drunkenpandaren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
drunkenpandaren) wrote2007-05-01 09:10 am
drunkenpandaren) wrote2007-05-01 09:10 am
Reworking Water
I lost Water sometime ago in terms of writing and concept, and now I'm just slowly getting it back into place. Lets see if this works.
Long ago… the world was bathed in light…
But then, darkness crept into the world.
The darkness coveted the light, and soon sought to take it for its own.
A great and terrible battle commenced, the light against the dark.
Darkness strove to conquer the light, and light battled the darkness.
For thousands of years, the light and dark fought, until at last Darkness yielded to the Light.
To prevent war, Darkness and Light created the Greyscape, a place of neither pure light or pure darkness.
From it, humanity arose.
Humanity loved the light, but there were some who were swayed to the darkness.
Disagreements were took up and sword and shield and the bow were wielded in the name of the light and of the darkness.
Humanity took the power of Darkness and wielded it like sword and shield, seeing the forged essence of pure light as something to obtain by force. The light created warriors, beings of pure essence that would combat the human wielders of darkness.
Then, one day…
In the depths of the blackest pitch, and in the lightest of the brilliance, a black and white hue crept into it. These were known as the Black Light and the Brilliant Darkness.
The Titans, caregivers of the stars and the Wisps of energy, sought to control the beings that arose from the land. In the fires of the Twisting Nether lay the forces of darkness, spawned from the cruelty of the hearts of men. For centuries one guarded these demonic beings. And then, the last fell, prey to his madness.
The world has changed.
=====
Shaun Garin Presents
The Fourth of Five Stories
Element: Water
The Engulfing Tides of Fate
Xiaolin Showdown is owned by Warner Bros. Animation. W.I.T.C.H. is owned by Disney and SIP Animation. Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon. All other characters are owned by Konami of Japan and Kazuki Takahashi. Some characters are owned by Disney as well. World of Warcraft is owned by Blizzard Entertainment.
=====
If the blue daytime on the spinning planet, awakens the loop of time, and if those who possess different hearts, were to be gathered, something will happen.
=====
The Origin of Things
=====
Synchronicity is a remarkable sequence of events to say the least. Also mind-boggling. And occasionally a complete pain in the ass.
Synchronicity is a series of events that more or less happen with different intent but happen at the same time, and as a result, contribute to the whole final effect with presumed different outcomes by the originators of said actions. Most contributors towards synchronistic events also tended to be part and parcel of individual independent cause and effect without the other involved party having foreknowledge of the whole event. Most of the last few days of events have been in fact, part of synchronous timing. For the purposes of this, we will examine the amount of insanity that has occurred in the last three or four minutes.
First of all, the Crossworld Cutters were activated. One of the most powerful Shen Gong Wu in existence, it spontaneously decided to activate itself. Finding a lack of a proper exit, Raimundo did the first thing possible and activated the power with a cutting motion and a yell of “Crossworld Cutters!” Shooting in the dark, he sliced his way through into another world.
That world just happened to be the World of Four Elements, causing the distraught Zuko to look up into the sky in confusion as the world heaved itself up around him. Then the world turned purple.
The Heart of Kandrakar also reacted two seconds before everything went to pot as well. Will was currently in the middle of Loon Deflection in order to try and get to Matt who was rocking out to the classic Monster Mash song when the world’s light turned purple. The Heart of Kandrakar interacted with the spell that was currently being poured through an open portal from Meridian.
Elyon had memorized the spell and she was chanting. A long spell, one wrought of words and concentration and the Crystal of Boola Boola that sat in the middle of the room acted as the foundation of the spell. She was in the middle of the most critical stanza that would most likely have crippled the Guardians' spirits, when a random cloud of dust swirled up and she sneezed loudly, disrupting her chant. Wild magic erupted from her fingertips and poured through the map, ripping into the world and interacting with the Crossworld Cutters.
Far in the middle of Infinity, in the Fortress of Kandrakar, the Oracle looked up in surprise. The sensation he felt was so unreal, he could only do nothing but borrow a phrase from teenage contemporaries and utter “What. The. Fuck?!” just as soon as Tibor and Luba rushed in, screaming something about the Aurameres glowing with an unholy light.
Then The Universe Exploded.
Take notes people; this is going to be momentous.
=====
The World In Between Worlds
=====
Who are you?
A shadow flitted from side to side as three young teenagers opened their eyes, their heads pressed against one another as if blossoming from one central point.
It has been a long time… since I have seen the Son of Adam in these lands, or the Daughters of Eve.
The voice resonated in their minds as they stood up as if in a trance, ranging from the tallest to the shortest.
Step into the water, Children…
The thick mists that had once obscured the world cleared, their vision revealing a greyscape. Everything was grey, from the sky which was covered in dismal clouds to the silver-hued pools of water that lay undisturbed in shallow dips in the otherwise perfectly flat land. Silvery trees stood here and there, in a seemingly random pattern but to ones eye, they marked out the pools, standing like tall bulwarks or sentinels.
Do not be afraid… soothed the voice. The three looked at each other and slowly, the first stepped into the closest pool.
The water felt warm to the girl and she sunk deep within. Sharing a glance at each other, the boy and other girl stepped in, allowing the water to submerse them fully in the deceptively shallow pond.
Then, the water turned a shocking cold and they thrashed for the surface. Minutes passed and then they broke the waters edge, lungs burning for air. The first had already emerged and was wringing out her hair which had come undone in her braids.
Take care, children, for your task, is closer than it seems. With those words, the voice seemed to vanish, leaving behind a soothing presence that calmed them despite the strange land set before them.
=====
Earth - The Time Once Long Forgotten
=====
“Oooh man, what happened back there? Feels like I went twenty rounds with my Punching-Bag-Bot,” moaned Jack, sitting up to look into the violet skies. “Oh boy, we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto.”
“Where’s Kansas?” inquired Sokka curiously, sitting up. “And why is the sky purple?”
“I think we got pulled into… wherever this place is,” said Will, getting to her feet. “But why us?”
“I dunno, but this is why I don’t like magic,” grumbled Jack. “Give me good old machines any day. Speaking of which, later losers!” Popping the rotating blades on his backpack, Jack leapt into the air to allow the rotors to catch the wind, but rather than soaring into unfamiliar skies, he crashed to the ground with a succession of “Back, Elbow, Shoulder!”
“Huh, I may not get all of this weird magic stuff, but I think whatever made the world explode wanted us,” surmised Sokka, watching Jack tumble down the mountain ridge.
“We should help him, before he tumbles off the mountain,” said Will and together the pair wandered down into the valley where Jack was rolling steadily down into.
Once at the bottom and righting Spicer of his bearings, Will lead with Sokka at the rear, one hand on his machete.
“I’m just the guy with the boomerang, I don’t ask for all of this weirdness and magic,” grumbled Sokka, hacking at a bush that came too close.
“I wouldn’t do that ya know, you might hit someone,” remarked Jack who looked surly at being trapped between the pair.
“Oh what, you’re able to talk to plants or something?” groused Sokka, slashing at an overhanging vine.
