Heyy...

Just to tell you I will be in Durham for a couple of days going ice skating and such so I might not be able to post much and I've been busy seeing family members so that's why I haven't done much on my blog. Yeah. Here's some good advice:

'With great talent comes great jealousy, so people may not like you even if you're awesome.'

There. Not only true, but useful.

Phoebe

The Phases: Christmas Time!

Amazonia looked around at the table, a grin on her face, and looked at the other Phases. She was knew, and though it was her first Christmas away from her family and home, she couldn't help enjoying herself. As usual, their cooks had done them proud. Huge turkeys, mounds of roasted vegetables, mulled wine (watered down for the kids) and even the sprouts looked appetizing. She looked up as a load of boys came up to her. She sighed. Dark skin, brown eyes and black hair down to you knees seemed to be what the boys were looking for in girls at the moment. And being a panther too. The boys shuffled up to her looking embarrassed, and pushed a younger one to the front. "H-hey." He stammered "I-I was just wondering, if--"
"Oh come on. That's not the way to do it." Said a louder voice from Amazonia's right. She looked up to see an older boy swagger up to her. Her heart thumped strangely. She looked up at the boy. He was pretty normal looking, with pale skin, brown hair and the natural charm of a cat, except for his eyes, which held that strange inner light of an Old Spirit. This boy's animal had been a Phase before. She stood up as he said in a charming voice "Amazonia, would you give me the honer of being my partner for the annual Christmas ball?"
"I would" she answered sweetly, looking into his eyes. He held the gaze for what was probably a bit longer for just looking at some one. He turned away however when he heard the cry of "Hey, Amazonia! Over here!!" Amazonia looked across at her friends, beckoning at her madly and pointing a chair. "Sorry, must go." She blew him a kiss as she sauntered over to her friends, and then collapsed into a chair. Being this popular was hard work. At least here she could relax. She looked up again as she heard more people approaching. Not another fan club. But instead of th nervous boy wanting her to dance with them, the men who approached her were older and more serious. Elders. She thought. "Ammazonia." One said "We need your help.
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There. This a (late) Christmas story. It's a bit lame, but it'll get better.

The Phases: After Dark

Devic wasn't happy either. Being summoned to the Elder's Office only meant one thing: trouble. Big time. Probably for him. Had Deada been right? Had he finally gone too far? Devic dragged his feet along the corridor, prolonging the moment for as long as possible, but finally he reached the door to the Elder's Office. Here goes nothing. He thought, before he opened the door and stepped across the threshold. It was twice as bad as he'd imagined. The other Elders looked at him in extreme disappointment. One of the gifts of Elders is to make sone one else feel like they want them to feel, and this happened to be ashamed. He didn't like it at all. Especialy because as there were 5 Elders doing it to him he couldn't feel anything else. He went into a sort of numb trance while they talked to him, and stopped really hearing what they were saying, until one sentence reached his ears: "I am afraid that as you have shown such childish behavior, you will have to go where the children are. You are being sent back to the training stage."
"You're joking!!" Devic felt a hot wave of anger, and saw some of the Elders wince and their shameful vibes broke. "The training stage is just for kids! I am NOT going back down there!"
"Due to your behavioral we believe it is the best thing for you."

Devic groaned. Welcome to Hell...

Welcome to Hell. Deada thought back to the time she'd visited the front, where the tunnels were guarded. One of the first things she'd noticed was that some one had spray painted those words over the walls. Hell was definitely the word to use. I was dim, dirty, and either boring out of your mind or in such a state of panic you wouldn't really mind if you died in the battle. And that's where I should be heading. All the made Phases went there, or somewhere equally worse. They were just a cheap source of labor. Expendable. What she and Emarai were. Deada walked into her aunt and uncle's rooms. She took a pen and paper from her pocket, and wrote: 'I know that I am not a true Phase now. I am leaving to look for Emarai.' Deada paused, thinking of what to write next. 'How could you lie to me?' With that she walked away.

