As Hank led the rest of the gang through a forest, Sheila heard a twig snap nearby. Turning towards the sound, she saw the figure of the Dungeon Master step out from behind a rock.
Seeing where Sheila was looking, Eric sighed and asked, "Oh, what is it now, oh short one?"
"There is grave danger ahead. Venger is trying to acquire a new weapon to use against the realm. If he claims it, he will be able to conquer not only this world, but yours as well."
Hank gripped his bow tighter and replied, "Then we'll just have to destroy it. Where is it, Dungeon Master?"
"It has not yet been built, Ranger," Dungeon Master said and pointed at him. "And, you may find that saying to destroy the weapon will be far easier than it is in heart as well as in action."
Sheila shivered as she asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Looking at the red haired girl, Dungeon Master replied, "In time you may find out. The weapon might bring you closer together or tear you apart."
Walking away from the group, the wizened gnome called out, "Do not destroy things wantonly. You may find that it might be the key in solving a problem."
Hank ran towards Dungeon Master, who stepped through some bushes.
"Dungeon Master, wait. Where do we go from here?"
Hank broke through the bush and saw that the guide to the realm had vanished.
Presto said, "Well, here we go again. I wonder what Dungeon Master meant that the weapon would be hard to destroy in heart as well as action."
Shivering, Sheila replied, "I don't know and really don't want to think about it."
"Sis, are you all right?" Bobby asked. "Do you have a cold."
"No, Bobby. I guess I'm just nervous, that's all."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A black tower stood in a blasted wasteland. Looking through a window, an eight-foot tall man-like figure watched as a huge device was being dragged into his castle by orcs.
"Shadow Demon," Venger called.
A bat-winged shadow papered beside Venger.
"Yes, master?"
"How long before the device is ready?"
"In two days the kobolds will have it set up properly, but as to ready...I'm not sure."
Red eyes narrowed in a blue face.
"Explain."
"We lack appropriate materials and a pattern."
"Gather up broken weapons and use them for materials," Venger ordered. "I will get a pattern for the device."
"Master, wait."
"What is it, Shadow Demon?" Venger demanded.
Swallowing hard, the shade replied, "We can only use a pattern once and even with the materials, we only have the one staff."
"Then I shall have to settle for just one, then. Tell the orcs, I'm going to need them."
"Master?"
"I have chosen the pattern I want to use. I'm going to need them to help me claim it."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In the forest, Hank found a cave where the group could discuss the new problem. As soon as they were all in the cave, he started talking.
"We have to find that weapon first and make sure Venger doesn't get it."
Sheila asked, "But how? You heard Dungeon Master, he said it hasn't been built yet."
"That's it!" Eric exclaimed. "Venger isn't hunting for a weapon, he's building it."
"You might be right, Eric. And that means, we have to find Venger."
"That's a switch," Diana put in. "We're hunting Venger."
Hank looked out the cave and declared, "Let's get moving. We've got a lot of ground to cover."
The gang filed out of the cave and started hiking westwards towards Venger's citadel. After about an hour of walking, the kids heard snorting sounds coming from all around them.
"Orcs!" Hank cried out and pulled out his energy bow.
The rest of the kids prepared their weapons for the upcoming battle. While the battle was going on, Venger hovered above the melee.
Venger gathered energy in his hand and held it ready for throwing. He waited until he saw the kids were spread out, due to the combat. He tossed his fireballs into the melee, scattering the gang even further. Once he had spread them out as far as he could, he concentrated firing blasts at the Thief. Before she could pull her cloak over her head, Sheila was grabbed by Shadow Demon.
"Master, I've got her," the shadow creature called.
"Good," Venger said. "Leave the others. We have what we came for."
Walking up to Sheila, Venger cast a sleep spell on her and nodded in satisfaction as the red head fell asleep. Picking up the Thief, he draped her across his Nightmare, in front of the saddle.
Getting on his steed, Venger took to the air with his hostage. He looked down upon the rest of the kids.
"Do not try and stop me, Ranger. Or, your friend is finished."
"Come back here you bozo and release my sister," Bobby called out.
Venger paid no attention as he directed his black horse towards his home.
Bobby cried out, "SHEILA!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Coming to, Sheila noticed that she was strapped on a table in front a very complex looking machine. Looking carefully, she saw that the table was part of the machine and would slide into it.
"So Thief, you're awake," Venger said, as he looked at dials on the side of the machine.
"What are you going to do with me?"
Venger picked up an odd looking staff and showed it to Sheila. The staff was made up of two lengths of metal, two large blue crystal balls and a weird blunt axe shaped head.
"This staff came from another world. It has huge amounts of power in it, but I can not access it. That is what I need you for. Using you, I shall gain access to the staff's powers and use them to conquer the realm."
