She won, she could not believe it, but she had won the art contest in her category. Laurine could not get home fast enough. She had to call her parents and tell them the good news. She couldn’t wait to tell her co-workers that she had won. She was fueled by pure adrenaline and she felt like her legs couldn’t run fast enough.

She had no idea how they were going to relay the information to her. She knew it was going to be announced on Friday. She found out during the midday announcements and they were allowed to go look during study hall. She was hoping that she would win third place, and maybe even second place. To her surprise there was a bright blue ribbon pinned to the table here her sculpture was. She thought she was going to die right then and there, or at least everyone else in the room was going to die from having their eardrums explode due to her loud squealing.

Once she had regained her composure she learned about when the contest was. It was from Eleven am to five pm on Saturday and located in Central Park. She had plenty of time to view the contest and find out if she would win anything with plenty of time to get ready for work.

“Laurine wait up,” Tracy shouted from behind her. Laurine had nearly ditched her sister at the stop. The second her feet had hit the sidewalk she ran. “Wait up damn it.”

“I can’t,” Laurine said and stopped anyway. They were at their block.

“What the hell,” Tracy said once she had caught up with her. She bent over to grab her knees and try to catch her breath.

“Sorry that I’m excited.” It was a lie. She wasn’t sorry.

“You are too fast,” Tracy said. “You know I can’t keep up with you.”

“You are just out of shape,” Laurine jabbed her finger into her sister’s stomach. “I don’ know if you want to try out for the freshman team this year.”

“I’m gonna,” Tracy said. She loved playing softball. She’s been playing since she was in seven and in little league and played for her middle school. Sometimes after school she would go to batting cages or play catch with her friends.

“I know you been practicing, but you got to exorcise a bit more. MTV still plays videos in the morning. You can turn on the channel and dance. You can start jogging to our bus stop and jog back home. You can’t be out of breath when you keep hitting homeruns.”

“Why are you concerned with my health and how I play?” Tracy raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

“Because I want to be able to brag to the rest of my classmates that my little sister is the best player on the team.”

“Are you trying to get on my good side?” Tracy asked.

“No I-” She was bumped into by young man in a denim jacket.

“Sorry,” the man apologized as his friend used staple gun to secure a pale flyer to a telephone. “Take one.” He handed Laurine one of the same flyers.

“Uh, thanks?” Laurine said.

“Spread the word and your community will thank you.” The man said and turned to follow his friend.

“Are they Mormons?” Tracy asked.

Laurine looked at the flyer. Her eyes became fixated on the familiar Q resting on three slash marks. “Quarrymen, and they are moving in on our neighborhood?”

“They don’t know who you are do they?” Tracy asked.

“Nope,” Laurine balled up the flyer. “I can’t believe they have an organization for the sole purpose of hunting down urban myths.”

“I still can’t believe you think they are myths,” Tracy said as she walked ahead of her sister. “You saw the video.”

“There is just something off about it,” Laurine said. She was not sure exactly what it was. Maybe it was because of the small one’s wings and his rubbery looking face, or the really big one’s chest, or maybe the fact they were wearing loincloths. If they were real mythical beasts then wouldn’t they be naked? She had a feeling it was production created by the Quarrymen.

“I see dad’s car,” Tracy pointed at their father’s Taurus that was parked on the curb near their building.

“I wonder what’s wrong.” Laurine ran up the stairs and buzzed her and sister in to the building.

“Daddy,” Tracy ran past Laurine and into their apartment.

“Hi girls,” their father had his suit jacket draped across the back of the beige living room chair and had just removed his tie. “Look’s like I beat you two home.”

“What happened?” Laurine asked. “Why are you home so early?”

“Nothing to worry about,” their father chuckled. “We just got finished early and my boss told everyone to leave early. I stopped by the store and got everyone a few microwave meals so your poor mother won’t have to cook for us.”

“Thanks dad,” Laurine and Tracy said in unison. Their father was a disaster in the kitchen. He did have a few specialties, like peanut butter sandwiches and making a call out to their favorite Chinese restaurant. Laurie was almost as bad. She could at least cook the family sized TV dinners and make Mac and cheese, Hamburger Helper and pretty much anything that involves following the directions on the box.

“Laurine I got you the grilled shrimp and pasta meal, and for Tracy the sesame chicken in rice.”

Laurine and Tracy thanked their father again.

