*Hidden Nature* A Shapeshifting RP

[StarrNico]

Starr ran forward to take off away from the others just a little. She didn't want to hit any of them with her wings or anything like that. She followed Ender but watched for Falkirk to join her again as they headed to the castle.
~~~
Kyra chuckled and looked to him again then winked "Guess that means I'm not perfect after all" She said then laughed "I said being perfect would be boring, and that I am not perfect."
~~~
Rana headed for Jura to try to grab her wings in her talons to incapacitate her for a short time so the other dragon could do her thing and take care of the threat. She knew it wouldn't hold for long, since stone was too hard to puncture, but if they could get them flightless then she could drop them from a height and break the stone that way.
~~~
Ember hurriedly flew towards the city, going as quickly as she could, though she knew her fire wouldn't hurt the gargoyles. She could at least play distraction for them.
~~~
Anna glanced to Nashton and gave him a smile before following Zypher into the elevator shaft and down to the next floor so they could check it. She wondered how many other shifters were home today and hoped they would be alright if they got caught up in this.
~~~
Rosie shivered and moved subtly closer to him, showing just a little how much she had been scared and was now relieved to be back with him and safe. This day had proved one thing to her, just how important it was to know and be able to fight for survival in her human form. She couldn't be just a nurse and keep the others safe.
~~~
Jackie was looking into the bowl when he came back in. She glanced to him hten back to the scene, making it zoom out in an effort to see what was going on now. "They are in the city" She said worriedly.

Skylar had nodded and smiled, going over to the couch to gently pick up Bob and bring him over to their chair "Hello Bob" She said gently then smiled at Jaxon.

 

[NickyKnack]

Starr ran forward to take off away from the others just a little. She didn't want to hit any of them with her wings or anything like that. She followed Ender but watched for Falkirk to join her again as they headed to the castle. 
~~~

Kyra chuckled and looked to him again then winked "Guess that means I'm not perfect after all" She said then laughed "I said being perfect would be boring, and that I am not perfect." 

~~~

Rana headed for Jura to try to grab her wings in her talons to incapacitate her for a short time so the other dragon could do her thing and take care of the threat. She knew it wouldn't hold for long, since stone was too hard to puncture, but if they could get them flightless then she could drop them from a height and break the stone that way.
~~~
Ember hurriedly flew towards the city, going as quickly as she could, though she knew her fire wouldn't hurt the gargoyles. She could at least play distraction for them. 
~~~

Anna glanced to Nashton and gave him a smile before following Zypher into the elevator shaft and down to the next floor so they could check it. She wondered how many other shifters were home today and hoped they would be alright if they got caught up in this.
~~~
Rosie shivered and moved subtly closer to him, showing just a little how much she had been scared and was now relieved to be back with him and safe. This day had proved one thing to her, just how important it was to know and be able to fight for survival in her human form. She couldn't be just a nurse and keep the others safe.
~~~
Jackie was looking into the bowl when he came back in. She glanced to him hten back to the scene, making it zoom out in an effort to see what was going on now. "They are in the city" She said worriedly.

Skylar had nodded and smiled, going over to the couch to gently pick up Bob and bring him over to their chair "Hello Bob" She said gently then smiled at Jaxon. 

Falkirk galloped to get enough momentum to take flight. He then fell into formation behind Ender. He nickered happily to Star.

Spyro flew to fly at the rear. Being vigilant for possible dangers.
~~~
Graydon grinned with elation. He then shook his head in disbelief. "We could debate this for the rest of our lives, Kyra. So let's just agree to disagree. Because, you are pure perfection to me and you always will be. Perfection is only boring to pretenders. For they must work at it." He replied with absolute certainty.
~~~
Jura curled her tail and tried to strike at the talons holding her wing at a precarious angle. Her sword was useless in this position. She was flailing as well, in attempt to dislodge the claws, but to no avail.

Aeval saw the other gargoyle detained. But at her sisters gasp, she turned her attention back to the downed gargoyle. It was chanting something in fey and to her dismay, it's wing started to regenerate in a blinding light. Ena gasped and urged, "Quickly! We must strike now! It must not gain flight!"

