It was yet another cool, crisp winter's day in the small town of Keller. A town where nothing unusual had ever happened to the innocent students that attended KHS and had the terrible misfortune of being in band. Until now....

The wind blew fiercely against Ryan and Alycen's huddled forms as they hurried into the sanctuary that was the KHS band hall. Stepping inside, they quickly fixed their hair and clothes, praying that this would be the day Rob would notice them. Rob, he was the star of the band hall. The guys wanted to be him, the girls wanted to date him, everyone wanted to see him. Loved by all. All but one, that was. Nica Castro didn't see what all the fuss was over this over-exuberant Italian fellow. She stared mockingly as Ry and Aly drooled over Robs form, barely visible over his monstrous crowd of fans.

"Rob. Rob. He is SO hot right now" Ryan gurgled through a mouth full of drool. "Oh yeah, right." Said Nica sarcastically. "Why do you guys even like him? He is so...so...so odd!" In a flash, Ryan had whipped around, splashing everyone within a 5 foot radius with drool. "How? How can you even SAY that Nicole?" She gasped. "Everyone loves him. EVERYONE! Even the guys!" Nica tried hard to keep a straight face at this last comment. "I don't know�" She sighed "I just don't know"

The morning bell cut through the air, announcing the start of classes. A loud groan was heard from the crowd of fans as they walked sadly away from Rob. Nica, Aly, and Ry strolled into the back hall, Ryan and Alycen chatting happily about how hot Rob was, while Nica looked on, ashamed at how easily they were hypnotized by his Italian charm. Upon entering the back hall, they saw their friend Liz, resting in the arms of her boyfriend Alex. They walked over to greet her, and she joined in on the conversation, undauntingly saying how Hot Rob was, while Alex listened, looking slightly worried

This was the same for every morning. Come to school, see Rob, and sit through agonizingly long classes, waiting eagerly for the lunch bell. This was the time Liz, Ry, and Aly waited for the most. It was the only time Rob talked to just them, telling them many wondrous stories about totties. After a horribly long band period, lunch was finally here, and Liz, Ry, and Alycen skipped merrily into the back hall where Rob sat in his magical blue storytelling chair. They joined Alex and Greg, who were already seated on the ground next to the chair, fawning over Rob's majestic form. As Rob began his beautiful story, a shout cut him off. Everyone looked over to see the band weirdo, Charlie, being loud once more.

"What ever happened to Charlie?" Rob questioned" He used to be so mellow!"

"it was the drama" Said Liz wisely "it went to his head"

And in fact this was true. Many, many months ago, when Rob was unknown to Liz and Ryan, they would spend many a happy hour in practice rooms with Charlie during lunch, listening to him sing them many wondrous tunes. This was no more, however. He had starred in the play "Seussical" and everything had changed. Little did the happy children, now laughing merrily at Charlie's expense, know that Charlie had heard Rob's comment.

Charlie slowly stopped, his so called "friends" continuing without him. He listened to the laughing that now rang in his ears, taunting him. How could this be? He wondered. And yet, it suddenly became clear. The whispers as he passed, the change in his own personality....it suddenly all hit him, and it hit him hard.

"Hey, where's Charlie?"

Charlie heard his own name and peered cautiously into the small band hall, being careful not to be seen. It was his friends. And they were talking about him....

"I don't know" One of them said. "Maybe we finally ditched him eh? He is SO annoying sometimes!"

"More like all the time!" the other sneered, and they had a hearty laugh. Charlie suddenly felt more alone than he had in his entire life. A searing pain made him feel empty inside, as if his heart and disappeared into a dark shadow. Looking down, he felt the sadness consume him.....

No. Just as suddenly as it had come, the pain and grief was replaced by something else. A burning hatred, which spread through his entire body. Annoying eh? he would show them annoying. And they would rue the day they had ever stepped into the path of his Almighty Fleeciness......

