(So Sorry guys for not updating! I will try to be more regular but no promises! Thank you so much for keeping on reading! If you have any suggestions for the story I would be happy to listen, ideas are welcome! Thanks everyone you mean the world to me!

This chapter is dedicated to humbleauthor for being a humongous help)

Kill Mardu?

I suddenly felt a bit dizzy and had to sit down on a worn rock. I hid my face in my hands, taking a steadying breath. Yeah, I liked to scare people. But kill them? I couldn't kill anyone. No... no... I have to tell Darius I couldn't. I had to tell him I would sit this out. Sure, Mardu had sent me to the Wolves. But did he deserve to die?

"You alright, buddy?" Zach asked, crouching beside me, a concerned expression pinching his dark brows.

"No.... No I can't do that. I can't kill Mardu." I said quickly. "We're... we're going to kill people? Is that necessary?"

"Yes, we have to." Zach said firmly as Caedmon nuzzled my side. "Think you're the only one who they sent to die? They've got hundreds of dragon riders that they kill off each year, just because they're too powerful or too weak. If we kill them, we set the kids free! We're overthrowing the government, Justin. This plan is bigger than us! After we take over S-11, we'll show the world what we can do! No more hiding. We'll be like gods among men!"

I inhaled slowly. That all sounded crazy. Zach sounded suspiciously just like Darius. I turned to look at him, my eyes narrowing. Caed also turned to look at him before flicking out his blue tongue. 'It's an illusion.' He told me.

That was the last straw. "Darius!" I yelled. "Now you're impersonating my friend to try to brainwash me! How far will you go!? News flash- I'm not killing for you- now or ever!" I yelled, hoping Darius could hear. "This has gone too far. I'm leaving. Come on, Caed." I threw my plaid jacket over my shoulder and started crossing the stream on the wide log splayed over the trickling water.

"Where will you go, Justin?" Fake Zach yelled after me. "Who will provide for you? It's been me! I don't ask for much in return."

"Don't ask for much in return," I echoed, pausing on the log even as I felt the decayed wood start to fracture under my feet. "Murder? That's not much?"

"Justin, stop being dramatic."

"Yeah? Well how about stop lying and keeping secrets from me. You're a maniac, you know that?" I had no idea where all this spunk was coming from. But it just felt like all this built up angst was turning into a volcano that was finally erupting. I realized I sounded pathetic, but my frustration didn't translate into words very well.

"I can explain." Fake Zach released a sigh. "I..." Before he could finish the sentence, Caedmon lunged and as soon as he passed through the illusion, the illusion flickered and died out.

"Thanks, Caed. Let's go," I said, continuing to walk before hopping onto the bank on the other side.

Caedmon didn't move. He watched me from the other side, his tail swishing. 'Where are we going to go?' He asked plainly. 'We have no food. No water. No supplies. We're in the middle of Alaska. I can't fly you. Justin... this is not a very good plan.'

I didn't want to hear logic in my time of righteous fury. "Well I can't go back! Then that will show I'm weak. Let's just follow the road." I said before heading to the driveway. Caed gave a sigh before padding beside me.

Thanks to shadow walking, I could cover great distances in hardly any time. I made a brave expression as I set my face to the wind, doing my walk of defiance. Justin, the man who defied all odds. Surviving in the wilds of Alaska. Standing up for what's right. I was already narrating my autobiography. What would it be called? A boy and his dragon? The adventures of Justin Timberlake? Caed the Shade and Justin the human?

I was feeling pretty good about myself even though I had no sense of direction, was in the middle of nowhere, and had no supplies, until I started to get hungry. The sun was still high in the sky, but it was going to be nightfall soon which meant even lower temperatures than during the day. I shouldered my flannel jacket as the shivering set in, shoving my hands in my pockets. My stomach growled plaintively. Even Caed was beginning to look cold, his wings shuffling against his sides as he tried to use friction to warm his scaly sides up. He made a huffing sound deep in his throat like a cat trying to throw up. I looked at him in concern and he looked back at me with his serene purple eyes. He wasn't going to complain. Gosh, was my dragon more mature than I was?

