by Lady Dragonspaw
Katrina didn't know what she was going to do. School was starting up again and she wasn't quite ready for it. She hadn't been sleeping well and had the feeling she forgot to do something. There was something more; she'd felt… drawn in one direction. She felt most strongly at night. See didn't really have anyone to ask about this. The other scouts and the guys were off at various camps and family trips, and she'd feel silly if she asked Shadow or Darby. That train of thought led Katrina to think of Shadow. Where was the Siamese anyway? Probably with Zalla, the two of them had been hanging out a lot lately. Katrina looked over at the clock. It was late. Katrina glanced outside and felt the pull again. Suddenly she decided. She'd find whatever was causing this, even if it was only her imagination. Transforming as quietly as she could she sneaked out of the house, it wasn't that hard, Darby was still asleep. She followed the feeling into the park. Finally she found the place she was looking for. It was a small clearing deep in the woods. After she waited for a moment she began to feel like an idiot. She asked herself, "What am I doing here?" As she turned to leave.
Then she heard, "Don't go!"
Katrina slowly turned to see who said that. What she saw was a ghostly woman. The woman spoke again, "Don't be afraid. I am your mother Queen Deraspa."
Katrina blinked. She asked, "My mother?"
"Yes," Deraspa answered. "I have come here to warn you of something, actually someone, and give you a weapon."
Katrina looked at Deraspa and waited expectantly for her to continue.
Deraspa went on, "The person who is Carack. I believe Steel Kitty warned you before about him. He always wanted power, our power. Although he wasn't a dragon (he was humanoid) he decided that he could have all the power if he had a 'tame' dragon to do his bidding. Being a very stupid male he felt that a young female, although weak enough for him to control, might not have enough power. So he decided to take as many as he felt he needed. Knowing that each royal dragon family had been set up because of innate power he began stealing every dragon princess he could get his hands on. Naturally he didn't count on you and your friends. Carack was defeated but not destroyed and placed in a prison but escaped about the time Queen Beryl attacked here. He seeks revenge and beware for he has found power in other places.
"The weapon I give you is the Alma scepter. It is very mysterious. The attack and how to activate that attack changes with each new owner of this scepter. You must find the attack before you can destroy Carack. Also your friends will find new attacks as they grow stronger." Katrina smiled and said, "Thanks, Mother. I think I remember you a little. I'll certainly never forget you now. Oh! How should I use the wand until I find the attack?" Deraspa said, "Well I suppose by hitting them on the head with it. Not very magical or impressive but effective. I love you, my daughter. Fare well. Take care of your friends."
Deraspa started to fade as Katrina said, "I love you too, Mother. Bye."
When Katrina was finally alone she was a little sad but happy that she had met her mother. She walked home with her head full of thoughts. By the time she was home she had just enough time to de-transform before she fell into bed asleep. She slept peacefully with her hand clutched around the scepter.
A few weeks later during the first day back at school…
Katrina was at school approaching the other scouts who were already talking when she met up with Mary. "Hi, Mary. I have something to tell you now that you're back from vacation. I have a new weapon that I can use! It's called the Alma scepter. The only problem is I need a key phrase to activate it and I don't know what attack it uses. And my mother, the one who gave it to me, said it changes for each owner."
Mary grinned. She loved solving problems. Mary said, "Okay. It has to be some phrase that means something to you. How about 'Pandas are the coolest'?"
Katrina frowned and said, "But Pandas aren't the coolest. Polar bears are way better."
Mary disagreed. "There is no way polar bears are better than panda bears!" she exclaimed.
Meanwhile the two where getting closer to the rest of the group. Sandi said, "This is so cool! We're sophomores this year! So we aren't loser fresh-," Mary and Katrina interrupted her.
"Polar bears!"
"No, panda bears!"
Everyone looked at the two very confused. What were they talking about? That's when Katrina turned to the rest and asked, "Okay. Aren't polar bears way cooler than panda bears?"
When she received only blank looks to her question she turned back to Mary and said, "Well, everyone knows polar bears are better."
Chrissy was the first to recover from shock and said, "Um… Isn't that something pretty dumb to argue about? I mean there are better things."
