I groaned as I regained consciousness and I opened my eyes slowly. My vision trying to adjust, until finally I can see well again.

I looked around and saw that I woke up in the hangar, and I'm....Not alone. I can see Emma still tied up to a chair beside me, her head hung low as she sat.

I tried to move, but then I began to realize, I'm tied to a chair as well. My hands tied real tight behind the chair with ropes and they're cutting through my wrists.

I winced in pain and I tried to shake myself free. I grunted and I tried again. The chair squeaking beneath me. I muttered to myself, as the pain in my wrists came back again, "Ah...Damn it." I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth in pain.

I stopped moving the chair and just looked at Emma. I hollered, "Emma...Emma, wake up!"

Emma didn't budge and my eyes went wide with fear. No...Is she...?

I tried again, "Emma!"

Emma moaned in the chair and raised her head. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times, until she looked to her left and saw me, "J....Jason?" She moaned.

I asked her with a smile on my face, happy that she's alive, "Are you alright?"

Emma nodded and she tried to move in her chair. She cried out in pain, "Ow, my wrists!"

I nodded, "I know, I'm stuck in the same way as you are."

Emma asked with a frightened look on her face, "You and Ben came here, didn't you?"

I nodded and she shook her head, "You guys shouldn't have come here. It was a trap. They told me you would come here."

I sighed and looked down at my feet, "We tried our best, but...We couldn't save you. Now me and Ben-" I gasped and looked around frantically, "Wait, where's Ben?"

Emma looked around and said, "Looks like, we're the only ones in here."

I started to panic. No....Ben!

Where did you go? Where did they take you?

I can't lose you too, big guy!

I don't want to lose you like mom and dad!

Ben!

I tried to shake free from the ropes binding me again and I grunted.

Emma shook her head, "It's no use...It's not working." She shut her eyes tight and I could see her sob.

I shook the chair again, it legs of the chair squeaking once more, "We can't give up. We have to get out of here."

Emma opened her eyes and said with tears in her eyes, "How? I'm...I'm scared Jason."

I gave her a soothing voice, "I know, but we have to think of something. Ben's probably in trouble."

Then we both heard a voice, "You don't have to worry about Ben."

We both gasped and we looked at the direction of the voice, someone standing in the darkness,  "Perhaps you should worry about yourselves. You're the ones who are a bit...Tied up here."

I recognized the voice straight away. I growled and sneered at the person, "Come out! Come into the light, Clifford!"

Clifford did as he told and came into the light. Taking slow steps towards me and Emma. He was smirking and he said, "You know Jason...I knew you wouldn't resist saving her and neither would Ben. Both of you are heroes after all. You do anything to risk your lives for someone."

Emma snarled, "Let us go!"

I did the same thing as she did, "Yeah!" I cried out as the ropes cut into my wrists again, "LET US GO!!"

Clifford raised both hands to point his fingers at us, "You don't have control here. Only I do." He let both his arms fall to his sides, "And I don't care what you two want. Because I have gotten what I've wanted."

I glared at him, "I can't believe it Cliff. You...You're working with...Them." I looked down at my feet as realization hit me, "You're working with the...Guys in suits. All this time, you were working with them."

Clifford laughed, "The guys in suits? Is that the best you can come up with?" He put a hand to his chin, putting some thought into it, "Well, how else would you describe them? You don't know who they were working for and-" He stopped himself and looked at me, "Oh I'm sorry kid. I forgot I was talking to you."

I said with a accusing glare, "You were the one who sent those people to kill me six years ago. And you were the one who sent those men to try to kill April two nights ago."

Clifford got closer, until he was right in front of me. He said with a smug grin, "You know, you and Ben were always gullible. The two of you, never suspected that I was behind it all along. I mean, did your mother ever tell you to use your head?"

Clifford pointed his finger at me, "I know why you and Ben left New York the whole time. I know why you guys travelled so far away from home. Because you were trying to get away from my men."

I shouted, "Your men?! They were working for you!"

Clifford giggled a little, "Oh yes. It was I, who sent them to kill you at your house six years ago and it was I who started it. But I have to say, you and Ben are so slick, we haven't found you for a long time." He nodded to himself, "But we have, and now...The ongoing search...Is over."

Emma cried out when she tried to get free again. She huffed and said, "Why? ....Why are you doing this to us?"