Still Rob and his fan club sat, blissfully unaware of the terror that would soon consume them..a terror they had brought down upon the entire band class. The lunch bell rang, dismissing them from their wonderful dream land that was D-lunch. Sadly, they said goodbye to Rob, anxiously awaiting the next day. Little did they know..... Charlie was running, his fury blinding him, consuming him bit by bit. He entered his house and pounded into his room, slamming the door shut with an earsplitting BANG. He was alone. In perfect solitude he sat in his now darkened room, grudgingly wrapping a cane with blue fleece. He would show them...he would show them all!

It seemed to be yet another beautiful Rob filled morning as Ry and Aly stepped into the band hall once more, looking excitedly for the Italian hottie over the head of a disbelieving Nicole. It was perfect, at least, they thought it was. Suddenly the door opened with a bang. A solitary figure stood in the doorway, holding a blue cane over his shoulder. It was Charlie. He glared around the room as they all laughed at his bizarre appearance. Quick as a flash, however, Charlie was upon the closest mocker, a surprised Ryan Gilberg. Pushing him to the ground, he began hitting him again and again with the devastating fleece weapon. Finally, it was over. Ryan lay unconscious on the floor, his body slightly mangled.

The stunned band members didn't know what to do, but as Charlie stepped menacingly forward, and horrible fear fell upon them, and they fled to the walls of the small band hall that had been, only moments before, a happy joyous place. "Is there no one else?" Charlie yelled, his voice echoing madly. Quickly, everyone looked down, some crying over the horribly, fallen form of Ryan. Charlie nodded, and made his way towards the main band hall door. Before it even happened the students now standing scared in the opposite room knew what they would see next. Just on the other side of the door a room of unsuspecting Rob admirers, and Rob himself sat, happily chatting. With yet another bang Charlie burst into the room, sending the door soaring open. It slammed into an innocent Ryan Piersall, who went flying across the band hall, only to crash into the opposite wall where he lay unconscious. A hush fell over the crowd. Upon hearing the crash, the residents of the back hallway had come sprinting out of their lair. Shocked, they looked from the menacing form of Charlie to the unconscious form of Ryan Piersall. With a yell Liz ran forward out of the protective arms of Alex, falling in front of her Saxy friend. However, it was too late...he had been lost. "He.....he's dead!"

The words stunned everyone. "Now you see what evils can come of disobedience." He stated for the entire band to hear, although as far as anyone knew Ryan had done nothing wrong. "Things are going to be different from now on, when I take command of this band!" Liz sobbed over the dead form of her friend, her shoulders shaking uncontroably. Charlie looked over as if seeing her for the first time.

"Get up." he growled evilly. Liz did not get up, but continued to cry over Piersall, not wanting to believe he was gone. "I told you to GET UP!" Yelled Charlie, advancing towards her, his cane raised. He stood over her cowering form, cane raised at the ready. "No, please, please Charlie!" She whimpered. But he didn't seem to hear her. He struck, sending down his weapon. Suddenly Alex was leaping forward, the blow hitting him as he dove in front of Liz. He fell to the ground, clutching his shoulder.

"Alex, nooo!!" Liz cried. But he scrambled up, shielding Liz from Charlie. "You will not touch her!" He cried majestically. Charlie only laughed. He turned, as if to leave. Alex, thinking the danger had passed, turned to help Liz up. But suddenly Charlie spun around, hitting Alex hard in the back. Alex fell to the ground, crying out in pain. Liz stood alone in the middle of the room, staring, terrified, at what was once her friend Charlie.

"I want all of you to get against the wall!" Charlie barked. At once his orders were fulfilled with the shuffling of many feet. But instead of beating senseless yet another of Liz's friends, Charlie just stood there, looking around the room as if transfixed by the sight of so many scared faces. The bell rang, breaking the tense atmosphere, and Charlie still stood. No one dared leave. Suddenly, he turned away, walking slowly towards the doors. And stepping over the body of Ryan, he was gone, swept away by the crowd of students, ignorant to the death that had occurred.

