Hey! Welcome to “The Horn of Undoing”, my latest Onevision for your reading pleasure! This is a standalone tail and encompasses a wide range of LMBers. However, to see the earliest appearances of the villain alliance antagonizing the LMB in this thread, check out “The Psionic Spear”.
Enjoy, - Cobie
[ April 05, 2007, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Oh, brave world, prepare and forlorn, A great strife upon you, for which you will mourn, Destroying with its might, The grave spear of night, It will be your undoing, this awful horn
“It’s the grain supply! They’re going after the grain supply!” yelled Lightning Lad, as he opened up the side door to the LMB cruiser and leapt out into the sky, feeling the turbulence hit him back in the face. He hadn’t been to his home planet in quite awhile, and now his first action upon feeling its warm air again would be to let loose a cascade of lightning down below, attempting to blast back the malcontents.
“Not today, Legionnaire,” replied Middlefinger, as she pointed her armor-covered hands up at him and replied in kind, sending a wave of hard-light energy at him, deep red in color and destructive in touch.
The Space Terrorists, as the United Planets called them, were midway through their seventh attack in half as many weeks, terrorizing the United Planets from location to location with no single pattern in mind. The aforementioned Middlefinger VIII’; Déjà Vu, master assassin; Salad-Tosser Lord, brilliant mad scientist; Pillum, warrior-born survivor of the war planet Ggrrgg and their leader, the Trumpeter, perhaps one of the most evil men in the history of the multiverse.
And now they were destroying the grain fields of Winath, setting them ablaze as hard-working Winathians scrambled for their lives.
“I’ve got you,” said Outdoor Miner, teleporting two young workers to safety before the blazing grass could reach them. “This is madness…” he said softly.
“Not madness Miner,” replied Tamper Lad, who was next to Outdoor Miner as he appeared, “but as calculating as all the other attacks. They’re attempting to destroy, or at least put a major dent in, the United Planet’s food supply. And though they won’t starve the UP population, it will certainly put an extreme hamper on the intergalactic economy…”
“Less talk, more action guys,” said Arachne, swinging into the fray, as she saw Déjà Vu up ahead. She immediately grew from her spider form into full human form once more, and releases her webs upon her enemy, she landed a swift punch into the female assassins jaw. “You’re hurting a lot of people,” said Arachne, “there better be some reasoning behind this—and I want to hear it when you’re in jail.”
“Unforunately, no,” said a voice, as Pillum, the Ggrrggian master spearman released a spear at Arachne, which pulled debris and fiery grass along with it as it created a suction as it moved. Evidently, the Trumpeter and Salad-Tosser Lord did not wait in arming their newest recruit.
“Look out Arachne!” said Dedman, leaping into the path and taking the spear through the chest. Living up to his old Cannon-Fodder Kid moniker, he felt the full brunt of the spear, which exploded in his chest, followed by a wave of debris and fire down upon him. He began to fade, knowing he’d reappear shortly, though the anger at seeing such an event did not.
“You’ll pay for that,” said Arachne, standing before Pillum, who reached for another high-tech spear around his back.
“Not today,” said yet another voice, as Salad-Tosser Lord suddenly appeared with Middlefinger and grabbed Pillum, pulling him back as Middlefinger flew them away. Arachne turned and she, Outdoor Miner and Tamper Lad saw why: the Trumpeter was here, and stood before them now with the Horn of Undoing, the awful Spear of Night created decades ago at the start of the Long Three Way War, which recently ended in a completely mutual assured destruction.
