CrystalScherer's Works
Upon Wings of Change
No one ever said what would happen when dragons and aliens meet. And no one told me that I would be in the middle of it.
Tasha was studying hard to get through her last year of university when she was kidnapped. She certainly did not expect to wake up with four feet and wings. Mad scientists are bad enough, but things get even more complicated when aliens appear and wipe out the human race.
Is there a way for her to hide her true identity in this new world while retaining her humanity?
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Sneak Peek:
Taking a deep breath, I jumped over the lip of the tray and beat down hard with my wings, expecting to only slow my fall.
My powerful wingbeat plucked my feet from the sand as it threw me into the air. I squawked in surprise and spread my wings wide in alarm before gravity regained its hold on me. With several awkward back-winging motions of my wings, I landed lightly on the floor.
Well, at least I know my wings work. I glanced at the man in the corner as he was scribbling quick notes. I turned around to regard the tray again. Well, they say practice makes perfect. With another hop and a single light wingbeat, I managed to land in the sand tray with fanned wings slowing my momentum.
That was much more graceful. But a wing-assisted hop wasn’t true flight. And I still wasn’t on the windowsill.
A Starship Called Starsong
Computer updates are simple, right?
Apparently, that's not always the case when it involves a Spaceship's AI in the middle of deep space.
We have always relied upon technology to travel through space, but sometimes that very same technology develops a mind of its own...
Rachel, a junior assistant in the Cargo Bay, wasn’t prepared for the Spaceship’s AI to gain awareness during what should have been a routine update, nor was anyone aware that it would take exception to many of the crew and cargo crates aboard.
She has to race against time to try and help get lifesaving systems back online. A task that is harder than it sounds in the middle of deep space, far from any port, especially when the AI can access everything in the spaceship.
Truths emerge, and as the AI realizes that even computers can make miscalculations, it focuses on the young woman who had dared to confront it.
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This story was inspired by prompt #7 at: www.wattpad.com 462809994
"The computer that controls your spaceship has gained self-awareness and has overridden your commands. The catch? You are a million light years away from the closest planet and the computer is beginning to shut everything down on the ship required for the humans on it to live, starting with the shutdown of food production and ending with the cutoff of oxygen."
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Excerpt:
A flashing orange light in the top corner of my handheld device prompted me to check the system status page. My jaw dropped. All sorts of systems were going offline. Water, sewage, air, heating, cooling, weapons, and many more. What was going on?
The Overseer was more decisive than I was. "Go help get the air systems back online. We can eat dry rations for two weeks, but we can't hold our breath for that long."
I took off running once more. I hadn't gone far when I almost ran right into Logan. I asked, "What going on?"
He grabbed my shoulders urgently. "The main computer's AI is taking over the entire ship. I need to get to a backup mainframe to try and reverse the upgrade, but I can't find the room! The AI messed up the electronic maps, and I have never been to this one before! Where is the Delta access room?!"
My mind tried to wrap itself around the details as I gave directions, "...then turn left and it's by the plumbing room on that level."
"Thanks!" He took off running.
A New Beginning: Passing The Torch
Optional sequel to Upon Wings Of Change.
(This is the original (longer and slower paced) passing-of-the-torch version where we start with Tasha and slowly shift to Tessa. There is another version with *just* Tessa.)
The dragonets are flourishing; both those in the park and those helping the Kymari.
As the first dragonets to hatch in the Kymari civilization, Tessa and her brother are paving a new path as they grow up and learn how to fit into the world. New beginnings are often great things, but sometimes shadows from the distant past come calling.
A New Beginning: Tessa's Story
Optional sequel to Upon Wings Of Change.
Tessa's Story: a revision with *just* Tessa’s POV (different from the original "Passing the Torch" version).
Summary:
The dragonets are flourishing; both those in the park and those helping the Kymari.
As the first dragonets to hatch in the Kymari civilization, Tessa and her brother are paving a new path as they grow up and learn how to fit into the world. New beginnings are often great things, but sometimes shadows from the distant past come calling.
Excerpt:
I braced my feet against the wall as I pulled. Suddenly, the lever swung downward. I lost my grip and tumbled backward. I landed on my side and slid across the counter. My legs and tail flailed as I tried to get to my feet or slow down—but I didn’t manage it in time.
