"How's everybody doing out there!?" A.j. yelled to the crowd. It was another sold out show and the fans seemed to love it. They were screaming their heads off.
"This is our last song of the night. I think ya'll know the words!" Shouted Brian. This got the crowd going even more.
I could guess you were lost when I met you
Still there were tears in your
eyes
So out of trust and I knew
No more them mysteries and lies
There you are, wild and free
reaching out like you needed me
the helping hand to make it right
I am holding you all through the
night
I'll be the one, I'll be the one
who will make all your sorrows
undone
I'll be the light, I'll be the
light
when you feel like there’s
no where to run
I'll be the one
To hold you and make sure that you'll be all right
cause my fear is gone and I want
to
take you from darkness to light
There you are, wild and free
reaching out like you needed me
the helping hand to make it right
I am holding you all through the
night.
'Chorus'
You need me like I need you
we can share our dreams coming
true
I can show you what true love
means
just take my hand baby please
I'll be the one, I'll be the light
When you can't run to make it all
right 2x
'Chorus'
"Thank you and good night!" Yelled Nick. They all took a bow and ran off the stage. The fans were still screaming their heads off.
"Go go!" Yelled the bodyguard. The guys ran for the door. They knew that there would be fans outside waiting for them. They ran through a sea of people. Before they knew it, they had lost the bodyguard.
"Great! Now what?" Asked Howie sarcastically. All of the sudden a group of fans rounded the corner.
"Oh my god! It’s the Backstreet Boys!" They began to scream and run after them.
"You had to ask!" Said Kevin as they took off and ran. No matter what they did they couldn't get away from them. Just then, an older girl came out in front of them. She motioned to them.
"Follow me!" She yelled to them. They all followed her. They didn't know why but they just felt it.
"Where are we going?" Asked Brian.
"Somewhere safe." She said. She led them down a long hallway. They could clearly see that it was a dead end.
"Ah, miss? We're going to kind of be trapped down here!" Shouted A.j..
"Just follow." She said. They were almost down at the end when the girls spotted them.
"There they are! Let get them!" One girl shouted and they began running.
"Oh no! Not again!" Said Howie. All of the sudden the girl just disappeared. They couldn't stop running in time. As they were about to hit the wall, it all was gone. The hallway, the girls, everything. They were in somebody’s home.
"Hey, where are we?" Asked Nick. All of the guys shrugged. They couldn't explain why they were in a house. They didn't know where the fans went. The girl they were following suddenly appeared behind them.
"Well there you are! I didn't think you were going to make it for a second there." She smiled.
"Where are we?" Nick asked again.
"Why, you’re in my hide away home. I come here when I want to get away from my worries." She explained.
"But, how did we get here?" Asked Brian.
"I opened the portal when I saw that you were being chased by a wild pack of human females." She said. They all looked at her funny.
"Well if you want to put it that way." Said Kevin. The girl handed them each a cup.
"Here, drink this. It will give you more strength." She said. They were all a little thirsty from the chase so they began to drink.
"What about Kari? We left her at the bus!" Nick suddenly realized.
"There is another one of you?" The girl said with a shudder.
"Yeah, it's Nick's little sister. She hates it when we are late." Explained Howie.
"Well you can't leave." Said the girl.
"And whys that?" Asked Kevin with a serious tone.
"She will not be able to know it's you. From what you drank." She explained with a smile on her face.
"Now listen miss, I have a sibling to check on. Either you let me do that the easy way or the hard way." Threatened Nick. The girl just smiled at him.
"Fine. I'll open a portal right in the front of your moving living space. But don't say I didn't warn you." She said. She waved her hand in the air. The air began to ripple.
"Go on through. She is waiting for you." Said the girl.
"Thank you." Said Nick. He stepped into it. A second later he was in the front of the bus. He could hear loud music coming from the back. He tried to call out to her but at that second he felt a little funny. Like his stomach was doing a somersault.
"Guys, is that you?" Kari called from the back. All Nick could do was give a little squeak. He heard footsteps.
"I'm so glad your back I was....AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" She let out a huge scream. Nick covered his ears.
"OH MY GOD! HELP!" She ran back to the back again. This time she came back with the broom stick.
"Kari NO!" He yelled. She didn't seem to hear him because she started to hit him with it.
"Get out of here you beast!" She cried. He could tell she was very scared.
"Bring me back!" He yelled. He ran out of the bus door into another portal. He was now in the little house again facing the girl.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." She said. Nick just looked at her.
"Why did she do that? I mean, she’s my sister and all." He said still in a daze.
"Just go look this mirror." She handed him a standard mirror that they have in a haircut place. He looked into the mirror and let out a gasp.
"What? How? What did you do?" He
asked her in shock. The face he was staring at was not that of his
own. It was that of a fox. He looked down at his arms to find that
all red and furry. His hands had pads and his nails were like claws.
