "Tell your creature to let my friend go!"

Reggie shook his head. "I didn't tell anyone to take Penny! Are you sure she didn't ditch you? With how crazy you've been acting, it wouldn't come as a shock if..."

"Shut up!" Rudy raised a fist, his arm trembling. "Call off your creation! D-Don't make me do something you'll regret!"

Reggie couldn't resist snickering. With a smile, he said, "Are you trying to threaten me, Tabootie? What makes you think you c..." Rudy's words fully registered in Reggie's brain. "...creation?"

Rudy bared his teeth. "Yes! Your creation! Call it off!"

Reggie let his lower jaw fall as Rudy's confirmation swept him up like a wave. His heart began to tighten, his breathing going faster. Reggie struggled to give Rudy an answer. The silence continued to hang in the air and there were no signs of it ending soon. Rudy's weight against him was no longer a focus. Mixtures of emotion dominated Reggie's psyche.

Rudy wouldn't lie about this. What doubts Reggie had faded. Sharp pangs spread in his stomach, his heart skipping several beats.

Did Mr. Quillon have something to do with this? Mr. Quillon did say that he intended to use the chalk world for educational purposes. There had been no mention of kidnapping. Mr. Quillon was scary and was comfortable making threats, but surely kidnapping was off the table, right?

Aching warmth wrapped around Reggie's neck, causing him to take in a shuddering breath.

"T... Rudy, let me go," Said Reggie. "I'm late for my meeting with Mr. Quillon."

Rudy replied, "You're not going anywhere until you tell your creation to bring Penny back."

Reggie pushed against Rudy. "I have more important things to do. If you're that worried about her, save her yourself."

Rudy grunted as Reggie shoved him away. Reggie swerved around and headed down the hallway, his hands balling into fists. Before Reggie could get far, Rudy rushed in front of him. Reggie stopped and narrowed his eyes.

"Get out of the way." Reggie said.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rudy snarled, his body adopting a defensive stance. "Trying to run away from what you did? Like you always do?!"

"I need to speak to Mr. Quillon. Now step aside!" Reggie's voice rose in volume.

"Not until you stop your creation from hurting my frie..." Rudy only had time to widen his eyes before Reggie slammed his fist against him. Rudy tumbled into the ground, Reggie never changing his expression. Rudy grasped his mouth and looked up at Reggie with wide fear-filled eyes. Blood trickled out of Rudy's mouth.

Reggie faltered at this, a small gasp nearly escaping his throat. Reggie then shook his head and, without another word, stormed off.

sss

Penny grunted as her body was whammed against the ground. Large paws held her down while a reptilian snout snorted at her. Penny inhaled sharply and fixated a glare against the creature. Her heart still struggled to stay within her rib cage.

The huge creature regarded her like she was some kind of prize. It sniffed her and licked its lips. Penny's neck hair bristled. She dislodged her hand and punched the creature's snout. The creature let out a hiss that froze Penny's blood. Her body was squeezed against the ground and she squeezed her eyes shut. Penny tried to keep still as the creature continued to exam her. Quivers spread along her body.

What did this thing want with her?

Penny flinched as the creature sniffed at her. Then its tongue lapped the side of her face. Penny shuddered and let out a squeak. Penny tried to turn away but the thing pressed its finger claws against the side of her face and held her down. It leaned closely and bared its teeth. Penny squeezed her eyes shut and struggled to hold back her tears. The creature let out laugh-like grunts and the pressure was removed from Penny's face.

After a moment of hesitation, Penny asked, "Wh-What do you w-want from me? Why are you d-doing this?"

The hybrid's teeth chattered together as a grin spread along its face. Its claw lowered to Penny's shoulder. Penny shut her eyes as a sharp pain arose from where the claw touched her shoulder. She held her breath and kept her body frozen. The pain increased along with the claw's pressure. Penny's breathing accelerated, intermixed with sharp gasps.

Penny clutched the claw and tried to shove it away. She kicked at the ground. Her efforts were rewarded only with intensifying pain. Penny clenched her jaw shut tightly to keep herself from screaming. This creature didn't need that satisfaction.

The pain grew cold like ice and sizzled every corner of her skin. Every nerve was activated and sent her body into convulsions. Penny bit her tongue to stifle a scream. Heavy pants still managed to escape from her. Hot wetness stung her eyes and cheeks. Her resolve began to weaken, whimpers rumbling through her throat.

Then came the burning and Penny could no longer hold back.

"Aaaaah!" Penny's screams echoed against her surroundings. "Stop this! Please! Stop hurting me!"

The hybrid paid her no mind. A snort was its only response.

Penny gasped and sobbed as she thrashed about. She kicked at the creature. She pushed against its hand. She turned her head from side to side, unable to hold still. Her surroundings blurred and distorted. She bared her teeth as the urge to bite rose.

"Let me go! I don't know what you want from me! I just want to go home! Please, let me go home!"

