Chapter 14 Renewed "Shadow"

"H-hey! Let go!" Alyss shouted the bully dragged her, holding a death grip on her hand.

"Unhand me you big oaf!" She protests.

Suddenly she was then pushed, to somewhere yet unfamiliar in the school.

The guy smiles, "Seems like you'll be getting punishment for calling me off like that in class this morning!"

Alyss looks at him who rubbed warmth back into her hand sorely. "Oh really? What I said was legitimate."

He throws his head back and laughs, "No one will hear you here. Not until we're finished with you."

"We?"

Three other shady figures appeared which Alyss watched fearfully.

"Oh, Bonecrusher. You brought in a good one today."

"Yeah" Another responded who flexed the arms. "We were rather bored. Seems like we're going to have some fun."

"A new student? Smart eyes as usual I see."

Alyss looks at them, it was clear to her what the fate she was in. These idiots...must have been terrorizing this school...hold on...wait...did SINAS also set up this as what they call killing two birds with one school? She pieced it together, they DID mention something about a side mission...

"Okay boys, I'll be straight with you. Lay a single finger on me and you will be terribly sorry for that." Alyss gives one and only warning.

They saw a dangerous light behind her eyes. Then one of them bursted into laughter, "Feisty too! I like this one."

Bonecrusher, reached out to grab Alyss. That, would be on and final mistake for him that day.

Alyss moved fluidly, as she was trained as a courier and whatever Will also had taught. Bringing her elbow right down on the arm as she pulled the hand reaching out with immense strength.

They watched painfully as the arm bent into an awkward position, leaving him kneeling gasping in pain. The rest sought after her, who easily just knocked one into the temple and drove a jab into a point on the upper body which it slumped lifelessly.

The final one stared in amazement than ran off screaming.

Alyss kicks a rock on the ground that hit the wall, she moves out of the way from the projectile's path, which strikes square on the forehead of the rising Bonecrusher guy, "I told you and gave you a chance...you made a rather unlucky decision..."

She walks away, not noticing a hidden figure in the shadows.

"Holy crud! Not only she just defended me this morning but can really kick some butt!" He mutters, scrambling away.

Ooo

Everyone stared in dead silence as the cafeteria door opened once again to reveal Alyss. The air in the room stunned the crowd. Toby and Shayna rapidly stood up, "H-hey! Alyss! You alright?"

Will mumbles, "Of course she is going to be." He noticed Louise not being affected but saw the relief wash over her.

Alyss brushed past the two and walked up to the table. She stared daggers down at the cloaked figure who was eating tentatively, fully aware of her presence.

She slams the table, giving the nearby eaters a fright with the flash of movement.

"Why didn't you come help!?" She blares at Will.

They heard a whisper but everybody could hear it, "Yeah, why didn't you." Which was cut off with a "Shut up idiot!"

Will turned to see Alyss's cold stare, for a brief second, Will was scared she might have been actually mad. But something was lingering, something that couldn't be held back. Will took on the bait, "Say, Why don't you tell me why shouldn't I've come to help?"

Shayna, completely blind from the point of view she had. Worried they might go back to the big rift they had a few weeks ago. "Come on Will, she's right!"

Alyss plops herself down on the seat beside Will and began chatting loudly; explaining what happened rather loudly...or was the fact no one dared to interrupt her. As she was speaking, the more amazed the rest of the student body was. Will nods here and there, Toby and Shayna continuously was baffled and Louise leaned close to listen.

Whispers began travelling around the room, "Is this possible? She actually beat up them?"

"Heck no, she's just blabbering about this to get some attention."

"Hm... I don't think so, I saw it with my clear eyes that she was dragged the by the very Bonecrusher."

Will spoke out of the corner of his mouth, "Hey, I told you guys. He ends up being Bonecrushed" A girl near them amazingly snickered but silenced before they could isolate the person. Breaking a smile, which Toby and Shayna stared at each other. Louise rips the silent atmosphere with a peal of laughter, followed up by Toby and Shayna joining in. Will caught the eye of Alyss which clearly meant a message, Talk later.

Ooo

The news of one of the biggest delinquents was beaten up caused some large movement in the school. Everyone started questioning if it was some kind of ruse. But seeing the injuries caused to the well-known troublemakers, it sealed the facts. With a help of the escapee from the scene and an unknown person, the savior showed that Alyss was the one who "taught an overdue lesson".

This greatly increased her popularity, she was approached by many "popular" groups but turned them down violently...due to the fact that it was never heard of again someone would turn these groups down. Nevertheless, this even doubled her status.