The Trumpeter had used the horn on Winath and began the immense destruction of its fields and crops—decades of work immediately leveled and burnt to the ground, the Horn’s sole purpose, to undo reaching its full potential. The Trumpeter was elated—feeling a warm sensation from the use of the weapon. He must not tarry longer…but the opportunity to destroy a cadre of Legionnaires was too great an opportunity to pass up. He prepared to blow the horn…
“NO!” yelled Spellbinder, the sixth and final member of this squad, as she used her telekinesis to erect a shield long enough for Outdoor Miner to grab the two LMBers and port out, regrouping with Lightning Lad and the Princess, who were not far off. The horn’s music ripped apart the telekinetic spear and the place where the LMBers had stood, and the chaos caused blurriness so that the two opposing forces lost sight of one another. When the blurriness faded, the villains were gone.
“Dammit!” said Lightning Lad. “Gone. Again. Its that damn horn…”
“Now what?” said Outdoor Miner, wiping the dirt from his face.
“We wait for Deddy, I surmise,” replied Tamper Lad, “and try to find a pattern to their attacks, and begin again…”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Roll Call: Caliente, Eryk Davis Ester, Lash Lad, Rockhopper Lad (Deputy Leader)
Braal Three weeks ago (United Planets time)…
“Welcome to the Super-Terrorists Madrox!” said Déjà Vu sarcastically, as she blasted a Braalian Union leader through the back. “Hope you survive the experience!”
“With a name like that,” replied the Multiple Durlan, “I may wish I don’t. Super-Terrorists? Space Terrorists? The media has no imagination anymore…” he said with a grin, as he used his Durlan arms to turn into giant blades, and slashed apart the large metallic buildings before him. He cloned himself quickly into eight more additional Durlans, and they walked forward, leaving a path of destruction in their wake.
“Excellent,” said Middlefinger, moving forward. “Another easily missed secret of the United Planets laid before us,” she said, undoubtedly grinning underneath her metallic armor, which covered her body completely and left her identity a secret, even to other members of her terrorist unit, save its leadership. “The fleets of the UP military need metallic furnishing to work properly. I can hardly see how they would function without them.”
“Especially with a war going on,” said Pillum grimly, as he unleashed his electro-magnetic pulse spear into a factory, causing it to implode. His cold anger was apparent for all to see—he still blamed the United Planets and the LMB for the mass slaughter of his people, though in truth it was the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
“Super-villains are so cute when their uppity,” laughed Lash Lad, suddenly swinging into battle with his whip, and leaping onto Pillum. “Shotgun on the guy with the cute butt!” he laughed.
“Gee, thanks Lash,” said Caliente, unleashing fire at the Madrox clones that turned to face her. “I’ll take the mean looking Durlan that will probably turn into something gross.”
“That leaves you for me, Middlefinger,” said Rockhopper Lad, the deputy leader of the LMB, who led them into battle, “and maybe we can get a look under that mask this time!” As he leapt at her to land a kick into her armor, he used his newly realized super-breath to cool down the hot burning metal that was in danger of starting a very serious chemical fire.
Déjà Vu scrambled closer to her allies, and pulled out her blaster. “You’re getting sloppy LMB, sending so few against us. Or is it we’re simply spreading you too thin? I think I like that notion better…” she smiled.
“Jeepers!” said Eryk Davis Ester, the last member of the small squad. “Don’t you know we only have squads in even numbers? There’s more drama and tension in between battles that way!” Eryk’s luck lord suddenly appeared, and flew around the blazing factories, beginning to put them out.
“All the same, Legionnaires,” replied Middlefinger, blasting at a factory where workers were still scrambling, putting them in direct danger. “I’d rather we continue this discussion another day.” Quickly, as Rockhopper Lad and Lash Lad turned to help the bystanders, Middlefinger regrouped with Pillum, Déjà Vu and Madrox, who turned into a space-Condor and they made their exit.
As the Luck Lord turned to put out more fires, Eryk turned to Caliente. “She was right. We’re spread too thin suddenly, by not knowing where they’ll turn up next. This needs to end. Soon.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Deep Space – Aboard an LMB Cruiser
“I should be out there with you,” said Kid Marvel over the Omnicom, who was still stationed at Legion World. Kid Marvel was the current leader of the LMB, and he was speaking directly with Rockhopper Lad, his deputy leader, though other LMBers were on the line.