Pandora glared at her sister and said sarcastically," Thank you Captain Obvious."

Aeval glanced between the two and snapped, "Focus! You can squabble later! " She then free fell towards the roof in an effort to save time.
~~~
Orson stepped from the portal a short distance from the city. He saw a commotion on top of one of the skyscrapers. "There! That must be where they're at." He explained to Garth. He then took off in a run to figure out a way up there. Garth hurried along beside him. Looking up every so often to keep them in sight.
~~~
Zypher balanced on the rope as he put the key to open the doors to the next floor just large enough to look through. Seeing that the hallway was clear, he opened the door all the way. "Let's dance." He said as he climbed out and drew his weapon.
~~~
Ericsson instinctively encapsulated Rosie within his arms. He made a soothing sound and gently rubbed her back. "You're safe. You're with friends." He whispered.
~~~
Cadeon looked to the bowl. "Is it that bad?" He asked based upon her look.
~~
Bob chirped happily when Skylar picked him up. He was enjoying all this attention and cuddling. Jaxon smiled broadly as she sat back down with the baby Phoenix. "He's very musical, isn't he?" He was glad the little guy was happy. It proved he'd been protected from the harsh realities of the world. He was surprised by the depth of his emotions. For he wanted to make sure it always remained that way.

 

[StarrNico]

Starr nickered back and looked to Falkirk happily then looked ahead when they reached the castle, going to land on a balkony then shifting to follow Ender inside.
~~~
Kyra smiled a little and hugged him again then shook her head. "Alright, we can agree to not agree with that." She said then chuckled and looked out the window again "Oh, the butterflies are back"
~~~
Rana tried to keep the hold on the gargoyle in her grip. She could feel the gargoyle pushing her claws apart though, so she knew it wouldn't last long. She headed for the rooftop so that Bertram would be able to get off at least.

Ember flew quickly, noting the fight in the distance. She headed to the rooftop to help however she could
~~~
Anna soon followed him, pulling her gun so they could check this floor as quickly and thoroughly as possible. She didn't want anything to happen to her family now that she had them.
~~~
Rosie nodded and curled into his hold. "I know, I just thought about him and how he looked at me. I don't want to but I can't get that image out of my head" She said quietly
~~
"It's a battle against stone gargoyles" Jackie said as Ember arrived at the fight "They don't have the right skills to fight stone." She said worriedly then frowned and looked at the dragon "Who is that?"
~~
"He is" Skylar said and smiled, tickling him gently under his beak. "He is very cute too" She added and chuckled softly

 

[NickyKnack]

Starr nickered back and looked to Falkirk happily then looked ahead when they reached the castle, going to land on a balkony then shifting to follow Ender inside.

~~~

Kyra smiled a little and hugged him again then shook her head. "Alright, we can agree to not agree with that." She said then chuckled and looked out the window again "Oh, the butterflies are back" 
~~~
Rana tried to keep the hold on the gargoyle in her grip. She could feel the gargoyle pushing her claws apart though, so she knew it wouldn't last long. She headed for the rooftop so that Bertram would be able to get off at least.

Ember flew quickly, noting the fight in the distance. She headed to the rooftop to help however she could
~~~

Anna soon followed him, pulling her gun so they could check this floor as quickly and thoroughly as possible. She didn't want anything to happen to her family now that she had them.
~~~

Rosie nodded and curled into his hold. "I know, I just thought about him and how he looked at me. I don't want to but I can't get that image out of my head" She said quietly
~~
"It's a battle against stone gargoyles" Jackie said as Ember arrived at the fight "They don't have the right skills to fight stone." She said worriedly then frowned and looked at the dragon "Who is that?"
~~

"He is" Skylar said and smiled, tickling him gently under his beak. "He is very cute too" She added and chuckled softly

Falkirk landed and shifted before following Star inside.