"I simply made you that of my people." She explained.
"Besides, you never looked better.
"Are the others like this?" He asked.
"Almost. They will be in 3....2....1." There was four screams
from the other room. They all came running out screaming. They all
stopped and looked at Nick.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO US!?" Demanded A.j.. He looked like a
dragon rather than a human being.
"All I did was make you look like my people." She said.
"Why?" Asked Brian. He was now a wolf.
"I saw you five and knew that you needed help. Now you have to pay
it back. It’s the code around here." She said.
"But why make us like this?" Asked Howie. His eyes were
full of worry.
"The people around here have something against humans. If you stayed
in your grotesque form they would have killed you all." She said.
"Hey, we are considered very attractive men where we come
from." Said Kevin with anger.
"I needed to change you into the strongest beings here. I picked
them myself. Alexander James with the dragon, Howard with the white
tiger, Kevin with the leopard, Brian with the wolf and Nickelus with the
fox." She said.
"What is your name?" Asked A.j.. That question came out of
nowhere.
"It is Draya." She answered.
"If you wanted us to look like this, why don't you?" Asked
Brian.
"Give me a minute" said Draya. Her figure began to
change. Her mouth seemed to push out of her face. Her arms seemed
to grow. In a few seconds they weren't looking at a person. They
looking at what looked like an eagle.
"This is my real form." She said with a smile. All of the
sudden there was a knock at the door.
"Princess! Open up, its Rahpeal." Said the voice outside.
"Coming!" She yelled. She went to the door and opened
it. There stood someone that looked like a hyena.
"Princess, your father would like for you to come home. He needs to
make an announcement." The person ordered.
"Yes." She answered. She turned to the guys.
"We must go."
"But what about my sister? What is going on with her?" asked
Nick. Draya waved her hand. A crystal ball appeared. In it
was an image of Kari. She had on a hockey mask and one of the guys
shoulder pads from their performances. She had the broomstick in hand
ready to strike."
"Man, I really did scare her bad." He began to laugh really
hard. She looked so funny sitting there with all that equipment.
"I can't believe you find it funny when your own kind is frightened beyond
their wits." said Draya. She was very confused.
"Where we come from we like a little fear. It’s all in good
fun." Laughed Brian.
"I shall never understand you humans." She said. They
left the little hide away home. The land was brightly colored and flowers
everywhere. The people here were very strange.
"Princess Draya! Draya! It’s so nice to see you
again." Said a person as they passed by. Draya stopped.
"Hello Karma. It’s nice to see you to. Is your family
well?" She asked.
"Yes. Would you like to introduce me to your friends?"
Asked Karma.
"Ah yes. Karma this is Alexander James, Brian, Howard, Kevin and
Nickelus." She said pointing to each of them.
"What kind of names are those? The only things I've heard those
names is in the human world." Said Karma. Draya gave Karma a
wink.
"No! They're humans? What if your father found
out?" Asked Karma with fear.
"Don't worry. I gave them the elixir that made them like this for 24
clicks. No worries. I must be going now. Farewell my
friend." Karma said good-bye and they were on their way.
"What did you mean by 24 clicks?" Asked Nick. Draya let
out a sigh.
"In your speech 24 clicks means 24 hours." She answered.
"You mean we have to be like this for a day? My sister will
worry." Said Nick. The guys were getting tired of him talking
about his sister.
"No problem. 24 clicks here in 1 click in your world."
She said.
"And in English that would mean?" Nick said with one eyebrow raised
"It will only feel like an hour in your world." She answered.
"Oh good." Said Brian. They arrived into the town were
the guys were overwhelmed by the surroundings. People everywhere looked
like animals. No one even gave them a second look. They were making
their way through the town when they saw a crowd in the town square. A
sort of man was standing on a platform in the middle. He had the face of
a lion.
"Daddy?" Said Draya in amazement. She turned to the
guys. "Stay here. I'm going to find out what’s
happening. She ran for the middle. All of the people got out of her
way knowing that she was the daughter of the king.
"Daddy! What’s going on?" She asked him when she
reached it. He turned around.
"Draya! I have been so worried about you. I have to make an
announcement to the town. Something horrible has happened." He
said.
"What do you want me to do?" She asked.
"Keep an eye on Drifus. He might be in danger." Said the
king. Draya left the platform.
"My people!" He yelled. "There is a menace among
us! Five humans have broken the barrier between the dimensions! Who
knows what they are able to do. We are aware that they are five
males. So keep your eyes open and stay with your children!"
"Uh oh." Whispered Howie.
"Do you think they know it's us?" Asked Kevin.
"They can't. We haven't been here long enough." Said
A.j..
"Guys, guys! Follow me!" Said Draya.