Tom was running. He had been running for a few days now. He was headed towards the marshes, for that was where Maria had said she was heading. No, Emarai. He reminded himself. It was dark, and he stopped in an ally to catch his breath. Then he heard it. The slow steps of some one who didn't want to be seen or heard. Of course! Tom cursed himself for being such an idiot. There are still kidnappers on the streets! I'm being stalked! Tom whirled around. He could just see the faint outline of someone crouched against a wall. He gathered himself up to fight. But instead the figure suddenly flashed a light at him, and he staggered back, rubbing his eyes. He expected to feel hands on him at any moment, but instead he heard a voice. "Tom? Tom! Stop thrashing around and look at me!" Tom stopped. How did this woman know his name? He blinked and the woman came into focus. He looked at her eyes. Eagle's eyes. She was one of them! Maybe she could help him. "Maria. Where is she?" He asked desperately. "I don't know!" She answered hysterically. "She was meant to be back 4 days ago!"
"WHAT?!" Tom thought back. 4 days ago... That was when he'd had his dream! "She said she was going to the marshes."
"Yes, but... how did you know that?" The woman's voice sounded suddenly suspicious.
"She visited me."
"Did she tell you what she was?"
"Wait, what--?
"Dis she tell you what she was?!"
"I-I guessed. You're shape shifters." The woman gave a great sigh of relief. "You're almost there, but you're wrong enough."
"What do you mean?" Tom was intrigued. "I mean if you knew, it would be my duty to kill you." The woman smiled evilly. Tom decided he didn't want to know any more. "Well, if we're ever going to go, now would be a good time." With that the woman strode past him, leaving Tom to stumble after her. "It's not fair! You have eagle eyes!" Tom started to run, then tripped over his own feet. Warm hands caught and steadied him. He looked up to see a pair of golden-brown eyes looking down at him. "Thanks."
"No problem." Tom and the woman started with more success towards the marshes. We'll find you, Emarai. We will.
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There! And you'd better like it, or you will be put in my sock drawer. I might do a one off story over Christmas but I'll need some ideas. Please comment!

Another little something

Ok, this is from the same story as the last something.
Glitter Text @ Glitterfy.com

There! I hope you like it! Try to guess what the next one's about.

The Phases: After Dark

Chapter 10!!
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Deada was on 'recruit' duty again, which basically meant kidnapping more kids off the streets, and was NOT happy. She was not only pared with Devic (again) but Emarai still wasn't back yet, and Deada was worried. Emarai had been one of the best Phases she'd taught. She wouldn't get lost. She was going across the marshes. Thought Deada. There isn't any danger there. She pushed it to the back of her mind. She looked up in time to see that Devic was stalking some one. A woman. with a baby in a pram. Something about this bugged Deada. She didn't know why, but something about Devic stalking the woman made her feel angry... and scared. Wait, not the teenager. she realized. The baby. He's stalking the baby. Before she could act, Devic pounced on the teen, knocking her and the pram over. The woman screamed and the baby cried out. No... thought Deada. An image flashed in front of her eyes. A memory. She remembered looking up in a pram, and seeing dark fur... Devic was in puma form... crying out as the pram was pushed over... now the pram was on the ground... dark paws looming over her... Devic reached towards the baby... "NO!!" Deada launched herself at Devic. She slammed him against the wall. "RUN!!" She yelled at the girl. Devic made a swipe at her. "TAKE THE BABY AND GO!!" Out of the corned of her eye she saw the woman scoop up the baby and leg it. Deada felt herself changing, moving, flowing... soon she found herself as an eagle on top of Devic.Devic had sunk into half way. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU FRICKIN' DOING?!" He yelled at her. Deada Phases to half way too. "You" She said shakily "Were not taking that child."
"It's only a stinkin' human--"
"I don't care."
"Well why not?"
"Because... because..." Deada couldn't say. She now knew that she wasn't a born Phase, but she couldn't say in in front of Devic. Deada looked around at the ally desperately. He could block her if she ran, but he couldn't follow her up. She jumped into the air and Phased. She sped through the air. She needed to talk to her aunt and uncle. Fast.

Tom dreamed... he dreamed that he was out on the marshes, watching a beautiful marsh harrier. Then, suddenly, he saw a man with a gun a bit further away. The man raised the gun, and shot the harrier. Tom watched as it fell, and ran to where it had fallen, hoping he'd be able to help it. But instead of a marsh harrier, a girl was lying there instead. Her eyes were open, but weren't looking at anything. The man with the gun came up behind him, and looked at the girl in satisfaction. "A good days work. Only a juvenile but she'll look good on my wall." Tom was furious. He looked at the man. Couldn't he see that he'd shot a girl? He looked back at her. He suddenly noticed that her hair was black, and her eyes were bright green... his sister was dead.
Tom sat blot upright in bed, cold sweat pouring down his face. For some reason he crossed to the window. Next to where Maria had left her note, he noticed a glint of silver that he hadn't seen before. He picked it up, and saw that it was a necklace. A charm hung from it, in the shape of a pair of wings. He didn't know why, but he need to find Maria, even if she was Emarai now. Grasping the necklace, he pulled on some jeans, a T-shirt and a coat. Then, on some impulse, grabbed a treasured photo of his sister and stuffed in his inside coat pocket. He legged it out of the door.
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Dun dun dun! My favorite part to write was Tom's dream.