Mary and Katrina brought themselves to a halt. If Chrissy thought it was dumb that was pretty bad. Oh, well on to other things. Katrina filled everyone in on the new weapon and the new enemy. Brianna said, "So this guy remembers us but we don't remember him, right?"
Katrina nodded. That sounded right.
Talena turned to Amarus and asked, "You didn't die like we did. Do you remember him?"
Amarus said, "True, I didn't have to be reborn like you guys did, but I wasn't there. This was before I was reassigned to your group." Sandy said, "Well that's not good. We hardly know anything about this new enemy except he hates us." Amarus said, "Wait. I was around then so I remember some of the gossip I heard. I heard he was very handsome, charming, and vain. I think he also was friends with one of the royal families. They were how he found out where all those girls where. Um… there was also one rumor. It was hushed up quite a bit so it might not be true, but it was that he fell in love with one of your group and that was how you managed to defeat him before."
Chrissy laughed and said, "Cool. I wonder which one of us it was. Maybe me with my vivacious personality." (she was skipped ahead after all so her vocab is good)
Mary said, "Amarus said it was just a rumor, so don't go blowing it out of proportion. Besides, it could have easily been I."
The girls laughed and the conversation turned to less important matters… The five-minute bell rang so the girls went to their different first period classes. Katrina had Spanish first period. As she was walking to the class room she accidentally ran into another boy. He was tall with brown hair and a nice smile. Katrina said, "I'm sorry. Are you in this class?"
The boy smiled and said, "Yes. I'm Gary Naxan. What's your name?" (oh my, Tamora Pierce fans. does this name sound familar? since we later find he does nothing for the story. he's here for fun)
Katrina smiled and said, "I'm Katrina. We'd better sit down."
The entire class sat down according to the teacher's random seating chart. Katrina noticed that Steve and Gary were sitting near her. The teacher was talking about Spanish and how they, as third year students, would watch some show called "Destinos". She got to talking to Gary and became friends with him. For some reason Steve didn't like Gary. A few weeks later everyone had accepted the fate of school and had settled in. Katrina was working hard on her geometry homework. Since she didn't like that whole math thing she had to apply herself to make sure she actually did it. To help with energy she was eating corn chips as she was doing this. Finally! She was done, and while she was sitting back enjoying the completeness of her math homework Shadow wandered in. Sitting down pristinely she said, "Katrina, you should keep on guard even though we haven't seen the enemy yet. He'll show up sometime," She paused to sniff the air, then began again, "What is that I smell? Is that corn chips? I love corn chips. They are so tasty in their salty way. Give me one."
Katrina looked at Shadow and said, "No. Chips aren't good for cats. We don't need you getting fat just before we go against a bad guy. It might even make you sick."
Shadow looked at Katrina for a long moment and said calmly, "If you don't give me one I'll shred your homework."
Katrina said, "You're bluffing. You're my guardian. You'd never mess up my academics. Luna is always trying to get Serena to do her homework. So I don't think you'll shred it. Besides, I say they aren't healthy for you."
Shadow leapt upon the defenseless homework and it went to ribbons. Katrina jumped to stop her but was too late. Whilst Shadow sedately walked over to the abandoned bag and started munching, Katrina went running around for tape and tried to tape it back together. The next day at school…
Katrina related to the rest what had happened. They laughed when they say the lump of tape that was once her homework. Sandy said, "Reepicheep does stuff like that sometimes. Except it's only when I ask her to."
Bruce suddenly popped out of Brianna's backpack and said, "Reepicheep would do that?! No way!"
After a leap of surprise away from Bruce Brianna shouted, "How'd you get in there?"
Bruce said, "I learned to sneak like this from dear Reepicheep. Well... Maybe she would eat your homework. She's so nice and sweet and..."
Everyone rolled their eyes at how silly Bruce was being and they went off to their separate classes. In Spanish Steve kept being kind of mean to Gary. Katrina couldn't figure out why. At the end of class she asked Gary if he knew why. Gary said, "I happened to overhear-"
Katrina interrupted, "Were you eavesdropping?"
Gary ignored her and said, "I happened to overhear why Steve is upset with me. He seems to think that I'm some sort of rival for you. Does that make any sense to you?"
Katrina was surprised. She hadn't thought Steve could have been jealous. At her silence Gary decided to continue, "Well don't worry about me. I've got a girlfriend. Good luck with Steve."
