Hey everyone! Special thanks to Monkeysrcomintogetu. As promised, I am still struggling through my other stories, and they will be updated soon! There's one or two corny parts, but I had to put them in somewhere :) I hope you enjoy this chapter!

ALEX'S DREAM REALM

HG: Master, is that you?

SH: (Back turned to Alex) Why didn't you tell me?

HG: Tell you what?

SH: About Rose!

HG: Master, I… I… I couldn't!

SH: So now we all have to suffer!

HG: Master, I never thought she'd do it! Rose wasn't one to betray people.

SH: No, but you did. (Chuckles slightly) Isn't that typical? Two traitors live and the rest of us have to go on in a different world like we're slaves.

HG: (Shaken) What do you mean?

SH: You don't think we just sit around all day? All day everyday, we're forced to work for a cruel leader. (Mumbling) Even I'm afraid of him.

HG: You? Afraid?

SH: I'm not proud! But when I can take the hit for someone else, I do. I brought someone for you to see. Not that you deserve it anymore.

HG: Master, I'm sorry. (Tali emerges from behind the Southern Huntsman) Tali?! Oh my gosh Tali, what happened to you?

SH: She's worked in both the fields and inside the house. The man in charge has an odd hatred towards her. Kind of like how the Northern Huntsman hates you. Some of the same treatment too. Obviously, I can't always be there, but I'll protect her when I can. Kind of like how I used to protect you.

HG: Tali, sweetie, I am so sorry.

N: Tali just stared at the ground. Her clothes were ragged, and she had lost all of her childish glee.

HG: (Trembling) Why won't she talk?

SH: She's been forbidden to. When she does talk, and someone hears, she's beaten. I've gotten to come out a bit in the dream realm, but she clearly doesn't feel comfort in the presence of a traitor.

HG: No.

SH: No what?

HG: I'll not be put down like this. I made on mistake out of loyalty to a friend. I have physically given my body to the shredder in order to save the Huntsclan, and I've already received the punishment!

SH: What can be enough punishment?!

HG: I let the dog attack me because I was sorry!

NH: And I should have gotten rid of you then! Tali, go back to bed sweetie, I don't need you seeing this.

HG: So you're essentially protective of your own students now.

NH: After you, we decided that respect was missing in our elder students. Lead by example.

HG: You can't hurt me in here.

SH: This is not over. (Turning to leave) You can expect us to be here every night. There's no point in running.

NH: After what you did to #207 (Tali), I think even you know that you deserve to die.

HG: Masters, please! I need someone!

SH: We would have been there if you had told us about Rose!

HG: I just couldn't! I know that I deserve to die. I've always have allowed you two to make the decision on whether or not to kill me. I'm asking for your help. Please don't leave me.

SH: I must return Tali to her quarters.

NH: And I don't want to look at you anymore.

HG: Then can you do me one favor?

SH: (Cynically) What?

HG: (Swallows) Hit me.

SH: Alex –

HG: I said hit me! I don't care where, but I need you to do it.

N: The Southern Huntsman left Tali with the Northern Huntsman, as he walked to Alex. He rested one hand on her should, and without long hesitation, jabbed her in the gut causing her to fall to the ground in dream pain.

SH: (Looking down) You want help? Then I'll tell you what to do. Go to the nearest Salvation Army store. Buy yourself clothing. Then I want you to go through all of my books in order to find a spell to free us.

HG: (In pain) What will you do when we meet again?

SH: I'll decide that when the time comes. Let's go.

N: All three left leaving Alex alone – again.

SALVATION ARMY Owner (O): Hello there. How may I help you?

HG: Hi, I'm sorry to bother you, but I have absolutely no money, but I need some new clothing.

O: That's why we're here! What would you like?

HG: I just need something durable yet comfortable. Jeans, a sweatshirt, and a t-shirt is all really.

O: That's it? Are you sure you don't need more?

HG: No, no. It will do.

O: Do you have any preferences in brand or color?

HG: No sir.

O: (Smiling) Let me check the back to see what we have.

N: Ten minutes later, the owner came walking out with a pair of denim jeans, a yellow sweatshirt, and a black t-shirt. Alex thanked him for his struggles and returned to the lair in search of a spell.

SOUTHERN HUNTSCLAN ACADEMY

3:00 AM

HG: (Yawns) I'm never going to find a spell! But I can't give up. I'll be killed if I do – and Master would be disappointed with me. (Yawns deeper yet again)

N: Before she knew it, Alex was accidentally asleep face first in a book.

DREAM REALM

SH: Have you found the spell? (Carrying something in arms)

HG: Huh? Oh no! Master, I must have fallen asleep!

Southern Huntsman's Wife (SW): Indeed you did.

HG: Mistress! (Falls to knees) But I thought that you were pregnant?

SW: (Turns to Southern Huntsman and takes object) I was. (Knees to Alex) It's a boy – a beautiful baby boy with the mark. (Stands)

HG: Oh my! What about Max?!