We zipped into the shadows again, travelling along the road towards where we hoped the town would be.

30 minutes later

Dear mother and father, whoever you are.

This is a journal of my last stand.

It has been hours since I left the treacherous house of Darius. My moral compass has led me to this state of desertion. I am now in no-man's land. I can no longer feel my fingers or toes. My lips have turned a precarious shade of purple. My legs are slowly degenerating into jello.

My own dragon is now breathing heavily and refuses to talk to me.

I have had no food since this morning and as such I am in danger of starving to death. My body thirsts. I require sustenance. And yet, I keep going on this godforsaken road. How far it goes, I do not know. I have seen no cars so far, no saviors for my condition.

I fear I may not make it.

Let it be known that Justin Timberlake died a just man.

Hour 1

I heard a rustling in the bushes. The wolves are circling. Caedmon told me it's just a weasel, but I'm sure its wolves intent on dining on our blood.

Hour 1.1

Caedmon caught the weasel. He is now parading around with it, making growling noises as if he were a wolf. I get it, Caedmon. I get it.

Hour 1.5

How long must I walk? How far away is town? Minutes? Hours? Years? Will I be out here forever? Shadow walking itself is not tiring, but constantly taking shape to find where my whereabouts are is. All I see is this endless road and the tall, skinny trees crawling with moss on either side. Pockets of evergreens spread their leafy fir branches to the sun.

Caedmon said town is fifty miles away.

Thanks Caed. Always a ray of sunshine.

Hour 2

In my darkest hour, when my legs can barely walk, my shadows can barely stalk, and my heart shudders within my breast I hear the voice of Dave Bickler guiding me home.

"It's the eye of the tiger it's the thrill of the fight

Risin' up to the challenge of our rival

And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watchin' us all with the eye of the tiger~"

My expression hardens as a 1970 Dodge Chrysler Phoenix pulled up beside us, the whole car thrumming to the sound of 'Eye of the Tiger' blasting from the speakers. All the windows were down and I could spot none other than Elf Thor at the steering wheel, crouching to see me through the window as he coasted by me. He was chewing on some beef jerky as he watched me walk. "Having fun?" He called.

I didn't answer, walking straight ahead, my eyes set on the horizon. I wasn't going to back down now. Caedmon puffed out his chest and walked beside me like a proud show horse, not showing his fatigue. He held his head high, his eyes on the horizon just like mine were. We were proud soldiers.

"So you gonna just keep walking?" Darius called, sounding amused.

I grit my teeth, refusing to speak.

"Well, I admire your stupidity," Darius said. "You know you just did a big loop right? Want to head back up the driveway?" He pointed to the Texas mailbox by the road. "We're serving tacos for lunch."

My stomach growled. But I just kept walking, mentally kicking myself. A big loop!? Really!?

"Oh well. Tonight it's going to get down to negative...." He checked his phone. "Ten? So that flannel ain't gonna cut it. If you survive the night, there's grizzly bears spotted around these parts that would love to have your half frozen butt. Though I have to say, I'm impressed that you traveled fifty miles in a matter of two hours."

I faltered. He turned off his music so I could hear myself think. My frozen toes winced at every crunch of the leaves under my boots. My fisted hands attempted to get feeling back in my fingers. "I'll be fine," I said finally, stupidly stubborn.

'Juzzin.....' Caedmon said worriedly.

"Alright." Darius shrugged and turned on his music again as Kansas belted out "Carry on my Wayward Son." He drove away, the words fading into the sounds of the wildlife.

That night I started getting sticks together as Caed helped, grabbing sticks and setting them down beside me quietly. We didn't know how to get out of this sixty mile loop. We tried a dirt path trail, hoping that would lead us somewhere. But town was nowhere in sight, even with our shadow traveling. I wish I knew someone in town so I could just follow their essence, but it seemed to be no luck. We were truly in the middle of nowhere. A stream gave its soothing melody just next to us, winding in a horseshoe shape around my little camp. I had drank a little from it before I settled down with a heavy sigh.