The five were arranged to stay in a large penthouse. It was close, maybe a 15 minute walk away from school. Tactfully chosen by Will and SINAS, it was on a high hill sort of concealed yet had a great view. The house was more like a large mansion with all sorts of professional facilities. Maintained with a regular staff, token of Ed Research. That's right, Toby's parents.

One afternoon, in a remote house they were staying at for the night since something was happening to the oversized house.

Will grins at her, "So how's it been?" Couldn't resist asking.

Alyss gave a death glare, "It feels like the first few days of school again at Re-" Catching herself, she continues, "reality. I mean, really..."

He laughs, "Well my, I am certainly glad I am not as attracted like a North and South magnet." Hiding a grin which was too late, caught by Alyss.

"Oh joke about it all you want! This is more of a pesky hornet who won't leave the person who disturbed the nest's by accident!" She said red-faced. This was a grave mistake for Alyss.

Will stops laughing, for the moment, Alyss won. Diluting the thought within the next line that came out of Will's mouth, "Hmm...I wonder who was the one whom bothered the hornet's home.."

She snaps her head to attention, "Y...you...!"

Louise yawns, whom was holding a ladle, "Come on you two. Don't start a lover's quarrel in this place or the neighbor over there might actually come biting our tai...well the hornet might come and sting us giving us a big welt."

Will and Alyss turns their head, both had some creeping distinct pinkness in their cheeks. "Lover's quarrel?! We are not having a lover's quarrel!"

"So you say..." Louise counts the tiles on the ground.

Toby shuts the refrigerator right behind them, "She's right, that stinging welt will be targeting our pockets..that's for sure...not that ours aren't that shallow. Say, daughter of the great Chef of Trevois Château de restaurant. What great food are we going to have tonight?"

"Oh, we're trying a new recipe-" She started which she got no further as Toby began gagging. Which was followed up by a WHACK from the ladle.

Toby rubbed his head gingerly. "Come on what was that for? And I thought you were complaining to be more quiet."

Giving up, Will and Alyss both sighed. Suddenly the door burst open causing a loud commotion.

"Heeyyyy! Look what I founddd!" Shayna squeals as she rushes into the house. Will invoked many Skandian's gods, living in one home may be easier to keep an eye. But currently, it was really showing a lot of disadvantages for that.

Toby glowers at Shayna who's smile and upbeat motivation slowly disappeared, "Um...did something happen?"

The 4 of them looked at each other, then turning to Shayna and harmonized, "Darn right something did!"

Ooo

"A puppy contest?" Alyss furrowed her eyebrows.

Shayna nodded her head hastily, "Yeah! There is going to be stalls and everything. Also near the end there is going to be a puppy taming contest! You manage to get the dog to come to you for more than a minute, you get to keep! Under a limited time too."

Louise stared at the flyer with wide eyes, "What an interesting way of promotion..."

Toby laughs, "No you got it wrong, see? This is a way to promote the Animal Shelters. To get more people adopting animals."

Shayna points, "Here, it's this Sunday! We don't have anything left to do, we might as well do something fun. Maybe win something! I mean at least a great time to bond."

She looks around to see the faces she poses, "I can just see it! Dog's in our hands! The choice if they are liberated to a loving human owner!" Which cracked a few smiles.

Alyss looked at Will who was considering seriously. He then replies, "Nope, Not going."

Four pairs of eyes turned to look at Will, "Wait what? Whyyy noooot? It's going to be funnnn!"

Will shook his head, "No."

Louise laughs, "Really. Do you have a phobia of dogs?"

Will softly replies, "No."

Alyss immediately knew why. "It's okay Will, you don't have to come."

"That's right." He stands up and goes upstairs.

Leaving them in silence, Toby's dry voice spoke, "I can bet he was just excited for a few minutes there."

Ooo

Will lay down on the bed. Trying to be comfortable, he felt something was in his cloak. He pulls out, it was the flyer. He tosses it away, suddenly his sharp eyesight caught something on the paper which with zapping speed he catches the paper in mid-air.

Staring intently, not believing his eyes for a second. Will then opened the door and declares, "You know what? Let's go this Sunday!" the four looked surprised at the sudden change of heart. Afraid he might return to his previous decision, Shayna runs up and gives him a hard pat. "Great!" Of everything, he stumbled forward with the unexpected force of the pat. Grasping for anything to support him, he fell with an abnormal loud crash. Tailed with a CLANG! SPLAT! CLATTER! SHATTER!...Tinkle!

"...Oops!" Shayna said.

There was an awful long silence, looking at the disaster. Precipitously, the doorbell rang.

