Prinooween- Chapter 24

Chapter 24

John and Karen fight their way through the castle checking for Milenas.  “I think Queen Frallinaso had chambers this way”, says Karen.  

“Let’s check it out then.”  They come to massive ornately decorated wooden doors with a dozen guards outside.  Karen and John take them out in short order.  “Looks promising.”  John pries open the doors with his staff and they burst into the room.  They find Milenas chained to a small platform inside the room.  The platform is surrounded by a mote of water.  Milanas looks scarred, bloodied and weak.  

Queen Frallinaso is facing Milenas but turns to see who the intruders are to her private chambers.  Upon laying eyes on them she smiles.  She then makes the water shoot up and splash Milenas.  The water burns Milenas as she winces.  “I admit I underestimated you four and I rarely underestimate.  But overall things are going splendidly.”

“Just give us Milenas and let us walk out of here and this can all go away I assure you”, cries John hoping she doesn’t see through his bluff.

Queen Frallinaso laughs.  “Watching her suffer has been a delight.  However I am sure I will enjoy watching the life extinguish in your eyes as well.”  With that Queen Frallinaso shoots long strands of red lightening from her fingers at Karen and John.  John quickly uses his staff to block the energy but it’s intense.  His staff heats up quickly and it is hard for him to brace against the force.  He knew Queen Frallinaso was powerful but he didn’t think quite this powerful.  “Nice trick but it won’t be enough.”  The Queen lets out even more energy at the two earthlings and John once again braces trying to hold his staff in place.  

While John is playing defense Karen throws her largest boomerang at a chandelier hanging over where Queen Frallinaso stands.  The ornate fixture shatters and falls to the floor below.  Queen Frallinaso breaks her concentration as she leaps out of the way to dodge it.  The two earthlings seize the momentary window of opportunity.  Karen catches her boomerang and runs to a banner and uses her knife to cut it down.  Meanwhile John pounces on Queen Frallinaso.  John is fast and manages to catch her off guard before she regains her focus but the Queen is too powerful and deflects John’s blows with her magic.  Karen in the meantime is tying a cord from the banner to one of her boomerangs.  She throws the boomerang at the ceiling above Milenas.  It tangles in the ceiling and she uses the long cord to swing over the mote to where Milenas is.  The chains are kept cold to safeguard against Milenas’ magic.  Karen is able to use Zoeborh’s sword that she still has to break the chains.  Milenas is too weak to stand so Karen holds her up and wraps the cord around her waist.  She is about to swing back over the mote when the Queen makes all the water in the mote shoot up in the air surrounding the two women in a wall of water.  Karen hesitates not sure what to do.  

“Do it”, Milenas whispers.  Karen swings through the wall of water as it burns Milenas.  Milenas convulses in pain and the two women collapse on the other side.  

John unleashes an aggressive assault on the Queen but she returns it with even more intense energy blasts.  John’s staff can’t hold it all and neither can the talisman he carries that the little insect people made for them.  The talisman he has on him starts vibrating and then vaporizes. The staff becomes too hot for John to hold and his blistering hands drop it.  With nothing to shield himself anymore John feels like he is being electrocuted with a thousand volts as the Queen’s energy courses through him.  He is paralyzed and collapses to the floor struggling to breath.  

“Arrogant fool!  Did you really think you could match my power?  I have been toying and having fun with all of you all along.  But the fun ends here.  Now I eliminate all my enemies and consolidate my power.”

“Leave him alone!”, cries Karen but the Queen just shoots her with red lightening as well and Karen cries out in agony as her talisman vaporizes as well.  

“Please sister”, Milenas weakly pleads.  “Why are you doing this?”

“Because my simple witted sister it’s all part of the plan.  These four have given me the perfect opportunity to crush my enemies completely.  Even with this foolhardy siege out there they will be destroyed.  My forces are already rounding around the lake to outflank them.  With the addition of my powers to the battle the Magplits and Watamans won’t stand a chance.  And as a bonus I was also able to correct the mistake of not killing you along with dear Mom and Dad.  

Just then behind the Queen a balloon ship crashes through the wall.  As the dust settles Sal and Michael crawl out of the ship.  “Well crashing it a second time was easier than the first.  Must be getting the hang of this”, says Sal brushing himself off.  

Michael spies John desperately trying to breathe on the floor and a look of horror contorts his face.  “John!”  Michael runs to him but before he can reach him the Queen throws a ball of pure energy that sends Michael flying across the room.  

“Not cool bitch!”, says Sal as he takes out his gun and starts firing at Queen Frallinaso.  The Queen uses her magic to block Sal’s energy blasts.  While Sal continues firing in vain the Queen levitates Zoeborh’s sword lying on the ground with her magic and makes it fly through the air at Sal.  The sword impales Sal straight through and he falls to the ground.  

Karen, who comes to in just enough time to witness this, screams, “No!”  Her horror and rage gives her the adrenaline rush she needs and she runs with boomerangs out at the Queen.  But before Karen can reach her the Queen uses her magic to break away a piece of wall from the hole Sal and Michael made with the ship.  She then has it fly through the air and smashes it on Karen’s head and Karen goes limp.  

Milenas weakly tries to stand and summon enough fire to combat her sister.  “You always were pathetic sis”, snarls Queen Frallinaso as she uses her magic to throw Milenas out the hole in the wall.  Milenas is helpless to do anything in her current state and she falls into the lake below.  “Farewell to that burden.”  Queen Frallinaso then turns her attention to the earthlings.  “So two of you cretins down and two to go.”  She then levitates John and Michael’s bodies in the air and they begin to convulse with blood coming out of their orifices.  They then drop to the ground with a sickening thud.  “Believe it or not I was actually hoping for more of a challenge.”