I softened my gaze, still shocked and sad by this betrayal, "Yeah, why are you doing this to us? To Ben? We thought you were our friend, our family! And you just betrayed us! Why Clifford? Why?"

Clifford glared at me, "Why? Why kid would I do this?" Then he giggled, "You know Jason, since you have been wondering for years why would my men would kill you, well...Since you're going to die soon, I guess I can give you the explanation now. You deserve it."

Emma asked, "So why are you doing this?"

Clifford took his gaze onto Emma, "Well it's kinda a long story, but I'll try to make it short." He raised a hand and started to pace in front of us, "You see....For years all I wanted was...Recognition. Any kind of recognition at all."

I frowned at him, "Recognition?"

Clifford stopped pacing and looked at me. He nodded, "Yes! Recognition! You see...For a long time, I wanted to be well known. I didn't want to be an unknown just like my father was. But in all honesty...I think I finally knew how to get my recognition that I've needed all along."

I shook my head, "I don't understand this."

Emma frowned at Clifford, "Yeah, I don't get it. Don't you own a massive corporation? Isn't that enough recognition?"

Clifford looked at Emma and shook his head, "No, I wanted more. I wanted more than that. I feel like I've wanted more power and recognition, better than what I have. The kind of recognition that would make me money. The kind of recognition that would make me famous."

I tilted my head at him, while Emma still frowned at him. Clifford put two fingers to his forehead and sighed, "Boy, you kids just don't get it." He removed them from his forehead and went on, "Well I guess, I can tell you what I really wanted for recognition." He looked at me and answered, "Ben."

My eyes went wide when he said that, "Ben? What do you mean, Ben? What does he have to do with this?"

Clifford nodded, "Its quite simple really. You see, Ben's a LIVE gryphon that only exists in folktales and what not. That gryphons only appear in stories." He smiled, "Well, try to imagine me having a gryphon in my hands for recognition."

I went back to frowning at him, "I don't understand it. I thought you were trying to kill Ben as well. Were you?"

Clifford shook his head, "No, you see, years ago I wanted my men to tranq him, and bring him to me years ago. But first I wanted them to get rid of you, so you wouldn't stop them." He sighed and shrugged, "But as I found out, you and Ben killed all of my men that were at your home and took off without a trace."

Clifford narrowed his eyes at me, "For years, I've been searching for you, and for six years I was about to give up." He grinned again, "But imagine to my surprise that one of my men found a newspaper article that was dated over two weeks ago, about you and bird brain saving a school bus from falling over a cliff during a rainy night."

I gasped at that. So that's how he ended up here in North Carolina! That's how they've found us!

God, me and Ben should have left this state while we had the chance. Too late for that now, I guess.

I glared at him, fury in my eyes, "I can't believe this. How can you do this to us? I thought you cared about me and Ben, like we were family."

Clifford had a blank look and said, "You know something Jason...I don't care anymore. I've stopped caring years ago, before your parents died."

I asked, "Why?"

Clifford shouted, "Because I wanted to be well known! I'm tired of being an unknown to the whole world! I'm tired of being second to everyone and everything! I'm tired of several people throughout the world making discoveries and showing off with them! And guess what? I want to show off now!"

I snarled at him, "And what about what your father would think?! What would my parent think of this?! You know Alan and Cassandra, your friends!"

Clifford pointed at himself, "I will not be like my worthless father!" Then he pointed at me and shouted, "And it was your parent's fault that they died!!!"

My eyes went wide. What?

As my face was still wide, Clifford said, "I gave your parents to get my share of recognition! Ben always did show off about how handsome he looked and what not. He's VAIN! He would've enjoyed it! But guess what, your parents didn't want Ben to go through all that. Why? Because of your grandpa George! He made them not to say a damn word to anyone! And thanks to him, they wouldn't agree to go do that! And that's what got them killed!"

I said to him, still shocked by all the tings he's saying, "But you understand why we don't tell everyone about Ben. We're always protecting him. That's it, nothing more!"

Clifford sneered, "You and your family are a bunch of fucking fools!" Clifford cleared his throat and took a deep breath, "You and your family, including your grandfather couldn't deal with the face of fame and recognition. All of you were missing an opportunity of a lifetime. So...I decided to take my own chances. I made sure no one would stop me, and that's what got your parents killed."