________________________________________________________________________

“I think I will set the alarm for eight tomorrow,” Laurine said once she entered her bedroom. She had just gotten off work and she was on cashier duty this time.

“You don’t usually set the alarm for Saturday mornings,” Celeste said as she stretched out on Laurine’s bed.

“I told you about the contest,” Laurine said as she fiddled with the buttons of her round white alarm clock. It was actually an alarm clock and phone combination. If music was playing when the phone rang, or if Laurine wanted to make a phone call it would instantly shut off.

“I thought it was going to last for six hours,” Celeste said. A second went by before she widened her eyes. “You plan to be there the whole day.”

“It’s an important contest,” Laurine said as she sat down on the edge of her bed. “If I win that contest I could receive an art scholarship or a lot of money or both, not to mention that art collectors might be around and might even want to buy my sculpture." She undid her shoelaces and kicked off her shoes

"That is an important contest." Celeste said and hopped down.

“I could use that money for that ax.” She got back up and went to her dresser. She felt like wearing her light blue pj’s that were decorated with coral reef fish.

“While I am glad you have your weapon on your mind I must remind you that it will be no use against the monsters from the Dark Kingdom until we find your star pendant.”

“What about criminals?” Laurine asked as she slid out of her pants. She hadn’t come across the enemies since they attacked the Neon Lizard, but she had changed into Lady Andromeda a couple of days ago while she was at one of her favorite corner stores that specialized in having magazines.

The place had nearly every kind of magazine imaginable as well as various newspapers. They also had some of the best deals on candy and pop, and Laurine was in the back selecting a soda when she heard a thug demand the clerk to open the register.

After she had snuck of and transformed she ran to the front while using her protection spell. She kicked the gun out of the crook’s hands and delivered a few kicks to his head before she left the area. She would not use powerful attack on humans.

“I think that might be a bit of overkill.”

“You are right.” Laurine finished buttoning her blouse. “I’m going to brush my teeth. Make sure you are in your hutch.”

“I will,” Celeste said as she pulled open the door on her hutch. “Good night Laurine.”

“Good night Celeste.”

__________________________________________________________________________

Azurite strode towards the throne filled with confidence. He not only had a nice selected target to gather energy, but also an idea of how they will keep the energy that they gather. He hoped Borice will accept his plan.

Several of the most curious youma’s had gathered along the hallway. He could hear them whispering. Most of them were talking about how he had an idea, but they didn’t know what it was and they also hoped they would be selected to join him on the mission.

“I have bad news for you brother dear,” Sylvite was leaning against the doorway and staring into a compact. “Our king is upset.”

“He has every right to be,” Azurite said. They had tried to gather enough energy to revive the nearly decimated Metallia twice and both times they have been thwarted.

“He is using his own powers to keep that little speck of our former queen alive,” Sylvite said. She pulled out a small tube of lipstick from her purse and applied it to her lips. “We have to step up our efforts.”

“I have a few ideas to for success,” Azurite smiled. It was no secret to him or the other generals and not too mention several of the youmas that Sylvite was in love with their king. “Now if you excuse me.”

Boric was glowering on his thrown. His hands were not resting on the scull like ends of the armrests. They were squeezing them with enough force to make the veins pop out.

The dark scowl on his face was not enough to daunt him. He marched right up to the throne and kneeled before his king.

“You may rise,” Borice said in a low tone of voice.

"I have something you want to hear,” Azurite said as he rose to his feet. “I think I know how to correct the energy gathering problem."

"How?" Borice asked. His voice contained skepticism, but his eyes were wide with curiosity.

"Instead of large quantities of energy we take small units this big." Azurite made a circle with his thumb and index finger. "That will fill quickly and we send it back here and before you.” He pointed at Borice. “Then we repeat the process."

Borice stroked his chin. "It does sound plausible, but it will take a while though."

"Ah but getting large amounts of energy usually is interrupted by someone."

"That girl." Borice growled

"Yes her. We don’t want to make the same mistakes Beryl did.” As soon as he had mentioned the name of their former ruler Borice frowned and there was a look in his eyes that Azurite hadn’t seen in a while, a look of sadness. “I also found a new place to gather energy."

“Really?” Sylvite asked. She had followed her brother into the throne room. “You have a plan and a target? I haven’t seen you looking into the mirror.”

Azurite chuckled. “You don’t learn everything from sitting in front of the viewing mirror all day. You also learn more by stepping outside and living in the world. We want to take over this planet.”