Katrina said, "Bye," as she left.
When she got to math class she tried to explain what happened to her math homework. "Well my cat started trying to eat it! It's not my fault!"
The teacher replied, "Keep your homework away from your cat then. I can't even tell what these scribbles are. You won't get any credit for it."
Katrina sat down very upset and turned to ask Chrissy if she had done her homework. Chrissy, who had zoned out for the moment snapped back and said, "Uh yeah sure. But… I don't have it with me because… er… Emily ate it! That's right. She ate it."
Katrina continued to look at Chrissy, this seemed the key to making her confess. Katrina wondered idly how much Chrissy would blurt this time. Chrissy said in a rush, "I wasn't staring at that guy over there. I swear. I swear, I'm loyal to Tim. I, uh, really like him still. He's not being a jerk. I was only looking in that direction and he happened to be in that direction. I swear."
Katrina looked over at this guy that Chrissy 'wasn't staring at'. Surprisingly enough she recognized him. It was one of Steve's good friends Zach. He was pretty cute. After she decided that she should play match-maker, Katrina started plotting. First Tim must be checked out to see what was going on with him. Next, Zach's feelings for Chrissy would need research, and then third and most important the couple would be thrown together. On another note, her problem with Steve had to be resolved.
Later that day everyone was over at Kyle's house watching Mtv/2. (Can anyone tell I love that channel? This is the second time our characters were watching it. It's better than Mtv. More music, less talk. 'Nuff of me.)
Suddenly a chill passed through Katrina. As she looked around it appeared everyone else did too. There was a bright flash of light and she looked down. She had transformed. It was so weird, it was the first time she had transformed without willing it. She looked around all the girls were transformed and all the guys, except Kyle, had too. Katrina felt a mild surprise. She had suspected that Steve was the Draco Knight but now she knew for certain. She looked down the couch. Raoul was the Gold Rogue, Christian the Ice Lord, Tim the Midnight Caper, and Alex was Ignis Bearnett. The other girls expressed the same emotions and Ana said, "I knew it."
Chrissy said, "Oh this is so cool! Isn't it Tim?"
Tim looked irritated at finding out Sailor Starfire was really Chrissy. He slumped and looked off into a corner. Chrissy looked at the floor a little upset.
Sailor Yui smiled, as did Mary. They were all pleased, with exception of Tim to find their suspicions to be true. Kyle said in the pause, "Now that you're finished. The question of why that just happened might be important. The guys never change unless you're in trouble. And you're right here." Shadow, Zalla, and Snowy all ran into the room. Three little furry things dislodged from them. They were Reepicheep, Bruce, and Eorpe. The looked around for a moment and Snowy said, "It's started."
Shadow said, "You're right. He has to be here."
Tim asked a little panicked, "You don't mean in the room right?"
Reepicheep said, "Of course not. Don't be dense."
Zalla said, "With this proof I would say we shall be in big trouble."
Eorpe said, "From what you've told me it will be a hard fight but they can do it."
Bruce said, "I hope so."
Suddenly a black and white streak flew into the room. It stopped on Starfire's lap. It was Emily. She created a pause in the conversation, so Steve asked, "Did they always talk?"
Katrina said, "Yeah. Didn't you notice them talking before?"
Steve said, "Well, it was always hectic when I saw them. It's weird, but cool. Too bad I don't have one," Steve turned and looked at the shaking Tim and asked, "What's wrong with him?"
Katrina said, "You don't want one, trust me," the other girls nodded and then stopped when they saw their guardians looking at them. Then innocent looks were assumed. She continued, "I guess he doesn't think talking animals are cool. Ooh, maybe if Snowy changed into her real form as a white tiger he'd relax."
Tim was freaked out enough by that last comment to jump over the back of the couch that he had been paralyzed on. Sandrock whispered to Starfire, "It seems to me that he shouldn't be a tuxy let alone one of our team."
Starfire nodded in agreement. And somewhere far away a computer printed a small piece of paper which said, "Official complaint has been raised against one, "Midnight Caper", involving placement. This complaint must be checked out."
The Gold Rogue said, "Okay. Who is here?"
Then Emily made a strangled cough like sound. Shadow said, "That's right, Emily. It's Carack."