Ender stood with the door open for Star. He spoke with Avalon in his mind and relayed her request as Star walked by. "She'll receive you in her private chambers, Princess. " He nodded to Falkirk, but grabbed his brothers arm as he passed. They looked eachother in the eye as he spoke to him mind to mind. Spyro stilled as he listened, then nodded curtly before he silently headed down the hallway. Going in the opposite direction. Ender watched Spyro a long moment, before turning back to Star and Falkirk. He straightened before he led the way again. "This way princess Star." He said as he walked.
~~~
Graydon walked over and looked outside with a curious expression. Which turned to a frown. "Where did they go and why did they leave?" He inquired seriously.
~~~
Aeval landed with a serpentine hiss. Pandora snapped at the sword that the gargoyle slashed at her. Aeval slowly walked a circle around it looking for a weakness. Her tail whipped at it's back. In an attempt to keep it from focusing on just one thing. "What have we here? Animated stone? Where are you from and who sent you?!" Pandora asked with extreme distaste. "It's more like a Gothic novel reject, if you ask me." Ena retorted smugly. Aeval let them talk, for she had a mouthful of acid venom ready and waiting for it's slightest move to fly off.

Inioth growled with indignation. "Says you, abomination! Worry not my origin, but your fate." He replied with absolute rage.

Bertram waited until Rana was over the building to drop down and shift. He'd never fought something like this before.

