"The only thing I want to hear from you is the sound of you choking on your own blood." Slappy roared as he leapt over the small fire at her with a knife that had appeared out of nowhere. Ashley looked over her shoulder at the attack. To everyone's surprise Dominic did not dodge the attack. She instead grabbed the blade. It sliced into her palm causing blood to drip to the ground. Ashley was about to drop the shadow and Dominic sensed it. "Hold." Dominic commanded. None of the other monsters moved. Were they still afraid of her or were they just waiting for Slappy's command. Slappy let go of the hilt and smiled at the sight but his smile faded when he saw what happened to her blood. Fire danced in and around it. "What the…" he started. "It's going to take a lot more than that." Dominic throwing the knife to the side. It made a soft thud as it impaled the ground. The cut began to slowly close. Slappy narrowed his eyes at the pair. "End them!" Slappy commanded the other monsters. Some of them began to hesitantly move forward. "Not a good idea." Dominic warned. Ashley growled baring her sharp teeth causing the monsters to stop. "If my friend here loses her concentration, she will drop this shadow protecting us from the harsh sunlight." She informed them. As if to prove her threat, she waved her hand opening up a small hole in the shadow allowing sunlight in. Bright sunlight streamed in and many of the monsters hissed and screeched in fear pushing themselves against the edges of shadows. They gave pleading eyes at the pudgy girl holding the shadows. Ashley couldn't help but feel bad for them. When Slappy didn't respond Ashley nudged her friend with her wing. Dominic walked passed the dummy to the opening. "Come on. I want to show you something." Dominic said calmly. Slappy reluctantly followed. Hey Dominic I can't just stand here with all these guys what should I do? Ashley asked telepathically as she passed through the opening. Mingle. Dominic suggested as she closed the opening behind her.
It took their eyes a minute to adjust to the harsh desert sun. When they could see Slappy's eyes widened at the sight that lay before him. "Did you build this place?" he asked. Dominic smiled at the shock in his eyes. "I did. This is the place I promised you." Dominic said. Slappy vaguely remembered her saying something about a safe place. But safe from what, humans? They were nothing for monsters to be afraid of. They walked through the park into the residential area. "What about Stine?" Slappy asked. "He doesn't know and he never will." Dominic stated. Slappy wasn't sure whether to be angry or relived at this. He looked back at Dominic and noticed her tense position. "What?" He asked. "Nothing. I just wasn't sure how you would react to all this." She admitted. "What you don't trust me?" Slappy laughed. "Nope." She stated. He pretended to be hurt then moved closer and she couldn't help but take a step back. Now he really was insulted. When they had first met she had been nothing but friendly to him but now she acted as if he had the plague or something. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "You read the books didn't you?" he sighed. "Of course I read the books how else was I going to build this place?" Dominic stated. "Is that why you're afraid of me?" Slappy beamed. Dominic chuckled. "I am not afraid of you little one." She said. "I am simply being cautious of your anger. You tend to get homicidal when you are upset." "What is there something else you did that would make me want to stab you again?" he asked raising an eyebrow at her. "First of all blockhead I would think you were smart enough not to draw blood again and secondly yes. See that purple in the distance?" she asked. Slappy nodded. "That is the barrier I put up so you and the others cannot leave the territory.
"You did what?" Slappy yelled. He leapt at her trying to strangle her but he couldn't reach her. Dominic held him in the air with her telekinesis. He swiped and kicked the air trying to get closer to her. Dominic just rolled her eyes. After ten minutes he was panting and had stopped struggling. "Are you done? Dominic asked. Slappy's angry eyes met hers. "Never! not when your death means my freedom!" he growled. Dominic sighed and shook her head. "Even if you managed to kill me it would not bring the barrier down, only trap you here forever. I'm the only one who can unlock it." She informed him. "How is this better than being trapped in that book?" Slappy demanded pointing at the manuscript tucked under her arm. "At least you can interact with rest of the world." Dominic countered. "And how do you propose we do that when we can't even leave!" Slappy yelled. "Technology of course." Dominic laughed. Slappy gave her a confused look. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked. Dominic laughed. She had forgotten that the last time Slappy was really out the technological craze of her generation hadn't happened yet. She hoped the culture shock didn't hit the monsters too hard. "I don't understand why you did this for us." Slappy stated. Dominic could tell he was being genuine this time. "Because I have faith in what you can become." She smiled handing him the manuscript. There was a look of pure shock on his face. She hoped she wouldn't regret that. Dominic glanced at the sun. There were only a few minutes of daylight left. She set Slappy back on the ground. "I better let the others know it's safe to come out and play." Dominic smiled and began walk back. The dummy followed close behind.
They reached the shadow canopy just as the sun set. Alright Keigo you can drop the shadow now. Dominic communicated. No response. Keigo? Silence. Oh boy! Dominic commented as she forces the shadows to disperse. She was prepared for a fight but was surprised to find her friend conversing with Count Nightwing. Many of the monsters jumped at the disappearance of the canopy. A great commotion rose up as they saw their surroundings. They each ran off in different directions to explore. Keigo gave a respectful bow to the count and hurried over to her. "You were totally right. They really are just like us!" Keigo smiled. "Glad to see you made friends." Dominic replied. "Can I please stay?" Keigo practically begged. "That's not up me. You'll have to ask Slappy." Dominic said gesturing towards the dummy. He was staring at the manuscript with the same confused look on his face. He only glanced up when he heard his name. "So can I stay?" Keigo asked him. The dummy simply shrugged as if he didn't care. "Sweet!" Keigo responded fist pumping the air. Dominic lowered herself to Slappy's level. "Slappy are you alright?" she asked. Slappy did not answer. "I think you stunned him with your kindness White Fire." Keigo commented. "What?" Dominic asked looking at her friend like she was a crazy person. "Well yeah with all the stuff you've told me he has never been shown the slightest kindness." Keigo said. It made sense when she thought back to all his stories. Even in the one story where he didn't try to make the main character his slave it ended badly for him. His own creator had even locked him in a book.
"Give the dummy his space." Keigo said. That snapped him out of his daze. "Who you calling dummy?" he demanded. Dominic face palmed. "The one thing I told you not to do!" Dominic growled. "I…" she stopped short. Both she and Keigo looked to the distance. "What?" Slappy demanded. Neither of them answered. Two surges of fire surrounded the two girls. One white and one blue as they shifted into their dragon forms. The last time Slappy had seen her in dragon form it had been dark. He hadn't realized that she was purple. He found that hilarious for some reason. Her friend on the other hand was black. They both bolted in the direction they had been facing. Towards the danger they sensed.