Point of View: Roman, First Person
Timeline: Present Day, Day Seven of Roman's Quest

Virgil wordlessly pointed his staff at the gates of the Dark Palace.

At the hellhound racing full speed at us.

Virgil immediately stepped forward, stepping in front of me.  I blinked surprised as his arm spread outwards, guarding me.  "Whatever you do, don't use your powers," Virgil instructed, voice serious.  "The pills will prevent the effect of being here, but it will do nothing against you if you try to use your powers.  You'll have a seizure and I can't protect you by myself," Virgil said harshly.

I felt the color drain from my face as something very important dawned on me.  "Virge?"

"Hm?" He didn't look at me, eyes narrowed on the beast.

"I don't have a weapon," I elaborated, and Virgil's head swung towards me - realization dawning on his face.  "I usually just summon my sword, so I don't have to carry it.  But if I can't use my powers..."

Virgil's eyes widened.  "Fly, Roman.  Fly, fly as fast as you can away from here."

My jaw dropped.  "I'm not leaving you! Leaving you here would be suicide," I said, raising my wings involuntarily in defense. "I'm not leaving," I argued, sliding one foot back defensively, prepared to fight.

"Please - Prince, please - I can't protect you," Virgil argued, eyes watering in panic.

"I am not leaving you," I said firmly.  "We take it on together," I said, spinning to face the beast -

Was...

Was it just me... or was... was the hellhound...

Shrinking?

I lowered my fists in confusion as the beast continued to get smaller and smaller.  Virgil did the same, looking just as baffled.

By the time the hellhound reached us, it was approximately the size an average puppy.  The hellhound pup barked happily at us, tail wagging playful as it jumped around Virgil, tongue out as it pawed at his legs happily.

Now that it was close and I could really get a good look at it, it... it almost looked like a tiny black German Sheppard! The only exception was the orange flames for eyes.   

And oh my stars, it was adorable.

The hellhound pup seemed to really love Virgil, pawing playfully at his combat boots, trying to play with the laces.  Virgil merely stood there and stared at it, almost dazed actually, as the pup barked happily at him, tag wagging in excitement.

The pup was so excited, that tiny sparks were bouncing of its fur, landing on the ground with an hiss as they melted some of the thinly-ice-covered ground below.

"Sparks," Virgil muttered deliriously.  "Sparks!" he repeated, suddenly coming to life and dropping to the ground quickly.

I let out a yelp of surprise, thinking the hellhound bit him or something, but no - Virgil set his staff on the ground, using both hands and petting the tiny puppy's head.  The puppy barked happily, placing it's front paws on Virgil's lap, trying to climb on top of him, trying to lick his face.  Virgil let out a laugh and I couldn't help staring at the sight.

Virgil... he's... Virgil has never laughed like that with me.  It was so full of... genuine happiness...

Virgil twisted around, standing - puppy in arms.  His eyes were all lit up beautifully as he full-out grinned at me.  "Her name is Sparks! She - She's my puppy," Virgil said, grinning widely.  "She's my pet."

"She?" I repeated, slightly dazed myself.  "She... she's a girl?" I repeated dumbly.  "And... she's your what now?"

Virgil nodded, petting it - her, behind the ear.  "She must've gotten close enough to smell me," Virgil reasoned, as Sparks tried desperately to lick Virgil's face - which he surprising allowed, laughing a little.

"Sparks... is your personal pet hellhound?" I asked again, trying to wrap my head around it.

Virgil nodded, setting her on the ground.  "Yeah," he said, looking a bit surprised himself.  "Don't worry, you can pet her.  She's friendly.  A bit curious though," he added.

Sparks slowly padded her way over to me, sniffing my shoes suspiciously.  It took everything in me not to move, letting her continue her examination.  She prodded at my shoes, as if looking for laces.  When she decided there were none, she moved on, continuing to sniff my shoes.  Soon she got higher, pressing her paws just slightly higher than my knee, tail wagging - wanting to be pet.

I couldn't help smiling as I reached down and petting her, Sparks pressing her head into the palm of my hand happily.