“I wish you could be, Joey,” replied Rockhopper Lad. “But you know you’re needed at Legion World. With various members of the LMB spread throughout space, we need at least a few on Legion World, and since you’re leader, you’re doing the most good there.” Beside Rockhopper Lad was his small squadron of Lash Lad, Eryk Davis Ester and Caliente.
“Besides, your powers are great enough to add the extra protection there we need,” said Eryk now. “Just in case. The number of Legionnaires currently on Legion World is dangerously small.”
“But absolutely necessary,” said a voice over the omnimcom, which was Lightning Lad. Knowing full well that a Legion World Founder would ease the small amount of guilt that the LMBers felt for leaving Legion World under defended, he wanted to nip that in the bud immediately. He was with the same group he had been with for six weeks now: Spellbinder, Tamper Lad, Arachne, Outdoor Miner and Dedman. “Originally we hoped the six of us had a chance of catching the Trumpeter’s little crew, but we’ve had no luck. Its annoying me. Their plan is obvious: disrupt the functions of the UP, interrupt its supply of goods and materials…we get all that. But there is no real pattern there. Just complete terrorism with places picked in random. I’m glad you formed that task force Rocky.”
“Thanks,” said Rockhopper Lad.
Four weeks earlier it became apparent that the Trumpeter and his band of terrorists were posing a far bigger threat than the LMB first realized. Following the events of the ‘Psionic Spear’, the Trumpeter had launched a series of terrorist attacks throughout the United Planets at random, each one crippling some part of the economy and normal functions of the UP. To make matters extremely worse, the United Planets was now in the midst of a full scale war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus, following the massive destruction of the people of Ggrrgg, Kerissia and the Mind-Flayer world. This was severly hurting their war effort.
The LMB was spread extremely thin, and the six LMBers dedicated specifically to catching the Trumpeter would need help. So Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad agreed that Rocky would have a small task force for additional support—unfortunately, despite the LMB’s extremely large numbers, a taskforce of four additional Legionnaires was all that could be mustered. Some LMBers were on various missions, some engaged in other activities, and of course, some were always needed on Legion World. Actor Lad and Kent Shakespeare were on a diplomatic mission to Weber’s World, while Cobalt Kid was taking personal time to visit the ruined remains of his home planet Ggrrgg. One couldn’t ask one of them to drop what they were doing to help. And there was always the LMBers at the now permanent station on the fringes of the UP/Khanate War, though this topic was highly debated among the LMB.
“It’s the horn,” said Spellbinder over the omnicom. “We need to take the horn from the Trumpeter, and we’ll be taking more than half his power base. We need to do it soon too, before he changes that ratio by adding more.”
“Agreed,” said Lash Lad. “Madrox the Multiple Durlan has reared his ugly head again. He’s always popping up unexpectedly, like a bad case of –“
“We also have reports,” said Rockhopper Lad smiling at Lash Lad as he cut him off before Lash said something more colorful, “that the Arch Duke of Time is currently in this century and has joined them as well. His time-ship was spotted in a satellite photo of the Trumpeter’s ship, Cacophony. That makes seven of them that we know about right now. We still don’t know why the Trumpeter is in our universe and we also do not know the identity of this new Middlefinger.”
“We do know she killed the last Middlefinger, however,” said Eryk, “keeping that odd tradition alive. One would think that would be a bad move, since if you become a Middlefinger, you’re essentially lining yourself up to be killed by the next one…” he trailed off, noticing the others looking at him with raised eyebrows. “Er, right. Go on.”
“All you can do is keep looking, and try to cut them off before their next target,” said Kid Marvel. “Tamper Lad will continue to find a pattern, while Mystery Lad does that here on Legion World full-time. I’ve alerted Abin and Vee in the Yyngig Sector of Space, which once housed the now lifeless planets of Ggrrgg, Kerissia and the Mind-Flayers. At this time, though, they can confirm there has been no further contact between the Trumpeter and the Khanate of Sol Invictus.”
