In the Gamazon forest the Geen were doing a bit of Bundwid gas diving. Bundwid was a non toxic gas that seeped out of the ground constantly between the trees and if you ran and dove into it you would be lifted 80 feet into the air. The trick to it was to have a pair of Dowa bird wings attached below your shoulder blades on the small of your back. The Geen played a game of pass as they were lifted with a rubber Famaron shaped head that was painted to look exactly like him. They tried to pass the ball from one end of the forest to the other without dropping it and made large wagers over whether they would. For the Geen the game of Ubab as they called it was an unbelievable thrill to play and watch.
As Famaron, Ohgood, and Solcrist drove into the heart of the Gamazon inside the Portex, Veata was alerting her people of the situation while Ratie told the Cacob who were still missing their king Lucern.
“ Isn’t that amazing how they float up in the air like that,” said Famaron softly as he watched 2 dozen Geen playing Ubab.
There was a continuous swath 50 feet across of trees that had been cut down for 300 miles in a curling pattern, with thousands of Geen houses and castles set up along the way to watch the action. Young Geen children would run and jump sideways across the course and land on the castle on the other side. Each of the castles were covered in moss, but some had a red stone used in their towers
that the moss wouldn’t grow on. There were beautiful multi colored windows with the shape of a man’s head and had thick gold window frames around them. At the base of each castle there was a Geen surveying deck which was made from mahogany and had several levels in it accessible by a pulley operated elevator. On the decks were various computers and holographic video games for the young and old alike. There was also a Pampute fountain, which was filled with a synthetic water that glowed green and had a statue of Pampute himself.
Pampute was the acting chieftain of Vertize and was well known to have many girlfriends, but no wives. He also spawned 26 children, but rarely spent much more than birthdays with any of them. He had almost total control over the Torest mine’s production as well as the windfall it birthed for the Geen, He wrote a brief poem about his struggle with Baatold dust it went as such,” A demon can never be seen at a glance, but never a longer look can be found. I only see the shadow and assume that someone’s there. I was a man of nevers, but became a friend of who cares. I know we’ll speak again somewhere soon.” Pampute was a large Geen of 6’9” and weighed over 450 pounds, but different from many Geen in that he had a halo of red moss around his head and he had square purple eyes that blinked independently of each other.
“ What in the sex is that?” asked Ohgood as he watched the Geen playing Ubab.
“ Ubab, son, the Geen play this game constantly. I tried it once and nearly broke every bone in my body that I needed,” said Famaron honestly as he drove up to a Geen castle and parked the Portex alongside it in an arching garage made from diamonds and platinum staffs with a fluorescent red cloth over the roof of it that had the Geen crest of a fingerless hand trying to pick up a dagger.
“ Famaron, remember we don’t want to cause a panic, so measures must be taken to tell them without scaring them,” said Solcrist as he stepped down from the Portex.
“ Understood, I would gather if we could find, this man right here, Pampute, how are you old friend?” asked Famaron as he saw Pampute come out of a small candle shaped door in the castle with a crescent roll in his mouth.
Pampute smiled then took a bite from the roll and gave Famaron a hug and asked,” It’s a joy to see you, Famaron, but where is the rum?”
Famaron looked at him for a second then said slyly,” I thought I won the bet.”
“ Details details come inside and we’ll talk as friends, but I must know your friends,” said Pampute as he looked sternly at Ohgood and Solcrist.
“ Ohgood, nice to meet you.”
“ Solcrist, you have a lovely home here.”
“ Thank you, Ohgood, Solcrist, please come inside,” said Pampute as he walked back towards the stone doorway and then thru and said robustly,” I’m baking a 30 man feast for one lonely soul, no matter friends.”
Inside the castle there was an elaborate kitchen slash living room with a 50 foot pyramid shaped wood rafter ceiling that had a ball of blue loose radical magic at the top that acted as a window into the goings on of Troitsa and Goep. The kitchen had a red steel and glass circular pastry oven that only needed the ingredients put into several bins and when you pressed a button it would make the pie or cake you chose and cook it as well in under 2 minutes. Around the outer walls of the kitchen there was
a huge blue steel refrigerator built into the wall which kept things cold in one part and other things warm like steak sticks for instance. The fridge had 7 doors with hundreds of Pampute’s favorite holographic pictures stuck to them with a warm orange light known as Epme.
In the living room there was a sunken area 3 feet below the rest that was one large continual brown silk couch, with a large marble table in the center that holographic movies and t.v. shows would appear above. Around the outside were hundreds of large and small robots a like that were in the shape of animals like Baatolds and Sargs and people like Pampute and Famaron himself playing a game of hide and seek. There were dozens of mini castles and towers set up around the room where the 2 foot robots would hide. On the walls there were dozens of cubby holes with holographic Geen and Darinvians from years of yore that could actually speak if spoken too.
“ Who’s hungry, I just made a 3 foot long Dowa bird breast and vegetable pie with a thick strawberry glaze?” asked Pampute happily as he walked over and hit a yellow button on the oven then the pie rose up out of it and was set on the top of the stove.
“ Count me in, I’m dying for a piece of pie just as long as it isn’t moving,” said Ohgood then he licked his lips and stared at the pie.
