Giselle searched for a series of small twigs on the ground, as well as one larger, sturdier one. Reaching upward to pluck leaves from a tree branch, she bound the smaller twigs to the base one in a comb-like fashion. Using a rock, she chiseled the edges of the twigs so that they were sharp. Rather pleased with herself, she giggled, yet was interrupted by the sight of Hovara falling listless to the ground. "OMG!!!!!" she squealed. "Poor thing! Is he gonna be ok?" Without waiting for an answer, she announced to everyone within earshot, "I, for one, am going down to the brook to get some water so I can wet my hair and then comb it. Water might seriously help that companion of yours, Hayden."

"Of course!!!" giggled Giselle. "It's really easy," she added. "All we'll need is three twigs...one bigger than the others...some leaves, and a rock." she and Erica started to walk towards the stream as she plucked extra leaves from a tree. "See, you tie the smaller twigs to the big one using leaves..bind them EXTRA tight...and then sharpen the edges of the three smaller twigs so that they can comb through your hair. Et voila! You have a comb! I've been meaning to make a bigger one to comb all those knot out of K'Mara's mane," she added, calling to her companion to follow her and Erica. "You might want to use double twigs for the smaller ones, so that it doesn't break," she added as an afterthought. "I can't believe we're making combs in the FOREST!" she grinned

Hayden rolled her eyes. "Am I the only one with common sense here?" she snarled at Giselle. "Water is her weakness! It would make things worse not better!"

Walking with Giselle, Erica grinned back, "It is weird, but I'd need a comb desperately sooner or later, thanks," she admitted. She followed Giselle's instructions and soon had a comb of her own. "This is fun!"

"I TOTALLY know what you mean!" said Giselle. "This is like...sooo cool!!" as the two saw the stream in sight, with a waterfall streaming overhead, she dipped her hair and K'Mara's mane into the water and began combing vigorously. "Look at all these TANGLES!" she scolded at K'Mara's matted mane.

Keiara walked over to Giselle and Erica. "Hi," she said and sat down next to them. "What are you doing?" she asked Giselle, grinning.

Erica dipped her comb into the water and started to get all the tangles out of her hair. Hoping Keiara was not still mad at her, she Said, "Hi, we're combing are hair with combs Giselle invented.

“Washing my hair!" replied Giselle. "And attempting to wash K'Mara's. Well, I'm doing as good a job at washing m hair as I CAN in the middle of the forest, but at least I won't have knots in my hair. Make a comb," she offered. "It's sooo much fun!" she raked the comb through K'Mara's tail as the unicorn gave a grunt of discontent.

"Ow!" she muttered. "You're going to pull my mane out at that rate!"

"Honestly, you've got sooo many knots," Giselle sighed. "You really are a beautiful unicorn, though, and I'm only making you more beautiful." she grinned. "Anyway, when Erica's done I think I might go back to camp," remarked K'Mara. "They need food, you know."

"Who CARES about food?" asked Giselle. "And what are we going to eat out here any way? Leaves? ICK!!!!!!!!"

Evan glanced to where Giselle was standing when he heard her complain about food. "She's right you know," he said to the others. "We can't live on fruit, maybe we should start moving when Hovara ha gotten her rest. How is she doing?" He asked while turning to look at the fire horse.

Erica looked at Kyriana and she said, "I'm on it. Takaa!" She evolved to a larger form that was gray with a white star and had white wings.

Erica was still uncertain. "Where will we go?"

"I am soooo totally READY!" announced Giselle happily to the world.

"Let's go get some food," said K'Mara. "You can walk while you comb."

Giselle climbed atop the unicorn and gripped her flowing, silvery mane. "Let's go find the others," suggested K'Mara.

"Tiais evolve to Caliana!" Once again, the fox grew larger and Riley climbed onto her back. She turned around to see Taran and Erica mounting their companions too.

"Let's go."

"Let's gooo!" said Giselle, and K'Mara trotted off ahead of the others, mane swishing behind her. "Well hurry up," she called back, happily flipping her newly combed blonde hair.

