The F.R.E.A.K.S

The Lion Man

Over the course of a few months, Spike and I were running low on supplies once again. Over those few months we had also trained. We needed to get up our stamina and check up on our powers. I can now make at least five beings at a time completely immobile. Spike has learned to create more weapons at a time and use them to his advantage.

When we entered the town, we were bombarded by civilians and citizens buzzing about some "freak show." This caught Spike and my interests. Rumors were being whispered by almost everyone.

"Did you hear?"

"I heard there is a lion boy."

"Lion boy?"

"What a load of-"

"SHH, they'll hear you!"

We both shared a skeptical look at each other. This definitely caught our interest. If there is someone like us out there, we may want him as an ally. We approached the whispering women. "Excuse me, but can you tell us of the freak show we keep hearing about?", Spike asked politely. "Oh, my well.. Let me see," the women were obviously flustered by Spikes looks. He smiled in encouragement. "Well, rumor has it that there is a boy that can change into a lion. They say his eyes are a bright, electric blue and his skin is darker than the night sky. And when he changes, the lion is black. Can you imagine?"

Spike pondered,"Well that is quite strange. Do you know where we can find the Freak Show and how to get in Ma'am?" The woman pointed to our left,"The wagon is right there and the entrance fee is 5 golden coins." We bowed our heads,"Thank you Ma'am," we said simultaneously.

Once we were out of earshot, we started making a plan to get the lion boy on our side. "What do you think he's like?", I asked. Spike shook his head,"No idea. But let's hope he's friendly enough to join us." I nodded. We reached the entrance to the show and handed the door man our coins.

There was a crowd around a small stage and a man with a masquerade mask waited patiently for the crowd to settle down. He cleared his throat,"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Baba's Freak Show: A Show of All Kinds!! Today I will show you magic," flames burst from the side of the stage,"mystery," everything went dark except for one light, showing the man. "And beasts!", a loud roar was heard. The crowd applauded.

We were shown a magician, who created fire from his fingertips, made rain come from thin air, dried us with wind, and grew a plant using his mind. The next few acts were those of agility, flexibility, and the like. The final act was coming up and the crowd was more than anxious.

"And here," the man gestured to a cage being rolled in that was covered with a cloth,"is what you've all been waiting for. Reveal the beast." Inside the cage was a lion. But, a black lion. My heart ached just looking at it. The poor boy looked to terrified in that small cage. But it seems not everyone has the same feelings as I, for the crowd was filled with 'ooh's and 'ahh's. At least Spike has common sense.

The lion was let out of the cage,"This may look like an ordinary lion. But he is.. In fact.. A man!" At the man's words, the lion warped into a grown man.

He was littered with scars and looked awkwardly tall around the man. His face was covered with a bright white paint that completely contrasted his skin color. The face paint framed his eyes and cheeks and looked similar to a weaving pattern. He was wearing a light brown, fur loincloth and the head of a black lion set around his head and face. It must add to the man/beast image.

"I give you," the man bowed,"Leo Le Rouge, the lion man." The crowd went absolutely wild and the man flinched and changed back into his lion form. He roared and half the crowd fell silent from fear while the other half rushed forward to get a better look. He turned his majestic head and his piercing blue eyes met my blood red eyes. I saw the sadness and hurt in his eyes and I knew Spike and I had to get him out.

"Spike..", I muttered through clenched teeth. I could feel the rage shining through my eyes,"This man cannot treat him like this. I want that - I want Leo out." "I know," Spike muttered. I turned to him and saw the ferocity burning in his eyes too. Freaky fact found, don't anger a freak. Once their eyes start glowing, you should start running.

The man tried to calm the crowd, but they were too restless. Leo looked troubled and he released a loud roar that trembled the earth. The crowd grew warily silent, then everyone started screaming, trying to get out. Spike and I fought to stay in our places as Leo started rampaging. I rushed forward,"Wha- Xion!! Xion get back!!" I ignored Spike's words and kept on pushing towards Leo.

I need to help him. I need to save him.

I clambered on to the stage as the man was going to whip Leo. "No!", I screeched as I froze the man in place. From then I moved towards the stressed beast. "Sh sh sh," I whispered. I touched his fur. So soft. I ran my fingers through his fur and his mane. He was breathing and panting heavily. "Sh sh look at me," I urged. I held his big face in my hands and looked into those gorgeous eyes of his. "You're ok. I'm getting you out now. You'll be free," he seemed to calm down. He then morphed back into his human form and crumpled on the floor, no doubt exhausted.

"Spike!! Help me with him! Hurry up!", I called. The spell I cast on the man to freeze him was wearing off and I can't keep up my magic for long. Just as he was about to lunge at me, Spike knocked him out with a punch to his jaw. Together, we lifted Leo and carried him out of the tent. We had already purchased supplies and food and we didn't need to go anywhere so we just ran straight for the forest, to our camp.

We only stopped running once we were in the safety of our camp. "That," Spike wheezed,"was the most idiotic thing we have ever done." "That," I replied,"was the best thing we have ever done." I walked over to my staff which stood straight up from the ground, and reinforced the illusion I placed around the camp to make it seem invisible. I also put up a stronger force field so no one could break in. "Spike we saved a man's life! Did you see how sad he was there?"

"I did but now what?"

"We recruit him."

"What if he doesn't want to join us?"

"Then he can do whatever he wants. But I can almost guarantee that he will stay with us. He is one of us Spike he's uh, he's a freak!! His eyes are like ours. And he has powers. We'll make him feel welcome with us."

"Your plans are so crazy."

"You know you love me."

"I do," Spike sighed. This was going to be a long journey.

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OoOooo new character (/^▽^)/ lol sorry Alayna I may have changed a few ideas :P