Looking quietly around, the band students stepped slowly away from the wall which they had clung to so willingly only moments before. They walked over to the unconscious form of Ryan Gilberg, lifting him carefully up while some helped Alex, now sporting two black eyes and a very sore back. No one seemed to want to speak, they only wanted to leave this horrible place where they had witnessed a dreadful change come over the once "mellow" Charlie. Not even Rob's fan club seemed eager to stay, although some of them had to, as they were in wind ensemble.

No one moved Piersall's body. No one seemed to want to touch it, so it just lay, seemingly forgotten, in the corner as the wind ensemble gathered their instruments and began to be seated in their positions. Still, no one spoke. Not even Mr. McG dared to make a noise (he had been watching from the safety of his office) as they awaited Charlie's return.

And then he came, sauntering into the band hall as if nothing had happened, carrying only his weapon of fleecy evil. Mr. McGahey didn't dare move. Slowly, he croaked out the words "Where is your tuba, Charlie?" Charlie flopped down into his chair, staring mockingly at Mr. McGahey.

"Today is a free day, remember?" He whispered so quietly that the class strained to hear the words. A spasm of fear, or was it anger, swept over Mr. McGahey's face. "O-of Course! How could I forget?" He stammered, terrified. "That's what I thought you said" Laughed Charlie, using a shaking Josh Chances head as an over inflated foot stool as he stroked his fleece merrily. After a tense class, the bell rang, and Mr. McGahey could breathe again as Charlie left the room to wreak havoc elsewhere. But this was only the beginning.....

For the first time in their short band lives, Ryan, Liz and Alycen didn't want the lunch bell to ring, and when it did they walked grudgingly into the back hall, praying that Charlie would not enter as he had done the day before. As they entered they saw Rob sitting in his blue story telling chair, looking scared but, still in their minds, hot. They took their seats in front of him, although none of them dared speak. They all held their breathes as footsteps were heard But it was none other than little Patrick, coming to put away his lunch, he turned and smiled at them all, and they began to have a much needed laugh. But they laughed too soon.

As if in slow motion, Charlie entered the hall, looking around at what had caused so much joy. And then he saw Patrick, and his mouth broke into a manic grin. He marched towards him, growling.

"Give me your money!" He barked. Patrick stood, terrified, in the path of the fleecy monster.

"I...I don't have any money!!" He yelped. Charlie stopped only inches away from the cowering form of Patrick.

"Don't lie to me you wretch" Breathed Charlie so only Patrick could hear. And quick as a flash he lifted Patrick up by his ankles, holding him in the air while Rob, Ryan, Liz, Alycen, Alex and Greg watched helpless from the side. Charlie viciously shook Patrick, forcing money out of his pockets as he held him upside down. And Patrick only let him do it, knowing resistance could be deadly. Finally, Rob could take it no more. He leapt up, glaring icily at Charlie.

"Leave him ALONE!" he yelled savagely.

Surprised at this sudden attempt of rebellion, Charlie dropped Patrick into a moneyless heap on the floor, where he lay, cowering. "You wish to save this worthless piece of trash?" said Charlie in an evil whisper. "Go ahead then, come and get him� Hesitating at first, Rob stepped forward bravely.

"No Rob! Don't risk your hotness!" cried Ryan, trying desperately to cling to Rob's leg. Rob attempted to shake her off, but she had a death grip on his leg! Charlie was becoming impatient.

"I said, come and get him!" Yelled Charlie. Then he revealed his latest weapon of fleecy evil. A massive whip, at least 50 feet long, was in his hand. "Get off of him you foolish girl." he growled, brandishing the whip at Ryan, who still held fast to Rob's Hottie Tottie pant leg.

Charlie had had enough. With a sudden show of Evil, perhaps fleece induced strength, he flung the whip forward, striking Ryan harshly on the hand. With a cry she released Rob, falling backwards and crying. (a very unusual thing for Ryan to do, just another show of how evil Charlie is) Alycen and Liz attempted to comfort her as Rob looked back at them. Then his face contorted in rage. With a yell he ran towards Charlie. But Charlie was ready. As Rob swiftly dodged his whip, Charlie brought his fleece cane down upon his head. With a cry Rob fell to the ground, where he struggled to stand as Charlie hit him again and again.