“ No, it’s not moving now, but it was when I blasted that Dowa bird. Goarote what a fine shot that was,” said Pampute as he started to cut the steaming pie into pieces.
“ Why don’t we all have a bit of pie. Be a shame to waste it,” said Solcrist warmly as he eyed the pie and nodded.
“ Agreed, and then we’ll talk of the troubles on Parscan,” said Famaron firmly.
“ What troubles are those?” asked Pampute anxiously as he grabbed 4 green checkered warm plates from inside a different part of the stove.
“ Let’s eat first, I’d hate to lay such a burden on you on an empty stomach,” said Famaron as Pampute put a slice of pie on his plate.
“ Fair enough, here you go, Ohgood, and you, Solcrist. Now I’ll grab my slice and we’ll head into the living room and eat, oh I almost forgot forks. Here you go follow me,” said Pampute slowly a she tried to think what Famaron could possibly be thinking of.
They all sat down and began eating as Pampute put on the war movie,” I died twice for Parscan,” on the holographic projector on the table. The movie started out with a dozen battleships chasing a lowly Flasher in and amongst the trees in the Badme region. Then after a couple minutes everyone was done eating and Pampute turned the volume off on the movie and asked,” O.K., Famaron, let me know what is on your mind?”
“ Well, Solcrist spoke with Goarote and was told that the world of Parscan will be destroyed when a neighboring star system crashes into us,” said Famaron calmly as he looked softly at Pampute.
“ Really, well I don’t want to cast aspersions on you, Solcrist, but how do you know it really happened and wasn’t an hallucination?” asked Pampute as he raised his left hand and held it there above his plate.
“ Because we all spoke with Goarote at the same moment and he carried us all to the same place a second later. This was no hallucination I vouch for him,” said Ohgood plainly then he set down his plate and nodded to Pampute.
“
As do I, it was said that Solcrist decides who on Parscan lives and who is left behind to die. He wants all the Geen, as well as the Sandu, Cacob, Plalo, and queen Veata’s subjects are the ones he’s chosen, but the crucial part is the unchosen can’t find out what’s happening or it will be bedlam,” said Famaron warmly as he looked at Solcrist, Ohgood, and then Pampute seriously.
“ Oh…I see,” said Pampute as he stood up and began to walk up the steps to the rest of the living room then said as he fixed himself a drink in a secret bar in the wall,” I, I know now that what you say is true, but this same truth terrifies me to no end. Parscan is the only home we Geen have ever been accepted on. To lose that, to lose it all, there will be a sadness no poet could write of in our hearts for a thousand years.”
“ You’re not the only one, we are losing the same only you must realize that Parscan under Baub’s rule will never again be the world we once knew. He has crippled her heart and it is beyond repair. Do this, Pampute, spread the word among your people and when they know what’s going to happen and what’s at stake. Then you contact me by rider not computer or telephone we can’t take the risk of being discovered,” said Famaron and he grimaced slightly.
“ I, I will do exactly that and I will take every precaution. How much time do we have?” asked Pampute as he sipped his scotch.
“ When I leave Parscan shortly thereafter she will be destroyed. So needless to say I must be the one who leaves last and turns off the lights so to speak,” said Solcrist sternly as he stood up and walked over to where Pampute was standing and then said sternly,” If word leaks out and Baub and his followers start to leave Parscan before us, I’ll have to leave immediately and without reservation. This is Goarote’s will we’re talking about.”
“ I understand, you don’t need to worry about the Geen telling any of them. There isn’t a Geen alive who would shed a tear if the Halbaltic gang, Posism Beliefs or even the Senpond keepers burned to a pile of ash. They died a long time ago as far as I’m concerned,” said Pampute coldly then he nodded twice and took a sip of his scotch.
“ Good, then we will leave you now and continue on our mission. Thank you for the pie, Pampute, it was delicious,” said Solcrist as he walked out of the room.
“ Thanks,” said Famaron as he waved to Pampute and walked outside to see Ohgood and Solcrist looking up in the sky and he asked,” What’s up, Solcrist?”
Solcrist just pointed to the sky filled with Baub’s fleet of battleships, Worights, and Flashers and said sadly,” It seems Baub wants to make a bit of war with his own people. We may be leaving sooner than we thought.”
“ What on Goarote’s red Parscan is he trying to pull. Let’s go and find Ratie and Veata before he tries something,” said Famaron as he looked up and started for the Portex.
Then suddenly the battleships began firing on the far end of Vertize blowing a dozen castles to pieces. Then out came running Pampute and asked frantically,” What’s happening is it aliens?”
“ Worse it’s our own ships grab whatever you treasure cause we’re taking you with us!” said Famaron boldly as he watched a battleship blow a hundred Geen to pieces with a laser canon burst.
“ O.K. just give me one minute!” shouted Pampute then he darted back into the castle.
“ We should get into the Portex and bring it around front,” said Ohgood sternly as he stared at Famaron.
Famaron watched as another 100 Geen got hit with a missile as they swam in a pond and then realized what Ohgood had said and turned and said firmly,” Yes, you are right everyone into the Portex.
“ I wonder if they found out what was going to happen and lost their tempers,” said Solcrist implying a question as he walked beside Famaron towards the Portex.