Suddenly a great wind coming from outside whips through the chambers.  It screeches and howls fiercely.  Queen Frallinaso perplexed and intrigued makes her way fighting against the wind to the opening in the wall.  She peers out over the edge and sees below in the lake where Milenas fell a bubbling and swirling around an ever widening hole in the water.  Steam is rising off rapidly making it hard for Frallinaso to see what is going on.  In the blink of an eye a column of bright fire and light shoots out of what appears to be the epicenter of the churning and frothing waters.  In that column Milenas rises from the water’s depths fully healed and conscious.  As Milenas reaches the height of the hole in the castle wall the column disappears and Milenas hangs in the air surrounded by fire.  Her and Queen Frallinaso stare at each other in silence for what seems like forever. 

Queen Frallinaso can’t believe what she is witnessing.  “What…who are you”, she stammers.  She shrieks in frustration and with her magic throws all the rubble lying on the ground at Milenas.  But the fire around Milenas grows and disintegrates it all before it strikes her.  Queen Frallinaso then tries gathering all the water in the lake in a huge tidal wave that crashes on her sister.  But Milenas’ fire simply evaporates all the water that hits her and she remains unfazed still staring at her sister in silence.  “So you have some new tricks!  You are still no match for my power like always!”  With that Queen Frallinaso throws everything she has at her sister as a torrent of red lighting comes at Milenas.  It has no affect on Milenas.  Instead Milenas raises one of her hands, palm facing her sister, and a powerful column of fire and light shoots down on Queen Frallinaso.  Queen Frallinaso lets out a scream as she begins shining in gold light and then evaporates transmuted into pure energy that dissipates in the air like smoke. 

With her sister gone forever Milenas waves both her hands and her fire sweeps into the chamber room.  It engulfs the four earthlings and their weapons levitating them and bringing them outside to join the fire that surrounds Milenas.  With the earthlings still in tow within her flame Milenas floats in the air over the raging battle.  The Wataman and Magplit forces have been outflanked by Briccxon forces as Frallinaso had predicted.  But the battle still rages fiercely as the others make a futile attempt at escape from the Briccxon forces.  Milenas outstretches her arms and begins waving them in the air.  Around her arms the fire and light grows until it looks like wings.  With the wings of fire a strong wind blows over the raging battle and through the castle.  Which stops many of the soldiers as they peer up in wonder and disbelief at the sight above their heads.  As the wind continues to pick up strength a sea of fire washes over the soldiers and the castle and all the land as far as the eye can see.  The fire passes through everyone and everything but harms nothing aside from weapons.  Any weapon it touches burns up and disappears.

Milenas then descends to the ground in the middle of the battle field.  Everyone watches in awe.  As she touches the ground her fire disappears and the four earthlings all stand with her dazed and confused but fully healed and alive once more.  Their weapons fully repaired as well.  Queen Bennu, Ulf and Utawa all run up to Milenas and the four earthlings.  A soldier is heard crying out, “It is the princess she is a god!”

“What manner of sorcery is this!”, cries Ulf.

“The soldier is correct.  The goddess has awoken”, says John.  

“Wait!  What the hell are you talking about?  And how are we alive?  Not that I am complaining mind you”, says Sal thoroughly confused.

“Your weren’t dead for that long.  Your spirits were still close enough to your bodies that I was able to reattach them and heal you”, says Milenas.  

“How do you have that ability?!”, says Queen Bennu.

“What chapter did I miss here”, says Sal.

“It’s like the little insect people said.  The spirit of life that watched over this planet was absent but is back now.”

“Yes I still don’t have all my memories and knowledge from when I was fully in spirit but I do know I was called away and when I returned and saw what had happened to this world I decided to incarnate in this form so that I may understand more what was going on and aid the people better.  But I lost my spirit memories upon taking this form.  I apologize that it took my physical form being brought to the brink of severance for me to recall who I truly was.”

“Wait”, says Karen, “So you are the spirit that brought the star people here.  And the one that the little insect people said went away and caused confusion and chaos.”

Milenas nods, “Yes, I have watched over this planet since it’s creation but it needs to learn how to live on it’s own without my constant guidance so it can for itself find out what works and what doesn’t work.  But obviously some gentle guidance is still needed.”

“Wait, it wasn’t a spaceship?”, asks Sal still trying to catch up.

“You knew this along, John?”, Michael asks.

“I mean Milenas was clearly the more powerful sister and Frallinaso resented it and tried to convince everyone that she was the most powerful.  And that fire thing made me wonder.  So I had a hunch.”

“Why didn’t you tell us”, says Karen.

“I am sorry but it was just a hunch.  I was hoping Milenas would be powerful enough to defeat her sister but the spirit thing I figured had a fifty/fifty shot.  But I was also afraid I was clouded by my…you know opinions of her so I didn’t want to have you all bank on that.”

“I guess we will let it slide.  Just don’t do it again.”

“What happens now”, asks Queen Bennu.

“We leave you to work things out”, says Milenas.  “My friends and I will not be far away.  You will be able to find us if you should ever need our assistance.  We will always protect this planet if needed.  Right?”

“Uh sure”, says Karen.

“Whatever”, says Sal.

“If you wish”, says Michael.

“Absolutely”, says John.  

Sal then smacks John on the back of the head.  “Kiss ass.”

Milenas then turns back to Queen Bennu.  “But I warn you.  You are close to a dark line that my sister crossed so be careful.”

“That’s it?”, asks Utawa.

Milenas holds out her hands and a fire surrounds her and the four earthlings and begins lifting them into the air.  “Take care of this land.  Show it and each other understanding instead of fear or contempt and you will be fine.”  With that Milenas and the four earthlings fly away leaving everyone in stunned silence.

“So since your a goddess do we got to worship you or you know not curse or something”, asks Sal as they fly through the air.

“Come on most of that was for their benefit back there to keep them in line.  I may remember my powers and responsibilities but I am still Milenas.

“Well that’s good to hear”, says Sal.

“I always wanted to go with you and I should have the first time.  I was blinded by my loyalty to my...kingdom.  But I know better now.  My loyalty is to you four and this planet.  You came back for me, so can I have a second chance to join you four.”

“Of course”, says Karen. 

“Remember we once told you we only run to fighting when one of our own is in trouble.  So you were already one of us”, says Michael.

“Welcome to the family”, says Sal.  