The Phases: After Dark

I'm getting pretty tired of saying this... Whoo! The next chapter! Chapter 9 or 10? I dunno...

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-- 4 months later--

Tom was dreaming. He had to be. Either that or her was going crazy, which was quite likely, because Maria, his sister, was dead, and could not be sitting on his window sill right now. "Open the window, idiot! I'm gonna fall!" In a daze Tom opened the window, thinking that he might enjoy the dream while he could, and Maria fell on top of him. For a moment he just stood there while she picked herself up, and then he flung his arms around her, and they were laughing and crying and holding onto each other and had no idea what was happening but just didn't care. Tom found himself sitting on his bed, with Maria (who was defiantly alive and not a dream) next to him. "I'll call mum and dad." He said shakily "They're out now, and they'll be thrilled, and..." But Maria was shaking her head sadly. "Oh Tom." She sighed "They can't know. I'm not even meant to be here. I was just passing through... but I had to see you, to make sure that you're ok." She sighed again, and looked away. "But, what do you mean? You're coming back, right?" Tom was desperate. She HAD to be... "Wrong." She turned and looked at him "I dissapered for a reason, Tom. What happens could affect the course of the univers. Look I know it's a lot, but--" Tom was just shaking his head. Walls had been built. He just couldn't accept it. She must be crazy he thought or who ever took her has brain washed her. "I'm not letting you go." He said fiercly. He tighed his grip on her wrists. "We can help you, make you safe--"

"They'll come looking for me, Tom."

"Then we'll fight them--"

"Stop." Tom stopped and looked up at her. Now he looked, he saw that her eyes were... strange. They'd always been green, but not that bright, shining emerald. And not just that. The way she sat, the curve of her mouth, the way her hair hung... she'd changed. Tom sighed again. "You really have to go, don't you?" She nodded. "But, wait, how did you get up here?" He'd just realised something. "Hey, this is 3 storys up. How on Earth did you get here?!" He crossed to the window. No ivy, trees or drainpipe to climb. The only way up was to fly.... He looked back at her, at her eyes. Hawks eyes. "Oh no. No you didn't. It's impossible. You can't have..." She was just looking at him. His voice stuttered to a stop. "I have to go." She wispered. "But... but..." Tom tried to clear his throat. "Where? Where do you have to go?"

"Across the marshes. I'll be at home there." She smiled wryly. "It's my natural habitat." This was too much for Tom, and he just passed out.

When he awoke he was sure it had been a dream. For one thing, he was on his bed, and he'd have fallen on the floor if he'd fainted. But when he got up, the first thing he noticed was that a note was stuck to the window with blue tack, and his binoculars were underneath it. He crossed to the window and read the note. She'd tried to start it several times. It read:
'Look, Tom, I know this is hard, but'
'I'm sorry, but there's no other'
'I wish I could come back, but'
 Finally, she'd managed to finish.

'Oh, Tom, I'm sorry. So sorry. But you have to understand that this is my life now. I'm not Maria anymore, and I can never be again. I am Emarai now. Look through the binoculars and you will see.'
Tom looked and could just see a shape on a tree. He focused the binoculars and saw that it was a hawk. A juvenile hawk. A female juvenile hawk. A hawk with emerald eyes. His sister.

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Duuuuuuun dun dun dun dun dun. Yeah, so this is only one persons point of view, but I figured it was long enough.

The Phases: After Dark

 The next chapter...

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For a raptor, Maria was sleeping deeply. For a human though, she was sleeping extremely lightly. She twitched at the slightest sound, and was constantly on the alert. What for, her body didn't know, but it had to be ready. So, when something gave a loud 'thump', she sat bolt upright, and looked around. A girl looked up from the floor sheepishly. "I sleep walk." She smiled nervously. Maria yawned. She looked at the clock on the wall. It was nearly 8. She could get up now. A few of the other girls weren't so forgiving, though. "Careful where you walk next time, clumsy." Grumbled a blond girl of about 17. "Don't worry. She's a teenager." Grinned another. Laughed. She looked down at herself, and saw that she now had sort of wing things instead of arms, and claws instead of feet. An idea struck her. Concentrating on the animal spirit inside her, she felt herself begin to melt... flow... change... in a few seconds a marsh harrier stood where Maria once was. She bunched up her new legs and sprang into the air, beating her wings. Cries of "Well done!" and "Awesome" reached her ears, but she barely noticed. There was such a feeling of elation when she flew. She felt truly free in this form, and the feel of the air through her feathers, the sight of the floor way blow her... drove all other thoughts from her mind. She called out in joy, and was not at all startled to hear a hawk's cry instead of a human voice. A few other raptors joined her as she circled the lampshade. She was truly alive...