"Oh yeah. Remember what happened the last time we did that? My
head still hurts from that broomstick." Whined Nick. They all
giggled when he talked about the broomstick. They walked up to where in
king was standing.
"Daddy. These are some friends that I would like you to
meet." She said. Before the king could say anything a little
one came in front of him with a toy sword.
"Back away Draya! I will vanquish these intruders!" He
yelled. He began to hit Kevin in the legs with it.
"Back off you little human wannabe! Don't make me hurt
you!" She turned back to the guys. "Little brothers.
What a pain."
"Draya. What have I told you about making friends with the common
ones?" The king said to her sternly.
"But daddy, where they come from they are treated almost like gods.
People flock to see them." She said.
"Is this true?" The king asked Brian.
"Well if you want to put it that way, yes." He answered
nervously. The king sat back.
"You seem noble enough. What are your names?" He
asked. The guys just looked at each other. If they said their real
names he would know that they're human.
"This is Bracon, Aumon, Hencar, Kaul, and Hasen." Draya said
quickly. The guys realized that she had used their first initals.
"Ah, I see. What kingdom do you come from?" He asked.
"We come from the Backus kingdom." said Nick. He kind of surprised
them all.
"Ah, a beautiful place. When you return tell King Harman that I wish
him the best." He said.
"We will sir." Said Brian.
"Draya, I have some business to attend to. Take Drifus and run
along." Ordered the king.
"Yes daddy." She answered. When his back was turned she
whispered "Great! All I need now is the little pest."
"Now, what was it you needed help with?" Asked Kevin.
"Well, many of our kind have been disappearing lately. Father says
it's humans but I don't believe it." She said with anger.
"Drayaaaaa! Father said you had to let me come." Said
little Drifus. He looked nothing like Draya. He looked more like a
lion cub.
"Quiet you! I have to attend with my friends." She turned
back to the guys.
"You know, I wouldn't be very surprised if these ones were the
humans." Whined Drifus. Howie's eyes went wide at this.
He was worried that they had been found out.
"Oh Drifus, you think everyone in the village are humans."
Draya quickly said.
"Well you never know!" He yelled. He ran way ahead of
them to a point where he couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Thanks for covering for us. For a minute there I thought we were
going to be found out." Said A.j..
"That little brother of mine. He thinks of the oddest things at the
wrong time." Laughed Draya.
"What I was wondering it why you don't look like your father or your
brother." Said Kevin. Draya stopped.
"I take after my mother. She disappeared many years ago."
She hung her head in sadness.
"Oh I'm so sorry. Is that why we need to help you?" Asked
A.j.. Draya nodded.
"When I helped you tonight, I knew that you would have to help me.
That’s why I did it." She sighed. A.j. put his arm
around her.
"Don't worry. We're more than willing to help you. Right
guys?" He asked the others. They all nodded.
"I give you many thanks. You humans aren't too bad once we get to
know you." She smiled.
"Don't go by that. Some people can be really mean." Said
Nick. They started on their way when they heard a scream up ahead.
"DRAYA! DRAYA! I FOUND SOMETHING!" Drifus yelled.
They all went running to him.
"It's some kind of portal." He said, his eyes wide.
"Well I didn't open it." Said Draya defensively. They all
took a look at it. The guys just acted like they knew what they were
doing.
"I am not to sure where it leads." Draya finally said.
"I'll find out!" Drifus began to run at it.
"Drifus no!" Yelled Draya but it was too late. Drifus ran
into it and then it immediately closed up.
"Oh no!" Said Kevin. "You have a way
where we can see where he is?" Draya thought for a moment.
"The crystal ball. That can track anyone." She waved her
hand in the air and it appeared. They took a look into it.
"Oh my god, he’s on our bus!" Said Nick. Sure enough
he was there. He was human and looked very scared.
"Draya, Draya! Help me!" They could hear him yell.
They could hear footsteps behind him. They could hear a girl gasp.
"How did you get in here?" It demanded. Drifus's
eyes widened with fear. He had never seen a real human before. Kari
came into the guys view.
"Whew! It's just Kari. Don't worry Draya, she'll take good
care of him until we can get him back." Said Brian with relief.
"How can you be so sure?" Asked Draya.
"Just watch." He
replied. They watched her walk up to him and kneel to get down to his
level.
"It's all right little boy, don't cry. Where are your
parents?" She asked him. He just stared before he could get
his answer out.
"I don't know." He said. They could see that he was
trembling with fear.
"That's o.k., what is your name?" She said.
"Drifus." He answered. Draya just watched this and
was scared for his safety. From what she had been taught, she thought the
humans would strike out at others at any giving moment.
"Well Drifus, I guess you could stay here with me for now. Come on
little guy, I’ll take you into the back with me. I can teach you
playstation until the guys get back." She told him. The
image went dark. The crystal ball disappeared.
"Is my brother in good hands as you say?" Asked Draya.