"She's adorable," I concluded.

Virgil let out a small laugh, before turning to Sparks - snapping his fingers.  The pup immediately raced over to him, tail wagging excitedly and tongue sticking out slightly.

I froze as a terrible thought occurred to me.  "Virge?"

"Yeah?"

"T-The hellhound that... that... that day in the Imagination... that -" I couldn't bring myself to finish my thought.

Virgil shook his head.  "Sparks is still a pup.  She's not powerful enough to... to do that," he trailed off as I let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, Sparks twisted her face back towards the Dark Palace, a low growl already starting in her throat.

I spun around, wings rising on instinct, preparing to fight.

Another hellhound, racing full speed at us.

"How many pets you got, Virge?" I asked, lowering my wings slightly and twisting to face Virge.

The color was drained out of his face, eyes locked on the incoming hellhound in fear.  "T-That's not my pet," he stuttered, quickly picking up his staff.  "Roman you need to get out of here, end of discussion," he said harshly.  "Take Sparks with you - get the both of you out of here," Virgil grunted out, voice sounding more gravely than usual.

I frowned and Sparks whimpered, hiding behind Virgil's combat boots.

"I'm still not leaving you," I said, firmly.  "I'll protect Sparks," I added, clapping my hands at Sparks.  "Come 'ere you," I urged, but Sparks merely skated around Virgil's legs, growling at the larger one - trying to protect Virge.  She started growing in size, until she was as big as she'd been before - but Sparks was still no match for this massive beast heading our way.

Either bravely - or stupidly - I put myself between Virgil and the monster heading straight for us, wings rising in anticipation of the fight.

"Roman, ROMAN LEAVE," Virgil said and I twisted to face him, alarmed at the way his voice sounded.

What I saw was no less alarming.

Virgil's hands were at the sides of his head, his whole body trembling.  His bangs covered his face but I didn't have to see it to know that it must've been the face of pain - Virgil's body twisting in unnatural ways.  Was he about to unleash Panic?! He said that was too dangerous!

I hesitated, glancing at the monster one last time before I decided to obey Virgil and take to the sky, feeling guilty nearly instantly.  There was nothing I could do about Sparks, her now being too big for me to carry, but I shot up as fast as I could.

I was just under the clouds when I twisted to see the battleground below me.

Virgil looked so small from up here and it took everything in me not to fly down and get him out of there.  I blinked, realizing something looked off about it...

Where was Sparks?

I frowned, searching for her to find the hellhound - sprinting towards the Dark Palace, the other hellhound completely ignoring her as she flew by.  Sparks didn't even try to attack, just kept sprinting.

With her tail between her legs...

I frowned.  What was going on?

A loud screech filled my ears as a ripple of power nearly sent me flying into the clouds.  I twisted to see Virgil - OH MY STARS.

VIRGIL.

HE - HE - HE -

VIRGIL WAS A DRAGON.

It was very obviously him, with the black reptile skin and bright purple eyes I could see even from here.  He had gorgeous black leathery wings and his tail was constantly swishing back and forth.  Even as a dragon he still had his traditional eye shadow under his eyes, although it was bright purple now for some reason.

He actually... kinda looked like Toothless.

...

AND OH MY HOLY SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT MY BOYFRIEND JUST TURNED INTO A FLIPPIN DRAGON.

Virgil shot up into the air with a loud screech that made me wince.  The hellhound on the ground growled and jumped up on its hind legs, snapping at the places Virge had just been.

I wanted to help but... what could I do? I had no weapon, no powers.  I am useless.

There was the loud sound of what sounded like a toy gun being shot and I watched a MASSIVE sheet of ice just shatter on top of the hellhound.  But instead of the ice breaking, as it should have, the ice merely continued to spread along the monsters fur until the entirely thing was covered in a massive ball of ice.

Virgil dropped to the ground, still in dragon form, satisfied.

...

AND OH MY STARS MY BOYFRIEND JUST TURNED INTO A FLIPPIN ICE DRAGON.