Deada opened the door to the Raptor girl's rooms. After a quick chat with her aunt and uncle, she was now positive that she was, of course, a born Phase, and her parents had died in battle. She was positive and lively, and couldn't wait to start teaching the new Phases. She pushed open the door just as Maria took off. She watched for a bit, admiring the skills used by the girls, but after picking up several flaws (including one where an unfortunate buzzard ended up crashing into the clock) she decided it was time to start the teaching process. She put her fingers to her mouth and gave a shrill whistle. The girls jumped and began to land haphazardly on their beds. Deada smiled. She'd been like that when she was young. "Right, girls." She said "Though most of you are fairly advanced, you still have a lot of training to do. But even before that, you all need to become officially a Phase. And that includes names. You must give up your old life, along with your old name, and only then can you be one of us." Deada looked around the room. Many girls looked slightly tearful, but most looked proud and exited. Deada led them through (yet another) passage and a door, into a room that consisted mostly of mirrors. The girls spread out to look at their reflections. "Your name will probably be based on your appearance." She called "So it has to suit you!" Deada scanned the room. Most of the girls were getting on well enough. She took the opportunity to go over to Maria. "How are you doing?" She asked "I saw it was you circling the lamp."

"Yeah, I just woke up with feathers, so I thought I'd have a go at flying. It was fun."

Deada grinned "'Course it was fun. You were flying! So, how are you getting on with names?"

"I was thinking of something to do with my eyes." Deada looked at Maria's eyes. They were a brighter green than they'd been before. Emerald, in fact, and shining with a strange inner light. Not to mention the fact that they were a hawk's eyes. "Yes." Said Deada "The eyes. Emerald Eyes? A bit long. How about--"

"Emmareye!" Exclaimed Maria. "That's it! Emmareye, like Emma and eye. But spelt E-m-a-r-i-a. Emarai."

"Yes..." Said Deada slowly. "It suits you. Emarai." Deada looked at Emarai. Where once Maria had stood, a Phase was there instead. Emarai looked more like a bird now too. Her shoulder length black hair was flat against her back, like feathers on a bird. Her mouth curved in a new way which made it look somehow like a beak. Her eyes, though they remained green, were hawk's eyes, and took in everything. Even the way she held her arms was new. This was a whole new person.

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Ta da! Please note that all those who vote my stories as 'ok' or 'bad' will be sat on. No hard feelings.

Just something.

Hi. This is just what a future story character might say:



Glitter Text @ Glitterfy.com

So think about that. I might never do that story and if I do it'll be a long time away, but please remember it.

Phoebe.

The Phases: After Dark

Maria has been turned! Lets find out more in chapter 7...

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Maria went with Deada along a corridor and through some more doors. When at last they stopped they were separated into raptors, reptiles (there were very few of these) and cats. Boys had been sent through a different door after they'd been 'turned' so there weren't any. Maria was issued with pajamas and then sent through into another room with beds in. Well, at least these ones don't have broken springs, she thought. She lay down, but it didn't feel right. She crouched and gathered her duvet around her. She then tucked her head in. It felt nice, natural, she drifted off to sleep...

Maria was dreaming. For the first time, she was thinking about all she had left behind... her mum and dad must be so worried... her brother Tom would be out helping the police, she expected... all her friends would be sobbing (they were that sort of people)... and she could never see any of them again. She felt so alone, even with her raptor spirit. She'd disappeared without a trace, and nobody would be able to find out where she was. She had to let go of her old life. What happened here could change the course of the world. Or will it? She suddenly realized that she had no idea what was really going on between the 2 different sorts of Phases, except that there was a war and the RR Phases thought the other sort were evil. I'll probably find out tomorrow. And with that thought she sank deep into sleep and didn't dream anymore....

Deada, however, didn't sleep well at all. Strange images about young girls and kidnapping played themselves over and over in her head. What was going on? Why should she care? She'd been born a Phase, hadn't she? And in 2 years she would be 100 and become an Elder like Devic. Her mum and dad had both been golden eagles like her, but they'd been killed in the Battle of the Caverns when she was a baby. Hadn't they? But, it was absurd. Her oldest memory was when she'd been about 3 and was being told off for leaving dirty marks on the ceiling. So she'd been a Phase when she was tiny. She couldn't have been turned at that age. It was impossible, wasn't it? She'd grown up with her uncle and aunt. Did they know something? She'd have to ask them. Soon. She was getting more uneasy by the minuet. Eventually she got to sleep, but all through the night she dreamed about baby's, kidnapping, and the room where the Phases were made. It's not right... we shouldn't be doing this... but I'm strong, I don't care... they're only humans... most Phases were humans once... and I might've been human once...

