Operation: Pacifica, A Draconic Reckoning by Warrior Aphrodite Persephone (alexbell@iastate.edu) [Late afternoon, Day 1 on Pacifica] [Somewhere in the jungles] *Let me at him!* Zaph growled. *Wait!* Persephone exclaimed and somehow stopped the dragon from stealing their body. *I know you want that Lyran's blood -- especially after seeing those cages - but let's check it out first. I don't like the feel of it, one bit* Zaphyre ignored her and fought to take control, but Pers managed to hold on. Eventually, the dragon gave up with a frustrated snarl. *All right! You win... for now.* The Warrior smiled in relief, never relaxing her hold on their body. Her smile soon vanished to be replaced by a grim line of determination, as she slowly began to silently work her way around the clearing. When she found a decent hiding place, she settled it to watch and wait. ... Hours later, Persephone was still waiting as darkness engulfed the island. She stretched, yawning, then watched as the Sponge Minions left, disappearing into the jungle. Using Zaphyre's abilities to augment her vision, Pers easily found the minions that had remained behind to serve as guards. Pointing them out to the dragon, she started searching for the Lyran mage - the bigger threat. *He's over there,* Zaph murmured, *in the hut with the strange lights.* As Zaph pointed it out, the human wondered why she hadn't noticed it before. *Oh well...* she muttered with a small sigh. *Now listen. The guards first _quietly_ then you can have your fun, OK?* Zaphyre didn't answer. *I said... is that OK?!* Pers repeated, obviously annoyed. The dragon grumbled and growled in her mind, then agreed - reluctantly. *Let's just get on with it, then* Persephone rolled her eyes at Zaph's impatience, before releasing her hold on their body. A roar of satisfaction filled her mind, as her hands Changed - becoming the long, pointed, emerald talons of the dragon. Zaphyre raised her talons up towards the night sky, as if offering something to the stars. She then began to quietly make her way through the jungle - heading towards the nearest sentry. ... Joey looked around uneasily, clutching his B'harnii doll to his chest. "B'harnii, I'm scared," he whined to the doll. When the doll didn't answer, he pouted and began to sing his favorite song.... really loud. "I LUV YOU! YOU LUV..." ... Zaphyre smiled grimly as she easily tore out another Sponge Minion's throat. Carefully stepping over the still-twitching body, she queried, *And how many more are there?* *Only one, thank Grimace,* the Warrior Persephone replied, *I don't think I could handle much more than that. Doesn't this bother you at all?* Zaph shrugged. *Some. I try not to think about it. Besides, this was your idea - remember?* Pers sighed. *Yeah... I know. Let's just get this over with.* ... Bezicht'el looked up from his work, a grotesque frown forming on his mask. "Something is wrong," he thought to himself. Concentrating, he tried to focus on the problem and found only phrases of the Hell Wyrm's Chant. He growled irritably. "It's that idiotic Minion... singing again! Night after night, we go through this same routine. It's no wonder I never get anything done around here!" The Lyran mage sat down at his workbench and picked up a plush doll. As he worked, the doll began to glow brightly... ... "...YOU LUV ME! WE'RE A...." Suddenly, the doll's eyes started to grow brightly. Joey's smile grew really big. "Hi, B'harnii!! I knew if I sang you'd talk to me again!" The doll began speaking, "Joey, you are being naughty again. You know it makes me sad when you're naughty..." Joey's smile faded a little. "I'm sowwe, B'harnii." He started sniffling. "I know you are, Joey. You can make me happy again, though..." The Spongie perked up. "I can?! How? I'll do anything for you B'harnii, I luv you so much..." "Remember?" the doll continued, "Be quiet and watch for those mean mean and nasty Jihaddi people for me, OK?" Joey, relaxed now, nodded exuberantly. "OK, B'harnii! I'll be really, really quiet. And I'll tell you if I see any of those meanies. You're my friend again." When the doll didn't respond, Joey frowned but then heard a funny noise coming from the trees. Setting the plush down, he waddled over. "Shhh!" he said, a finger to his lips, "B'harnii said quiet!" The Spongie's jaw dropped open, as he realized