“Uuuhm...where are we going?" asked Giselle as she turned back to watch the others. She giggled, making a point of flipping her hair so that people would see how well-combed it was.

"ummmmmm. Not really sure. Why don't we just head off in the direction we're going in. It's got to get us somewhere, right?" Riley replied. Hokavo flew up to stretch, and landed back by Taran's side. Taran climbed onto the Eagle's back, and said, "Sounds like a pretty good idea to me, we are all flying, right?"

After sucessfully finding Kyriana's back, Erica climbed on carefully, and said, "I'm assuming so, let's go!" Kyriana leapt into the air from her hind legs, and her soft white wings pushing them higher and higher.

"Neato! Bunnies were meant to fly! Ok, ok, maybe not!" As Kyriana stumbled and regained her balance she flew on a little more nervously. Out of the corner of her eye, Erica saw Hayden and Taran kick off the ground. She couldn't help but laugh- flying filled one with a wonderful sensation.

Riley ginned. "hey, Caliana, why can't you fly?" she asked, laughing. "Because I'm a fox. Plus I have an Earth element not air. But I can run like the wind." To prove her point, the fox raced off away from the group then ran back. "See?" she asked, smirking.

Riley grinned again. "You're right. Everyone ready?"

With one sweep of his wings, Hokavo left the ground. Evan began feeling sick as soon as they had become airborne. "Let's get this over with!" He called to the others as he felt himself turn green.

Riley immediately felt sorry for Evan. "hey, Evan!" she called. "Do you want to ride on Caliana with me? No flying." she couldn't help but grin and waited for a reply.

Hokovo said to Evan, "Go on, I don't want you to be getting sick again." Evan called down to Riley, "Sure, if Caliana doesn't mind." The eagle circled back down and Evan got off a little unsteadily and walked over to where Riley and the fox was. As he was landing, he thought he had heard a smirk from Hayden as he accepted the offer. Yet, he couldn't say how grateful he was to have both feet on the ground.

Giselle looked at Evan, who was flying above, and called out, "I wanna fly, too!" she combed her hair again, flipping it into place.

Riley nodded and waited for Evan to mount before they started running again.

"Come on!" Sieno called. Luke climbed onto his back and they ran after the others. Luke held on to the kelpie's neck for dear life, muttering about how he was going to die.

Keiara leaped onto the panther and they raced off after the others. They soon caught up with Riley, Giselle, and Luke and Tyano slowed down, panting heavily. "Why can't you fly?" Keiara asked, looking up at Erica and Taran.

"Do you really think panthers should fly? Flying rabbits and wolves is strange enough."

"What about horses?" Akkara replied, looking down at Tyano and grinning.

Hayden rolled her eyes. She was glad that they were in the air; kept her farther away from the group. She sighed and decided that, for once, she would try to enjoy this. This wasn't hard to do because she loved the feeling of flying. "Wish we could do this more often," she muttered to herself.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Anyway, I wasn't talking to you so leave me alone," Hayden replied sharply. So much for relaxed.

Erica could tell Hayden was enjoying this, too. She had a sudden thought of asking Hayden to race her for fun but knew Hayden wouldn't. Sighing she had a sudden idea. "Hey Hayden!" she called out. "I bet my companion is faster than yours. I bet Kyriana could race your fire-horse and win any day. You might be strong, but Kyriana is fast. See that tree sticking up over all the other in the distance?" The tree was about 150-200 yards away. "I bet we can reach that tree before you two realize you're losing the race. So are you in, or are you going to chicken out?" Erica questioned, her bright eyes laughing. She grinned and winked to Kyriana and whispered in her ear so no one could here, "Just for fun. Kyriana's eyes laughed even though she was grinning rather nervously, as she nodded.

"That's right, Hovara!" she added enthusiastically, to cover up for any of her nervous feelings that might show through. After all, it might make Hayden and Hovara more of a team.

"Sure," Hayden replied. "We can beat you any day," she added, smirking. "Fine with you, Akkara?"

"Yep."

"Ok, Let's GO!" She raced off with Erica at her heels.