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Hmm... something is up... ;-) sorry this chapter's so short, I didn't have much time to write it, or type it, or what ever. You'll find out more in chapter 8. Please comment!

The Phases: After Dark

 Wahoo!! The next chapter! Chapter 6!

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Maria stood in the middle of the room. She was suddenly nervous again. Not of Deada, but of the sneering smile on Devic's face. She had a feeling she might not enjoy this, despite Deada's constant reassurance's that it wouldn't hurt. Maria was standing in a circle of gems and sweet smelling herbs. She didn't know why this was necessary, but it seemed that she was to be put into some sort of trance, and then given the power to 'phase' into an animal of her choice. "Right." Said Deada "Just stand still and we'll begin." Maria watched as Deada and Devic raised their arms, with their eyes half closed. Maria didn't know what it would be like, but she'd imagined chanting and being put into a trance. But this was nothing like that. As Deada's and Devic's arms came down again, they brought a great rushing sensation with them. It held Maria spell bound while darkness rushed upon her, and she gasped. The next thing she knew, she was standing in blackness with strange shapes drifting around her. Some where dark and powerful, while some were light and sneaky. Then one, a brilliant, bright, wonderful shape drifted right past her. It put all the others to shame. She reached for it, and it came to her. She hugged it close and felt it melt into her, merge with her soul, until they were the same thing. How could I ever have been afraid of this? She thought  This is perfect... this is bliss... this is...how it was always meant to be. She knew it now. She'd been totally incomplete before she'd let the spirit merge with her. She was a bird, a beautiful marsh harrier. Not a cat, as had been predicted. She was a raptor. And she'd be trained by Deada on how to fly, and hunt, and fight. Suddenly the darkness started to lift, but the spirit stayed with her. It was a piece of her heart. She opened her eyes and looked at Deada. Wow. So this was where the phrase 'eagle eyes' came from. She could see with about 10 times the detail she'd been able to see with before. But her smell seemed, wrong, some how. Dulled. Of course. She thought I have bird senses now. Birds can't smell very well. She heard the sound of door opening, and spun around with a new grace and co-ordination. Devic looked impatient and was dragging a kicking and screaming girl with him. Maria stepped out of the circle. "Wait out there." Deada told Maria, gesturing to another door. Maria went through the door.

Jezza looked at the girl standing in the door way. "State your name, age and animal." She commanded. The girl studied her closely. Jezza was very slightly unnerved . Most of them still looked a little blank or wondering as they came in, but this one looked straight into Jezze's eyes as she said: "Maria. I am 15. I am a marsh harrier."

"Take a seat on the bench, then." Jezza answered. "You will be taken into the main Phase HQ shortly." Maria sat on the bench next to the other girls. God, she's good. Thought Jezza. Even the way she talks is like a raptor. Though she looks like a cat. Huh! A green-eyed harrier! That's a new one! Jezza looked up again as the door opened and Deada steered another girl through the door. "State your name, age and animal." Said Jezza, in the same commanding voice. "Katie, 14, sparrow hawk." The girl certainly looked like a sparrow hawk. She was tiny! "Follow me." She said to the girls. "You will be taken through the portal to the Reptile and Raptor Phases HQ. From now on it will be known as the RRP HQ." She led the girls through another door. As she stepped it a bright light enveloped them and they appeared in a bright white room with lots of other Phases moving around inside. Deada was at the rear, but when she'd come through she took the lead. "I'll take it from here, thank you. You need to upload the details onto the data banks." Deada offered. Jezza looked at her gratefully. She was exhausted. As she left she heard Deada saying "I'll take you yo your rooms..." Before she went into her apartment and collapsed onto the bed. War work was tiring...
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There! Please comment loads!

The Phases: After Dark

 Chapter 5 is here! Please comment!

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Maria was getting more tense every second. The first, second, and third groups had gone and weren't back yet. Her's was the fifth group, the last, and she knew that the man wanted her tense and nervous just because he liked things that way: victims terrified, not knowing what's going on, and knowing that there was nothing they could do about it. The man himself liked it cool and comfortable while he watched others suffer. Maria loathed him. She looked up as te door opened again and the forth group was taken out. She wouldn't just lie back and let them do this. She'd fight. They's have to force her to do... what are they going to do anyway? She thought. She frowned. No one had said. It must be too horrible. She thought savagely. She looked up as the door opened again. It was now or never.