Jura fought harder to get free to help her brother. "Release me you overgrown chicken!" She demanded through clenched teeth.
~~~
Orson slowed as they neared the building. There wasn't a way to get up there. The fire escape was locked out of reach. He thought of his opinions.

Garth panted softly at his side as he waited to see what he instructed him to do next.
~~~
Zypher quietly knocked at the doors of the shifter tenants. He introduced Anna and explained the circumstances while they did a search of their apartments. He'd tried to isolate non-shifters to their own floors, for everyone's safety. Which most of them were close to the ground floor. Fortunately it was only four apartments on each floor. Only the penthouse floor had two. But something dawned on him. They hadn't checked that other penthouse. He looked to Anna with wide eyes at his oversight. Of all the mistakes to make. He had a bad feeling about this.
~~~
"He was a very sick man. A predator in the truest sense and I didn't like his hands touching you." Ericsson said with a fierceness he felt to his core.
~~~
Cadeon struggled to remember. "We met in the woods when Taylor went missing. She had spoken with Aurora and the blue dragoness had given her some kind of book. But I wasn't close enough to hear her name. She was with a massive dog creature at the time." He explained to Jackie the best he remembered.
~~~
Bob giggled merrily at the affection. He playfully nibbled at her fingers. "No cute. Mighty!" He replied as he puffed up to make himself look bigger.

Jaxon bust out with a chuckle at the little guys boast. "Oh? Is that right?" He asked through the chuckling.

 

[StarrNico]

Starr followed the halls towards the room, hoping Spyro and Ender were not fighting over her protection. She didn't want the brothers upset. And she realized she was focusing on that to keep from thinking about what was to come. She didn't want to be the cause of any fighting.
~~~
Kyra smiled again "They do that, going from one flower to another so they don't take too much from one. Nature is balance in all things. For every good there is a bad, and every bad has a good. " She said then looked to him and smiled again
~~~
"Calling me names will not make me let you go, the opposite in fact" Rana said bravely then got an idea. Without a word of warning, she flew higher, searching around then flying away from the fight to find some stone to smash this stone against
~~~
Anna looked to him and tilted her head "You thought of something?" She asked and looked to the elevator shaft again. She didn't like any of this but wouldn't put anything past happening at this point. She didn't know his worry yet.
~~~
Rosie nodded and sighed, holding him as close as she could "Yes, he was and now he's dead." She said then looked up to him "And I will have to go back into training. He never should have gotten that close to us in the first place. I failed to keep you safe."
~~~
"So she's on our side, good to know, now to see if I can soften stone from this distance." Jackie said and turned to grab some ingredients to use in a spell. "Make it more brittle and easier to break"
~~~
"And who's to say you can't be both mighty and cute?" Skylar asked and chuckled softly. "I think it would be good to be both"

 

[NickyKnack]

Spyro hurried to follow his brother's instructions. He'd put him in charge of prince Vatgkan, regardless of what was chosen. He would deliver his destined fate personally. He made his way down to the dungeons of the castle. He took great honor in being offered the position. Despite his brother's insistence that he not mess up. When he got to Vatgkan's cell, he saw that the gaurds were already fitting Vatgkan with the enchanted chains. They were made to drain away his root magic. Soon he'd be as weak and powerless as a human. The two Sylphs paused in their work to look over at him as he entered the cell. "We're almost done." One stated, as the other put the finishing touches on the placement of the chains and clasped the lock shut.

Spyro nodded application of their handiwork. "You've both done a fine job here." He complimented as he held out his hand to take custody of the prisoner. "So tonight is your areckoning. Not that I'll lament that your deceptiveness has been dealt with." He stated coolly, as one of the Sylphs placed the unenchanted lead chain into his outstretched hand. Spyro balled his fist around the chain and gave it a stern tug, before he started walking.

Vatgkan started walking, but watched Spyro with hate-filled eyes. "By all rights, the princess was mine to do with as I saw fit. That winged interloper had no grounds to even speak her name, let alone talk with her. As decreed by the old laws. It is the way it has always been and always will be." He said with venom.

Spyro scoffed at his declaration. "Perhaps the old laws need updating. For royalty are not slaves to be bought and sold at the whims of their parents. Your bargain was with her parents, not the princess herself. You are far too old and bitter to see that. While she is youthful and full of love of life. She would surely wither in your wretched hands." He replied honestly.

Vatgkan growled at his insult. "Insolent Sylph! Your queen has grown soft and allowed her Sylphs to think themselves as our equals! That thinking will be the downfall of her kingdom. For King Racine would be a better ruler when she's gone. Avalon doesn't have a backbone to stand against anyone. Just look at how she gave away half her kingdom. Why?! To prevent a war against the rightful king. But that matters not, king Racine has come home to stay. Just as she will soon find out, the old laws cannot be changed. No matter how much she desires them to be. That is one burden the old ones simply will not abide by. She knows not of the extent of the insurrection deep within her court." He replied happily. " How do the humans say it......? Oh, that's right. I'll be the straw that brakes the camel's back. They will see her as unfit to rule when she breaks the law to favor a subordinate royal." He said with eminence satisfaction.

Spyro struggled to show no reaction to his revelation. So he said with mocked enthusiasm , "Oh, you speak of your beloved king that delivered you into queen Avalon's hands for her judgment? Well, that is quite noble of him. So it would seem, he doesn't share your steadfast loyalty. Wouldn't it?" He tisked, before he continued. "Besides, I've always heard dead men tell no tells. And to think, soon you'll be one of them. So your elaborate denials of you wrongs, matters not. Perhaps you can seek some comfort in the thought that all who raise arms aginst their queen, shall swiftly find themselves upon her mercy as well." He paused, then threw Vatgkan's words back at him. ""According to the old laws." Just as the Sylphs who carry out the queen's judgment, will seek out the harshest ones for their crimes."

Vatgkan simply chuckled lightly in response. He wasn't going to die. The princess was too timid and kindhearted to see him die. She's probably begging the queen to spare his life as they speak. He thought smugly.

 

[NickyKnack]

When they reached the queen's camber, Ender opened the door for Star. He looked to Falkirk and said, "She will see the Princess alone. You may wait here with me, if you'd like."

Falkirk nodded and smiled encouragingly to Star.
~
Avalon was at the window looking out at the construction of her brother's castle far off in the distance. Where her's was radiant light and opulent glow. Racine's was being made of fire glass that was in the deepest black obsidian, with an onyx overlay. She was drawn from her thoughts at Ender's announcement of Stars' arrival, she turned to face the door, just as it opened. She smiled sweetly at Star, as she held her arms in an offer of affection. "Princess Star! So good of you to meet with me. " She said softly.
~~~
Graydon listened to her lesson and noted it's significance. Kyra had a way of instilling life lessons within the simplest things.
~~~
"Stupid bird! You can't kill me! But I can devour your life essence in one sitting. Come and give me a taste. You'll be the appetizer to my potential feast. My master deems it so!" Jura taunted as she fought Rana's hold. She managed to snake her tail around one of Rana's legs. She used it to draw herself closer to the talons. She had to bite into her flesh in order to feed.
~~~
Aeval glanced to Bertram as his arrival finally caught her attention. Pandora snapped the tip of the gargoyles' blade off when it made to stab their only weak spot on their chest. The commotion called her attention back to the gargoyle. She spewed her mouth of acid at the gargoyles' face. " Let's see how you fare with no eyes!" Aeval said with enthusiasm.