AND TOOK ON A HELLHOUND.

BY HIMSELF.

... I... he... he didn't even need me.

...

I stared as the dragon slowly shrunk, slowly shrunk into Virgil's shaking form.  I dove down immediately, pulling up at the last second and skidding to a rather ungraceful landing before collapsing at his side.  "Are you okay?" I asked once I could catch my breath - a million thoughts racing through my mind.

Virgil looked up at me  - and I gasp at the purple-silver swirling in his eyes, like his did when he used his power, like when he had in my nightmare.

Virgil suddenly tackled me in a hug, still shaking.  It took me a second to hug him back, surprised by his sudden affection.  Virgil quickly and passionately pressed his lips harshly against mine - fisting the fabric of my uniform so tightly I couldn't help gasping against him.

By the time Virgil pulled back, we were both gasping, gasping for air.  "Well," I whispered when I managed to speak.  "Wow," I muttered, still a bit stunned.

Virgil didn't say anything, just smiled at me - reaching forward and brushing his cold thumb against my surely pink cheeks.

"How about we fly the rest of the way?" he suggest, getting to his feet.

----------

We both landed in front of the Dark Palace, Virgil in dragon form and me with my own set of wings.  The moment he landed Virgil shifted back into human form, smiling widely.  "That's so cool," he said - more enthusiastic than I've heard him talk about anything.

"How long have you been... able to do that?" I asked hesitantly, still trying to get over my surprise.

Virgil tilted his head at me, looking confused.  "I'll admit you don't really look... happy.  We're nearly at the end of your quest," he pressed, and I couldn't help noticing that he had avoided the question.

"I am happy," I lied.  

What? Was I supposed to tell him how useless I felt next to him? That all this entire quest I've only managed to give myself a seizure, have to be rescued by him, having terrible nightmares, losing my grip on reality, become really stupidly loopy, pasted out, been nothing more than in the way when we got attacked by a hellhound?

"I'm just... surprised.  I guess it really hasn't hit me yet.  I mean... my boyfriend just turned... into an ice dragon."

Even saying it out loud sounded incredible.

Virgil let out an amused grunt at that.  "Believe me - I'm just as surprised.  I thought that I was going to Panic - and then that happened."

"Fun," I added dryly.  "How about we continued onwards?" I suggested, ready to finally get revenge.  For the Imagination.

Virgil nodded, walking up to the gates, gently pushing them open.

...

Guess they don't have many security threats here.

Virgil and I easily walked up to the tall black and silver doors.  The moment we reached up to knock the door easily swung open, opening up to a dark hallway - lit with these odd blue-purple lights.  No... were those -

"Blacklights," Virgil answered.  "The whole castle is lit with these massive blacklights."

"So cool," I couldn't help muttered, wings rising defensively on instinct the moment I stepped inside, waiting for something bad to happen.  I glanced around for someone, for anyone to take us to... whoever was in charge of this place.

Virgil shifted next to me, yanking his hood over his head and shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets.  "Well, I guess we're to make ourselves welcome," he said finally, leading the way.

----------

Virgil and I traveled wordlessly down the hallway,  too nervous to even speak to each other.  My head was constantly on a swivel, peering down every long hallway we came across.  There were tons of large, dark doors.  Virgil seemed to know where he was going though, not hesitating at all.

A loud thud came from somewhere behind us and Virgil and I both froze, pretty sure the panic in my eyes was obvious.

"...Vee? Is - Is that you?  Vee?"

Virgil spun around faster than I had ever seen him move - not even breathing.  Curious, I spun around too.

Oh my stars.

It was a kid.

The kid who lived in the Dark Palace.

He looked around seven, though he could've easily passed for six or even five.  Surprisingly, he was blond.    He was yawning, rubbing his tiny fists behind big glasses not unlike Patton and Logan's - and wearing adorable navy blue fox pajamas.

The little boy finally finished yawning and his eyes sleepily opened -

Oh my.

The kid's eyes were PURPLE.

