Several hours later, Jake stood with Adam in the main room, both in tuxes. “I never understand what takes them so long to get ready.” Adam said.
Jake shrugged and looked up to see Irene enter the room. She had on a long shiny blue dress and had her hair pulled back. “Steph’s not out yet?”
“Nope.” Adam smiled.
“Hold on, I’ll go get her.” Irene replied and turned back and went down the hallway. “Hurry up, we’ll be late.” Irene called to Steph.
“I’m coming!” Steph finished putting up her hair and came out. Both girls went to the main room.
“Looking good.” Adam said as he walked up to her.
“Let’s go.” Irene said smiling.
“Since when did you want to hurry to go to a dance?” Jake laughed and the two couples teleported to a secluded area in the park.
“Hey!” Chris greeted them at the door of the YC.
“Wow you guys did a great job in here.” Adam said looking around at the decorations.
“I love the way the light shimmers off them.” Keisha said as she joined the group.
“Where’s your date?” Irene asked.
“Getting some punch.”
“I figured I’d find you all together.” A voice said behind them.
Jake turned around first, “Zach? What brings you here?”
“Nothing better to do.” He grinned.
Some of the group headed off to one side of the room, while most of the couples headed for the dance floor.
A few songs later, Jake felt a taping on his shoulder, “May I cut in?”
Irene felt a shiver down her spine, but shrugged it off.
Jake looked at Irene, < Should I? >
< If you want to. >
Jake stepped back, “Go ahead.” He headed toward the table.
Irene looked at her new dance partner. She couldn’t see most of his face due to the hat he wore. “Do I know you?”
The man smiled at her, causing another ripple of shivers down her spine. “Yes kitten, you know me.”
Irene froze, but quickly recovered in case a bystander might notice.
Darrin chuckled quietly, “This is the perfect event. Many humans in an enclosed space and every door guarded.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Irene said coldly, but quietly.
“It’s no fun if no one knows.” Darrin smiled evilly at her. “Better go warn your friends. You all need to prepare to surrender. I’m certainly prepared to injure one of these hostages if you don’t.”
The song stopped and Darrin lifted her chin to look eye to eye with her. “Pleasure to dance with you.” He turned and disappeared in the crowd.
Irene walked quickly to Jake and told him who it was.
“We’d better spread the word.” Jake said softly.
“Not we, you. I don’t want to take any chances since that little devise.”
Jake nodded understanding. “The only one’s here are Adam, Stephanie, Zach, Chris and Keisha.” Jake lied to her. “You wait here and I’ll let them know.” He moved off leaving Irene alone at the table.
Soon Jake had rounded up the rangers and Zach in a side room. Sarah placed a silence spell on the room while Zach placed an empty room hologram. Jake told them about their dilemma.
“There is a chance that the link may have been reestablished with Irene so she must not know about anything we do. She says that there are guards at every door, I want to replace a few of those guards with our people. Preferably one’s Darrin doesn’t know are here.”
“I’ll do it.” Jason volunteered.
“As will I.” Billy spoke up.
“I can as well.” Sarah said.
“Alright, Jason, Billy and Sarah, I want you guys to come with me. The rest of you can plan.” Jake said as the group separated.
“What are we going to do?” Salina asked, “There are hundreds of innocent people. One false move on our part could be disastrous.”
“Yeah, we’ll have to go about this secretly, we just need to get these people out of here.” Zach said.
“With some of our people at the door, maybe we can sneak them out.” Chris spoke up.
“Only problem is the cathern.” Steph said.
“Okay, Sarah get the front door, I’ll take the side door, and Billy you take the back door.” Jason said.
“I’ll go last, that way I can help you boys dispatch of your guards quietly.” Sarah smiled.
Sarah walked slowly toward the guard at the side door. She moaned something and fell forward at the guard. The guard leaned forward to catch her when Jason slipped behind him and hit him hard at the back of the neck. Jason put on the uniform as Sarah and Billy put the unconscious guard in a closet with a soundproof locking spell. Soon all three were in place.
Jake returned to the group still in the room. “They’re all set.”
