A week... Stampy thought. A whole week since we where kidnapped. And no one came for us...

To fill you in this is what's been happening. The spell Stacy casted on Dan was only getting worse, from the looks of it. He could barely speak a sentence without using incorrect grammar, she was trying to make him more dragon like. Cold and dumb.

Lizzie was put in a coma when she fell, or maybe Stacy put a spell on her. You can never tell if something is real or fake anymore. And poor Stampy had it worst of all.

Stampy was forced to watch Stacy do her evil biding everyday. He watched her beat Dan senselessly, he watch her take Lizzie away. And for a time she let him see what she truly was besides the dragon... and it terrified him. It was something a child sees in nightmare.

What Stacy really became was a different story. You see, when darkness fuses with someone it takes over their whole body, it's only the person's will power that can truly defeat it. It's said that once the darkness takes over a person they cease to exist from this world. They fade away, poof, gone.

But others say if the darkness takes over a magic dweller then the change is different. The darkness tries to seep it's way into the source of the magic; the soul. First it damages the person's heart, filling it with rage and sin. Then it attacks the brain, bringing out all their bad traits and revenge fills their mind. After that it only gets worse, but the darkness doesn't affect the other organs, those will always be the same.

When the darkness takes over a wizard or magic user they go through five stages.
1: Eyes
You know someone is starting to be taken over by the darkness physically is when they have green eyes. This is a problem for a lot of wizards and magicians because they are usually naturally born green eyed people. This goes back to a story long ago, for a completely different time.

2: Nails, Teeth, Bones.
Otherwise known as NTB by peasants, this stage is also often unnoticed because you often think of it as being normal. NTB is a stage where a person starts to grow rapidly, their nails become longer, teeth start to become more sharp, and there some cases (though rare) of magic users growing extra limbs like tails.

3: Hair and Skin
This is where most people start to get noticed if they weren't already found out. At this stage you know a wizard or magician is taken over by darkness when wounds magically heal or scars fade. Sometimes the scar just peels off the skin all together. And the hair or the victim becomes black and wavey, also growing longer.

4: Last cry
This stage is called the last cry because this is the person's last cry for help. In public or alone the victim can have spasms or arguments with themselves, this is them trying to break free. Often times when the original person is in control the eyes are white. But when the darkness is using them the eyes go back to green, and the hair seems to have a mind of its own as it now (at this stage) waves regardless if there is wind or not. And usually at this point there is 'hair' all the way from the person's head and down their back to a tail which probably grew by now. But the hair isn't even 'hair' it's just shadows replacing it.

5: The darkness will not be stopped
It's too late, the person is gone and can never be retrieved. He/she has given up the fight and now are forever at rest in the darkness. There is no way to stop it, and there's nothing you can do. We're sorry for your loss.

Stacy was at least at stage 4. There's still time, Stampy though. I can save her, I know I can!