I had a confused look on my face, "What do you mean? My parents died in a car accident."

Then he grinned at me, "Yes they did, but...You didn't see the person who ran you off the road."

My mind clicked as I remembered that day. Wait, there was another car who ram at us on the road. Then...The car left us.

I wondered who it was and....And....

I gasped as I began to realize what he was getting at. I said softly as I stared at him, "You...You killed them."

Emma gasped and then Clifford nodded. Confirming what I just said to him, "Yes Jason...I sent my boys in that car, to kill you and your parents." Then he raised a finger, "But somehow, you've survived the crash, you were the only person left standing." He nodded again, "Yes, I killed them, just like I was trying to kill you too. All of you were just expendable and were in the way of what I wanted. You guys had to die. Why did you think I wanted Ben all to myself?"

I sucked in a breath. He...Killed them. He was the one who caused the car accident.

He...Murdered them. Because they didn't want him to use Ben for fame and recognition.

I glared at him and shouted very loudly at him, "YOU KILLED THEM?! YOU WERE BEHIND THE CAR CRASH?! YOU GOT MY PARENTS KILLED!"

He shot back, "That was entirely their fault."

I tried to stand up, with me still tied to the chair, but it didn't work, "Their fault?!"

Clifford snarled, "Yes, it was their fault! I didn't care anymore! I don't care if they were my friends or not! I don't care what anyone thinks, nor what my father would think, he's dead anyways! I want to be famous!"

I shouted, "What have you done with Ben?!"

Clifford giggled evilly and said, "Ben's on a cargo plane out on the airstrip. We're getting ready to leave for New York City. You see when we get back home, I'll be having my recognition. Ben would be locked up in a cage and then I'll be hiring photographers and presto! I'll be famous for life! Me the only person in the whole world, having a gryphon for a pet! A live gryphon at that!"

I shot at him, "You sick son of a bitch! Ben's a person, not an animal! He's not some prized possession, not some animal to be admired upon. Ben wants to be free and alive, not locked up in a cage! Yes, of course Ben's vain about his appearance, but he doesn't want that kind of life. He doesn't want to be that well known. Ben loves the life he lives in and so do I!"

Clifford sighed and glared, "You and your parents really are alike." He shrugged his arms, "I'm not surprised at all, you are all just so stubborn headed."

I looked down at my feet and the floor, "I thought you were family, I thought you were our friend." I looked at him and narrowed my eyes at him, "But now, I see that you're just another criminal, who doesn't care about anyone, but himself. Your dad would be disappointed in you. You're just a coward and you murdered my parents, for your own greed."

Clifford chuckled, "You're pretty much right about some things, and I will kill anyone who knew about Ben. Including you and your pretty girlfriend. I'll even try to kill April again and this time succeed."

Emma shook her head and protested, "You can't do this!!"

Clifford then walked to Emma and raised his hand to slap her across the face. She cried out. I shouted, "You leave her alone!"

Clifford then pointed a gun at me and threatened, "Shut up, you shit! You have caused me trouble for years, and this time you won't."

That's when two men working for Clifford came and one of them said, "Sir, we're ready for takeoff."

Clifford beamed at his men, "Perfect! Then I want you to get rid of them." He nodded at his men, "I want to spend some quality time with Ben before we takeoff. I wanted to get strapped in."

Clifford handed his gun to one of his men and ordered, "Kill those kids and get on the plane when you're done."

One of Clifford's henchmen nodded, "Yes, Mr. Brewer."

Clifford said to the other henchmen and said, "Lets get out of here." He pointed at me and smirked, "When you get to heaven with your girlfriend here. Tell your mom and dad that I said....Hello." He giggled and with that, he left the hangar with his henchmen. Leaving the other guy alone with me and Emma. Getting ready to execute us.

The guy who is alone with us cocked the gun and walked up to me. Ready to kill me first. My voice started to tremble with fear. Sweat falling down my face.

I'm dead, I'm so dead!

I need to get out of this, but how?

I'm still up and I can't just run away, he'll kill me.

I'm stuck and trapped!

Emma started crying when the guy is right in front of me, shoving the gun barrel at my temple of my head.

Emma begged and pleaded for my life, "No, please, don't kill Jason! Please don't kill him!!!"