“Good…” Zach started to say when Steph interrupted.
“Look who’s getting up on stage.”
Irene sat at the table, watching the people walk by, oblivious to the danger. *What are we going to do…* A voice in her mind whispered nothing, but she couldn’t discover its origin. She looked up in time to see Darrin climbing up onto the stage. He strode over to the microphone, his cape flowing behind him. The music suddenly stopped and people looked around confused.
“Attention please.” Darrin said.
The soft roar of confusion stopped.
“Just a message to those who oppose me, surrender within the hour or I shall have to use force.”
A sea of gasps and inquires flowed through the crowd. No one spoke out against him.
Amongst themselves they said,
“Who is that?”
“Who does he think he is?”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, and by the way, no one will be leaving until my request is fulfilled. I suggest you don’t try, my guards are highly trained. Remember, one hour.” Darrin walked off the stage and the music started up again.
Irene looked around for the others, but she did not see them. She felt a presence behind her, but before she could turn around…
Flash! “Like this mom?” A small child was raising objects with her magic and throwing them at a target.
“That’s right hon. You’ll make us proud one day.” Flash!
Irene blinked her eyes quickly and put her head in her hands, elbows on the table. *What was that?*
< A vision. >
Remembering that someone was behind her, she turned to find the young warrior leaning against a pillar. < You! >
< Not entirely. My master mentioned a few things about you to me. > Seth grinned, < I merely followed orders with a few suggestions here and there. >
< He’s using you. >
< Are you sure? Remember Coug, no one religiously follows the side of light. >
“How do we go about getting all the people out without being noticed?” Keisha asked.
“One of us has to keep an eye out for Darrin and his trainee. The back door is our best bet, its less visible to the main floor.” Jake said.
“I’ll check to see if Darrin has placed any other little spells in that door. I can also… take care of that cathern.” Zach said pausing briefly.
“Stephanie, you go back out there and tell me every move those two make in there. Zach, go check that door. Keisha and Chris, you’ll start gathering the people, but don’t make it too obvious that lots of people are heading back here. Someone may end up having to distract them in there. Zach and Steph, let me know what you find out.” Jake said as everyone did as they were told. Then he turned to Adam and Salina. “The two of you will work outside. Adam, could you take them somewhere safe?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Good, for now, hope that it works.”
Stephanie walked out into the main room and drifted toward the punch table. She overheard many conversations.
“I’ve never seen that guy before. What do you suppose that was about?”
“Probably some prank or something.”
“I sure hope so.”
Stephanie looked around for Darrin and the warrior. She noticed Darrin, he was walking around amongst the crowd. Eventually she spotted the warrior over by Irene. *Uh oh… that can’t be good.*
< Hey Jake, there doesn’t seem to be anything about the door. He probably figured his warriors and that cathern would be enough to stop any fool trying to leave. >
< Alright. Will you need help with that cathern? >
< …I hope not. If I do, get Coug out here. >
Irene looked at Seth, < Those who do not follow the side of light follow the side of darkness. >
< What about those who are meant for one, but follow another? >
< If you’re trying to convince me to join you, forget it. Certainly Darrin would have told you, he definitely knows my opinion on that matter. >
< Well, either way, you must surrender to us. Unless you want to see these people die. > He walked up to her. < Soon enough all will know who is the rightful ruler of the universe. >
After several minutes later, < Okay Jake… its finally clear. >
< You okay Zach? >
< The cathern didn’t eat me so I’ll be fine. >
< Stephanie, is everything ready? > Jake asked.
< Darrin’s up by the stage, and the warrior is occupied. >
< Okay. > Then Jake asked Chris, < Ready to send the first set? >
< Yeah, we’re ready. > Chris turned to Keisha and nodded.
Keisha whispered to the group she was standing next to. “Come with me, there’s a way out. Don’t panic, and don’t draw attention to yourselves.”
The group started toward the direction that Chris indicated, while Keisha moved to the next group.
This continued on until ¼ of the crowd was gone. Everyone was spread out so that it wasn’t as obvious.