“ Maybe, but I highly doubt it. I think this is just Baub’s evil soul wreaking havoc. I tell you this thou, he’ll be sorry when the ax falls and it’s his head beneath it,” said Famaron sternly then he saw a ball of fire heading for Solcrist and pushed him out of the way as he shouted,” Look out!”
Solcrist hit the ground on his back as the fireball flew by and blew up the castle’s garage. And then Solcrist was helped up by Ohgood and Solcrist asked slyly,” Why do I think that won’t be the last time you save my life dear, Famaron?”
“ Because we both know there’s a war upon us,” said Famaron plainly as he held Solcrist’s left arm.
Then Pampute emerged from the castle with an emerald green staff that had a black and white ball with a red pulsing light in the center. The staff had etchings of Poreverus Shoes all over the sides.
Poreverus Shoes was the Geen theologian and many considered a prophet. He assembled a 700 page book that shed light on all the things that unnecessarily shamed people as well as gave them confidence called,” To go and return without taking a step.” It had a section with 3 sentence descriptions of childhood shame like,” I know nothing all the time and my thoughts on what they want and the other half on pleasing them. If I were given a moment to make my own mistakes then my body would float higher and higher still into the world of adulthood.” There was also the one that talked of the first successful steps into the intelligent world that read,” As I once piped up an answer to a trivia question
when I was ten, now I write the questions that only a few in the moment can respond. I know now I was not that foolish child all along now it is they who garner my laughter and smile.” Poreverus moved out of the Geen community in the days following the Conrames directive that stated all Geen must worship the same god or be subject to a fierce bloody beating.
“ What do you have there, Pampute?” asked Famaron as he looked at the staff.
“ Our insurance plan, I’m aware you are all wizards, but this staff has been charmed and will give us great strength. It is called the staff of Garther,” said Pampute proudly as he spun the staff in his hand and grinned.
“ I’ve heard of this staff I’d like to know more about when you got it, but there isn’t time. Let us leave here,” said Solcrist as he eyed the staff and jumped into the Portex.
Everyone else climbed in and Famaron started to drive away from the battleships. Behind them Vertize was being blown to pieces in a cauldron of fire and smoke, with Geen families running for their lives. Then a giant laser burst hit 3 feet behind the Portex sending the back end up off the ground 4 feet and Famaron said sternly,” That was a little too close. Let’s try a different route.”
Then they drove into the Geen water purification tunnels and the Portex turned into a boat in an instant was spreading down a massive square blue stone tunnel. There were hundreds of Geen hiding out in the tunnel by lying on their buoyant backs and floating. The walls of the tunnel had cubby holes every ten feet with small Geen homes built into them with living rooms and bedrooms completely visible as they raced past. The walls also had openings 10 feet high that led to other tunnels.
“ we should be safe in here. The problem is I don’t know where this leads,” said Famaron as he steered around and thru a dozen Geen.
“ Anything’s better than out there, but if we’re smart we’ll go east so as to steer us towards Veata’s hometown,” said Ohgood as he watched a trio of Geen children doing a traditional Geen folk dance in one of the cubby holes.
“ Good point,” said Famaron quickly as he looked for a compass on the dashboard.
“ It’s left, trust me I know,” said Pampute with a devilish grin as he raised his eyebrows.
“ I knew there was a reason we brought you, left it is,” said Famaron slyly then he took a left turn into a long round red tunnel and as he did there was a huge explosion behind them.
“ That was lucky, we were almost balls of burnt flesh,” said Solcrist as he looked back and saw a huge red flame devouring the tunnel they were just in.
Inside Famaron’s lead battl
eship sat Baub, Prasau, and general Orcez Bluntip in a row of large black leather couches on the bridge of the ship. The room had 6 half humanoid robot half hologram, with their heads being a hologram as well as their clothes. The robots were silver with ornate wooden panels on their chests and arms that had beautiful wildlife depictions carved into them. They also had Mutters on either side of them in a tan leather gun belt. Their holographic faces were of animals and ancient generals like Zamtru’s and the late general Petotion Game.
Petotion Game was the first Darinvian general to defeat the Moacaum warriors who inhabited Parscan for 170 years after defeating the Darinvian army. He used a technique known as the,” friend for a day technique,” where all the Darinvians pretended that they’d given up and in to the Moacaum for 70 days and then when they had their confidence they pulled their daggers and killed all of their generals and captains and took their emperor hostage. Then they told the remaining soldiers to leave Parscan forever, but that their emperor was staying on Parscan for the rest of his life as punishment for their
occupation of Parscan. Then the Moacaum left never to return while their emperor Crag Depth went on to marry a Darinvian and spawn 13 children that later became known as the Sandu.
The rest of the bridge was filled with round computer monitors and y shaped computer hard drives, as well as 2 dozen holographic projections of all the space around the ship as well as below it. The floor was covered in a dense black x shaped rug with the Darinvian credo written on it that read,” Why give in when you’re already dead,” in red spotted letters. There were also a pair of large windows in front of the 3 chairs that rose all the way to the top peak of a 40 foot ceiling.
“ Roast Geen for supper, what a lovely feast for men of honor and supreme intellect,” said Baub snidely then he let out a giddy laugh as he watched Vertize being destroyed.