Sheila stated, "I'm not going to help you."
"You have no choice," Venger said as he started the machine up and placed the staff next to her.
The table that Sheila was strapped on was pulled into the interior of the machine. Once she was inside the device, her body started tingling. She felt needles seek out her exposed skin and inject her with something. Soon, she felt the back of her skirt being pulled away. Sheila felt a sharp, sudden pain in her lower back and passed out.
Standing outside the machine, Venger looked at the readouts.
"It will be a while before she is ready," Venger muttered.
Walking towards the chamber doors, he called out, "Shadow Demon, do not let the rest of Dungeon Master's pupils get in."
"As you command."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Outside Venger's citadel, Hank and Eric peered out from behind boulders at the building.
"This is nuts," Eric complained. "Why did Venger grab Sheila?"
"I don't know, but I intend to find out."
Eric sighed, "We'd better hurry. I don't know how long Diana and Presto will be able to keep short stuff restrained."
The two boys carefully threaded their way through the boulders and soon found themselves in front of the castle gates, which were closed.
"Any ideas, fearless leader?"
Hank looked around and spotted a window. "There."
The Ranger fired off a shot form his energy bow and a glowing yellow rope formed. The rope was attached to the roof of the window and led to the ground.
"Good thing Venger doesn't go in for glass," Eric commented.
"We're here to rescue Sheila and destroy that weapon, not comment on Venger's decor," Hank countered.
Eric quieted down and climbed up after Hank. The two boys were inside and started looking around.
"So, where do you think Venger has her?" Eric asked.
Hank quickly fired his bow and the yellow arrow tied itself around Shadow Demon, holding him.
"There."
The pair entered the room and saw the machine that was in its center. Lights on the side of the device turned green and a table slid out from its interior. The two boys could barely contain their excitement, but they did. They quickly ran over and tried to gently shake Sheila awake. She did not respond. Eric picked up the staff that was lying next to here and looked at it.
"Weird looking staff. Should I break it?"
Hank started to nod and then stopped.
Shaking his head, Hank replied, "Remember what Dungeon Master said? Bring it with us."
"What about Sheila? Venger must have a spell on her."
"Maybe Presto can break it," Hank said slowly, as he picked her up.
Eric looked dubious but didn't comment.
Hank went down on one knee before he righted himself and got back on both feet.
"Something wrong?" Eric asked.
"No. Sheila weighs more than what I expected."
Looking around, Eric saw Shadow Demon struggling to get loose and a lever on one side of the wall. Confirming his suspicions, Eric ran over to the lever.
"This is the way out," Eric said as he pulled the lever.
The metal doors on one side of the wall opened up to the outside. Not even bothering to comment on his actions, Hank ran out the door carrying Sheila in his arms. Eric quickly followed.
Between breaths, Hank called, "That was stupid, Eric."
"If Shadow Demon got loose or an orc spotted us, we wouldn't even have this much of a chance."
Hank shook his head and ran on. 'Apparently, we caught Venger napping this time.'
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In a cave near the citadel, Diana, Presto, Uni, and Bobby were waiting for Eric and Hank to return. Or at least Presto and Diana were.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Bobby was saying as he struggled in Diana's grip. "I have to rescue Sheila."
Diana sighed and said, "Bobby, stealth is required. You just can't go charging up to Venger and demand that he hand your sister back."
"But, I want to help," Bobby complained.
"We all do," Presto said. "But, this isn't something either of us are all that good at."
"He's right, Bobby," Hank said as he entered the cave, carrying Sheila's limp form.
Laying Sheila down on the ground, Hank stretched his sore arms.
"You succeeded," Diana exclaimed happily.
"More or less," Eric replied as he entered, carrying the weird staff.
"What does that mean?" Diana asked.
"Sheila!" Bobby cried as he ran towards his sister.
After a few minutes, Bobby realized something was wrong with his sister.
Shaking her, Bobby pleaded, "Sheila. Wake up. Please wake up. Sheila."
Putting the staff down, Eric ran his hand through his hair and said, "That's the less part. We think Venger has put a spell on Sheila. Hank's hoping that Presto can break it."
"Break one of Venger's spells?" Presto said in surprise. "I don't know if I can."
Bobby tugged on Presto's robes and said, "Please try."
Pretso pulled off his hat and started chanting.
"Enough of this fun, Venger's spell be undone."
Purple light flared from Presto's hat and settled on Sheila. The light pulsed and faded away. Sheila was still unconscious.
"Maybe we could get a prince to kiss her," Diana speculated.
Hank replied, "I don't think Venger would make it that easy."
"I think we'd better get going as well. Venger isn't going to like us breaking into his home," Eric said.