And his friends could do nothing but watch as he was mercilessly beaten. Not even Alex or Greg dared to step forward to defend their Idol. Finally, it was over. Charlie stood, transfixed as he was that same morning, looking down upon the sobbing heap that was the once proud Rob. Then turning on his heel, he ran and never looked back.

No one dared move as they watched Charlie disappear around the corner. Instead they only stood, horrified, watching the beaten form of Rob that lay on the ground. Then, after many tense minutes, Greg and Alex stepped forward. Rob was unconscious, his body broken and weak from the harsh "fleecing". They gently lifted him and carried him away as the three girls sat sobbing on the ground, not knowing what would happen next. Rob, the God of Band, had been beaten. No one knew what would happen next without his hot presence to uplift their sinking spirits. They could only sit and watch as the bloodied, finally beaten Rob was carried off into the distance... After a long 4th period the bell rang, signaling a much awaited freedom for some, for others a fear of what was to come. As the band members cautiously made their way to the band hall, they kept a watchful eye out for the fleecy form of Charlie. He had seemingly vanished however, and they passed freely, and quickly, into the band hall to get their instruments. No one spoke.

Only Nica seemed eager to stay in the band hall. She was awaiting the return of her boyfriend, Graham, whom during all the turmoil and Death of the morning she had not seen all day. Finally he appeared and Nica ran to him. He, however, just stopped, looking at the ground.

"I'm sorry Nicole" Nica stopped, confused.

"Sorry for what?" she asked.

He looked up at her. "I am going to have to end it.." and with those words he left Nicole, broken and alone. She just stood as everyone left around her, not comprehending time, until finally she could take it no more. Sobbing, she ran into the now abandoned band hall, where she lay crying and alone. At least she thought she was alone. In a dim-lit corner of the band hall sat Charlie, now wearing a horrendous red cape with a very high collar, playing the piano (not well either) But as Nicole entered he slowed, listening to her sobs. Then with a CRASH his hands came down upon the keys.

"Why are you here, disturbing the peace of Charlie?" he asked, sounding very odd speaking in third-person. Nica slowly stopped crying, looking horrified at the advancing Charlie. She hurried to her feet, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes, as if to hide the fact that it had been HER crying. But there was no one else, only Nica, standing alone and scared in the path of the Fleecy Storm. Charlie stopped a few feet away from her shaking body.

"I asked you what you were doing here....ANSWER ME!!" he screamed at her.

"I...I...I was just walking in here Sir, walking in here to get my clarinet!" She whimpered. Charlie sneered.

"There are no lockers in here. You are a terrible liar, and you shall now pay the price." and with that he lashed out his fleecy whip. Nica cowered, preparing herself for what was to come. She clamped her eyes shut as the whip advanced.

But nothing came. Cautiously Nica opened her eyes. It was Rob! He had returned from the nurses office, where he had lay healing from the horrible beating that had been given to him. But he had returned, and he now stood protectively in front of Nicole, his arms out as if to shield her. A strange light seemed to be coming from him, and the whip suddenly stopped in its path, unable to pass the ultimate hotness of Rob. Charlie winced in the blinding light.

"He is....too hot!" he yelled, turning away from the light. Finally it was too much, and he turned and fled. The terror over, Rob turned, towards Nicole.

"Are you ok?" he asked kindly, holding out a hand to help her up. Nica was shocked as she took his hand. He was so nice! After helping up a more then a little shaken Nica, Rob quickly left the band hall, leaving Nicole amazed at the generosity of the Hot Italian who she thought was so odd.