I glanced at Emma and said with tears of my own, "I love you Emma!" I shut my eyes tight, waiting for the bullet to finish me off.

Emma screamed, "NO!!!!"

But before he could pull the trigger, we heard about three gunshots and I opened my eyes to look. I gasped, when I saw bullet holes in the guy's chest in front of me. The guy who tried to execute me, let out a small weak cry and he fell to the floor in a heap.

I saw the person who killed the guy and my eyes went wide with happiness. A familiar face appearing in front of me and Emma.

Brooke! She found us!

But how?

Then a thought came to me. April.

She must have told Brooke where to find us. April saved us.

Brooke came to us with her police uniform and holstered her gun. She asked with a worried look, "Are you two, alright?"

Emma smiled at her, "Yes officer, we're fine. Thanks to you." Then she added, "Get us out of this!"

Brooke nodded and walked around to get behind me. She started to untie the ropes and finally I came free. I stood up form the chair and massaged my wrists, as they're still in pain.

Brooke walked to Emma to untie her now. I bent over to pick to the dead executioner's gun. I stood up straight and Brooke came to me as she was done untying Emma. She said, "Glad I came here as soon as I could. Backup should be on their way here, soon."

Emma already got up from the chair and said, "That's good."

Brooke asked, "April told me that you and Ben came here Jason. So where's Ben?"

I answered, "Brooke listen, Ben's in trouble and he needs our help. He's on a cargo plane getting ready for takeoff."

Brooke's face went wide and she had a serious look now, "We have to help him."

Then a few more of Clifford boys came into the hangar and started firing at us.

All three of us ducked behind crates in the hangar, while me and Brooke each have guns started firing back. I crouched low behind a crate and I shoot over the crate at the goons. My bullets took down one of them, bullets hitting his chest. I ducked back down for cover. Both of my hands holding the handle of the gun real tight. My heart pumping with adrenaline.

Brooke fired at two more guys and they both went down and one last guy shifted his focus now onto Brooke. He fired a few shots at the crate and Brooke ducked for cover.

While he was distracted at firing at Brooke, I got up from cover and fired at the last scumbag. I fired five shots and the guy went down in a instant.

I breathed heavily, as the adrenaline still got to me. Brooke and Emma got out from cover and so did I. Now all three of us were out in the open in the hangar.

Brooke was breathing heavily as well and said, "We....We need to find Ben."

I shook my head at her, "No." I pointed at myself, "I will find Ben, you stay here and keep Emma safe."

Emma's eyes went wide and she said, "What?! But you can't just leave us!"

Brooke nodded in agreement, "She's right kid, we have to stick together and wait for the cops."

I pointed at the entrance of the hangar, "But Ben's about to be taken to New York by Clifford! If I don't do something right now, we might not ever see Ben again!"

Emma pleaded, "But Jason-"

I said to her, "I have to do this Emma! I can't take the chance!" I looked at Brooke and said, "You keep her safe, Brooke. I'm going after Ben."

Brooke only stared at me for another moment and finally nodded, "Alright, but be careful."

I nodded, "I will."

I was about to leave when Emma's voice stopped me, "Wait!" I stopped and then Emma ran to me. She put both hands to my face and we kissed together. We both pulled back and she said, "I love you, Jason."

I nodded and smiled a bit for her, "I love you too." And with that done, I ran out of the hangar to find the cargo plane, to find Ben.

Hang on big guy. I'm on my way.

*****

I sprinted on the airstrip with the gun in my hand, until I saw the big cargo plane up ahead. It looked like it was moving getting ready to take flight.

My eyes went wide as I sprinted to it. Oh no you don't.

The plane looked like it was moving slow for right now and it's not far away. The cargo bay door is left open for now.

Maybe I can make it. I have to make it!

Apparently as I got closer to it, the plane started to move faster on the airstrip, its wheels underneath the plane gaining speed. But I can still run fast, it's not far away from me now.

I had a determined look on my face and with a burst of speed on my legs, I ran faster than before.

I was catching up to it, as it was about to go faster.

The cargo bay door was about to close on me, and with my last strength of my legs, I jumped to the cargo door, flying myself forward.

And with a miracle, I've made it onto the plane! I landed face first when the cargo door closed down behind me. I got up on my hands and knees and looked over my shoulder. I let out a whoosh of air.