"Eric's right. Presto, you carry the staff. Diana, Eric and I will take turns carrying Sheila."
"I want to help," Bobby said as Uni bleated beside him.
Eric replied, "Sorry short stuff. You might be strong, but you're too small for this kind of job."
Hank knelt down and looked Bobby in the eye. "You will be helping. When Eric or I are carrying Sheila, you'll have to carry our weapons. Good enough?"
Bobby nodded.
Handing his bow to Bobby, Hank carefully picked Sheila up.
"Right then. We have to find someplace secluded where Venger can't find us. Any ideas?"
Eric said, "Demodragon."
"What was that, Eric?" Diana asked.
"Why don't we take refuge at that fortress? We can figure out this mess there."
"Too far away and while we're travelling through the Dustlands, we're too exposed."
Eric responded, "Let's just get moving. We'll figure out a place later. Venger will expect us to head back East. Let's go North or South instead."
"South," Hank declared.
The gang pressed Southward, concerned about what Venger did to their friend.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Venger was furious. He looked down at the bound Shadow Demon in anger.
"Explain yourself, Shadow Demon."
"Master, they approached by stealth and caught me off guard."
"The Barbarian does not know how to be stealthy."
"He wasn't with them. It was just the Ranger and the Cavalier."
Venger blasted the bonds that held Shadow Demon.
"Take the orcs and find them, before they figure out how to use the staff."
Shadow Demon bowed and fled the area, leaving Venger to his thoughts.
Venger muttered, "Shadow Demon is worthless as a guard. I'll have to find a decent guard soon."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Walking in front of the group, Hank looked back and asked, "Any change?"
Diana, carrying Sheila, shook her head. "No. She's still out of it."
"Not good," Hank replied. "It'll be dark soon. We'd better find some shelter."
Looking around, Presto pointed with the staff at an old cabin.
"How about there?"
"I'll be right back," Hank said, as he headed towards the cabin.
Before he made it to the cabin, he spotted two stone statues on the ground.
"It's safe," Hank called back. "It's the cabin where Sir Lawerence was staying."
"How can you be sure?" Eric called back.
Hank waited until the group caught back up with him. As soon as they did, he pointed at the ground.
"You and Bobby won't recall these, but Diana and Presto would."
Diana looked at the statues and said, "The Phantom Stalkers Queen Zin sent after us."
The gang made their way inside the abandoned cabin. Upon entering, Diana put Sheila on the bed. Bobby grabbed his sister's hand and looked on in concern.
"Sheila will be all right, won't she?" Bobby pleaded.
"I don't know, Bobby," Hank said. "We don't know what Venger did to her."
"I think we need to get cleaned up, before we do anything else," Diana said.
Looking at the staff, Presto commented, "Funny."
Hank asked, "What is it, Presto?"
"This staff has four prongs on one end. Three of the prongs are in a triangle shape, while the fourth is off to one side," Presto replied, while tapping the prongs.
Presto put the staff down and shrugged.
"Don't worry about it," Hank responded. "We'll figure it out later. Diana's suggestion is a good one. There's a stream nearby. We'll get cleaned up there."
Diana said, "I'll take care of Sheila's clothes. Sheila herself isn't all that dirty."
Hank nodded and led Bobby outside as Presto and Eric followed. Careful not to hurt her friend, Diana carefully started to remove Sheila's outer garments. Turning Sheila on her side, Diana caught sight of something that was hidden by the purple skirt that Sheila always wore.
"What is that?"
Diana carefully poked at a metal ring that was set flush in Sheila's lower back, through the light blue swimsuit. Inside of the ring, was an indentation of a red colored material. Looking at the material, Diana saw four holes. Three of the holes were patterned in a triangle form and the fourth was a bit to one side. Diana snapped up the staff and looked at the end.
"The prongs are in the same pattern as those holes," Diana said.
A cold chill swept through Diana as a horrible suspicion came to her.
She ran outside, still holding the staff, and called, "Hank? Come here. I think you'd better see this."
Hank came running up. He was busy pulling on his tunic.
"What is it Diana?"
"It has to deal with this staff. I think I know how we can wake Sheila up."
"That's great. I'll tell Bobby."
"No. I think you'd better see something first."
Hank was puzzled as he followed Diana into the cabin. He saw that Sheila was lying on her side with her skirt up and exposing the blue bathing suit underneath. Hank started to blush, when Diana walked over and tapped at the red hole in Sheila's lower back.
"The holes in this socket match the prongs of that staff. I think we have to put the staff in this hole to wake Sheila up."
"It's a good thing Eric didn't break the staff," Hank muttered.