“ This is only the first course tomorrow we’ll dine on queen Veata’s rabble and pick our teeth clean with their bones,” said General Bluntip snidely as he grinned wildly.
General Bluntip had sandy black long hair that was curly and filled with war medals. His eyes were a ghostly white and his teeth blood burgundy. He had a huge bulbous nose that looked like a dagger. And he was 6’3 and 289 pounds of fighting hell bringer. He had on a navy blue polyester and corduroy suit with dozens of computer monitors all over the front of his jacket that showed all of his various accomplishments and medals.
“ She’s had her penance coming for far too many years and soon she’ll know why we disdain her very essence. Never will she cast her cocky smile my way again,” said Prasau coldly as he gritted his teeth and squeezed a figurine of Famaron.
“ How long gentlemen do you think it will be before they realize we are ridding Parscan of 3 fifths of her population to make way for our new civilization?” asked Baub as he thought of the new city he would have erected for himself where Pouf used to be.
“ They will never realize it if everything goes according to plan. That, brothers, is the beauty of it, no one will know the depth of our destructive blow until they are all dead or dying. Then we’ll see how smug their little faces are,” said Bluntip snidely then he pressed a red button on the armrest and an 18 ounce bottle of Mavoit wine rose up out of the chair.
“ They’re all about to die and they don’t even know it. Fools steal nickels while leaders steal the minds of the rich. They will get what they deserve, karma’s a bitch,” said Baub coldly then all 3 of them burst out laughing.
Meanwhile in Veata’s castle she was telling her loyal subjects the news of Parscan’s fate inside her enormous auditorium that stretched for 1 and a half miles and had row upon row of floating couches made from black silk and filled with feathers from the Dowa bird. At the top of the auditorium there was a triangular anti gravity platform that hovered above the floor and could propel itself from one end to the other. On the platform there was a large gold and red felt throne for Veata as well as a pair of black silk chairs for her 2 Acomogada, which were her most powerful commanders under her authority. There was also a large sound amplifying box on the front of the platform that could send her voice to every corner of the auditorium. The walls were covered in priceless paintings and family heirlooms like her mother’s golden sunglasses and one of the paintings was of Davpa Jinx the first man to use anti gravity to lift a ship off the ground. Davpa also sang the song titled,” These stolen moments were taken by thieves,” that dealt with the Eden his life had become when he married his wife Carana and had 17
children. The painting showed him surrounded by his entire family with him in the center inside a guillotine eating an apple.
Veata stood up and walked to the edge of her platform and said warmly,” As I have just explained we must leave our home here and find a new one as Parscan will be no more. I see many of you terrified of what the future may hold fear not. We were glorious friends and people of values here, and this will not change even if our feet make new tracks on untouched sand. Remember we can have what we had and more you just need to let go of the present and embrace the future.”
Then Qanac E an old purple and silver haired handsome woman in a pure white silk shawl, red flowing dress of cotton and orange double buckled shoes asked anxiously,” But what can we bring with us all’s I have in this world our my keepsakes and memories?”
“ Emperor Venge has said he can get us the ships we need to take all we can carry. So in answer to your question there will be plenty of room for all of your things, but the memories you must carry between your ears,” said Veata jokingly then everyone laughed.
“ That is a load off my mind, queen, thank you for clarifying an old woman’s chest of concern,” said Qanac then she started to sit down and stood up and asked,” I have to know if we should expect bloodshed as we flee Parscan from Baub and his minions?”
“ Qanac, I won’t lie to you if word leaks we’ll be fighting for our lives and we will probably not be victorious. So I’ll say again, tell no one or it’s your own life you’ll be taking as well as your friends,” said Veata boldly as she looked over the crowd.
“ Can I ask when we will leave Parscan and go into space, Queen?” asked Qanac nervously as she put her hand to her chest and sighed.
“ Soon, very soon that is all I can tell you. When the moment arrives a dozen ships will fill our humble sky and then we will hurry onto them. This must be done with the greatest of speed or we risk falling under the blade of Baub. Now my loyal subjects go to your homes and pack with one eye to the skies,” said Veata then the platform flew away.
Meanwhile Ratie was at the Cacob summer games festival meeting with Trabin outside of Proupit. There were 7 huge lakes shaped like diamonds formed when the Saltfair river was dammed by Baub. Most of the homes that had been in those valleys were now mostly covered by water with only a tower or spire poking out of the water. The Cacob had built a huge floating circus with dozens of games and even a maze for people to enjoy. It rose up 50 stories and was made entirely from wood and glass. It had a gradual circular walkway that went from the bottom to the top and made it possible to drive a car right to the top. There were 60 large marble statues of Cudibudies in and around the whole structure.
Cudibudies were a line of children’s furry robots based on the T.V. show of the same name. On the show each of the Cudibudies worked together to create great works of art as well as keep the people of Venben, where they lived, safe from the evil Caplo army that lived in the ground beneath them. Each of the 60 Cudibudies were a different color and bore a resemblance to either a creature like a Baatold or a famous person from the past like the famous barber Vomen P. Torio. The dolls were also robots and could be told to do over 200 tasks.
At the top of the structure there was a 250 foot wide deck and swimming pool in the shape of king Lucern. Around the outside of the pool were wooden chairs cov
ered in thick tied on cushions that would rotate out of the floor when you pressed a button.
