Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 02:40:54 EDT
From: Morbddream@aol.com
Subject: Crimson Tears - 19

Disclaimer: This is not meant to imply anything about the sexuality of any
of the members of Nsync... It being a complete work of fiction, and
all... If you're too young, or if this is illegal wherever it is you
are... You should leave.

Note: Yeah, it was a mistake. Not a single response. Had some readers, then
I screwed up, and lost them all, huh? I guess I'll just keep writing
... just in case there's one, or two of you left. I'll be switching POV's
again this time. Only it'll go from Jacob to a narrator. Enjoy!

*****************************************************************************
From 18:

 	I saw someone else. It was Justin. Then Lance. They were all
standing over me. He was still kneeling. I couldn't stay awake any longer,
but I wouldn't allow myself to sleep. I had to know who he was. The pain
finally took over, and there was darkness.
*****************************************************************************

Chapter 19:

	"How's he doing?" I heard Gail's voice. "He should wake up anytime,
now." It was Vincent.  "What exactly happened?" Anthony's voice was
distant. "He wasn't quick enough." Justin was close.  It sounded like he
was right next to where I was. "Who was that guy that ran off?" Gail was
closer, now. "Beats me. He just showed up when that big guy was about to
kill Jake." I had to remember to tell Lance that I didn't like my name
shortened like that.

	My eye lids were heavy. I couldn't open them for the longest
time. Finally, I reached up.  I felt a hand wrap around the arm I hadn't
moved. It slid down, and grasped my hand. I ran my fingers over my eyes,
trying to find out if there was anything keeping them from opening. I
pushed them open. Light flooded into my pupils, causing me to shut them
again. I opened, and closed them, trying to get used to the light in the
room. Eventually they adjusted. Anthony was standing by the door to the
room, almost guarding it. Gail was sitting on a small chair on the far
wall. Vincent was putting something into a small black bag. It looked like
a bandage. I looked down, and saw the blood stained cotton wrapped around
my midsection. Lance was talking to Joey, and Chris at a table in a corner
of the room. JC was leaning against the wall next to Gail. They were
talking in low tones.

	I felt something brush my cheek. I turned my head and saw Justin. I
followed his arm with my eyes, ending at my hand. He was staring at me, a
look of relief on his face. "He's awake." He said in a loud
whisper. Vincent rushed over, and started looking me over. He helped me sit
up, and checked the bandage. "You'll be fine, but it'll take a while. He
only scratched you, but his blade was coated in a nasty poison. It ate away
at your flesh until the wound was significantly deep, then it prevented the
wound from closing. You're lucky that stranger helped. Do you have any idea
who he was?" I thought over the possibility. "No." I lied. He nodded, and
returned to his bag.

	Justin ran his fingers through my hair. I still wasn't awake, so it
took a minute for everything to register. I looked around the room, and saw
a painting of Anthony's father. "No reason." I muttered, barely
audible. "What?" Whispered Justin. "We came here for nothing. We failed." I
put a hand on my wound. "This for nothing." He sighed. "They were in the
trial dungeon until we came. They were expecting us to come, so they put
them there so we would work faster. They moved them to this place. We may
not have rescued them, but we saved their lives." I turned on the bed, and
slid off. I stood there, in a daze. "What the hell is going on?" I hadn't
realized how loud I was talking. Everyone turned to me with confused looks
on their faces. I backed into a corner, and slid to the floor. Gail was
across the room in a flash. "Are you okay?"  I looked her in the eye. I
could see that she was hiding something. I looked around the room.  They
all were.

	I stood, and walked to the door. I rest my head on the cool oak,
and closed my eyes. I concentrated, trying to see who was on the other
side. Barry, and another heavily armored guard were standing on each side
of the door. I turned around, and leaned against it. "Please tell me what's
going on. Please!" They all looked at the floor. Anthony sighed, and looked
up at me.  "Celeste came to us. She told us more about the war of
souls. She told us we need a fortress.  We thought about Luke's temple, but
it wouldn't be very well protected. The people of this city are opposed to
my father, so we decided to take this castle." I looked down, and noticed I
wasn't wearing much. After turning a deep shade of red, I was handed a
white robe with black swirls.  There was a crest on the chest. A blood red
star. I slipped it on, and turned to Anthony. "Thats not a bad plan, except
for two things." He raised an eyebrow. "It isn't a plan, for one, and the
people are out there. We aren't." He smiled. "That isn't the plan. We may
be in here, but Ryu, and Rosey aren't." I shook my head. "Thats
ridiculous. Who's going to listen to a Dragon, and a Griffin?"








