MAY 4th
It was the middle of the night and Desutoroia
walked the lonely streets of Roostville as time ticked by. Ubergeek had
to return to his office while the rest of the Utopian Guardians resumed
their ordinary lives. Melkor, however, had informed them all he still had
one last trick up his sleeve that would ultimately defeat Khandejifer once
and for all! He reminded them, 'If man becomes a god, he can also be unmade
a god.'
Desutoroia looked up at the stars in
the sky and thought of his beloved Jennifer. "I don't know what I'd ever
do if you were to die like those before you," he said to himself, looking
forward to returning home so he could see her again. Without her, a piece
of him was missing. When he stepped onto Kamen Avenue and saw the signs
on the old abandoned stores, he knew he was close to the Desu Hill area.
He glanced around at all the buildings and it looked just like Charlotte
Street back in his home town, only run over by kaiju and all the stores
and restaurants were closed. As he passed one of the abandoned buildings,
he saw a strange orange light moving around inside. He was shaken up a
bit as the place looked perfect for hauntings to occur. Some overpowering
force drew him inside. When looking in, the entire place was dark and nothing
could be seen but when he entered, the entire structure of the room changed
and candles were everywhere, creating a light source. When he glanced back
outside, the door he had passed through was gone and so was the window
where he had seen the orange light. Only the wall remained.
"What the- ?" Desutoroia could feel
the overpowering force drawing him towards the stairs. He walked up without
hesitation to the fifth or sixth floor before he stopped at a corridor.
He was no longer in a restaurant but inside an apartment building. The
entire hallway was black except at the end where that strange orange light
appeared so he ventured to the end of the hallway and Room 666. Desutoroia
reached out his hand and the door opened, allowing him to step in. The
lights and TV were on but no one was home. There was smoke coming from
an ashtray by the open window.
'What's the story behind this place?'
Desutoroia wondered. Ubergeek came out of the bathroom but he looked different.
His nose was more crooked and his hair a darker tone and in a different
style. He was also wearing leather gloves which he never did. Uber was
dressed in a business suit but that was customary since he was thrust into
politics.
"Ubergeek? What are you doing here?"
Desutoroia asked. He paid no attention to Desutoroia but from his back
pocket, he drew out a silenced magnum and aimed the gun at his own temple.
"What?" Desutoroia yelled. "Geekspawn!
No! Stop this!" Uber pulled the trigger and the bullet went straight through
his head, piercing the brain and skull. Blood spattered everywhere and
his lifeless body fell to the floor. Desutoroia was about to run to his
friend but time seemed to freeze and then go backwards. Ubergeek's body
floated back up and the bullet came out of the wall and back into the gun
from which it was fired. The spattered blood and brains flew back into
Ubergeek's head and he was reborn. Something strange was going on... "Ubergeek?"
Desutoroia asked. The Geekspawn laughed sadistically.
"You mean you can't see past the skin?"
he grinned.
"Oh no!" Desutoroia exclaimed. "...Khandejifer..."
Uber laughed again.
"Yes!" Khandejifer gloated. "Glad you
remember me, old buddy!"
"What's going here?"
"Oh, I am just messing with your mind!"
Khandejifer replied. "Why, am I bothering you?" Desutoroia stepped backwards,
closer to the window. He peered down and saw that he was high above the
city, looking down and seeing cars moving in the distance. "Nowhere to
run this time, Lord," Khandejifer laughed. "No escape!" Desutoroia looked
at him and then outside again. He realized what was happening and a look
of confidence came to his face. Desutoroia opened the window fully so he
could climb through it. Khandejifer's look turned to disgust as Desutoroia
smiled back at him.
"This isn't over yet, Khan. Our war
has only just begun!" Desutoroia then jumped out the window, falling to
his doom. In seconds, he found himself standing on a fire exit outside
the restaurant. The apartment and how high up he had been was all an illusion
created by Khandejifer to, as he said, 'mess with his mind.'