Sometime Later

Michael and Karen are relaxing under a tree together by the water’s edge in the stone age village of the little insect people.  A few yards away Sal and Milenas are lying in a hammock together half asleep.  A raft with little people on it is coming ashore where they are.  John is also on the raft but he dives off the side before it reaches the beach and enjoys the cool clear water for a little swim.  Milenas gets up off the hammock and runs over to meet him.  She waves her hand and uses her magic to evaporate the water off of John as he walks onto the beach.  They throw their arms around each other and kiss.

The End…  

Prinooween- Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Back out in the courtyard Sal and Michael are climbing out of the rubble from the wall breach.  “That was fun”, Sal exclaims.

“Your such an asshole”, retorts Michael.  

“Aw quit your griping.  We accomplished our goal.”

“Yipee but we only lived because my arrows allowed us to swing away from the impact.”        

“Remind me to give you a gold star later.”  With the wall now breached Wataman and Magplit forces start to pour though the opening.  Everyone is running around in panic and chaos.  Immond comes running by and Sal grabs him.  The magistrate is caught off guard as Sal throws him against a wall and points his gun at his head.  “Hey buddy remember us.  How bout you help us out for old times sake and tell us where princess Milenas is.”

“I…I…I don’t know”, stammers Immond.

“Please let him go!  She is in the south tower over the lake in the Queen’s private chambers.  Nobody is allowed in so that is all we know.  Please now let him go.”  Sal and Michael turn to the voice speaking and see it is Jehul hysterical and frightened.  

Sal lowers his gun and shoves Immond over to Jehul.  “Thank you very much.  You two can go on your merry way.”  Immond and Jehul run off.  

“Smooth”, says Michael.

“Are you going to be doing anything besides complaining on this mission.”

“Maybe I will stop complaining when you stop goofing around and start taking things seriously.”

“Hey someone has to even out the stick up your ass.”

“Fuck you asshole.”

“Love you too bro”, says Sal as he starts looking around the castle.

“So smartass you got any ideas how we get all the way up to that tower over there in this madhouse?”

Sal looks up at another ballooned flying machine passing overhead.  “I got one.”

“You better be fucking joking.”

Prinooween-Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Back in the castle John and Karen are in the midst of a furious hand to hand combat battle with Zoeborh.  All three are dancing around with manic speed and intensity.  Zoeborh with his two swords that he has lit afire with his magic.  John with his staff starting to heat up from absorbing all the magic energy.  Karen holding two large boomerangs in her hand using them like sai’s.  Suddenly an explosion and crash is heard that makes the castle rattle.  It momentarily distracts Zoeborh which allows John to land a blow with his staff.  “Your walls have just been breached.  Give up now.”

Zoeborh shakes off John’s blow.  “Never.”  Zoeborh then launches into a torrent of blows.  “I will see you and your friends breathe your last breath.”  Zoeborh sends John off balance and stabs him in the arm with one of his swords pinning him to the ground.  Karen attacks and locks up Zoeborh’s other sword with her boomerangs.  “Your foolish toys have no hope of saving you from the likes of me.”

“You know what you need to make my toys.  A knife.”  In a flash Karen drops one of her boomerangs and pulls out a knife hidden on her leg.  She quickly stabs Zoeborh under his chin with it and slashes it open while still holding away his sword with her other boomerang.  Zoeborh releases both his hands from his sword and clutches his wound.  Blood gushes out and he gurgles a cry of surprise and pain.  “Been out of the combat game too long.  Lost your ability to take pain.  Must be nice.”  Karen does a double back flip away from Zoeborh and then throws a boomerang that lands dead center on his face.  Zoeborh’s body drops to the ground with a thud.  Karen rushes over to John.

“It’s ok I think I can still use the arm but it went right through”, says John.  “Good shot by the way.”  

Karen unties one of her leather straps that hold her boomerangs to her and hands it to John.  “Thanks.  Here.”

John does not hesitate putting the strap in his mouth as Karen grabs one of the nearby torches.  She then pulls the sword out of John’s arm and uses the heat of the torch to cauterize the wound as John screams and bites down on the leather strap.  After she finishes John hands her back the strap.  “Never gets easier.”  

“You think you will be ok.”

“Not much of a choice but yea I think so.  Let’s find the Queen’s chambers.”  Karen and John then run out of the dungeons.  

Prinooween- Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Outside the castle Sal finishes climbing up the rope and boards the flying ship.  Soldiers attack him but he blasts them away with his gun.  He blasts away all the crew off the ship.  “Get your ass up here your missing out on all the fun!”

“Did I mention I hate you!”, yells Michael still making his way up the rope.  

“Ah you love me and you know it.  Besides shouldn’t this bring back fond memories of your days in the navy.”

“I wouldn’t call them quite fond memories.”

“I thought you are always going on about them.”

Michael finally reaches the ship and climbs aboard.  “The camaraderie and sense of purpose.  Not the risking my neck part, especially the heights.”  He then runs to the controls firing arrows at anyone who tries to stop him.  After shooting the pilots with arrows he takes the controls but then realizes he has no idea how to work them.  

“Hurry up with that piloting over there.  They are opening fire on us from the other ships.”

“This isn’t like anything I am familiar with.  It’s all levers.”

“How hard is it to crash a ship for crying out loud.”

“You think this is so easy you come over here and do it and I will do the shooting.”

“Fine I will.  Haven’t seen the machine yet I can’t get to purr for me.”  Sal stops shooting the other ships and runs over to the controls while Michael covers him with his arrows.  Sal starts pulling and pushing different levers and the ship begins jerking around.  

“You moron!  You can’t just pull stuff when you don’t know what it does!”

“Beats your method.”  

Suddenly a flaming arrow hits the back of the ship and starts a fire.  “Great now we are on fire!”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist.”  Sal pulls another lever and the ship jerks once more.  

“Give me the controls!  What have you piloted besides a lawn mower”, says Michael grabbing for the controls.