I glanced over at Virgil to see tears streaming down his cheeks, eyes locked on the kid.

"Hey there, kid," Virgil choked out, sobbing.

"Aww.  Don't cry," the little boy said, clicking his tongue once, no twice, no three times.  "Don't cry, Vee," the little boy said, taking slow steps forward, pausing slightly after every three - almost as if he was counting them in his head.

By the time he'd reached us, Virgil was on his knees - wrapping his arms around the little boy instantly and the little boy did the same.

"Vee?  Is something wrong?  Why are you crying, Vee?" the little boy asked, still hugging Virgil.

Virgil let out a small laugh.  "Just happy to see you, kid," he said, pulling back and wiping away the remainder of his tears.

The little boy finally seemed to notice me and immediately hid behind Virgil, whimpering.  "New, new, new," he muttered, pressing his face into Virgil's side.

I kneeled down, trying to not seem so intimating.  "Greetings," I said softly, trying not to scare him.  "I am Creativity.  My friends call me Prince."

The younger side peeked curiously at me - looking surprised - while gripping the bottom of Virgil's jacket tightly in his fists.  "You're the young Prince," the younger side said quietly.  "Dad talks about you.  Do you always speak in threes?"

I glanced up at Virgil mystified.  Speak in threes?  And his dad talks about... me?

"No, no he doesn't," Virgil cut in.  "But don't worry, you can trust him.  Now, go ahead and introduce yourself, kid."

The little boy slowly pried himself off Virgil, taking three tiny steps towards me - although he  could have easily covered it in one.  His pretty purple eyes were big behind his glasses.  "My name's Ollie," he said shyly, diving immediately back into Virgil's side.

ADORABLE.

"Why hello, Ollie," I said softly, trying not to scare him.

Ollie glanced up at Virgil at that. "He's nice.  And very good at talking in threes," Ollie paused momentarily.  "I like him," he finished decisively.

Virgil looked amused, rolling his eyes.  "So do I."

I coughed, glaring momentarily at Virgil.  Kid-zone!  "What do you mean by that? About talking in threes? I'm afraid I don't understand," I admitted, curious - ignoring Virgil's statement.

Ollie's cheeks flushed pink embarrassed.  "Three is a very good number," he explained vaguely.  "And you talk in threes.  So you are good," he reasoned.

This kid was the most precious cinnamon roll.

"Ollie... maybe you should tell him what you are," Virgil suggested, probably sensing my confusion.

Ollie immediately shook his head - three times, I noted.

"Don't worry, kid.  He's good remember? He'll be nice," Virgil immediately glared at me - silently urging me to be nice.

Ollie shifted nervously, balancing between one foot and the other, hesitating.

After some time of doing that, he spoke.  

"I am OCD."

----------

Together Virgil and I hung out in Ollie's room, a little lavender room with a white ceiling.  It was surprisingly clean - well, I don't quite know why I was surprised, he is OCD.  But that certainly did explain his obsession with counting and the number three.

"Three words in one sentence, or a sentence that is divisible by three," Virgil explained to me quietly while Ollie slowly climbed back into bed, poor thing exhausted.  "Or three sentences, once again the total number of words divisible by three."

"How... How has he been seven all this time?" I asked, curious.  If it has been so many years since Virgil has been here, then how could he still be seven?  I know that Virgil mentioned he was always seven, but he never explained why.

Virgil shrugged, clueless.  "We don't know.  He's been seven for years, and no one can explain it.  But seven is a good number for him, so he doesn't mind - not that he realizes that he's been seven for so long.  Which is why he was surprised to see me crying.  For him, I must've only been a couple of months, maybe even weeks."

I whistled softly.  "That's insane," I repeated.  I paused realizing what he said.  "Wait we?  Who is we?"

Virgil immediately tensed.  After a moment, he gestured for me to follow him out into the hallway, clearly something serious and he didn't want Ollie to overhear.  I followed him and waited for the soft click of Ollie's door before speaking.  "So?" I asked.