After running down the stairs, Desutoroia
was in an alley and once again, all alone. He was close to the docks in
the abandoned area of town and kept on walking in hopes that Khandejifer
would stay away and that he'd meet up with Melkor soon.
"Wanna see my true form?" A hissing
voice called out. From the dark alley that Desutoroia had just stepped
out of came a tall warrior. Khandejifer had taken on the form he considered
to be his true self. On his helmet were three sharp crown horns and covering
his mouth was a plate bordered with sharp teeth. Khandejifer's chest and
shoulders were broad but his waist was thin. From his hips came sharp points
and his boots had claws at the front like toes. Khandejifer's right arm
was the face of a mighty dragon and a large sword came out from its mouth.
His left hand was the face of a fierce and strong wolf. Down his back was
a long cape and his entire outfit was black.
"How do you like?" Khandejifer's mangled
voice asked as he stepped out from the darkness.
"No... Just no..."
"One way or another, I will end this
struggle!" Khandejifer commanded. "I will have you crawling at my feet,
interloper!" His sword took a swing at Desutoroia who stumbled backwards,
avoiding the sharp edged blade. The sword was sent which smashed into the
pavement, creating a huge crater as rocks flew into the air. Khandejifer
looked up and saw Desutoroia fleeing.
"Oh no! I'm not letting you get away
this time! This time, we are going to finish our war... honorably... unless
I am forced to cheat!" He lifted his left arm and a fusion cannon came
out of the wolf's mouth and launched a fearsome hell blast at Desutoroia,
crushing almost everything that was in its path. The surrounding area was
decimated. Khandejifer was soon out of power and needed the cannon to recharge
its energy for Desutoroia was unharmed. "You were merely lucky that time,
Des. But that's all it was - luck..." He continued to run from Khandejifer,
who was chasing him like a wild beast and kept yelling, 'You'll never escape
me as long I exist!' and other bullshit that wasn't of any interest to
Desutoroia. He would have tried to fight back against his darker half but
he knew he would get killed. Khandejifer was too strong and too powerful
for him or anyone to master. Khandejifer disappeared as Melkor bumped into
Desutoroia.
"Melkor! You made it! But how did you
find me?"
"Psychic powers," he implied. "Is Jennifer
safe?"
"Yes. I would have felt something if
Khandejifer had done anything to her."
"What of Khandejifer? Has he appeared
to you?" Melkor wanted to know.
"In the form of Ubergeek and a crowned
knight..."
"Figures," Melkor said. "Just like the
Devil, Khandejifer can appear to anyone in the form he chooses." Desutoroia
fell to the ground, gasping in agonizing pain which soon stopped. "What
is it? Can you feel Khandejifer?"
"Yes..." Desutoroia replied. "He's awaiting
our arrival at the steel mill... it's near the park where he was created."
"Just like a Devil's spawn to return
to his breeding grounds... " Melkor figured. "Then that is our next destination!"
"Well," Desutoroia said, feeling nervous
when they arrived. "May the way of the hero lead to the Devil's defeat."
He and Melkor were standing before the mill where Khandejifer waited patiently
for possibly the final battle for both him and Desutoroia. Either way,
this would be the end for one of them but only destiny could decide which
one would come out a champion... a victor, and which would be the loser
of a great struggle. Desutoroia could only hope he would be the one to
triumph.
"Lucky for us I've got a plan to help
you defeat Khandejifer..." Melkor began as he was grabbed by the
fierce and ferocious knight hidden by strong, black titanium armor who
had attacked Desutoroia in the street. Melkor was thrown to the ground
by the giant and knocked unconscious.
"I hope you made peace with both the
god you believe in and yourself, Desu, because this is going to mark the
end of your futile life and my purpose will have been served! Prepare to
face me, Lord Khandejifer! There can be... only one! And that one shall
be me when this is over and done with!!!" Desutoroia sprang back as Khandejifer
forced him into the mill where they were destined to fight their final
battle. It was dark and warm inside and sparks were flying across the place.