Ratie and Trabin rode up the massive structure on a Solisva heading for the top on the walkway. They darted in and out of the many Cacob children and soon after a few minutes were there. They parked the Solisva and Trabin asked warmly,” Are you hungry or thirsty I could have food brought?”
“ A bit yeah, could I get an Orcut wafer and a glass of Dowa’s blood” asked Ratie as she looked out over the landscape and grinned.
“ You got it, just give me a second to punch in your order,” said Trabin then he pressed a pair of buttons on the armrest of one of the deck chairs and then asked brightly,” Alright it’s taken care of. Now why did you want to speak with king Lucern?”
“ It’s a very important matter I must speak with him first before I can tell you. Do you know when he’ll be back?” asked Ratie nervously as she wondered if she should just tell Trabin or wait.
“ I can’t say, what I mean is we don’t know. I was with him searching for the emperor when he sent me back and continued looking by himself. He said he wouldn’t return without the emperor,” said Trabin as he looked off into the distance.
“ The emperor, I know exactly where Famaron is,” said Ratie boldly as she looked at Trabin wide eyed.
“ What, where is he is he alive?” asked Trabin in disbelief as he stared at Ratie.
“ Yes he’s alive, he’s in the Geen city of Vertize. Look, Trabin, is there any way to contact king Lucern its’ urgent?”
“ Ah…yes his cell ring it has an emergency line, but we would have to find a…royal alert computer…I…I think there’s one at the food stand right there behind it follow please,” said Trabin quickly then he stood up and walked hurriedly over to the food stand that was 15 feet down the walkway.
Then he went around behind the square box that had a silver computer on top with black keys and a food dispenser on the front, with steak sticks and Bamshi meatballs which were made from Ormu meat and a rare ancient cheese that gave people a rush. Behind the snack box there was a yellow 4 inch metal and plastic oval shaped phone with a holographic touch pad. Trabin grabbed it and instantly a holographic mountain appeared with king Lucern at the base.
“ I can see him now he’ll get my flare momentarily,” said Trabin as he pressed the touch screen on the picture of king Lucern.
Then King Lucern saw his ring pulse then a hologram of Trabin appeared in front of his hand and Lucern asked,” What is it, Trabin, and it had better be important?”
“ I’ve found the emperor, I’m with someone who has spoken with him. She says he is in the Geen city of Vertize and he is alive and well,” said Trabin happily as he grinned.
Lucern looked around at the sheer mountain he was standing next to and almost fainted as he thought of his friend Famaron. Then he reached out and steadied himself with his right hand against the mountain. He began to weep as his chest grew heavy and then he looked at Trabin and said softly,” Trabin, that’s the best news there is. I can’t I can’t tell you how that makes me feel. What I want you to do is let me speak with this friend of Famaron’s immediately.”
“ She’s right here one second,” said Trabin gleefully as he handed Ratie the phone and then said,” He wants to talk with you.”
“ Hello, Lucern, it’s Ratie how have you been?” asked Ratie with a warm smile as she looked at Lucern.
“ Ratie how did you get mixed up in all this?”
“ It’s a long story, look I have something to tell you it’s about Parscan. I just you ah…we’ve found out she’s going to be destroyed by a catastrophe, Goarote himself told my friend of this. So I’m here to let you know that you have to spread the word thru your people, but you can’t let anyone else know or it will be a massive free for all,” said Ratie honestly as she rubbed her forehead and ran her fingers thru her hair.
“ I believe you, Ratie, you wouldn’t lie not about this. Here’s what I’ll do…I can be back to Proupit in 3 hours once I arrive I’ll tell my people the bad news. Wait for me, Ratie, if you can,” said Lucern sternly as his mind raced thru feelings of pain and hope.
“ I’m sorry, but I have to go to see the Sandu it’s very urgent could you meet me at Dornoa’s castle?” asked Ratie sincerely as she smiled mischievously as Lucern.
“ I’m on my way,” said Lucern then he started to run back to his ship.
Meanwhile Famaron, Solcrist, Ohgood and Pampute were racing thru a carpeted round tunnel filled with Geen artifacts on their way to Veata’s castle. The artifacts were mostly gold statues and diamond jewelry, but there was also tens of thousands of ancient staffs used by the Crusading Embelet, a pack of 50 Geen wizards who went on a massive killing spree after a Geen woman was raped by a Darinvian sheriff after a long night of drinking. The Crusading Embelet was forced underground after their violent tirade until nary a word had been heard from them in 2 centuries.
“ There’s something up ahead in the tunnel. It’s some kind of red light be prepared!” yelled Famaron as he tried to discern what it was.
Then they rode closer and it appeared to be a group of men standing around a glowing statue of the Crusading Embelet wizards. Then as they got close the men turned around to face them and Mahamet Pones raised his staff and glared at Famaron.
Mahamet Pones had silver eyes with tiny Baatolds in red around the pupil. His skin was blue with the occasional black letter s. His head was shaped like a large egg that jutted out in the back with thick curly seal black hair that was all combed forward and looked like a spear in the front. His nose looked like a sack of coins that had been tied to his forehead. He had a red tattoo below each eye of a fist holding a large dagger. He was 5’9” and thinly built. He was wearing a thick tan robe with a brown choker around his neck. He also had on a Morshito bracelet on his left hand. He also had on a pair of silver sneakers he had made himself from stolen leather.