"Oh yeah. She baby-sits for tons of people. She knows how to
treat kids and make them feel better." Said A.j.
"I told her not to touch the playstation when we were gone."
Whined Nick.
"Oh shut up fox boy, there's nothing you can do now." Snapped
Kevin. Nick gave a little growl. Brian nudged him in the chest to
make him stop.
"How are we going to get him back?" Asked Howie.
"I don't know, I’ve never seen that kind of portal before. And
what ever they are we don't know who’s opening them." She
replied.
"Do you think that how your mother and the other disappeared?"
Asked A.j..
"Maybe. There’s no way of telling" sighed Draya.
"But who are the ones who can open these things?" Asked Brian.
"Well there's me, my father, Dominic...."
"And who is Dominic?" Asked Kevin cutting her off.
"He was one of our guard’s men. He got into a fight with
father one day and we banished him. No one in any kingdom has seen him
since." Explained Draya.
"Ah, could be a good case of a disgruntled employee." Said
Howie. Draya just looked at him funny.
"Never mind."
"Draya, have you ever stopped to think that he could be doing
this?" Asked A.j..
"The thought has crossed my mind but it sounds too horrible for him to
do." She answered. A.j. opened his mouth to say something but
was interrupted by a loud voice.
"THERE THEY ARE! GET THEM!" All of the sudden there were
guards running after them.
"Oh no not again!" Yelled Kevin. They took off running in
different directions. They didn't know how it would help because for
every person there were two guards after them. Two of the grabbed Draya.
"A.j.!" She cried out.
"Princess?" He said in shock. He turned around to find her
and was immediately caught. The guards came together with the guys and
Draya in their arms.
"Princess Draya! You must be more careful when you chose your
friends. You have been around humans." The guard barked.
"Please don't hurt them!" She cried. She looked into
A.j.'s eyes with fear.
"Oh, we won't Princess." Said the guard sarcastically.
The guards began to lead the guys to a holding cart.
"Please! If they really are humans, they probably wouldn't hurt
anything!" Yelled Draya.
"We can't take any chances Princess. Besides, Karma told us that
they were." Smiled the guard. Draya wanted to slap the
guard. He just turned his back on her. Many of the guards began to
walk back into town. All that was left was the holding cart. Draya
ran up to it.
"I am so sorry about this. I didn't think it would
happen." She said with tears in her eyes. A.j. took her hand.
"Don't worry about us. We can get out of this any way we
can." They heard the coach wipped the horse to get going. A.j.
kissed Draya's hand (Or whatever) and the cart moved away. Soon, Draya
was alone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The guys were thrown into a small cell inside the castle. The warden came in with a scroll of paper.
"Kevin, Howard, Brian, Alexander James, and Nickelus, I hear by sentence you to the dungeon for breaking the world barrier and impersonating one of us. The sentence is a lifetime here." The warden left the room and slammed the door. Brian sank into one of the corners.
"Oh man oh man oh man. What are we going to do? I mean here we are in a different world that isn't even suppose to be here, stuck in these weird bodies." He said to the others.
"There has to be a way out. There just has to be!" Said Nick. His hands were shaking hard.
"Just calm down! Draya is the daughter of the king. She can get us out." Said Howie. There were footsteps by the door. One of the guards peeked in.
"Hey you! Keep it down in there!" He demanded. The guys nodded and the guard left.
"Man, when I get out of here the first thing I’m going to do is pop that guard in the mouth!" Said A.j..
"Ditto." said Brian. He is not usually a violent person but when he is threatened, you better watch out.
"Wait a minute! How long has it been since we got here?" Asked Nick. Kevin checked his watch.
"About 15 minutes in our time. A few hours in theirs, why?" He replied.
"The potion stuff wears off in about an hour. If we can get out of here safely, they'll be looking for us in these bodies. Not five handsome white guys." Said Nick. The just stared at him.
"You might be right. But still don't you think we'll be noticed? I mean like Nick said, we'll be five guys regular guys again. That makes us a weaker party." Said Kevin.
"I don't care! We have to help Draya. It's our only chance!" Said A.j.. He ran a claw through his hair. He pulled back at the feeling of his skin.
"You know A.j., I'm getting the feeling like your getting the hots for Draya." Smiled Nick.
"I am not! She maybe beautiful and smart but we're only here to help her." Snapped A.j.. The guard returned.
"Hey, dragon boy! Pipe down or we'll torture the talk out of you!" Laughed the guard. A.j. just snarled. He hated being what he was. Just scaly old reptile.
"Don't worry A.j.. We'll get out of here." Said Brian, seeing his friend like this.
"It's not getting out of here that I’m worried
about. It's
"If only we didn't follow her. We would be back at the bus, joking it up and watching TV.. Not being here, looking like a bunch of freaks." He said the footsteps outside the door returned.
