From Little Flame to Raging Fire

I don't own anything but my OC's.

Chapter 5

They were going to kill him.

It wasn't his fault! It was just the way he was. He tried to tell himself that being attracted to other men was bad, but that one part of his mind said that nothing was wrong with him. Well, obviously, these men couldn't hear that part of Rodney's mind, nor did they have their own part that said it's ok. They shouting at him, whipping him as he curled up in a ball. He was going to die and they were going to kill him. Rodney shut his eyes tightly as the group of men continued to hit him and shout homophobic words at him. Suddenly, there was a cry of pain and a grunt. Rodney continued to tremble, even though curiosity had developed in his head.

"Are you alright?"

Rodney slowly uncovered his eyes and looked up.

A man, around his age, stood over him, reddish-brown eyes locked on him. He was holding out a hand, which Rodney hesitantly took, while nodding the best he could as he trembled. The man pulled him up. Rodney gazed at him and couldn't help but blush. The rock sorcerer had a rather nice view of the man's chest, as his black, button-up dress shirt was slightly tight on him; tucked into his black slacks, which were held up by a belt with a semi-large buckle.

Rodney shrank back slightly under the man's gaze. The man suddenly grabbed his chin and tilted it and Rodney shut his eyes tightly, waiting for a fist to hit his face. That was probably why this man saved him. So he could kill him for himself. How sad. He felt a thumb gently rub a cut on his cheek. "You're wounded."

Rodney opened one eye. The man was staring at him, almost worriedly. Rodney only managed to gulp.

The man let go of his chin. "My campsite is not far from here. Come." He began to walk away. Rodney wanted to follow, but his feet weren't moving.

The man looked over his shoulder and stopped. "Well? Do you not wish to accompany me?"

Rodney gulped.

"Is it because you do not know my name? It's Montargo. My name. Montargo."

Rodney continued to stare.

"Judging by what those men were calling you, I'm guessing you're homosexual?"

Rodney bit his lip and fiddled with his fingers.

"That's nice. Good for you."

Rodney's jaw dropped. He, tentatively, began to step toward him.

"Good. What's your name then, hm? What do you go by?"

Rodney hesitated. "R-Rodney…"

"Well, Rodney, you don't talk much." There was a slight pause before Montargo spoke again. "I like you already."

Rodney smiled.

"Rodney," Montargo suddenly said, eyebrows raised. "Rodney…! Rodney…! Rodney…!"

His voice got more forceful each time.

"RODNEY…!"

…

"Rodney…! Rodney…!"

Rodney's eyes snapped open. He was sitting at the wooden table in the kitchen, arms folded on top of it; his head resting in his arms. Montarg was shaking him, trying to awaken him. "Rodney…!"

Rodney shot up, blinking his eyes several times.

"Are you alright?" Montarg asked, hand on Rodney's shoulder blade.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine." Rodney replied, rubbing his forehead. "Must've dozed off…"

"That isn't like you." Montarg muttered. It was true. Rodney was very lively compared to some of the other sorcerers in here. When Rodney wasn't lively was when Rodney was ill. "Are you sick?"

"No, no. Just felt tired, I suppose." Rodney got up and moved over to his pot of stew. "A conversation with Marcus earlier made me think…"

Montarg's head snapped up and his eyes widened. As he marched over, he asked, "Was he homophobic toward you? Do you want me to kick him out? I will, you know."

Rodney laughed and waved a hand. "Montargo, please, stop your worrying. Marcus has been perfectly kind to me. He was just asking how you and I met."

"Oh…" Montarg muttered.

Rodney scooped some of the stew onto a spoon and held it out for Montarg. "Try that for me, please."

Montarg leaned forward and sucked the stew from the spoon. He clicked his tongue. "Magnifique. Puis-je - ?"

"Montargo, you're speaking French again." Rodney pointed out, giggling.

Montarg paused. "…Yes." He said after a moment. "Yes, I am, aren't I?"

Rodney smiled. Montarg noticed something out of the corner of his eye and turned his head, then frowned. "What is that doing here?"

Rodney looked at the basket out of the corner of his eye. "You still haven't eaten your cake."

"I don't want it."

"Oh, come on, Montargo." Rodney walked over to the basket and took out a cake. He held up to Montarg's mouth, which refused to open. "They're really yummy!"

Montarg pushed the cake away. "If they're so tasty, then you eat it."

"I've already had mine."

"Then have mine." Montarg pushed it toward him. "I insist."

"Why not just try it?"

"It is not the first time I have been poisoned by so-called 'treats'."