Toby, stiff but moved awkwardly towards the door and opened it which his face turned deathly white.

Alyss curiously looked who was at the door, Louise quickly stands by Alyss who also turned pale.

An old man with a cowboy-like hat nodded in greeting. "Hello fellas, teenagers these days eh?"

Toby only was able to move his head up and down as if he joints suddenly turned to rust. They actually met the guy before they came to the house for the night.

"Thought so..." He rubs his nose while leaning in a bit to see the mess which made them all gulp.

"Hey, I'll tell you what. I'll give you a chance to fire your excuse." Who had an edge of sarcasm.

Two hours passed,

"Well that certainly went beautifully." Will said with an annoyed tone.

Alyss nodded bummed out, "Not only we had to clean up the mess. We had to clean his house too."

Toby weakly smiles, "Well look on the bright side."

Shayna sighs, "What bright side?"

"We know, Shayna, gave Will a real snoot-full."

Shayna pounds Toby in the arm who winces in pain laughing. "Also, that guy's house wasn't that bad..."

Louise stares at him, "Okay, then tell me this."

They all looked at her for the question.

"Why the hell, are we on the sidewalk then?"

Ooo

"Woaaah!" when they all entered the Event Grounds.

"This is just like when the village at the castle is having a large celebration!" Alyss whispered to Will who nodded contently.

Immediately, something caught Shayna's attention. "Look! Food!"

Toby sighs rubbing his arm, "That's pretty much what you see all the time!"

Shayna turned her head from the stall, already stuffed her mouth with some fries. Within half a second, Louise joined her. The three stood as they stared after her, after she came back her only response was: "The fries were begging to be eaten."

Alyss peered at the nearest stall, looking at some delicate designs of some sort while Will was at another antique shop with full of old looking things.

Toby just sighed, "I think I am already bored before I stepped into this place."

"Thath befuf yoth areth doth fanyfing" Shayna walks by him with her mouth full of tacos; Toby barely caught what she just said.

"I am so bored...when does that shelter thing start?" Toby pulled out his watch. Suddenly a taco was thrusted into his hand.

Shayna quickly prances away, which Toby seeing no choice but to eat the leftover taco.

"Well if there's one thing about being a normal person, it's that Shayna picks the best common food." Taking a bite out of it.

Toby walked a few paces when he noticed something. In the crowd a girl was being confronted with some nasty people. Toby sighed, "I might as well do something." As he moved closer he began hearing snips of the problem.

"....you need to pay up!"

"I'm not the right person! You got the wrong person."

"Stop lying you stupid girl!"

Just when things began to heat up Toby steps between them. "Hey, leave her alone. I can justify the fact you got the wrong person." Which a complete lie but they didn't need to know that.

The two guys looked at him with blank looks, the girl prepared for a strike looked up with surprise.

"Who the hell are you?" the guy on the right said.

Toby looks back at them, he spreads his arms wide. "You have are judging with a false source."

Louise walks towards him, "Don't you mean a false sauce?" giving him a small nudge.

Toby hanged his head, "Ugh, that was terrible Louise."

"Tear-ible?" holding a grin mingling around her lips.

"Now who the world are you?" the guy on the left growls at Louise who cringed pinching her nose dramatically.

"Man! What did you do? Stick a garlic clove into your mouth?" Louise then answered her own question, "Because you are LEEK-ed with the smell!"

Louise laughs, "Get it? Reeked and the food Leek?"

Seeing all of them having some confused looks, "Leek, okay. So I said garlic. The leek is a vegetable that belongs, along with onion and garlic, to the genus Allium, currently placed in family Amaryllidaceous, Historically, many scientific names were used for le—"

"Why you little..." He directs the attention to the girl behind and then Toby. "I asked, what are you? Her boyfriend?"

Toby jerks out his hand forgetting he had the taco in his hand. "You actually asked...who are you.... Not what are you earlier."

"Are you bein' smart with me?"

Toby shrugged ignoring the question, "Also, me being a boyfriend or not...That's not your business."

Louise snickers, "Toby, you meant That's nacho business?"

Toby turns furiously, "You're not helping!"

The girl behind him broke a smile but stopped when the gaze of the two random assaulters looked at her. Suddenly, someone at a nearby spice stall exploded in a fit of sneezing which an ingredient was knocked over which floated all over the place.

"What the heck is –ACHOO!-" the guy on the right sneezed in mid-sentence.

"Don't care, get the girl!"