	"Dammit, Rosey! I told you no one wanted to talk to us!" Rosey
snorted at Ryu. "Ryu, I am a creature of beauty. Look at the way they clear
the streets for me!" Ryu couldn't help but laugh at that. "Thats not out of
respect! They're scared! I'm a full grown griffin, and you're a full grown
white dragon! That, and we're talking to each other!" Rosey, and Ryu walked
through the streets of Camelot, trying to find someone that wasn't afraid
of them. Ryu had grown slightly than a mammoth in width, and as long as a
large transport. (The equivalent to a large yacht, in your world.) His
feathers had changed to a deep green, but retained their metallic
shine. His fur was a shining yellow, resembling pure gold. The tip of his
tail seemed to be on fire. It was burning brightly. His eyes still seemed
to be laced with molten gold. When he was angry, there was a smell like hot
brass that emanated from his body. He opened his beak, revealing a row of
sharp teeth. Small, but resembling a jagged saw. He snapped it shut,
creating a sound like glass shattering in an empty room. The echo seemed
strange, with all the hustle, and bustle on the streets.

	"Can we please just bust them out? Humans tend to react better to
other humans!" Ryu was now pleading with Rosey. "No! As much as I hate to
admit it, they are our friends. They asked us to help, and we will!" Ryu
stopped suddenly. "You hate to admit it? Why?" Rosey took a deep
breath. "Gail is the only person I really like. When she created me all of
the traits of a white dragon were inherited. Thats why I don't like most
humans." She continued down searching the streets. Ryu took one leap, and
caught up with her. "Then why don't I hate humans? I should have the traits
of a Griffin, right?" Rosey looked at him, and laughed. "You do. Griffins
are annoying creatures!" She laughed until a gleam caught her eye. Two men
were standing before them, grasping their swords. "What is it you creatures
want? You've been walking through the streets scaring everybody all day!"
Ryu snapped his beak again. "Look, we just need help." Said Rosey,
obviously disliking these two men. "HeLP wiTH whAT?" Ryu raised a feathery
eyebrow at the way this man was talking. "We want to speak with the leader
of a rebel group in town." The two men stood down, turning away from the
creatures. "I'M nOT suRE aboUT thIS. SuRE, theSE creaturES couLd shiFT tHE
balanCE tremendousLY, bUT whAT IF thEY tuRN againST US?" The first man was
extremely worried about Ryu, and Rosey's loyalties.

	"Why do you need to speak to a rebel leader?" Asked the first
man. "Our friends are imprisoned by the king. They devised half of a
plan. We find a rebel group, and free them. I am only allowed to tell your
leader the rest." The men turned away again. They soon turned back, with
worried looks on their faces. "We'll take you, but if you try anything we
have mages that can seal your powers. Then we'll kill you." Ryu nodded,
silently trying to calm Rosey.

	The men led them through the city, trying to find a route to their
stronghold that Ryu could fit through. "Hey, guys! Would it help if I was a
little smaller?" They turned, and looked at him with faces full of
confusion.  Ryu's form shifted, and shrank. He continued to shrink until he
was the size of a small dog. "Better?" He asked, grinning at the shocked
looks he received. The men shook their heads, and turned toward an
alley. They led them through this ally until they reached a dead end. "What
geniuses you are!" Mocked Rosey. "Can't even remember where your own
hideout is." One of them turned toward her. "Oh, shut up you stupid dragon!
We're taking you there, just shut up." Ryu then found out where her name
came from. Rosey's eyes flashed red.  Red like a rose. "Do you want to die,
human?!" She roared. The man just grinned. "You had better control your
friend, or you both die. As an added bonus, we'll kill your friends, too."
Ryu just snarled. "How can you get to your mages if you're dead?" The man's
face twisted into fear.  "I toLD yOU TO BE niCE! SorRY, frienDS." The man
began chanting something, and the wall shook.

	The inside of the hideout was decorated with various suits of
armor. The walls were lined with them, ready to use if the need arised. THe
two men led Ryu, and Rosey through various halls.  The building was like a
maze, protecting everyone inside. Without their escorts, they never
would've found their way through. They continued through the halls, amused
at how everyone froze when they saw them. A few brave ones tried to squeeze
past them, but were usually almost crushed.  They came to the end of the
hall, and stood before large, oak doors. The men split up, and moved to
either side of the door. They motioned for Ryu to pass, holding up their
hands when Rosey moved. "Sorry, but we can't afford one of your freak outs
in there. If we lose our leader, it's over." She rolled her eyes, and
turned. The men thought she was going to leave. Instead, she lay down in
the center of the hall, blocking anyone from coming, or leaving.

	Ryu looked around the room. I was brightly lit by various mirrors
reflecting the sunlight pouring in from a large window in the ceiling. The
walls were pure white marble, resembling a palace. There were statues of
different creatures around the room, holding the mirrors. Ryu traced the
path of light with his eyes. It came in through the ceiling, and hit the
first mirror.  That mirror was pointed toward one of the statues. This
continued until it reached a large crystal at one end of the room. He now
noticed there were several rainbows dancing on the walls.

