Were-Eds and the White Wolf 2

The Were-Eds and the White Wolf

Part 2
Bitter Truths and Fairy Tales

Double D walked next to the werewolf waiting for his response.  He didn't fear him, but rather he felt he needed to speak to him, to find out what he had to say.

"You asked who I am," said the werewolf, "My name is Xander, I am a hybrid like you, and someone who wants to help, yet needs help himself."  

Double D felt a little uncomfortable, walking next to this unfamiliar werewolf; he must have sensed this because when Double D next turned the wolf was gone.  In his place was a young man, no older than Double D; he had long white hair, startling golden eyes, and when he smiled canine like fangs showed.  "How," began Double D, but he was cut short.  "I'll explain later," said Xander, "right now we need to focus on the matter at hand, just know I am here to help you."

"What do you mean help," asked Double D, "does this have something to do with those two."  He gestured towards the sleeping fighters.  The boy looked over and replied, "yes, you should know that those two reflect the different bloods that flow in your veins."  It all started to make sense to Double D now, why they looked like him.

"Why are they fighting then," asked Double D, "I was just fine the day of the eclipse and even for a month after!"  Double D was getting frustrated, why was this happening?

"You know that werewolves and vampires are longstanding enemies," said Xander, "they're rivalry is nothing new to people." Double D nodded, he and Ed found that out for themselves a month ago;  when the Kankers, were willing to kill Ed and Double D just to get at their blood.  

"Logically their blood should not be able to mix," explained the mysterious stranger, "normally you would have died from her bite, yet somehow you survived."  The boy sighed and said, "you are a rare occurrence, even though you already had wolf's blood, you let a vampire bite you and became a hybrid."  "You offered your life to save others," said Xander with a soft smile.

The young man continued, "that kind of sacrifice offered some protection at first, but over time that protection wore off and nature took its course."

"So what your saying," said Double D, "is now that the protection has worn off, the bloods are attacking each other?"  "Yes," replied Xander, "they are fighting for dominance in your body.  To them there can only be one."

"So how is it that every time they fight, I feel sick," asked Double D.  "Well thats easy," replied Xander, "the blood is still a part of you, so its only natural you would be suffering when your body is attacking itself."  Double D clutched his stomach, he remembered the pain he felt that night in his dream.

"If something isn't done about this battle," said the boy gravely, "it will destroy you from the inside."

Double D gulped at that last comment, the thought that his life was in danger was nothing new.  What worried him was that this threat was coming from inside him.  "How am I supposed to fight something I can't control," asked Double D, "its not like I can just stand by and let this happen."

Xander smiled and turned to Double D, "thats where I come in."  "Your here to help me right," asked Double D, "how are you going to do that?"

"I've told you that I am a hybrid myself," said the boy slyly, "can you guess what other blood runs in my veins?"  Double D thought for a moment, he pondered the markings on the wolf  but couldn't seem to put his finger on it.

"Well can't you just put a stop to all this," asked Double D.  "I don't have the power to stop this all together," said Xander sadly, "only you can calm the storm inside of you."  Double D looked sad, "but how, it seems like they don't even notice I'm there."  Then Xander smiled, "your very observant."  "You see, meeting them in your dreams is not going to work, your like a ghost to them," said the wolf pacing, "we have to get you to meet them while not in a dream, and thats were I come in."

"What do you mean," asked Double D, he thought for a moment, "can you take me to them when I am not dreaming?" Xander smiled wide, his fangs showing and said, "thats the idea, I'll take you inside yourself, there you can confront them and stop this battle for good."  Double D perked up, there was a plan and now he could do something about all this.  "When can we meet," asked Double D excitedly, "I want to get started right away."

The boy's smile faded, he turned away and said, "Not only did I say I was here to help, but I also said I needed help myself."  Double D had gotten so caught up talking about himself he forgot about that entirely.  "What do you mean," asked Double D.  "Well," started Xander, "I cannot help you until..."  He didn't finish, Double D looked at him curiously.

"Have you ever heard the story of Sleeping Beauty," asked Xander.  "Yes," said Double D, "everyone knows that fairy tale."  He saw the sorrow on Xander's face, he was obviously in pain.

"Well," said Xander, with a sad look on his face, "let me tell you the version I know." Double D sat down as the boy began his story:

"Once upon a time, there was a young prince and princess.  Both came from powerful families, with great abilities, yet these families detested each other, fighting at every turn. The prince was a powerful young werewolf of high nobility, and the princess was a gifted sorceress.  One day they met, and not knowing each others true nature, they fell in love.  When their families found out about the couple they forbade them from seeing each other again.  Even though they had both been exposed to each other, their love proved stronger than hate.  When their parents saw how happy the young couple was, how truly in love they were, they consented to their marriage and the prince and princess became king and queen."