“No, just personal experience with talking plants,” replied Jack smugly. He then bumped into Will, nearly throwing the pair to the ground. “Hey, watch where you’re stopping there girly girl.”
Will ignored him and stepped around the large faceted crystal that lay in the middle of the ground. There was a strange mechanical contraption buried between the wreckage. “Any idea what you think this is?”
Jack looked at it and ran his hands over the metal. “It’s cold, dust covered, I’d say this has been here for a long time. Huh, it’s still a little cool…”
“Um, guys? Is it normal for places to have giant sized bears?” inquired Sokka from behind them.
“Not usually. Why?”
“Bears that walk on two legs and--OH MY GOD IT’S GOT MY LEG!”
Jack and Will whipped around to see Sokka screaming as he was being hauled into a bush by a huge hairy paw, his fingers dragging tracks into the land. “SOKKA!” cried Will as she lunged for it, but was held back by Jack who whimpered and pointed at the mean looking brown-furred creatures. They had sticks, spears, swords, clubs, mean looking war paint and often they hooted something that was accompanied by a gnashing of teeth.
“Um, Parley?” inquired Jack.
The head being, a huge creature that towered over the rest and wore a feathered headdress and adorned with skulls growled something in a rough sinister language. In an instant, the pair were struck over the head.
=====
“Will… ya dead?”
“Naw man, I ain’t dead,” muttered Will, flinching at the flickering torchlight that was burning right into her eyes. Apparently they were fond of putting fire right next to their intended victims. “Situation?”
There was an irritated grumble from Jack. “They want us to see their queen or something. I dunno, do I look like I’m well acquainted with animal-talk?!”
“Dum de doo de doo doo dee dooo dee bork bork bork!” The pair looked up at the curious chant and saw a mean looking creature in a weathered -- or blood stained apron, sharpening a crude looking pair of knives and licking his lips.
“Great, captured by crazed wild bears and sacrificed hideously before a pagan altar!” Exclaimed Jack, his voice hitting decibels accompanied by young children or women. “I wish I was somewhere else eating, I dunno, table scraps.”
“We’re about to BECOME table scraps,” said Will wryly. She then noted absently that they had stripped them of anything useful. That included the Heart of Kandrakar that hung over the main creature’s neck, clinking against what looked like a shrunken human head. Shivering involuntarily from either fright or the cold wind pricking her naked skin, she looked over to Jack and tried to avert her eyes. “Well, at least we could ask for dignity?”
“I don’t think we have any left,” moaned Jack, his knobby hairy knees knocking together.
“I wonder were Sokka is,” mused Will as the drums started up.
=====
“Growl, grr, snarl, woof,” said the first.
“Grr grr, snap growl,” said the second as Sokka rose to consciousness, wished he hadn’t, shrieked and was immediately muffled by a large blue hand. He looked over at the big blue man and shrieked again, for his features were unmistakably alien. And then he shrieked some more for good measure.
“Grr, woof, woof?” inquired the one to his right and Sokka found a white-furred bipedal bear inquiring of the blue man who then replied in the same growling guttural language. The man then looked down at Sokka, eyes almost featureless and glowing white. “Please do not scream again human child. I will release my hand, and you will not scream.”
Sokka nodded and the man lifted his hand. “Where… where am I?”
The man knelt down beside him and said, “You are in the Azure Watch camp, just east of where Princess Stillpine found you. I am Itchilen, a Draenei.”
Sokka blinked twice, looked at the bear-like being who waved almost shyly and said, “Princess? Draenei?”
“Ah, forgive me, for we are not well known as such,” said Itchilen. “But tell me, the Princess said you came with two others. She is sorry she could not rescue all of you, but she believes you to be the being of legend.”
“Being of what now?” echoed Sokka. “I’m sorry, but I’m not really a legendary kind of guy. More like super-legendary. Sokka, Water Tribe.” Sokka flexed proudly.
Princess Stillpine looked over at the man and inquired, “Woof?” He replied in a similar tone and she giggled.
“Very well, super-legendary hero Sokka of the Water Tribe,” said the man, “We are going to go rescue your friends, before they are made into soup. Anya!”
A smaller blue woman emerged from the camp, arms bearing several mechanical devices of questionable use. She was pretty, Sokka surmised, if you were into the whole hoof thing. “Here you are, hero,” said Anya in that pretty accented voice of hers and she left to rejoin a caravan that was preparing to head north.
Sokka picked up the large rifle and looked at it curiously. “What is this?”
“A plasma rifle,” said Itchilen, lowering Sokka’s aim as he was pointing towards the inn. “One of the few working ones we have left. I will instruct you on the use of this, before we go rescue your friends.”
“Are they in any serious danger?” inquired Sokka.
=====
“… good work,” remarked Jack, looking downwards at the blazing fire pit that crackled merrily beneath him.
=====
Earth - Altered State
=====
There is a place outside of existence; a place that has become known simply as Echo, neither existing nor not-existing. People have given it many names over the years, but to the inhabitants it was simply Home. Of course Home is relative to all parties, but as one short stacked red head would say, “Home is where you can find a bandit gang five miles away to blow up for easy income”. And then immediately blow you up for suggesting that she was short or underdeveloped.
Explaining Echo was something of a task to be met out. You see, there was no reality that bound the land; it changed and flowed with the ebbs of chaotic tides. Pure human will, channelled into a new and raw form and sketched out by ambient elements taking shape and form. Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Metal made up the dominant elements of the natural forces and humanity knew this. Gravity, Wood, Lightning, Ice and Flare were the recessive powers of the natural order, a yin to a yang. It even gives the author a headache thinking about it to tell the truth, but there’s a definite order in the manner of sanity that takes place.
Usually this preludes a standard “Woe! Woe to the circle of elements for they have become unbalanced” but then the town crier had been sacked that morning for waking the astute and grumpy town flogger. Ahem.
The Chinese had said it best with their own circle of Elemental forces, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal. In their time, Wood had been the dominant force and Air was a western concept in definition alone. But there was no mistaking the dominant position of Air as it was more valuable than water itself for the cycle of life. Although most people, most likely noted Marvin Finkleberry of the fourth world passed the milky way just happened to note that Air was also an intangible force. This immediately followed his ideas towards the methodology of the dodo considering he also suggested that Wood was a viable food supply and should replace breathing. In time, the commonly accepted five elements switched from Wood to Air, and thus the newest cycle had been born.
Kandrakar was the first to exist, but some may argue that Earth or perhaps other worlds were the first. But to truly exist, not just an in-between world of grey matter, Kandrakar was the first to be pulled and settled in what was assumed was the center of Infinity. Living in the center of Infinity, Echo forged it much like a god would behold their subjects. The Fortress of Kandrakar was soon to become the center of thought and intelligent conversation. People of all walks of life worked together to bring peace and prosperity. One of these worlds also caught the interest of Kandrakar; a backwater planet called Earth.