Setting up a pyramid of sticks, Caedmon put his tail on it, lighting it Charmander style. I grinned as the sticks bloomed into purple flame, which was surprisingly warm. Throwing dead leaves and fir branches in, I managed to warm my extremities. Caedmon curled around me, making the same huffing sound as he did so. I saw sparks of light dance in his mouth before he closed it and rested beside me. I stroked his scaly forehead, sighing as his warmth enveloped me.

I watched the fire crackle and pop, thinking about my life. It's funny how wildlife retreats can get you to do that. Was I doing the right thing or was I just being stupid? What would happen to the kids at S-11? Should I go back and warn them? Would Darius still carry out his plan? All these questions buzzed in my brain as Caedmon snuck off to go hunting.

I won't lie, I was pretty scared. Scared of dying out here. Scared of going back to S-11. Scared of Darius. I laid on my back and looked at the stars as the fire burned beside me. The sky was so vast and beautiful, shining brightly with the lack of air pollution here. I could even see the galaxies. I let my frantic mind relax as I stared at the mass of twinkling stars, only moving when Caedmon cuddled back up to me. His breath smelled bad so I guess he caught something. I didn't notice him present a dead rabbit beside me because I was quickly succumbing to sleep.

I woke up the next morning feel warm and cozy in my sleeping bag. Waves of heat from the sleeping bag made my face flush with warmth, a welcome contrast to the chilly air. I opened my eyes to see a bunch of people standing around me. Dustin, Avery, Song, even Merman were grinning and chattering, eating tacos.

I grinned sleepily before Avery saw I was awake and laughed. "Finally the sleepyhead awakens. How are you feeling?"

"Oh... great." I stretched and smiled. "How did you guys get here?"

"Oh, we're just here for the party," Dustin joked. "To save you of course, have a taco." He handed me a taco and I took it gratefully, taking a big, delicious bite. Mmm, cheese, beans, rice, and meat. Just the way I like my burritos. With just a little lettuce sprinkled on top. "Thanks guys." I managed through a full mouth.

"Where've you been, Justin?" Song asked as she crouched beside me.

"Oh.... You know..." I shrugged. "Out and about. How have you guys been?" I felt totally chill with them, like I had never left.

"Oh, we've been at S-11." Song said. "You know, it's been getting harder there."

"How so?" I asked, taking another bite of my taco.

"Well, you weren't the last one to go to the Wolves. Brandon's gone now. Avery's being taken next month."

"What?" I paled. "Avery- but why?"

"There's too many recruits. That's just what happens." Song shrugged and Avery laughed as if there was nothing wrong.

"That's just what happens," they all agreed in unison.

Suddenly a wolf jumped out and grabbed Avery by the throat, and my friends all watched as the giant shaggy creature dragged her away. "No! Avery!" I screamed as I wiggled in my sleeping bag, trying to get out but it seemed to be like a straitjacket, keeping me from moving. "Avery!"

"Juzzin!" Caedmon's leathery paw slapped me in the face and I jolted upwards, breathing heavily. "Avery!?" I yelled but there was nobody around. Nobody except Caedmon, who was looking at me frantically.

"Juzzin!" He slapped at my sleeping bag. I stared at him for a moment before realizing why. My sleeping bag was on fire! Quickly, I wormed out of the sleeping bag and into the chilly Alaskan cold. Grabbing the sleeping bag, I slapped it to the ground, kicking up dust and putting out the fire.

As I panted and set it down, I realized that I had a sleeping bag. Where did I get the sleeping bag? I looked around suspiciously before finding Zach sitting by the fire, eating a taco. "You alright?" He asked as if I hadn't almost burned to death.

I looked at him suspiciously as Caedmon nuzzled up against me, his scales thrumming in a purr, happy that I was alive. I stroked his head before he told me 'It's really him.'

"Zach?" I ventured, looking at him as he presented me with a taco. Taking it gratefully, I started to chow down. "How did you find me?"

"Well, my dragon flew me out here. I spotted your fire." Zach said, patting Caedmon's head. "You were nearly half frozen. Caedmon's fire is the only reason you're still alive today. I was able to warm you up enough and get you in a sleeping bag before you lost any limbs to frostbite." He rubbed his hands together. "You know, you're not very bright."