Sal and Michael begin wrestling over the controls.  “Hey I was undefeated at the race track for a year straight ok.  I got this.”  Another flaming arrow hits one of the balloons on the ship and the balloon explodes knocking both Sal and Michael down.  They each clutch a lever to steady themselves so they don’t fall off the ship and somehow they end up shifting the wings.  The ship jerks forward and tilts downward and begins picking up speed as it heads for the front wall of the courtyard.  “Run!”  Sal and Michael start sprinting towards the back of the ship to avoid the collision but then notice the fire.  “Fuck, I forgot about the fire!”  They turn back to see the ship about to collide with the wall.

“I told you I hate you right”, says Michael.

“Yes, three times in the last twenty minutes actually.”  The ship crashes into the wall of the courtyard leaving a big gaping hole and cloud of dust.  

Prinooween- Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Meanwhile Karen and John are running through the hallways of the castle.  “I assume we are heading to the dungeons where they threw us?”, asks Karen.

“Unfortunately that is probably a good bet.”

“She is stronger than people give her credit for in this kingdom.  Don’t worry we will get her out.”  Some soldiers rush at them as they are making their way through the castle.  The two earthlings dispatch them with a well balanced mix of efficiency and ferocity.  They reach the dungeons and they both quickly knock all the guards unconscious and take the keys and open all the cells releasing all the prisoners who run off.  But Milenas is no where to be found.  “I don’t see her anywhere and we checked every last cell.”       

“Please we can’t be too late”, John says out loud to himself.

“Oh she is still alive.  Queen Frallinaso is interrogating her personally in her private chambers.  I am sure she would love to add you as well.”  Karen and John turn to see Zoeborh standing behind them.  He stands between them and the exit with his sword unsheathed at the ready for battle.  “I knew I should have killed you miserable scoundrels when I first laid eyes on you.”  He picks up another sword from an unconscious guard lying on the floor nearby and narrows his eyes at the two earthlings.  He then crosses the swords and pushes them forward and a wave of blue energy that looks like the blue of flame pulsates through the air towards John and Karen.  John bats it away with his staff.  

“Good thing magic is just concentrated energy”, says John.  

“Not all of it my boy.”  Zoeborh points one of his swords at them and it flies out of his hand at John.  But Karen throws one of her boomerangs and it knocks the sword away before it can pierce John.  Zoeborh holds out his empty hand and the sword flies through the air and returns to it.  “I always did prefer hand to hand”, he says with a smile.  He then charges at John and Karen with all his fury.  

Prinooween- Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The Magplits take the four earthlings back to the lake where they first emerged on Prinooween.  It seems like ages ago to John since they first stepped foot on Prinooween.  That fateful day changed everything.  It gave them a second chance.  He just has to make it work he thinks as he watches Michael emerge from the lake carrying bomb remnants.  John assumed there were more remnants than what the Briccxon forces had retrieved.  He hopes it is a good sign that so far he has been right and things have been going smoothly.  The four earthlings along with the Magplits’ help dry the bomb remnants carefully using stone age techniques.  John then cobbles them together using various techniques and puts the herbs he received from the little insect people inside them.  John and the Magplits then place the make shift bombs on a mountain and John instructs them how to activate them.  He then instructs Ulf and Utawa to have their forces fall back along the mountain range and tells the Magplits that once the enemy Briccxon forces are underneath the mountain with the bombs to activate them then everyone should run.  Ulf and Utawa order their forces to do what John instructed them to do.  The Magplits activate the bombs once the Briccxon forces enter the valley.  The resulting detonation of the bombs causes an avalanche that buries and scatters the Briccxon forces.  This allows the Magplits and Watamans to escape and regroup in front of the Briccxon castle for the siege.  All the Magplits and Wataman fighting forces are laying siege to the castle as John instructed them to do.  

In the ensuing chaos at the castle the four earthlings have snuck into the sewer system of the castle of Briccxon.  They are carefully making their way through the narrow tunnels in single file underneath the castle walls.  “How did you know about this?”, asks Michael.

“Remember I was an engineer once.  I aced city planning”, replies John.

“And you couldn’t have thought of a less disgusting way to get in with that big head of yours”, asks Sal.

“Oh quit your bitching.”

“I am surprised they don’t have this more heavily secured and guarded”, says Michael.

“Oh I am sure they have plenty of guards at the access points.  Especially with the siege going on right now.  That’s why Sal is at the front.”

“Oh hardy har har.”

“I meant because of your gun.”

“Sure you did.”

“How much further do we have to go”, asks Karen. “Not that I am not enjoying listening to you guys bicker as I always do.”

“I think we are probably far enough”, says John.  “Sal do your thing.”

“Close your eyes kiddies.”  With that Sal uses his gun to blast through the piping all the way up to the surface.  The four earthlings emerge through the hole into the courtyard of the castle.  People and soldiers are running around in chaos with the siege going on. “Well what do you know it actually worked.”  There is so much confusion that it takes a while for anyone to notice the four earthlings emerging from the hole in the ground. 

Soldiers begin running at the earthlings.  The soldiers are quickly dispatched by the foursome with ease.  “Well so far this is going better than I thought”, says John.

“That’s good to know.”

“Don’t get cocky.”

“What’s our next move?” 

“Karen and I will search for Milenas while you two make an opening for the Wataman and Magplit forces to breach the walls”, says John.

“How are we supposed to do that?”

“How should I know.  I didn’t think of everything.”

“Fine go, we will figure something out.”

“Good luck.  Hopefully we all live to see each other soon.”, says Karen as she gives Michael and Sal a little peck on the cheek as her and John run off.

“Ok time to open up some doors”, says Sal.

“But the question is how?”

Sal spies a ballooned flying ship flying overhead and smiles.

“Oh no”, says Michael.  “Don’t you dare even think it.  You know I am scared of heights.”

Sal fires his gun at the flying ship and damages one of the balloons so the ship begins to drop lower towards them.  “Don’t be such a baby.  Fire one of your arrows at it and get us up there.  Unless you have a better idea.”

“I hate you.”  Michael sighs and grabs a nearby rope lying coiled on the ground and ties one end onto one of his arrows and fires it at the ship. 