The next morning it was very reluctantly that Ry and Aly got out of the safety of Tam's Corolla. They hadn't dared speak of what happened at school, fearing Charlie would come and punish them. Stepping out of Tam's car, they hesitantly stepped into the band hall and saw something that amazed them. They barely noticed as Nica walked over to them, smiling. Their gaze was drawn to an amazing sight. It was Rob, but this time he wasn't surrounded by a usual crowd of admirers. Only one stood by his side, a very happy Dani. Once only Rob's good friend, she now appeared to be more then friends with the Italian tottie. Shocked, and more than a little jealous, Ry, Nica and Aly walked up to the new couple. They were not the only ones that appeared jealous. As Dani and Rob stood in the middle of the band hall, they were drawing the gaze of many other green faces. One girl was crying at the thought of seeing Rob so in love with another, and even Liz looked envious, watching them through narrowed eyes as she stood next to Alex, who looked even more worried than before.

Ry asked how this came to be through yet another mouth of drool(she couldn't help but drool when seeing Rob's hotness) and Rob happily told of Nica's rescue from the Evil Charlie, which Dani had (somehow) witnessed. Impressed by his bravery and ultimate hotness, Dani realized her true feelings for the Italian. Rob, however, should have chosen a better word for Charlie as he relayed the tale with his story-telling skillz. Just as he told of how Charlie(using the word evil once more) had run away scared, none other than the fleecy man himself step into the band hall. At once everyone zoomed to the walls. Well, almost everyone....

Dani and Rob were still arm in arm at the center of the band hall, talking happily to Ry, Nica and Alycen. Aly, however, suddenly looked behind her and let out a squeal of terror, and nudging Ry hard in the ribs, they also retreated to the walls. Now only Rob and Dani were left, alone in the center of a ring of terrified faces. Charlie, however, just stepped casually towards them as they stood motionless, looking to friends for help. He stopped in front of them, eyeing their arms, which were still around each other. Quickly, they separated.

"How cute." sneered Charlie, laughing icily at them. "Fallen for the hero have you girl? Need someone strong to protect you while you cry?" Rob lunged forward, but Charlie was ready for him. With a crack he had struck Rob once again on the head. This time however, Rob did not fall. With a sudden burst of strength and hotness, he punched Charlie in the mouth. Charlie was stunned. Hand trembling, he delicately touched his wound. Then, with a terrifying growl, he attacked more savegely than a rabid beaver. Rob had no hope. He was ferociously beaten once more, but this time, someone stepped forward to help.

With a loud SMACK, Dani stepped forward and slapped Charlie across the face. Ry, Nica and Aly held their breaths as Charlie looked over at her, his face full of rage. Dani suddenly stepped backed, but it was too late. Charlie hit her with the cane, sending her to the ground next to Rob, who tried to stand at the sight of Dani, crying and hurt on the floor. Charlie however, saw to it that this did not happen. This time Dani could do nothing as Rob was beaten unconscious. As Charlie finished, he looked up, glaring around at the room of terrified band students. Then he thundered into the big band hall, where his barking voice could be heard, yelling "Get against the wall! All of you! Now!" His footsteps could be heard in the back hall too, where the same orders were given. At last, he returned to the small band hall, where he walked slowly amongst the ranks of scared nerds like some horrid general. Sometimes he would stop next to an unluckier individual and beat them down for such frivolous things as untied shoes and wrinkled shirts. Aly, Ry, and Liz could only pray they would not be beaten as they stared, sobbing, at the unconscious form of their dear friend...

Finally, the barbaric inspection was over, and Charlie left to check the large band hall. For a few moments all was quiet. Then Aly and Ry stepped forward, waking Dani and lifting her up. They helped her to the wall, where space was reluctantly made for her. No one wanted to be accused of helping Charlie’s latest victim. Rob, however, still lay in the middle of the hall. No one dared touch him, as his absence from a crumpled heap on the floor would surely be noticed by the raving Charlie. But Dani couldn't take the sight of her hot love, Rob, lying abandoned in the middle of the floor. She was just about to step forward when angry voices were heard from the back hall. Dani hesitated, listening.

"Are your fingernails clean?" asked the angry voice of Charlie. There was a long, painful silence...and then came another voice. "Ermm.....no sir, but I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" yelped the voice of Jason Cooney. But his pleas were useless. They heard a loud cry of pain and misery as Charlie beat him. They did not know how badly he was injured when the dull thuds finally ceased, although they could hear a whimpering emitting from the back hallway.