Riley looked up to watch the race. At the moment, Hayden was in the lead but Erica was close behind so the tables could turn anytime. She was betting that Akkara would win; It was hard to imagine a rabbit beating a horse. But then again, this WAS a strange place and anything could happen.

Taran leaned back on Moro to watch this pathetic attempt of a race. For one, the hamster looking rodent's eyes were completely covered making her look like some wig. Second, it was an unfair race. Horse against rodent? She thought is was a bit one sided. A grin lipped across her face. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she let out a yell. " DON'T TRIP OVER YOURSELF!" she yelled to the cavy. Moro laughed.

"C'mon Kyriana! Just because you are a cavy doesn't mean you can't win! Not when this is a flying race!" Erica urged the cavy on anxiously. The silky hair that used to be so graceful when Kyriana walked was now flying in all directions. Erica was now racing neck-to-neck with the fire horse."C'mon, Kyriana, I believe in you!" the cavy's wings flapped like lightning and it was as if everything was changed to slow motion, as the cavy gradually started passing Akkara. She was but 4 feet at the most in the lead when she looked back and noticed that Hayden didn't seem to see the tree on her right speeding slowly toward her..... "Look out!" Erica screamed but it was too late. Sensing something out of the ordinary, Kyriana stopped in her tracks and whirled around just in time to see what happened.

Hayden glanced behind her to see Erica close behind. She cursed under her breath and urged Akkara onward. She could see the finish and she knew she would win. She turned around again to see that the girl had caught up with her and that they were now racing neck and neck. She sped past the tree. "I won," she smirked, knowing very well that it had been a tie but, of course, she would not admit that.

Riley rolled her eyes. "You finished at the same time and you know it," she scolded. Suddenly, a dark shape flew overhead. She looked up to see a giant bird, its wingspan wide enough to cover the sun. It was ice blue. "A roc," she muttered. It dove and grabbed her in its talons. She screamed, pounding of its talons, trying to get it to release her. It barely noticed and it flew off into the clouds.

"Riley!" Caliana yelled. She raced forward, trying to catch up with the giant beast but it was no use.

Before Erica could reply to Hayden, the creature was coming closer and closer. She let out a terrified scream, as Riley was swept away! She stared in shock not knowing what to do. Kyriana, panting for breath looked down as she heard Caliana scream and landed. Gasping for breath she spoke, "Caliana? Now what's going to happen, whose going to lead, us?'

Erica had already decided, "I don't know whose leading us, but i I'm going to try to find her! Re-evolve Kyriana!"

Kyriana worriedly replied, "I can't, I used too much energy up in that race!" "Great that was all my fault, I'm sorry! Well, I'm gonna try anyway. It looked like they were heading that way!" she said pointing to the left. She started racing away with the bunny chasing after her trying to put reason in Erica's head.

Riley had stopped struggling and was now praying that it wouldn't drop her. She could now see a large, black castle. The roc landed in front of it and pushed her through the large black doors. It was dark and damp and there were torches on the wall. She shivered. At the end of the hall was another door guarded by two griffons, much like the one that they had fought. They opened the doors and the bird pushed her inside. Standing before her was a giant dragon. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here. One of the chosen children."

Giselle, who had remained uncharacteristically silent all this time, nodded her head and agreed, "We SOO have to help her. WE can't just leave her to die, can we?" She mounted K'Mara and tried to look heroic.

Erica saw Giselle catch up with her on K'mara. "Hey do you mind doing another favor please!" Erica looked up hopefully. Can I ride too while holding Kyriana so she can get her strength back again?" She was surprised everyone was helping immediately and had expected them to say she was crazy running off like that.

"Of course you can," said Giselle. "Poor Kyriana," she said, stroking the companion gently. "OMG we have to hurry!! Riley could be...like...dead by now!"

"I owe you one!" Erica grabbed Kyriana and climbed carefully onto the unicorn's back. "Yeah, let's get going!"