Inioth cried out in agonizing pain as his vision was taken from him. He started chanting a healing spell as quickly as possible.

Ena retorted, "Oh, no you don't!" As Pandora and herself each grabbed a wing, while Aeval grabbed both legs with one claw. She then pivoted the gargoyle so he was completely suspended in the air. She smiled at her sisters as she raised it's legs. Forcing him to angle backwards. Only to position herself right over the gargoyle as he spoke his fey words. She was careful to release only a small stream of acid venom into it's mouth to dissolve it's tongue. " Hush now, don't you cry." She said softly. She then went to it's wings and dribbled acid to cut them off, one by one. The sisters were enjoying their play.

Inioth cried out angrily and in extreme pain as he was dismembered. But he was feeling for the missing scale on the dragon's chest. When he located it, he'd rip the beasts heart out a feed upon it.

Bertram shifted and sat on the edge of the ledge. He loved a good show and this one was providing pretty entertaining.
~~~
Zypher nodded slightly, "We have to go back up. In my urgency to search the floors, I forgot to check the adjacent penthouse. What better place to hide, then right across the hall." He said miserably.
~~~
"Now that is absolute nonsense. You can't take the blame on that. No one can, it was a fluke occurrence, at best. We both know better now. It won't happen again. " Ericsson said quietly.
~~~
Cadeon looked to Jackie as she gathered the needed supplies. But soon went back to watching his lady love as she arrived at the battle. His heart in his throat with trepidation.
~~~
Bob considered that a moment. Then nodded his compliance to the idea. "I think it be fine then." He replied thoughtfully.

Jaxon smiled affectionately at Skylar. "Then it's settled. You're might cute!" He said cleverly.

 

[StarrNico]

Star smiled at Falkirk then went inside. When she saw Avalon, she went forward to give her a hug as she seemed to want "All you have to do is call for me and I will come" She said then moved back a little and smiled again "I owe so much to you for finding me and bringing me here" She said happily. Despite the bad, she was happy to be there with them
~~~
Kyra looked back to the butterflies again, happy and content to watch their aerial ballet. "I like the blue ones the best" She said as she watched them. "And the luna moths, those are pretty but they come out at night"
~~~
Rana felt her tail and had to reach down with her beak to try to keep the gargoyle from biting her. She knew it would be bad if she did. This distracted her from flying though and when they dropped low enough, she hit a tree, sending them both into a spiral and forcing her to have to let go so she could land.

Ember slowed to look at the fight on the rooftop, flying closer to them "Be careful, he's trying for your heart even now. Get his arms." She warned worriedly then looked around for Rana. She wanted to find and help her friend, even though there wasn't much she could do.
~~~
Anna frowned but nodded and looked around the hall "Let's go then, I don't want anyone to get to our pack" She said and turned to go back to the elevator. She should have thought about that, but like him she hadn't. There had been no noise she had heard in the hallways, so she had assumed it was safe.
~~~
Jackie started the spell, looking at the gargoyle and chanting to make their skin more like human skin, hurtable. She just hoped it would work over the distance and that it would be enough to let the others do what they had to.
~~~
Rosie shook her head and looked up at him "No, we knew he would have people looking for you and us. I shouldn't have taken you out while it was as riled as it is now.If we had stayed inside, we wouldn't have been seen or attacked."
~~~
Skylar chuckled softly and pet him again "No one is ever just one thing, we are all many thing, like cute and mighty and loving and scared and brave. That is part of what it means to be alive, to be and feel so much" She said then looked to Jaxon again with a smile.

