Medallion Part 1

The sun glinted off of his golden medallion, engraved with runes and symbols of languages long gone, before fading from view behind a cloud. His dark brown eyes were locked with her glinting green. They betrayed only her determination. His men cast their glares to her troops. Opening his mouth, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

“The Skoropi Gang will fall!”

It was met with a fearsome:

“Then you shall burn with us!”

The two gangs crashed at each other under the cloudy New York sky. Shouts enveloped him as his eyes searched for the red-haired sharp-tongued leader of the Skoropi Gang. The breath rushed out of him as he crumpled to the ground. ‘I forgot how strong her kicks are.’ She had found him first. Acting on impulse, he stood, facing the witch, wearing a medallion like his own.

“You wanna fight like--” His words were cut short by a swift punch to his nose. He fought back the usual rush off panic as blood spurted out of his nostrils.

“Yeah.” She replied sarcastically. “Exactly like that. With me winning and you losing.” Her foot slammed down on his windpipe. Panic lit his terrified eyes.

“That’s against-against rule 49-6 of the Caleb Proclamation--” He chocked out. “’No bringing death to other leaders in territory disputes’”

“I suppose you’re right, for once. But rules never say I can’t get a close as I--” Her words were stalled by his henchman: Wolf.

She flailed her legs and let her teeth sink deep into Wolf’s arm, and relished is his howling as she felt warm blood rush out of her mouth.  He threw her away in a vain attempt as dislodging her from his veins. Her teeth dragged and his flesh tore into deep scars. “Medic!” He howled as she withdrew her daggers. “Me--” He crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from the wound in his back.

“RETREAT!” Their leader shrieked. “RETREAT!”

She waved innocently good-bye. “Until the next scent post, Jaul.”

“Until the next scent post.” He didn’t want to, but gang-law forced opposing sides to exchange ‘friendly’ good byes while carrying their wounded back to the bases. It was odd though, as it was also said at ceremonies of the dead. The ‘scent post’ was a reference to the posts that gangs rubbed scent and paint on to identify their territory.

She walked toward him for the customary hand-shake. He shrank down into the postures of submission, although it was practically instinct to submit to the taller female. ‘How I wish I could grow, and collect better gang members, that’ll show her.’ She leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Until the next scent post.”

His knees nearly buckled. He wished more than ever to jump in a hole and not come out until all the terror of the Earth was gone.

Fishing

The boy rubbed his hands, frozen finger numb from the biting cold of the arctic winter. His line was cast into a rare, un-iced patch of water. ‘The Gulf,’ he thought ‘The Gulf never freezes, so it is a good place to fish for northern salmon, and the occasional seal. He was snapped out of his daydreams to the sound of line-on-ice. He gasped as he tugged on the weighed pole. “Big fish!” He muttered to himself, planting his feet firmly onto the ground as he drew the fishing-pole’s tip past his pale, frozen face. The tip kept going, past his vanilla-blonde hair, hidden roughly by a bright red cap. It stopped a quarter-foot above his head.

His feet slowly dragged in the powdery snow as the unknown fish of immense size threatened to haul him into the icy waters. The boy knew that falling in meant almost certain death. A large shadow swam strongly, quickly, taking the line with it. The boy gasped in awe. He could he the dim light beneath the surface, followed by the fish.

“And angler-fish…” He had never seen one up close; they were revered in the settlement, after one of the children was saved from drowning several years back, when the temperature actually went above freezing. “Don’t be silly.” He chided himself. “It never gets above freezing in New York.” He laughed at the thought, the old, evacuated city, frozen under ice and teeming with disease from the War of the Plague, in 2100.

Even after 7 years, those genetically engineered anthrax viruses were still going strong. No one was allowed there anymore. He barely remembered the city anyway. He was only three when it had happened. The Evacuation. He still remembered the screams of his mother, her skin a violet-blue from the newest one dropped:  Blue Anthrax. He still remembered her face, screaming his name, telling him to run, run to safety. A tear froze as it dropped, clinking against the permafrost under the snow.