	He cautiously stepped forward, not knowing what to expect. The
crystal slowly began turning. He could see one side was carved out,
creating a throne of sorts. When the crystal had turned completely, he saw
what he guessed was the leader. It was indescribably ugly. A huge blob of
disgusting flesh, obviously an elder ogre. "What is it?" The creature spoke
in a surprisingly soft tone. "We.. I've come for your help, sir." Stammered
Ryu, nervously. "No need to be nervous, Griffin. I am an elder ogre, not a
mindless drone. I won't hurt you." Ryu couldn't help but chuckle. This
creature was an elder, yet it didn't know how powerful he really was.
"Yes, I do know of your true power, Ryu. I am an elder, after all." Ryu's
chuckle faded. "So, let us begin. You wish for us to help you in taking
this city? What do you get out of it?" Ryu sat on the cold marble, and
began. "Our friends are imprisoned within the castle walls. They devised a
plan that helps them in two areas." The elder raised a scaly eyebrow. "Have
you heard of the War of Souls?" Shock spread through the Ogre's face. "The
War of Souls?! The chosen ones?"  Ryu simply nodded. "If you can help us
take the city, we can free them. We will also have a fortress. We're in
desperate need." The Ogre's form shrunk, much like Ryu's. He was now as
small as a normal human, but still as ugly as ever. "I was hoping this time
would never come, but I knew it was inevitable. Elders of any race are
respected, but sometimes feared." Ryu didn't quite understand until the
elder's form shifted again. This time his flesh folded in on itself, and
smoothed out. It's hands curled, and also smoothed. It's once bald head
sprouted shining, silver hair. All of the visible warts on it's body
vanished.

	"You're a werecreature?" Asked Ryu. The human/wolf nodded slowly,
it's form shifting back to a more human form. Ryu looked around the room,
and saw a statue that caught his eye. He looked from it, to the elder. Both
the statue, and the elder were wearing the same robes. They both had the
same length hair, only the elders was silver. The bodies were the
same. Everything was the same. "Call me Andrea. I guess you weren't
expecting a woman?" She smiled. Ryu shook his head. "No, thats not it. From
hat first form I wasn't expecting you to be so beautiful." Andrea just
smiled, and walked toward him. "You should know that someone with he
ability to change form will never be ugly." She winked, and stroked his
feathers. "Now, how are we supposed to overthrow the entire Camelot army?"
She asked, calmly. "Thats why we're here. We were sure you would have some
strategy." Andrea bit her lower lip. "Yes, we have plenty. They all involve
power we don't have, though. Aerial assaults, and things like that." Ryu
spread his wings. "The dragon outside has an impressive span, too." He
clicked his beak. Andrea walked back to her crystal, and picked up a small
emerald. She lifted it to her lips and it began to glow faintly. "All
members above rank 1, please report to the throne room immediately." Her
voice could be heard everywhere in the building, but not beyond the walls.



	"Whats taking them so long?" I was pacing around the room
impatiently. "Don't worry. I'm sure they'll pull through. You just have to
be patient." I had finally been convinced that they could get a rebel group
to free us, at least. I was still skeptical of our chances of taking the
city. "What exactly are we gonna do once they get us out?" Asked Chris
while he practiced creating tiny whirl winds on the carpet. "Depends on how
strong the group that gets us out is."  Started Vincent. "If it's big
enough to take Camelot, thats what we do. If not, we find more help." Chris
nodded, and his whirl winds began picking up dust, and other microscopic
debris.

	JC was playing with a small ball of fire, moving it with his
mind. Lance was grooming his wings. Justin was trying to change only parts
of his body, but couldn't quite figure out how. Joey was asking Gail
various questions while creating small, contained earthquakes around
him. My wings were getting cramped under the skin. My flesh parted, and
they extended. The soft bone in one of my wings bent. I cringed in pain,
and practically tore the robe down, letting them extend. "No holes?" I
asked, trying to rub the base of my wings. "Sorry." Anthony said over his
giggles.


	Rosey had now joined Ryu in the throne room. There were a few mages
here, and there. They did seem powerful enough to seal a dragons
power. Andrea was sitting in her throne, in her natural form. There were a
few nervous looks among the people in the room. "Thank you for coming on
such short notice. I have learned something incredible! THe chosen ones are
here, in Camelot!"  The crowd started muttering to themselves. "They're
imprisoned within the castle. They want us to help them escape, in return
for the city." Someone stood abruptly. "The city?! They expect us to be
able to hand them he city?" Andrea shook her head. "No, they expect us to
accept their help int taking the city! Then they will use it for their
fortress in the war." The same man stood again. "The war?! It's time?!"
Andrea nodded, a sad look on her face. "It is time, my friends. We must
help them!" The man shuffled nervously. "I agree, but you do know what this
means?" Andrea looked down. "Of course. Our guests have asked that they be
able to share their plan." She motioned for Ryu, and Rosey to step up. "OK,
we think..."

TBC...
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Don't you just hate me? :)

Don't have much to say, except... Hope you enjoyed it! To tell the truth,
this story is really turning out to be an introduction to all the
characters.  Thats why It's going to be so short.

Yes, it will soon end. I am planning a sequel, though.

See ya!

(E-mail at TruamricanBadAss@AOL.com - This e-mail address was temporarily
down for a while, but it's back! You can also e-mail at
BronzeBastrd@AOL.com

If it doesn't work without the 'A' then use the 'A.'  :) IM at either of
those, or at Morbddream. ICQ: 75287134.) Bye-bye!