In many ways, Earth too was part of the center of the universe, if not the multiverse. The people who lived upon the soil were strong, skilled and resistant to magic, although there were many who were open enough to wield it. The first Oracle had many a century to behold the growth of the planet and its people under times of stress and despair. When the Black Plague ravaged the lands of Europe, the Oracle wept. When the time was of prosperity, he celebrated. In fact, one could say that the Oracle of Kandrakar, the most powerful god-like being of the entire cosmos could be beheld as the caretaker of the universe. But even gods are fallible, and the Oracle could not consult every world in the universe at the same time.
Soon though, Guardians were needed from all walks of life. Five in all, each one of them drawing on the immense power of Kandrakar and by proxy the power of Echo until the Heart of Kandrakar was forged by the Nymph Xing Jing. With the creation of the Heart of Kandrakar from the Nymph Xing Jing, the four dragons formed the four great rivers of China, and their spirits forged themselves into the Heart to be shared. The Oracle of that time had also celebrated the creation of such a powerful artefact, and they chose the first group of Guardians of the Veil against the evil that dwelled in the universe.
Strong hearts were needed to protect against the unknown forces of the universe, and in time, the need arose when Phobos took power over the lands of Meridian. Twisting the power of light and metal into a substance of pure hatred, he used his own royal powers to cause strife along the lands. When his unnamed sister, now called Elyon was spirited away to Earth, the true heart of Meridian, Kandrakar raised the Veil to protect the rest of the universe from Phobos' aggression.
The current Oracle, a former human who had fought alongside the keeper known as Endarno had been the one to witness the raising of the veil. It was soon that he was elevated to the position of the Oracle, and herein, he discovered the truth behind the elements.
It had been a quiet night on some unknown timeframe when a strange visitor approached the Oracle. The Oracle was surprised since he had not sensed the arrival of the man at all, but before he could raise an alarm for an intruder, the man spoke and he was immediately calmed.
"Beautiful night tonight," said the man and the Oracle could only nod dumbly as the man strode towards him, silent and without steps echoing on the vast marble floors of the Fortress. Coming to stand him, the Oracle could peer into his brown cloak and found a deeply tanned face rimmed with kohl, a substance that was commonly found in the Egyptians of the ancient world of Earth.
"How is it that you have approached me without my knowing?" inquired the Oracle, dumbfounded that his own powers had failed him from reaching the man.
"Aaaah," said the man and he twitched a finger back and forth in a wagging manner. "That is a secret."
The Oracle allowed himself a childish pout and the man laughed. "Tell me," said the man, gazing over the violet skies. "What do you see?"
"I see the sky," said the Oracle, still off-balance. Normally it was him who liked to speak like this in a manner that suggested an all-knowing tone. But it was now that he felt so young, and this man so unmistakably more ancient and wiser than he had ever been before. "And beyond it, the infinite worlds."
"And beyond that?" said the man and the Oracle blinked.
"... I do not see anything," admitted the Oracle. What could he say? There was nothing he could penetrate in the vast darkness beyond.
"Very good," said the man. "Those who know so little can admit to their faults and learn more. There are many facets to this unknown universe; a butterfly flaps its wings in one place and creates a hurricane in another. Thunder roars in one location and lightning strikes in another. A trail of crumbs left by a group of children. A cairn of rocks situated on lands far from here. A bowl of shrimp split pea soup."
The Oracle blinked. “What does soup have to do with this?”
“Nothing really, I was being silly.”
The Oracle shook his head at the truly bizarre man standing beside him. "Truly, I have not felt like an unknowing child for many a year," said the Oracle and the man laughed, a full throaty and hearty laugh; a laugh almost out of place from the slender frame that was hidden behind the simple brown cloak. "Tell me stranger; from what world do you hail?"
"Aaaah," the man tapped his lips once and said, "Perhaps a little tidbit for the journey."
Reaching out, he broke a piece of the marble off the rail, surprising the Oracle with his strength. Then the man held it upright in one palm as darkness swirled around it. The marble separated into four elements; ground earth, air that was trapped inside of it, fire that had compressed itself into the stone, and water that had cut the earth into the shape. "These elements are much more than you or anyone knows. Keep this in mind that the world is neutral. It is of the people whom live on the world to do what they must."
"That is not a straight answer," said the Oracle, confused.
"In good time you’ll understand. Or not." said the man. Picking up a bag that the Oracle knew was not there previously, he shouldered it and said, "Darkness protects its children like a mother's shawl and Light illuminates the darkness, beckoning them forth from their caves. Lessons to be learned my good Oracle are there for the taking."
When the Oracle had finally regained his senses and called for Tibor, the man was no longer to be found. No portal in the veil that was utilized, or a fold in space. The only thing that the residents had found unnerved the Oracle: the darkness in the smallest corner of Kandrakar was deeper than usual.
=====
“Strange new world,” hissed Cedric to himself, searching through the odd new world that presented itself in all of it’s half-hazard glory. “A very strange world… for very strange people.”
Kids ran by, laughing and dressed in their best costumes. Costumes that were once ill-fitting or cut wrong for children were now cut perfectly. A couple of children swung by, dressed as Spiderman while two others flew by as Wonder Woman and Superman. No one gave Cedric a second glance as he was dressed in his fine robes of the court.
Where in the Pit are you, Elyon? Thought Cedric to himself, cursing the Darkness that she had vanished in the middle of the maelstrom that had ripped her from Phobos’ grasp. The walk light turned green and the kids and Cedric crossed the lane as motorists in eclectic vehicles idled at the four way stop.
Sitting down on a bench, Cedric observed the road before him. This is close to where I set up the Ye Old Book Store he mused to himself. I wonder if it’s still standing. Snorting at his nostalgic thoughts, he straightened himself up and prepared to stand when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
“You look like you’re looking for someone, sonny,” drawled an unfamiliar accented voice. Cedric looked about and then found the source; the tiny Hannibal Bean who hovered before him and sitting on the Ying-Ying Bird. “Hannibal Bean’s my name, son. What’s yours?”
There was something about the creature that made Cedric instantly distrust him, but despite all logic, he gave his name. Hannibal Bean rubbed what passed for his chin with a tendril before saying, “Show me to your leader.”
Unexpectedly, the pair found themselves at Phobos’ castle once more, and they entered. The guards looked uncomfortable with delighted children swarming the entrance, but they took it with aplomb, having dealt with the oddities of their ruler once before.
“My Prince,” said Cedric, having been admitted into the throne room by Phobos. “I bring tidings and a visitor.”
“This is not Elyon,” stated Phobos and once more, Cedric was reminded that if he displeased the prince, he would wind up as the gardeners next ingredient for fertilizer.
“Yes, my Prince, but he insisted on speaking to you.”
“Hannibal Roy Bean son,” drawled the bean as he flew up and landed before the prince within standing reach. “I’m here to cut a deal with you.”
Phobos’ brow furrowed in anger. “How dare you speak to me in such a casual fashion, peasant. Do you know whom I am?”
To Cedric’s surprise, Bean laughed, loud and raucously. “Who you are? Sonny boy, I’ve corrupted the best and the brightest of this world! What makes you think you, a pup of a prince can squash Hannibal Roy Bean?”