The sound brought him back to reality. He looked down, seeing the water only inches from his toes. Startled, he gave a sharp jerk, unbalancing himself, letting the fish take the final blow. It tugged with all its strength, wanting to be free of its captors. There was a dainty splash as the boy flew, headfirst, into the frigid water.

The coldness knocked the breath out of his tiny body as he flailed. His muscles exhausted as the vicious current dragged him away from the shoreline. He took a breath of water and felt the clutches of death. He closed his eyes, remembering his mother for the last time. ‘What was her last word? Run? No, that’s not it…’ Instantly; a memory seared itself into his mind:

“Rameul! Don’t forget! I love you!”

He only heard ‘Rameul’ before the memory was lost. Tiny bubbles streamed from his mouth as his unmoving body sank to the bottom. The angler saw the bubbles and frantically nudged the boy for any signs of life, but, alas, its efforts were in vain. The boy’s last thought had been the memory of his mother, his protector, before his heart had frozen over and stopped. Before his veins froze. Before his neurons stopped firing.

The boy had died before he reached the bottom. He wasn’t even 11.

Book Review: Cinder:The Lunar Chronicles

The first book of the Lunar Chronicles is titles Cinder. It is a twist on the classic tale Cinderella. In the story, the main character, a cyborg names Cinder, is living in New Bejing after the end of World War 4 (I'm going to call it WW VI) with her stepmother, Adri. Cinder was adopted by Adri's late husband and is thoroughly hated by her stepmother, who blames Cinder for her husband's death. There is a cyborg draft, as they are seen as 'lesser humans' and are needed to assist in finding a cure for the plague of letumosis.

Cinder is a renowned mechanic, though she never lets it get to her head. Even the prince, named Kaito, visited her to repair his android, which has valuable information concerning the looming threat of war between the Earthlings and the Lunars. Lunars are a species of human that developed from colonies on the moon, They have mind-controlling abilities, although sometimes, 'shell' or Lunars without powers, are born. Her sisters, Pearl and Peony, are incredibly snooty, mostly Pearl, though. Close to the beginning, Cinder and Peony are at the junkyard, looking for materials to salvage, when Cinder notices a bruise-like rash on Peony's neck. Cinder realises at once the her sister has caught the deadly plague. Cinder calls a hover to take Peony to quarantines, and Cinder is tested for the life-threatening pathogens. She doesn't have it.

When Cinder arrives at her apartment, the family has already been notified. Adri volunteers Cinder for plague research and Cinder is taken away. Later, we find out the Adri (shocker) blames Cinder for Peony's illness. Pearl and Cinder grow ever distant while Cinder and Prince Kaito grow closer. The Emperor falls ill with letumosis and the wicked queen of the Lunars tempts Kaito to create a marriage alliance with the cure.

I give this book a ****/*****(4/5) because although the plot is strong, the end felt weaker, as if it was rushed to be finished. A good book feels strong all around, especially the end. Also, the characters' description was rather weak, and a better vision of the people in the book may have been necessary. All in all, this is a book that deserves reading.

Recommended for: Strong readers with a love of fantasy or science-fiction.

Chapter 4 Masked Shriek

Sweaty bodies pressed against Jaron. "You -hic- like bad girls?" An obviously intoxicated woman asked. Her hips swayed to an unhearable tune. "'Cause I got what ever you need right here." Jaron cringed and turned away.

"Diane, must we be here? It's so...rough," He chose his words carefully.

"It's a tavern." She promptly replied. "Have a beer, dance a little, loosen up Jar-Jar."

"Dianna Wolfe, are you drunk?" Jaron used her full name, meaning that he needed her attention. "Don't call me Jar-Jar and how many drinks have you had?"

"Just a few, like seven." Diane laughed. "Jar-Jar, you're being stuck up again." She scolded.

Jaron sighed and looked back at the crowd. 'It smells horrible!' His eyes strayed to a young girl sitting alone at a table. 'She looks normal, I guess.' "Diane, lets go, we really should be on our way." That earned him a sigh as the young bandit stood up.

A while later, they were rummaging through Diane's clothing.

"What's this?" Jaron held up a dark blue glove. "This is mine!"