Wow...That was too close.

I could feel the big cargo plane which I'm in now, gaining more speed and taking flight up in the air. The plane finally took off to its destination.

Alright, time to find Ben.

Around me in the cargo bay, there were a lot of boxes and stuff around me. Clifford must be keeping Ben in a big cage of some sort.

He's got to be around here somewhere.

I got up on my feet and started to search for Ben. Being cautious since I don't know how many men are on the plane. Clifford's around here somewhere. But first, I need to find Ben.

I shifted my way through the boxes on the plane for a few minutes, until I could see a big cage with Ben in it.

I beamed at him. Ben!

I ran to the cage and whispered to him, "Ben."

Ben formed a smile on his beak and came to the edge of his cage. Standing close to the bars, "Jason! You're here."

I nodded, "Yes I am. Hang on big guy, I'm getting you out of here."

I looked around for a key and to my surprise I could see a key hanging on the wall of the plane. I ran to the wall and grabbed the key. I ran back to the cage and unlocked it for Ben. I opened up the cage door and Ben immediately ran out of there. I closed the door and Ben said, "Thanks, I was tired of laying around in that freakin cage."

I said to Ben, "We need to stop Clifford, he won't stop until I'm dead and he has you forever."

That's when we heard Clifford's voice and we both jumped, "And I intend on doing that, kid."

Me and Ben looked and saw that Clifford is not alone. Several of his men are with him. And they all glared at us.

Ben glared right back, his gaze focused on Clifford, "You won't  get away with this, Cliff."

Clifford then smirked at Ben, "You can't stop me big guy. You know you will lose, look at how many men I have here. There's twenty of us and two of you. You can't beat us all."

Ben said, "I won't get away for you killing Alan and Cassandra. You will pay for that."

Clifford sighed and shrugged, "Well, if you won't go easy on us, then we won't go easy on you." He said to his men, "I'll take care of the kid alone, you guys don't kill the gryphon, I need him."

All his men said it at the same time, "Yes sir!"

Clifford shifted his gaze on me and said, "Just me and you kid. One on one. I've been wanting to do this since six years ago."

I glared at him. I have a personal score to settle with him too. I began to walk away and Ben said to me, "You be careful kid." Ben then added, "I'll handle the rest of those assholes."

Me and Clifford walked away from the others, and then Clifford's men started charging at Ben, with crowbars and other melee weapons. Ben let out a high pitched eagle scream and swiped at some of them.

Me and Clifford were far enough away, Clifford grinned at me, "You ready to die, kid?"

I pointed at Clifford and sneered, "I'm gonna make you pay for murdering my mother and father."

Clifford chuckled a bit and said, "Well I'll make sure you die just like them." He raised his hands and turned them into fists, getting into his fighting stance.

I did the same thing, getting ready to fight him.

Both of us circled around on the cargo bay, waiting to see which one of us will make our move first. Clifford mad his move and made a right hook to my face. He hit me and I stumbled back, crying out.

I regained my footing and pulled back my arm and swung back, hitting Clifford's chin. Clifford cried out and I tried to run at him, just to tackle him. But he dodged and I ran past him.

Clifford cupped his hands together and swung them at my back, after I went past him. Pain coursed through my back and I back kicked at him. He dodged and then I made a roundhouse kick and he dodged that as well.

I regained my footing after my kick and then Clifford swung at me again, I dodged it and swung back, hitting the side of his ribs.

Clifford then made an uppercut and his fist hit the bottom of my chin. I stumbled back, holding my which is still stinging with pain.

Clifford grinned while breathing hard, he taunted, "Had enough kid?!" Then he gave me a left hook and I ducked below that one, his fist hitting a crate.

Clifford cried out and pulled his hand back. He was shaking it, trying to get ride of the pain.

And with him distracted, I ran to tackle at him again, this time I've succeeded. Both of us falling to the floor. I was now on top of him, giving him handful of punches.

I said to him before I punched his face again, "This is for my parents!" I swung down at him hard, he cried out again.

I did it again, "This one is for April and Emma!" I punched again and said before I did another punch, "This is for Ben!" I threw another punch down at him.

I snarled, "THIS IS FOR EVERYONE!" I threw my fist down at him, but Clifford grabbed it with his hand. I gasped and I threw down my other fist, but he grabbed that one as well.