“Easily,” said Phobos, and he snapped his fingers. Instantly, half a legion of armed guards were inside the room and he smiled cruelly. “Guards, paste this little upstart.”
“Well now, one hundred to one,” drawled Bean as the men advanced. “Wonderful odds. For me that is!” Slamming the Moby Morpher together, he grew to giant size.
=====
“Brave new world,” mused Phobos as he ran his hand along the rail of his newly refurbished castle. “And such fools who dwell within the depths of it.”
“Master,” hissed Cedric from behind him. The snake man was bowed low and he cast a glance at the throne room where an assembled foray of people were waiting for him. “They grow impatient.”
“Very well,” said Phobos, self assured as he strode into the room from his private chambers and swept into the room with a flourish.
The throne room was filled with villainous creatures of Phobos’ court and awaiting Phobos’ address. To the left of the throne stood Hannibal Bean in his shrunken natural form, but the bean radiated enough evil energy to give even the most evil of pause. Behind them stood an entire legion of guards and the creatures Phobos kept in his employ.
A true army of evil. Not for the first time, Cedric briefly wondered if he was truly cut out for this line of work.
“My brothers and sisters,” announced Phobos grandly, his soft voice pitching across the hall, silencing many. Those who did not fall quiet immediately were poked by their neighbours. “Through strange circumstances, we stand here united through the efforts of Hannibal Roy Bean. The fortress in the middle of our convoluted land holds a strong power that we can take for ourselves. My associate has given me the location of a powerful being that we can use to conquer this land for our own purposes!”
There was a muttering amidst the people and many of the nobles exchanged glances before Phobos held up a hand.
“Enough,” commanded Phobos. “We will amass our forces here, and march on the Fortress in two weeks time. Prepare your minions!”
Many of them vanished while others trudged out the door, preparing the spells or technology needed to create their army of evil. Phobos smirked and Hannibal matched his own. “You have a way with the rubes,” drawled Hannibal. “What say you to a little… partnership? After all, once the world is ours, this land has more than enough space to go around.”
Phobos smirked. “You get your power, and I will have my sister. Her power will give me enough strength to rule my half and kill whomever deems to interfere with our plans. Now then. Cedric!”
Cedric snapped to attention as Phobos gestured towards Hannibal Bean who leapt off the throne. “Accompany Hannibal. With his power, we will be able to turn the tide. Take a legion of our men with you.”
“As you command, my prince,” bowed Cedric before heading out the door.
=====
It is to be noted that evil villains contend with the Earth in a specific manner. They like to tread on each other’s territory, often entering partnerships that would result in the inevitable backstabbing. It was common territory for all of those involved, and as such, Cedric knew this as well.
Gathering the most loyal guards to his side, Cedric marched out into the lands that surrounded the city-like fortress that stood in the center of the land. “Here we are,” said Hannibal, leaping down and gesturing to a strange cairn of stones that marked the land. “I’m glad that it’s still here.”
“What sleeps here?” inquired Cedric as he gestured to some of the workers in order to begin excavations.
“Centuries ago, an evil being descended from the stars and begun setting up shop here. He was then defeated by beings from the heavens and from that point in time, he’s been sleeping here ever since.” Hannibal turned a look towards Cedric and added, “Don’t underestimate this fella, boy. He’s strong. Possibly even stronger than your prince.”
“There is no one stronger than the might of Phobos,” snapped Cedric, but inwardly he knew that there was. And that person was yet to come into her full power.
Hannibal chuckled to himself and returned to supervising the digging. After a while, the bean looked up, seemingly testing the winds and then a cruel smirk spread over his face like oil. “Hold the fort here, son. I just caught wind of someone else who could join the party.”
Calling to him the Ying-Ying Bird, Bean took off towards the west that rapidly transformed itself into water and then into molten rocky land once more.
=====
“My lord,” bowed the man in the Fire Nation military uniform. “There is a… very odd guest who wishes for an audience.”
Fire Lord Ozai snarled under his breath. “Send him away and leave. You are trying my patience.”
The man bowed and scraped his way out of the throne room as Ozai pondered the situation of events. “Commander,” he said, turning towards the assembled men before him. “Prepare the men. We will march upon the…”
Ozai got no further when the same messenger man was practically flung into the room Hannibal Bean strode in, looking a bit disgruntled but he wore his vicious smirk. “A demon,” gasped one of Ozai’s men and many of them launched bolts of fire at the approaching man.
Bean ducked under one, brought up his tendril and smashed many into nearby pillars before turning towards Ozai who had stood up, fury clouding his mind. “Who are you to storm in here, demon?” he snarled.
“Well that’s no way to treat a guest,” smirked Bean and Ozai launched a beam of fire that he neatly sidestepped. “I come with a proposition from Prince Phobos.”
“Leave,” snapped Ozai. “We can handle this ourselves.”
“I think not. There is more at stake here than you can possibly imagine,” retorted Bean. “Listen to our proposition and then I’ll be on my way.”
=====
Echo
=====
Echo. A place of wonder and creation, the lands ever shifting with the wills of those who inhabit the world at large.
It was currently, undergoing a little bit of a council at the moment in time. Four women sat around a kitchen table, muttering amongst themselves and pointedly giving out ideas. Three of them were immediately identified as the three sisters, Hiita, Wynn and Aussa. The fourth was a gentle looking blue haired woman who was in the process of serving up some tea. “We’re in a pickle, that’s for certain,” noted Eria as she sipped her tea.
“No kidding,” said Hiita, dumping a little sake into the tea and earning a look from Eria. “Aw c’mon Eria, it’s not that bad.”
“We’ve been trying to send the messenger across time and space again,” said Aussa, adjusting her glasses and thwarting her sister’s attempt at spiking her tea. “In any case, we should try once more.”
Placing their hands in together to the center of the table, a soft glow washed across the surface.
=====
“Ya know, that was easier than I thought it’d be,” remarked a voice that broke into Katara’s blissful unconsciousness. Cracking an eye-lid open, she looked at the group who sat around the low table, sipping tea. Or at least one of them was.
“Excuse me?” inquired Katara, sitting up, “but who are you people?”
“Oh you’re up,” said the blue haired woman who walked over, handing Katara a cup of tea which she examined curiously. “Your friends are up already. Goodness you slept for a long time.”
“How long?” asked Katara curiously.
“About…”
Without warning, there was a tremendous thudding noise accompanying the GOOSH of live-water accompanying the grunt of pain from a little monk. Katara jumped. “What was that?!”
“Oh that’s the kids out there playing,” said Wynn oblivious to the sheer amounts of violence being perpetrated on the diminutive monk.
“C’mere Omi, it’s time for your spanking!” chortled Irma and there was a frenetic yelp from outside the house, accompanied by the sound of high volumes of water splashing up against the ground.
“I do not know what I did wrong!” protested Omi. “Wudai Neptune Water!”
“Nice try little man,” replied Irma and there was a yell from Omi as he was flung out into the ice flows. “Oh yeah, who da Guardian? I am, I am!”