“What are you talking about?” Sylvite asked.

“I sometimes enter the city of New York and disguise myself as a citizen. That was how I found out about an art contest that is taking place today in Central Park, not just a contest but also a sidewalk art festival. There will be hundreds of people there.”

“And you probably have a youma selected as well,” Sylvite said.

“Actually I have.”

"Good Azurite,” Borice said. There was a hint of an actual smile on his face. “Your getting your points.”

“Thank you, your majesty,” Azurite nodded toward his king. Sylvite can question him all she wanted, but in the end when they have taken over and she becomes Borice’s queen then she will thank him.

_______________________________________________________________________

 Savage Garden’s Truly Madly Deeply woke Laurine up. She blinked her eyes rolled over on her side and debated if she wanted to hit the snooze and slumber a little bit longer. The idea shattered when her inner artist reminded her of the contest.

 “Laurine,” Celeste opened the entrance of the hutch. “Could you please turn that off?”

“It’s a good song,” Laurine said as she sat up. “I need to figure out what to wear.” She approached her closet. “Now what says serious artist?”

“You could put on a beret,” Celeste said as she hopped out of her hutch.

“Too bad I have none,” Laurine looked through her skirts. She definitely wanted a skirt. “I have two black ones, well the shorter one is more of a navy bordering on black. Defiantly the long one. Now should I wear it with a turtleneck? Nah. I’ll with my violet blouse and my black vest and my silver scarf.”

“It’s good that you have your outfit selected, now will you turn of the radio?” Celeste asked.

“Fine,” Laurine pressed the off button and pulled off her pajama top. As she dressed she could smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. She had no idea if it was pancakes or waffles. The aroma was too luring and it woke up the rumbling beast within Laurine’s stomach.

“I’ll put on stockings and shoes after I’m done,” Laurine said and slipped her feet into her slippers before she left her room.

Tracy was setting down a plate in front of Laurine’s chair in the dining room.

“You made breakfast?” Laurine asked.

“I made everyone waffles,” Tracy said. “But for you I made Waffles ala Tracy."

"Thanks sis." Laurine said as she sat down.

“And for you to drink,” Tracy set down a tall glass of orange juice.

“Thanks.” Laurine grabbed a fork dug in to her breakfast. Not only were the home made waffles, they were also topped with vanilla yogurt and cinnamon apple chunks. It was delicious and she had no doubt it would be. Her sister took after their mother when it came to cooking.

Her bliss was cut short when she heard arguing from the living room. It was almost loud enough to wake their parents who want to sleep in as much as possible on their days off.

“Siblings,” Laurine grumbled and entered the living room.

Both Tracy and Dylan were too engrossed in their argument that they didn’t notice her. They also seemed to be playing tug of war with the remote. 

"You got to watch 'Cyber Dragons' Last week. I want to watch 'Georgia Peach high'" Tracy said her hand on Dylan's wrist

"But its a two parter episode." Dylan said wrenching his wrist and remote free.

"I don’t care its my turn!"

“Watch it in your room then,” Dylan said.

“It’s my turn to watch what I want on the big TV,” Tracy made another swipe for the remote.

Laurine let out a sigh loud enough to grab their attention. “If you guys wake up mom and dad you are both going to be in so much trouble.” She folded her arms.

Tracy pointed at their brother. “He won’t let me have the remote.” She hissed between clenched teeth.

"Why don't you watch your cartoon in your room, Dylan?" Laurine asked.

"Because I have my game on pause," Dylan said

Laurine slapped the side of her head. "Fine watch it in my room." It was too early for her to try to figure out the logic of an eleven year old boy.

“Thank you,” Dylan ran towards Laurine’s room.

Laurine breathed in deep and head back to breakfast. Everything was quite once again except for a few minutes and she could hear her sister’s voice.

"Hi Cindy You watching? Yeah I love J.D's new goatee."

__________________________________________________________________________

 Laurine decided to go with a pair of flats and pull on stockings that just went up to her thighs. She slipped them on and tied on a scarf. She scrambled to the bathroom and rummaged through the shelf baskets for jewelry and hair accessories. She put in simple silver stud earrings and a matching silver locket. She brushed back her hair and put on a black hair band. She chose a bright red lipstick and dusted her face with a light coating of foundation powder before she applied silvery blue eye shadow and mascara.

“I just need one more thing,” Laurine returned to her room and put on her sunglasses.