Clifford managed to topple me over and so now he's on top of me. My back flat on the floor.

Clifford said this, "Now THAT'S for all the bullshit you put me through." Then he swung down his fist at me, his fist connecting to my cheek.

*****

I snarled at them, "You want to screw with me?!"

One of Clifford's goons with a crowbar came running at me and I plucked him up off the ground with my beak and threw him against the cage close to me.

Another guy came at me and I just swung my paw at him. My paw hitting his chest real hard. The guy wheezed as he went down.

Now there were about three more goons left and one of them yelled, "I'm going to fuck you over bird!" He screamed as he charged at me.

I let out a real loud eagle scream and I charged at him also. My head hitting the guy's chest and he gave a hard grunt.

Another goon was coming up from behind me and I kicked him away with my hind feet. His body hitting the cage with a loud bang.

One last guy was left standing and he pulled a knife on me, "Take this you bird brain!" He charged at me and then I knocked the knife away with my paw. I knocked him down and pinned him with my paw.

I glared down at him and said, "Only my friends call me bird brain, you shit." Then I gripped his shirt with my paw and threw him at the wall near me.

The guy's body hit the wall real hard and then I saw some electricity shooting out of the wall. When the guy fell flat to the floor, I saw that I threw him against the fuse box of the plane. The lights started flickering as I realized that the fuse box is destroyed, the power to the plane is about to be out.

My eyes went wide, "Uh oh."

If the plane goes out of power, then it'll go down.

Me and Jason better leave soon.

*****

Clifford punched my gut and then he punched me in the face. I went down to my knees and then he kneed me in the jaw. I fell fully onto my back.

Clifford then started to kick me in the ribs while I was on the ground. I pushed through the pain and grabbed his leg and pulled it.

Clifford cried out as he fell to the floor and I got up on my feet immediately. I raised my fists again as Clifford got up as well.

I swung a right hook at him and it hit the side of his head. Then I swung my leg forward, giving him a hard kick in the stomach.

Clifford while he was grunting and holding his stomach, saw a fire axe on the wall and he grabbed it with both hands. He raised it to kill me.

I gasped and then Clifford swung the axe down and I moved to my right fast. The blade missing my shoulder by a bit.

Clifford raised the axe again and this time he swung it hard to the left. I screamed and dodged it again. This time, the blade from the axe hit the wooden crate and now it's stuck.

Clifford cried out angrily and decided to let go of the axe to attack me with his fists again. He swung at me and I dodged it. Before a second ended, I gave a hard left hook and it hit Clifford's ribs.

Clifford fought through the pain and he punched back, hitting me in the cheek. I stumbled away from him and saw a button on the wall and realized that it's the cargo bay door.

I ran to the button and pressed it. The cargo bay door started to slowly open, showing that we're up so high in the air.

A bunch of crates and other stuff started falling out of the plane and Clifford almost did. He lunged himself at me and we both fell to the floor. We both started rolling to the opening of the cargo bay. That we'll fall to our deaths if we fell out of the plane.

Clifford actually rolled out of the cargo bay door and I just held onto a latch on the plane before I could fall off with him, one half of my body is dangling off the edge of the plane. I looked down at him and saw Clifford screaming as he fell to his death from so very high in the sky, "AHHHH!!!!!!" His screams died down with him, as he fell further down to the ground.

I breathed heavily  and tried to pull myself back up to the floor of the plane. I heard Ben calling out, "Jason!"

I looked and saw Ben padding towards me.

I called out to him, "Ben, help me!" I reached out to him with one hand. But then suddenly the plane shook from turbulence and I lost my grip on the latch. That's when I fell out of the plane as well, falling out of the sky.

I falled at high speeds, wind rushing at me as I skydived from the air. I cried out and turned over my body as I fell down still.

I could see the ground is far away from me now, but it won't be forever until I die from falling.

I screamed as I fell, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Before I could fall any further, suddenly Ben flew beneath me real fast like and I landed on my stomach on his back. Ben saving me from the fall. He flapped his wings hard after he caught me in the air.

I held onto his feathers as he flew and my eyes went wide with shock. Then I started laughing when I began to realize what happened to me.

Ben saved me, I'm alive!