"Hey, you dirty old humans! You have a visitor!" He yelled in. The door opened and a thin figure walked in. The door shut behind it. Nick got a closer look.
"Karma!" He said in surprise. She let out a sigh.
"Hello Nickelus. Hello to you all." She said. Kevin’s eyes flashed with anger.
"Why did you do it Karma!? You promise Draya." He said to her. Tears began to streak her spotted face.
"I know. I had to tell! It was the only way I could stay alive!" She cried. She fell to the floor. Brian went by her side and put an arm around her.
"Why was it the only way for you to stay alive? Please tell us." He said softly. She looked up again.
"Master Dominic rules over me. If I disobey him, I’m done for. He saw when Draya brought you here. He saw that you were human but changed by her. He knew that she had been trying to stop the disappearances. So he made me turn you in. I am truly sorry, believe me I am!" She sobbed. Brian looked up.
"Dominic? Isn't that the guy Draya was telling us about? You know, the one they fired?" He asked.
"You know, I think it is." Said Kevin. Brian helped Karma to her feet.
"We know you didn't mean to do it Karma. Heck, we didn't even know that this place existed until Draya helped us. But now you have to help us out of here." Said Howie. Karma took a step back.
"I am not sure how. I do not want to die." She said.
"You can Karma. We won't let anything happen to you. Any friend of Draya's is a friend of ours." Smiled Nick. Karma smiled to. She pulled a little sack out of her pocket.
"All of you. I will sprinkle of this powder on you. Just trust me." She said with her eyes closed. She reached into the sack and threw some powder over Nick. Then A.j. and so on. Soon after, she went to the door.
"Guard. I would like to go now." She said. She turned back to the guys.
"Karma, are you nuts? This is no way to get us out!" Whispered A.j..
"Just trust me." She told him. The door swung open. There stood the guard that had harassed them while they were there.
"You may go Miss Karma." The guard left the door. She motioned to the guys to come with her and she walked out the door. The guys followed, not knowing what was going to happen. Surprisingly, they walk right past the guard. He did even act like he saw them. She stepped outside and Karma turned around.
"Are you all here?" She asked.
"Well duh, you can clearly see we are all here." Said Brian.
"No I can't young Brian. You see, that was the powder of invisibility." She said with a smile. "Now come on, we need to get as far away from here as we can before it wears off. She started down the path with the guys on her heels. They made it to the woods when the powder wore off.
"Where's Draya? Did they hurt her?" Asked A.j..
"Calm down young Alexander. She is fine. She has been sent back to the castle and is locked in her room. There is an all out search for her brother Drifus." She told them.
"Searching for him?" Said Howie.
"Yes. Why, do you know something about him?" Asked Karma.
"Well, you see, He kind of got sent into our world by one of those portal things." Explained Kevin. Karma's face showed no emotion.
"Master Dominic must have fulfilled part of his plan." She said.
"What plan?" Asked Nick.
"He has been loathing the Unimon family for many years. He had a fight with King Julius and was sent away. I, being his follower, went with him. He wants to send the whole family into the human world. That way they can't get back. He had already Lenskya there. I guess he wanted the son next."
"Draya's mother." Said Kevin.
"Right. They had no idea where she had gone. It has been 2 years. Draya has been trying that long to find out what happened. And me being her friend and all, I had to betray her."
"We have to go get Draya. And you have to tell her the whole story." Said A.j..
"We cannot. The castle guards are not allowing anyone to see her at the moment." Said Karma.
"What floor is her room?" Asked Nick.
"It is on the second floor. There is balcony right there." She answered. Nick got a huge smile on his face.
"Guys, I think it's time to pull a Romeo and Juliet." All of the guys seemed to understand what he was thinking. Karma just stood there.
"What is Romeo and Juliet?" She asked with confusion. The guys just shook their heads. Brian grabbed her arm.
"We'll explain later."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Draya sat in her large room waiting for her father. She knew what was coming. A huge lecture on why it is a felony to bring humans into another world. She let out a long sigh.
"This is all my fault." She said to herself and she began to cry. She was not crying because she was in trouble, she was crying because of what happened to the guys. Especially because she was falling in love with A.j..
"Oh Alexander. I have failed you." She began to cry harder. She walked out on to her balcony and looked up into the sky.
"Mother, please keep them safe from harm. I don't know what I would do without their help." She prayed. He bedroom door opened. She ran back into her room and sat down on a chair. It was her father.
"Draya. I am very disappointed in you. You know better then to bring those beings into our world." He said with anger.
"I know Daddy, but they weren't here to harm." She told him
"Why else would a human be here? They have caused so much damage..." he was cut off by Draya.
"They had no idea that this world existed until I brought them here." She snapped. Her father took a step back in shock.
"What do you mean?" He asked her.