SH: He's safe. The Northern Huntsman snatched him before the portal spell ran out.

HG: So… What's his name?

N: Both pause.

SW: Christopher.

HG: Perfect. (Smiling) (Hesitates) I'm so sorry. I never could imagine this would happen.

SH: (Kneels closer to Alex and put a hand on her shoulder) I know Alex, I know.

HG: I want to take it back! I thought that Rose was my friend!

SH: (Firmly) But you can't.

HG: We promised each other no matter what, we would be there for each other.

SH: Hey, you kept you part of the promise, and do you want to know why she didn't?

N: Alex nods.

SH: Because she was a traitor! You should have seen that from the beginning!

HG: I know! But we've known one another forever, I just couldn't turn my back on her now.

SH: (Sighs) You're a strong girl Huntsgirl. I'm sorry that I didn't take the time to see that before.

HG: The Northern Huntsman says I should die.

SH: I don't want you to listen to him. The Northern Huntsman had a horrible childhood. He needs control, and Rose took that away from him.

HG: I see, so he holds me to blame?

SH: Exactly.

HG: Comforting. Sir, what about 88 and 89?
SH: Oh, they're in trouble too. They quit – they walked out. That doesn't get by without flags being noticed.

HG: Do they know that I'm alive?

SH: Not to my knowledge.

HG: Do you want me to contact them?

SH: Not yet. It's not time, you need to find the spell. We must return. Remember to keep you guard Alex.

HG: I always do.

SW: Alex!

HG: Yes Ma'am?

SW: Good luck.

HG: You too. Take care of Tali.

SH: We will. I've been trying to convince her to come talk to you.

HG: Master, it's a better idea if she doesn't.

SH: Are you sure?

HG: Yes.

SH: Best wishes then.

HG: (Bows) Thank you sir. (Leaves realm.) Okay, I must get refocused. There's no time to loose.

4 HOURS LATER HG: It's perfect!

N: Alex looked over the spell again.

HG: This is it. I did it. I found it!

N: The spell read:

A portal to reverse is not an easy task.
So read closely to understand.
To replace what's in a portal now,
You must sacrifice thyself.
A whole for one is not a bad deal,
Take half of something along if you feel.
A unicorn's horn and a mermaid's tail is all it takes.
Just make sure that they're not fakes.

In a nutshell, Alex could remove everything from the portal – including their current captor – in replace for herself. Once a portal is created, it needs something to hold. Alex would not have to go alone though. She was allowed to take one half of anything. For instance, she could take ½ of human beings, ½ of teddy bears, ½ of dogs, or even ½ magical creatures. And it just so happened that the horns and tail were all stored in the same room next door. She jumped up with the book and snatched as many tails and horns as she could fit into her arms. Alex set up a circle around her and began to chant.

HG: OO-YA-WAH-DO
YA-WAH-DO-OO
WAH-DO-OO-YA
DO-OO-YA-WAH!

N: Everything began to glow blue around her. 'Make your switch!' a deep ominous voice ordered.

HG: I propose a switch of all of the Huntsclan to return to Earth in exchange for myself and ½ of all…

N: A picture of the current portal was being displayed in front of her. It was obvious the Southern Huntsman could see her too. 'What are you doing?!' he mouthed. 'You'll see' she mouthed back.

HG: ½ of all dragons!

N: Everything continued to glow brighter and brighter. Suddenly, there was a screeching, ear deafening whine all around. Plugging her ears shut, Alex looked out to see the portal opening. She could feel herself being sucked towards it, but she forced herself to hold place until she physically viewed the Huntsclan leaving back into their world.

SH: (Coming out first) Alex? What did you do?

HG: (Struggling to hold place) Master, I found the spell! Me, and half of the dragons are going into the portal! Thank you – for everything. (Grip slipping)

#207: (Tali) (Coming out after Southern Huntsman's wife) A…A…Alex?

HG: (Smiling) Tali! You're… talking! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!

SH: (Not being able to approach Alex) Huntsgirl, tell me one thing. Why did you take ½ of only dragons?

HG: (Slipping further) Now there are fewer dragons per magical creature. Easier to find the more defenseless kind!

SH: But you'll be trapped with them – the dragons – forever. They'll kill you.

HG: The prophecy! Besides, I don't care! I owe it to the clan. (Holding onto table with only one hand now) Don't worry about it! Nothing about me! Take care of the clan! Max needs to be trained! You're – (Struggling) going to make a great father. (Realizing defeat) Goodbye Master. Thank you!

SH: (Pushing forward) Huntsgirl! No! (Reaches out)

N: But it was too late. Alex released her hold.

HG: (Flying into the portal) Goodbye!

N: And just like that she was-

SH: Gone. She's…gone.

THE END ???

Awww, I hated to have to do that to her. I'm working on the 5th right now - I don't have a title yet :( - Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed! I hope you guys liked it! T'ill next time, Love y'all!

Schoolgirl7