Desutoroia ran up a short metal stairway to escape. While looking back,
he tripped and fell on the landing, face first on the metal grating. As
he slowly turned around, he looked up to see a white version of the Knight
Khandejifer step forward.
"Get up!" he commanded. "So I can destroy
you!" Desutoroia rolled over and grabbed one of the hoists and flung it
at Khandejifer as the behemoth's sword came swooping down. Desutoroia then
started to run among the machinery and up and down stairways. The mill
was like a warehouse and huge with chains hanging all over, sparks flying
and almost hitting Desutoroia each time he got close to the furnaces. There
was darkness and steam and he could hear Khandejifer calling out after
him. Khandejifer was furious and Desutoroia knew he was tempted to cheat
with his godlike powers. But no matter what, Khandejifer would never give
in to cheating, not anymore since his ascension into something more powerful.
Khandejifer's sword and slashed forward at Desutoroia who barely moved
his head and luckily, the sword in time for it to miss him, passing straight
through the monstrous machine between them. It got caught and jammed his
arm into the moving works, pinning him and unable to escape its clutches.
"MELKOR!" Desutoroia shouted as loud
as he could while Khandejifer worked on freeing himself. The Mage regained
consciousness on the floor below and lifted his head to look up at Khandejifer.
"It's time to finish you off!" he commanded!
And with that said, Melkor began chanting a magic spell. Weird light surrounded
Khandejifer and just as he freed his arm from the machinery, his godlike
powers were taken away by Melkor's magic. The human body, the one and only
thing Khandejifer hated most about him; the limited, useless body he had
worked so hard to eradicate himself of, was back. Without his powers, he
was transformed back into an ordinary human. However, the strength and
mentality he was granted by the Universal Dominator still remained
and Melkor fell back into unconsciousness.
"You've made me into that which I hate
most!" Khandejifer said as he grabbed a steel bar. "Human!!!" He
raced at Desutoroia, the metal bar almost striking his face but Desutoroia
stumbled backwards and kicked Khandejifer away. The rod went flying in
the opposite direction as he spat up crimson after landing in some machinery
that would have broken any normal man's back. "Now, there's the... old
Desutoroia... I used to know." Khandejifer was pleased as he could see
the rage, anger and contempt within Desutoroia. He could feel what seemed
like hatred coming from him as he ran through a maze of pipes and girders.
Khandejifer got up and slowly walked after him as he held his hand over
his lower torso. Khandejifer's left eye was blackened and bleeding. A huge
steel counterweight on a chain six inches thick slid towards Khandejifer
who barely rolled out of its way. He wondered how Desutoroia could have
moved that thing on his own as he glided along the maze of pipes and machinery.
Desutoroia was just ahead, standing on a ledge overlooking molten steel
below. "Then that is where you shall meet your end, Desutoroia!" Khandejifer
said as he smiled with glee, his voice echoing in the huge steel building.
Desutoroia stood waiting for Khandejifer,
his hands clinched into fists. Khandejifer stopped covering his injuries
and made fists as well as he glided through the chains that hung down amid
the flying sparks. It was like something out of a movie. Khandejifer was
feeling joyous and excited while Desutoroia was going through the opposite.
"I was never... one for being a happy
person. Self doubt. No confidence," Desutoroia said proudly. "You helped
show me something, Khan. You helped me find the inner peace within myself
that for so long seemed to be missing. I was depressed and down all the
time until you showed me the better way to be. I've found the strength
inside me to overcome the obstacles that stand between me and my life!"
"Hahahahahaha!" Khandejifer laughed
wickedly. "For someone on the verge of facing death, how crude!" They ran
straight at each other, both leaping into the air and across each other
as Desutoroia went in for a few kicks. His foot hit Khandejifer's jaw hard,
followed by a loud crack and blood spilled everywhere. Desutoroia then
did a backflip and flung himself over Khandejifer's body and struck his
evil counterpart with a flying kick that sent him backwards. Khandejifer
twirled in the air and grabbed Desutoroia, pounding him in the face over
and over. Melkor, arising again down below, could see only their silhouettes
battling in the endless struggle. Time seemed to slow down as the two continued
to duel amid the fire. What Melkor saw truly felt like a heroic moment
for all of Roostville.