"I mean, when I brought them here and made them the way they are, they were frightened by what they saw." She explained. Her father didn't talk for a minute. Then his eyes turned down in anger.
"What makes you think I will believe that lie?" He yelled.
"It is not a lie Daddy." She cried.
"And that they are not humans is not a lie either?" He said with anger. Draya lowered her head. The king made his way to the door.
"You are not to leave this room. There will be guard posted outside the doors for the time being. And the humans will go on trial this afternoon. Is this understood?" He ordered.
"Yes Daddy." She answered. The door
slammed shut behind him. Leaving Draya in the room alone. She began
to sob.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The guys had heard the whole thing from outside Draya's balcony. She had not spotted them and it was lucky that none of the guards did either. They heard the door slam and knew she was alone.
"How are we going to get up there?" Asked Nick. There were no stairs or something with plants leading up to it.
"I don't know. If somebody was already up there, they could pull us up." Said Howie. They all thought for a minute. Kevin's eyes came to a tree planted near it.
"Hey, I’ve got an idea." He said. He went to the tree and began to climb up it. It was a surprise at how fast he actually got up to the balcony.
"Whoa! I didn't know he could do that!" Exclaimed Brian.
"Ones who are what you call a leopard have great skill at climbing." She explained. Kevin looked over the edge and motioned for someone to come. The boasted Karma up because she was the shortest. Then came Brian and Howie, then A.j.. All of them had to help Nick up. A.j. went up to the door and peeked in. He could see the princess crying in her chair.
"Pssst! Princess!" He whispered. Draya looked up. She couldn't see them.
"Over here!" Whispered Karma. Draya looked towards the door and saw shadowy figures. She quickly got up and went to the door. She paused for a moment for she didn't know who it was.
"Who’s there?" She called out.
"Five guys that aren't suppose to be here!" Said Brian. Draya knew exactly who it was and flung open the door. She had never been so happy to see anyone. She was surprised to see Karma with them.
"How did you get out?" She asked them as she let them in.
"We had help from your friend Karma here." Explained Howie. Draya looked at her best friend. She knew the she had betrayed her.
"You, you turned them in! Why did you get them out?" She asked her with anger. Karma turned to Kevin.
"You better tell her the whole story." Said Kevin. Karma made her friend sit down again and told her the whole thing about how she worked for Dominic and how she got them out. When she finished, Draya just sat back.
"You do believe me don't you?" Asked Karma. There was a moment of silence.
"Yes Karma. I do believe you. And I think we need to go out there and make this stop!" She said with a smile.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Shall we use the doors or go out the balcony?" Asked A.j..
"Balcony. There are guards posted at my doors." She explained. They walked out of the balcony doors. Kevin climbed down the tree with great speed. A.j. climbed down next to help the girls get to the ground safely. The other guys just jumped.
"Now, we need to go to the forest between kingdoms. The hideout is there." Said Karma. They all followed her lead. Draya kept her hand in A.j.'s, being careful not to get nicked by one of his claws. They finally made it out the secret way Karma had known for years. The started down a path towards a large field area when...
"Look! There's someone up ahead!" Cried Draya. They all looked. Sure enough there were two people on the path. They were both from Draya's world. They were both very short but one looked like a child.
"It can't be, it just can't be!" Yelled Karma.
"Draya! Draya!" It yelled. It was Draya's little brother Drifus. They all were in shock at how he got back to this world. He started to run towards them.
"Drifus, thank heavens your safe!" Cried Draya. She ran to him and scooped him up in your arms.
"But, who’s the other person?" Asked Nick. The other one had stayed behind. Drifus got a big smile on his face.
"That’s my new friend. She is very shy around others. I'll got get her." He ran back to who ever it was.
"Wait a minute, SHE?" Asked Brian. "You don't think...?"
"Come on! They'll like you, I promise! Ones my sister." They could hear Drifus coaxing. The girl had gotten much closer now. She looked like a smaller version of Brian. Her hair was a dirty blonde. Her clothing looked like human.
"She says she's scared. She says she has seen people like you before only once and wants to know what this one did to her brother." Drifus pointed at Nick.
"I haven't done anything to anyone’s brother. What is she talking about?" Asked Nick.
"I don't know. She comes from your world." He went back to her.
"Our world? Kari?" Brian yelled to the girl. Her ears perked up.
"Who said that? How do you know my name?" She demanded.
"Karebear, it's me!" He shouted. Her ears laid back.
"Brikey? Is that you?" She asked. Brian gave a nodded. Without warning, she ran up to him and grabbed him into a hug.
"Brian! I am so glad to see you! What happened to you?" She asked him. She looked over his shoulder and spotted Nick. She backed up and pulled out what she thought was a mase beeper.
"You stay away from me! You attacked me in the bus!" She yelled at him. Brian went to hold her back.