Prinooween- Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The four earthlings are now approaching a Magplit encampment.  The Magplits are battle weary from all the fighting with Briccxon.  All the warriors hustle around in a commotion preparing for a fight though upon the earthling’s arrival.  Utawa cautiously approaches the earthlings.  

“We come in peace”, says John.

“A little clichéd there don’t you think”, says Sal.

“Fuck you.”  John then turns back to Utawa. “We have an offer to make you.”

“I am listening.”

“We need your forces to lay siege on the castle of Briccxon along with the forces of Wataman.”

“Why would we do such a thing.”

“Because I can guarantee the siege will be successful.  You have seen our fighting prowess.  So you know I speak truth.  If the siege is successful Wataman promises to cease their attacks on you and leave your lands.”

Sal whispers to the others, “I don’t remember them saying that.”  Karen shhh’s him.  Sal rolls his eyes and starts wandering around exploring the village while John and Utawa continue negotiating.  Sal spots an old looking Magplit sitting next to a white fluffy ball.  Sal walks over to get a better look at the fluff ball.  

Sal can still hear John saying, “You wanted us to fight alongside you and we now agree to but only if you agree to fight alongside Wataman.”

“Is that all you request?”

“We also request you bring us to a certain lake in Briccxon territory.”

“Why?”

“We need something from our world that is there.  It came through the portal with us.”

Utawa contemplates this long and hard as John nervously awaits his response.  Finally it comes.  “Very well.  You have shown you are great warriors.  We will fight by your side in battle.”

Just then while Sal is bending down to examine the fluff ball he hears a growl.  Suddenly the fluff ball springs up and attacks him with rows of vicious sharp teeth.  Sal screams and runs back and forth as the fluff ball bounces around after him nipping at him.  “Why does everything on this damn planet try to kill me”, he yells.

“You probably pissed it off”, yells Karen as she tries to get the fluff ball and Sal to calm down.  

“I swear I will shoot this thing unless someone gets it the fuck off me!”

“Don’t shoot it.  It’s probably their pet”, says Karen.  

Michael puts his head in his hands and just shakes his head in disgust and embarrassment.  John tries to ignore the commotion going on behind him and smiles at Utawa and says, “Thank you Utawa.  We are grateful and honored by your confidence.”

A Magplit warrior witnessing the fluff ball chasing Sal while Karen chases both of them leans over to Utawa and says, “These are great warriors?”  Utawa shrugs.   

Prinooween-Chapter 17

Chapter 17 

John wakes to a commotion outside the hut.  He feels like he has slept for days.  He peers outside the hut and sees a human looking woman with a fair complexion yelling.  She is dressed similar to Queen Frallinaso but she wears completely different colors than any that were seen back in Briccxon.  John takes that as a good omen that it is not someone from Briccxon looking for them.  There is some sort of beast man standing next to her.  He also wears the same colors as the woman and he carries a sword and there is a group of soldiers with giant lizards milling around nearby also wearing the same colors as the woman and the beast man.  John thinks how similar they are to the Briccxon people.  Like two mirror images fighting each other.  John leaves the hut to try and hear the argument better to figure out what is going on.  No sooner has he stepped out of the hut then a little insect like figure comes up to him to usher him back inside.  

But before John can be shooed back in the woman sees him and says, “Wait a minute!  Is that one of them now?”  She points at John and suddenly a ring of fire encircles him where he stands.  John takes his staff and with a wave of it the fire disappears.  “What sorcery is this?”  The woman then shoots a beam of blinding light out of her finger at John who uses his staff to absorb it.  The woman then makes a crystal in her pouch float in the air and fires it at John who swings his staff like a baseball bat and hits the crystal back at the woman.  This takes the woman by surprise as she is hit with it and falls to the ground.

The beast man unsheathes his sword, “How dare you!  If you have so much as scratched the Queen you will wish you had never been born!”  The beast man then charges at John with malice in his eyes and a growl in his throat.  John braces for the charge with his staff at the ready when suddenly a boomerang flies at the beast man knocking his sword from his hand and stopping him in his tracks.  The boomerang then returns to Karen who is standing with Sal and Michael beside her who both aim their weapons for the ready.  

“Anyone want to make a move be my guest but know it’s your last”, says Sal.

“You almost busted a rhythm there”, says Michael.

“Why thank you.”

The woman gets up off the ground, “Everyone stand down we cannot afford anymore bloodshed.  So I take it you are in fact the strange warriors that are causing all the fighting.”

“We didn’t cause nothing lady”, says Michael, “Who are you anyway?”

“Don’t you know the great Queen Bennu when you see her.  Ruler of the kingdom of Watamam”, says the beast man sounding legitimately offended.  

John realizes he had deduced right and can’t help but to show it, “So I was right you are Queen Frallinaso’s rival.”

“I suppose you could say that.  Our kingdoms have been at war for some time but ever since Queen Frallinaso took the throne the bloodshed has greatly increased.”

“Your also enemies of the Magplits?”, John inquires.    

“Yes both kingdoms have had to push into their lands for resources to keep up the constant state of warfare.  There land is rich and has much strategical advantages.  Eventually it led to all out war with the Magplits as well.”

“You said we caused fighting?  What did you mean?”

“You strangers wondered into Frallinaso’s castle.  She believes you were sent by me or the Magplits to assassinate her.  In retaliation she has unleashed a devastating assault on my kingdom and the Magplits.  It has gotten so bad I am here in desperation for as much medicine and talismans as I can get.  My people are dying in droves.”

“You must tell her the kingdom of Wataman did not send you so we may negotiate a ceasefire to give our people time to recover”, adds the beast man.  

“First off like we keep telling everybody we aren’t getting involved in your feuds.  Been there done that.  No thanks”, says Sal.

“Second even if we wanted to it’s not like Frallinaso believes anything we say.  We already have told her that more times than I can count.  Besides she already is changing the story we didn’t just wander into her castle we were invited there by her sister Milenas”, says John.

“Then the allegations are true?  You were working with Milenas to overthrow Frallinaso?”, asks the beast man.

