Feels Like Friendship

Artie was sitting near the fountain in the Worchester courtyard. Girls were staring at him as they passed but he heard Puss come over to him along with Donkey.

"Senor you okay? The others were worried about you. The boss was really worried. He's not mad at what happened.

He said you didn't have the strength to be who you've became after leaving Worchester.

Is that true?" Puss told him.

"Yeah it's the reason Charming's after us even if he says he's after Marissa, he wants me out of the picture.

Staying here is the only way to protect those I care about especially Marissa." he answered.

"But Artie....." Donkey said but saw Merlin run up to them.

"What's wrong?" Artie asked him.

"Marissa. Please you have to come!

She's in danger." he answered as Artie followed him to his room where they heard evil laughter.

"Charming's in there probably hurting her!

He'll pay!" Artie told himself running in there. Charming cackled standing over Marissa but Shrek had made a shield in front of her.

"I'm sorry but I won't let you take her Charming!" he said as Marissa trembled.

"Stand down before I do something I regret!" Charming told him.

"Over my dead body you airhead!" Shrek replied.

Charming unsheathed his sword but suddenly a burst of magic made him drop it as he was sent flying into a wall.

It had been Marissa doing that.

"Thanks kid. Where's Charming's sword?" Shrek told her as it flew over and he caught it.

Charming then saw Artie stand behind him holding a crossbow. Marissa smiled at that.

"Artie stop!" Shrek pleaded.

"He's right Pendragon. Besides you don't have the guts to pull it." Charming told him.

He was about to but Charming vanished.

"Damn!

He's gone!" Artie cursed as he dropped the crossbow but he heard Marissa clutch her arm in pain. The arrow was in it.

"H-Healus." she said as the arrow came out with no blood on it but her arm hurt immensely as a cast was on it.

But Artie was hurting because of it.

"Artie.... it's okay... it was an accident." she reassured him but he ran off.

"Was it me?" she asked.

"No he's got a lot on his plate right now. I've gotta talk to him." Shrek said going after Artie.

Charming cackled at this.... His plan was going excellently especially his little game with Artie.

"Soon she'll come because she cares too much about the others but Artie she loves the most." he thought laughing.

Artie was looking at the night sky. Tears were pouring from those emerald eyes of his he saw Shrek show up.

"...... How're ya kid? You look like somebody ripped your heart out and showed it to ya." he said.

"I had a chance to get rid of him but I choked. Then I did something so wrong, I feel like I'm a monster.

Why?" he replied sobbing.

Shrek was at a loss hearing that, searching for the right thing to say to help him feel better.

"..... You're not a monster Artie. You have a lot of pressure on ya and that accident with the crossbow just made things worse huh? At least Marissa forgives you.

You're not alone. You've got us and.... me.

You know I've never abandoned ya. Charming needs to see the damage he's causing but maybe he already knows but doesn't have a heart.

Destroying him won't solve things, it'll just make them worse.

Trust me." he told him as Artie's tears hit his vest.

Marissa watched him depressed and hurting........

She wanted to help.....