“Well, then,” said Lightning Lad, “good luck everyone. Hopefully we’ll be able to find a way to draw this to a close…before the Trumpeter starts doing whatever it is he truly is here to do…”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Deep Space – Aboard The Cacophony (the Trumpeter’s Cruiser)
“So now you see, my friend, that what we have planned is so much more than meets the eye,” said Salad-Tosser Lord with a smile, taking great delight in his sense of cleverness.
“I do,” replied the Arch Duke of Time, “and you and the Trumpeter are very convincing. I will join you in this cause, since the UP and the LMB have been nothing but a hindrance to me my entire life. You can consider me a partner.” The Arch Duke of Time was a very calculating and smart enemy, and was much older than the rest. In truth, this was because he was a time-traveler who had lived most his life in other centuries. He was actually the rogue son of Cobalt Kid and Debauchery Damsel, taken by Dr. Albert Hoffman and the Time Mouse Trapper, who was raised to hate the LMB and Cobalt Kid especially, whom he considered responsible for the death of his mother (in truth, it was Dr. Albert Hoffman himself, who was now also dead). He was a powerful ally to have on one’s side.
“That is all well and good,” said Pillum, sat put his foot on a chair next to them and pulled off his quiver full of spears. “But when are we going to get to our real goals? We’ve been terrorizing the UP for weeks. I want to make them pay.”
“Yeah,” said Madrox the Multiple Durlan, “I’m not even sure I understand our goals. But I have a score to settle with the Legion myself, after what they recently put me through. I believed I was really going to die this time…”
“We’ll get to them soon enough,” said the Trumpeter entering the room with Déjà Vu, and all immediately were silent. There was a nervous feeling that suddenly went around, and many were ill at ease in the presence of the Trumpeter. “But as for now, we are proceeding precisely as planned. To rush things would be to foul it up, as you must have learned by now, Madrox,” he added, referring to Madrox’s very numerous losses to the LMB. “Isn’t that right my dear?” he smiled at Déjà Vu.
She nodded, her emotions cold, but Pillum could almost sense that she wasn’t at ease either in his presence. “The Trumpeter is right,” she said. “We must wait. Now isn’t the time…”
“An interesting power that one has,” whispered the Arch Duke of Time to Salad-Tosser Lord. “I have some experience with time. Is she reaching into the future to see when the time is right? Is that why we’re waiting?” he asked. Salad-Tosser Lord shrugged. Evidently that information was not given freely.
“We have one additional major stop before we begin our true goals,” said Middlefinger. There would be hours on end when she would not speak, so to hear her suddenly was also unnerving. She was still shrouded in mystery among the newcomers. “Then we can proceed. And they’ll never guess where we intend to make that stop,” she said coldly. Madrox prepared to laugh out loud expecting the others to, but none did. Middlefinger was all business, and he realized he’d do well to remember that. He wondered who she could be…?
“We’ll wait then,” said Pillum, who had begun the conversation. He was not the leader here, but he had many leadership qualities about him. Though still young, he was destined to be a master general and politician on Ggrrgg—before the planet was ravaged. “You’ve given me no reason to doubt you yet, Trumpeter. I only care about the terror we bring to the UP, and the eventual destruction of a small handful of Legionnaires who took away my glory.”
“A small handful?” said the Trumpeter. “No, Pillum. Much more than that. All of them.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World The Capital Planet of the United Planets, Weber’s World is an artificial planet designed to function as the diplomatic hub of all of the United Planet’s membership, as well as other sectors of space that have relationships or problems with the United Planets.