Desutoroia spun around, grabbing Khandejifer
and punching him hard with all his might, right in the monster's gut. Khandejifer
was injured badly and tumbled backwards off the ledge, falling toward the
molten steel as Desutoroia leaned down and caught his head.
"The battle is over. You defeated me
fair and square. I have nothing left for you!" Khandejifer pleaded but
Desutoroia wouldn't let him go. "You hate me! I tried to kill you... Why
save me? Just let me fall and die with my honor!"
"I am not letting go of you!" Desutoroia
yelled, trying hard to hold on and pull him up. "Because if you go, I'm
going too. We are one and the same, Khan, even with our differences." Suddenly,
a strange evil force surrounded the steel mill and a black mass of evil
gathered round and Khandejifer was human no more! The evil had returned
to him what Melkor had taken and Khandejifer was a god again, a collective
core conscience with limitless powers. As Desutoroia let go of Khandejifer's
hand, he disappeared from sight as he called out to him.
"Sorry, Des, I have other agendas in
mind! You have defeated me this time but this isn't over yet. I'll be back...
I promise!" And with that, Khandejifer was gone.
JUNE 4th
Once again, Vice Mayor Ubergeek convened
a meeting at Gamingboy's mansion in the huge board room set aside as his
"home office". The Mayor had probably done as much work there as at City
Hall, preferring to be on his own, more secure turf. The Geekspawn would
have preferred his own digs at the City Buster but Sheriff Jaguar and the
Mods had pretty much set up shop at the mansion, what with their Station
still not having been repaired. Mario and his cronies were also in residence
and doing a great job handling security, as well as guiding tourists through
the landmark complex.
"And they do have a certain entertainment
value," Uber had to admit. On a more serious note, he couldn't help but
think back to when Gamingboy had summoned Raptor and him there for a secret
meeting because of the unease in the town, even after he had fired off
the stolen IGNORE CANNON©. Rather than having a very suspect cleric
to offer spiritual guidance this particular evening, Uber opted for the
more down to Earth (and civic minded) Mods and Dark Lords. Everyone in
attendance well knew that what they were about to discuss would determine
the future of Roostville as never before. The fact that Sauron, one of
Roostville's founders, was the Comedy & Tragedy Killer hung heavily
on their mind.
"So what are we going to do about it?"
Uber asked, looking around the huge conference table. Morgoth, Melkor and
Saruman were seated across from him. The Mods may have outnumbered them
but it was not an us-against-them situation by any means. EVERYONE was
in the same boat as far as Roostville's future was concerned.
Sheriff Jaguar reviewed Sauron's final
stand. "After fighting with a mysterious character identified as Dramaranger,
Count Super Jet Jaguar, as Afiag, appeared. A huge hole in the ground opened
and Sauron fell into it, swearing vengeance on the town and everyone in
it. The opening quickly caved in and he was gone. The Count explained that
Brandon's evil had grown so dark it opened a portal across the schisms,
permitting him to return from Hell in the nick of time." He paused to let
everyone consider possible implications. "What's going on with the Count
anyway, just taking off like that without a word to anyone? I'm sure folks
would at least want to say 'thanks' for what he did during the Apocalypse
situation as well..."
"No one seems to be their old selves
around here lately," Raptor noted, glancing at Cam Eleon who appeared all
innocent and the Sheriff, who also avoided her gaze.