“ You will go no further infidels!” thundered Mahamet as he stood with his seal black staff that had a pulsing red round diamond at the top.
“ We aren’t here to harm you. We were just trying to get to queen Veata’s castle,” said Famaron softly as he kept his eyes on the other wizards then looked at Mahamet and nodded.
“ No, emperor, you have stumbled upon the Crusading Embelet’s hideout. We can’t let you leave here alive or our secret will be exposed. So get your soul ready for the rapture,” said Mahamet snidely as a sinister smile swept across his face.
“ My soul isn’t ready, but I can see yours are,” said Famaron coldly then in a quick motion raised his staff and shouted,” Shieldis torabe kick!”
Then a dome of red and yellow fire encircled Mahamet and his fellow wizards. Mahamet laughed and raised his staff and shouted,” Cornacup be wise!”
Then the dome was stretched by a giant pair of red hands with yellow talons that began pushing it towards Famaron. Solcrist saw this and raised his staff and shouted as he stepped forward,” Your blood be leftor!”
Then a 15 foot tall solid blue rock ball appeared in front of the Dome and as the dome passed over the stone suddenly it sprouted arms and legs and square stone man’s head came out of the rock. Then a hammer came out of the center of it that was made from yellow lava. The stone man grabbed the hammer and said coldly,” None of you will draw another righteous breath!”
Then the stone man hammered one of the wizards and burnt a canal right from the top of his head and out thru his waist. What was left of him fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
“ That should hold them a while, but what do we do now?” asked Ohgood as he watched another wizard get his hands melted away by the hammer.
Famaron looked around and saw there was a tunnel entrance up on the left and said,” Right up there on the side looks like it will keep
us moving forward.”
“ Omane stealin’ dishes!” shouted Mahamet as he waved his staff and avoided the hammer.
Then a red wave of sound, light, and pure unyielding explosive power blew the dome to pieces and sent the stone man flying over Solcrist’s head.
“ We need to fight boys,” said Ohgood and then he shouted,” The sickle of sane!”
Then a pair of 8 foot tall sand soldiers with blue red laser chainmails. They also had grenade belts around their waists as well as 10 shot Mutters. Then the 2 sand soldiers began to run at the wizards with their chainmails swirling above their heads. Mahamet saw this and cast a whisper spell under his breath and was absorbed by the ground beneath him in an instant.
Whisper spells were shape shifting spells that only required a soft whisper and a thought and you become anything from a fleck of dust to a small statue.
The sand soldiers swung and hit a pair of wizards throwing one of them into the right wall without his arms. And the other’s head was severed from his body.
“ Everyone in the Portex, we’re gonna make a break for it,” said Famaron sternly as he jumped inside the Portex.
“ This is so sick,” said Ohgood happily as he watched the Malay then climbed into the Portex.
“ But who’s got the medicine?” asked Solcrist coldly as he climbed in.
In front of the Portex wizards were being killed left and right. The sand soldiers threw a pair of grenades into the crows of wizards and an instant later a ring of white light came out of them as they exploded killing ten of the wizards and sending the remaining 5 flying into the walls.
“ Here’s our chance,” said Famaron boldly then he floored it towards the other tunnel.
Then up out of the tunnel floor rose Mahamet in a whirl of blinding lights and balls of green fire. He raised his staff and shouted,” The depths of sanctity are Plorac!”
Then on either side of the Portex appeared two 9 foot tall Mamois clowns with long bats that had dense uncontrolled magic on the tips that would tear apart your DNA as well as shatter your bones if it hit you. They also had flowers on their chests that would fire lasers if you got too close. Their red rubber noses had the ability to shoot you like a canon ball.
“ Mamois clowns, watch out for the flowers on their chests and the tip of those bats is no picnic either,” said Famaron boldly as he steered the Portex around Mahamet and past the other wizards.
“ The scerge once poured!” shouted Ohgood as he ducked the Mamois’s bat.
Then a dozen 3 foot tall white robed flying gargoyles appeared with long black swords in their hands. The gargoyles began fighting the clowns by stabbing them in the back. Then the clowns batted 2 of the gargoyles simultaneously hitting them with the tips of their bats. This caused them to explode into tiny purple pellets.
“ Here’s our turn,” yelled Ohgood as he watched the clowns.
“ Got it,” said Famaron flatly as he steered into the new tunnel.
The walls of this tunnel were covered in a thick blue and gold royal carpet. It had the crest of Veata on it every 10 feet inside a large gold circle.
“ That’s Veata’s crest, now we’re making progress. If we could just shed these clowns already,” said Famaron then he began swerving side to side.
The gargoyles began stabbing the clowns in the back of the head and with one long thrust went thru one clown’s head and into the driver seat of the Portex cutting open Famaron’s left shoulder. He
winced in pain and jerked the steering wheel almost crashing the Portex into the wall, but veering back at the last second and crushing one clown and 5 gargoyles into flat slabs of flesh.
“ Nice work, there’s only one left, Famaron!” yelled Ohgood enthusiastically as he grinned and patted Famaron’s hurt shoulder.
