*Malus looking down from a balcony above*
Malus*sighs*: I know I suggested it but really...ah well what can you do best that they stay as happy as they can now as there won't be much happiness after the new shade war begins *shakes head and walks off*
Malus: still I have to wonder what the future holds even if we can't see it. I just hoe Gaius surivives the ritual he's undertaken if he can do that I think he may just be our best hope to save the world...
Razorback*walks up*: Malus my friend now is not the time for melancholy I invite you to a light repast my wife has laid out, you need to be with friends and family this night
Malus: your right old friend and shall take you up on that invitation I remember the last time I got to eat your wife's cooking...
Razorback: it's only gotten better.
Malus: She's improved perfection? this I have to see and for that matter taste!
Razorback: well then let's stop wasting time gabbing and get to feasting!
*they walk off toward razorback's quarters*

*meanwhile below the sirface of the earth in the ritual chamber Gaius has stopped screaming in pain and agony...now he roars in rage, he roars the roar of a dragon and all the beasts of the earth near him tremble in fear of his wrath*

off topic: i agree with amp. come on people, lets make a great story together here! now back to the show!

"I need a bath."
I peer over the side of the balcony. I step back, run forward, & leap off the edge & dive into the pool hundreds of feet below. Shadow shakes her head & floats down to where I'm at but stays on land.
Shadow: "You're even more blood thirsty than I remember."
Shawn: "Yeah? Well, years of fighting for your life will do that to ya."
Shadow: *sighs* "But, but you're still so young. I mean, how old are you now, 105?"
Shawn: "106 actually. But, I have all the physical prowess of a Werewolf easily 10 times my age, despite my having to wear this cursed chain."
Shadow: *shakes head* Cocky as always. You never did tell me how that damned thing got attached to you."
Shawn: "Thats right, & I don't intend to tell you now."
Shadow: *shakes head* "Still shutting people out huh? Honestly! The High Fang Razorback is right, you are a headache!"
Shawn: "Yeah? Well, join the club then. *sighs* Come on in. The waters great."
Shadow: "No! You know that I don't swim!"
Shawn: "Oh don't be such a pussy!"
I grab her & pull her in. She comes up all startled & agitated.
Shadow: "How...how dare you?! That is not funny!"
Shawn: "Naw, I think that it was pretty damn funny."
Shadow: "Bastard."
Shawn: "Yeah, I am."
She just looks into my eyes & shakes her head again.
Shadow: "You just will never change huh?"
Shawn: "Nope!"
Shadow: "Good!"
She grabs me & kisses me. There we are just making out in the pool.

*deep in his sanctuary*
Gaius: crap did he really have to do that?
*sighs and returns to his meditation and cleansing rituals*

*meanwhile back up stairs*
Malus *runs up to the scene see the mess and sighs deeply*: I guess it was to much to hope for that you would settle the peacebly...ah well never mind* informs the med team they are no longer needed and gets the janitors started*
Malus *Looks at shawn and shadow*: I think that you two should go spend some alone time together god knows it will likely be the last peaceful time either of you will have for a while once this war kicks off
Shadow: are you Christian Lord Malus?
Malus: what makes you ask?
Shadow: well you said "God only knows" and...
Malus: well to tell you the truth I'm Roman Catholic now stop asking stupid questions and scoot off to do whatever it is young lovers do these days...shotgun weddings if I'm to belive the papers
*Malus strides off mumbling about the state of the world today*

Note to all registered folks: Please jump in any time I, Letz and my mulitple personality disorder (which provides our lovely Non-player characters most of the time) are sick of carrying the story on our own