“Why did you put on eye makeup if you are going to wear sunglasses?” Dylan asked. He had his plate of half eaten waffles next to him on the bed.

“It’s gonna be sunny,” Laurine explained as she unzipped her backpack. It was a nice back pack, fuchsia in color with a black trim, and plenty of pockets. Her mother bought it for her back in August after she saw the holes at the bottom of Laurine’s old pack, and was afraid the bottom would fall out this year.

“Then why did you put on makeup?”

“There will be times when I’m not in the direct sun and will slide back my sunglasses onto the top of my head.”

“I don’t understand girls.”

“Don’t worry about it. Men twice your age still don’t understand women.” She turned to her TV screen when she heard a the sound of an explosion. Several men, and a few women in cybernetic armor and riding dragons were battling each other. She turned back to her brother who was on the edge of the bed as he watched his cartoon. She nodded at Celeste and pointed to her backpack.

Celeste nodded and jumped inside.

"Dylan did you see my name tag?” Laurine asked as she zipped up her backpack.

"For work?" Dylan asked

"No for the contest." She hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder with great care.

"This one?" he held up a shiny blue tag with the name LAURINE CHANCERDD OF CENTRAL PARK HIGH.

"Yeah thats it." She held out her hand

"Did you know one of your seahorses is pregnant?"

“What?” Laurine stared at her tank. Her brother was right. One of the seahorse’s had a noticeable bulge in his pouch. "They don’t get pregnant the male carries the eggs in his pouch. I guess I need a tank separator."

“Are you going to be okay?” Dylan asked.

“I will be cool as a cucumber,” She said. as she headed out. She paused in the entrance and turned around. “Dylan, don’t you dare drip syrup onto my bed.”

________________________________________________________________

  Cool as a cucumber? Yeah right. Laurine felt more like a jello mold, except jello was soft and wiggly and she felt stiff. She couldn’t move. Her eyes kept focused on all the people that walked around the festival. Some were dressed in exquisite clothing and Laurine could see the labels of Prada, Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana and several others. The ones who were not dressed in expensive clothing dressed in outfits that were a bit more casual, some were even eccentric and bohemian.

“Laurine?” Ashley Kwan tried to get her attention. She was one of the few who was able make it to the art festival along with Gina and Leslie Meyers. Laurine knew her since middle school and they were seated at the same table in marine biology and they enjoy going to trips to the aquarium.

Laurine kept watching as a couple of people wearing ribbons indicating they were judges as the approached the tables that held the sculptures.

"You know Laurine I've seen boards with more movement." Gina said.

“What?” Laurine did not turn to her friends.

“Are you both okay?” Ashley asked.

“I’m fine,” Leslie Meyers said. Laurine knew her almost as long as Gina, Donna and Ashley. Leslie was in the same ceramics class as Laurine, although her preferred medium is painting and she was amazing with watercolors. It was no wonder her painting had also won the school contest and was displayed at the festival.

"Sorry I'm just nervous." Laurine said. That was an understatement.

“You and me both,” Leslie said. She was playing with one of her two auburn braids. She had them styled with the braiding low and across her shoulders.

“We are not seeing much of the festival from here,” Gina said. “You two have just been staring at your own artworks for the last twenty minutes.”

“You are right,” Leslie sighed. “We need to see more.

"Come on lets get a soda." Ashley suggested and ran her fingers through her shoulder length ink colored hair. “I’m feeling quite parched.”

“I don’t know if they have any straws,” Laurine said as she unzipped the top half of her backpack. “I don’t want to mess up my lipstick and I heard soda is bad for retainers.”

“I can take mine out.” Leslie held up the plastic container that she put her retainer in when she wasn’t wearing them.

“Okay,” Laurine pulled Celeste out. “We can get some water for Celeste.”

“You brought your rabbit?” Gina blinked.

“She’s very loyal and won’t run off,” Laurine placed her guardian on her shoulder.

“That’s the same rabbit that you rescued from school,” Leslie said.

“Laurine says it followed her home, “Gina said. “I have never heard of such a thing.”

“My own rabbit is loyal,” Ashley said. “But not that loyal.” She cocked her head to the side. “Does she make a purr like sound when she’s pleased?”

“Yes she does.” Laurine reached up to pet her rabbit. “I think I saw a hot dog cart pass by a few minutes ago. We can get something to drink.”