“Well, here we are,” said Actor Lad to Kent Shakespeare. “Back at Weber’s World, though this time under much easier circumstances.” The two walked down the hallways of Weber’s World toward the central hub, where most of the politicians and ambassadors were gathering for the daily dinner. Each night on Weber’s World was filled with political conversations, deals being made and alliances shifting. Such was the nature of the politics there. But for Actor Lad and Kent Shakespeare, this was nowhere near as stressful as the last time they visited Weber’s World at the same time—which was when the had recently been elected leader and deputy leader of the LMB. There term had since ended months ago, and though both had been back separately, this was the first time they had returned together.
“Indeed,” said Kent, “evidently we made a good impression on them. The UP is insisting that the LMB have some sort of voice, or presence at least, in regards to the war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus, and we are two of the more requesting Legionnaires to attend these things. Faraway Lad must have drank all their port last time,” he joked, knowing that it was very common for Faraway Lad to be at these types of events.
“I’m not sure we should be here,” said Actor Lad. “This doesn’t seem like an LMB problem. I don’t know if we should be so deeply involved in the Intergalactic politics and wars.”
This was the heart of the debate that raged within the LMB at the moment, though it had remained contained. Kent, on the other hand, disagreed with Actor on general principle, but had his own ideas of the level of involvement. The current leadership was more inclined to stay involved and help the UP in their efforts against the Khanate—though not as soldiers. The UP military was for that. But Kid Marvel and Rockhopper Lad had witnessed the atrocities of the Khanate of Sol Invictus first hand, which included the annihilation of Ggrrgg, Kerissia and the Mind-Flayer home planet, so there would be a beach head for an invasion into the UP someday in the future.
But Kent did not necessarily disagree with the leaders. He knew there were some—Cobalt Kid being the most outspoken and famous—who felt the LMB should be directly involved in these types of matters. Kent somewhat agreed. The LMB was chartered by the United Planets, not Legion World. They owed the entire United Planets protection and service, and many Legionnaires would do well to remember that.
Actor Lad leaned more towards staying out of politics and intergalactic wars and had his own ideas of where the LMB should be. He and Reboot valued the protection of Legion World and innocents, but could hardly see the justification of the UP’s own military force preparing an illegal entry into the Khanate with the LMB present. It wasn’t that they were against the war; they were against the Legion as soldiers.
In truth, both positions were right, and both had mutual concerns. Which is precisely why the LMB leadership, along with the LMB Founders, chose them to go to Weber’s World together.
“Legionnaires! A pleasure to see you,” said a voice, which they saw as Admiral Cornwallis, the head of the UP military. He had some familiarity with the LMB over the years and respected and liked them immensely. Opinion of him varied among the LMB, though he was generally an honest man who cared loved the United Planets greatly. Some of his views were more extreme, and Actor Lad didn’t necessarily care for him. Kent didn’t mind him, but considered him slightly arrogant. Both would have to put that aside for now.
“Admiral,” said Actor Lad, using his super-acting quickly, “the pleasure is ours. We’ve just arrived here tonight,” he added.
“Splendid,” replied the Admiral, shaking Actor Lad’s hand, then Kent’s. “Allow me to introduce you to our Prime Minister, Maya adi Lva, whom I do not believe either of you have met. She was elected Prime Minister of the UP around the same time you Legionnaires elected your own new leaders. I would say she’s had quite the eventful first few months.”
“Indeed,” she said with a nod, looking both exhausting, but inquisitive to the LMB. The LMB were always something UP politicians wanted to know more about. She was a light tan skinned female, one of the Terran off-shoots, and had black here with yellow slivers throughout it. She was older than the Legionnaires by a decade or two. “I’m always pleased to meet the acquaintance of a Legionnaire,” she said, “you’ve all been a tremendous help these last few years. Especially in times of trouble, which I hope we are not on the verge of now.”
“We hope not either, Madame Prime Minister,” said Kent, “though only time will tell at this point. How goes the Sol Invictian Front?”