Penny's screams increased in volume. Her racing heart pumped adrenaline through her muscles. Her mind buzzed like a blade. Her breathing quickened, breaths sucked in as if she had to use a straw. Penny forced her gaze upwards and for a moment...

The massive zoner pressed harder against her shoulder. A burst of agony erupted. Penny widened her eyes and wailed. Her body stiffened, her limbs spasmed, and then suddenly it went dark and quiet.

sss

Mr. Quillon blinked when Reggie approached him outside of the guidance office. How curious, what could he want? It wasn't time for their next meeting yet. And what was this? A frown? Did Reggie get overconfident again? Would their first meeting be repeated? Mr. Quillon narrowed his eyes and hardened his face.

Reggie quickened his pace. The frown intensified with each step. Reggie's body quaked as if something beneath the surface was clawing its way out. A smidgen of fear still laid present in Reggie's features, but they were overwritten by whatever reigned the boy's mind. Mr. Quillon shifted to fully meet Reggie's gaze. Mr. Quillon stifled himself, swallowing the laugh that tried to escape.

When Reggie stopped, one question escaped his lips. The tone was firm and unwavering. "Where's Sanchez?"

Mr. Quillon said, "Why would you care about that?"

Reggie froze momentarily before shaking his head. "Just answer my question!"

Mr. Quillon deepened his glare. He took a few steps closer to Reggie. Mr. Quillon folded his arms to his chest and said, "I don't ever recall giving you permission to question me. You should try not sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. It'll keep you out of trouble."

Reggie slammed his hand against his chest. "You forced me to be a part of this! The least you can do is tell me what you did with her!"

Mr. Quillon curled the corner of his lip. "So now you grew a conscience? It took two disappearances for you to..."

"You said it was in my best interest to do what you said! How am I expected to be this better student you all want me to be if what I'm helping you to do is worse than anything I did?! If I'd known you were planning to take it this far, I would've told the principal about what you've done!"

Mr. Quillon fell silent, his eyes widening. His teeth clenched together and heat spread along his face. Reggie's fearful expression helped Mr. Quillon not to take any physical action. This didn't stop the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.

It would be easy to dismiss Reggie's threat. The boy didn't exactly have a stellar reputation in the school. Would Reggie even go through with his bold claim? The look on Reggie's face didn't lend itself to making that a outcome believable. Reggie was not as brave as he liked to pretend.

But what if Reggie did tell someone? What if someone believed Reggie's claims? What if the plans got derailed?

Who said Reggie was ever going to get that chance?

Smiling, Mr. Quillon asked, "You really want to know where Penny is? You are that desperate to torment her again?"

Reggie's face flipped through emotions. "I...I just want to prove to Tabootie that I had nothing to do with what happened to her!"

"Or...you will just incriminate yourself. Why would Rudy believe someone like you just because you showed him where Penny was?" Mr. Quillon shrugged. "What makes you think he won't still assume it was your doing?"

"I will tell him it was you!" Said Reggie.

Mr. Quillon smirked as he interlocked his fingers. "Why would Rudy believe that? He doesn't know I have his chalk. He has no reason to believe I'd have done anything. You on the other hand, you have proven to him that you're a threat to that chalk world of his and you have shown you're capable of violence against others. Don't sell yourself too high, kid. All evidence still points to you."

Reggie's demeanor faltered as he stepped back. Reggie's face glowed with fear, his body ready to make a run for it. Something kept Reggie there, unwilling to back down. Foolish courage?

"Tell me where she is..." Reggie said, his voice a hiss.

Mr. Quillon chuckled and narrowed his eyes. "Exactly where you'll be if you don't stop this."

Reggie gasped and jolted back, an arm raised for defense. Reggie struggled to reply. His attempts faded into silence. Whatever courage Reggie had mustered fizzled out. This made Mr. Quillon smile.

"That's right, Reggie. If you continue to push me, I might decide to pull you into this as well. Don't think I'll feel bad for it." Mr. Quillon grinned as he gripped Reggie's arm and yanked him closer. "You're just a cowardly bully. I'd be doing the school a favor. And quite frankly, I'm growing tired of you."

Reggie's fear was clear as crystal. Trembling and whimpering, Reggie shut his eyes and looked away.

Mr. Quillon whispered into Reggie's ear, "If you speak to me like this again, if you try to stand in my way..."

Reggie cringed and struggled to keep his gaze averted. Mr. Quillon stayed silent until Reggie looked at him again. The next words came out in a growl.

"I will kill you."

Mr. Quillon grinned as Reggie ripped himself away. Reggie stumbled back, his trembling legs fighting to keep him standing. No words could be formed as Reggie's breathing quickened. After releasing a choked cry, Reggie dashed out of there. Mr. Quillon folded his arms and leaned against his office door frame. There was no reason to stop Reggie from telling anyone. Who was going to believe a bully?

The lack of security cameras made this a lot more fun.