But whenever she goes back as a human Stampy was always frightened. Her eyes would be white and she too had scaled appearing on her arms. The shadows that replaced her hair flickered like a flame. She looked creepily beautiful as Stampy would call it. But then again, she still scared him.

~~~

The morning sun arose and some light hit the top of the volcano. Though today was different from the previous days. When Stampy woke up he saw Lizzie chained down to the floor of the cave. As she woke up she tried to move but the chains would only rattle and make more noise, which woke Dan up.

"Lizzie. You mustn't of doings that!" Dan said.

"Yeah, you'll wake up Stacy..." Stampy agreed.

But like the previous days Stacy would fly in as a dragon and bat Dan's cage with her tail. Though this time instead of beating up Dan, she looked at Lizzie. And this was the most creepy thing anyone has seen Stacy do.

The dragon roared and something in her chest started to move. With a slight tap of her chest someone walked out of it, it was Stacy! But as she walked the dragon started to fade into the shadows that was her 'hair'. As she walked around Lizzie, Stacy stroked the princesses hair.

"Stop that!" Lizzie commanded.

Nodding, Stacy stopped and snapped her fingers. With the snap Lizzie felt her chains become loose, did Stacy really just let her go?

"I'm not a monster Lizzie... not yet at least," Stacy said, "but I'm giving you a choice. And I want you to consider it well."

Lizzie grumbled, "Fine."

Stacy smiled. "The time has come to take your side, this choice if yours alone. You can hide in their shadows all your life or you can come with me and embrace the dark. By the dawn's light we'll set things right, we can let out sorrows go..."

"Don't of doings it Lizzie! You are many better than this!" Dan shouted before being muzzled by Stacy's magic.

Lizzie thought for a moment them started to speak. "Do you really think that I would ever join your side? Do you really take me for a fool? All your 'side' offers me is fear inside there hearts... and that is how I do not wish to rule."

Phew, I thought she was actually going to accept. Then again, why would she? Stampy thought.

Stacy growled at this answer, "Why can't you see all the pain that he's brought us? This is the way we can finally be freed."

"But all I see is the fury that blind you, keep your revenge plans away from me, Stacy."

"It's not about me this also involves you, we can make Dan rot for a thousand years! Don't you believe he should pay for all your tears?"

"This isn't a game Stacy, I know how this will end! Vengeance cannot bring your heart to peace!"

"Little Lizzie... I decided what vengeance brings! With or without you I swear that I'll win."

"Win what? Stacy, nobody's perfect and Dan's no different. You must let go of things in the past!"

"It's too late for sorrys and Daniel must suffer! I'll be at peace once he is done for."

"I once felt your pain and let darkness inside me, I payed my price trapped inside those walls. Shaking my ways I've redeemed myself at last, you can too."

"You cannot hide from the truth now, you will let the darkness inside. I can give you all you desire and no longer will we have to hide!" With an evil growl, Stacy started to form back into a dragon.

"Can't you see... it's over now. Time to forgive."

"Not for I, it's too late."

"Stacy please! Don't let hate take over your soul!" Lizzie pleaded.

"Hate is what fuels me, it feels great!"

"Please Stacy, leave us be!"

"Dearest Lizzie, you're like me!"

"No! I refuse!"

"It's your fate, come join me..."

"No! Never!"

"Yes forever!"

"I won't betray my kingdom, so take all your evil deeds and rot in hell!"

Stacy smirked, "I'll see you there princess..."

Slamming her claws on the ground, she was gone.

~~~

Back in the nearby village TorqueDawg and Cassie were trying to come up with a plan to get Lizzie back and save her friends. They did eventually confront the mighty helm and a member did confirm that they did see a dragon come from the volcano multiple times.

With that, the helm sent out an alert to all town guards in the surrounding area. They where being gathered to fight a dragon, and that leaves us off to today. The mighty helm and the guards from surrounded towns were having a meeting; TorqueDawg and Cassie also invited.

There where murmurs and then the meeting started when the leader of the mighty helm called the room to order. "Attention," he called, "I have gathered you all here for a serious problem. A dragon has set refuge in the volcano. The volcano that helped give us these rich lands centuries ago. We all live around that volcano, and with a dragon in it that can only lead to disaster. We must protect the women and children, our crops and animals, our villages!"

The men in the room cheered. And the leader of the helm (his name was Charles) chuckled in his deep voice. "Come now men! There's no time to loose! With all of us together and our newest recruits we can slay this beast!"

Everyone was confused when he said newest recruits. But then Charles said, "TorqueDawg and Cassie Rose... Normally I don't let a mere common boy, or a woman come with me on quests. But in his situation we need all the help and magic we can get. You two are honorary junior members of the helm."

More men cheered only this time some clashed their shields together, as a form of excitement. Charles even presented TorqueDawg with his own shield.