As I run through the halls & chambers of the citadel I howl loudly. I wish for my intentions to be known. I want everyone to watch as I strike that son-of-a-bitch down! Finally I reach an upper balcony on like the 90th floor. I stop & close my eyes. I know exactly where he is. The coward is hiding.
"COME ON OUT JEAN CLAUDE! I KNOW YOU'RE THERE!"
I roar & bark & growl & howl somemore.
"COME ON! COME & FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!"
He teleports right in front of me.
Jean Claude: "Hello Shawn. Long time no see."
Shawn: "ENOUGH! LET'S SETTLE THIS ONCE & FOR ALL!"
Jean Claude: "So be it then."
He opens a small black portal & summons a long silver rapier. He swish's it around for a few seconds.
Jean Claude: "Enguarde!"
Shawn: "DIE MOTHERFUCKER!"
I leap at him like the animal I am. My eyes are glowing a fiery red. He steps aside & lungs at me. I dodge. I swipe at him with my claws cutting off a peice of velvet from his coat.
Jean Claude: "Sacre Bleu! You fool! This suit is older than you are. You'll pay for that."
He poses again.
Shawn: "BRING IT ON YA PANSY!"
I jump over him & claw at his back a few times. He teleports a few feet away & begins lunging at me again. I dodge the lungs but I get hit in the arm by a sudden swing. I yelp in pain. I stare at him, point my claw at him & motion for him to come to me.
Jean Claude: "Very well then."
He comes charging at me swinging his sword furiously. I take each of the hits. He steps back & watches. My arms are bleeding terrible but I still smile at him with a big tothed grin. I swipe at him, he dodges, then I grab the sword with my teeth. He's still holding onto it so I shake my head sending him to the ground. I lock my jaws & bite the sword so hard it shatters. I glare at him & leap onto him. He just stares up at me in terror as my bloody eyes look him up.
Shawn: "NOW YOU DIE, JEAN-FUCKING-CLAUDE!!"
I bite his neck & lock my jaws into him. He can't move & he can't breath. His blood pouring onto the old stone floor. His body shakes. I shake my head until he goes limp. I get up, his body still in my mouth, & I slam him to the floor & crank my neck up ripping his head off. By now his blood & spinal fluid are everywhere. I spit his head out & get up. I let out a long victorious howl. I revert back to human form & wipe off my mouth with my arm.
Shawn: "...& that, is what happens to anyone who fucks with Shawn Croft--Silverfang!!!"

*Razorback walks up to Malus*
Razorback: Malus my old fang sucker it's a pleasure to see you again!
Malus: and you Razorback you sharp clawed son of b***h
Razorback: if it wasn't true I'd take offense at that, any way I have some information for you and Gaius
Malus: Oh? about shawn then
Razorback: yes he declined to become a pack memeber again
Malus: as we all suspected he would but he had to have the chance
Razorback: true enough, so where is Gaius? I had seen him speaking to Claw for a while and haven't seen him since?
Malus: you mean you didn't listen in?
Razorback: unlike that pup shawn most of the wereclans were welped to do such things with discretion, so I told my people to respect Gaius' and Claw's privacy
Malus: well Claw has asked him to make the dragon bond with him
Razorback: then old Malcaus has finally passed to the next world then?
Malus: yes a few months back he died of an assassin's knife
Razorback: did the dragons extract revenge?
Malus: yes they immolated the assassin village the killer hailed from
Razorback *winces*: ouch well that'll fix'em
Razorback: Malus I just remembered when silverfang left my quarters he had blood in his eyes and was tearing hell speed on a scent trail
Malus: *sighs* I had better inform the magi that Wizard Jean Claude is about to suffer an unfortunate accident
Rzaorback: old feud?
Malus: over a woman as most such things are
Razorback: one of mine? or yours? or heaven forbid a normal mortal female?
Malus: one of mine, if you'll excuse me I have to get a medical crew and a janitorial staff to clean up after young shawn
Razorback: then I bid you farwell my friend

*meanwhile in a chamber far removed from the vampire fortress and deep below the earth*
Gaius: it is time to begin
*casts torch in to oil and suddenly flame is all over the room, Gaius walks to the center, seats himself and begins the ancient ritual of preperation*
Gaius: "flames burn within me, as the burn withing my brother, flames purify me and make me ready, flames temper me like steel and make me strong"

I walk to Razorback's quarters. We Werebeasts never have to announce our presence. He already knows I'm here.
Razorback: "Come in Silverfang. I've been expecting you."
Shawn: "Please call me Shawn. You know that I only use my human name."
Razorback: "Yes I remember, & you'll remember that I only call Werebeasts by their true name. Now, what is so important that you could not wait to speak with me until the delegation gathered?"
Shawn: "I've been informed that all of my bounties have been removed & that I'm now a pack member again. Is this correct?"
Razorback: "Yes. These actions were taken per request from Sir Gaius. Is there a problem?"
Shawn: "Actually there is. I appreciate my bounties being removed but I wish to decline the 'honor' of being a pack member again."
Razorback: "What? Why? Whatever for?"
Shawn: "It's very simple. I fight alone. I always have, I always will."
Razorback: *sighs & rubs eyebrows* "Lone Wolf to the end huh? *sighs* Very well then, your request is granted, it would seem that there is no stopping you anyway. *scoffs* Since when is there ever any stopping 'you'? You know, out of all my subjects you give me the most headaches."
Shawn: "Hey, it's a gift really. Now if you'll excuse me sir, I have some...business to attend to."
I turn to walk away.
Razorback: "You do know Silverfang, that if you decline this now, it will never be offered again. If you choose to go it alone now, then alone you shall be. You'll have no backing from any of the packs, save for a few individuals who still wish to be your friends. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Shawn: "Oh yeah I'm sure. Alone is what I do best. I'll still help fight in the coming war though. Give my regards to the delegation...& by that I mean tell them to stay out of my way. Adios!"
I walk out of the room. Razorback is left shaking his head.
Razorback: "That boy. *continues to shake head* Despite his youth & that cursed chain, he still has managed to become one of the most powerful Werebeasts in the world. Hell, he may even be more powerful than me now. But he is still not strong enough to take on the whole world alone. Of course, he'll never see that, no matter how many times he gets told, no matter who tells him. *sighs* I guess all I can do is sit back & watch."
Outside. I'm storming off to find my first "victim". Jean Claude will pay! I thought I told Shadow to stay in my room. She never listens. She's almost as stubborn as me. Whatever! She can watch the show if she wants. I'm going wolf. I transform & run off into the direction of his scent. Shadow stays hidden but close behind.