Taran watched contently as Riley was swept away with the roc. Moro's legs powered underneath them. Leaning down low, Taran brought her weight off the wolf's back. Leaning close to its ear she whispered, " Let's go." The two bounded off with tremendous speed. Taran laughed as she saw the others slowly grow smaller and smaller until they were merely black dots. They were so fricken slow. Suddenly, Moro stopped. Taran flew off the wolf's back and hit a wall. Groaning, she got up. " Damnit...." she moaned rubbing her head. Looking up, she saw that she had hit the wall of a jet black wall. Towering above her was an ominous castle. There was a menacing griffon standing guard at the gate. Upon seeing the girl, he rushed at her. In his hand he held something that looked like a staff with a curved blade at the end. " INTRUDER!" he yelled. Many other griffons along the castle walls bustled away. The guard slashed his blade at the girl’s face. Taran leaped backwards but not quick enough. There was a huge gash over her eye. As stinging blood poured into her eye she winced. Jumping up, she whipped out her leg and thrust it into the griffon's face. He snarled and pushed his blade into her face. Another slash appeared in her cheek. Taran grunted, " Great. Battle Scars..." Moro growled with such furiousness that the ground shook. The giant wolf pounced up and shred the griffon into oblivion. Blood spattered Taran's face. Moro raced towards the gate and turned her shoulder just in time so that the gate fell under her weight. Taran wiped blackening blood from her face and followed her companion inside. She looked around and saw that there were glowing torches lined up the wall. She grinned. " I love this place."

Ryaleer soared through the air and gave wicked grin to Evan. " Evan. Are you feeling OK?" Evan's eyes were closed and he slowly fell off of the fox's back. Ryaleer flew down next to the boy. Poking him with his beak the eagle's face was surpassed with a look of nervousness. " Evan?! Are you alive?" The eagle didn't notice as his hands uncurled slowly. A grin crept up onto the boy's face as he suddenly grabbed Ryaleer's neck and swung on. The golden eagle took off and launched into the sky. " Sure you're going to feel fine?" the eagle sniggered. Evan kicked the eagle's side lightly. " Shut up."

Sieno raced after the rabbit and wolf, Luke clutching on for dear life. He stopped suddenly infront of a castle. Luke's jaw dropped. It was the perfect imge of horror; all black with blood stained walls. He saw Taran standing with Moro and he ran over to them. "What happened?" he asked, eyes still scanning the palace.

Riley nodded at the dragon, eyes never leaving his cold, black orbs. "Let's see how strong you are without your little fox." A beam of fire shot out form his mouth, hitting her in the chest. She was flung across the room, banging her head on the wall and falling unconscious.

Caliana winced, pain filling every muscle in her body. "What’s Happening?" she panted. She de-evolved back to Tiais. With her remaining strength, she followed the others to the castle. "I'll save you Riley," she muttered as she fell, breathing heavily, to the ground.

Taran turned and gave him a cold look. " If I were you Luke, I would change sides." She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to the right. Portrayed on the wall, was a tapestry. Entwined within its dark colors was a picture. More like a story. Taran looked deep into the cloth and saw herself running from jail. She then saw herself meeting Moro. The entire tapestry was a story of how all the group members had arrived in Savoya and their journey since on. Studying the artwork more closely, she found herself stitched into it as she stood in this great bloodied hall staring at the tapestry. A bit farther down, she found a picture of a giant dragon, goring out everyone. She knew what she had to do. Turning to Luke, she waited for his reaction.

Hayden and Akkara dashed into the palace, both out of breath. Hayden saw Taran standing my a tapestry of.......them. She shivered. "Well, THAT'S not something you see everyday." She looked around. The place gave her the creeps though she wouldn't admit it. "Shouldn't we find Riley?" she asked and, not waiting for a reply, walked through the doors at the end of the hall. She saw a giant dragon at one end and Riley unconscious at the other. "So, the other chosen have finally come."

Taran turned precariously at the new voice. Giving Hayden a hard look she replied monotonously. " Riley can manage by herself." Striding down the hall, she entered a great room where a majestic dragon king sat upon a throne. Moro padded in behind her. " My king." she whispered. Dropping to one knee, Moro looked nervous before imitating Taran. The king looked her over. " Are you one of the chosen?" Taran was shaking. Without looking up, she replied. " Yes."