They had flagged down one of the many hot dog vendors in the city and while their original plan was just to get soft drinks, the aroma of the hotdogs triggered their hunger and they all got a hot dog to their liking and a bag of chips. Laurine made sure she got a small bottle of water for Celeste as well as a bag of veggie chips.

They walked around the festival, checking out the different categories and the entries. They all agreed that the one large black and white photograph of a stack of pineapples did not belong there.

Laurine hand fed Celeste her chips and poured a little bit of water into a cap and let her lap it up until she had drank her fill. No one seemed to pay the rabbit much mine.

“Laurine,” Leslie whispered when they neared the sculptures again. “Don’t look now but the richest man in the city is looking at your sculpture.”

“He is?” Laurine cast a glance toward her entry. There was no mistaking the man who was studying her art. He was tall and tanned with brown hair that was long enough to be put in a ponytail. He had stylish goatee on his face and was wearing one his famous tailor made suits. He was the same attractive man who was seen on the covers of various newspapers and magazines.

"Omigosh that Megalomaniac, Xanatos, is looking at my piece." Laurine stiffened up again.

“He isn’t a judge,” Ashley said. “Maybe he just wants to-”

“We gotta go,” Leslie grabbed both Gina and Ashley’s arms. “Now.”

“Hey,” Gina said.

“What is going on?” Laurine followed her friends.

“Get down,” Leslie ducked behind a bush.

“Why?” Ashley pulled her arm free.

“Just do it,” Leslie crouched down behind a tree. “He knows you know me.”

“What is going on?” Laurine kept looking around.

“Uh oh,” Gina’s eyes widened. “I see what she is talking about. Get down," Gina dragged Laurine down behind a bush, causing Laurine to get a mouthful of a branch and nearly caused her to loose her sunglasses and get in a run in the stocking.

“What are you two talking about?” Ashley said. She had spilled most of the relish topping off of her hotdog in the process..

“There,” Leslie pointed.

Laurine spat out a leaf as she stared. She felt Celeste jump down from her shoulder and crouch down beside her.

The guy that Leslie was pointing out was Byron Schulz. He was in Laurine’s math and Spanish class and was in physics with Leslie. He was a tall lanky boy with gel spiked hair and glasses. He was a straight A student and a complete know it all. He was the type that didn’t try to learn and study for knowledge, but just for the grade.

"Oh Byron," Ashley frowned. “He still crushing on Leslie?”

“Yes,” Leslie said. “And he still doesn’t understand the meaning of the word no. I tell him I’m not interested and the next day he asks when is a good time for him to pick me up for a date.”

“You know that is considered harassment,” Laurine said. “Has he been following you around?”

“Sometimes in school, and there been a few times when followed me home and to the movie theater,” Leslie said.

“Borderline stalker as well,” Laurine frowned.

“You need to tell the teachers,” Gina said. “Or the principal.”

“"Just shhh." Leslie placed a finger against her lips. They watched as Byron stared at a few more works of art before he continued down the path. 

"What are you two girls doing back there?" A male voice with a Scottish accent asked from behind.

“Shit,” Gina slipped and landed on her butt.

“Gah,” Ashley stood up.

“Crap,” Laurine spun around. Only Leslie remained where she hid.

The man behind them was an elderly gentleman with silvery white hair and a beard. He wore a bright red shirt and black duster with the flaps of the collars pointed straight up.

“I’m sorry if I startled ye.” The man held out a hand for Gina.

"Hiding from some creep," Gina said as she was being helped to her feet.

“I see,” the man nodded. "Ah your a contestant. I am pleased to meet you Miss Chancerdd. My name is Lennox Mcduff." He held out his hand for Laurine to shake.”

“Nice to meet you,” Laurine took his hand. He must have read her name off of her tag. “These our my friends Ashley and Gina, and Leslie is also a contestant.”

“Nice to meet all of you,” Mr. Macduff said. He shook the hands of the other girls, including Leslie who slowly rose to her feet.

“You’re a history professor at NYU,” Ashley said. “My brother is one of your students. You know Billy Kwan?”

“Yes I do,” Macduff nodded. “One of my best students. Always has such good questions and leads lively discussions.

"Hey didn’t you speak in defense of those creatures?" Gina said making quotations at. "Creatures."

“Gina,” Ashley and Leslie said at once. Leslie even placed her hand on her head.

“What?” Gina asked. “He was on Night Watch. We all saw it.”