"Kari. That's not going to do any good." She said into her ear.
"Why?" She asked, not turning her head away.
"First of all, that’s Howie's beeper." He laughed. She brought it back and took a better look at it. If she still had skin, her face would have been red.
"And second, that’s Nick." Her eyes went wide.
"Nick? You’re the one I hit with the broomstick?" She asked with astonishment. All but Nick started to giggle at this.
"Yes. I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that either." He said with embarrassment.
"Why do you all look like this? Is this some kind of weird costume party or something?" She asked.
"Um...No, Kari. This is really us." Said Kevin. Kari stared at him blankly. Then went up and touched his face. She gasped when she same her own hand.
"What?" She began looking her hand and arm over. "What did you do to my arm?" She asked Drifus. Drifus just smiled.
"Uh, dear I think you should have a look in my mirror." Karma handed her a little pocket mirror. She gasped as she saw her new face.
"I'm a wolf?" She asked them. They all just nodded. She couldn't take her eyes off the mirror.
"Drifus, what did you do?" Asked Draya.
"This portal came up in her living quarters and I knew it was the only way to get home. I didn't want to be alone so I pushed her into it." He laughed.
"Yeah, but how did she get like this?" Draya asked again.
"I took one of your elixirs from your hideaway." He said still smiling,
"Drifus you little pest! You took my wolf elixir?" She said, now furious.
"That’s what I just said isn't it?" He giggled. Draya sighed and turned to the guys.
"I am really sorry that this had to happen. I knew Drifus was going to pull something, just not this extent." She apologized.
"It's o.k. Draya, really. Now we have to figure out why there was a portal there anyways." Said A.j.. He looked down and noticed Kari staring at him.
"What are you looking at?" He asked. Her eyes widened and she drew closer to Brian and Nick.
"Would you just relax? That’s A.j..!" Laughed Nick. Kari seemed to calm down a bit. Then she gave a little giggle.
"Sisqo has nothing against you!" She laughed. A.j. just smirked and shook his head.
"Come on all. We must go confront Master Dominic. We have more evidence." Said Karma. They all began to follow her into the forest. Kari kept very close to Brian and Nick. They seemed like a very unlikely bunch. If a person took one look at them, they would have to take a second look. Karma brought her finger to her lips.
"Be silent, be still." She ordered. Everyone stopped. They could hear something other then normal sounds. Kind of a buzzing noise nearby. Karma pulled out her bag from her pocket.
"The only thing that Master Dominic can't pick up on his radar crystal is invisibility powder." She pulled some out of the bag and threw it over all of them.
"What’s going on? Why do we need to help them?" Asked Kari.
"Shhh! Just follow our lead. We’ll explain later." Answered Brian. Karma began to lead them deeper into the woods. Up ahead they could see a very large house. It was pure black. There was blue smoke coming out of the chimney. They all walked up to the door and Karma motioned them to be still. She knocked on the door.
"Who dares disturb the great Master Dominic?" Roared a voice from inside. Karma straightened up.
"It is I, Miss Karma oh one of great power." She replied. A little slot on the door open. Two eyes gazed out. The slot closed sharply and the door opened. Karma began to walk in with the others around her. Their footsteps went unheard.
"Ah, Miss Karma. My most loyal follower! Is the deed done my pet?" Master Dominic stepped into the light. He was nothing but a giant snake with arms. He tongue flicked in and out.
"Yes my lord. The humans have been locked away. There is no chance of them coming back out." Answered Karma. The others just watched.
"Good good! Now we won't have those things snooping in our business. Sooner they will change back and they will kill them!" Laughed Dominic.
"Yes, my lord." She said with a sigh. Dominics tongue flicked out again. His eyes widened. He flicks it out again, and again.
"There is someone here. Many people." He said. He began to walk towards her. The others stepped back as he faced Karma.
"Are you sure you were alone my pet?" He asked with anger.
"Yes Master, there was no one. Not even Rahpeal." She answered calmly. Dominic looked down at her pocket and saw the pouch. He grabbed it and took a look at it.
"Invisibility powder? Why do you have this?" He ordered her to answer.
"I like to hide myself before coming here. It's safer that way." She replied. The others breathed a silent sigh of relief. All of the sudden A.j. got this urge to sneeze. The others saw this and tried their best to stop it but...
"ACHOOO!" Yelled A.j.. The sneeze was big enough the blow all of the powder off of them. Dominic saw them all.
"You lying little girl!" He screamed at Karma. "You all must die." He grabbed Karma by the throat and lifted her up. She struggled to get away, to get some air but failed.
"No!" Yelled Brian. He ran full speed the and head butted Dominic. Dominic gasped and dropped Karma. Brian grabbed her and pulled her away from the evil being. Dominic let out a hiss. His eyes traveled to Nick, Kevin and Howie. He lunged at them with full force.