Caliana raced into the chamber and seeing Taran bowing, cried out in disgust. "What are you doing? Don't BOW to him! He's a filthy, no good tyrant." She glanced around and spotting Riley, ran over to the girl. "Riley?" she muttered. The girl didn't respond.

Taran turned to Caliana. Giving her a disgusted look, her eyes glowed. " Shut up, you. I'll do whatever I please. Go help that feeble-minded creature." she growled waving a hand at Riley.

"I'm not on any side as far as I know," said Erica. The cavy was trembling by her side. "It wasn't my choice I was chosen, and I don't even know why we're supposed to try to defeat some dragon-king. If I hadn't been stuck in this place, I couldn't care less." Turning to Kyriana she asked, "NOW WILL YOU TELL ME WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT!?? I can't really choose sides not knowing what they're for!"

Caliana glared at the girl, still watching the king out of the corner of her eye. "He is an evil ruler who is destroying Savoya. How can you not know what side your on?" she growled. "Come on people, let's fight. Fox Claw!"

Akkara nodded. "Fire Storm!" The dragon blocked both attacks easily. "Dragon Wing!" A powerful blast of fire shot at the chosen. Caliana managed to leap out of the way just in time. "We have to combine an attack!" she commanded. "Earth Song!"

Taran sneered as the meager creature attempted to fight the king. She was disgusted thoroughly by the dragon but she needed something to do. She watched as the fox's attack shot towards the dragon. " Moro?" Taran asked. Moro turned her great head towards her. " Yes." Taran sighed. " Let's go." Both of them crept up to behind the dragon king.

Erica finally got the whole picture, or at least she hoped. "Wait- but why are we the chosen instead of random Savoya civilians?" she asked the rabbit.

"The citizens of Savoya are all animals, and it is written that when a group of humans have teamed up with companions, they and only they can save Savoya from the dragon king."

Erica had an idea. 'Well you don't need my help to fight, I mean give me a break, I personally never had anything against a dragon-king so I'd like to go home now. She leaned against the wall by the tapestry. The end of the tapestry that showed the dragon-king defeating them all was right beside her. As the thought in her mind slowly revealed all of itself, Erica knew what she had to do. All of the sudden the dragon king stood off of his throne, and started advancing towards the other chosen. Now, behind his back. She tried to get Taran's attention. She looked meaningly to her, then pointed to her companion, then to the end of the tapestry She hoped she would get the picture.

Taran saw a flurry of movement off to her side. Creeping out from behind the throne she saw that one of the girls was desperately waving at her. " How pitiful..." she murmured. Dashing over to Erica she sighed. " What?"

"The tapestry................ it shows him defeating us, what if we could change that.........." Erica stared meaningfully at her, then looked down to their companions.

Taran stared meaningfully at Erica. " So, you what me--I mean us? to..." she leaned over and whispered into her ear. She hated teaming up with people, but if it did the job, that was fine. " Ready?!" she shouted to Moro. Moro sneered. Leaping into position, she growled. " Always."

Caliana growled at the two girls. "Come on! Help!" She turned back to the dragon and yelped in surprise to see that he was attacking Riley.

"Fire Wing!"

Caliana leaped, blocking the attack just in time. She fell and de-evolved back into Tiais. At that moment, Riley woke up. "Tiais! What happened?"

Seeing the fox's unmoving body, she nearly screamed. "Tiais!" she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Don't leave me now." A tear fell from her blue eyes and landed on the fox's red fur. Suddenly she became to glow. She lifted her head. "Tiaia evolve to Caliana. Caliana evolve to Meiana!" She stood up, much larger than before. She turned to face the king. "I'm ready to fight," she growled.