“It goes steady for a time, but little skirmishes are constant. Unfortunately, there does not look like much hope for peace anytime soon. Still, we know we can count on you if we need to,” she added, turning as more people greeted her.
“Come here LMBers,” said a voice, as Ambassador Relnic was before them. “Lets get out of here before you’re outright asked to win this war for them,” he said with a grin, and led them outside to a balcony overlooking deep space. The breathed a sigh of relief and joined their old friend—longtime ally of the LMB—on the balcony. “How goes this mess with the Trumpeter?” he said now seriously.
“The same,” said Actor Lad. “We’re waiting as you are.”
“Not good,” replied Relnic. “We need all the resources we have right now. This war will be a serious matter. And after the Dark Oval War, its so soon…” His mention of that showed a mixed reaction: Kent understood it and was glad it did not last long, while Actor Lad was not convinced it wasn’t the work of Cobalt Kid (and Lard Lad), and felt a twinge of annoyance at the LMB’s involvement in the brief, but tragic war.
“Is that why there are so many people here now?” asked Kent. “I’ve never seen Weber’s World this full. We probably should have brought more LMBers.”
“I doubt you could spare them, since there is already a bunch out in the area of conflict, helping set up the UP encampment and providing encouragement. But to answer your question, yes. Over there, even, you see more arrive. There is Princess Cxstina of Agualeria, whom you may know. They hardly ever have an ambassador here, and now they send their Princess. That sort of thing has been happening a lot these last few weeks.”
Actor Lad looked at Kent and mouthed ‘Who?’ to him, as a very beautiful, blonde Princess entered the larger room with a small entourage around here. Kent shook his head ‘no’ as if to say ‘later’, which meant there was probably an embarrassing story behind it. There was: this was the young woman known as ‘Princess No-Protection’ among the older LMBers, one of Cobalt Kid’s first girlfriends introduced to him by Lash Lad, which helped encourage the young man to forego the use of prophylactics and thus later create many children who would grow up to menace the LMB. To say she was infamous in LMB lore was understating it.
Ambassador Relnic was oblivious to this exchange. “You see LMB, you’re going to have to do something about this Trumpeter situation quickly, less the UP forgets how useful you are here in the United Planets proper, and someone start pestering you about joining the warfront as soldiers.” He held up his hand to cut them off. “Unlikely, I know, but still…I’m sure you don’t want that kind of trouble.”
Princess Cxstina (aka Princess No-Protection)
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Across the United Planets, various members of the LMB dealt with their missions or personal time in their own ways:
Yyngig Sector of Space – known as the ‘Triangle of Death’ Varalent, Abin Quank, Faraway Lad, Harbinger, Mattropolis and Stealth helped the United Planets military secure their encampments and armadas, as the next skirmish with the Khanate of Sol Invictus loomed ever closer. Faraway Lad worked hard as always, but felt the tinge of melancholy pulling at him, knowing that in this respect, diplomacy has failed. Stealth still felt the outrage over the events of a few weeks ago, while Mattropolis wondered if perhaps they really shouldn’t be there at all.
Ggrrgg Cobalt Kid walked among the perpetual grave sight known once as the planet Ggrrgg. Almost all of the entire population of Ggrrgg wiped out in a few heartbeats, and he there to witness it. He had little love for the once great planet, but his feelings of guilt and responsibility to it remained conflicted. His usual trenchcoat was gone, replaced by a mundane grey cloak given to him by Elves many years ago. He finished digging a grave—that of his father—and patted the contaminated soil down on top of it. He would dig many more graves. He spoke nothing and carried on…unsure why he was there at all.
Deep Space Lightning Lad and Dedman co-piloted the cruiser while the rest of their squadron of LMBers attempted to get some sleep. They were failing. They continued to try anyway.
“Did you get to see some of your friends and family on Winath, Scott?” asked Dedman to break the silence.
“No…we were there so quick. I haven’t been to Winath in quite awhile. I didn’t expect it to see it in flames though,” he added as an afterthought.
