Hadji walked into the barn, going to see the gift he'd been given by some powerful man in Arabia. This black terror and the very rare and beautiful albino hawk had both come this morning. The stallion was slightly more then most people could handle.

He watched in awe of the giant thing as it reared up on it's back legs, striking gracefully with the front.

Handlers moved in all directions, trying to stay out of the way of the deadly hoofs.

His fine black head tossed back, sending the thick forelock flying out of his eyes so the animal could see. It came down, bit at a man with it's teeth, and went up again. Three men raced up, grabbing hold of ropes that dangled from it's halter.

The black horse was large, fast and graceful. Hadji was no horseman, but even he could see it was a rare specimen.

Thin, long, well muscled back legs danced as it fought to keep it's balance, throwing it's head and lashing with pointed and delicate toes.

No one had noticed Hadji yet and they fought with the beast, trying simply to put him in a stall--the largest one they had.

It's thick black tail flashed back and forth, and he came down again, then stood there silently, fire in his eyes.

Hadji took a deep breath. It was gorgeous. And had a definite presence.

The steed looked his way, and Hadji felt as though it had seen clear through to his soul. It looked away again, and calmly walked into the stall.

The young sultan took a deep breath and petted the falcon Haresh, who had stood quietly on his arm the whole time. Turning, Hadji left before anyone saw he had been there, anyone other than his bodyguard anyway. The man could be so irritating sometimes. Never spoke, never laughed, never had any fun at all. Just watched.

Walking back up to his room he stepped inside, looked at the hawk in her cage and whistled. The bird was beautiful, and tiny. It was hard to believe it was even a hawk.

Yawning he changed and slid into bed, his duties long done for the night.

***

Is it him?

The hawk woke, hearing something. It came again.

Is it him?

Her delicate head nodded as she watched the boy sleep. Yes, Damon. It's him.

Shall we then?

The hawk's eyes narrowed. Damon, "shall we" what? You're not going to hurt him are you?!

A low chuckled rumbled in her head. Don't be silly, little angel.

Don't call me that.

I wouldn't hurt our ride out. Quickly he pulled out of her mind, into the body he was stuck in. Though, he had to admit, it was a magnificent body. Jet black, four powerful legs, in the prime of life . . . ah yes, a beautiful form. Even if it was a horse and not a tiger or something similar.

He again pulled out, this time picking up the hawk as he flew into the young sultan's dreams.

***

The Dreamscape.

Hadji blinked and looked around. One minute he was in the middle of a strange dream about flying bunnies (He wasn't sure he wanted to know the translation for that one) and the next, a simple white plane. No sky, no end, no beginning. Just white all around. Two humans appeared in front of him, then a table and chairs.

"Ugh, Damon, can't you go without furniture for one minute?!" The tiny girl screamed, her feet rising off the ground. Long, curly blonde hair bounced around, shimmering in the light. Hadji smiled. She was maybe four foot ten and wore a white dress, no shoes, with her hair tied loosely back by something unseeable. Every time he tried to focus on it it seemed to disappear. She could've been six, and at the same time she might've been sixty, or six hundred. There was no way to tell.

A man, Damon he presumed, appeared in one of the wooden chairs, wearing a Italian black suit. White pin stripes shot through it and he wore a white tie on a black shirt. Somehow, he managed to not look like a part of the Mafia. Black hair curled all over, and black eyes held mystery. He was tall and well built, six foot at the very least, when standing.

Damon pulled a cigar from the air, then lit it with out touching it and took a long drag. "Little Angel,"

"Don't call me that" was the automatic reply.

"I refuse to be uncomfortable. What is the point of getting a sore--"

"Watch you language!!!!" The smaller one shrieked. "There are minors present."

Damon smiled slowly and turned his attention on Hadji. He cocked one eyebrow and sized up the boy. "I believe he's most likely heard the word--"

The girl plugged her ears and started humming loudly. When Damon stopped talking she unplugged them and looked at him.

"--bottom." Damon finished.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!!?!?!?!?!?!? AAAAAAAAAA!"

Hadji couldn't help it. He started laughing. This was one strange dream.

The little angel stormed over to him, her hands on her hips. "It's not funny and you should know better!"

He pulled himself together with some difficulty, then bowed low. "I'm ever so sorry, Lady."

Little Angel "humphed." "I guess it's okay, but you really shouldn't be like that."

Hadji nodded and smiled at her.

Damon guffawed. "He's already almost squeaky clean, don't make it worse."

"You be quiet, Demon!"

"Damon."

"Why don't you go get a girl," she said, unable to say what she really wanted to. "Girl" would have to suffice.

Damon arched an eyebrow and smiled slowly, wickedly. "Is that an invitation?"

"Oooooooh! I'm going to . . . to . . . NOW LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE! I'M THREATENING PEOPLE!"

Hadji, very alarmed as he watch the girl vibrate in place with anger, touched her shoulder soothingly. "It's all right, just ignore him."

Damon just smiled roguishly.

"STOP THAT!!!!"

Damon took another drag off his cigar and blew it her way, then smiled again. "Face it. You find me irresistible."