Hayden stared in wonder as Caliana de-evolved then evolved again. "Can you do that?" she muttered to Akkara. "Of course." she nudged the girl aside. "Now let me fight. Fire Storm!" A wave of fire flew towards the wings. He pushed it back easily. "Is that the best you've got? Fire Wing!" She attack hit Akkara square on and the horse fell and de-evovled. "And now for the finale blow. Wing Storm!" "No," Hayden muttered. She remembered how Akkara had saved her life. It was time to return the favor. She dove in front of the horse, taking the attack for her. She fell next to her companion but to her surprise, she felt Hovara strengthening. "Hovara evolve to Akkara. Akkara evovle to Tovakai." Hayden also felt her strength growing and Tovakai helped her up.

"Thank you," she whispered. She trotted over to Meiana. "Fire Tsunami!"

The attack was much stronger than before and seemed to wound the king a little. Just a little.

Taran turned away from the over-excited Erica. Cocking her head at Moro, she yelled out in the loudest voice she could. " Moro! Evolve Mearas!" The giant pale wolf sat down on her haunches. Her head bowed as her black eyes closed. Thick electric blue streaks began appearing until they streaked the regal body of the wolf. The leathery bat wings grew from her back and suddenly, she began to grow. From the size of a small car, she grew until Taran barely reached her stomach. Large steel spikes pushed up from her spin and formed a straight line down her back until they met her neck, where they split and curved underneath her cheeks and down her throat. Once the evolution was complete, her eyes opened. They were now glazed over white. Pouncing into the air, Moro let out a skin crawling howl. " Tornado!" she cried as she beat her wide wings. Bright beams of light speed towards the hideous dragon king. They pierced his skin until he looked like a pin-cushion. But it wasn't enough.

Erica turned to Kyriana, "What are you waiting for! Kyriana evolve to Takaa! Takaa evolve to Nahoi! The Cavy was the size of a pony. Erica, climbing on top of the Cavy's back came closer to Taran. "Yeah, do you think it will work? We should at least give it a try. Ready?"

Evan leaped from Ryaleer's back as the eagle soared down to the ground in front of a large gleaming castle. Mud was spattered on the walls and it looked most unwelcoming. Running into the castle he spotted the rest of the group fighting a giant dragon king. Ryaleer threw it a nasty look. " That stupid dragon." It whispered just before beginning to evolve. Its whole entire body was now covered in silver feathers and its talons turned to steel. Its eyes turned black. " I'm ready." Throwing Evan a reassured glance he whispered. " Don't worry." Flying up into the air he saw that Taran and Erica were desperately talking to each other. Screaming, " Wind Storm!" as he aimed his attack at the king. A nasty force of wind blasted towards him. The dragon fell back but only for a second.

Taran threw a hasty glance at Erica. " What! For god sake! Just fight!" Moro attacked over and over again but the dragon king's pin-cushion appearance didn't bother him. " Die you fricken lizard!" the wolf cried. Keiara watched the fight from a distance. "Let me fight," Tyano growled.

"But I don't want you to get hurt," she pleaded.

He snorted with laughter. "I'm won't. Tyano evolve to Toryo. Toryo evolve to Varei. Darkness claw!"

Giselle looked up and screamed to everyone, "HELLOOO?!?!?!!?! People, I AM HERE!?!?!?!" she sat down and waited for someone to respond.

"Taran, let's try a double attack. Kyriana! Lightness Wave!" Kyriana faced the dragon-king. As a ball of compressed light issued from the rabbits mouth and hit the dragon king.

"They have the right idea," Meiana remarked. "Earth Song!"

"I'll help," the panther replied. "Darkness storm!"

"Anyone wanna combine an attack with me?" Erica randomly offered not knowing what else there was to do.

"I'll help," Meiana replied, glad that someone had finally started fighting again. "But I warn you, I'm still a bit weak and might not help that much. Earth Song!"

The horse continued to attack the king thought it did no damage. "We should all combine an attack! We'll be much stronger that way. Fire tsunami!"

Taran turned a split second as Mearas fired off another strong attack at the dragon king. " Wind Hail!" The dragon king staggered back and tripped onto his throne. Growling he roared and batted Mearas into the wall. She howled a moment before painfully getting to her feet.