Rodney's brow creased and he bit his lip. He remembered when someone from town had supposedly made cakes and candy for the sorcerers. Those were the days when Montarg tried them, instead of ordering someone to be the taste tester. He had taken a cake from the basket and had bitten into it, then immediately lost feeling in his body. His hand had gone numb and the cake had dropped to the floor, splattering into crumbs and a red, jam-like substance. Montarg had wobbled, trying to regain his balance, then collapsed to the floor. The woman had been smirking when Montarg had bitten into the cake and had laughed when he collapsed. "I've killed Montarg!" She had exclaimed, almost chanting. Two sorcerers had attempted to grab her. That was the last time Rodney recalled changing. He recalled that his eyes had begun glowing a brown that was so close to black and he remembered baring his teeth in anger as rock spires began shooting up all over the cavern. He had gotten angry because she had hurt his Montargo. He'd almost killed her, but Richard had stopped him. Rodney remembered the nights where he would hold Montarg's hand and pray to whoever would listen that he would be ok. "I'm here for you, Montargo…" He would whisper in fright. Montarg hadn't been able to move, nor speak properly. His speech always came out slurred. Luckily, their attacker had been wrong and Montarg hadn't been killed. After a few weeks of something that could be considered paralysis, Montarg was up again, punching bags of sand and trees to make up for the hours of training he had lost during his illness. Rodney had been more then glad to see his friend up and well again and would stand at the sides as Montarg trained (and not only because Montarg trained shirtless), holding a towel that the fire sorcerer would use to wipe sweat away from his brow. That was the last time Rodney had seen Montarg truly smile. When he had given Montarg his towel, Rodney had smiled at him; not really expecting anything but a nod. Instead, when Montarg took the towel away from his face, the rock sorcerer had seen a real, genuine smile on the fire sorcerer's face. Rodney's eyebrows had shot up and his lips made an 'o' shape, but Montarg had just placed the towel around Rodney's neck, given him a nod, then turned back to the tree he had been punching; beginning to kick at it.

Montarg turned to leave.

"Montargo!"

Montarg stopped and turned. "Hm?"

"I think you should experiment with that facial hair. Perhaps a nice goatee would look good on you."

Montarg tilted his head. "You are the second person who has said that to me. What is a-" He paused, then spoke as though he had never spoken English before. "Goa-tee?"

Rodney walked over to him slowly, then reached up hesitantly. Montarg didn't like people touching his body, especially not his face. When Montarg didn't respond to Rodney's hand, just stared at him, the rock sorcerer gently drew an imaginary goatee on Montarg's face with the index and middle fingers on his right hand. When Rodney was done with his drawing, he smiled at his leader and walked back over to his stew, stirring the contents of the pot thoroughly.

Montarg stared at him for a few moments, then turned to leave. As he passed Marcus and Richard, he waved a hand and muttered, "Salut."

Marcus paused as Richard called, "Montarg, ya speaking in French again!"

Montarg paused, his head snapping up, then looked down at his feet. "…Yes." He muttered, then continued walking.

Marcus looked at the fire sorcerer, then the wind sorcerer. "Did he just speak French to us?"

"Yep. Tis a habit he's got. Speaks French sometimes. Doesn't even realize he's doing it until someone tells him." Richard explained.

Marcus looked at Montarg again, then shrugged. He began to walk, then accidentally bumped shoulders with a man in a brown coat and red shirt. His hair was black and neatly cut. He scowled at Marcus, then turned and walked off.

"That's Christopher." Richard muttered sourly. "He's Montarg's advisor."

"Advisor? He has an advisor? What is he, a king?"

"No. But he's our leader, our saviour. People call him the Lord of Fire."

Marcus gulped, looking in the direction Montarg had walked off in, then turned away.

…

Stupid Montarg.

Amanda stormed back toward Halloween Town, scowling and kicking up dirt. How dare he treat her like that? She was only bringing him food! Not to pat herself on the back, but that was probably the best food he'd eaten in a while (if that Rodney fellow had gotten him to eat at all). Amanda huffed. Well, that was one citizen she wouldn't get along with…

"Lemme guess, he was sexist toward you."

Amanda paused and looked around, then looked up. Xavier was sitting on a tree branch above her, legs crossed. "Yes." Amanda replied, arms crossed.

"See? I told ya. Montarg is a jerk, so just don't bother trying to be friends with 'im."

"Alright, fine. You were right."

Xavier shrugged then jumped down from the branch. He followed as Amanda began walking back toward town. "Just give up." Xavier said. "You can't be friends with everyone."

"I know…" Amanda sighed and sat down on a fallen tree. Xavier sat down next to her. Amanda frowned, "Why do you care?"