what had been making the noises. He started shaking and simply stared at the monster in front of him. ... With the six-inch long spikes along her back, the dragon fangs, and the talons all integrated into her human body, Zaphyre really couldn't blame the minion for feeling scared. She laughed anyways. ... Watching the monster's amusement, Joey grew even more scared and started to cry - wishing he hadn't left B'harnii over by the tree. "You're one of those meanie Jihaddis... aren't you?" he sobbed, "and now you're gonna kill me and eat me. Just like B'harnii said you would." ... Zaph tried not to laugh, but a small giggle got out anyways. "I'm not going to eat you, Spongies give me indigestion. But I might kill you. Unless you want to be my friend too, would you like that?* She watched as the Minion tried to figure out what she had said. As she waited, she looked around and easily spotted the plush leaning against the tree. *Hmmmm... I just got a better idea.* "Listen, ummm... I have another idea. B'harnii probably wouldn't like you being my friend, but he did tell me that you should do something else. B'harnii wants you to take me to the man in the hut, right away." Joey's face brightened. "He does?" He glanced at the doll in consternaation. "B'harnii? You want me to take this meanie monster to the Big Guy?" The doll nodded. "OK! Let's go!" Joey started skippping through the woods, heading toward the clearing. Zaph followed in a more sedately manner... thinking, *Pers was right... now I get to have my fun.* The Sponge Minion quickly reached the clearing and skipped right up to the hut where Bezicht'el was working. Zaphyre remained partially hidden and reached up towards the stars - using them to complete her transformation. Seconds later the grotesque monster had disappeared - replaced by the awe-inspiring figure of the sapphire dragon. Joey knocked loudly on the hut's door. "Mr Bezir... I mean Bezik... ummm, Lyran, sir? A monster wants to talk to you!!" Suddenly the door exploded outwards, shredding the helpless Joey into hundreds of pieces. Bezicht'el stomped out through the doorway, furious at the interruption. "what NOW?!" he thundered, as his angry gaze fell on the dragon. "You..." *So we meet again, shepherd* The Lyran's mask rippled wildly as he released a large bolt of energy. Zaph simply moved to the side, smirking as it missed. *That the best you can do? ... shepherd* She took a step closer. *Maybe this will help* Bezicht'el rapidly threw several more energy bolts, his mask showing some of his growing fear as the dragon deftly avoided each one. *So, shepherd, scared yet?* "Of you? NEVER!" he replied with a gleem in his eye. Zaph smiled, then dodged to the left. She wasn't quite fast enough though. A bolt of energy came from behind, catching the edge of her tail. The dragon howled in pain. *That does it,* she growled, *no more fun and games. Shepherd? It's time for you to join your flock.* Zaphyre quickly whirled and pounced on the Lyran, struggling to ignore the painful, magickal blasts he sent through her. Using her talons, she sliced his mask into strips, then tore them brutally off. She fed on his pain and fear, making him suffer as she slowly tore h im apart, piece by piece, with teeth and talon. When it was over, Zaph collapsed in extreme pain. Her body began twitching uncontrollably, a result of the numerous blasts it had taken. She groaned once and then fell silent. ... [Late afternoon, Day 2 on Pacifica] [Somewhere in the jungles] Zaphyre groaned softly as she felt something brush against her body. She forced one eye open and blinked, surprised to see her friend, Brackard, standing there. He knelt down next to her, "You OK?" The dragon forced herself to nod and sit up. She tried to speak, but found she had no voice. After several attempts, she managed to croak, *... ca...ges?* Brackard smiled grimly, "We just finished getting everyone out and are working on transportation for them... are you sure you're all right?" She nodded again before trying to speak. *... need... time.... heal.... get.... them.... safe.... see.... you.... home* Ignoring his protests after he figured out what she had said, Zaph struggled to her feet and carefully stretched her wings. Wincing, she launched herself into the air and haphazardly made her way across the sky. Copyright 1997 AlexBell