“Nice dance,” smirked Hiita, leaning up against the doorframe. “You coming inside or do you want to freeze to death?”
Long ago… the world was bathed in light…
But then, darkness crept into the world.
The darkness coveted the light, and soon sought to take it for its own.
A great and terrible battle commenced, the light against the dark.
Darkness strove to conquer the light, and light battled the darkness.
For thousands of years, the light and dark fought, until at last Darkness yielded to the Light.
To prevent war, Darkness and Light created the Greyscape, a place of neither pure light or pure darkness.
From it, humanity arose.
Humanity loved the light, but there were some who were swayed to the darkness.
Disagreements were took up and sword and shield and the bow were wielded in the name of the light and of the darkness.
Humanity took the power of Darkness and wielded it like sword and shield, seeing the forged essence of pure light as something to obtain by force. The light created warriors, beings of pure essence that would combat the human wielders of darkness.
Then, one day…
In the depths of the blackest pitch, and in the lightest of the brilliance, a black and white hue crept into it. These were known as the Black Light and the Brilliant Darkness.
The Titans, caregivers of the stars and the Wisps of energy, sought to control the beings that arose from the land. In the fires of the Twisting Nether lay the forces of darkness, spawned from the cruelty of the hearts of men. For centuries one guarded these demonic beings. And then, the last fell, prey to his madness.
The world has changed.
=====
Shaun Garin Presents
The Fourth of Five Stories
Element: Water
The Engulfing Tides of Fate
Xiaolin Showdown is owned by Warner Bros. Animation. W.I.T.C.H. is owned by Disney and SIP Animation. Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon. All other characters are owned by Konami of Japan and Kazuki Takahashi. Some characters are owned by Disney as well. World of Warcraft is owned by Blizzard Entertainment.
=====
If the blue daytime on the spinning planet, awakens the loop of time, and if those who possess different hearts, were to be gathered, something will happen.
=====
The Origin of Things
=====
Synchronicity is a remarkable sequence of events to say the least. Also mind-boggling. And occasionally a complete pain in the ass.
Synchronicity is a series of events that more or less happen with different intent but happen at the same time, and as a result, contribute to the whole final effect with presumed different outcomes by the originators of said actions. Most contributors towards synchronistic events also tended to be part and parcel of individual independent cause and effect without the other involved party having foreknowledge of the whole event. Most of the last few days of events have been in fact, part of synchronous timing. For the purposes of this, we will examine the amount of insanity that has occurred in the last three or four minutes.
First of all, the Crossworld Cutters were activated. One of the most powerful Shen Gong Wu in existence, it spontaneously decided to activate itself. Finding a lack of a proper exit, Raimundo did the first thing possible and activated the power with a cutting motion and a yell of “Crossworld Cutters!” Shooting in the dark, he sliced his way through into another world.
That world just happened to be the World of Four Elements, causing the distraught Zuko to look up into the sky in confusion as the world heaved itself up around him. Then the world turned purple.
The Heart of Kandrakar also reacted two seconds before everything went to pot as well. Will was currently in the middle of Loon Deflection in order to try and get to Matt who was rocking out to the classic Monster Mash song when the world’s light turned purple. The Heart of Kandrakar interacted with the spell that was currently being poured through an open portal from Meridian.
Elyon had memorized the spell and she was chanting. A long spell, one wrought of words and concentration and the Crystal of Boola Boola that sat in the middle of the room acted as the foundation of the spell. She was in the middle of the most critical stanza that would most likely have crippled the Guardians' spirits, when a random cloud of dust swirled up and she sneezed loudly, disrupting her chant. Wild magic erupted from her fingertips and poured through the map, ripping into the world and interacting with the Crossworld Cutters.
Far in the middle of Infinity, in the Fortress of Kandrakar, the Oracle looked up in surprise. The sensation he felt was so unreal, he could only do nothing but borrow a phrase from teenage contemporaries and utter “What. The. Fuck?!” just as soon as Tibor and Luba rushed in, screaming something about the Aurameres glowing with an unholy light.
Then The Universe Exploded.
Take notes people; this is going to be momentous.
=====
The World In Between Worlds
=====
Who are you?
A shadow flitted from side to side as three young teenagers opened their eyes, their heads pressed against one another as if blossoming from one central point.
It has been a long time… since I have seen the Son of Adam in these lands, or the Daughters of Eve.
The voice resonated in their minds as they stood up as if in a trance, ranging from the tallest to the shortest.
Step into the water, Children…
The thick mists that had once obscured the world cleared, their vision revealing a greyscape. Everything was grey, from the sky which was covered in dismal clouds to the silver-hued pools of water that lay undisturbed in shallow dips in the otherwise perfectly flat land. Silvery trees stood here and there, in a seemingly random pattern but to ones eye, they marked out the pools, standing like tall bulwarks or sentinels.
Do not be afraid… soothed the voice. The three looked at each other and slowly, the first stepped into the closest pool.
The water felt warm to the girl and she sunk deep within. Sharing a glance at each other, the boy and other girl stepped in, allowing the water to submerse them fully in the deceptively shallow pond.
Then, the water turned a shocking cold and they thrashed for the surface. Minutes passed and then they broke the waters edge, lungs burning for air. The first had already emerged and was wringing out her hair which had come undone in her braids.
Take care, children, for your task, is closer than it seems. With those words, the voice seemed to vanish, leaving behind a soothing presence that calmed them despite the strange land set before them.
=====
Earth - The Time Once Long Forgotten
=====
“Oooh man, what happened back there? Feels like I went twenty rounds with my Punching-Bag-Bot,” moaned Jack, sitting up to look into the violet skies. “Oh boy, we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto.”
“Where’s Kansas?” inquired Sokka curiously, sitting up. “And why is the sky purple?”
“I think we got pulled into… wherever this place is,” said Will, getting to her feet. “But why us?”
“I dunno, but this is why I don’t like magic,” grumbled Jack. “Give me good old machines any day. Speaking of which, later losers!” Popping the rotating blades on his backpack, Jack leapt into the air to allow the rotors to catch the wind, but rather than soaring into unfamiliar skies, he crashed to the ground with a succession of “Back, Elbow, Shoulder!”
“Huh, I may not get all of this weird magic stuff, but I think whatever made the world explode wanted us,” surmised Sokka, watching Jack tumble down the mountain ridge.
“We should help him, before he tumbles off the mountain,” said Will and together the pair wandered down into the valley where Jack was rolling steadily down into.
Once at the bottom and righting Spicer of his bearings, Will lead with Sokka at the rear, one hand on his machete.
“I’m just the guy with the boomerang, I don’t ask for all of this weirdness and magic,” grumbled Sokka, hacking at a bush that came too close.
“I wouldn’t do that ya know, you might hit someone,” remarked Jack who looked surly at being trapped between the pair.
“Oh what, you’re able to talk to plants or something?” groused Sokka, slashing at an overhanging vine.
“No, just personal experience with talking plants,” replied Jack smugly. He then bumped into Will, nearly throwing the pair to the ground. “Hey, watch where you’re stopping there girly girl.”
