Once and Never

Dreaming

|| Don't ask questions. I'm out of ideas and it's only my third chapter. ||

Patton barreled into the living room, but it wasn't his normal self. He was a large golden retriever, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

"Guys!" He barked. The other sides could understand him, thankfully.

Roman padded in, flowing mane practically glowing. He was a massive lion with a shining golden pelt.

"This is amazing. Thomas must be dreaming about something strange." He purred, shaking out his fur.

"I hate this. Why did he do this to me." They heard a soft voice from above. Logan as an owl was flying overhead, and he landed on Roman's back.

Roman laughed, however it sounded like a roar, startling Logan off. The owl let out an irritated sound and flew to Patton, landing on him instead.

"Virgil? Where are you?" Patton asked, looking around. His tail waved frantically as he looked for Thomas' anxiety.

"I'm here." Came a low growl from the shadows near the stairs. A sleek black panther slipped out, glittering green eyes flicking between his friends.

"We have to get Thomas to stop dreaming about us like this. I feel strange." Logan fluttered his wings, irritated.

Roman tossed his head from side to side. "Not necessarily. I could get used to this."

"Roman. You're the only one who can get us to the Dreamworld." Logan screeched, flying at Roman.

The lion growled and backed up. "Fine." He stamped a massive paw, sending them to the Dreamworld.

The sides found themselves in a jungle, still in animal forms.

"What the- What is this?" Virgil spat, swiping at a tree. His claws left deep gouges in the wood.

"Uh, it's Thomas' dream right now. We have to get through this to change back. We have to find him and wake him up." Roman explained, walking around.

"Ah, that makes it easy then. I'll fly up and see if I can find where he would be." Logan did as he said, coming back down a few moments later.

"There's a temple. He might be there, I suppose. It's our best place to go, for now. This way." He started off, the rest of the group following his lead.

They eventually came to the temple. It was gleaming gold, with steps leading to the top. There was a figure standing at the very top, looking down at everyone.

"Thomas? We need you to wake up." Patton walked forwards, calling to the figure.

The person laughed. It was a harsh laugh, not like Thomas'.

"You're too late to save your king. He has been imprisoned, and I will never let you see him again." The man cackled. Black dragon wings billowed from his back, and he took to the skies, landing in front of the sides.

With a jolt, they realized they were back in human form, but not in their usual clothing.

Roman was a thief. He gasped as he took in the leather bracers that covered his arms, and his dark red light armor. A few daggers were clipped to his belt, and a few more near his boot.

Logan was a knight. His black armor was tough, and glinted in the sun. A large obsidian sword was slung across his back, a deep blue tassel attached to the leather wrapped hilt.

Patton was a warlock. Flowing robes touched the ground as blue runes encircled him. Looping markings were glowing across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

Virgil was a prince. A black cape draped across his back, rich clothing of the same color adorning him. His sword rested at his side, a large purple amethyst centered in the hilt.

There were loud screams of confusion. Before they had time to comprehend what was going on, a blast of red magic had sprung from the man's outstretched palm, throwing them all backwards.

"Guys! We have to play along with our roles! Obviously something's going on, but we still have to wake Thomas!" Patton shouted. He took a deep breath and outstretched his hands. He closed his eyes, then snarled something in a strange language. His eyes glowed a pale blue for a split second, then a streak of the same color flew from his hands, striking the winged man. He fell backwards, then stood, laughing again.

"You think you can beat me? I am the great Azazel. No man has ever beaten me." He roared, firing a blast of magic.

Patton threw up a glowing shield, looking at his friends. "Guys! Come on!"

Roman hesitated, then gave in. There was a small glint of red in his eyes as he took a smoke bomb from his belt, throwing it to the ground. He reappeared behind Azazel, attacking him with a dagger.

Logan and Virgil rushed forwards with their swords, attacking from in front.

Azazal fought back violently, his wings often acting as shields. He was able to thrown them all back again, causing them to rethink their attack.

"What is we attacked at the same time? It would overwhelm him." Logan murmured, breathing heavily.

"Why not." Virgil was the first to raise his sword again, moving forwards.

The rest followed quickly, and they struck.

Azazel screamed as the attack shattered his magical shield, tore through his wings, and pierced his chest. As soon as the attack barely touched him, he disintegrated into dust.

The group was breathing heavily, then thrown backwards into nothingness.

~~~

When they woke, the sides were all sprawled out on the ground, the carpet in the living room scratching their arms. They all slowly started to get up, groaning.

Thomas shuffled downstairs, yawning. "What're you guys all doing on the ground? We have things to do."

Virgil groaned and fell backwards again.

"No!" Came the unanimous shout.

|| Hh this was bad. I wrote this on the way home during a two hour car ride. I was supposed to ride horses but my injured ankle said no. Anyways, I just wanted to change up the roles a bit. Just testing how it would turn out. Hope you liked it!

Asfjdhslsdndbdj Patton was my favorite to think about- I might do a doodle of the markings on his face. ||