“Dude how dense are you people on this planet.  I don’t know what you are talking about nobody was trying to overthrow anyone.  For the umpteenth time we got transported from our home world to this world accidentally.  We just want to live in peace and be left alone.  God I am getting sick of saying this”, says Sal.

“You would think for a planet that has magic this story would be easier for them to swallow”, adds Michael.

“Wait what does Milenas have to do with anything?”, ask John with concern in his voice.

“What we hear from our sources is that Milenas was accused of plotting with the four of you to assassinate her sister so she could take the thrown.  She is scheduled to be executed for treason”, says Queen Bennu without any concern.

“What?!” cries John no longer containing himself and going into hysterics.  “Please tell me when?  Did they already do it?”

The beast man raises his eyebrow at John’s reaction but calmly replies, “According to our sources not yet.  She is still being interrogated for information regarding you four and the plot.”

John turns to his three fellow earthlings, “We got to help her!”

Michael replies, “How do we know what this guy…”

“Ulf”, the beast man interrupts with, “My name is Ulf.”

“Ok”, Michael continues, “How do we even know Ulf here speaks the truth.”

“Why would I lie?”

“To trick us into helping you fight your enemy.”

“What makes you think I care what happens to princess Milenas.”

John says, “He is right he wouldn’t know Milenas in danger would make us get involved.”

“Well maybe Frallinaso is sending out false stories to lure us back.  It was plain to everyone who saw you together you cared for her.  Or maybe his spies saw you two and passed along the information.”

“Oh will you stop doubting and questioning everything for once Michael.  Sometimes you gotta take a risk and we gotta risk it for Milenas”, cries John in exasperation.  “Wait a minute”, John turns to Ulasa, “You could tell we weren’t from this world and could talk to that animal.  Can you tell if this man speaks the truth?”

“Yes and he does.”

“Can you tell if Milenas is still alive”, John desperately asks.

“One moment.”  Ulasa joins hands with several others.  John hears a humming which sounds like it is coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once.  After several moments Ulasa says, “She is in pain but lives.”  John turns to look at his fellow earthlings.  

“Oh my!”, exclaims Karen.

“So much for staying out of this thing”, says Sal.

“Conflict drags all in”, says Michael almost to himself.

“She helped us twice.  Doesn’t that make her one of us?  We vowed leave no one behind years ago”, says Karen.

“Even if we are able to help her, we will just all be dragged into this never ending war.  What good will that do anyone?”, says Michael.

“Besides we can’t take on a whole fucking army by ourselves.  We are good but not that good”, says Sal.  “We will end up dying along with her.  I don’t think she would want that.”

John knows everyone is right.  They are in a no win situation.  But he thinks he has a plan.  It’s definitely a gamble and long shot at that but he has to give it a try for Milenas.  He just hopes he doesn’t let everyone down.  “What if there was a way to save her and stop all this fighting.”

“I would say you ate some bad whatever it was we ate and are delusional”, says Sal.

Karen feels John’s forehead, “Yea, are you feeling ok sweetie?”

“We know you cared for her.  She was one of the good ones.  But we aren’t super heroes.  And this isn’t a fairytale”, adds Michael.

“No I have a plan.  But if we do this plan I can’t guarantee we are all surviving it.  So what’s it going to be?”

“Action and consequence again.  We gotta choose our action and live with the consequences.  Whatever they are”, says Michael.

“Exactly”, says John grimly agreeing with Michael’s assessment.

“I am tired of running from fights and just surviving.  If you think we have a shot at peace it’s worth the risk”, says Karen.

“We said we owed her twice and we do.  It’s the honorable thing.  Never turn your back on someone who had yours”, says Michael. 

“Ah we never did things the easy way anyway.  Like your gonna have any fun storming a castle without yours truly”, says Sal with a wink.  

“Thanks guys”, says John.

Michael puts his hand on John’s shoulder, “Whatever happens we face together.”

John smiles and then turns to Ulasa, “Can your people make an herb concoction that can release a lot of heat energy at once?”  Ulasa nods.  “Can you also make four talisman’s that shield against magic?”

“It would be difficult but we can offer some protection.  However it seems that your staff already does just that.”

“We will need more than what my staff can handle.”

“I take it you are referring to Queen Frallinaso.  I must warn you her magic is powerful and potent our talisman’s won’t offer much resistance to her.”

“Every little bit helps.  Sorry my friend guess we aren’t going to live in the flow of life after all.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not.  There are many ways to live in accordance with the life force.  I believe you may find your way someday.”

John nods then turns to Queen Bennu and Ulf, “I need your help too.”

“Why should we help you?”

“Because your being destroyed and I am your best shot at stopping it.  You just need to promise not to hurt princess Milenas.”

“She is our enemy”, says Ulf narrowing his eyes at the gall of this outsider.

“I can promise she won’t be if this works.  All I need is for your full force to lay siege on the castle of Briccxon and I can guarantee the Magplits will stop fighting you and instead aid you in the siege.”

Queen Bennu let’s out a laugh, “Oh is that all.  Your talking suicide.”  

“Right now your being slaughtered anyway and your desperate.  This was Queen Frallinaso’s plan along she played everything.  She won’t let up now.  Ever.  Suicide or slaughter either way your kingdom is done for.  But if we try my plan you just might survive.”

Queen Bennu looks at Ulf and they exchange knowing glances for what seems to John forever as he anxiously awaits her response.  “Very well.  What do you need us to do?”

Karen whispers to Michael, “You got any clue what he is thinking?”  Michael shakes his head.  

Sal says, “Just so I am clear on why I am going to die are we saving Milenas or ending these wars.”

“I think he wants to do both.”

“Well if you are going to die better do it for as many reasons as possible I suppose.”

Prinooween-Chapter 16

Chapter 16 

The four earthlings are getting tired as they have walked now for what seems like an eternity.  Judging by the sun two days have passed but John hasn’t quite figured out for sure how long a day is here on Prinooween.  Although their survival skills have kept them alive they have felt far from secure.  They are used to traveling great distances and are physically fit but still they are human and have limits.  They grow weary and need rest.  Yet they fear that they have not gotten far enough away from the fighting that they are trying to flee.  “I don’t know about everyone else but I am not sure how much longer I can go on at this pace”, says Sal.