Will ignored him and stepped around the large faceted crystal that lay in the middle of the ground. There was a strange mechanical contraption buried between the wreckage. “Any idea what you think this is?”
Jack looked at it and ran his hands over the metal. “It’s cold, dust covered, I’d say this has been here for a long time. Huh, it’s still a little cool…”
“Um, guys? Is it normal for places to have giant sized bears?” inquired Sokka from behind them.
“Not usually. Why?”
“Bears that walk on two legs and--OH MY GOD IT’S GOT MY LEG!”
Jack and Will whipped around to see Sokka screaming as he was being hauled into a bush by a huge hairy paw, his fingers dragging tracks into the land. “SOKKA!” cried Will as she lunged for it, but was held back by Jack who whimpered and pointed at the mean looking brown-furred creatures. They had sticks, spears, swords, clubs, mean looking war paint and often they hooted something that was accompanied by a gnashing of teeth.
“Um, Parley?” inquired Jack.
The head being, a huge creature that towered over the rest and wore a feathered headdress and adorned with skulls growled something in a rough sinister language. In an instant, the pair were struck over the head.
=====
“Will… ya dead?”
“Naw man, I ain’t dead,” muttered Will, flinching at the flickering torchlight that was burning right into her eyes. Apparently they were fond of putting fire right next to their intended victims. “Situation?”
There was an irritated grumble from Jack. “They want us to see their queen or something. I dunno, do I look like I’m well acquainted with animal-talk?!”
“Dum de doo de doo doo dee dooo dee bork bork bork!” The pair looked up at the curious chant and saw a mean looking creature in a weathered -- or blood stained apron, sharpening a crude looking pair of knives and licking his lips.
“Great, captured by crazed wild bears and sacrificed hideously before a pagan altar!” Exclaimed Jack, his voice hitting decibels accompanied by young children or women. “I wish I was somewhere else eating, I dunno, table scraps.”
“We’re about to BECOME table scraps,” said Will wryly. She then noted absently that they had stripped them of anything useful. That included the Heart of Kandrakar that hung over the main creature’s neck, clinking against what looked like a shrunken human head. Shivering involuntarily from either fright or the cold wind pricking her naked skin, she looked over to Jack and tried to avert her eyes. “Well, at least we could ask for dignity?”
“I don’t think we have any left,” moaned Jack, his knobby hairy knees knocking together.
“I wonder were Sokka is,” mused Will as the drums started up.
=====
“Growl, grr, snarl, woof,” said the first.
“Grr grr, snap growl,” said the second as Sokka rose to consciousness, wished he hadn’t, shrieked and was immediately muffled by a large blue hand. He looked over at the big blue man and shrieked again, for his features were unmistakably alien. And then he shrieked some more for good measure.
“Grr, woof, woof?” inquired the one to his right and Sokka found a white-furred bipedal bear inquiring of the blue man who then replied in the same growling guttural language. The man then looked down at Sokka, eyes almost featureless and glowing white. “Please do not scream again human child. I will release my hand, and you will not scream.”
Sokka nodded and the man lifted his hand. “Where… where am I?”
The man knelt down beside him and said, “You are in the Azure Watch camp, just east of where Princess Stillpine found you. I am Itchilen, a Draenei.”
Sokka blinked twice, looked at the bear-like being who waved almost shyly and said, “Princess? Draenei?”
“Ah, forgive me, for we are not well known as such,” said Itchilen. “But tell me, the Princess said you came with two others. She is sorry she could not rescue all of you, but she believes you to be the being of legend.”
“Being of what now?” echoed Sokka. “I’m sorry, but I’m not really a legendary kind of guy. More like super-legendary. Sokka, Water Tribe.” Sokka flexed proudly.
Princess Stillpine looked over at the man and inquired, “Woof?” He replied in a similar tone and she giggled.
“Very well, super-legendary hero Sokka of the Water Tribe,” said the man, “We are going to go rescue your friends, before they are made into soup. Anya!”
A smaller blue woman emerged from the camp, arms bearing several mechanical devices of questionable use. She was pretty, Sokka surmised, if you were into the whole hoof thing. “Here you are, hero,” said Anya in that pretty accented voice of hers and she left to rejoin a caravan that was preparing to head north.
Sokka picked up the large rifle and looked at it curiously. “What is this?”
“A plasma rifle,” said Itchilen, lowering Sokka’s aim as he was pointing towards the inn. “One of the few working ones we have left. I will instruct you on the use of this, before we go rescue your friends.”
“Are they in any serious danger?” inquired Sokka.
=====
“… good work,” remarked Jack, looking downwards at the blazing fire pit that crackled merrily beneath him.
=====
Earth - Altered State
=====
There is a place outside of existence; a place that has become known simply as Echo, neither existing nor not-existing. People have given it many names over the years, but to the inhabitants it was simply Home. Of course Home is relative to all parties, but as one short stacked red head would say, “Home is where you can find a bandit gang five miles away to blow up for easy income”. And then immediately blow you up for suggesting that she was short or underdeveloped.
Explaining Echo was something of a task to be met out. You see, there was no reality that bound the land; it changed and flowed with the ebbs of chaotic tides. Pure human will, channelled into a new and raw form and sketched out by ambient elements taking shape and form. Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Metal made up the dominant elements of the natural forces and humanity knew this. Gravity, Wood, Lightning, Ice and Flare were the recessive powers of the natural order, a yin to a yang. It even gives the author a headache thinking about it to tell the truth, but there’s a definite order in the manner of sanity that takes place.
Usually this preludes a standard “Woe! Woe to the circle of elements for they have become unbalanced” but then the town crier had been sacked that morning for waking the astute and grumpy town flogger. Ahem.
The Chinese had said it best with their own circle of Elemental forces, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal. In their time, Wood had been the dominant force and Air was a western concept in definition alone. But there was no mistaking the dominant position of Air as it was more valuable than water itself for the cycle of life. Although most people, most likely noted Marvin Finkleberry of the fourth world passed the milky way just happened to note that Air was also an intangible force. This immediately followed his ideas towards the methodology of the dodo considering he also suggested that Wood was a viable food supply and should replace breathing. In time, the commonly accepted five elements switched from Wood to Air, and thus the newest cycle had been born.
Kandrakar was the first to exist, but some may argue that Earth or perhaps other worlds were the first. But to truly exist, not just an in-between world of grey matter, Kandrakar was the first to be pulled and settled in what was assumed was the center of Infinity. Living in the center of Infinity, Echo forged it much like a god would behold their subjects. The Fortress of Kandrakar was soon to become the center of thought and intelligent conversation. People of all walks of life worked together to bring peace and prosperity. One of these worlds also caught the interest of Kandrakar; a backwater planet called Earth.