Almost in slow motion, my feet went off the counter as I slid into the air. Without thinking, my wings popped open and beat hard as I twisted, trying to turn right side up so I could fly properly.
I blinked in shock when I realized I was already flying upward. Grinning triumphantly, I beat my wings again and went back to the counter.
Pleased with my flying abilities, I proudly landed on the counter—and forgot to slow down, which promptly sent me sliding across the slippery surface, lightly colliding with the glass door. I ducked my head sheepishly, glad no one else had seen that.
My eyes locked onto the gap between the glass doors. With an eager grin, I pressed my shoulder against the edge and pushed. My feet struggled to find traction, but it was opening!
Once I pushed the door far enough, I scampered over to the cantaloupe. It was much bigger up close. I blinked slowly, trying to think about how I was going to move it. There was no way I’d be able to lift it.
It was round though. Round things could roll, right?
Tricked Into Flight
Desperate to keep her magic hidden, Katerina goes to great lengths to avoid dragons and mages. When she gets cornered by evil mages, her only chance at escape involves freeing a trapped dragon who might kill her simply because she is human like the mages who bound him.
* * *
Most dragons detested humans. Too many tried to slay them, control them with magic, or steal their treasures. Every dragon may be born a mage, but their unique magical powers prevented them from wiping out the human race without dooming their own in the process.
Many humans were terrified of the massive magic-wielding dragons who were known to kill any who offended or annoyed them. Some humans bravely traded with the dragons, hoping for rare treasures or a spell. A few desired the dragon's bond since dragon riders were highly revered or feared wherever they went. Even kings were careful if a dragon rider showed up at their castles, for insulting a dragon rider could imply insult to the dragon, and the dragons didn't take kindly to being insulted.
Certain people, such as Katerina, knew the truth that so many overlooked.
The bond was a gilded cage. Dragons never let go.
When deadly creatures from the sea make their way into the rivers and set their sights on land, Katerina and the dragon she helped might have to work together to save both humankind and dragonkin.
When The Heart Sings
I will be your heart, if you will be my shield.
Serena was barely one step above poverty and dreamed of owning her own home far away from the bustle of the city. Power and money didn’t really interest her, instead she wished for a life of peace and safety.
It was chance that she happened to watch a man in handcuffs being escorted by police.
Several groups wanted to control him to suit their own purposes, but he could not be controlled by force. He only wanted one thing – and it was her.
Note: This is a rough draft with an overly heavy dose of “love at first sight”, “overprotective partner”, and “kidnapping” tropes.
Excerpt:
I pitied the man, although with that many cops around him, he was likely quite dangerous. Who needed 30 police officers to supervise one guy who was likely in handcuffs and leg shackles? I absentmindedly watched the man walk down the gauntlet between the rows of officers.
It was as if I couldn't look away. He paused and looked around. His brilliant glowing blue eyes seemed to meet mine across the vast distance. I couldn't even blink as his eyes seemed to hold mine.
The trees of a park broke our locked gaze as the bus kept on driving. I took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that I had stopped breathing the moment our eyes had met. I had never seen such blue eyes before - and they glowed! A shiver ran through me. I had been too far away to even determine the color of the police officers’ hair, let alone know the color of the man's eyes.
My eyes watched the trees, hoping for a break in them so I could see the man again. I had no such luck.
Looking To Belong
Everyone wants a place to belong, and Jade is no exception.
Being a runt is something she can't change, but it's something she will have to overcome in order to convince a pack to accept her.
Rogues, lawless wolves, and ferals are only some of the dangers Jade must face while living in no man's land, and she has to be clever to survive. Such a lifestyle has taught her several tricks and given her valuable skills, but will they be enough to convince a pack to let her prove her worth?
Even if she does find one willing to let her in, she knows there will be new obstacles to face - and she's determined to overcome them, and, perhaps, even dream of falling in love.
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Footnote:
None of the main characters are mated to an Alpha.
No character has ‘exclusive’ abilities or powers. Any abilities can be found among wolves of a similar pack rank in any pack.
If you’re looking for a love-at-first sight werewolf story without the overdone cliches, this could be what you’re seeking!