H.E.R.O. and H.I.V.E.

Nemesis~~~~~~HERO

That does it! Now you're going to get it, pony boy. Nemesis shifted back to his human form and made rocks form three levitating circles around himself, glaring at Renn. He growled, "Don't judge my dragon form. Just because my dragon form's younger than my real age, doesn't mean I'm not strong." He shot pebbles at Renn, his bloodred eyes on the target. Being called a hatchling was one of the worst insults he ever heard in his life. Some of the rocks formed into arrows, but he restrained himself from using them. Something inside him didn't have the heart to kill Renn in spite of his wounded pride. He stopped shooting pebbles and kept the circles of rocks spinning like shields.

Renn Ariyal: HIVE

Renn spat out a mouthful of blood and smirked. "It's always so easy to make dragons lose their temper. Arrogant blowhards, the lot of you." He taunted. Distantly Renn was aware of other HERO and HIVE members circling warily around the two of them. It seemed even humans could sense the abnormal tension in the air.

He breathed a sigh of relief that the other boy had taken human form. His dragon scent was once again masked by human scent. Personally Renn thought he was allergic to dragons, their always made him sneeze.

Warily, he eyed the stone arrows circling around Nemesis' head. Those could be painful if he lost sight of them. Luckily they had managed to buy quite a bit of time thanks to Jerica's diversions. The sun was high in the sky now, and he was free to use his own powers.

The air distorted in front of him hazing in the sudden heat Renn gave off. In seconds the glade was sweltering hot, the water boiling. And then evaporating rapidly. Soon a dense fog obscured the clearing and Renn moved silently.

He passed by Nemesis and slipped a note in the other boys pocket without his noticing. It read: "If you want to know the truth of what you are meet me on the mountain peak at sunset. R.

Renn kept moving until he was at the cliff. He heard startled shouts and cries as others tried to find their way through the fog. Wary of using their powers in case they hit an ally. But this glade was his Territory, so Renn knew where everyone was.

He crouched down and grabbed Jerica's and Ei's hands. Speaking low so their voices wouldn't carry. "Did they get Circe?"

Ei gave an irritated sigh. "Yes. They did."

"Then we need to leave, before they get their bearings." Renn said. Silently they slipped back into the trees moving steadily away. Jerica studied him curiously. It's noon, isn't the lesson over?"

"Officially it's over." Renn told her. "But from what my dad says the students have a tendency to keep playing until a clear victor has been decided. The only difference is that the rules, no longer apply. And it's not like the teachers will do anything to stop it. It fosters the rivalry between the two schools." Behind them they heard the howl of wind as someone blasted the fog up into the sky.

*I'm planning to have something big happen on the mountain, in case anyone else wants to be their as well.*

Nemesis~~~~~HERO

He let the rocks fall to his feet, deeply insulted yet tired of fighting. He had worn himself out through the lesson, so he decided to head off a private spot as so to calm his fried nerves. He walked to a pond and took off his shoes and socks to soak his feet in the water. He uncovered a note and read it to himself. "The truth of what I am, eh? How will I know it's not of your tricks, pony boy?" The teachers in HERO knew that Nemesis was abandoned as a baby and raised in an orphanage until he was sent to a foster home at three years old, but now even HIVE knows he can become a dragon at his own will. He thought over what the note said. He hardly knew himself except for having telekinesis and the ability to become a dragon. He sighed. "I guess I got no other option than to show face. If he knows what I am, then I might have one less mystery to solve once I get out of school." With his decision under consideration, he took to the mountain peak. He decided to just walk there, since his dragon form was too young to fly higher than his human height.

Danny Dapperly- HERO

They had recovered Circe, Danny thought to himself but it looked as things were going to continue. He looked over his shoulder at the whole Jerica had trapped Tony in. With a simple gesture of his blade Tony was lifted out, "Anyone else feel as though HIVE doesn't play fair?" The question was directed at Tony, and partially at Charlotte even though she was tending to Circe. "You guys can catch up I'm going to deal with doppelganger girl and that snake."

Tony nodded at him and began to create an opening again, "You better get this to work as soon as I can I'm coming in to help." As soon as it was there Danny dashed threw it and slammed Jerica in the face knocking her off balance before hitting her in the back of the head with the pommel of his sword knocking her unconscious and rendering her incapable of manipulating the water. I turned to the girl being protected by her doppelgangers. I put away my steel swords, watching them disappear in a storm of data in favor for two wooden blades intended for practicing, but deadly in his hands. "Took you long enough," Tony yelled, he was juggling orbs of water and was preparing to attack a recently awakened Jerica.

I laughed, Nemesis could tear the pony to shreds but this was his kind of fight. I dashed at doppelganger girl and quickly dispatched the first two she sent at me. I closed the gap between she and I. "Well, are you ready." He hadn't liked hitting Jerica he really avoided violence but the adrenaline was pumping and he was relishing the thought of taking on an army of doppelgangers.

Jerice HIVE

I wasn't remotely bothered that Waterboy got out, I'd expected him to, but I was furious that Danny hit me. I sent a sharp stone directly into Danny, and I could see him bleeding out. I smiled, and followed Ei as she went towards Renn. Renn pulled me up onto the cliff, something I didn't have any need of, as I could climb quite capably.