As they mulled over various other pieces
of business, several of the more astute attendees noticed a drop in the
barometric pressure, indicating a change in the weather, no doubt. Looking
out a window, it soon became evident from the blackness of the sky and
that eerie calm before a storm feeling that something was not right with
the world. At about 10 PM, the lights in the mansion and the town below
went out. Roostville lay in total darkness without a single streetlight
or headlight working. Back-up generators wouldn't fire up and all electronics
quit working. It was like being in the eye of a hurricane - deathly calm
and dark before an eerie wind began to blow down from the foothills. Flashlights
were located and manual overrides (good old fashioned keys, gears and pulleys)
opened the mansion's many security features, now mostly useless.
"Guess our vehicles are 10-7," Melkor
figured, staring forlornly at his shiny Vanquish.
"If this keeps up, you can bet I'm riding
a horse to get about!" Raptor advised. "Any of you guys remember how they
work? I do have two extras." Robert Ranting thought about it but decided
to "go native" with the rest of the were-critters who figured they'd be
right in their element for a change.
"We can still use the roads but won't
have to worry about traffic once we clear all the stalled vehicles out
of the way," Earth Baragon proposed, recovered from the attack by Sauron
and looking forward to resuming his furlough. Since no further business
was likely to get discussed, everyone planned on getting back to town to
make sure things remained quiet.
"There will probably be a hurricane
party or whatever the coast dwellers do at the Jalepino Club so I think
I'll check that out," Melkor advised. "If I can borrow a horse to get there,
that is..." he looked expectantly at Raptor.
"Stick around and I'll bring them over,"
she offered. A quick transformation and the lithe were-dino was off cross
country.
"Ah, the creatures of the night, what
music they will make..." Morgoth mused.
"Yeah," Uber laughed. "Knowing Melkor,
he'll be singing off key at the Jalepino Club!" The Dark Lord in question
assured everyone he would not disgrace his high office, hurricane party
or not.
"Don't party TOO hearty, folks! We were
planning on finally checking out that Fan Nest place tomorrow," Goji Son
reminded them.
"I wonder if that would be such a good
idea, what with no vehicles available," Morgoth reminded them.
"I can do a fly over even tonight,"
Jet suggested. "A little recon mission. We do have the Ogasawara satellite
photos for reference and if anything's changed since they were taken, we'll
know if there's been any activity about the place." Everyone agreed it
might be an even better idea to go in without the usual convoy of easily
detectable vehicles. "Our kaiju contingent should be able to get everyone
there, provided you party animals can still 'sit a horse', as Raptor would
say."
JUNE 5th
Despite their plans, the task force
to the Fan Nest decided to stick closer to home the following day and see
to Roostville's inhabitants' concerns instead. Somehow, travelers on the
Information Superhighway were able to continue on their way, provided they
didn't turn off at the Roostville exits. It was indeed strange for those
who did and found themselves in a virtual "twilight zone" with no electricity
or mechanical devices functioning. As they weren't going to be driving
back out, various local attractions kept them occupied while waiting for
things to get back to normal.
"What if it doesn't?" Melkor asked Ubergeek
as they pondered the same question outside City Hall with nothing in particular
to do at the moment.
"I guess time will tell," the Geekspawn
figured. "I can't help but wonder if Sauron's going 'bad' is just another
omen for what Roostville could be in for, like when Desu first got killed.
Things haven't really been the same since then, you know." Melkor had to
agree.
*****
Sheriff Jaguar had flown off to the
mysterious Fan Nest and couldn't believe what he saw below. His sensors
picked up no sign of sentient lifeforms about the place and like Roostville,
no electrical or mechanical contrivance was operational. What was so surprising
was the appearance of the ghostly town. The previous aerial views had shown
it to be rather haphazardly laid out, with apparently no consideration
for traffic flow or grouping of buildings. Now, what had been initially
thought of as a rather ramshackle place was spread out along scenic and
well planned thoroughfares. To the right of the main artery into the town,
a large building that reminded Jet of Madison Square Garden in New York
City rose slightly above the trees that bordered its expansive parking
area. He cruised in slow for a closer look and found it indeed was a great
performance hall with multiple venues. Nearby were what looked to be motion
picture or television sound stages with auxiliary buildings for offices
and craft trades. Another magnificent two-story structure appeared to be
a library with studio quarters above. At the outskirts of the town were
more studios, offering glazed exposures in all four directions. A shopping
area was centrally located on two sides of a major road, with airy covered
overpasses at either end. Not a single sign indicated who the prospective
merchants were supposed to be.