Frank: hey Gaius wait!
Gaius: yes frank can I help you?
Frank uh maybe it's about the boss...
Gaius: yes?
Frank: well you know he's got this thing for shadow and...
Gaius: Frank I know that, now what's up?
Frank: well I was wondering can vampires and werewolves...you know...breed?
Gaius: yes
Frank: huh? I thought because vampires were undead...
Gaius: they aren't it's a common misconception, if you ask nicely malus can explain it for you but right now I have a rather important ritual to prepare for and I'm in a bit of a hurry so I must take my leave
*strides off at a fast pace*

"Jean-fucking-Claude again huh?" I mutter to myself as I walk down the hallway. I didn't even need to be told that he was here, I can smell him a mile away. I can smell that sorceror too. Damnit! Why does everyone think that they can sneak up on me?! Haven't they learned yet?! I always know! I tell Shadow to wait for me in my room. First I'll go talk to the High Fang as requested. Then, then I'll take out some unreleased anger on a few people who deserve it. I wonder what Frank is doing right now?

*digs in pocket for flask and takes a swig of rum*
who the hell was that?
Ah well he seems like he'll help so he can't be much of a problem.
*Malus Walks up*
Malus: the chamber for your preperation is ready Old Blood
Gaius: Excellent I shall go into seclusion at once I leave the preperations in your hands Malus my old friend
Malus: but Sir they may not listen to me
Gaius: listen they listen to me and you are my appointed envoy, they'll listen to you savvy?
*stalks away to the ritual chamber*
Malus*sighs and shakes his head*: I wish I had his confidence

*teleports in front of gaius*
Ah, my old friend. So once again the evil of the shades threatens the world. Will those createns never die? Anyway, I feel I can be a help to you. Allow me to follow shawn and shadow. Of course we both know he wouldn't like me following him. *sigh* Too much of a loner to see strentgh in numbers. So don't tell him i'm following him or... well we both know what might happen. See you later.
*fades into a shadowy mist*

I want you and shadow to infiltrate the shades, you two have the perfect cover story, persectued by humans, rejected by your own kind because of your love for one another and you get the general idea but that's later for know I'd like you to go speak with the Were-Beast delegation the High Fang wanted to have some words with you
*turns to walk away*
oh and before I forget some character named "jean claude" was looking for you something about a "question of honor", one more thing Malus requests that when you meet jean claude you try to be rather neat about your fight he can't spare any one to clean up mass blood stains. If you need me talk to Malus he'll help you, I'll be in seclusion for the next week preparing for the dragon bond
*strides off*

"Yeah...basicly. I mean, there's still a few personal questions I'd like to ask a few people but for now i get the gist. I overheard you say that you needed my help. What kind of help?"

well to start your bounties have all been anulled and you are a pack member in good standing again the first to be so in about six generations according to the High Fang, so no one really has a reason to fight you except for personal vendettes and a moratorium has been declared on that sort of thing until the current trouble has been sorted out.

As to the real enemy here...they call themselves the "Shades" dark beings from well no one is sure where they come from but they've come to this earth before and it's all ways violent. Again no one knows exactly what their doing besides them but they do it with incredible military force bolstered with troops taken from disgruntled elements of races like the vampires and werewolves. Now we know that the shades are not warriors of Hell as they have attacked the underworld before with enough sucess the prince bezelbub and his army are going to fight with us. Does that clear close to everything up?

"Yeah actually. But I'd also like a heads up on who the real enemy is here. I just passed at least 6 characters that have attacked me before. What gives?"

Out of Character: Shadow was mentioned by letz in passing I just put words in her mouth, Malus was created out of nessecity by where the game was going. His name came from a guy I know on another boards name

I create characters and then place myself in to them and act as they would. It'd called character acting or if you will role-playing. It just happens that I have a highly fertile imagination

Back in Character:

Gaius: Well to start a dragon bond or nash'ti ka'chi is when a nash'ti or dragon rider bonds with a dragon. This bond has several benefits inculding telepathy between rider and mount and extended life for both, not that extended life affects me at all or claw for that matter he's an immortal as well. Now the bond between rider and dragon is kind of like a marrige only it's much closer dragon and rider literally become one being sharing mind and soul between each other until one or both dies which happens more often than one surviving the other (many commit suicide after the death of their partner) Some of the other benefits of making the bond is that rider and dragon become the most dangerous combatants on earth and can only be overwhelmed by massive force on a scale of 1 army to 1 dragon/rider pair.
does that make any sense?

ok on a totally unrelated to this game note.

