Dedicated to Sakura for an excellent idea that I've just gotten around to writing. :) Hope it lives up to your standards! :D

Features Mr Mage Hawke. Because he's cool. :L

Only Second Rate (Aladdin 2: The Return Of Jafar) - Danarius

It had happened so quickly, Hawke wondered if the magister hadn't just appeared from nowhere.

Hawke looked quickly to the elf, and felt his stomach jerk uncomfortably. Fenris, who merely raised his eyebrows at dragons, was gazing, terrified and transfixed, at the leering old man at the foot of the stairs.

"And this is your new master, then?" sneered Danarius, resting a hand on Varania's shoulder. The elven woman flinched almost invisibly, and the grip tightened. "The Champion of Kirkwall? Impressive." Hawke's lip curled as the old man's eyes raked over him, lingering on the staff strapped to his back. They then travelled across to Merrill, who gazed at him with wide, mossy eyes, and then Anders, whose own, darker gaze narrowed at the blood mage's leer.

"Fenris doesn't belong to anyone," Hawke growled in response, understanding at last the hatred Fenris felt for the man.

Danarius chuckled sadistically. "Do I detect a note of jealousy?" he smirked, an almost knowing look in his colourless eyes. "It's not surprising. The lad is rather… skilled, isn't he?"

"Shut your mouth, Danarius," Fenris suddenly snarled, his markings igniting in blue rage.

"The word," the man sighed, sweeping the staff from his back, "is master."

Every battle starts with a single action, and that word was it. Swords were sweeping through air and flesh uncaringly, sparks were flying from staves and hands, blue light ghosted over Fenris.

Danarius was laughing to himself in the corner. "You could be great, mages such as yourselves," he chuckled. Hawke glowered, shooting a bolt of ice at the man, who brushed it aside as it if were a speck of dust. "I must admit," he sneered, "your parlour tricks are amusing. I bet you've got a bunny under your hat!" His tone was condescending as Hawke raised his staff again. "Now here's your chance to get the best of me – hope your hand is hot! C'mon, clown, let's see what you've got!"

Fenris joined the battle between the two – Anders and Merrill were busy battering the mercenaries – with pure hatred on his features. This only made Danarius laugh harder as he stood uncaringly behind his mana shield. "You try to slam me with your hardest stuff," he laughed, "but your double whammy isn't up to snuff!" Fenris' sword bounced harmlessly from the wall of magic, and the elf swore colourfully. "I'll set the record straight," derided the magister. "You're simply out of date, you're only second rate!"

He turned to Hawke, motioning to Fenris with his head. "You think your dog's a fighter, but your wolf is tame. You've got a lot to learn about the 'master' game," he said, shaking his head. Fenris roared, while Danarius moved easily through the crowd of fighters, smirking. "So for your information, I'll reiterate – you're only second rate!"

A nod between the elf and human, and Hawke blasted the shield with lightning. It rebounded, hitting a Tevinter soldier in the back of the head, and he fell with a crack to the floor, body jerking. Looking up, Hawke saw Danarius flick his wrist, and Merrill's half-ethereal rock armour being pummelled by an invisible force.

"Men cower at the power in my pinky," gloated Danarius, stopping his assault on the elf girl as Fenris sliced through a soldier's army with ease. "My thumb is number one on every list. But if you're not convinced that I'm invincible, put me to the test!" He cackled, waving his arms mockingly. "I'd love to lay this rivalry to rest!"

Dropping the shield, he waved his staff. At his command, a horde of shades, demons and other horrors seemed to splinter and grow from the ground, making their way to Fenris and Hawke. "Go ahead and zap me with the big surprise!" mocked Danarius, a sick smile playing on his lips as he drew a lazy cut across his palm. "Snap me in a trap, cut me down to size! I'll make a big escape, it's just a piece of cake – you're only second rate!"

As the demons were beaten back down into the depths they called home, Fenris turned to see blood spurting from his old master's hands. He was staring at Hawke. He knew why. Hawke was a powerful mage. A good-looking young man. Someone that Danarius could mould if he could break their spirit first. He shook his head, raising his blade. No, Hawke would never allow that.

"You know, your hocus-pocus isn't tough enough!" shouted Danarius, scornfully. "And your mumbo-jumbo doesn't measure up!" He raised his shield again, circling Hawke as he did so. "Let me pontificate," he taunted, "upon your sorry state, you're only second rate!"

The magister began murmuring in Arcanum. "Demon's gonna grab ya!" he cackled as a shade appeared behind – and was subsequently beaten down by – Fenris. Again with the Arcanum. "And this thing's bigger than the both of us!" roared Danarius, pointing his staff at Hawke.

"So spare me your tremendous scare!" he threatened Fenris, who stood, paralysed, on a glyph. "Your markings look horrific, there!" Fenris snarled, wanting nothing more than to snap the leering old mage's neck.

"And I can hardly wait," screeched the magister, turning back to Hawke, Aveline and Merrill, "to discombobulate – I'll send ya back and packing in a shipping crate!" He laughed out loud as Merrill tripped over a corpse, forcing her spell to collide with the wall. "You'll make a better living with a spinning plate," he snorted. "You're only second rate!"

That was when the glyph finally freed Fenris, and his gauntleted fingers closed over the man's flabby, pale neck.

-0-0-0-0-

Last request for a while, I'm quite busy with college and other things. So, the next few ficlets will be my own choice (pre-written), and I will upload suggestions as they're written :)

Also, please keep reviewing! They're really appreciated, even if it;s just to let me know that you liked/disliked a chapter. Reviews make better writers, after all :)

Apollo - thank you! Glad you think so :) I have two Pinocchio's on the way, I'm just deciding on characters :)

DivineStorms - Thank you very much hun! Glad you're enjoying :D

Sakura - You knew it was ;D Well, I started off this series with about twelve already written. I write requests as and when they come, if I have time and/or if I'm in the mood for writing (sometime's I just can't face sitting typing) and write the others as they come to me. I post these once a day (unless I'm otherwise engaged) mainly to avoid having an empty queue, and also since it gives me time to get everything else done inbetween. Haha, bit of a long winded explanation there - basically, it's easier for me and keeps a steady supply :P

hotrod 333 - sure can, I'll add it to the list :)

the sister of the anime bros - It's because you're awesome. ;D and leave me lovely reviews and great ideas! Thanks again :)

Up Next: Anders tries to explain to Fenris how the mages feel about their magic.