It was silent once more. Carefully, Dani stepped forward to help up her love. She stepped to soon however. Charlie walked into the room, bringing an evil silence and foreboding with him. The anger on his face was unfathomable as he looked at Dani bent over Rob's body. He began to rush forward, but was stopped by a horrible sound that pierced his ears (yes, literally pierced them) It was Ryan, and she was humming loudly and frantically in the hopes of distracting Charlie. It had worked. With a glare he looked over at the girl who was causing all the racket.

"Stop that" he growled at her, his eyes narrowed. Ryan looked terrified, but didn't stop. She just hummed louder. This greatly annoyed Charlie. He turned completely, facing Ryan head on.

"I told you to stop that racket you foolish girl!" He cried to her. Ryan hummed louder than ever, causing many people to double over in pain. Charlie was even forced to take a few steps back. Behind him Rob stirred, the loud humming awakening him. Ryan continued to hum even more than before, causing the walls to shake and some people to faint completely. Rob, however, was slowly gaining consciousness. Dani, seeing this, ran quietly to him, helping him up. Everyone watched, holding their breaths, (Ryan, of course, was not holding her breath, as she was humming) Dani whispered something to Rob, her eyes tearing. Rob hesitated, not wanting to leave her, until finally he turned and rushed quietly out the door while Dani returned to the wall. A few people gasped at his bravery, some gasped at his weakness. How could he leave at a time like this? Charlie heard the gasps (how, we shall never know, as the humming was now so loud that the school threatened to collapse on top of them) He slowly turned. The humming stopped, and an odd silence came over the room. Charlie looked first from the people gathered at the wall to the spot where Rob used to be. His look of surprise, however, was quickly replaced with one of sheer anger and hatred so deep that a few more people fainted.

"Who" he gasped, "WHO DID THIS?"

No one even moved as he looked around at the crowd, his eyes lingering on Dani. "You!" he yelled, pointing at her. "You did this, you helped him escape!" and he began to stride towards her. Suddenly he stopped. His face had broken out into a malicious grin, as if some evil plan had suddenly been hatched within the shadowy depths of his twisted mind. Turning to face all of them, he yelled, "you shall all be punished for the idiotic actions of this fool girl. No one leaves, no one eats, no one sleeps until I find out where that imbecile Rob went! Do you understand me?" No one made any movements. "I said do you understand me??"

With quite a few glares at Dani, everyone nodded. "Excellente" breathed Charlie, and with that he stormed out of the room. Still no one moved as he told the same, or so they assumed, to the others. There were a few long moments of utter silence. Then, with a loud shuffling, the 200 people from both the back hall and band hall were herded into the small band hall. By the time they were all stuffed inside it had become hard to breathe. Then, after one last glimpse of light, the door to the big band hall was shut, and they were all thrown into a black shadow....

The darkness was unbreakable. It consumed all light and hope that even attempted to burn inside someone’s heart. They were trapped. Within the tiny confounds of their prison time seemed not to apply. Minutes quickly became hours, Hours became days, and Days seemed to be weeks. How long they had been laying, terrified, in the shadows was not known. Every now and then someone would be taken out of the jail by an indistinct shadow they only assumed was Charlie. They never returned. After many hours, or had it been days, of scrambling over people, Nica, Ry, Liz, and Aly had found each other. They sat together in the shadowy gloom, praying they would not be taken next.