"It's noon, isn't the lesson over."

Renn's explanation shocked me, this place was messed up.

"What are we going to do. There are like three of us-,"

"Duplicates,"Ei interrupted.

"Seven of us, so how are we going to win." I looked to Renn expectantly, as he seemed like he would have a plan.

*Enter Prize*

Renn Ariyal/Prize Gryphon: HIVE

As the beating of wings filled the air. Renn craned his neck up to see a white and gold griffin that landed on top of the cliff. "Eight now." He told Jerica as he walked over to the griffin. There was a brief flash of light and then Prize was in his human form. Like Renn he was slender, but with messy white hair and brilliant blue eyes.

"Why did you follow me Prize?" Renn asked as he punched his best friend on the shoulder.

Prize simply laughed. "Come on Renn. Without you around I'd up and die of boredom."

"HIVE?" Renn asked unnessesarily, peering down to see one of the HERO's start scaling the base of the cliff. Renn sent a jet of flame rippling downwards to discourage that idea and the HERO jumped backwards with a yelp.

Rolling his eyes Prize joined him in looking down. "Of course, I do not want to be your enemy. So Boss, what do I do?"

Renn grinned again and pointed imperiously down at his unfortunate foes. "Make them go poof."

Prize gave him a mock bow and cocked his head to the side. Suddenly the HERO's starting yelling at eachother or running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Renn turned to Ei and Jerica and explained. "This is Prize, my best friend, who apperantly decided to follow me to school. And as you see, he's a pretty powerful empath." He glanced back at Prize who's brow was furrowed in concentration. "How long till they realize it's a ruse?"

"Ten minutes, give or take. We need to be long gone by then." The griffin shrugged.

*And for those wondering yes Prize can use his power and move around at the same time. I suggest the HIVE team flies out Prize is big enough to carry the girls and Renn needs the practice.*

Nemesis Crystalheart~~~~~~~~~~~HERO

Nemesis brushed the dirt off his clothes, glaring high up in the air. You said you'd tell the truth about me, yet you shoot fire at me?! You're pushing your luck, pony boy. He sat on a boulder and made it move up in the air. Deep inside, he was ticked off at Renn. He hated it when someone picks on him, one of the most scarring things that happened in his life. When his foster siblings teased him, he lost his fiery temper and ends up in another foster home in an endless cycle until he turned ten years old. He waited until he reached the peak, then stood up on the boulder with his arms crossed. He growled, "You say you know the truth about me. It better be good. I'm still in a foul mood since you called me a hatchling."

*That's just the cliff at the top of the glade, the mountains out west. But I can work with this.*

Renn Ariyal/Prize Gryphon: HIVE

"Seriously, Renn. You want to talk to a dragon!? What's the world coming to?" Prize cast a heartfelt look up at the sky then redoubled his focus on the HERO's down in the field. Some of them had started to work through the rage and fear he was feeding into them.

Renn ignored Prize's griping and walked over to Nemesis. "I said sunset lizard, it's barely noon. And in case you didn't notice the mountains over there." He pointed to the volcano off in the west, smoke rose ominously from the peak.

Nemesis snarled. "I want answers." Clearly the mystery of his past was a sore point.

Renn softened his tone slightly. "You'll get your answers at sunset. But for now I will tell you this much. You're not human, at least not completely."

Nemesis Crystalheart~~~~~~~~HERO

He clenched his fist, pulverizing the boulder under his feet. His temper was boiling greatly at being called a lizard and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. He came for answers and answers is what he demanded most. He spent his entire teen life trying to solve the mystery that was his roots, so he didn't want to waste the rest of his life searching for the family that abandoned him at his infancy. He wanted to know more than just the fact that he wasn't human. That's something he already knew since he was twelve. The pieces of the shattered boulder floated around him in two rings. He growled deeply, "Don't call me lizard. I have a name. The name is Nemesis."

Renn Ariyal: HIVE

"You don't want me call you lizard then quit it with the pony insult." He said, a crooked smile playing across his face. "Here's something you didn't know. A unicorn's horn is one of the few things capable of piercing dragon armor." Renn's hand drifted up to clasp the pendant he wore.

"As for why you aren't getting your answers now. It would take too long to explain and I don't like to lose. Besides... I have my reasons not to trust dragons."

Renn turned and walked away from Nemesis, pulling his t-shirt off and casting it aside. It was ripped and torn and covered in blood from where the dragon's tail had lashed across his back. He heard Nemesis suck in a startled breath and turned to face him again. His torso was covered in silvery scars, long white lines, the marks of talons, bite marks where the other children had siezed hold of him and shaken him like a toy. Everyone of them made by dragons.

Prize spoke to the wide eyed boy then. "In the tounge of our race, dragons are known as Ancalor, the Great Beasts. It's a title your kin have lived up to when it comes to Renn."