“I was rooting for you sir,” Laurine said. “I think my whole family was when you went up against that Yale woman.”

Macduff laughed. It was more of a polite chuckle. “We have crossed paths a few times since then. She can be quite a shrew. I feel a bit sorry for her husband.”

“I never say anything like this before, but if you looked up pretentious in the dictionary her face would be in it.”

Macduff laughed again. This time it was a solid and hearty laugh. “Thank ye lasses. I needed that, now Gina ,I take it ye donae believe they’re real?" Lennox asked "I have read they are noble warriors."

“Noble warriors?” Ashley asked.

“Aye it’s the reason why people would put stone gargoyles on castles as decorations. Out of honor for them.”

“Does that mean they will make a statue out of Lady Andromeda?” Leslie asked. “She’s a heroine.”

"Haven’t seen her myself, but who knows she may be real,” Macbeth said.

‘I don’t believe it. He believes in gargoyles but not me.’ Laurine thought.

"Now Laurine which is your sculpture?" Macduff asked. “I also would like to see Leslie’s entry.”

“This way,” Laurine said. She looked back to where Celeste was but she was gone. She was probably looking around for the second Lady. If anyone asks Laurine will tell them that Celeste went back into her bag.

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Azurite had wondered if he had overdid it with his disguise. He was dressed in sleek black jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. Nobody seemed to pay him any second glances and that was all that mattered. He continued to watch a woman with a brown pageboy bob in a bright red skirt suit as she adjusted her mike.

“Nobody suspects anything?” Azurite said coolly as he passed by the stage on the ground

"What?" The woman asked and stared down. “Oh it’s you General Azurite. Everything is prepared and these fools are none the wiser.”

"Excellent Palletta. Now be careful Lady Andromeda may show up." Azurite told her. Actually he was hoping their enemy would arrive.

"I will. Are you going to stick around?"

"Yes I want to see Lady Andromeda inaction myself." He did have to study her, find out her weaknesses and strengths. He may loose his servant, but that may be the only way they will succeed in their mission. 

__________________________________________________________________________

"Yeah I noticed the struggle myself but I don’t know if its surrealism, looks more like Postmodernism." Laurine told Macduff as they stared at one of the paintings

"You may be right." Macduff said scratching his chin.

“Then again I could be wrong,” Laurine shrugged. “Leslie you are better with paintings. What do you think?”

“I think you are right,” Leslie said as she stared at the painting for a couple of minutes. “It is postmodernism.”

“That is a very good eye lass,” Macduff said. “Ye are a true artist.”

“You hadn’t known that by looking at her painting?” Laurine asked.

“Ye are right,” Macduff nodded. “Where are your friends?”

“They were with us,” Leslie said as she turned around. “Oh they are next to the sculptures.”

“I hope we didn’t bore them,” Laurine said and ran up to them. Both Ashley and Gina were studying her sculpture. “What’s going on?”

“We noticed something odd on your sculpture,” Ashley said

"Uh Laurine did you put this metallic piece on your art?" Gina asked and pointed at a tiny blue circle on forehead of the angel figure in the sculpture.

“We were going to remove it,” Ashley said. “But we weren’t sure

"Not mine.” Laurine tapped the shiny blue chip. “What is that?" It fell off and landed on in Laurine’s hand.

“You don’t believe someone is trying to sabotage this event?” Macduff asked.

“We didn’t see anything like it on the paintings,” Leslie said.

‘I wonder if this is by the Dark Kingdom,’ Laurine thought.

"Attention Everyone Welcome to this years Sculpture contest." A woman in a red skirt suit was on the stage with a microphone. " It is now time to announce these years winners."

Laurine and Leslie stiffened up again.

"Don’t worry lasses." Lennox assured them.

“Thank you.” Laurine swallowed a lump in her throat

"Something is wrong." Ashley said "Look,” she pointed to the stage.

The MC was fiddling with the microphone. “The first subject is pencil drawing.“

People near the stage and standing near the sculptures seemed tired. Some begun to sit down.

“Something like this happened at the Gardens,” Gina said. “When my mom and I were leaving a few people were just like this.”

It was the Dark Kingdom. Laurine looked around for Celeste and a place to hide so she can transform.

“This does bare investigating,” Macduff said and strode towards the stage. For some strange reason he did not seem to be effected by the energy drain. "Excuse me miss but what are you doing?"

“What could you possibly mean?” The woman asked.