Xavier shrugged. "'s been awhile since someone like you has been around."

"Someone like me? Like…human?"

"No. Naïve."

"I am not naïve."

"Admit it. You're naïve. If Montarg can admit he's sexist, then you can admit your naïve."

Amanda sighed. "Alright, fine. I'm naïve."

Xavier nodded. "And I'm a grouch."

Amanda giggled. "I've noticed."

Xavier let out a tiny chuckle and grinned at her.

Amanda sighed through her nose and leaned her head on Xavier's shoulder. Xavier stared her, his eyebrows raised and a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Xavier," Amanda whispered to him.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Doesn't the moon look beautiful tonight?"

Xavier looked up at the moon. It was a full, yellowy sphere in the sky, wisps of mist and clouds floating around it. Xavier felt a spark behind his eyes and his body began pulsing.

Amanda paused and lifted her head from his shoulder as he let out tiny, choked grunts. "Xavier…? Is everything ok?"

Xavier suddenly scowled, baring his sharp teeth. Drool dripped from his lips as his irises and pupils disappeared, leaving only the whites of his eyes. Amanda stood up. "Xavier?"

Xavier began growling and his fingers twitched. His fur began growing longer, covering more parts of his body. Amanda took a step back as Xavier stood and began to change. His nose stretched and changed into a wolf's snout and wolf ears appeared on top of his head. His shirt and coat began tear as his torso became wider and his trousers began to rip as his tail broke free. Amanda took another step back. Xavier grabbed hold of the rest of his clothes and tore them off, then threw his head back and howled to the moon. Amanda couldn't help herself. She screamed.

Xavier suddenly turned to her and growled, drool still dripping from his lips. Amanda turned and sprinted away. Xavier howled to the moon once more then went down on all fours, chasing her. Amanda pushed passed bushes and tree branches as she ran. Some of the branches she didn't push flung back and cut into her legs and arms, but she didn't care. She had obviously known Xavier was a werewolf, but she hadn't realized he wouldn't be able to control himself! Amanda looked over her shoulder and saw Xavier charging toward her. She turned to pick up speed, but her foot got snagged on a root and she fell; hitting her chin on the hard ground. Tears welled up in her eyes and she turned, seeing the blurry image of Xavier standing over her. She shut her eyes. This was it. The day she died.

"No!"

There were footsteps and a wolf's whimper. Amanda opened her eyes and gasped.

Arachnid was pinning Xavier down by his wrists as the werewolf struggled against his hold. Arachnid turned to her. "Run, Amanda! Just run!"

Amanda freed her foot from the root and got up, running. She stopped and looked back, only for Arachnid to grab her wrist as he ran toward her. He began leading her away as Xavier shook himself off.

"Where're we going?" Amanda yelled.

"Anywhere but here!" Arachnid exclaimed. He tugged her through the foliage.

"Arachnid!"

Arachnid looked back and saw why Amanda had called out. A branch had snagged the hem of her dress and she was trying to tug it free. Arachnid looked over her shoulder, seeing Xavier approaching, and grabbed hold of the dress. "I'm sorry, my dear," He said hurriedly and quickly tore the dress from the branch, ripping it. Arachnid pulled her along as he ran. He led her through more foliage until they reached a clearing. Arachnid looked around hurriedly. "We can't go back to town," He said. "Otherwise Xavier will attack the townsfolk." Arachnid caught sight of a sturdy-looking tree. "Up there! Quickly!"

"But, Arachnid," Amanda said. "I can't climb!"

"You must!" Arachnid exclaimed. "I'll be right behind you! I'll catch you if you fall!"

Amanda looked at him in panic then nodded and went to the tree, beginning to climb. Arachnid watched her and, when Xavier drew closer, he began climbing as well.

Xavier burst out from the bushes and looked up at them. He bounded to the tree and reached up, grabbing Arachnid's ankle.

Arachnid cried out as Xavier pulled and began kicking. His heel came in contact with Xavier's nose and Xavier whimpered as he fell back. "I'm sorry, my friend!" Arachnid called over his shoulder. He climbed up the tree. "The next branch, Amanda! Sit on the next branch!"

Amanda gulped. Sensing her fear, Arachnid moved to the side then climbed up using his long limbs. He sat down on said branch and took hold Amanda's hands, pulling her up into his lap. She held onto him tightly. "He can't get us up here," Arachnid murmured. "He can't climb trees when he's like that." Arachnid gazed down at Xavier.

The humanoid wolf scratched at the tree, trying to climb up.

"I'm tired, Arachnid…" Amanda muttered.

"We'll have to sleep here tonight."

"What?"

