The Swamp Of Sadness

They had been traveling aimlessly for almost a week, but they could not find a cure for the Empress. Atreyu, Axerena, and their horse Artax did not have the vaguest suspicion that the creature of darkness, G'mork, was already tracking them down.

Artax trotted over to Atreyu and started to nuzzle him to wake him up, effectually waking up Axerena as well, for she always woke up when he did, intentional or not.

Atreyu asked sleepy, "Wha? What is it, Artax? Is it time to go already?"

Axerena smirked and said, "I know what you want. It's time to eat, huh?"

Atreyu chuckled and said, "Good idea"

(Youallknowwhat'scomming)

Bastian looked up from the book and yelled, "No, it's a great idea!" He ran over to where his lunch is and began to eat it.

He finished half of it before he said, "No, not too much. We still have a long way to go." He began to read again.

(It'stime!)

Atreyu, Axerena, and Artax had searched the Silver Mountains, the Desert of Shattered Hopes, and the Crystal Towers without success. And so, there was only one chance left. To find Morla, the Ancient One, the wisest being in Fantasia, who's home was the Shell Mountain somewhere in the deadly Swamps of Sadness.

The mud was too deep for Artax to get through on his own, so Atreyu and Axerena hopped off Artax and began guiding him.

Everyone knew that whoever let the sadness overtake him would sink into the swamp.

Atreyu said, "That's it, Artax. You're doing fine."

Axerena added, "Just a bit longer." Suddenly Artax stopped. Areyu pulled on the reigns, but Artax wouldn't move.

Axerena asked, "Come on, Artax, what's the matter? What's wrong?" Then, she noticed something.

Atreyu said understandingly, "I understand. It's too difficult for you." But Axerena just stared horrifyingly at Artax as Atreyu moved to the right. Finally, she couldn't keep it in anymore.

"ARTAX! YOU'RE SINKING," she yelled. Atreyu looked and saw that she was right.

He shouted, "COME ON! TURN AROUND, YOU HAVE TO! NOW!"

"COME ON! ARTAX!" Axerena wailed. They both got closer and hugged the horse's mouth.

Axerena said quietly, "Fight against the sadness, Artax. Artax, please. You're letting the sadness of the swamps get to you."

Atreyu whispered patheticly, "You have to try. You have to care. For us, we're your friends. We love you." Artax, with his head barely sticking out over the mud, didn't move. Axerena was fed up with this and slapped the mud.

"STUPID HORSE! YOU'VE GOTTA MOVE OR YOU'LL DIE!"

Then, they both pleaded at once, "Move, please."

Atreyu yelled, "I WON'T GIVE UO! JUMP, QUICK! ARTAX!"

(Youallprobablyhateme.)

Atreyu and Axerena just lay there silently sobbing, mourning over the loss of their dear friend who had just disappeared in the mud. Little did they know, that somewhere out there, in the real world, a human boy was also crying. They wandered the swamp, trying to complete their quest, believing that was what Artax would have wanted him to do. They stopped suddenly in light of the fact that a mountain shaped like a shell was right in front of them.

They both exclaimed at once, "The Shell Mountain!"

(DoesanyoneelsethinkMorlalookslikeET?)

Bastian said in wonder, "Morla, the Ancient One.

(Herewego!)

They tried to climb up the mountain, but kept slipping. When they finally got to the top, the mountain started to move and they slipped again. Atreyu grabbed on to a tree branch and held Axerena close. The branch could not support their combined weight and snapped in half, hurting Atreyu's shoulder. They landed in the mud and spotted a tree. They both climbed it as a giant, withered turtle's head popped out.

So, you all probably hate me for the Artax scene. But, if it weren't for that scene, I wouldn't have been inspired to create Axerena and we wouldn't have this story. Anyway, we've meet Morla! And I know the romance is non-existant, that's coming later. Probably after we meet the gnomes. I just realized we're about halfway through with this story! Yes, I will do the second one. No, I won't do the third. It doesn't even have Atreyu in it, so why have Axerena? Awful movies aside, to the reviews!

Me: Ok, step right up in a line to ride Artax!

Atreyu: What will the readers get if they review?

Me: An interview with you and Axerena.

Axerena: Why me?

Me: Because people love you and Atreyu probably wouldn't do it without you.

Atreyu: She's right.

Me: So send in your questions in a PM and leave a review of what you thought of the chapter!

All: REVIEW!

Axerena: Wait, so you're writing a story. A romance story. Between me and Atreyu.

Me: Yup.

Axerena: Don't you have a life?

Me: Nope.

Axerena: Atreyu, this doesn't bother you?

Atreyu: Not at all. :D

Axerena: I'm so confused...