 

[NickyKnack]

Avalon smiled pleasantly at Star's kind words. "You know you don't owe me anything for that. It was nothing on my part, realy. I'd hoped for something more then a sense of indebtedness." She said quietly, as she lowered her gaze to her folded hands before her. She then continued," Above all, I long for a simple friendship. One that's untainted with ulterior motives. For someone in my position, that's quite a rarity." She looked up at last and smiled sadly before changing the subject. "Come, we have other matters to discuss. I'm assured that Ender has told you the nature of this meeting? " She inquired seriously, as she walked to the sitting area in the far corner.
~~~
Graydon marveled at the fragile elegance of the butterflies. "I saw one once that was bark brown and had large yellow eyes on it's wings. Needless to say, I was very alarmed at first sight. Then it flapped it's wings, giving away the rouse. Then I felt quite silly." He said with humor. "But this luna moth, I'd like to see some time." He replied as he leaned against the wall next to the window. He was in no hurry to move.
~~~
Jura was in a tailspin that no matter what she did, she couldn't break the centrifical force that kept her wings trapped close to her body. She was unconcerned, for she had stone skin that would provide protection from the impact. So when she hit the ground with a sickening crunch, she immediately knew something was off. She had only a moment of clear thought, before the intensity of the pain registered. All she could do was cry in agony, as she surveyed the damage and saw broken bones sticking out of her. "No! This isn't right, something is wrong." She complained through her pain.
~
Aeval glanced up at the mighty blue Phoenix. Knowing her sisters now had the gargoyles clawed hands bit off. For they were wondering why they be able to do so easily. "Thank you, for your assistance, Phoenix." She said with gratitude.

Bertram stood and pointed in the direction Rana had flown. "Rana flew that way with the other one." He explained to Ember, seeing that she was looking around for her.
~~~
Orson decided to head back to Jackie's for help. Garth and himself stepped out of the portal and ran to the house. Orson rushed in first and asked Skylar and Jaxon, "Where Jackie?!"
~~~
Zypher nodded and put his gun away to better climb the rope.
~~~
Cadeon smiled at the gargoyles current state. "It worked! That’s amazing Jackie!" He said with enthusiasm.
~~~
Ericsson stilled at her words. "But Rosie, I'm the one who wanted the picnic. So the blame is as mush as mine. Had I knew my limitations better, I'd have never asked for such a reckless thing." He justified to her.
~~~
Bob started at the suddenness of the interpretation and rushed to take cover under Skylar's arm as if it was a mother's wing offering protection.

Jaxon flew to his feet to defend Skylar and the young from harm. But relaxed when he registered who it was. "She's in tha kitchen." He stated plainly.

 

[StarrNico]

Star watched her, following her over then taking her hand gently "I do consider you my friend as well. You, Ender, Spyro and Qdoba. Almost everyone I met here has been kind and welcoming." She said then took her seat and blushed lightly "I have even found someone to love here. That is what I am grateful for." She said then sighed and looked down "And yes, he did tell me what this meeting was for."
~~~
"They are green and about as big as your fist or my hand." Kyra said with a smile "They have small eyespots also, but not as glaringly obvious as that one you speak of." She said then smiled again "It is ticklish when they land on you, but you mustn't touch their wings or you will rub the dust off and they won't be able to fly anymore." She said, warning him gently
~~~
Rana sat up gingerly, looking around them and flinching at the sight of so many people that had to come see what was happening. She stood up and looked over to Jura, wondering herself how the other could have been this hurt by the fall. "We have many friends, you should never have attacked" She said and tried to stand only to stumble and lay down again. She had no idea what had happened to the gargoyle, but she was glad of it, whatever it was.
~~~
Ember dipped her head once to each of them then turned to find Rana. She didn't know it was magic, thinking the dragon had done something to the gargoyle. "Rana cannot take care of a gargoyle alone. Even a roc is not that strong"She said and flew hastily to find them to try to help.
~~~
Skylar jumped at the door opening like that, hiding Bob instinctively then relaxing with a sigh. "Now what is going on?" She asked as she stood beside Jaxon and started for the kitchen also.

Jackie smiled and stopped chanting "I'm surprised it worked over this distance, but I'm glad of it. If I had enough power, I would tie their kind to the moon" She added. Her family had never had good experiences with them.
~~~
Anna waited, looking up and down the shaft before following suit to go up and check on the penthouses with Zypher, since they would at least have to check on their pack again now. She looked for Nashton once they reached their floor again.