Jet landed and walked along the deserted
roadway, the rhythm of his traction soles barely audible above the nature
sounds of birds and insects that had moved into the area. Again he checked
for life signs and only picked up small creatures. Satisfied with his findings
and strangely pleased with having visited this place, the Sheriff flew
back to Roostville to report to the Vice Mayor.
"While I was there, I couldn't help
but think of the Eavesdropper and the very talented Kedzuel for some reason,"
Jet informed his acting boss. "The place seems to exude a feeling of freedom
and inspiration that even my artificially programmed 'sensibilities' picked
up. I somehow can't wait to see what you humans think of it."
"But it appears to be deserted, and
mainly, safe?" Uber was comparing the photos Jet had taken to the originals.
Someone had to have paved the streets and rearranged the siting of the
various buildings. And the structures had a more polished and complete
look about them. "Is there any way these Ogasawara photos could have been
out of focus or something?" He tossed them across the huge mayoral desk.
"This just doesn't make sense! It's as if we're looking at two different
towns here; the first a mockery and now, a set right out of some back east
Chamber of Commerce brochure."
"But why would someone, whoever that
'someone' might be, go to all the trouble of building such a place?" Jet
wondered.
"The closest I can figure is it has
something to do with Sauron's little 'project' that was discovered at the
cable company," Uber replied. "Could this be his legacy or something?"
"If it is, I don't think we need to
be telling anyone that part of the deal or it will definitely remain a
ghost town." Jet was once again his old practical self, all thoughts of
Sauron possibly having conceived such a wondrous place forced out of current
computing processes. "I would suggest that the Mods and Dark Lords not
reveal the WHOLE story about its creation or being in any way connected
to Sauron." After he had made the statement, Jet felt a twinge of regret
he could not immediately comprehend but filed away for later consideration.
For now, he was on a more substantial track. "There are facilities there
that put even the Roostville Arts Center to shame. SON OF C-R-V can get
his and Darkside's movie made and I'm sure he'll keep his mouth shut about
what we found on Sauron's computer when he is simply handed the deed to
his own studio complex. As for the engineers at the cable company, we can
tell them the satellite co-ordinates were off and what they saw wasn't
this Fan Nest but some Kong Town suburb. Besides, if Roostville doesn't
annex it or something, it could be overrun by Orcs or who knows what..."
"Excellent points, Jet!" Ubergeek heartily
agreed. "I suggest we inform the Dark Lords of this plan and proceed accordingly.
At the same time, we might as well think about who could benefit from moving
there and populating the place - putting it on the map, so to speak. How
about I call a meeting of the task force that's going out there tomorrow?"
Jet figured that was a great idea and within an hour, everyone was behind
the locked doors of the Council Chambers at City Hall, even if it was a
Friday afternoon. The sun shown brightly through the tall windows as Jet's
new photos were passed around to many exclamations of delight and wonder.
Sauron seemed to be the last thing on anyone's mind as plans for the annexation
of the Fan Nest by the City of Roostville were laid out with proper pomp
and circumstance. It sure beat holding an inquest to review what all Sauron
had done bad.
"Should we have media coverage?" Raptor
asked. Uber looked at Jet who didn't have any problem with it.
"Let's make an EVENT of this," the acting
Mayor suggested. "I'll personally notify all the outlets and they can either
pool or come along with us. A little power outage isn't going to stop progress
in Roostville!" he proclaimed to the rousing cheers of his colleagues.