When asked what she had whispered to Rob, so many days ago, Dani would only shake her head, afraid of being overheard by unfriendly ears. The absence of Rob had certainly dampened many spirits. Now they could not even drool over his hotness. This may have been for the better however, as the small band hall would quickly fill up with drool if so many people were exposed to Rob for this long amount of time. Only Dani knew the reason he had left, as she had been the one to send him away, no matter how hard it had been. As they lay, seemingly forgotten, Rob was far, far away, forging the greatest weapon ever know to band....The Falquan

The Falquan had been forged by the greatest band director ever known to conduct on this earth. His name, however, was lost along with the sword during an epic battle that decided the fate of bands everywhere. Rob had stumbled upon its remains whilst playing as a child. This fateful day decided his future, his responsibility, as the one who would defeat all band evil. Now Rob, using his ultimate hotness and sword making skills, had reforged The Falquan, thus sealing his fate. He would challenge Charlie. Back in the shadowy depths of the band hall Liz was being called forth by Charlie. Sobbing, she was pulled into the bright light that shone from the big band hall. It was here she saw a spectacle so bizarre she almost welcomed the darkness of the small band hall. Everything, even the many trophies and posters, had been covered in blue fleece, so that the room looked as if it were covered in some kind of freakish mold. In a far off corner a small lump lay, wrapped in fleece. It was most certainly the body of Ryan Piersall, which had never been removed. Liz hadn't even taken in all these strange sights when she heard the gruff voice of Charlie. Looking over, she saw him sitting atop a kind of make-shift thrown made of fleece. He glared down at Liz, his whip and cane laying threateningly at his side.

"Sit" he ordered her, indicating a chair was standing just in front of the fleecy thrown. Liz faltered as she walked glumly towards the chair, not knowing her fate. With a jolt she realized that it was the very chair Rob used to sit in to weave his many wondrous tales of Totties, so long ago....with a sense of foreboding, she sat down in the chair that held so many memories, looking up at the fleecy tyrant that was Charlie. Fear overtook her. "Now...I wish for you to tell me where that....that dimwit Rob has run off to." He smiled down at her, although the smile did not reach his cold, sad eyes. Liz only cowered on the chair. Charlie's false smile was quickly abandoned. "Tell me now, or you shall end up like the others!" This statement frightened Liz even more, as she had no earthly idea what had happened to the countless others who had been taken...she did not wish to think of it.

"NOW!" barked Charlie, pounding his fist upon his throne with a soft, fleecy bang.

Liz swallowed. "...never." She finally managed to breathe. Charlie looked confused.

"What did you say?" he asked. Liz swallowed again.

"I said never." she stated bravely.

"I KNOW WHAT YOU SAID!" Screamed Charlie angrily. This made Liz wonder why he bothered to ask at all. "Now, are you going to tell me, or are we going to do this the hard way?" he said, fingering his whip, which had left his side and was now clutched in his hands. Liz leapt up.

"NEVER!" she yelled, amazed at her own bravery. Charlie also leapt up, snarling. But suddenly, they both stopped. In the far-off distance Charlie heard his name being called. He listened intently. Yes. There it was again. Leaving Liz, he walked towards the door, opening it slowly to reveal a dark, seemingly abandoned school. He stepped outside. After a few hesitant seconds, Liz followed. Outside the band hall everything was in ruin. Chairs and tables lay strewn about the commons, and missing papers fluttered slightly in an invisible breeze. What had happened?

Liz quietly made her way behind Charlie, who was now following the sound of his own name being called. It was coming from outside. Charlie stepped through the doors, closely followed by Liz. She felt as if she was seeing the sky for the first time as she stepped outside into the cool, night air. A steady rain was falling, washing away the grime from the many days of being held hostage. In the distance a lone figure could be seen through the curtain of rain. He was calling Charlie's name....

Liz stood and watched as Charlie made his way through the downpour. "Who are you?" He called through the air. His words seemed to echo through the empty parking lot. In response, the strange figure stepped forward, revealing himself.

It was Rob. Majestically, he strode forward, the rain sliding down his face, the moonlight bouncing off the wet concrete, seemingly illuminating his divine form. Charlie stood wrapped in shadow, the rain not reaching him through its dark protection. Light and Dark, they stood facing each other for the first time. In the fading light of a lone street lamp, Liz could see Charlie fingering his cane, the whip curled at his side.