Jesus, Amp, you are entirely insane. Where did all these characters come from? Shadow? Malus? Malcus? Lord whatever? You are nuts!!!

"Actualy, my parents taught me that eavesdropping was a Werewolf's privelage. But unfortunately, I have only part of the whole story. Each time I think that I know exactly what is going on, I get 180ed. I need to know EVERYTHING, & I do mean EVERYTHING."

Gaius from his postion at the front of the council chamber observes shadow and shawn walking in hand and hand and nudges frank under the table "see that's why I didn't take your bet"
Frank: Lord help me where have all the suckers gone?
Gaius: don't feel to bad about it I've been gambling since before your great-great-great-great-grand sire was whelped

*Gaius Stands*
"Delegates I welcome you to the Grand Council Chambers of the Vampires and the World High Council's 3rd Meeting" "We meet today to discuss a threat that if left unchecked may once again ravage the world as in the ancient times, I speak delegates of the shades, the dark beasts that are so vile that even hell has sent a representative to aid in dealing with them. I ask you all to pledge your goverment's respective militaries to fight under me and my high command to be made up of the leading generals of all pledged nations. So I ask you now what say you? St Micheal?
St. Micheal Archangel and Marshal of Heaven: The Angels of Heaven shall fight with you Gaius Longveus
Prince Bezelbub: And the demons of Hell have yet to miss out on a fight of this scale wether we have to fight with angels or not!
Trojhammer Dwarf King: My kin and I haven't had a good scrape for three thousand years! we fight with you Lord Longevius!
Malus Lord of the Vampires: Old Blood is there even a question as to where the vampires stand?
Tal'sa Zumadda High Warlock of the Magi Confederacy: All users of magic will stand with you against this threat
Claw High Wing of the Dragons: We dragonsssss and our nassssh'ti (Human Dragon Riders) ssshall fight as we did the last time thissss sssscum came to our beloved homesss
Crown Prince Goldleaf of the Elven Kingdom: We elves will do what is required to defeat this threat
Bruti Sandskimmer of the Merfolk: We shall not fight with you we have been contacted by the Shades and they assure us that their intentions are peaceful
Claw High Wing: yess peacful like the lassst time wee thinksss when they ssssunk your preciousss ccity of atlantissss
Gaius: Enough Claw my old friend Bruti and his people have made their choice and we shall not ridcule them for this
High Fang Razorback of the Werebeast Clans: We Were-creatures will battle this threat but we must admit that many of ours have rallied to the shades cause.
Malus: as have ours, it is from the persecution by the humans that they do this, they want revenge
Gaius: They to have cast their lot as our enemies and shall be treated as such, We shall adjourn for now and Marshal our armies and bring them here to stage we shall continue this in one month until then this council stands ajourned *bangs gavel*

5 minutes later
High Wing Claw: Gaiusss may we have a word?
Gaius: of course old friend
*turns to Malus*
Gaius: Malus make sure that shawn and shadow don't run off somewhere I have work for them
Malus: I'll take care of it and then see to the army
Gaius: Good I'll see you at dinner
*malus leaves*
Gaius: now old friend what can I do for you?
High Wing Claw: as you may have heard my nassssh'ti (pronounced NA Sh tye) has finally passed in to the next world
Gaius: No I had not heard that malcaus had passed, I regeret your loss my friend he was a mighty warrior and a better friend
High Wing Claw: you ssspeak true old friend but you know that as per our lawssss without a nassssh'ti I cannot fight in battle
Gaius: Yes I am so aware
High Wing Claw: So I would request that you perform the dragon bond and become my nassssh'ti
Gaius*looking slightly stunned*: Old friend nothing would honor me more, and while I am slightly suprised I accept whole heartedly
High Wing Claw: excellent old friend I shall call the ritual performers and we shall perform the bonding in one weeks time but until then I must marshal my troops, until then old friend

*Claw takes off and flys away*
*Gaius stands waching him leave for a minute*
Gaius: Shawn didn't you parents ever teach you not to eavesdrop?
Gaius: but never mind you seem like your curious about the bonding that Claw and I were speaking of what do you want to know?

As Shadow & I continue kissing a guard walks in.
Guard: "Sir Croft, your presence is requested in the great hall. Oh, & you are also invited miss Shadow."
Shawn: "Thank you, we'll be along in a minute."
The guard leaves.
"Lets go."
Shadow takes my hand & we leave the room.