Unintentionally, seeing the hostility, Toby looked at his watch, slightly miss pronouncing some words in the rush "Say....! Look at the thyme! Wet's get outta here!" Quickly pulling the girl to the feet and ushering Louise to follow through who was wheezing in laughter.

"I can't believe you caught on. That stuff in the air smells really nice...like thyme." Louise said, waiting for the effect.

Toby sat on the ground tired, "What..? Oh that's nice....." the girl said, "You said back there, look at the thyme." Which she fell on the ground laughing followed her actions by Louise.

Toby glares at them bit into the taco he had in his hand. Due to the fact of the floating spices in the air, it caught some.

Toby felt the taste was different...and actually better. "Say...this tastes like....." He trails off realizing the two is staring at him, waiting for him to complete the sentence.

Just then, Shayna notices them. "Hey! Thanks Tobster for holding my.." She trails off seeing a few bites into taco.

"Oh well!" Which she pulls out a small knife, masterfully cut the thinnest part on the top off and ate it.

"Hey! Toby, what did you do to this? This is amazing! You ...." She fell into a short thought, "Tastes...tasted like you added thyme!" which was the final word to Toby's sentence.

Louise and the girl fell onto their backs rolling with laughter, the unnamed girl giggles, "He mustard ready given up on us!"

Shayna looked at her, "Who are you?"

"Oh...um...thanks to him. I was saved by those two guys back there. They really got the wrong person!"

Will jumps down from the walls, literally freaking out them all.

"I'd believe her, they did get the wrong person. This girl is actually from our school."

"What in the world!?" She jumped in fright.

Toby fell to the floor in front of Will, "Help me from these maniacs!"

Will stared down at him and looked up completely ignoring him. Shayna asks, "How do you know she's from our school?"

"That's because a good..." Cats started hissing loudly at each other right beside them over some food on the ground. "...always keeps his eyes and ears open."

"Wait what?"

Alyss runs up, "Hey what are you doing here? The dog competition is going to start!"

Will snapped to attention concurrently with the girl, "Oh! Right let's go!"

"Right!"

Ooo

"WEEEEELCOME! To the 7th competition day, sponsoring the local animal adoption services around the country! Also our 9th year in doing this festival and event! I trust everyone has enjoyed the stalls set up. There are still chances to adopt a pet! Please do so! This year, we have many of these adorable pets released into a closed area. Anyone who would like to try taming these little fuzz-balls, gets to adopt the pet!" The announcer spoke into the microphone where the gathering crowd sat on the bleachers.

"But exclusive to this event! The adoption will be just paper work! Any extra fees are all covered! Plus medicals and all are covered!"

Shayna whispers, "This is a way to gather more people to adopt these cute pets! Hey Alyss! Did you see that cute bunny over there?"

Alyss nodded, "They were adorable!"

Louise snapped several shots of pictures. "Man, just wait till we get back to Redmount High. Those people are missing out on some fun thymes!"

Toby glared at Louise which a hoot escaped Shayna's lips who felt the stare from him.

Shayna coming to control... supported, "She does have a point however... I'm willing the bet that our friends or mates at school are pampered by another rich school. This is life!"

"Look! It's starting!" Alyss jittered excitedly.

After explaining some simple rules, the announcer began the calls by the sections of the people in the stands sitting of who would like to try out.

Soon, they saw a pattern. There was a dog on the field that was darting here and there. Will's eyes kept targeting here and there identifying the dogs.

Louise points on the pamphlet. "Look,"

It had a labeled the pure breed of a border collie, which looks just like Shadow...and Ebony!

"This is the one dog they put as a purebred. Most of these ones are rather mixed with some other. ....let's see." Louise read quickly.

Shayna gasps, "Wow! Ever since the opening with these competition week? Never before someone ever named the right name for her? That's like....impossible! At least a dog would have been tempted by then! This is the 7th one.. so 7th week!"

Toby peers down, "Doesn't seem like it. By the looks of it, it's a smart dog. Even the announcer specially announced it earlier. It's famous as the unbroken dog. Never before broken its stride resisting the dozen of names spoke."

Will's eyes set on the dog running back and forth. Alyss saw the determination in Will's eyes. She wished silently good luck.

The time came for the section where they were all sitting. "Alright, your turn! Rules are simple, if you give treats, you will need to hold additionally 5 minutes instead of just 2!"

Will and several others stood up who ranged from teens to adults, picked to enter the field. It surprised the three friends when Will stood unexpectedly, "You sure?"

"This is the only reason why I came."

"Oh...good luck!" Shayna shouts as Will got picked.

"Alright! 10 contesters are chosen! Timer is set for 30 minutes! Good luck!" the broadcaster shouts with enthusiasm which was contagious.