"Yeah, yeah, that was pretty stupid," I admitted with a sigh as I took another blissful bite of my taco. "But I just couldn't kill for Darius."

"Oh. Okay. So you kill yourself. So baka." Zach shook his head. "Listen, Justin, you need to come back. I know Darius doesn't show it well, but he cares about you. He sent me to go out and make sure you were okay."

"He cares about me to an extent. I'm just a tool for him," I said, frowning.

"Not true. He's.... he's one of the only family you got left," Zach said. "You two are related. He's been told by your dad to look after you and that's what he's been doing. Maybe you can negotiate with him. He told me he'll back down to you just making Mardu lower his magical boundaries around S-11."

"So-" But before I could finish my statement, Zach held up a finger. "We're not alone," he whispered.

At that cryptic statement, Terral walked out of the tall pines, his elegant head held high. He sniffed, looking alert. I stiffened before turning around at Caedmon's hiss to find six wolves creeping out of the underbrush towards us, their ears pinned back and fangs bared in a snarl. "Caedmon, come back!" I hissed as my heart seemed to stop within me. The wolves fanned out, strategically surrounding us within seconds as we froze there.

Caedmon placed himself in front of me, his spines bristling and fire just exploding from his spine and tail, trying to intimidate the wolves. He growled and seemed to grow larger, fangs baring.

I realized we were stuck in a clearing. There were no shadows around to hide in. We were stuck. I could feel my knees start to shiver under me, barely supporting me as I looked around for a weapon. Finding a longer stick with its end in the flames, I quickly picked it up and swung it around, the flames arcing through the air. "Stay back!" I roared, my boots crunching on dead leaves as I advanced forwards a pace.

The wolves snarled and the leader, a big brute with a black patch on his big head, lunged forwards towards me.

Caedmon met him mid-air.

The dragon and wolf clashed, the dragon's fierce lunge sending them both crashing onto the wolf's side in the leaves. I could only watch, my words frozen in my throat, my legs frozen in place like a stupid statue as my dragon fiercely fended off the wolf. They rolled in the grass, snarling and growling, fangs flashing and jaws snapping. I gasped as I saw the wolf snatch Caedmon's neck in his jaws, trapping him there. Caedmon bunny kicked him, raking his claws down his gut with enough force to make the wolf let go. Then his paws slammed down on his face, once, twice, batting him like a big cat. It stunned the wolf, who stared before slinking back.

Where was Zach? I was about to look around wildly before a few small daggers made entirely of ice whistled past my shoulder. I froze as I watched one embed into one of the wolves, making it yip and fall back as well.

Terral unleashed a roar and swooped over them, Zach on his back. All my ADHD brain could think was 'Zach Attack!' as the dragon swooped down towards the pack, arms spread. The wolves scattered. But it was no use.  The dragon picked up one of the wolves with a yip before swooping off and sending it flying further off into the forest below, a streak of grey.

Meanwhile Caed had retreated to stand in front of me, his back arched to make himself  appear larger. A long mane of flame blasted like rockets at a heavy metal concert from his spine and tail, scaring the wolves enough to make them back off. I swung my stick, yelling at them. "Go away! Shoo! Git!" I snarled. The large beasts backed away, pacing in front of us hungrily. They didn't seem keen on leaving so soon. I could see their ribs even through their furry pelts. I would be thinking about how beautiful they were if they weren't trying to have Justin steak.

Suddenly I was knocked off my feet by another wolf that had snuck up behind me. A stabbing pain made me shriek as I felt sharp teeth tear into my arm. I tried to tear away with all my might, letting out a startled scream as the beast yanked on my arm, almost making me fall on my back. "Caed!" I yelled. "Help!" I kicked at the beast's chest, but it only held on tighter, its jaws locked like a bear trap on my arm. I could feel hot blood stain my flannel, pouring over the wolf's muzzle. The wolf looked at me with feral yellow eyes, its black lips pulled into a snarl as it yanked again, pulling me back with it. Screams of pain escaped me as I futilely kicked at its chest, my stick lying on the ground uselessly.