The giant eagle soared around in the small room. Screeching, he let out a call before ripping away at the dragon's face. He tore madly until the dragon's eyes bled. Evan looked away.

Keiara could see that the dragon was weakening from the eagle's attack. "Varei, now!" The panther leapt onto the creature's back, clawing madly. He screamed in rage and threw the panther off him.

Erica whispered to Taran, "Let's do it" she turned to Nahoi. "Ready?" "Yup!" the cavy waited for Moro to be ready.

" Good god..." Taran moaned. " Mearas. Go help that moron." Together, Mearas and Taran leaped up. The girl landed gracefully on the wolf's back in between her wings. " Let’s go!"

"We didn't have to wait for you," muttered Kyriana’s cursing under her breath. Erica glanced at the tapestry, and then back at Taran... was she getting the picture?

Taran rolled her eyes. Mearas opened her jaws and a white beam of light shot forth and glanced off the tapestry. Even though the attack wasn't quite strong, the tapestry was quickly catching on fire. " Shit..." the wolf cried as it tried to confine the area to where the fire was spreading. But it was too late. The fire burned up a small area where there was a stitching of Evan. Looking over her shoulder, Taran screamed out. "EVAN!!!" But Evan had already dropped dead. Mearas beat out the flame so that only now the dragon king's picture on the tapestry was in smoke. The dragon howled out as a flame sprout out from thin air and began to swallow him. Taran fell off Mearas's back and fell the 15 feet to the ground.

"Taran!" Riley cried, racing over to the girl. "Are you okay?" She glanced over at Evan's lifeless body and stifled a scream. "It wasn't supposed to end like this," she muttered. "No one was supposed to die."

Taran groaned. Mearas swooped down and landed gracefully next to Taran. " Are you ok Taran?" Taran nodded. " I didn't mean to do that..." She crawled over to Evan's body. Placing her hands on his arm, she could already feel how cold he was growing. " God no... You can't be dead." she moaned as she shook his shoulders. The large golden eagle swooped down and began trying to tear Taran apart. " What did you do to Evan!!" the eagle screeched. Mearas growled and stared the eagle in its eyes. " Don't you dare touch her..." The eagle laughed loudly. " Touch her? I'm going to kill her!" Mearas leaped at the frantic eagle and bit into its feathers but it only shook her off.

Erica noticed something from the corner of her eye. She walked unnoticed away from the scene and saw her watch like device. It looked like her device except it was red- the opposite color. Curious she picked it up and with a jerk felt herself falling in to darkness. She could hear someone in the background saying "NOOOOOO!" she thought it was Kyriana. She woke up.

"Erica, are you ok?"

She looked up. She had fallen from the rock-climbing wall of the pre-college camp. "Yeah, I feel fine I think..." She looked around. Everything was exactly like before. She didn't want to climb anymore though. She looked at the wall. No weird shaped rocks that were really secret devices. The one in her hand had disappeared. As she walked back to the college campus and to her dorm she could tell it would be a long time before she saw Kyriana again........

Taran turned to see the dragon fall into a pile of ashes. She then saw that nosy and arrogant Erica pick up her device. She must have dropped it. Running towards her, she flailed her arms and tried to hit Erica large empty head. " F U!!! God give me back my fricken device!" But the unaware girl tipped forward and disappeared into the screen, taking the device with her. Mearas came and whined pitifully. Hovaka had been slaughtered by the dragon king's powerful attacks. Tears welled up in Taran's and she angrily brushed them aside. " Great. Now I'm beginning to go s-soft." She went over to Hovaka's body which had de-evolved to normal size. Picking it up, Taran cradled it in her arms. The eagle was limp and it had a large gash that had severed off half of its wings. Tears now streamed fiercely down her face. " This... THIS is what happened when we came here. IT was all pointless. Lives weren't supposed to be taken!" Mearas devolved back to Moro and she let out a long sad howl.

"They died bravely," Riley told Taran while still trying to convince herself of this. She fought to not cry but she was soon blinded by tears. "It's not supposed to end like this!! We were all supposed to be happy and alive-" Riley started pacing, hysterically ranting and crying all the while.