"Now then," he continued. "Based on
what the Sheriff reported, I want everyone to go over the City Roster and
come up with a list of who you think might be interested in relocating
there. I would suggest the artistic, creative and literary types. Any of
you folks need studio or shop space, think about that also." The part timers
assured him they would, figuring their Mod duties would be much less demanding
in a place not necessarily open to every itinerant rebel, outcast and wanderer
who came down the pike. When the meeting finally broke up, Jet joined Raptor
outside as they watched the sun setting on another day. Neither one of
them was in a hurry to rush off anywhere special for a change.
"You know," Jet said out of the clear
blue, "developing the place as Sauron intended is a 'good thing' in my
opinion." Raptor looked at him rather oddly but had to agree the mysterious
town shouldn't go to waste and be overrun by Orcs.
"Catch you in the morning and we'll
see what we can do about that," she said, swinging into the saddle for
a leisurely ride toward Hedorah Hills. The trip would provide a great opportunity
to get her list of prospective immigrants together. Jet decided to patrol
from the air and took off, feeling unusually confident about the future
of Roostville for a change.
JUNE 6th
It was quite an impressive entourage
that gathered at the city limits on the road toward Maser City. The media
was out in force and everyone was prepared for them, despite the initial
thoughts of the mission being one of conquest or challenging the unknown.
As the head Dark Lord, Morgoth was in his military finery at the head of
the party on one of Raptor's horses. He looked the part, holding the Hammer
of the Underworld, Grond, across his saddle. His great shield hung over
the left side of his mount and the Iron Crown rested easily above his proud
visage. Saruman saw himself above such mundane transport but stood proudly
beside the past Mayor in his mage's robes, holding his staff for the preliminary
photo ops. Melkor also was on horseback, dressed in the robes of his office
as Emperor and Supreme Commander of the Legions of Hell and Other Dark,
Scary Places over his freshly polished chain mail.
Vice Mayor Ubergeek would have certain
ceremonies to perform and had been persuaded to don a dignified dark blue
business suit, complete with necktie that was already pulled loose and
askew. At least his messy hair could be attributed to the gentle breeze
wafting in from the Gamera Fields. Sheriff Jaguar and Raptor finally lined
up in the third rank after visiting with everyone else in the party and
reminding the were-critters to form up at the beginning of the Fan Nest,
even if they were set on having an impromptu race down the road. Jet would
take to the air at the head of the party when they were ready to proceed
and Raptor would escort the media, which had also managed to acquire various
beasts of burden. If she had her way, she would be in fringe and denim
but Jet had ordered Class A uniforms for the Mods so gleaming black riding
boots nicely set off the dark blue accented tan. She would definitely give
Ubergeek a good talking to for ordering them to add the Sam Brown shoulder
belts to their rigs, making everyone look like Mounties or something. The
effect was rather lost on those who wore double holsters, ceremonial duty
or not.
As soon as the media types got their
footage of the task force heading out of town, everyone mounted or who
could transform into a beast mode took off for a mad race to the Fan Nest.
The camera crews hurriedly stowed their gear and followed suit, leaving
Ubergeek and Saruman looking at each other in resignation. With a quick
spell, the two of them materialized at the edge of the Nest, waiting for
the racers to arrive. When they did, there was much contention (good-natured,
luckily) about butting and shoving until they spied the Vice Mayor and
Saruman shaking their heads at their undignified antics. The horsemen dismounted
and walked their steeds to cool them off while the media caught up for
the triumphant march to the town square where the annexation ceremony would
take place. After it did and shortly after noon as Melkor was in the middle
of his little speech, once again the air pressure dropped and any hint
of a breeze disappeared. The mage briefly paused in his prepared remarks
and forged ahead.
