A New Beginning

Chapter Eight

Little did they know, the group had a strong supernatural aura, and Butler could feel it.

"Let me outta here, you elephant butt!" Joann yelled at a very annoyed Butler.

"Quiet, you poop sniffer," Butler snarled.

"I suppose you're just going to leave me here till I rot," Joann lifted her head up high. Butler glared, "That'll be too easy on you. First, you must suffer." Joann shook the chains that held her tight against the wall. "I've sent some of my deadliest minions to attack your friends," Butler swirled to face Joann, who hung her head in defeat at escaping. "Don't expect them to complete their rescue mission. My guess is, death before sundown!" At that Joann snapped up, her wild hair hanging in front of her forehead, sticking to it as sweat glistened in the light of the next to her. "I swear, when I get out of here, and I'm getting out of here," Joann promised, "I'll come back, and when I do, I will personally rip you apart," Joann growled. "Well see, little one. After all, your friends might not even make the night!" Butler laughed and walked away, leaving Joann to struggle and make the shackles tremble as she shook her chains once again.

"COME BACK YOU COWARD!" Joann spitted out the words as they echoed through the cave and followed the silent, dark footsteps of a really cute, but dangerous enemy.

• • •

"Man, this is the coolest thing I've ever done!" Matthew whooped, yanking Marshmallow's mane and soaring into a figure eight.

"Yeah, it gives walking a run for it's money," Julia laughed as Marshmallow blasted past her and ducked under Spike. Matthew was grinning wildly, and he swung down to pat the fluffy white coat of his Pegasus.

"Who wants to play tag?" he asked, looking around at his company.

"Ooh! I do!" Bond yelped, "Not it!"

"Not it!" Joseph added.

"Not it--" Matthew was cut off when Julia grazed past him and slapped his shoulder.

"You are now!" she sang, and he widened his eyes.

"That was a low trick!" he howled, diving for Gumdrop as she pranced away; hooves pawing at the air. Sebastian frowned at them.

"Don't tire them!" he reprimanded, watching as Marshmallow darted for Moneypenny and Matthew smacked Bond's back.

"You're it!" he declared, and Bond narrowed her eyes at him.

"Just you wait!" she warned loudly, "I'll get you!"

"No you won't!" Matthew taunted, ruffling Marshmallow's mane, "You're too slow!"

"What?!" enraged, but amused, Bond raced after him.

"Guys, Sebastian's right!" Romanov called, "Don't wear them out!"

"Fine," Matthew pouted, slowing down just as Bond zoomed past him. Moneypenny halted abruptly, tossing her head in annoyance.

"They want to play!" Bond protested half-halfheartedly, but steered her mount towards the others.

"Well, I've got a football," Chad produced the pigskin from somewhere behind him.

"Where did that come from--" Bond began, but shook her head, "Never mind."

"Why'd you bring a football on the mission?" Julia raised an eyebrow, "Planning on punting it at Butler, Mr. Quarterback?"

"Actually, I'm a running back," Chad replied smugly, "Anyone want to pass?"

"As long as it doesn't exhaust the pegasi," Romanov shrugged, "Why not? I'll play." Chad chucked it to her and she untangled her fingers from Viktoria's dark mane to reach up and pluck it from the air. Then she twisted her torso and passed it to Joseph, who caught it and sent it hurtling towards Bond, who scrambled with it a bit before getting a firm grip.