"Not anymore. I rigged it so," Diane slipped it on to demonstrate. Inch long claws slid out. "I use it for climbing, zipping down lines and attacking." She said. Diane put the other glove on. "They're my favorite pair."

~~~

Sorry for the lack of updates.

Masked Shriek Chapter 3

I am a devil. I just act like one.

~~~

"My Prince?"  the swordswoman asked, gently rasping on the door. "Prince Jaron?"

Silence. "My prince, I am entering." She opened the door but saw nothing. "Prince Jaron? Your servant claimed you would be here, your lunch isn't even touched..." The woman closed the door. Realzation swept over her. The prince, heir to the throne, has been kidnapped by the shriek, maybe on the verge of death. "I must tell the king and queen." She quickly walked to the throne room where they sat.

---

"Jaron." I hissed. "Your hair. It's obvious you're a royal." I was talking about how only royals bound their long hair into buns.

"Then cut it off." He snapped.

"Don't snap at me." I muttered and sliced off the bun. His brown hair fell onto his shoulders. I had cut it ragged on purpose. "Now you look better." I claimed.

"This is so uncivilized." He said, which earned a hearty punch in the arm from me. "You're not royalty anymore. You're a runaway, like me, Sal, and half the kingdom." Sal was his dog that was beheaded for running away from him. "You don't have servants, it's just you, yourself, and Jaron." How old was that expression? I don't even care anymore.

An hour later, a young boy with a strong build and what looked to be his girlfriend strode into town. A gang of men hounded on the girl. "Surely, you must think I'm better looking than him." Basically, that's what everyone said. I laughed. I started to run. Jaron followed me, us climbing like monkeys to the roofs. He hopped like frogs out of town and started running as soon as our feet hit the ground.

I cursed my ethereal laugh.

NEW CONTEST!

Now announcing the 'Hello, how are you!' Contest!

Goal:
 Write a persuasive letter about whatever you want.
 Prize:
 Your letter will be featured and you can have a link to your site/blog in the links for 1 month.

GOOD LUCK!

Glaceon

Pokemon,
A sport for all.

"Glaceon, Icy wind!"
Countered with a rock tomb.
Grimace as she takes damage.

Desperate times.
She can't go on much longer.
"Blizzard."
She keeps fighting.
It lands.
Critical hit.
Type boost.
The battle's over,
Foes pokemon knocked out.

Glaceon pants,
Still weak.
Call her over.
Heal her up.

She deserves it.

***

Dedicated to anyone who loves their pokemon.

I am Not

I am not a flunkie,
Doomed to live in your basement.

I am not a hooker,
All my money spent on birth control.

I am not a follower,
Spending hundreds on what's 'in'.

I am not a model,
A public display of myself.

I am who I am
And not who I'm not

I am not anerexic,
Expelling life-giving nutrients from my body.

I am not a drug addict,
Harming myself in more ways than one.

I am not a criminal,
My face on wanted posters.

That is not me,
Clear as can be.
I am myself,
And that is me.

I am not pregnant,
Awaiting abortion.

I am not stupid,
learning my letters.

I am not spiteful,
Plotting ways to harm others.

I am not a rapper,
Cussing as I speak.

I am not a talker,
All voice, no thoughts.

I am not a servant,
Here to take your order.

I am me
And that's all there is to it.

***

I like to quote myself. Especially on that last line.

Cage the Wind

Run
Run fast

I am fast as the wind
Faster.
No one can cage the wind

Take off,
Hear it roar
As you race
Faster.

Feel it,
Rush past,
As you stop,
Laughing in it's freedom

No one can cage the wind.
I am not the wind.
I am caged.
No one can cage the wind

No one can cage the wind.

Masked Shriek: Chapter 2

I may be the child of a devil, but who said that was a bad thing?
---

A knock on the door disturbed me from my studies. How can someone laugh so high-pitched? The knock resounded again. Sighing, I called for them to enter. My servant bowed before me. "The Shriek, my lord, had been captured."

What? Daine? So soon after she rid me of my enemies? "Wonderful!" I exclaimed with false joy. "Thank-you for telling me. You may have the rest of the day off as I will just be reading." I smiled.