“Perhaps it would be wise to take a break.”

“We don’t know if we have left Briccxon far enough behind yet”, says Michael.

“Hey I hear you buddy and my mind agrees with you but my body doesn’t.  And it’s never good when those two fight”, says Sal.

“Our nap shifts aren’t cutting it I agree.  Maybe there is a cave or some kind of shelter we can take refugee in”, suggests Karen.  

“Just like old times.”

Just then they hear a screaming screech of anguish.  They turn towards the sound and see a huge beast with with slick brown skin and fins and tentacles on it’s face rise out of the forest.  In it’s mouth full of razor sharp teeth is a Magplit.  Other Magplits appear out of the bushes nearby screaming and running way.

“What are they doing here”, says John.

“Stalking us most likely”, says Michael.

“Uh guys I think we have bigger problems at the moment.”  The creature now finished with devouring the Magplit turns his hungry attention towards the four earthlings.  They ready their weapons in vain.  Suddenly a small figure walks out of the bush and gets in-between the foursome and the hungry beast.  The small figure’s back is to the four earthlings but they can see it is only about 3 or 4 feet tall and it’s skin appears to be an exoskeleton of some sort almost like an insect or a scorpion.  It has long white wispy thin hair coming from it’s head falling half way down it’s back.  The figure raises one of it’s two arms and they can see it has 6 fingers and they also notice it’s two bare feet have 6 toes as well.  

The beast stares at the figure for a few moments and then quietly and peacefully walks away.  The figure then turns to the four earthlings who are taken aback when they see its face.  It looks like a giant ant head only no antenna or mandibles or mouth of any kind for that matter.  Just two big black eyes that look wrinkled in an upside down tear drop shaped head.  The foursome then hear in their heads a voice that is not their own saying, “That was a mistake due to misunderstanding.  That Yulong got confused.  He didn’t realize you are strangers in this world.  Do not take offense.”

“Whoa!  Did anyone else just have a voice apologize to them in their heads?”

“I think it’s him or her or whatever communicating with us telepathically”, says John.

“How is that possible?”

“I am sorry you are unfamiliar with that form of communication”, comes the voice again.

“How are you doing this?”, asks John.

“I am speaking to your energy”, comes the response, “It is different than the inhabitants of this planet but close enough.”

“Wait you can tell we aren’t from here?”

“Yes.”

“How did you make big bad and hungry go away.  Not that we are complaining of course.”

“I explained to him your energy did not originate here.  He apologizes to you for he did not realize you were not originally from here and may not be aware of the customs.”

“Let me guess”, says Michael, “In return for helping us you want us to join your cause and fight on your side.”

The voice comes back in reply, “Conflict disrupts the flow of life.  My kind try to avoid it whenever possible.  We have no reason to fight but if you would like to I can introduce you to Queen Bennu for she partakes in conflict.”

“Wow someone finally makes some sense around here.”

“Who is Queen Bennu?”, asks John.

“The ruler of Wataman.  She does not fight our people for we give her talismans and medicine to aid her people.”

Smart, thinks John to himself.  These people know how to play the game.

“We don’t want to fight either”, says Karen.

“Follow me”, the voice says as the figure turns and walks back into the bush where he came from.  The four earthlings all look at each other.  Michael shrugs.  The foursome, weapons at the ready, then follow the insect figure into the bush.  The vegetation is dense and the earthlings can hardly see where they are going as they push branches aside and stumble over vines and shrubs.  The figure is far ahead of them as he easily navigates the path.  Without warning the vegetation ends and suddenly they find themselves in a large clearing with soft grassy meadows that end in dunes up against a gentle ocean lapping along a white sandy pristine beach.  All along the shore and in the meadow are little huts.  There are many other insect like figures in the small village using rudimentary stone, bone and wood tools.  There are wooden rafts with sails beached on the shoreline with nets.  

The figure they followed points to another like him walking up to them flanked by several others.  The voice says, “This is Ulasa our leader.”  They then hear another voice they take to be Ulasa say, “Welcome!  I understand you seek peace and rest.  You are welcome to find respite here.”

John says, “Thank you we appreciate it but you really require nothing in return?  Everyone we have met here so far is suspicious of us or wants us to join their side in the fighting.”

“Yes it is unfortunate.  You see the people are clouded because the spirit of life that watched over this planet has been absent for many ages.  Without the spirit’s guidance the flow of life has become stagnant.  Chaos and conflict now reign supreme as people have gotten lost and forgotten the ways of life.”

“Everyone talks hocus pocus here”, says Sal.

“Our people bide our time within the life cycles of this world the best we can.”

“I think we can get behind that”, says Karen.

“You are welcome to freely enter the flow of life at any time.  To give and receive with openness.” 

“Guys did we just find what we have been searching for?”, asks Karen.

“There has to be a catch”, says Michael.

“Search your heart and see if this is home.”

“What do you eat?”, asks Michael suspiciously.

Ulasa points to a murky pool of water in the center of the village with others sitting in the pool.  “We put organic material and water from the ocean in that pool and sit in it and energy flows into our body through our skin.”

“Ew gross”, says Sal.

“Fascinating”, says John.

Sal shoots John a look, “You are a bizarre little man you know that.”

John ignores him, “There must be some kind of bacteria or fungus which breaks down what they put in the pool that reacts with the make up of the water from the ocean.  It becomes like a compost pile.  They absorb the nutrients through some kind of skin osmosis.”

“Well that’s all good professor.  Thanks for the science lesson but I ain’t sitting in that cesspool”, snarks Sal.

Ulasa chimes in, “You don’t have to.  You can take energy from other sources.  As long as you are willing to give, you can take.”  

One of the little insect people walks up to Sal with a fish and offers it to him.  “Sushi.  Now that’s more like it.”

“And what do we have to give?”, asks Michael.  

“Whatever you are called by the universe to give to help the flow of life.”

“What does everyone think?”

“I think it’s too good to be true.”