Everyone stared at Emily for a moment and Starfire asked, "Who's been teaching Emily to talk?"
Zalla said, "We have been working on it. It was Shadow and Snowy's idea. They thought she could be very helpful if she could communicate a little better. I hope you do not mind."
Ignis Bearnett said, "This is nice but who exactly is Carack?"
Kyle said, "Carack is an old enemy. He tried to capture all the girls, but they foiled him. Now I suppose he is back for revenge."
Steel Kitty said, "Well if he's here now then where is he?"
Icesis pulled out her little computer thing and located him. She announced, "I can't find him. It says he's in Dementerville but nothing beyond that."
Sandrock said, "I wonder which one of us it was that he loved."
Snowy looked at her and said, "It was Lady Icesis. He was enchanted with her from the first time he saw her. She'll have to be very careful. I don't know what his reaction will be when he sees her next."
The Ice Lord moved over to Icesis and said, "Don't worry I'll do my best to protect you." Everyone else said similar things, and since they knew there was nothing more they could do they all went home.
The next morning…
Katrina was up early finishing her math homework that was due that day. Shadow woke up, uncurled, and leapt off the bed. As she looked between Katrina's homework and bowl of strawberry oatmeal she said, "Katrina. Choose. The oatmeal or the homework."
Katrina was no fool, in this instance anyway. She hurriedly handed her oatmeal over. Then a few minutes later she was done! She ran out the door with her homework held securely in her hands. She had planned on going over to Ana's place that morning. When she got there it seemed odd somehow. Quietly she crept in and she saw a monster, Ana, and a man. Plus Ana looked scared. A very bad sign. She called the rest of the scouts. She then decided to take her chances and not waste time transforming. Katrina ran in. Ana spotted and said, "Katrina watch out!"
The monster that looked like a cross between Pikachu and a crab ran over to Katrina and attempted to grab her. She did a back flip(that's cool) to get away but the monster succeeded in getting her homework which he shredded. Katrina shouted, "No," as she ran over to Ana.
Ana said in a subdued tone, "That man is Carack."
The man was dressed in a suit similar to Goku's usual training outfit, except it was a light blue. He had blond hair like Trunks.(he does have blond hair. it's just silvery) He said, "Icesis, darling, come with me. You don't need weaklings like her," he looked a little more intently at Katrina. Then he said angeredly, "You! You're that girl that led her astray. I will make sure you are killed!"
Then everyone else arrives on the scene. Carack growls in anger, said, "I'll be back for the final battle," and disappeared.
Katrina transformed, pulled out the Alma Scepter and leapt at the monster. She started beating it as she shouted, "You destroyed my homework!! Die!! Die!!" (a little high strung are we?) The rest of the scouts had to pull her off the monster and Icesis used Celtic Slumber to put it to sleep. Then Starfire and Curtain used their attacks together to fry the monster. (Dragonspaw was still wanting to beat the monster with her scepter, everyone else was trying to calm her down.)
In Spanish class they were watching "Destinos" and Katrina tried to covertly tape her homework back together, again. She looked up long enough to see one of the love interests of this guy pick up a picture of his ex-wife that he had on his mantle. She suddenly remembered a story, "The Landlady", and she said, "He's got his wife embalmed in his basement and plans to do it to her next."
The kids near Katrina looked at her for a moment, rolled their eyes back, and then went back to the movie. Then in math class Katrina tried to reason with the teacher again. The teacher sighed and said, "Look Katrina, you're a good kid but I just can't believe that a monster directed by an alien ripped up your homework. You're very imaginative, but since I can't tell if you've done anything no credit. Just like last time."
Katrina was very frustrated. Why wouldn't they let her beat the thing to a pulp? He deserved it. She looked at Chrissy and remembered. She sat down and shouted, "Hey, Zach. Could you come here?"
Chrissy looked at Katrina and said, "No. You'd better not say anything!"
Katrina said innocently, "What's to tell?" Zach had come over so Katrina said, "Zach, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Chrissy here. She told me that she really likes your band. Wants to know more about it."
Zach smiled and said, "That's cool. I remember you, Chrissy. You were at one of our concerts." Class was about to start so he said, "I'll talk to you later." Then he went back to his seat.
Until next time.
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