"HADJI!!!!!! Make him stop!!!! No, wait, I'll make him stop!"

"Ah ah ah! You don't want to start another war like that last one, do you?"

Little Angel sighed and folded her arms across her chest, fuming.

"We came here to do business, not argue. You're Hadji, correct?"

Hadji nodded as the large man stood up and walked over.

The young sultan changed his mind. The man wasn't six feet. More like six foot eight or nine.

"You see Hadji, we have a problem." He put a large hand on the boy's shoulder, smiling down. Hadji was suddenly reminded of Jonny's smile on April Fools. "Every ten years about this time my friend here and I take on forms to see what's going on around here, on Earth. Now, our transport to go back is right around here, about two miles off, but we're stuck with you. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure you're a delightful young man, but I'd rather not be trapped here for the next ten years. What would the world do without us?"

"Who are you?" Hadji asked at last.

"Spirits. I'm Christmas future, this is Christmas past."

Little Angel glared at him. "Very funny, evil thing."

Damon smiled. "Thank you, my dear." He clipped her chin with his finger, laughing when she screamed and tried to wipe it off.

"STOP TEASING ME!!!!!!!"

He smiled slyly. "You really want to be teased?"

"AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" She retaliated by stomping on his toe, and watching with glee as he hopped around.

"Look you two," Hadji said, smiling "You haven't told me how to help."

Damon returned, leaning against Hadji's shoulder.

"Get away from him!" Little Angel snapped, darting around.

"Go away little bug." Damon took another drag, then blew it out at the girl.

She started coughing and stumbled away.

"I need you to take me out of my stall, get Angel there--"

"Don't {hack hack} call me that!"

"--and take us to the meeting place. You'll do this tomorrow. Take me out and saddle me up, carry Angel--"

"Don't call--"

"--And give me my head. We'll ditch your bodyguard and try to make it before noon. You understand?"

Hadji nodded.

"Good. You'll remember very little of this when you wake. Now sleep."

***

Hadji woke feeling more rested and refreshed then he had in weeks. Stretching, he sat up and got out of bed. The hawk chirped at him and he looked up, suddenly feeling quite anxious to go riding. He shook his head. He didn't know how to ride!

After eating breakfast and taking care of some things that had arisen overnight he looked up at the clock. It was already ten thirty. He had to eat lunch, then maybe he'd go see that stallion that had been brought in. He really wanted to ride it, but he shook his head. He didn't know how to ride!

At eleven fifteen the desire to get out was overwhelming. Running upstairs he took the hawk out of her cage, surprised when she stayed with him on his shoulder. He turned and went back downstairs, then out to the barn.

"Saddle that black that was brought it yesterday." He snapped at the nearest person. They hurried along, rushed by the tone of his voice.

"Saddle the other one too." Hadji heard his bodyguard say. He scowled. He didn't want to be followed by that man.

The black was brought out and it stood calmly while waiting to be saddled. It watched Hadji and he shivered, feeling the thing was smarter then any animal had a right to be.

It was quickly tacked up, bridle and saddle in place, and Hadji jumped up on it's back with the help of a stool. Once up there he faltered. He didn't know what to do with his hands.

The black started off on it's own, moving swiftly and fluidly. Hadji heard his bodyguard call out to him, telling him to wait just a minute. The sultan had no such intentions.

Damon broke into a swift gallop, heading away from the palace and bodyguard. The man's own horse was fast however, and it started to gain. So Damon ran faster. He heard the hawk leap off Hadji's shoulder and fly alongside, felt the man-boy lean forward into the wind, helping the horse on. Damon smiled. With allies like these, he would outdistance the guard within no time.

***

Within twenty minutes it was done. Twisting and turning and going every which way he finally lost the persistent man. Another five minutes and they were at the spot. No one was around, which was just as well.

Get off me, young man. He thought.

Hadji obeyed, startled. The hawk landed beside him and waited patently. Slowly, Hadj remembered his dream from the night before. He rubbed his eyes. This couldn't be right.

Both animals started to shimmer, one shrank as the other grew. Shortly standing before him were the man and woman. His jaw dropped. Incredible!

"We thank you, young man. What a pity you're so . . . clean." Damon said the word with undisguised disgust.

Angel smiled tolerantly and slapped his arm, just about the highest part of his body she could reach.

A light shafted down, encircling the two. "That's our ride! Thanks, Hadj!" Angel said, then kissed his cheek.

Hadji watched, then finally choked out, "Who are you?"

Damon smiled. "Why, Good and Evil of course! Just think how boring the world would be without me around to spice things up . . ." They started to fade and Hadji smiled, listening to the disappearing voices.

"It would be a lot better, that's for sure!"

"Oh, you'd miss me Angel!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

"Now, now, what else am I supposed to call you? After all, there are minors present."

"AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!"

Hadji listened quietly, then heard hoofsteps behind him.

"Sultan, where is your steed?" The bodyguard asked.

Hadji looked at him for a minute, then smiled. "I'm afraid that both animals escaped." He looked back into the sky and smiled. The two spirits were free.

Damon, don't you even think about doing that--! DAMON!!!!!

Then again, maybe it hadn't been very good to free Evil . . . .

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