“Come eat, rest with us.”  The four earthlings are led into a hut and are brought a plate of food.  

John shrugs, “When in Rome.”  The earthlings dig in and after their bellies are full they soon fall fast asleep comforted that they may have finally found rest.

Prinooween- Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The four earthlings ride fast and hard through the dense forests in the night.  Fortunately the lizards seem to have a sixth sense about how to best navigate them in the dark.  Perhaps that is why they use them, John thinks to himself as he tries to get his mind off of Milenas.  It is useless however, the pain in his heart is too great.  All he can do is soldier on like he always has.  On the plus side they have definitely put some good distance between them and the castle but they aren’t sure how much is enough so they have decided to keep riding on through the night with the three tri-colored moons and the stars all the light to guide them.  

Suddenly before any of the four of them can comprehend what they are witnessing a feathered figure appears out of nowhere from the treetops.  She descends down with a long spear which stabs right through the head of the lizard Karen and John are riding.  The lizard instantly dies and comes to a halt with it’s head pinned to the ground tossing Karen and John several feet in the air as they crash to the ground a few yards in front of their former stead.  The feathered figure then pulls the spear out of the ground and somersaults over to where Sal and Michael has brought their lizard to a grinding halt.  With one deft three hundred and sixty degree swing the spear knocks Michael and Sal off their lizard and to the ground with a hard thud.  The lizard then scampers off into the dark forest.  

“Oww! What’s the big idea asshole!”, yells Sal as he rubs his shoulder.    

The foursome regain their bearings and stand up and group together as they look around they see coming out of the woods all around them many feathered warrior like beings.  They look almost like humanoid birds.  All carrying weapon like objects.  

“Why can’t people just leave us alone?”, says John in exasperation.  He is too depressed after having to leave Milenas and everything that happened.  He is no mood for more drama.

“Do you think these are Briccxon warriors that pursued us?”, asks Karen.

“Whoever they are they better watch themselves.  I am through playing nice”, says Michael.

A spear is thrown and lands right beside Sal almost hitting him as he jumps out of the way to dodge it.  “Looks like they don’t intend to play nice either.”  Sal unslings his gun and aims it where the spear came from.  He then unlocks its firing mechanism and presses the button to activate it.  Much to his relief a blast of energy explodes where he aimed it knocking over several warriors and sending others flying into the air.  “Sweeeet!  Let’s rock and roll people.”

With that the four earthlings fan out weapons drawn ready for a fight.  John takes his staff in one hand and pulls the spear that landed near Sal out of the ground with his other hand.  If they want a fight he is going to give them one hell of a one.  It would not be the first time he used combat to get his mind off his broken heart.  John moves on instinctive reflexes pouring all his anguish out on the hapless warriors.  He uses the two poles in his hands like giant nunchucks deflecting blows and using the offensive attacks of his opponents against them smashing them to the ground.  Warriors fall all around him.  All his martial arts training from all those years ago is on full display.  His instructor would be proud.  But he is doing it not for his old sensei but for him and Milenas who were not allowed to live in peace and happiness.            

While John is wailing in one corner getting out all his frustrations, Karen is in the opposite corner doing her own damage.  Despite the spears and arrows whizzing by her she is spinning and flipping like a bouncing ball gone wild all over the place.  All those gymnast medals she won in her youth being proven once again.  She is a ball of fury with boomerangs flying out from that ball and knocking down warriors left and right and then returning to her to be thrown out once again.  Her Uncle Jim who taught her juggling as well as how to use the boomerang would be very pleased with her right now.

Meanwhile Sal and Michael are crouched on opposite sides of the dead lizard like cowboys in old westerns.  They are using it for cover in between them firing their respective weapons.  “Hey I am running out of people to shoot over here”, yells Sal.

“Fine we can both take my side.”  With that Michael and Sal charge towards where Michael was shooting.  Sal uses his gun like a bat swinging into oncoming bird warriors while Michael uses his bow like a bat to do the same thing.  Michael then stops grabs spears from fallen warriors around him and breaks them and uses them as make shift arrows.  

Suddenly a voice rings out in the air, “Magplits stand down now!”  The decimated bird warriors upon hearing this stop their fighting and crouch down to the ground bowing their heads.  

The four earthlings stop fighting upon seeing this and cluster together once more.  “Who said that.  And what are Magplits?”

A bird warrior wearing many beads around his neck steps out of the forest and walks towards the four earthlings.  “You do not fight like any warrior we have seen.  You use magic we do not know of.  Tell me who are you?  Where do you hail from?”  

“We hail from Earth you asshat”, says Sal.

“Where is this Earth and what is an asshat?”

“Earth is a far off world and look in a mirror if you want to know what an asshat is.”

“Look we aren’t involved in any of your wars we are just passing through.  But if you try to stop us we will not hesitate to destroy you”, says John.  

“So you are the strangers we have heard whispers about.  We did not hear you were such fierce warriors.  Who do your loyalties lie with?”

“Ourselves”, Michael coldly replies.

The feathered man with the beads seems to understand this answer and silently evaluates it.  It almost appears like he respects it.  “I am Utawa, leader of the Magplits, please join us in our struggles against Briccxon and Wataman.  With your skills our people can finally live in peace on this land.”

“We appreciate the offer and show of respect but we aren’t getting involved in any fighting.  We wish only to be left alone.”

“Your struggles are not our struggles at this time”, says John.

“But they will one day be.  Conflict draws all in to it’s fold”, says Utawa.

John is impressed with Utawa’s wisdom.  He knows from experience he speaks truth.  He fears that they have already made an enemy here and Briccxon will pursue them.  But regardless them joining a side has never worked out for them in the past and their best shot of peace he still believes is to find a land away from these groups locked in eternal combat.  There must be one like that somewhere in the universe.  John just has to believe there is.  “We know that all too well which is why we are running from it.  Perhaps one day your struggle will engulf us but for now let us pass before more blood is shed.”

Utawa thinks on this and then orders his warriors to step aside and let them pass.  “Wise move my man”, remarks Sal as the four earthlings walk away deeper into the forests in the direction they were heading.