In many ways, Earth too was part of the center of the universe, if not the multiverse. The people who lived upon the soil were strong, skilled and resistant to magic, although there were many who were open enough to wield it. The first Oracle had many a century to behold the growth of the planet and its people under times of stress and despair. When the Black Plague ravaged the lands of Europe, the Oracle wept. When the time was of prosperity, he celebrated. In fact, one could say that the Oracle of Kandrakar, the most powerful god-like being of the entire cosmos could be beheld as the caretaker of the universe. But even gods are fallible, and the Oracle could not consult every world in the universe at the same time.
Soon though, Guardians were needed from all walks of life. Five in all, each one of them drawing on the immense power of Kandrakar and by proxy the power of Echo until the Heart of Kandrakar was forged by the Nymph Xing Jing. With the creation of the Heart of Kandrakar from the Nymph Xing Jing, the four dragons formed the four great rivers of China, and their spirits forged themselves into the Heart to be shared. The Oracle of that time had also celebrated the creation of such a powerful artefact, and they chose the first group of Guardians of the Veil against the evil that dwelled in the universe.
Strong hearts were needed to protect against the unknown forces of the universe, and in time, the need arose when Phobos took power over the lands of Meridian. Twisting the power of light and metal into a substance of pure hatred, he used his own royal powers to cause strife along the lands. When his unnamed sister, now called Elyon was spirited away to Earth, the true heart of Meridian, Kandrakar raised the Veil to protect the rest of the universe from Phobos' aggression.
The current Oracle, a former human who had fought alongside the keeper known as Endarno had been the one to witness the raising of the veil. It was soon that he was elevated to the position of the Oracle, and herein, he discovered the truth behind the elements.
It had been a quiet night on some unknown timeframe when a strange visitor approached the Oracle. The Oracle was surprised since he had not sensed the arrival of the man at all, but before he could raise an alarm for an intruder, the man spoke and he was immediately calmed.
"Beautiful night tonight," said the man and the Oracle could only nod dumbly as the man strode towards him, silent and without steps echoing on the vast marble floors of the Fortress. Coming to stand him, the Oracle could peer into his brown cloak and found a deeply tanned face rimmed with kohl, a substance that was commonly found in the Egyptians of the ancient world of Earth.
"How is it that you have approached me without my knowing?" inquired the Oracle, dumbfounded that his own powers had failed him from reaching the man.
"Aaaah," said the man and he twitched a finger back and forth in a wagging manner. "That is a secret."
The Oracle allowed himself a childish pout and the man laughed. "Tell me," said the man, gazing over the violet skies. "What do you see?"
"I see the sky," said the Oracle, still off-balance. Normally it was him who liked to speak like this in a manner that suggested an all-knowing tone. But it was now that he felt so young, and this man so unmistakably more ancient and wiser than he had ever been before. "And beyond it, the infinite worlds."
"And beyond that?" said the man and the Oracle blinked.
"... I do not see anything," admitted the Oracle. What could he say? There was nothing he could penetrate in the vast darkness beyond.
"Very good," said the man. "Those who know so little can admit to their faults and learn more. There are many facets to this unknown universe; a butterfly flaps its wings in one place and creates a hurricane in another. Thunder roars in one location and lightning strikes in another. A trail of crumbs left by a group of children. A cairn of rocks situated on lands far from here. A bowl of shrimp split pea soup."
The Oracle blinked. “What does soup have to do with this?”
“Nothing really, I was being silly.”
The Oracle shook his head at the truly bizarre man standing beside him. "Truly, I have not felt like an unknowing child for many a year," said the Oracle and the man laughed, a full throaty and hearty laugh; a laugh almost out of place from the slender frame that was hidden behind the simple brown cloak. "Tell me stranger; from what world do you hail?"
"Aaaah," the man tapped his lips once and said, "Perhaps a little tidbit for the journey."
Reaching out, he broke a piece of the marble off the rail, surprising the Oracle with his strength. Then the man held it upright in one palm as darkness swirled around it. The marble separated into four elements; ground earth, air that was trapped inside of it, fire that had compressed itself into the stone, and water that had cut the earth into the shape. "These elements are much more than you or anyone knows. Keep this in mind that the world is neutral. It is of the people whom live on the world to do what they must."
"That is not a straight answer," said the Oracle, confused.
"In good time you’ll understand. Or not." said the man. Picking up a bag that the Oracle knew was not there previously, he shouldered it and said, "Darkness protects its children like a mother's shawl and Light illuminates the darkness, beckoning them forth from their caves. Lessons to be learned my good Oracle are there for the taking."
When the Oracle had finally regained his senses and called for Tibor, the man was no longer to be found. No portal in the veil that was utilized, or a fold in space. The only thing that the residents had found unnerved the Oracle: the darkness in the smallest corner of Kandrakar was deeper than usual.
=====
“Strange new world,” hissed Cedric to himself, searching through the odd new world that presented itself in all of it’s half-hazard glory. “A very strange world… for very strange people.”
Kids ran by, laughing and dressed in their best costumes. Costumes that were once ill-fitting or cut wrong for children were now cut perfectly. A couple of children swung by, dressed as Spiderman while two others flew by as Wonder Woman and Superman. No one gave Cedric a second glance as he was dressed in his fine robes of the court.
Where in the Pit are you, Elyon? Thought Cedric to himself, cursing the Darkness that she had vanished in the middle of the maelstrom that had ripped her from Phobos’ grasp. The walk light turned green and the kids and Cedric crossed the lane as motorists in eclectic vehicles idled at the four way stop.
Sitting down on a bench, Cedric observed the road before him. This is close to where I set up the Ye Old Book Store he mused to himself. I wonder if it’s still standing. Snorting at his nostalgic thoughts, he straightened himself up and prepared to stand when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
“You look like you’re looking for someone, sonny,” drawled an unfamiliar accented voice. Cedric looked about and then found the source; the tiny Hannibal Bean who hovered before him and sitting on the Ying-Ying Bird. “Hannibal Bean’s my name, son. What’s yours?”
There was something about the creature that made Cedric instantly distrust him, but despite all logic, he gave his name. Hannibal Bean rubbed what passed for his chin with a tendril before saying, “Show me to your leader.”
Unexpectedly, the pair found themselves at Phobos’ castle once more, and they entered. The guards looked uncomfortable with delighted children swarming the entrance, but they took it with aplomb, having dealt with the oddities of their ruler once before.
“My Prince,” said Cedric, having been admitted into the throne room by Phobos. “I bring tidings and a visitor.”
“This is not Elyon,” stated Phobos and once more, Cedric was reminded that if he displeased the prince, he would wind up as the gardeners next ingredient for fertilizer.
“Yes, my Prince, but he insisted on speaking to you.”
“Hannibal Roy Bean son,” drawled the bean as he flew up and landed before the prince within standing reach. “I’m here to cut a deal with you.”
Phobos’ brow furrowed in anger. “How dare you speak to me in such a casual fashion, peasant. Do you know whom I am?”
To Cedric’s surprise, Bean laughed, loud and raucously. “Who you are? Sonny boy, I’ve corrupted the best and the brightest of this world! What makes you think you, a pup of a prince can squash Hannibal Roy Bean?”
“Easily,” said Phobos, and he snapped his fingers. Instantly, half a legion of armed guards were inside the room and he smiled cruelly. “Guards, paste this little upstart.”