< We need some kind of hologram. Its going to be too hard to cover up a large group of people missing. > Keisha said to Jake.
< Zach, can you fix up a hologram of people? >
< Coming right up. >
As more people were shuttled out, holographic people took their place. Soon Darrin approached the stage again.
< Stop operation > Stephanie said to Jake.
< Keisha, Chris, stop. >
< Yeah, we saw him get up on stage. >
“Not one of you has come to me to surrender. I remind you that you have 15 minutes left. Tick tock, someone’s life may end.” He then left the stage.
The people left were starting to become more panicked, making Keisha’s job of calming them much more difficult. < I can’t keep these guys in line. Someone is bound to notice them nearly running to the door. >
< I’ll find a distraction. > Stephanie said as she headed toward Irene who was alone.
“Sharena, what brings you over here?” Irene said, calling her by her public name.
< We may need a distraction. Darrin’s attention needs to be directed elsewhere. >
< I can try… Perhaps I should surrender first… >
< Don’t give him what he wants Irene. >
< Is there another way? He will kill, Stephanie, and I don’t trust him to give us the full 15 minutes. Truthfully, he’s already cut the time shorter. >
< Be careful Irene. We are here if something goes wrong. > Stephanie said as she walked away.
Irene stood up and drifted into the crowd.
“Why hello Irene. Have you decided?” Seth asked her.
Irene looked up at him. “I have no choice. I can’t let innocent lives be destroyed.”
“You light warriors are so pathetic.” He grinned at her evilly. “Come with me, my master will enjoy hearing your decision.”
Irene spoke quietly to him, “One dragon does not need to follow in the footsteps of the other.”
Seth stopped and looked at her. “He is my teacher, he took me in and taught me what I know.”
“He’s using you. As soon as your usefulness is complete, he’ll get rid of you. Trust me, I know.”
“You’re just trying to turn me.”
“I’m trying to help you from making a bad mistake.”
They continued up to the front of the room. Darrin was standing to the side of the stage in the corner, he was watching the crowd when he noticed Irene and Seth approaching.
“Have you come to tell me what your group has decided?”
“I speak only of myself. I have no authority over the others.”
“Speak kitten, my patience wears thin.”
“Harm no one and I’ll surrender.”
“Only if everyone surrenders.”
< Is that all of them? > Zach asked Jake.
< Chris says that’s all but us. >
Zach walked back inside with Salina behind him. Then the three of them walked into the main room and joined up with Keisha and Chris and soon Stephanie.
“Irene is up there with Darrin and that warrior.” Stephanie told the others. “She went to surrender to keep his attention away from the door.”
Jake looked at Stephanie. < Sorry Jake, you know how she is when her mind is made up. >
The group approached Darrin and the warrior Seth.
“Ah! There you are. I would advice you to follow your friend’s lead and surrender quietly and no one shall be hurt.” Darrin said facing the rangers.
Irene looked at the ground, saying nothing. Seth stood just behind her. < They’ll surrender one way or another. >
< Don’t underestimate us Seth. >
< Don’t underestimate me Coug. My dart may not have done what I wanted it to do, but I can still make you do what I want. >
Irene hid the expression of surprise and continued to watch the ground.
“Your answer!” Darrin demanded.
Jake stepped forward, “We will not surrender to you.”
“I warned you, now one last chance to surrender before I have my warrior take care of your friend.” Darrin said as Seth pulled out his sword and placed it at Irene’s throat.
Jake started to move forward but Stephanie grabbed his arm.
“Now, shall I try again? All of you surrender to me and she’ll live.”
< Don’t do it, he’ll kill us all anyway. Save yourselves and leave me. > Irene called to them in thought speech.
< No, I can’t let you sacrifice yourself… > Jake said.
< Jake, if he kills all of us, no one will be left to oppose him. Please Jake, sacrifice one for the good of the whole… >
“You try my patience.” Darrin glared at them. “Quick or I’ll have Seth kill her anyway.”
Seth sliced slightly into Irene’s throat, causing her to jerk backward slightly in pain.
Unnoticed by the group, the guards, both fake and real, had closed in behind them.