The timer dings as the board started counting down. Will among the rest spread out targeting a specific pet they had their eyes on. Actually, Will strode right to the edge of the fence and plopped himself on it.

The guy looked him with surprise, "Hey kid! Go on! There's a timer!"

On the sidelines, Alyss caught on and stage-whispered: "I think he meant to say thymer!"

Toby punched into his palms, "Come on! Really! Not you too! It's getting old here..."

Will nodded on the field to the guy which he saw his face was actually on the big screen, "Yeah. Just watching, don't worry." and then turned to Alyss giving her a thumb up, "Good job, Toby hang in there!"

Toby sighed, "I don't think so...not this-" He stopped himself and looked at his friend who were looking expectantly at him which were disappointed that he paused.

"NOT GUNNA HAPPEN!"

Back on the main ground, Noted that he had actually grasped some major attention.

The host, "Wow, for all these years I've been a host, this is the first time I've heard about this tactic!"

Within the next 11 minutes, nearly everyone had tamed a dog and was leashed on the outside of the fence. There were only two people left on the field, Will and another man trying to go after the border collie.

Everyone could hear him, "I studied the psychology of a dogs mind! Come on!" The crowd laughed at the wail, which even more ridiculous was the name he "chose".

"Come on over here! Scientifically speaking, Edna Augustine Ramona Necassy-saint!"

The host spoke, "Wow that must be the longest dog name I ever heard!"

After another 5 minutes of running around he gave up, claiming he will try again next week which was the last week of this event for the year.

"Alright....this leaves down to one last contestant! Name is..." He checked with the guy on the side. "Will!"

He could hear his friends and Alyss out on the stands cheering him on.

Will finally jumped down and strode confidently towards the Border collie. Not too fast or too slow. Just as he would when he first met Shadow.

The crowd was, noisy as ever but became less loud as they saw with interest of what he might do. The legendary dog who hasn't hesitated to a temptation of anything.

"That young one will never respond to people. Doesn't have a name, but doesn't seem to be able to react to anything. I reckon' it's a smart 'un she is. Try it, call her everything, won't work I tell ya. Stubborn as a mule." The guy said.

Will thought, Mules can always be persuaded.

Will tried everything he knew, even some things only he would do call Ebony but it didn't work. The crowd laughed at the aimless and failing tries. It became soon like a dance, Will lands there with speed but the dog moved quicker.

"Um...Lightning?" Will calls out hopefully as a random guess. The dog amazingly stopped, astonishing everyone in the crowd. The stands fell silent, pressure could be felt from every direction. She looked right into Will's eyes as if saying, Really? That's the best you can think of? Then resumed running around, as everyone fell with some relief and disappointment.

"See? Give up kid, try another dog...that one will probably be alone for the rest of her life. I've seen it all, Katie, Dash, Charlotte, Coco.....Edna Augstin-whatever snoozle doodles! Many varieties more. She may be worth the most, but maybe try the second best or something. There IS a reason why she is placed that high on the chart." The announcer spoke into the microphone.

He glances to see where Alyss was at who looked back at him with belief in her eyes, it then struck him. When he and Horace was discussing about the dog's name. Horace laughed at the name Will made up, Bread and Butter pudding.

Will tried knowing it was a failing attempt. "Hey! Bread and Butter pudding!"

Literally everyone froze in silence. Alyss fell off her chair laughing uncontrollably, slamming her fist on the ground. "Come on Will! Seriously! You must remember Horace's criticism when you suggested that! Blackie was WAY more better!"

Will bellowed back, "Not my problem!"

You have to treat a lady like a lady. Which remembered that bit, Will smiled when he first brought Ebony to Alyss, who gave him that piece of advice.

Time was running out, there were only 1 and a half minute left.

Will peers at the dog that darted among the other ones, really quick and agile. Will thought. Just like...a ranger. The young Ranger remembered the day on the choosing, how he got up to the Baron's room to read the note....

Will calls out a name, which attracted Alyss's attention. Who smiled in Will's direction, face was still red from laughing. This name just appeared in his mind...

"Silhouette!"

Greetings everyone!

Chapterrrrr 14! –drum roll—

Oh! Right, introducing a new character I made up!..er...animal! Silhouette!

Me: Say hi Silhouette!

(she yelps in greeting to you all!)

Yep! If it was unclear, it's the same breed of dog like Ebony, and Shadow in the Ranger's Apprentice series. Decided to get a dog into this story. Not Sable haha, nearly made the mistake! She only appears in Lost stories 11.

-Pulse