"Men! We leave tomorrow at sunrise. Prepare yourselves..."

~~~

Stacy still haven't returned yet and Lizzie couldn't find a way to escape. But she did realized how sharp Dan's claws where and that gave her an idea.

"Dan," Lizzie called up to him, "have you tried breaking the bars of your cage?"

"I haven't of tryings. Why yuo ask?" He asked.

"Maybe you can break the bars with your tail! Or maybe freeze the bars so they'll break once hit!" Lizzie explained.

"Oh! I willings of try!" Dan said.

First Dan tried hitting the bars with his spiked tail, but that didn't work since the bars kept getting stuck in between the spikes.

Next he tried to rip the bars off with his new dragon strength. This also failed to work for him.

The finally Dan blew some of his frost breath onto the bars covering them in white snow. Then he grabbed the bars with his claws and started to pull.

"It's of not workings!" Dan called.

"Try slamming into it!" Lizzie answered.

So Dan did just that. First he tried slashing the bars with his tail but that didn't work. Then he tried to hit the bars with his claws, that too didn't work. But Dan was determined to get out of that cage, that filthy cage. So a second later he was body slamming into the bars making the cage shake. One, two, three, four... Dan made a mental note of how many slams he did. Until finally...

BOOM

The bars bursted from the cage and Dan fell to the ground, Lizzie right by his side. As Dan stood up they both realized how much taller Dan was as a dragon, but he was freed. Then Lizzie also realized how cold Dan was, because when she hugged him she felt his cold scales through her clothing.

Releasing Dan's front right arm Lizzie told him. "Dan, I think your claws are good for climbing. Maybe you can climb us out of here. But first we need to get Stampy!"

Dan nodded and walked over to Stampy cage, and held out his wings as if he was going to catch Stampy from a fall. But Stampy never came.

"Stampy come on! We got to get out of here, Stacy could be back any minute!" Lizzie called.

"Go without me guys. I'm not leaving." Stampy said.

"You of likings it here?" Dan asked.

"No. But I'm not going to give up my chance to save Stacy. So go, go get help. Help Dan to become himself again and find Sparklez. Don't look back, rule the kingdom and be happy. You don't need me..." Stampy said.

"What? Of course we need you! How will we find our way home? How will we find Sparklez? How can we protect the kingdom from magic threats!" Lizzie asked.

Stampy smiled although no one could see it. "You'll figure it out, you're smart that way. But since I'm here..."

Stampy walked towards the bars and stood between two of them. And jumped.

Luckily he landed right on Dan's left wing and he was slowly brought down thanks to Dan. Back on the ground, Lizzie gave him a hug.

"Come on," Lizzie said grabbing Stampy arm, "we can get out of here!"

But Stampy yanked his arm back. "I'm not leaving." Dan and Lizzie both stared at him. Dan choosing o keep it snout shut.

"I'm sorry... what?" Lizzie asked. She thought Stampy was just joking.

"I'm serious Lizzie, I'm not leaving."

"But... why?"

"You might not understand this but... If you follow love and look to where it leads... well. Look to where it lead me. My own personal circle of hell. I was always laughed at because I couldn't do something, well now I am. I'm going to save Stacy from that darkness eating her alive. And if I don't come back then so be it! I want you and Dan to leave, find a cure for him and rule the land. I know you can do it Lizzie, your friends always believed in you," Stampy said, "and here. You need this more than I do."

Stampy took off his blazer and handed it to Lizzie, when she checked the pocket she took out a compass. But it wasn't pointing North, it was pointing East.

"Stacy gave it to me in case I ever teleported myself away from the castle. It'll lead you straight to it. Good luck guys, hopefully we'll see each other again." Stamp explained.

The three shared a group hug for a moment before Dan backed away and Lizzie put the compass back in the pocket and put on the blazer.

Dan wrapped Lizzie with his tail and put his claws on the side of the volcano. And if instinct Dan climbing up the side of the empty, cold, volcano. And once they reached the hole at the top Dan had to stand there for his eyes to adjust to the sunlight.

"How do we of gettings there?" Dan asked.

"Maybe glide with the wind? I don't know!" Lizzie yelled at him.

Dan felt a strong breeze heading east, which was luckily the direction they were going in. So he opened his wings and closed his eyes. When he opened them he was gliding with the wing, occasionally flapping his wings when they got too low. It was a one of a time experience he would never forget.

~~~

The next morning Stacy still didn't show up, it wasn't until noon when she appeared in a puff of purple smoke. But when she looked at the cages she saw that her prisoners where gone.

"Gone... Gone? How could they have escaped! I knew I should've locked Lizzie up!" Stacy yelled at herself.

"But I'm still here," said Stampy, grabbing Stacy's attention, "I never left."

Stampy was sitting on a rock and Stacy got closer, so much so that Stampy had to look up at her.

"Of course you didn't leave, you're too loyal to leave." Stacy said.

"Not to you, I'm loyal to Stacy." He said.

Stacy chuckled, "When will you realize child that it is too late to save your friend. Accept it Prince Stampy, you should've left with your pathetic royal friends."

"It's just Stampy. No prince. No royalty. No nothing. And no it's not too late. You're just saying that to make yourself feel good. Would it be better if I started treating you like a queen?"

"You're driving my patience thin little prince. Where did the royals go?"

"Oh you mean Dan and Lizzie? Well they're up there." Stampy pointed to the hole at the top of the volcano causing Stacy to look up. While she was distracted Stampy got up and made a leap of faith into her chest.

And everything he saw after that was darkness... until a little light appeared...