"May the Fan Nest be an inspiration
to those who come here seeking the company of fellow artisans and their
works be a legacy to future talent yet to be discovered." As he raised
his staff in the air, interior lights in the buildings came on and the
hum of machinery and compressors was once again heard, somewhat startling
after the day and a half of only nature's sound effects. It was quickly
determined that the area around Roostville had indeed returned to normal
as Jet was able to pick up the temporary Mod Station's radio traffic and
responded with his own call sign. He was promptly acknowledged and soon
besieged by the media types wanting to know what had happened. Whatever
it was, it appeared to be over and everyone set about exploring the new
suburb. Jet and Raptor headed for the huge theater building and cautiously
opened a set of double doors, more in expectation of wonders to behold
than concern of possible danger. What they beheld was truly magnificent,
from the elaborate stage and orchestra pit to the huge suspended projection
screen and accompanying speaker system. They walked toward the front, past
lavish seating and wall drapes, knowing other auditoriums were on either
side of them for various functions. Before they were about to mount the
stage for an impromptu private 'performance', Raptor noticed something
on one of the front row seats: two classic theater masks representing Comedy
and Tragedy. The officers silently looked at each other, any thoughts of
amateur dramatic efforts quickly abandoned.
*****
Back in Roostville, its citizens let
out a collective sigh, some in relief while others almost regretting returning
to the modern world of electronics, motors and other powered gizmos. On
Desu Hill, the birds and other wildlife continued their daytime chorus
amid the tombstones and mausoleums of the old cemetery, taking little notice
of the spot where Sauron had plunged out of sight and into the suddenly
gaping earth. The still loose soil trembled ever so slightly until a hand
tentatively revealed itself, first as a fist rising upward and then unclenching
to feel the sun-warmed surface world once again.
EPILOGUE
September finally came around and Desutoroia
and Jennifer were in Canada, perhaps for the last time. But it was a happy
occasion this time as they stood before a large crowd of people as the
priest pronounced them husband and wife. They kissed passionately as the
guests watched, tears of happiness going down several faces. Others smiled
with joy for the young couple. Desutoroia hoped this would be the last
time he ever found himself marrying again and that this time, he and Jennifer
were soulmates meant to remain together.
Soon after, a party began at Desutoroia's
mother's home. Many of his friends from Roostville and Sydney were gathered
round the happy couple: Rodan2000, Yuri Manda, Raptor, RadoGoji, Minsc,
Boo, Ubergeek and Melkor. Afiag was there also, although he was hiding
in the darkness and no one else felt his presence. Holding hands, the newlyweds
came over to Raptor.
"It's funny," Desutoroia said. "Jake
always promised he'd be my best man... I guess certain events that couldn't
be undone had to prevent that, however..." Desutoroia looked away and saw
someone else standing alone, someone he knew and recognized: his
old friend, Jacob Hozay Nissen. It was the real him, not the demonic entity
known as Hellspawn he had become nor the dreadful looking ghost Rodan2000
had encountered in Hellspawn's mansion. It was the spirit of Desutoroia's
good friend long before the Blood Mass ceremony ruined the man he was.
Jake just smiled and winked as he disappeared.
"What are you looking at?" Jennifer
asked.
"Nothing," Desutoroia replied. "Just
thinking of an old friend." Princess of Space had died when she sacrificed
herself to defeat Apocalypse because of her love for Desutoroia. He
knew her soul was at peace when she told him to move on and find new love.
Hellspawn, he feared, was destroyed along with Mephistophelian and the
Universal Bridge. The night the killings began and the day after, all Desutoroia
was worried about was what happened to him but now he knew Hellspawn's
soul was resting peacefully just as Princess' was and he could finally
move on. "Thank you, my friend."
*****
Almost a year passed and Jennifer became
parents to their first child. The road Khandejifer had paved was looking
bright for her and Desutoroia. The future seemed to be looking up for Roostville
also as the evil that had plagued it was at least vanquished for the time
being. Desutoroia and Jennifer had a lot to look forward to with their
new baby. At last, Desutoroia could start a real family of his own.
*****
Dwelling in the Roostville Cemetery
was an unstoppable force not to be reckoned with. Two punks were walking
through the area to join their buddies at one of the tombs for a beer bust.
The ground nearby began moving as the hand of Sauron emerged from the spot
Afiag had left him to die...
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