Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twenty Seven

"Karmen watch ou—" Agnes's warning was cut short.

"YEOW!" Karmen cried out in agony as tendrils of the black smoke circled her head. Agnes knew what that blob of abyss was...it was the Voice. 

"Karmen you have to fight it!" Agnes clasped Karmen's hands, "You're the one in control! Fight it!"

Karmen gasped, clutching her head. "I-I can't!"

Do you know why she can't Agnes? The Voice cackled nastily in her head. You were wrong. She was never the one in control, I always was. 

Agnes could almost sense the sly grin of the Voice. You lied to me. Why is it that I'm not allowed to know the truth?! Rage bubbled furiously within her.

Because-well, The Voice paused.

"You're the only one who could stop it," Karmen's breathing turned ragged, "Finish it now. Don't worry about me."

"I don't know how!" Agnes protested.

"You will know. The shadows are taking over," Karmen cautioned.

Agnes sighed. What could she possibly do to the Voice, who could easily kill her as well? What could she do? The shadows were to strong, she couldn't fight them.

"I don't know how," Agnes shook her head in defeat, "The shadows are taking over. There's no more hope now." She hung her head.

Karmen's eyes were starting to sparkle an aquamarine blue. A coat of silver grey engulfed her. Spasms battered her as she grew tails and claws. She suddenly sprang forward, grasping Agnes with her serrated claws. A remnant of sane was left in her eyes, a remnant of humanity, of hope.

"Agnes," she rasped, "The shadows may be strong, but remember, for there to be a shadow, there must be a light to cast it." Her chest heaved as she coughed and leapt in the air, twirling magnificently with feline grace. In the form of a snow leopard, she lay down, inspecting her claws.

"I'll get you for this," Agnes seethed, "You've taken ones I loved and befriended. You will pay dearly for this."

Oh really. Yes, I know you're the one destinied to beat me, but your chance sinks low... Do you think it's wise?

I'll do anything. Agnes thought with courage, setting her jaw. Recalling the most powerful creature in the range of Shapeshifting, she prepared to shift into a Pegasus. But her concentration was shredded as a hand touched her shoulder.

"Agnes. Let me handle it."

"Kyle," Agnes's heart soared, "No. I can't let you sacrifice yourself for me. I'm the one that caused all this, and I'm going to fix it."

Kyle quirked an eyebrow. "Not if I fix it first." In a flash, he was a Sea Serpent, blue green scales glistening. He drew water from the stream, firing it at the Voice. The Voice shot its own streak of darkness back, warring with the water. Kyle pushed harder, calling out his inner strength. Albeit the he balance still didn't shift.

Frustrated, Kyle shifted into a Basilisk. His red eyes gleamed at full intensity, penetrating. The Voice simply shielded itself from the bright rays streaming from Kyle's eyes. Kyle advanced, dragging his long body across the ground. Hissing, he bared his fangs at the Voice, his eyes full of hatred and distaste. 

The Voice wouldn't be defeated that easily. It raised two of its spindly arms and launched a jet of pure evilness at him, blinding his eyes. Hovering imposingly over him, it rumbled a laughed as Kyle screamed in pain.

Kyle tore himself out of the way, then began to shift again. Violet eyes, white wings. Kyle was struggling to become a Pegasus, as he still didn't have a great hold on Shapeshifting. 

Taking advantage of this distraction, the Voice swarmed upon him, clawing and snarling. Kyle twisted back to human form, roaring in anguish. The Voice, nevertheless, continued to slash at him, lacerating his arms and striking blows at his stomach. 

Agnes bit back a scream as blood spurted out of his mouth. Scarlet swamped the dry grass, tainting it with a metallic odour. She rushed up to him, and the Voice retreated. Kyle lay coughing hard on the grass, cuts and gashes painted on him. Sever bruises hemmed his jawline, and his head lolled to the side as Agnes bent down beside him.

"Agnes..." he weakly smiled.

"Kyle. We need to get you to a doctor," Agnes tried to lift him up, but his weight was far too much for her skinny limbs.

Kyle's eyelids fluttered, his voice hoarse. "It's too late for me. Don't worry."

"There must be something I could do!" Agnes checked his pulse, but it was growing fainter by the second.

"There is something you can do. Destroy the Voice, break the curse..." he rasped for air as more blood escaped his lips, "...live your life to the fullest...I-I love you." With a quivering breath, he leaned forward, and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Then he was gone, his spirit departing from the world.

DUN DUN DUN! Climax! So how did ya like it? Once again, thank you for supporting me all this way!