Giselle looked at everyone around her and tears filled her eyes as she realized that it was all over. Everything...the friendships, the adventure, the making combs out of trees in the wilderness, even the taunts of "Prep!" were now all completely over never to come back again. She hated leaving and saying goodbye forever... she let a tear trickle down her face. Slowly one was followed by two, three, four, and the crystal wave flowed down her beautiful face followed by an elegant trickle of black mascara. "I...I'm like...I'm going to miss all of you," she said smiling sadly. "I...next time I'm in a fashion show I'll...like...give a shoutout to you. This has been, as...like...weird as it sounds, the best two days of my life. I'll never forget you...ever."

" For God SAKE!" Taran yelled, taking her free hand and slapping Riley across the cheek. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to keep her face angry. " That stupid girl took my DEVICE!!!!!!!!!! Where am I supposed to go!!!!" Her face grew red. Moro nudged Taran. " Taran. Come on. Lets go." Taran sniffed. " Whatever all. I'm leaving." She held Hovaka's cold body to her chest. Moro grabbed Evan's limp body in her mouth and flipped him up onto her back. Together, human and wolf walked slowly out of the castle and disappeared from sight.

Riley stood there, shocked from just being slapped. "Wait, Where are you going?" "She's staying here" Meiana replied. "But it is time for you to go."

"Now? But..." She sighed. "Good bye everyone," She said, hugging everyone in turn. "I'll miss you all so much." She tuned to Meiana. "Will I ever see you again."

"I honestly have no idea," Meiana said sadly. "Goodbye child."

"Bye," Riley said, gagging the fox. She picked up her device and was once again drawn into the screen...

***

"Riley, are you okay?

" "What?" Riley sat up and looked around. She was sitting on the floor of the stable.

"Good you're awake," Her friend said, helping her to her feet. "You fell and went unconscious." "For how long?"

"A few minutes."

Riley gasped. Had it all been a dream? She heard a weak beep and looked down to see the blue watch. She smiled. "I'll never forget any of you."

Keiara felt a tear fall from her violet eyes as Evan died and Riley, Taran, and Erica returned home. "It's all over now," She muttered. She quickly hugged Varei. "I'll miss you so much!"

"I Know. Please don't start crying on me."

She grinned and stood up. "Bye guys," She said softly and lifted up her device. And everything faded to black.....

Taran turned around to see Riley disappear. Tears dripped down her face. Moro was calm as she tried to balance Evan's body on her back. " Sorry guys..." Taran whispered, " Thanks f-for the ride. I promise I won't forget." Then she looked away and stared into the horizon as the sun slowly dipped away into oblivion.

Giselle saw one of the last of the companions go and began sobbing uncontrollably. The common bond that had united them all...that of danger and adventure against a common group of individuals...had shattered. It was finally done, over. The best two days of her life, gone, left to be a memory, but a beautiful dream which she could've sworn was real but was too magical to be anything but fantasy. Back to makeup and pictures and smiles...the land of Savoya was gone forever from her life, and only the everyday model life was left to embrace her. Putting on one last smile, Giselle grinned and ran around hugging the few remnants, face streaked with mascara, even kissing poor Evan on the cheek. Then, looking into her watch, she announced to the world at large, "Savoya, you're losing your prettiest person forever...I love you..." the last anyone saw of her she was crying madly as she was sucked into the black void and left there lives for all eternity.

Hayden wiped a tear from her eye. "I will not cry," she told herself fiercely. "Bye guys," she said to the remaining few chosen. "I hate to admit it but this has been fun," she have a weak smile and turned to Akkara. "I'll miss you," she said, hating to show emotion and compassion but it was true.

"I'll always be with you, Hayden. Remember that." Hayden smiled. "Bye." The she disappeared into her device.

Luke watched sadly as everyone left. "Goodbye," he said as each of them disapeared. He turned to the kelpie and gave him a quick running before glancing at the watch. He took a deep breath and returned home.....