Virgil didn't say anything immediately.  He merely motioned for me to be silent - tense.  I joined him, waiting for him to direct.  He motioned for me to look down one side of the hallway and I took the other, peering down the long, purple-blue tinted hallway.

And that was the last thing I saw before the world went black.

__________
Timeline: Present Day, Day N/A of Roman's Quest

My arms were still starting to hurt from being held over my head for so long in such an awkward position. Dried blood trailed down from my wrists where I had been yanking on the chains when I first got here. I was tired, hungry, and scared. Not for my own fate, but Virgil's. Where was he?    Stars, I hope he's okay...  All I cared about was him being safe, though the longer I was here the harder it was to imagine that he was okay.

I could hear screams of pain from what I assumed to be prisoners, and hoping each day that they weren't Virgil. Every day – or what I could assume was every day since I had no way of keeping track – there were no windows or anything – just a dark room with a single dull light bulb hanging in the center of the room.

Though I can't have been here more than a week, as I've still been in my right mind - the pill Virgil gave me keeping me safe from the effects of being here.

I hung my head, stuck in this awful kneeling position. Even my wings were trapped – weighted down with 100 pound weights strapped to each of them. There was no escape. Not this time.

For all the preparation that I had done for this exact moment, I felt... felt so USELESS. Useless because I was trapped here, useless because I couldn't save Virgil, useless because I let everyone down.

I had tried so hard to be a hero and here I was, a big weeping willow that wallowed in my own self-pity.

I don't deserve a happy ending.

The door suddenly burst open and I winced, momentarily blind from the bright light - which to be honest wasn't even the bright in all honesty, but since I had grown used to that stupid dim light bulb it seemed so much brighter. My eyes watered in pain and reflexively shut tightly. I felt someone grab my arm tightly, shaking it firmly. Immediately I knew that this was not a rescue attempt, this wasn't Virgil coming to rescue me. What did they have in store for me?

I was dragged along the stone floor, my legs trying and failing to keep me on my feet. I let them drag me while tears ran down my cheeks, eyes still fighting to adjust to the light change.

I was thrown down on the floor in what looked like a... throne room? It was... the place was lit with... were those blacklights? Oh yeah, that was right.  Virge mentioned the whole palace was lit up with them.  The blue-purple glow bounced off the tall black pillars along the side, which were also embedded with blacklights. There were plenty of them, embedded in the floor instead of the ceiling, like normal lights. It gave everything a sort of haunting appearance, but it was certainly enough light to see clearly without any trouble.

If my eyes would just adjust already.

"I was informed that our young Prince here has a passion for quotes," a man's voice started, tone sounding curiously. "And I'm curious if he has come across this one. 'The best use of imagination is creativity. The worst use of imagination is anxiety,'" he recited quietly.

"Deepak Chopra," I answered, making my voice as confident as I could while my eyes still adjusted (honestly what was taking so long?) white dots bouncing along my vision.  How did he know about my passion for quotes? No one knows about that.  Not even Virgil - I had no desire to announce my nerdy obsession to anyone.

"I'm impressed," he responded. "Though I would have been quite disappointed if you had been wrong," he admitted. "Might I welcome you to my kingdom, young Prince," the loud, now booming voice said.

Eyes having finally adjusted, I weakly rose my head to see a dark, looming figure in... in...

Blue?

No, no that wasn't right. He was wearing white, but the blacklights made it appear a blue-purple color.

And the person beside him was-

No.

No it – it couldn't be. W-What? I – I don't understand...

The other figure smirked at me.

"Hey there, Princey."

____________________
3687 WDCT

OOOOHHHHHHSSSNNNNNAAAPPP!!!!

Told you guys you weren't ready ;)

Sorry this is so late. As you can probably tell it ended up being a bit longer than I expected too. But there was ... a situation. It's all good now and no one is hurt... but I didn't really feel like writing on that Thursday. Sorry if that's really vague and stuff but... I don't really want to talk about it yet.

Oh, and some advice? I'd keep your eyes out because the next chapter will be out soon... Very soon :3

- Max :3