Hank took the staff from Diana and looked at the prongs. Taking a deep breath he inserted the staff into the socket in Sheila's back. With a loud click it snapped into place. When the staff was inserted, Sheila stiffened up a bit, but nothing else.
Hank shook his head, "Nothing happened."
He slammed his fist down on one side of the axe blade, which turned. Sparks of light showed up in the spheres of the staff and a clicking sound came from Sheila.
Diana recalled something Dungeon Master said, "You may find it is the key in solving a problem. That thing is a key. A wind-up key and Sheila is..."
Diana choked as she couldn't finish the sentence.
Hank didn't bother as he gripped the axe handle and started rotating the staff. Hank was aware of electrical fire playing around him as he was turning the staff. He paid it no mind, as it wasn't harming him. After the tenth full revolution, that staff stopped and Sheila shuddered. Hank pulled the staff out and waited.
"No," Sheila cried as she hugged herself and sobbed.
"Sheila, you're awake," Diana said.
"I wish this was a dream," Sheila said between sobs.
"Sheila, what did Venger do to you?" Hank asked.
"You know part of it, but I don't want to talk about it."
"But...," Hank began
Diana held up a hand and interrupted, "I think we'd better give her some time to herself."
Hank nodded and was about to leave, when Sheila's voice stopped him.
"Hank, please leave the staff," Sheila said, as she held an arm out behind her.
Hank handed the red head the odd looking staff and left. Diana, after taking a concerned look at Sheila, followed. After they left, Sheila brought the staff in front of her and hugged it, sobbing.
"How can I go on like this?"
"You will find a way," Dungeon Master's voice answered.
"Why didn't you warn me?" Sheila asked, not turning around.
"It would not have done any good," Dungeon Master replied, sadly. "Your greatest challenge awaits you, child. I hope you're ready."
"No riddles? It might take my mind off of-of-of..."
"I understand. Your greatest enemy must be defeated, but it isn't the obvious one. Through loss you will achieve victory."
"Dungeon Master, wait. What is the name of these lands that are now in my memory."
"El-Hazard is the name of the world. As to the individual countries, you already know their names. That machine gave you that as well as other information, abilities, and skills."
Sheila said nothing. She soon noted that Dungeon Master had vanished. Sheila, still holding the staff, got up off the bed and wiped tears from her eyes.
"I'd better go meet with the rest of the gang. I'm going to have to do it sooner or later."
Gripping the staff tightly, Sheila walked out of the cabin. Stopping outside, she soon heard the gang in the river nearby. Sheila headed in that direction and stepped in plain view of everyone. The gang stopped what they were doing and stared at her.
"Sheila!" Bobby yelled as he ran out of the river bed, wearing swim trunks.
The young boy hugged Sheila's legs and said, "It's good to see you back."
Sheila knelt down and hugged Bobby with one hand. Her other hand still gripped the staff.
"Are you all right, sis? What happened?"
Sheila shook her head and replied, "Somewhat. I don't really want to talk about it."
"But...," Bobby began.
Diana interrupted, "She'll tell us when she's ready."
"If I'm ever ready," Sheila whispered to herself.
Hank had taken time to put on his clothes and was now approaching. He was soon standing next ot Sheila.
Hank whispered, "Diana convinced me not to say anything, but it's going to come out sooner or later."
"I know," Sheila whispered back. "Thanks for not saying anything."
Letting go of her brother, she stood back up and saw the others staring at her. Curiosity was on their faces. Sheila shook her head and leaned the staff against her shoulder. Before anyone could say anything a group of orcs burst upon the scene. Except Sheila, the gang rushed to the riverbank to get their weapons. They were stopped by orcs standing in their way.
Flitting in, Shadow Demon said, "The master will be pleased we have got the young ones as well as their weapons."
"Shadow Demon!" Sheila yelled.
Hearing his name, the shadow creature turned and then recoiled in fear. Sheila was marching towards him with the prong end of the staff pointing in his direction.
"Retreat," Shadow Demon ordered. "She's awake."
The captain of the orcs snorted and replied, "Retreat? From one little girl? Forget it."
Shadow Demon didn't bother to respond as he was already flying away as fast as he could. The captain charged at Sheila with scimitar above his head. Sheila stepped back a bit and brought the other side of the staff to bear and hit the captain across the face with it.
"Shadow Demon was right," Sheila told the unconscious orc as she pointed the prong end of the staff at the orcs.
With an emotionless expression on her face, Sheila rotated at the waist as beams of light shot forth from the prongs on the end of her staff. The rapid-fire explosions coming from a girl chased the rest of the orcs off.
Sheila knelt down on the ground, hugging the staff. Her friends looked on in shock.
Through sobs, Sheila whispered, "Destroy me."
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(Posted Mon, 26 Jun 2006 22:45)
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