“ Easy, I’m in a bit of pain here this blood isn’t a form of jam,” said Famaron angrily as he gritted his teeth.
“ Sorry I wasn’t thinking,” said Ohgood nervously as he grinned at Solcrist who just shook his head no and laughed.
“ There’s an opening up ahead, but we really need to lose this clown. Solcrist, fire off a spell I can’t cast on and drive,” said Famaron sternly as he drove with one hand and put pressure on his wound with the other.
“ I agree, you should never drive and use magic at the same time, I learned that lesson the hard way in Pouf, but nevermind,” said Solcrist honestly then he shouted,” Eggcak pon for driving!”
Then 9 robotic Dowa birds appeared above the Portex and dive bombed with their yellow talons out. They careened into the clown and knocked him almost off except for 3 fingers still holding the Portex. Then a gargoyle chopped down with his sword and sliced off the clowns 3 fingers, causing the clown to spiral off into the wall where the Dowa’s tore him to shreds.
“ I didn’t like that clown’s act too political for my tastes,” said Ohgood slyly then he frowned and threw up his hands.
“ Yeah too many screw the government jokes. Guys like that eat too many paint chips. I’ll tell ya what thou,” said Famaron jokingly as he raised his right eyebrow.
“ What thou?” asked Ohgood cautiously as he fought back a smile.
“ He dies like a big city clown, ya know with an air of dignity. The country clowns flail their arms and curse the sun, but that guy he accepted that he was now a heap of flesh on the ground, I wanted to say it, now it said,” said Famaron sarcastically then he fish hooked his cheek with his thumb and it made a popping sound.
“ I agree clowns like that are hard to find. I saw one die once in a potato masher, yelled and screamed the whole time. I’ll tell you what I don’t know,” said Ohgood slowly as he looked sternly at Famaron and Solcrist who was laughing loudly.
“ What’s that?” asked Solcrist in between laughs.
“ I don’t know how a clown finds the humor in life, but not death. A grand teller of chortles and gags should always be right on the edge of laughter even with a long spike in his head. I mean it, I nice it, I thrice it, Gaudeloop,” said Ohgood jokingly as he kept a straight face and looked fiercely at Famaron and Solcrist who were dying laughing.
Then they emerged from the tunnel and drove up a spiral piece of tunnel and then out into the center of Badawos beneath a large wooden statue of Veata.
“ That was easy,” said Ohgood sarcastically as he looked around for Veata.
“ Will wonders always seize to dismay me. Alright then let’s head for the castle and hope she’s there,” said Famaron then he rode around a corner into Sepu square.
“ Trust me old boy, she’s there I have no doubt of this fact as I can see her standing in front of it as we speak, look,” said Solcrist then he pointed to Veata in front of the castle helping a small boy button his shirt and parting his hair.
Then they drove over in front of Veata and stopped and Famaron smiled and asked slyly,” I heard the world was coming to an end do you know a good steak restaurant to ride it out in?”
Veata smiled and said slyly,” I wouldn’t tell you where it is for the fear the emperor might show up, but I’ve plenty of leafy salads in my humble bomb shelter.”
Then Ohgood asked,” Did you see Baub is beginning to destroy the Geen city of Vertize?”
“ What, you’re joking?” asked Veata in disbelief as she caressed the young boy’s cheek.
“ Unfortunately no, he’s gone on the rampage. What we’ll have to do is find Ratie and get those ships from the war vessel shipyard as soon as possible, because he could very well be heading here next,” said Famaron quickly then he scanned the sky.
“ Well I’ve already told my people what is happening and they are packing their things so we will be ready to leave. Now I thought Ratie was supposed to meet us back here right?” said Veata implying a question.
<
br /> “ Ah yes, but we may not be able to wait look in the distance there,” said Famaron as he pointed and then said,” It looks like a dozen battleships coming this way.”
“ I see them, oh no I’ll have to tell my people to flee to the mountain castle Bearun. Give me a moment,” said Veata boldly then she walked over to a large black marble stage and took the
microphone from a band that was performing and said sternly,” My people a great enemy is approaching. I need you to grab what you must and leave here immediately for my castle Bearun. Once you are there wait for me to return with the ships to take us from here. Please run to your homes it is urgent my friends!”
Then every person in Badawos ran into their homes and grabbed what they had planned to take when they left Parscan. After a few minutes they were ready and began fleeing the city on Solisva’s and Flashers as well as large jeeps and trucks that could hover over the ground. Veata ran into her castle and grabbed her staff and the documents of her blood line, as well as her box of Demacio crystals and raced out towards the front.
Demacio crystals had a lump of old magic at their centers that gave the crystal the ability when thrown to create portals thru solid rock, steel, or even marble. This was needed when someone had you cornered and there was no way out.
Famaron had the Portex backed up in front of the castle. Veata came running out with her possessions in hand and Famaron ran over to her and said boldly,” I can help you with these.”
“ Thank you, I can see the ships they’re almost here we must hurry,” said Veata anxiously as she loaded her things into the Portex and kept an eye on the battleships.
Then suddenly missiles and laser blasts hit the far end of the city destroying several statues of Veata. Veata jumped in the Portex and took one last look at Badawos and thought to herself how beautiful it always was in her youth.