Nemesis Crystalheart~~~~~~~~HERO

The flame that was his fury made his blood boil over. He still wanted answers, but the one who got his attention wasn't giving him what he came for. He still demand for some answers about his roots, not a reason for delay. The rings of stone shattered until there was nothing but dust. He let the dust fall around him, but was still furious. He turned around, his long braid whipping around like a tail. He hissed, "Then forget seeing me at sunset. Unless I get the answers you promised me, I'm not going to the mountain peak at all. When you're ready to tell me what I want to know, it's to the pond down below. I want answers, so I better have them when we meet at the pond." He walked away, going about his own business.

Jerica HIVE

And now there was another shifter, and he seemed to be friends with Renn, who taunted the dragon kid. I couldn't quite follow what was happening, my brain was overloading. It happened sometimes, when I was getting too much adrenaline.

I did catch Renn pulling his shirt off, which scared me a little when I saw his scarred body. Dragons must really be nasty.

I had to unload my energy somehow, so I started filling the air with humidity. When I was on edge I created water.

"Shouldn't we go? Whatever you did to them will wear off," I asked the griffin.

Danny Dapperly- HERO

I had removed the rock Jerica had launched into my leg and had quickly hidden for a mere moment. I took of my nano suit, not before once again summoning some weapons I thought I would need, put on my fighting jacket, zipping it up to the collar, and threw on my pants. I quickly jumped to the top of the cliff in time to hear Jerica. "Shouldn't we go? Whatever you did to them will wear off."

Before they could notice I looked down to see my team mates in chaos, I looked at the new comer and angled my blade at the back of his neck. "It would have been better had you left sooner Jerica, because now I don't plan to let you leave with out something broken." I summoned up a massive wind throwing Renn, Ei, and Jerica over the cliff. I wanted to face this gryphon he sparked something in me that I couldn't suppress.

Apparently he knew how I felt because he turned slowly preparing to fight me. He started talking to me, "I don't know what you are boy or why my abilities don't seem to affect you. But, I don't need my empathy powers to beat you." Of course he was an empath that's how he could feel my rage.

"Well it appears as though you are at a disadvantage shifter I know what both of your powers are so why don't I show you more of mine." I threw the rapier from my left hand to him and watched him stumble to catch it. I took my fighting pose, "En guarde shifter."

*Why does everyone pick on my characters? Can't someone be nice to the boys for a change. Besides neither of them is really a villain. Renn got stuck in HIVE because of his dad, and Prize just followed him.*

Renn Ariyal/Prize Gryphon: HIVE

Once Prize got his bearings the fight became more interesting. He dodged some of the knives with a smooth almost liquid grace. A vision flashed in his mind, a split seconds distraction, but it was enough for Danny to gouge his arm. Prize rolled to the side and even as he moved he was shifting. Danny couldn't do anything though his attention was diverted by Renn's flashing hooves as he reared.

He crouched in front of the girls and his lions tail lashed the rocks. "Get on, now!" Prize ordered the girls. They scrambled up on his back and he leaped into the sky, pumping for altitude. Behind them Renn jumped into the air as well his flight wobbly. Both from inexperience and exhaustion. Then the wind caught his wings and tore him down to earth.

Renn landed in a heap at Danny's feet and screamed as one of his forelegs snapped. He flashed back into human form, clutching his broken arm. In the sky, Prize swore his mind voice shouting into Renn's fading consciousness as he flew away. "Damnit Renn. Your seal's going to break soon. We'll come back for you. Something bad is coming. I can see it, I can feel it. But it's too big for me to get a premonition... Then Renn blacked out completely.

*Since Danny is telepathic he can overhear that message.*

Jerica HIVE

I climbed onto the griffin's back, and he took off as Renn followed him. Renn, now in his unicorn form, was swift but he only made it in the air a few seconds before crashing down to earth at Danny's feet.

I was holding on tightly to feathers, and I was starting to feel altitude sickness; we were so high I could see the whole island and the ocean surrounding it. I had no idea what we were doing next, and I figured I might as well jump.

There was water directly under us, but it was very far down. I knew I'd be fine. So I slid quietly off.

"What the heck are you doing?," Ei screamed as I fell. But I was already diving into the choppy water. Paul loosened around my neck, and swam through the water
towards the shore. I looked up towards the light water, and I saw the griffin hovering above the water. I launched myself up onto the water and stood there.

"Look, I'm going to make some... hazards for the heroes. I'll try to get Renn back, but I can't let one of those kids see me, or he'll learn how to use my powers. Just think of a plan, and do it."

Before any of them could say anything I dove back into the water and pulled a current around me, pushing me to the shore. As I approached the shore I stuck my hands into the cold wet sand underwater, still feeling no urge to breathe. I stuck my hands in further until I felt hard rock. I started feeling tremors in the rock, and soon it was in all the water. I was relieved I was actually making an earthquake. I it wasn't that big, maybe a 4, but the tsunamis would be huge. And the heroes were very close to shore. I just had to get out of here before I got killed.

I scrambled out of the water as fast as I could, and started running to where Renn was. The earthquakes were still going on as I ran, but it didn't bother me, as I'd created them.

I ran through trees until I found a clearing, where I saw Renn on the ground. I was ecstatic, until a hand wrapped around my mouth and the other snapped my wrist.