"Yes my lord." He bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

I sat down and let dread sweep over me. "Daine, they have her-" Daine wasn't one easy woman to catch, but I loved her anyway. We had been great friends for ages. I could just see her: 'What are you doing Jaron? Are to too scared of defying you parents to help me?'

But one thing burned bright about her: she would do anything, break any law, fight in any war, kill anyone to defend her few friends. Would I do the same? "Yes."

---

A caped figure stood outside of the prison, waiting for the doors to open. He stepped across the threshold, and silently walked to the cells of the most violent. One head at the back of the room snapped to him immediately. Bright blue eyes burned into his pale lavender.

"I don't need your help." She hissed.

Chained to the wall, with dried blood and raw wrists, Daine was still as defiant as they get.

"I think other wise and picked the lock to her cell. I set her arms and legs free. She calmly walked out and relocked the door. Taking a running leap, she grabbed the bars of her cell and began climbing. I swiftly followed.  I would break any law, fight in any war, kill anyone to defend my Daine. Even if she didn't want me help.

"Jaron, are you coming with me on my journey or-"

"Well, you need protecting don't you?" That earned me a solid punch in the arm.

"That means you're not a prince anymore. I see you prepared." She looked at my cloak.

"As did you." She was wearing her assassin's outfit, with the cape a 'mysterious' strange had sent her.

"You forgeting something?" I handed her the mask that she had worn for so long.

Daine just smiled and put it on, keeping those bright blue eyes hidden from the world.

"Truly a Shriek."

 We left my kingdom's capitol that night, not knowing if we would ever return.

Sunset

"Come child,
Mother Day awaits.
For it is sunset."

Stars will scatter 'round and 'round
As Day takes off her somber crown
And shakes her mantle darkly down

Brother Night,
Soft and slender
Glances down and will remember
The darkness before
All the glaring lights and sigh

'Why? Why chase me away?'
He murmurs
'Come my friends!'
He calls to Lady Moon
And her band of Stars
'Tonight they will hear!'
Playing the beautiful music
Again each night
Until,
His sister rises again

And to her,
Joy is bestowed.

She blushes,
Setting the blue sky
Alight
Each morning and evening.
The same show.

Night waits,
With Lady Moon
And her Stars
For a small chance
To be loved
Each sunset

Notes drifted down
As I sat next to Grandpa
"I can hear them!"
He smiled at me.
"As do I."

Masked Shriek

Wild child. Orphan. Shriek. I answer to all.

"I am the child of Fear herself!" I trilled in my ghostly voice as I dropped down from the rafters. "I am the sister of Death and the cousin of Shadow!" I grinned at their shock. The Prince was a decent actor. My bow was loaded. "History repeats." I muttered gleefully.

A glint of an iron-grade dagger caught my eye. This should only take minutes. I Withdrew my scythes. One per hand and leap into the crowd which lead to chaos. Two down. Their blood splatted my face.

Gasping, I extracted the knife I had seen before from my shoulder. I pinned the soldier against a wall. Not to scarred. A shame I have to kill you. With my sythe, his head rolled. More sticky, warm, blood spurted in my face.

I was glad for my pure white mask that protected my eyes and hid my face. The chaos died down fast. A man, officer by his uniform, held a dull-looking sword to the Prince's throat. "Don't move-" Shaky voice. It's be a slow death then. "-or I kill him."

I laughed a high, devilish laugh. "For that bag of bones? Kill him now, see how much I care!" Now he was visibly shaking.

I quickly scaled the walls and dissapeared in the shadows. I aimed. I fired. I met my mark.

He crumpled to the ground, skull split by my arrow. I grinned and leap down in front of the Prince. I was slightly shorter but he was a tall prince. "So, Jaron, the pay? Assassins must be paid." I said dramatically. "Also, I need to clean up."

50 gold coins slid into my soaked hand. I'll clean them later. When I dissapear. I thoroughly washed myself and outside, rubbed a healthy layer of dirt over my skin, my mask and outfit hidden in the bottom of my quiver. I looked like a perfectly normal market girl, albeit, prettier than most. But one thing I was deathly afraid to do was laugh. My signature assassin laugh, that laugh was my real laugh. And everyone knew that spine-chilling laugh.