Suddenly Caedmon bulldozed into the wolf, lowering his flaming head and pounding him. The wolf let go to unleash a sound of pain as the dragon pushed him away. Skidding to the side, the flaming wolf ran off into the woods towards the stream.

I gasped and stepped back. The ripped flannel revealed my skin and open wound to the sun, adding salt to the wound. I covered it with a gloved hand, letting out a frightened sob, watching as scarlet blood colored my fingers.

Another wolf snarled and lunged before a spiky tail sent it flying into a tree, which cracked from the impact. With a moan, the tree split in half and crashed onto the wolf's prone form. The wolf fell limp, its shaggy white fur bristling in the wind.

I wheezed and turned to Zach, who was holding out a hand. "Come on!" He called. I took his hand without hesitation. He pulled me onto the back of his dragon. "Caedmon!" I yelled as the dragon flapped hard, jerking into the sky. Down below, the remaining wolves retreated into the cover of the forest, tails between their legs.

"Look behind you!" Zach yelled over the scathing wind.

I turned around to find Caedmon was hitching a ride, holding onto Terral's tail, his wings spread wide as he coasted. I almost cried in relief until I saw blood spattered on him. 'You okay?' I asked hurriedly.

'Just a little cut up. I'm fine.' Caedmon assured me before opening his mouth, his tongue lolling out of his cage of teeth like a happy dog. He wavered in the sky like a paper airplane, his front legs wrapped around Terral's tail while his back legs were tucked up against himself. His flaming tail left a streak in the sky like a falling meteor.

I smiled as I watched him, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. My arm throbbed but I was okay. I'd survived a wolf pack attack. Not many could say that.

But when I turned around, I was surprised to find Zach's shoulders were shaking as he cried quietly. My heart stopped. Was he hurt? I frowned and tapped his shoulder. "You alright?" I asked.

"We just killed a wolf," He whispered, hiccuping. "I... I didn't mean to kill him."

"Oh." I fell silent, giving him some space as he buried his head in his hands, sobbing without a sound. Terral flew on silently, seeming as glum as his Rider.

"I..." I finally cleared my throat and spoke up, adrenaline still pumping through my veins and making my heart pound. "I think I'm hurt, Zach." My arm was bleeding pretty badly and hurt in stinging waves. I've healed small wounds before with shadows. Could I heal something this large? Or did I need to go to the hospital?

"We're almost back. We'll see what we can do. Your dragon fought bravely back there." Zach sighed.

It was then I realized just how stupid I was. I had endangered the life of not only myself, but Zach, Terral, and Caedmon. "I'm sorry," I whispered, sounding and feeling defeated.

"It's alright." Zach mumbled. "Just don't... don't do that again."

"Oh-okay," I mumbled, shivering as Terral's smooth flight sent gusts of wind in my face.

I'd learned my lesson. No running away. But what was I supposed to do now? I fell into miserable silence.

'Juzzin, I here for you.' Caedmon told me in my mind. 'You never alone. We can do this together.'

I sighed when I realized I hadn't asked Caedmon at all. I just thought of Caedmon as a baby, but he was so much wiser than his age. 'What do you think we should do?'

'Be with Darius. Have Mardu close the boundary. Save everyone. Plan make sense.' Caedmon replied. 'No more running. We need to save people.'

"No more running," I whispered, hoping one day I would be as brave as my dragon. When I thought about it, I was basically a superhero! I had superpowers, a sidekick, and a villain. But what use was a superhero that didn't use his superpowers? What use was a superhero that didn't use his powers to help? What use was a person who just stood there while wolves attacked his friends? I sighed, realizing I was the lamest superhero ever. The most cowardly. My walk of defiance was just a walk of cowardliness.

'It's okay. We'll get stronger. And braver!'Caedmon said cheerfully and I could sense no judgement in his tone.

"Thanks Caed," I sighed as I gripped my bleeding arm.

The world started to fade around me and I suddenly felt dizzy.

"Juzzin!" Caedmon roared as I tipped off the saddle and fell hard towards the ground.