"The couple were happily married but soon the young queen found herself to be with child.  While this is usually happy news, for this young couple it brought nothing but sadness and worry.  They knew the powers in their blood could never mix.  This could risk their child's very life.  Yet, when the child was born his parent's rejoiced.  Not only had he survived, but he was a perfect balance of the two parents abilities.  A powerful werewolf with a gift for magic; even abilities no-one could foresee.  This child brought joy to his parents, who saw him as proof that love can overcome hate.  They raised their child well, teaching him how to use his abilities for the good of all.  The young prince grew strong of heart and body, loved by those who knew him."

"Yet with the good, comes the bad.  The prince knew he was born different, and even those of his own kind never fully accepted him, the only people who truly accepted him were his parents, and the servants who helped take care of him. There were even those who saw they child as an abomination, that the blood  should never be allowed to mix.  Rumors spread of plots against the young boy's life, and those of his parents."

"One day the king and queen threw a grand party for their child, inviting all their friends and family to celebrate his birthday at their castle. The young prince was gracious and polite and proved a great dancer.  While he and his family celebrated the joyful occasion, no-one could know the evil that lie in wait.  At the height of the party, the young prince was formally presented to the crowd and while he stood unguarded and unprepared, the assassins struck.  The boy surprised the assassins with his fighting skills and was able to protect himself well.  His parents joined the fight, willing to risk their lives to save their son.  Yet, outnumbered the king and queen fell to the assassin's blades.  Seeing his parents fall caused the prince to let his guard down and soon he to feel, mortally wounded.  The assassins fled, their mission completed, or so they thought."

"While terribly injured, the young boy would survive the attack, his parents had not.  When the prince heard that his parents were gone, he lost all hope."  Xander faltered a bit, with a forlorn look he continued, "Though many mourned the loss of his family, his pain was the greatest.  He had lost the only two people who truly accepted him, and without love his pain only grew.  He tried to deal with his pain, but in the end he wasn't strong enough.  In despair and great pain, he cast a spell on himself to sleep; a sleep so deep he wouldn't feel any pain, ever again.  However, the grief in his heart twisted the spell into something dark, instead of a dreamless sleep it trapped the boy inside his own mind.  There he was tortured by the darkness of grief and hopelessness, never letting his heart find peace.  The spell affected everyone in his castle, all the servants fell asleep as well, never to wake until their master did.  Even the castle itself was cursed, the castle would appear only to those who could break the spell, there were enchantments everywhere to stop the curse from being broken."

"To this day, the young prince sleeps in his castle, though he looks peaceful, his mind is dark and troubled.  His soul is tortured by his own grief, never to be allowed to have peace.  He waits for someone to break the spell, and free him from his loneliness."

Xander finished the story with a sigh, Double D looked down and said, "thats so sad."

"Not every fairy tail has a happy ending," said Xander, staring off into the distance.  Double D looked at Xander, thoughtfully and said, "So how do I break the spell, you put on yourself.?"

Xander smiled sadly and said, "was I that easy to read?"  "So then," said Double D, "you can use magic, like a sorcerer."  Double D just smiled, Xander could see that there was a genuine look of concern on his face. Xander sighed, "I've been asleep for five years now, yet it seems like so much longer."

"I'm afraid I don't know how to break the spell," said Xander wistfully, "but, you might find something in the book I found the spell in."  Suddenly Double D heard Ed's voice, "wake up Double D!"

"Whats that," asked Double D, looking at Xander, he gasped as he saw that Xander was transparent.

"Our time together is coming to an end," said Xander, "please, break the spell I'm under, set me free and I would be glad to help you."

"How will I find you," asked Double D, Xander was fading more and more as Ed's voice grew louder.

"Go to the construction site tomorrow," replied Xander, "there you will find me."

"What if I need help," asked Double D, "I can't do this by myself."

Xander had all but disappeared but he still managed to say, "you won't be alone, there are others like you, look to them..." With that Xander vanished, and Double D was left alone.

"What do I do now," thought Double D, suddenly a bright light blinded him and the next thing he knew  he was staring at the ceiling of his room.  "How did I get here," asked Double D, he looked around and saw everyone in the neighborhood in his room, even the Kanker sisters.  They all wore a look of concern, Ed had a bandage on his head from when he hit the ground.  Marie stood behind her sisters looking worried.  "Why is everyone staring at me," asked Double D.

"All right Sockhead," said Eddy gruffly, "what did that white wolf tell you?"