“Why is everyone around this stage sick?” He climbed grabbed onto the edge of the stage and hoisted himself up without any struggle. He was in pretty good shape for a man his age.

Laurine ran up behind him. He was brave. She had to give him that, but he doesn’t know what he is up against.

The woman shrugged. “Cold and flu season is just around the corner.”

“Do not play coy with me woman,” Macduff glared at her. “I have dealt with witches and sorcerers and I know about the third race.” He had lowered his voice, but Laurine was still able to hear him.

“You are a fool,” the woman said. “I am neither a witch or a fairy.” Her neat brown haircut grew longer redder and more wild. Her skin turned ghostly white. Her ears became pointed. Her red business out fit became a tattered green dress. A beret appeared in her hair, and paintbrush and a pallet materialized in her hands.

She leaped away from Macduff and aimed her brush at two sculptures a colored light emitted from it and hit two pieces of art.

The sculptures shook and twitched, and just like that one scene in Beetle juice, they came to life in a slow and jerky movements until they touched the ground and ran at a surprising speed.

"Get him." the monster lady ordered.

"Run Laurine" Macduff yelled and turned to face the sculptures.

Laurine turned around. Her friends were already running away. Good, now she had to run to an area where she could transform. She found a short brick wall and leapt over it.

"Laurine what are you waiting for?" Celeste ran up to her. "Transform now."

"Let me…Catch my…Breath first." Laurine said her chest heaving. “Did you find … the second lady?”

“Unfortunately not,” Celeste said. “You will have to do this alone.”

"Okay I'm ready." She pulled out her Galaxy transform pen" Andromeda Galaxy Power!" A ray of silvery white ray of light descended and touched her. Her whole body glowed. Soon just her hair, torso, legs and small areas on her arms between her elbows and wrists glowed. When it stopped she was lady Andromeda.

_________________________________________________________________________

"Bring him here." Palletta ordered the two sculptures that held Macduff. "You will suffer human." She sneered.

"I think you have bit off far more than you can possibly chew." Macduff said struggling

"Is that so?" The creepy lady waved her hands in front of him. “You have a great amount of energy. It almost seems endless.”

"Let him go!" Lady Andromeda ordered.

Both Macduff and Palletta looked at the direction They were surrounded by all of the sculptures. Several others had captured even more people as the had try to flee.

Lady Andromeda saw red. Other students had worked hard on the sculptures. They were like her who dreamed of making it big in the art world with their craft, and they were being used like this.

"You make me sick" Andromeda said "Art is used to enlighten people and teach them to appreciate the beauty around them. you use them for evil. I am Lady Andromeda champion of justice. Release that man." And the corn meter for her speeches had just gone up a few stalks.

Palleta pointed at her. “Attack.”

Those sculptures that hadn’t caught a victim came lumbering towards her.

“Crap,” Andromeda ran from them. She had to figure out some kind of plan. There was no way she was going to use her magic attack on other people’s works of art. She hated to think of destroying her own sculpture.

Her own sculpture. The thought made Andromeda pause. She stared at the ones that were chasing after her. Then the ones who had caught victims and finally at the ones holding Macduff. Her sculpture wasn’t among the others. In fact it was the only one that remained still.

“Why is that?” She asked as she ran again. She ran in a wide circle, shifting her direction towards back to the stage. She kept her focus on the other sculptures not chasing her. What made them different. It was hard to stare at some of them because the sunlight reflected off small metal chips that were stuck to them.

“That’s it,” Andromeda turned to her rabbit. “"I have a theory Celeste." She turned back to one of the sculptures that was chasing her side kicked one of the sculptures. Her foot knocked out blue metal chip. It fell out and the sculpture stopped moving. “I was right.” She swiped at another sculpture and removed another chip.

"Good work I'll take care of them chips. You attend to that youma." Celeste said.

“Save the other people.” Andromeda said and ran back towards the stage.

“I will,” Celeste jumped back up on the stage and climbed on one of the sculptures holding Macduff. She removed the chip with her mouth.

“I’ll help with the artwork,” Macduff wenched himself free from the one still holding him. He struck at it and removed it’s chip.

“Thank you,” Andromeda said.

A blast of energy struck the ground right in front of her, causing her to leap back.

Palletta pointed at her with her paint brush and another blast of energy shot out.

Andromeda dodged that one and kept her eyes on the monster lady as it zapped her repeatedly. Andromeda dodged each one in a graceful manner almost like dancing. There had to be a way to get past her.