"We don't have a choice." Arachnid moved so that his back was pressed against the tree. He slipped off his coat and wrapped it around Amanda's shoulders. Amanda smiled at him and sat between his legs, resting her head on his chest. Arachnid felt a blush form on his face (he still didn't know how he could, considering his lack of blood). They fell asleep to the sound of Xavier growling and snarling at them.

…

As the sun's beams hit Arachnid's closed eye sockets, his 'eye lids' began to flutter and his eye sockets opened slowly. He looked around, trying to remember what had happened, and looked down at the floor. Xavier was gone. Arachnid shook Amanda. "Amanda, wake up. Amanda."

Amanda's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at him. "Hm…?"

"He's gone."

Amanda peeked over the side. It was true, Xavier was gone. "Where is he?"

"Not sure." Arachnid said. "The last time he changed like that, he fell asleep in the bushes. That's probably what he's done now."

They began climbing down, Arachnid first. When Arachnid reached the floor, he helped Amanda down. Amanda sighed happily. "Thank God. I missed the floor."

Arachnid smiled, then paused. "There he is."

Amanda turned and saw a hand poking out of the bushes. She grinned and jogged toward it. Pushing passed the bushes, she paused and yelped, blushing bright red.

Arachnid jogged over and immediately blushed in embarrassment.

Xavier was laying on the floor, asleep and completely naked. Arachnid chuckled nervously and undid his belt. "What're you doing?" Amanda exclaimed.

"Giving him some cover-up." Arachnid muttered as he pulled off his trousers. He knelt down beside his friend and shook him. "Xavier," He hissed. "Xavier."

Xavier slowly opened his eyes. "Huh…? Wha-? Arachnid?" He sat up. "I must've fallen asleep out here…Wait…Am I naked?" He looked up. "Amanda?"

Amanda covered eyes and turned around. "Cover him up!"

Xavier looked at Arachnid as the skeleton held out his trousers.

"Seriously?" Xavier asked.

"Do you want to walk around naked?" Arachnid answered with his own question.

Xavier grumbled and took hold of the trousers, pulling them on. "Wait…So, you're just offering me your trousers?"

"Yes."

Xavier paused. "Wow. That's true friendship right there."

"Yes. Yes, it is." Arachnid smiled.

Xavier smiled back. "Maybe I can try to like your little human."

"And that is all I ask."

…

Xavier and Amanda walked down the street, arm in arm. It had been a few months since that little 'werewolf incident'. They had been spending a lot more time with each other since that night, laughing and joking together. "Ok," Amanda said. "I have a question for you."

"'k." Xavier nodded.

"I've seen you and I've seen George." Amanda said. George was another werewolf, who worked down at the butcher's shop in town. "You're both werewolves, but you look different. Why's that?"

"Well," Xavier said. "There's two different types of 'werewolf'. There's the Wolf-man, like George, who looks like a wolf standing on his hind legs. They can talk and such like a human and when they see the full moon, they just act rabid. I'm a Man-wolf, which means I look like a human- with a few wolf characteristics- and when I see the full moon…well, you've seen that…"

Amanda grinned. "I see."

Xavier smiled at her and Amanda blushed and looked away. She could admit, she used to dislike Xavier. But now…now he was kind of…handsome. "Well," Amanda muttered, suddenly gaining confidence. Her heart began quickening in pace. "I'm glad you're a, uh, Man-wolf…"

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"Cause…if you were a Wolf-man, it would be more…difficult…"

"For what?"

Amanda didn't reply, only stopped their walk, unhooked her arm from his, and placed her hands on his shoulder, then kissed him. Kissed him.

Xavier's eyes widened, then shut as he kissed back.

Unbeknownst to them, a very heart broken Pumpkin King was watching.

…

Author's note:

Translations:

Magnifique: Magnificent

Puis-je: May I

Salut: Hi

If I make any errors in the French, don't hesitate to correct me. I'm using Google Translate for it.

Me: Aw, how sweet.

Mav: Ew. Yuck. My parents are…kissing.

Me: Oh, grow up. So, we know a little but more about Monty.

Mav: Mum and Dad have begun dating,

Me: And poor Arachnid's heartbroken. So, what will happen to the trio now?

Mav: And what about Richard, Marcus, Rodney and Montarg?

Me: Will Amanda become friends with Montarg?

Mav + Me: Find out next time!

Mav: Yeah, MissBliss8527, I guess Marcus is a bit friendlier then Dad. Ah, well. And, reveur-amira! Your review made J laugh, cause of the 'fall for Rodney's feminine charms' bit! Glad we have a Rontargo supporter in our midst!