“ we’re burning the horizon hold on!” said Famaron boldly then they tore down the road.
Behind them Ohgood saw a laser blast vaporize 30 people in an instant. Then a dozen missiles hit Veata’s castle and destroyed the front half of it sending a plume of smoke into the air. Then the Flashers flew into the city and began picking off the few remaining people one by one.
“ Hey wait ah minute, what about Ratie. She’s supposed to meet us here?” asked Ohgood sternly as he looked at Solcrist then Famaron.
“ She’ll have to use her wits and common sense. Trust me she is very wise. At the very least she’ll try to call the Portex which reminds me we should try to call her. Let’s get a good distance from here first,” said Famaron as he drove the Portex out of Badawos and into the Carnmo country.
Carnmo’s were a black hand shaped vegetable that tasted like apple crisp. They grew on 20 foot high red and turquoise spotted stalks that had blue liquid oozing from them called Pasotic, which was used as a form of nectar for the wildlife.
The Carnmo stalks went for 50 miles in one direction due west and were in thick bunched rows with the base of each stalk being made up of orange balls. The Devers road snaked thru the Carnmo fields heading up a steep hill that had dozens of blue marble round castles on it known as Bamperots. Bamperot was like a tiny city with 16 sometimes 17 generations of Corpion families lived there for centuries.
The Corpion were a people of wealth as they originally had run a huge diamond mine. After centuries of mining the small community took their money and bought a large piece of land outside of Badawos. Although the 2 peoples lived side by side the Corpion never spoke to the people of Badawos as they thought they were beneath them. The patriarch of the Corpion was Mahey Doeru a gregarious
pompous windbag who believed his wealth gave him the right to look down on a or even kill anyone he wanted. Many a missing person’s case seemed to always lead back to him even though it could never be proven. He said once to a Geen reporter,” If I had wanted friends on Parscan I would have bought their mother’s wombs. I always liked enemies better per say. At least if they bothered you their death wouldn’t weigh heavy on your mind.”
As Famaron drove past a pair of 100 foot high Bamperots on either side of the road he reached over and grabbed his staff. Then he pressed a blue metallic button on it and a pack of cigarettes rose out of it and he said slyly,” Sorry, the stress and all.”
“ You could at least share,” said Veata as she gave Famaron a stern look.
“ Of course everyone gets one,” said Famaron as he took out 4 cigarettes then out his in his mouth and gave the rest to Veata.
“ I’ll try calling Ratie on the built in holographic phone on the Portex. It might not work with her Solisva’s communicator,” said Ohgood as he punched in the number and then nothing happened and he said sadly,” I’m not getting anything, boy that really bites.”
Then Veata looked back at Badawos and it was in ruins and engulfed in flames. Then she saw a Flasher coming their way and shouted,” We’ve got company, Famaron!”
Then Ohgood and Solcrist looked back and Solcrist said sharply,” I will handle this, but get us into the Carnmo field quickly, Famaron,” and then Solcrist raised his staff and shouted,” Dreremto draonis tear the sky to pieces!”
Then a red skinned purple headed dragon appeared with a long black sword in both its hands. The dragon flew right at the Flasher and as it did the Flasher began firing laser bursts at it. Meanwhile Famaron drove the Portex into the Carnmo stalks and began driving down a parallel row to the road, but as they did a black triangular barn appeared in front of them.
“ This’ll be fun,” said Famaron sarcastically then they drove into the barn and past 3 Corpion woman who were pilling Carnmo’s and drinking coffee. The women were raven haired and had on long green silk dresses. Famaron smiled nervously and waved to the women as they raced by, but the women stared at him in shock. Then the Portex rode up a ramp and launched out the other side of the barn. They landed on top of a wagon filled with Carnmo’s and crushed them to pieces. Then they righted themselves and continued on then Ohgood said slyly,” I like farming.”
The dragon got blasted in the shoulder by the Flasher and blew off a chunk of its flesh, but the dragon shot a ball of fire from its mouth and burned the right wing in half. Then the Flasher righted itself and shot the dragon’s foot with a laser burst blowing its toes to pieces.
“ It looks like the dragon has slowed them up. I think we should head for the main road it’s the only way to get to the Gamazon forest and get Ratie,” said Veata as she looked at the dragon then Famaron.
“ You got it, hold on,” said Famaron boldly then he took a hard left turn and started running over Carnmo’s left and right.
Several Carnmo’s fell into the Portex so Ohgood grabbed one and took a bite and then sighed and said slyly,” I love Portex service and I love you Carnmo,” said Ohgood as he kissed the Carnmo and then hugged it.
“ I was never that hungry,” said Solcrist firmly as he looked at Ohgood sternly.
“ Don’t pay attention to him Carnmo, he doesn’t know our love he’s old and almost dead. Our love is only just beginning,” said Ohgood softly as he kissed the Carnmo and then bit into it again and said brashly,” Hey, Famaron, run into a wine tree I’m thirsty.”
Meanwhile the dragon pulled back its sword and swung it at the Flasher and split it in half sending the pilots plummeting to the ground as the ship burst into flames. Then Famaron jumped a small ditch and landed on the main road and said,” I thought I left you here.”