Another blast came very close to her. She jumped back and held up her arm. Andromeda stared at her reflection in her band. Why hadn’t she thought of that before? It worked for Wonder Woman. She held up her arms to block the zaps and the blasts bounced off them.

“This is tiring.” Paletta said and zapped at her again.

“Agreed,” Andromeda held up both arms. The blast reflected of them and returned to Paletta.

The monster dropped her pallet and brush. She appeared stunned.

"Now Lady Andromeda!" Celeste said,

"Andromeda Soundwave Shatter!" The guitar sounding energy wave struck Palletta turning

her into dust.

"Good work Lady" Mcduff said. He stood around the lifeless sculptures. The other victims had fled.

“Thank you,” Andromeda said. “I-”

Music from a flute or a clarinet played nearby. The soft notes played out a song that was semi buried in Andromeda’s mind. It was the same song that that she heard when she held onto that moon rock.

“Who?” Laurine turned back to the stage.

An attractive man dressed in various shades of blue, including a cloak and a headband was leaning against the back. He had deep blue eyes. A narrow nose an flat chin. His light brown hair seemed to have natural spikes that flopped over.

"Yes good job indeed." The man said.

“Why are you playing that song?" Andromeda asked. “Where did you hear it? How did you know it?”

“I composed that song myself,” the man said.

“It’s the most beautiful song that I have heard.”

“Thank you,” the man smiled. It was such a cute smile. “I made it for someone long ago. I wish I could remember who they were.”

“Why are you here?” Macduff pointed at the man.

“I came to supervise my servant.” He turned to Andromeda. “The same one you destroyed. Your skills as a warrior are excellent. I especially enjoyed your strategy."

"Who are you?" Lady Andromeda asked

"I am Azurite. You are quite beautiful. I hope to see your lovely face in the future." He vanished.

“Don’t listen to him,” Macduff said. “He is trying to throw off yer guard.”

Andromeda nodded. “Thank you again” There was just one thing she had to do.

___________________________________________________________________

It had taken her several minutes to find her quarry, but she had found him hiding under a bush, and curled into a ball with his hands over his head.

“You can come out of hiding.” Andromeda said. “The monsters are gone.”

“They are?” Byron lowered his hands and looked up. His eyes doubled in size when he saw her. “Lady Andromeda.”

“I have a message for you Byron Schultz.”

“You know my name?” Byron rolled out from his hiding place. “How?”

“I have my ways.” She folded her arms. “You are heading down a dark path. A path that can lead you to jail.”

“What do you mean?” Byron asked.

“You are chasing after someone who does not love you and has no interest in you. You are causing them to fear you.”

“I don’t want Leslie to fear me. I just want her to go out with me.”

“She is not interested and all this effort is causing you to miss your chance with you’re one true love.”

“Who is that?” Byron asked.

“I have no idea and you don’t either. Keep your eyes and heart open for her and you will find her.” Great now she was sounding like an after school special or a public service announcement they have at the ends of cartoons.

“I will Lady Andromeda,” Byron smiled. “I will look for her.”

“Good,” Andromeda nodded. At least that was done.

__________________________________________________________________

“Laurine,” Leslie screeched when she caught up with her friends. “Where were you?”

“Getting away from that scary lady,” Laurine said. “What happened to Mr. Macduff?”

“He’s helping the ones who got drained,” Gina explained.

“You are not going to believe this,” Ashley said.

“Believe what?” Laurine asked. “Did Lady Andromeda show up?”

“Yeah she did,” Gina nodded. “But I didn’t see, but I heard that she fought and destroyed the monster. She was awesome.”

“That’s not the big news,” Ashley said. “You won third place.”

“I won second,” Leslie squealed. “We both rock.”

“I won?” Laurine felt dizzy. “What did I win?”

“A white ribbon and a hundred dollars.”

“A hundred dollars?” Laurine shouted. “Yes.” She punched the air. She was going to use that money for the car and ax fund.

______________________________________________________________________

Azurite did not feel anything as he kneeled before Borice. His plan had worked. His king held two very small spheres of energy and was smiling, but all he could think of was Lady Andromeda. He had no idea she would be that beautiful up close.

"Your plan worked well Azurite." Borice said "You have made me proud"

"All in good work sir." Azurite said as he stood up. He looked forward with meeting with Lady Andromeda again.