Deada and Devic began to lead the Phases-to-be out of the room. Just as she was herding them around a corner, however, Devic gave a gasp. Deada turned around just in time to see Maria punch him hard in the stomach. He doubled over and Maria pushed past him. Deada acted immediately. She launched herself at the girl, just as Devic sprang at her himself. They collided in midair, just over Maria and they fell onto her. Deada had no idea what was happening or who was on or under her. She was fighting and being fought both at the same time. Something heavy landed on her arm and she struggled to pull herself free. Eventually she managed to grab onto Maria's shirt and drag her up, just as Devic rolled off her. Deada stood up, pulling Maria up too. For once Devic wasn't smiling. His face was twisted with rage. "Do you mind" He spat, rolling up his sleeves "If I just kill her for that?" He gathered his legs underneath him, ready to pounce... But Deada said "I do mind, Devic. She's important. You're not to go losing your temper over such a small matter."
"Don't patronize me." Devic hissed. Deada just turned away from him. She was sick of him. She hated him. But, of course, Devic felt the same, and as she turned away, she heard him growling. It was a low, quiet sound, but Deada knew what was coming a split second before it did, which probably saved her life. She had just enough time to push Maria away and turn to defend herself before Devic pounced. Except it was a sleek, golden puma that pounced, not a seemingly young man with golden hair and a handsome face. Deada shrieked with rage, and began to phase...

Maria hurtled into a wall. She'd been so close... but wait. They were both completely distracted, if she could just sneak past them... but then she heard Deada's scream, and found herself running towards the sleek golden puma instead of the door. She remembered the way Deada had dived on top of the boy, and tried to copy the movement and positioning of the arms and legs. She pushed off the ground, aiming upwards, and came down on one side of the puma, knocking it off Deada who'd turned into the eagle again. She was vaguely aware of gasps and screams coming from her group, but she didn't really care. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. She saw the puma falling off the eagle, which was turning back into Deada again. With Deada's help, they managed to pin the puma down until it was calm enough to turn back into a man again. Maria turned her head to look at Deada. She was scratched, bruised, and still had feathers in some places, but she was smiling. No, grinning. Thought Maria. God, did she enjoy that?! There was now a rather sheepish looking man where the puma had been. Maria and Deada got off him and Deada turned to Maria. "Thanks." She said slightly breathlessly. "No problem." Answered Maria. A wall built between them had collapsed. They smiled at each other. "Can we just turn them, now?" Said a rather annoyed voice from the floor. "Sure we can, Devic. Maria, just follow me..." Maria went with Deada trustingly. Turning into an animal might not be so bad if it meant she could humiliate Devic...

The Phases: After Dark

Whoo! Chapter 4!

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Maria woke up slowly, as her brain attempted to work out what had happened to her in the last 12 hours. She suddenly realized that she wasn't in her own bed, and sat bolt upright. Then the last night's memory's came flooding back to her and she collapsed back on the bed. She felt such despair. Yesterdays anger had been washed away and she was left with nothing to hold onto. Then she remembered what the woman had said to the boy: Weaklings and those who refuse to fight die, understand?! Maria did understand. I can't be weak she thought I have to be strong. Better to be alive but not human than be human but not alive. She sat up and had a good look around. Most of the others were still asleep, but a few were waking up. Most still looked terrified. Maria got up and went over to one of the least scared looking ones. As it turned out, the girl was only not scared because she'd managed to convince herself that it had all been a dream and that she was still asleep. Maria sighed and turned around. She saw another girl who was making towards her, so she went over to try to talk. "What...what happened?" The girl asked shakily. "I... all I remember was feeling pain on my head and waking up here...." The guy must've knocked her out. Thought Maria. "You were kidnapped like everyone here. You must've been unconscious when you were brought in. I don't really know what's going on, but they said something about a war... and soldiers..." Maria looked at the girl. Could she take it? She looked weak now, but she must be strong or she would never have been chosen. "They're not human, and they want us to be like them." The girl gave a huge sigh and seemed to collapsed in on her self. "Well, it does make sense." She said sadly after a pause. "No human could move that fast, and there was something weird with the eyes..." She trailed off. "But, really." She pleaded "They won't make us like that will they? Will they?" Maria didn't answer. She didn't need to.