I cried out happily and raised my fist in the air, "WOOOOO!!!!"

Ben and I flew down to the ground about a minute later and we're finally on the ground. Onto the soft grass.

Ben trotted to a stop after he landed and I got off of him not long after that. Then we both saw the cargo plane going down to the ground and when it hit the ground, it exploded in a fireball.

Both of us just stared at the fire in the far off distance and then we both stared at each other now.

We both smiled at each other, realizing that it's over now. I said to him, "You saved me."

Ben nodded, "You rescued me kid, so that means we're even." He winked at me and giggled.

That's when I started to have tears in my eyes and said softly to him, "It's over."

He nodded again and said, "It is. It...It's finally over."

I started to break down happily in front of him and then I wrapped my arms around his neck for a hug. He cried out in shock and then he returned the hug as well, wrapping his paw around me. I cried into his feathers, full of joy and calm. Ben started to sob as well.

It's over.

It's finally over.

*****

One Month Later

Me, Emma, April, and Brooke were all heading to meet Ben at the beach during the night.

Ready to see...April and Ben leave.

It's been about a month later since all the stuff that happened to us, and ever since then there hasn't been any trouble at all.

No people trying to kill us, nothing at all.

It really was over.

Basically things have been really quiet all normal and such.

I could still remember that night after me and Ben escaped before the plane crashed. Not long after that, Ben flew me to the airstrip and the police were already there, Brooke's backup has finally arrived.

Ben meanwhile hid, while I was meeting the police. No one never suspected about him.

Emma and Brooke saw me coming and ran to hug me. Then Emma's father Dean came and started questioning me.

I told him a few lies, but I didn't really tell him about being on the plane. I only told him that I've escaped from them, saying that I don't know where they were going and all that. They were all dead anyway.

Dean actually believed me and said that I was lucky that I was alive. Then soon after that we all headed back home, while Emma was being comforted by her father and Brooke comforted me.

The next morning me and Ben were waiting for Emma to bring April to the woods and we met them. April was so overjoyed to se Ben again, and she actually kissed Ben right in front of Emma.

Which Emma didn't mind seeing them getting intimate at all. She actually knew that April and Ben were in love with each other. Which I'm glad she didn't mind it one bit.

Now it's been several days later, about a month already, we're about to see April and Ben fly off together.

To where...They wanted to go.

We all saw Ben sitting on his haunches on the beach, waiting for us, staring at the ocean. And he looked over his shoulder and saw us. he smiled and turned his whole body around. He said, "Well it's about time you guys came here." Then he lowered his head to our level, "Especially YOU April."

April came up to Ben and she hugged him, pulling his head close to her chest, "Sorry we were late." She pulled back a bit and looked into his eyes, "Especially me."

Ben nuzzled her cheek and muttered, "It's okay." Then he pulled back and asked, "So, did you pack your things?"

April had her bag over her shoulder and showed it, "Right here big guy."

Ben nodded, "Good." He raised his head and looked down at me, Emma, and Brooke. He sighed and said, "Well...At least all three of you guys came here to say goodbye to us."

I smiled at him, "I can't believe this is happening."

Emma said as well, "Yeah, I really can't believe it."

Ben shrugged his wings and shoulders, "Well you might as well, because it's happening."

Emma looked at April and asked, "Are you sure you just want to leave? Just like that?"

April nodded and smiled, "Yeah I do." She waved a hand and went on, "My house has been destroyed since a month ago and I feel like I don't have anything that'll hold me back. that's when Ben began to realize that he doesn't have anything holding him back anymore either."

Ben said to me with sadness, "Yeah Jason....You're...A man now."

I shrugged my arms, "You know...You can still stay here."

Ben nodded, "Yeah, I know. But me and April both feel like we want to see the world together."

Brooke grinned up at him, "You know we'll all miss you." Then she frowned and asked, "So where would you go?"

Ben shook his head, "I don't know. Anywhere we want, I guess. There's nothing holding us back."

Brooke nodded, "Well...We'll still miss you guys."

Ben smiled down at her, "I know Brooke and...You take good care of Jason here."

She nodded again, "I will, he's...A good kid."

Emma then wrapped her arms around April, hugging her best friend. Emma asked, "Will you guys come back?"

April giggled and answered, "Sure! It's not like we can go away forever. We'll always come back and visit for a while."