"You wanna rumble?" Charlie called softly through the icy night air, his voice the tone of one calling a child to play. Slowly, Rob's right arm moved to his side, and he drew his weapon. Sliding carefully out of its sheath, the sword made no sound as it was held, loosely, at Rob's side. The Falquan.

"Go ahead." said Rob, with a trace of a smile on his hot face, "Make my day." Suddenly, a voice broke the tension of the night. It was Ryan. Somehow she Dani and Alycen had escaped from their prison, and where now standing next to Liz. "No Rob!" Ryan yelled out, her words carried by the wind. "It's too dangerous, like being sucked into a tornado of angry sheep! Angry BLUE sheep!" Rob, however, did not heed her. He only held his sword at the ready, the swords massive form catching both the light of the street lamp and the moon light. It was huge. At least 2 feet wide and 5 feet long, Rob held the sword in front of him, preparing for battle. Charlie didn't move.

Time seemed to stand still once more as the two gods faced each other. The rain was now streaming downs Rob's face as he readied himself. Still, Charlie did not move. Then suddenly Rob sprung, running forward with amazing speed, his sword behind him. With an agile leap he was in the air, bringing the sword down upon Charlie. Charlie, however, was ready. Quick as a whip, he brought out his cane, blocking Rob's strike. Sparks flew everywhere, falling to the ground like tears of fire. Charlie still held fast, while Rob somehow remained in the air, his sword bearing down upon the cane. Then with a mighty push Charlie forced Rob back, swinging his cane around like some kind of Samurai Sheep. This time Charlie attacked, running at Rob with the speed of a bullet. Rob nimbly dodged out of the way, and still the battle raged on. Ry, Liz, and Alycen still watched the battle that grew in front of them. Rob now drenched in rain, fought ruthlessly for what seemed like hours, until finally, his strength began to wane. Charlie, still dry and shrouded in darkness, never seemed to tire.

Then, for the first time, Rob fell. With a look of surprise imprinted on his face he hit the cold, damp ground, dropping The Falquan. It rang sickeningly in the darkness, the sound of defeat. Charlie advanced, no emotion crossing his face, nothing showing in his sad, empty eyes. This appeared to be the end.

The rain grew heavier, as if even the stars knew what was to come, and were crying for the lost hero. But then another figure emerged from the gloom. A lone, white form, shrouded in a strange, unknown light. The figure stepped forward, standing serenely between Rob and Charlie. It was Nicole. A long, white dress blew through the air, although no wind shook the leaves of near by trees. Her face was also emotionless and her dark hair looked like a shadow dancing around the light that was her dress. She was both good and evil. Nothing could touch her. Charlie stopped.

"No one will die today." She called strongly, her voice piercing the still night air like an arrow. Around her waist hung a single leather band, from which a small sheath dangled. Still, she did not move. Charlie blinked through the darkness as a drop of rain fell into his eyes.

A strong wind blew suddenly across the barren parking lot, and as it did the shadows seemed to run with it, chasing it over the school and out of site. Still Charlie did not move. In the distance a bird let out one last quavering note of a sad, empty song. Charlie struck.

He ran forward towards the angel that stood before him. But she was too fast. Leaping, cat-like, into the air, she turned gracefully and landed behind him, crouching low to the ground, a smile flickering across her face. Charlie faltered in the emptiness before turning and striking again. Nicole dodged once more, springing aside, now laughing as if it was all just one big game. The shadows began to fade, and Charlie struck once more. Nicole danced aside as he ran blindly forward, swiftly pulling out her glass weapon and slicing his face. The rain slowed. Charlie stopped, holding his cheek. Nicole stood at the ready behind him. The rain poured down upon him as he slowly turned, droplets rolling off his hair and face. Still Nicole stood, not wavering. With a sudden clang the cane fell to the ground, bouncing lightly off the cement, the fleece slightly fraying at the ends revealing beautiful, red wood. With it the whip also fell, hitting the ground, now no more than a piece of weak leather. Nicole relaxed, and with one last glance at the huddled forms of Ry, Liz, Dani, and Alycen, Charlie turned and disappeared into a blanket of rain...

THE END

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