"Right." Announced Devic "You're going to be taken in in groups of about 4 to 5. We will divide you up our selves."
"Please, sir." Asked a timid boy "Where are we going to be taken into, sir?" Devic grinned, showing his teeth. "Why, the room where you're going to be changed in, of course." Devic didn't care about secrecy anymore. This lot would be Phases before the end of the day. He smiled as he and Deada went round putting the Phases-to-be into groups. He saw Maria, and gave her his best evil grin. She scowled back at him. He went over to her. "Hey, nice to see you Maria." He laughed "I think, as you hate the idea so much, you can go last, aren't I nice?"
"Burn in Hell." She muttered. "Ooh! Temper temper, Maria. We don't want you spoiling that pretty face do we?" Maria just turned her back on him. Devic laughed. He was enjoying himself. He loved teasing the kids. He looked up and saw Deada scowling at him. "Yeah yeah." He chuckled "'Go away and come back when I've grown up.'" Deada nodded at him, still scowling. Devic just didn't see what her problem was. They were only human, for God's sake. He treated them better when they were Phases. Humans were incomplete until they were a Phase, the animal spirit was what made them whole. It was sad that they didn't realise this until they were turned, though. It could safe a lot of time and suffering. He sighed and herded to first group out of the door, and could still feel Deada's eyes on him. Maybe I should start acting like an Elder. He thought. But then he thought why bother? I'm happy like this. That's what matters. He marched out of the door with his head held up proudly. I'll show her.  He couldn't have been more wrong.
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The end of chapter 4!! Please comment!

The Phases: After Dark

Chapter 3. Just to tell you, these are the darker Phases. The Reptiles and Raptors. The mammals and other birds wouldn't kidnap kids off the streets.
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"Come on, kiddies!" Called Devic. "Through here, and we'll untie you." The teenagers looked at him fearfully, and with mistrust in their eyes. They'd been up all night being sorted: soldiers, workers and spies. Deada watched Maria closly. After about half an hour they'd finally got her to tell them her name. Even now she still wasn't talking, though most had tried screaming when their gags had been taken off. She just looked at her and Devic with disgust. Deada had a feeling that this girl had guessed something, and wasn't happy. "Oi!!" Yelled Devic. A small boy had broken loose and was running towards the door. Deada dived on top of him, and they fell. Deada pulled him to his feet. He was crying. "Do you know what they do weaklings and runaways?!" She hissed. The boy shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "They kill them. Anyone who isn't useful but knows about us dies. Understand?!" The boy nodded, taking in deep breaths. Deada turned back to the rest. Plenty had heard what she'd said. "Anyone else who acts like this will be bound up. Ok?" The others nodded, looking terrified. Deada continued to untie them. She half expected Maria to try and fight them, but she didn't, just looked at them as if they were pieces of dog poo. Deada looked curiosly at the girl. She had no idea what was in store for her, she couldn't have, could she?

Maria was furious. Not scared, not shocked, just angry beyond belief. What she had seen only confirmed her suspicions. We're going to become like them. She thought. We're going to have to fight for them too, and anyone who doesn't want to dies. The injustice of it was burning her up, and it was almost like a physical thing. She hated them, and any of the other unnatural things that she was going to become. Crimes against nature. Her mind screamed at her. Evil, vermin, unnatural... She'd never hated anyone or anything more. She'd seen the animal reflexes of her captives, and had felt the claws on her back when she'd been captured. Not to mention the fact that they'd practically been told what was going to happen to them. Maria looked up. They were being moved again, into a little room with lots of beds in it. "Sleep well." Smirked the man, and he shut the door. Maria was suddenly exhausted, and she dived for a bed. It was bumpy and had broken springs, but Maria was asleep before she even registered this. It gad been a long day...

The Phases: After Dark

Ok, so this is chapter 2 of this story. The chapters are quite short but there's only so much that you can do in one post.
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The car purred into life, and Maria jerked out of her shocked trance. She could look around her properly now, and she saw that she wasn't alone in the back of the car. About 4 others were squashed in with her, and by the sounds of bumping coming from the boot as the car moved, there were several more in there, too. She could hear the kidnappers talking in the front, and struggled to hear what they were saying over the noise of the engine. "What about the one with the black hair and green eyes?" She heard the man say. "She could be cat of some sort."
"Yes." Replied the woman "I'd like her to be a raptor, but she does seem to be more of the cat type. She'll be one of yours, I expect." Maria froze. Black hair and green eyes? That was her! She'd seen the woman who wasn't human. They wanted her to become on of them! I won't let you. She thought. I won't become like you!! What she didn't know was that she didn't exactly have a choice.