Emma nodded while she still held April in her embrace, "Good, I don't want you to forget your best friend."

April laughed and she said, "I would never forget you."

Emma finally let go of April and backed away. She looked at Ben and giggled at him.

Ben cocked his head at her, "What?"

Emma giggled again and said, "It won't be the same without you, doctor bird brain."

Ben groaned a bit and grinned at her, "Ah Emma, you really are a card. But yes, I'll miss you too."

Emma ran and gave Ben a hug. Pulling herself close to his chest. Ben rubbed his paw on her back.

Ben said to Emma, "Just keep your boyfriend out of trouble, ok?"

Emma backed away from Ben and nodded, "I will."

Then he took his gaze on me and said my name softly, "Jason."

I shook my head and waved him off, "You don't have to worry about me anymore. I'm a big boy now. I can take care of myself."

Ben giggled a bit and nodded. He took his gaze to the sand, "Oh I know. I...I haven't been away from you like this before. This is totally different."

I smiled and walked up to him. I said, "Ben...You don't have to take care of me anymore. You still have a life of your own to make."

Ben peered at me and I went on, "But just remember, that no matter where you and April go, I will always be your family."

Ben smiled and said, "I...You're right. After all, we all do need some time apart every now and then."

I nodded and then Ben said, "But I'll come visit you every once in a while too, just to see how you're doing." Then he grinned deviously at me, "And see if you and Emma here would have any babies together as well."

Emma hollered, "I heard that bird brain!" Then we all laughed at that.

Me and Ben both looked at each other after that. then I placed a hand to his chest and said, "I'll never forget you big guy."

Ben smiled down at me, "Just stay out of trouble, you hear?"

I nodded and let my hand fall to my side, "I will." I started to back away from him and said, "I love you, big guy."

Ben said back as I backed away, "I love you too, son."

My eyes went wide and then I smiled again. Thanks, Dad.

April went to Ben's back and he stood up on all fours. He lowered his body to the ground to let her hop on his back. April managed to climb on his back and she sat down on it. Ben raised his body off the ground, standing tall over us.

April waved down at us and said, "Goodbye guys."

Me, Emma, and Brooke waved at them. Then Ben looked over his shoulder and asked April, "Ready to go now?"

April looked at his face and nodded, "Lets go handsome gryphon."

Ben nodded and he started to walk to the edge of the ocean on the beach. Soon he started to flap his wings and we all could see April gripping on his feathers, as he took flight over the ocean. His wings making little waves as the wind hit the ocean's surface. Then they were flying high over the ocean and we all could hear his high pitch eagle scream.

We all watched them fly away until they were out of sight in the night sky. Brooke sighed and said, "Well...That's over with. I'm sure going to miss those two."

Emma nodded, "Me too, but we'll see them again."

I held Emma's hand and we still watched the nigh sky. I said softly, "Yeah...We will." Emma laid her head on my shoulder, just watching the waves hit the beach.

Brooke yawned and said, "Well I'm going to bed now. I need to be out on patrol tomorrow."

Emma let go of my hand and said, "Me too. I need to work double shift at the market tomorrow."

Brooke started to walk away from the beach and so did Emma. Before Emma could walk any further, she whirled around and asked me, "Are you coming?"

Since I didn't move a muscle yet, I still stared at the ocean and the night sky. I answered without looking at her, "Give me a minute."

Emma walked back to me and planted a kiss on my cheek. She smiled for a moment and said, "I love you."

I glanced at her and said, "I love you too." Then I looked at the sky once more.

Emma only looked at me for another moment and she started to walk away form the beach  with Brooke. Leaving me alone on the beach.

A smile slowly formed on my lips. I sighed.

I'll never forget you guys. Not even you Ben. You were always my family and you always will be.

For years you've always looked after me, when I needed you the most. And you always did, no matter where we went.

Thank you.

For years...Mom and dad were like feathers on your wings, then I showed up and I became another feather on you. We were all the feathers of a gryphon.

When mom and dad died, those feathers fell off of you and I was still with you. Now since a month ago, I fell off of you as well.

All three of us were feathers, but now times has changed.

Now a new feather has grown on you. And it's April.

She's your feather now, no matter where you go.

She is the feather. The feather of a gryphon.

She is The Gryphon's Feather.

THE END