A man, obiusly working off his ability to get girls in his bed came up to me. "What's a beauty like you doing out in the streets? You looking for a boy?"

Staring him coldly in the eye I responded: "What's a man like you doing out in the streets? Hiding from the landlord as you try to make money off of desperate girls?"

He paled. "S-so, you interested?" Scared. Oh how scared.

I walked away. but froze as I passed a sign. A wanted poster.

Sure, I'd seen plenty of wanted posters for my alter ego, but never one of my real face. The man was trying to warn me. I pulled my hood over my face, covering my eyes and hair.

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" I gasped.

"There she is!!!! The Shriek!" I flew into a dark alley and hid. I removed my cloak and put on my mask, my costume underneath. Climbing, I released my trilling laugh. Everybody freezes when they hear it. "Hahaha! Bow down to me!" I order to add to confusion.

I dash to the next roof top but miss by a hair. I crash to the ground and start running. Policemen aren't that slow. A sack is pulled over my head and I hear the cold clicks of steel cuffs just before the void swallows me.

My nightmare is now real.

~~~

Sorry, sorry.

Concrete Women

Perhaps these concrete women squirm
Outside the light of day
And with the concrete men they play
A game of catch-me catch-me if you can
Frolicking across the land
As they play hand in hand
And with the concrete men they play
Perhaps these concrete women squirm
Outside the light of day

Time Master's Apprentice Chapter 6

The big dance came all too soon. One minuet, I was chilling with my feet up, soda in my hand, next I was standing in a slim black dress, waiting for Tracey to show up. I stood in the shadows, but my pale skin gave me away. I was the only girl not dressed in a pink puffy dress that looked super itchy.

"You ready?" I slapped Tracey across his tanned face.

"You do not sneak up on me like that."

He just grinned and escorted me to the almighty punch bowl. I poured myself a cup. Fruity.

"You look good," Tracey commented. "I like how you stick out."

I didn't exactly mind the compliment.We just chilled there until the last song, laughing it up.

"Do you, uh, wanna dance?" I asked.

And so we did. Not that bad.

That night, he dropped me off.

"See you tomorrow," And gave me a kiss.

"Tomorrow." I smiled.

~~~

Sorry for the delay. Anyway. Series is ova!

Littermate

The approaching jungle night was a threat for some wolves, but not me. I was a brave wolf. I crouched by a stream, lapping up life-sustaining water. Fishing was tiring when the prey was carp!

“Just a little closer…” One had strayed very close to my submerged muzzle. My belly growled at the prospect of food, but the Pack must be fed first. Blood stained the water. I sat on my haunches, admiring my catch when I heard Mari.

“Seplie!” Her howl resonated through the thick, pulpy vines that coated trees, hidden by moss.

“Mari!” I replied, already racing through the brush to the camp of the Pack of Rustling Leaves. My paws took me home but my mind was far away, running through possible reasons to howl my daughter’s name. All were grim.

“M-Mari-” I murmured, entering the camp. Wolves moved to give me room. “Fiol!” She nuzzled me. “I’m so glad they didn’t take you as well.”

“Who is ‘they’?” I was very confused on who Mari was talking about. Other wolves? The thought crossed my mind.

“These ugly creatures that walk on two legs. They only have fur on their heads only some have a little fur everywhere. And they were these cloths on their body!” She described from her terrible memory. The poor wolf had been stormed by vicious creatures.

“Humans!” Creaked an elder. “They’re humans!”

Well. That sure helped the pack panic. I sighed. “Mach, as your leader, I hereby command you to tell us all you know about them.” I addressed the old wolf formally.

I gave him a nudge to get up. “Mari, go to the Healer’s den. They’ll give you some thyme for shock.” I gave her tan muzzle a lick. “Don’t worry; I’ll get our pup back.”

Mach followed me into my den.

“Mach, please tell me the weakness of these…humans,” The word felt so new on my tongue.