"Not this time ugly!" Growled Kevin. He rose up his hand and brought it down again. It nailed Domnic between the eyes. At this time, Kari had grabbed Drifus and was running to get out of the house. Suddenly, a desk was thrown in their path and blocked the door.
"We're trapped!" She screamed. She turned around to see Domnic charging. Suddenly, right before he could hit them, he was hit from behind by Draya. Kari then quickly turned and pulled the desk out of the way. She grabbed Drifus by the arm and yanked the door open. She ran as fast as she could out of the house. All of the guys saw this and made their move.
"Let's go! Get out of here now!" A.j. yelled. Before Dominic could recover from the attack, the others were out the door and following the two young ones out of the forest.
"You will never escape me!" Bellowed Dominic as
he chased after them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All of them were gasping for air by the time they reached the town, but they couldn't stop. They knew that the evil lord was behind them somewhere. They ran straight into the castle where they burst into the main chambers. There sat the king and many guards.
"Father! It was Dominic! He has been doing this all!" Draya screamed. The king jumped up in surprise. That’s when he saw the five men with her.
"You! I thought you were locked up! Guard, seize them!" He yelled. The guards began to advance when Drifus came into their path.
"No, don't! They saved our lives!" He said, holding his paws out in front of him. The king did not look please.
"They have put a spell on him! Get them! Humans can never be trusted for any reason." He ordered. The guards began to move again when Draya stepped beside Drifus. Once again, the guards stopped in their tracks.
"Wow, these two really do have power." Brian whispered to Nick. Draya had no emotion on her face.
"I won't allow you to hurt them. Besides, Drifus has brought another one here. The young girl next to Karma. Why would he bring her here if she couldn't be trusted?" She asked. The king’s face softened. All of them held their breath to see what he would say. Howie's hands were clinched so tight that his claws had begun to draw blood. Kari noticed this and hit him to stop. The king let out a sigh.
"Alright. Guards, hold your position. Draya, bring them forward." He said. The five guards backed off and the two royal children brought the normals forward. Then, right when the king was about to speak, Dominic came bursting through the door. Everyone jumped and gasped. He was breathing very hard for he had sprinted the whole way.
"You five will die a horrible death!" He yelled. He began to charge forward, but was caught by the guards.
"It was him Father! He is the one that has been causing all of this. He is even the reason why Mother disappeared!" Draya yelled. The king looked astonished. This snake was the creature he had banned from the village many years ago. Dominic was giving up a great fight by thrashing back and forth, but the guards held him fast. The king looked at his daughter with amazement.
"What is the meaning of the Dominic?" He asked. Dominic let out a laugh.
"Took you a while to figure it out, didn't you? You thought a bunch of dirty rotten humans were causing this. You thought wrong! Only someone like me could think of something wonderful." He hissed. All of the guys got a confused look on their faces.
"Did one of you guys accidentally hit him in the head or something?" Asked A.j.. Kevin scoffed.
"I did, but it was no accident." He said.
"What do you mean Dominic? Are you the one that has been causing the disappearances?" Asked the king.
"He has Father! He made a portal and made me go into the human world!" Yelled Drifus. Kari had to hold him back from jumping on Dominic.
"Where else would I send scum like you? Why should you be allowed to live in such a beautiful place such as this. Soon, only will only be me and my followers left!" He snickered. The king was not very pleased. His fists were clinched in anger.
"Bring Lenskya back this instant! I know you have done it! Return her to me!" He bellowed. The others began to back up in fear what he might do.
"Sire, please. Allow us to handle him. We already did it once." Said Brian. The king was too angry to say a word, but nodded. The five men surrounded the guards and the criminal.
"On the count of three, let him go. We'll take him from here." Said Howie. The guards looked and each other and nodded. "One, two, three!" He yelled. The guards let go and ran out of the circle. Dominic tried to charge, but was punched in the face by Nick.
"Ow! That guys has a very hard head!" He said, holding his arm. Dominic looked around and knew he was no match for the five humans. He didn't have his potions and was to far away from his home to use magic. All he had was the portal spell.
"You better do as we say Dominic, or you will be hurting even more than now." Kevin growled. A.j. was starting to blow smoke from his nose.
"If you don't listen to us, I going to make sure your butt is burned black." He hissed.
"Fine! I will bring the Queen back!" Dominic cried. All that time of hiding and now being cornered had broken him down. He reached into a pouch on his belt.
"Careful!" Brian yelled. They all braced in case it was a weapon. Instead, it was a hand full of a silver powder. He began to mutter something in a low voice and blew it outward. Where it landed, a portal began to form.
"Wow." Said Kari. Dominic began to mutter again. This time a figure appeared in the mist. At first it looked human, but then changed into a bird figure. A sudden fog filled the room. Then, as soon as it came, it was gone. In its place stood a woman.