“Well now, one hundred to one,” drawled Bean as the men advanced. “Wonderful odds. For me that is!” Slamming the Moby Morpher together, he grew to giant size.
=====
“Brave new world,” mused Phobos as he ran his hand along the rail of his newly refurbished castle. “And such fools who dwell within the depths of it.”
“Master,” hissed Cedric from behind him. The snake man was bowed low and he cast a glance at the throne room where an assembled foray of people were waiting for him. “They grow impatient.”
“Very well,” said Phobos, self assured as he strode into the room from his private chambers and swept into the room with a flourish.
The throne room was filled with villainous creatures of Phobos’ court and awaiting Phobos’ address. To the left of the throne stood Hannibal Bean in his shrunken natural form, but the bean radiated enough evil energy to give even the most evil of pause. Behind them stood an entire legion of guards and the creatures Phobos kept in his employ.
A true army of evil. Not for the first time, Cedric briefly wondered if he was truly cut out for this line of work.
“My brothers and sisters,” announced Phobos grandly, his soft voice pitching across the hall, silencing many. Those who did not fall quiet immediately were poked by their neighbours. “Through strange circumstances, we stand here united through the efforts of Hannibal Roy Bean. The fortress in the middle of our convoluted land holds a strong power that we can take for ourselves. My associate has given me the location of a powerful being that we can use to conquer this land for our own purposes!”
There was a muttering amidst the people and many of the nobles exchanged glances before Phobos held up a hand.
“Enough,” commanded Phobos. “We will amass our forces here, and march on the Fortress in two weeks time. Prepare your minions!”
Many of them vanished while others trudged out the door, preparing the spells or technology needed to create their army of evil. Phobos smirked and Hannibal matched his own. “You have a way with the rubes,” drawled Hannibal. “What say you to a little… partnership? After all, once the world is ours, this land has more than enough space to go around.”
Phobos smirked. “You get your power, and I will have my sister. Her power will give me enough strength to rule my half and kill whomever deems to interfere with our plans. Now then. Cedric!”
Cedric snapped to attention as Phobos gestured towards Hannibal Bean who leapt off the throne. “Accompany Hannibal. With his power, we will be able to turn the tide. Take a legion of our men with you.”
“As you command, my prince,” bowed Cedric before heading out the door.
=====
It is to be noted that evil villains contend with the Earth in a specific manner. They like to tread on each other’s territory, often entering partnerships that would result in the inevitable backstabbing. It was common territory for all of those involved, and as such, Cedric knew this as well.
Gathering the most loyal guards to his side, Cedric marched out into the lands that surrounded the city-like fortress that stood in the center of the land. “Here we are,” said Hannibal, leaping down and gesturing to a strange cairn of stones that marked the land. “I’m glad that it’s still here.”
“What sleeps here?” inquired Cedric as he gestured to some of the workers in order to begin excavations.
“Centuries ago, an evil being descended from the stars and begun setting up shop here. He was then defeated by beings from the heavens and from that point in time, he’s been sleeping here ever since.” Hannibal turned a look towards Cedric and added, “Don’t underestimate this fella, boy. He’s strong. Possibly even stronger than your prince.”
“There is no one stronger than the might of Phobos,” snapped Cedric, but inwardly he knew that there was. And that person was yet to come into her full power.
Hannibal chuckled to himself and returned to supervising the digging. After a while, the bean looked up, seemingly testing the winds and then a cruel smirk spread over his face like oil. “Hold the fort here, son. I just caught wind of someone else who could join the party.”
Calling to him the Ying-Ying Bird, Bean took off towards the west that rapidly transformed itself into water and then into molten rocky land once more.
=====
“My lord,” bowed the man in the Fire Nation military uniform. “There is a… very odd guest who wishes for an audience.”
Fire Lord Ozai snarled under his breath. “Send him away and leave. You are trying my patience.”
The man bowed and scraped his way out of the throne room as Ozai pondered the situation of events. “Commander,” he said, turning towards the assembled men before him. “Prepare the men. We will march upon the…”
Ozai got no further when the same messenger man was practically flung into the room Hannibal Bean strode in, looking a bit disgruntled but he wore his vicious smirk. “A demon,” gasped one of Ozai’s men and many of them launched bolts of fire at the approaching man.
Bean ducked under one, brought up his tendril and smashed many into nearby pillars before turning towards Ozai who had stood up, fury clouding his mind. “Who are you to storm in here, demon?” he snarled.
“Well that’s no way to treat a guest,” smirked Bean and Ozai launched a beam of fire that he neatly sidestepped. “I come with a proposition from Prince Phobos.”
“Leave,” snapped Ozai. “We can handle this ourselves.”
“I think not. There is more at stake here than you can possibly imagine,” retorted Bean. “Listen to our proposition and then I’ll be on my way.”
=====
Echo
=====
Echo. A place of wonder and creation, the lands ever shifting with the wills of those who inhabit the world at large.
It was currently, undergoing a little bit of a council at the moment in time. Four women sat around a kitchen table, muttering amongst themselves and pointedly giving out ideas. Three of them were immediately identified as the three sisters, Hiita, Wynn and Aussa. The fourth was a gentle looking blue haired woman who was in the process of serving up some tea. “We’re in a pickle, that’s for certain,” noted Eria as she sipped her tea.
“No kidding,” said Hiita, dumping a little sake into the tea and earning a look from Eria. “Aw c’mon Eria, it’s not that bad.”
“We’ve been trying to send the messenger across time and space again,” said Aussa, adjusting her glasses and thwarting her sister’s attempt at spiking her tea. “In any case, we should try once more.”
Placing their hands in together to the center of the table, a soft glow washed across the surface.
=====
“Ya know, that was easier than I thought it’d be,” remarked a voice that broke into Katara’s blissful unconsciousness. Cracking an eye-lid open, she looked at the group who sat around the low table, sipping tea. Or at least one of them was.
“Excuse me?” inquired Katara, sitting up, “but who are you people?”
“Oh you’re up,” said the blue haired woman who walked over, handing Katara a cup of tea which she examined curiously. “Your friends are up already. Goodness you slept for a long time.”
“How long?” asked Katara curiously.
“About…”
Without warning, there was a tremendous thudding noise accompanying the GOOSH of live-water accompanying the grunt of pain from a little monk. Katara jumped. “What was that?!”
“Oh that’s the kids out there playing,” said Wynn oblivious to the sheer amounts of violence being perpetrated on the diminutive monk.
“C’mere Omi, it’s time for your spanking!” chortled Irma and there was a frenetic yelp from outside the house, accompanied by the sound of high volumes of water splashing up against the ground.
“I do not know what I did wrong!” protested Omi. “Wudai Neptune Water!”
“Nice try little man,” replied Irma and there was a yell from Omi as he was flung out into the ice flows. “Oh yeah, who da Guardian? I am, I am!”
“Nice dance,” smirked Hiita, leaning up against the doorframe. “You coming inside or do you want to freeze to death?”