“Well, they’re scared of the Giant Death.” He ducked his tail between his legs and I shrank down. I searched the cave walls of my den for any, but none of death’s servants appeared. “Do not say that name! Do you want a servant of the god of death to come to the camp?!” I barked.

“No my leader, I am deeply sorry, I did not think.” Mach hung his head in shame.

“It’s fine,” I felt a pang of sympathy for the wolf that had been my friend since puppyhood. “Continue.”

“They can’t take a wound like a warrior wolf at all!” Mach’s whiskers jerked up and down as he chuckled. “They act like scared pups!”

“Why, it’s a wonder they haven’t been classified as prey!” I chuckled.

“That’s because of their-” Mach looked around and continued very quietly. “Their firesticks that rattle the heavens and magically kill any animal on front of them.”

My eyes widened as I spoke. “I’ve never heard of firesticks. They must be very rare among the jungles of India.” I was in shock. “Thank you, Mach, you may be dismissed to sleep and do what you wish until I need your counseling again,” My muzzle brushed his erect ear. “Stay safe, my friend.”

The day’s light grew as I went to check on Mari in the Healer’s den. Her eyes were shut and her flanks rising and falling in rhythm. I licked her front paw. “Sleep well, my sweet.”

I went with a hunting patrol for the attempt to track Seplie’s scent. Vines, bird, tree, hey! A bird! Focus Fiol. The starving pack of wolves back home can wait. I reprimanded myself. Wait. What is that scent? Smells very different…but there’s a faint trace of wolf?

“I’ve found something!” I howled loudly. The patrol checked the scent. “That’s Seplie’s scent! I’d know my pup’s scent anywhere!” I growled as I thought of those miserable low-life humans that had stolen a pack leader’s pup. They would be sorry.

I crouched on my belly, ignoring the rumblings of hunger that curiosity had hidden as I consulted with Mach. I thought of my fish, lying forlorn and forgotten. Probably stolen. Suddenly, I heard a roaring noise. The River? I knew how far this was. And how little time we had.

“Their camp is on the other side, sir!” Lokra announced over the gush of the river falling down the gorge.

I nodded. “We must see them.” So I bunched up my muscles and did the impossible: I leapt the River. And didn’t die.

Two-legged beings appeared through the thick, damp vines. “Humans.” I breathed. I leapt back over the River. I was still numb, so the complete and utter terror of what I was doing never reached me. “To the camp. They have Seplie! We will attack them!” A hurrah rose from assembled wolves. “Attack the kidnapers!” They howled. They took the longer way over the Gorge of Thundering Water; which had a single, slippery, damp log that had it’s bark stripped off. And they exploded through the undergrowth. And hideous shrieking filled the air.

I sank my jaw into the thick leg of a human who swung his blunt, metallic, stick toward my head. Lokra shoved me out of the way; and just in time too. An explosion rattled the sky and smoke streamed out of the stick. Black powder had charred the ground. So that’s a firestick. The thought barely crossed my mind as Lorka nosed me up. “I’m okay,” I said gently, still a little dazed.

But not dazed enough to miss the giant, grotesquely skinny human looming up behind my littermate. “Behind you.” I growled as she spun around to leap at it’s face.

The humans’ screams echoed as my patrol ripped into them. Blood had splattered all over me. I rinsed the blood from my muzzle and paws. The taste was horrible! The other wolves did the same. It was customary. Returning to the deceased humans’ camp, I sniffed a metal cage that held my baby, looking for a way to set her free.

“Fiol,” A single wolf approached me looking grim. “Lorka has gone to the pack of Twinkling Stars.” Sadness etched his voice into a hollow tone.

I dipped my head. I let that wolf mangle the bars of Seplie’s cage enough to set her free. As I went to drape the lifeless pelt of Lokra over my shoulders to carry her body back to camp, the wolves followed in silence. And a single tear streaked down my amber face, stained red from my own blood. And I felt shattered inside. But I forced a brave expression on my face as I hid my sadness. The clan must stay strong. And to stay strong, they need a strong leader that shows no mercy.

~~~ 

 Made this for school, thought it was good. Comments are nice.