Jake looked torn between his loyalty to the side of light and his mate. He kept a neutral composure, but it was waning.
< Company behind us. > Zach said to the group.
Suddenly Irene burst into flames, forcing Seth back. The flames solidified and shot at Darrin just as quickly.
Chaos erupted as the guards leaped at the group. The fake one’s informed their “opponent” who they were and the battle begun.
Darrin whirled around, the flames causing only irritation. Irene had dropped to the ground surprised at what happened. “Foolish morph, now all will pay for what you did.” He raised his hands, in the middle of a powerful spell.
< Get down! > Irene yelled to her companions as Darrin unleashed a powerful dark wave out into the crowd.
The fighting stopped briefly as both sides dropped down, the wave sailing over them. The hologram shimmered and disappeared. “Clever, very clever.” Darrin said to himself.
Seth still held the sword and walked up to Darrin.
“Kill her.” Darrin said simply.
Seth stood there defiantly.
“I gave you an order, now DO IT!”
Seth, torn by what Irene had told him and by what he was taught to do, started toward Irene slowly.
< Might as well drop the guard impersonation… > Jake sent to the three fake guards.
They each turned and helped their comrades in fighting the real guards. Zach slipped away from the battle and made his way to the stage.
Irene morphed to cathern and stood up. < What are you doing?! > She practically yelled at Seth.
< Keep it down. > He forced her to leap at Darrin.
The two of them hit the ground, Irene pinning Darrin down. Both looked surprised.
Realization hit Darrin and he threw her off with a burst of magic. He leaped to his feet and in the same motion had Seth pressed against the wall. “You dare to betray me. And you know what the punishment for betrayal is.”
Seth looked him in the eye. “A person can change their own destiny.”
Darrin snarled at him then pressed his hand against Seth’s throat, choking him.
Zach ran over to Irene who was getting up slowly. < You okay? >
Irene’s ears pricked up when she heard Seth gasp for air and her eyes glowed a deeper red.
< Coug? >
She leaped at Darrin and knocked him sideways, letting Seth go. Seth dropped to the ground, his hand at his throat, and gulped air.
Darrin fought against Irene’s claws and tail as she continually tried to rake him. He grabbed the sides of her head in his hands and she shrieked loudly in confusion. The cathern was unfamiliar to pain. She yanked her head out of his hands and the burning in her mind slowed down to a simmer.
“I shall return. Make NO mistake on that!” Darrin stood up and faced Seth. “Your time will come.” Then he vanished in a whirl of darkness.
The guards vanished and the rangers looked around bewildered, then noticed the scene on the stage. Seth was still gasping for air while Zach kneeled down to talk to Irene.
< Can you hear me Coug? >
< Barely… > Her eyes were a dull red and her tail twitched irritably. < What happened? >
< You don’t know? > Zach looked surprised and worried at the same time.
< I remember Seth making me morph… but other than that… > She trailed off.
Zach looked at Seth. “What did you do to her?”
Seth finally caught his breath, “Kept us from getting killed.”
“By trying to get Cougar killed?”
“She’s still alive, and I have no control over her anymore.”
< My mind burns… > Irene complained simply.
“A side affect from the deletion of the dart spell.” Seth responded. “Shouldn’t last too much longer.”
Zach looked suspiciously at Seth then demanded, “Why are you all of a sudden on our side?”
“I’m not on your side, any more than I am on his side.” Seth said angrily. “Her and her logic just made my life one big mess.”
The others climbed up onto the stage and approached them. Jake looked at Seth suspiciously.
“I’m not going to hurt anyone so just calm down.”
“At least it was a good party.” Chris said breaking the silence.
“Chris this is not the time…” Keisha started to say.
“Hey, at least we are all alive right?”
Irene morphed back slowly with Jake helping her stand. “The people… where…”
Jake cut her off, “Don’t worry, every thing’s fine.”
“Uh.. where’d Seth go?” Chris said.
“He was right there.” Zach said.
“Don’t worry for now… he will not return to Darrin.” Irene said.
“Are you sure?” Jake asked her.
“Yes.”