Devic drove the car up the drive. A nondescript house with a nondescript garden, but a very non-nondescript gateway to the Raptor and Reptile Phase's HQ. Devic smiled as he got out of the car and started to heard the still terrified captives and Phases-to-be out of the car and onto the house. The night's fun wasn't over. "I know what you're thinking, Devic." Deada snapped. Devic scowled. Deada always had to ruin the fun. "They are all about 300 years younger than you and anyway they're for changing not messing with." Said Deada, pushing a few of the slower ones on. Devic hissed under his breath. Being an Elder was no fun anymore. Trust Deada to spoil things. But his mood didn't last for long. "Just one." He pleaded. He already knew the answer, but he liked winding Deada up. "Pleeeeease, Deada. I won't hurt them, just play a bit." He did this every night, and he enjoyed it. "No, Devic." Deada answered shortly. "You're an Elder. Start acting like one." With that she pushed the last of the captives into the house and closed the door in Devic's face. He sighed and unlocked the door with his keys. "Hellooo, Deada? I have keys, y'know?"
"I do know, I just wanted the satisfaction of closing a door on an Elder." Deada answered smartly. "Now come here. We need to sort out the kids." Divic sighed and went to join her. Now there was light he could see them properly and noticed that most were still in that weird sort of shocked trance. A couple were regarding them with fear in their eyes, but most were just staring blankly at them or through them. Only one was actually struggling. "Little green eyes." Devic crooned. "How are you? You have a good future with us." He laughed as the girl attempted to kick him. A spirited young one. He liked that. "Come on Devic, hurry up." Deada said wearily "I can't do it all on my own. Devic sighed. It was gonna be a long night.
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There! Please comment!!

The Phases: After Dark

Ok, those of you who have seen my other blog, Gerbilzzzz, will know that I am currently a Phase and am lost in some secret world of theirs. This is a shortish story which will hopefully answer some questions.
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Deada smiled a cruel smile as she crept along the ally way. There. The perfect target. She paused for a moment, studying the girl closely. Strongly built, aware, long legs, but not aware enough to sense Deada... she would be perfect. Deada felt her body changing, growing feathers, her arms became powerful wings and her nose and mouth lengthened into a beak. Her eyes changed and she saw things with a brilliant new clarity. In a matter of seconds a golden eagle stood where Deada once was. It soundlessly beat it's wings and took off, landing squarely on the girls back. The eagle then half changed into Deada and clamped a feathered hand over the girl's mouth. She hadn't even had time to scream. If she could, she would be now.

"Hey, Deada. Good fishing?" The speaker was a tall man, with glowing blond hair and a stupidly careless expression on his face. "Good, thanks, Devic." Deada answered shortly, steering the now bound and gagged terrified girl into the car. "You got anything worth while?"
"Oh, yeah. Some promising boys, a couple of girls... Nothing like they were, though. It's a pity really, that you weren't there to see those ones." He laughed. Deada scowled. She only put up with him because he was a good hunter. Anyone else... Well, they'd regret it. She was new, but one of the best. And they should know that by now. "Are you sure she's alright, Deada? You know what they do to weaklings."
"I'm sure." Deada answered, getting into the passenger seat. "I checked her myself. Are you sure any of yours don't have any weapons? Well, you know what they sometimes do..." Deada saw Devic shudder slightly, but he only answered "Positive. I checked too. 'Spect some would try, though." Now Deada shivered. Once on their rounds, a boy had had a knife which Devic and her hadn't known about. He had... Well, some would rather be dead than go with them. But I'm not weak like that. I don't care about them. Thought Deada. I don't care about anything but the war and my salaries. She pushed it to the back of her mind. They had more important things now...

Maria was in shock. All she could think was whatthehellwhatthehellwhatthehellwhatthehell... over and over. She had been walking home from her friend's party and had taken and short cut by going down an ally. Next thing she knew something with claws was on her back which rapidly became very heavy and forced her to the ground, holding a hand which was not quite a hand over her mouth. She had been bound and gagged and then searched all over. She's caught enough of her attackers appearance to know that this woman wasn't human. No human could have eyes like that. An eagle's eyes. Predator's eyes. And Maria was the prey. When she was dragged to the car and heard the others talking she knew that this wasn't just chance. She'd been chosen. And she didn't like the sound of what she's been chosen for...

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Ta da!! I hope you like it! Please leave comments, I'll do another chapter soon!!

Heyy...

Um hi. I'm Phoebe and I'm setting up this blog so that I can type up the story ideas I've thought about but not acted on. Yeah. I'll do one soon. I hope you like them.

Phoebe