Silence ensued. “Let’s get this bastard,” said Dedman referring to the Trumpeter, then adding, “lets get all of them.”
Legion World “So,” said Walk with Crowds, at Monitor Duty, “Matlock is investigating the missing falcon statue on Malta…”
“…crime stops for no one after all…” said another clone version of him.
“…Shark Lad is with Invisible Brainiac in the Legion World Jungles, apparently there’s been a death there…”
“…one of the gorilla tribes? I hope not, they’ve always been so helpful to us…” said the clone.
“…and Dr. One is on the Science Asteroid. Not a lot of us here tonight I see,” he added. “But all is quiet here right now.”
20 cosmic-meters from Legion World “There? That’s our target?” said Madrox the Multiple Durlan to his allies. The Cacophony, the Trumpeter’s cruiser floated quietly in space. They were assembled: the Trumpeter, Salad-Tosser Lord, Déjà Vu, Middlefinger, Pillum, Madrox the Multiple Durlan, the Arch Duke of Time.
Middlefinger smiled. “Hardly,” she replied. “That’s our stop-off. Now get ready Madrox. There has to be at least some LMBers left on Legion World for us to enjoy…”
END CHAPTER ONE
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Chapter Two: Jailbreak!
The ruined planet-side of the former planet Ggrrgg
Where once there was beautiful and lush country-side, now there was only smoldering ash. Where once there was culture and architecture, there was a only blackened void. The population now dead for some time, rotting into the ground, the buildings only debris and the last remnants of Ggrrgg were long lost to the universe. Ggrrgg had been annihilated, and there was nothing left here for anyone.
Save one.
The Legionnaire known as Cobalt Kid walked slowly through what was once the capital city of Ggrrgg, conscious in where he was going, but tentative in how he would get there. He was covered in a gray cloak, a gift to him many years earlier by Elves, and it made him seem mundane and plain, blending in with the blacks and grays that shadowed all that was left of Ggrrgg. He was fully bearded, which was odd for him, as he generally kept himself clean-shaven to reflect his own ideas of what encompassed a handsome young man. His face was dirty and there were heavy bags under his eyes. It was hard for anyone to do much sleeping on Ggrrgg now.
This was his home planet, though he and the populace had become enemies for the second half of his life. They banned him from returning and he abandoned them in kind, their beliefs being at such odds that this was the extremity of their spite towards one another. But in the end he was once more on the planet when it fell, and he witnessed his home planet be murdered and destroyed, his father dying in his arms. Now he was a grave digger, having buried his father properly, in the ritualistic ways of Ggrrgg, and he did so now in mass graves, using his magnetism to do so. It was dirty work—but necessary in his eyes. He would never have been at peace with Ggrrgg in life, so it would try it now, in Ggrrgg’s death.
Cobalt Kid was a complicated young man, who had seen his fair share of trauma in his long years as a Legionnaire. Tortured at a younger age, he had lost his ability to cry, to let his emotions come forth. But he tried to focus on other ways to express himself, and took to praying. He had magical healing abilities that put him in touch with his surroundings. A type of ‘spirtiual awareness’ that he did not fully understand. He felt the angry souls calling out on Ggrrgg, and he tried to comfort them and let them find their final moments. This planet had been razed, but he would heal it as best he could so it could rest peacefully.
Once more, he began to use his magnetism for digging, and collecting bodies. He hummed a short prayer for the fallen dead, taking in the scenery of dead children before him.
“I had thought your hatred of these people was as great as mine,” said a voice, startling him, causing him to jump back. “But I see that when such events occur…it becomes impossible to hold onto such hatred. Lest is consumes you forever.”
Cobalt turned and saw before him Princess Tarina, the former Princess and defender of Kerissia, Ggrrgg’s arch-enemy. And in true irony, Kerissia had also been laid to waste, its people shattered and the planet-side uninhabitable. These two both were survivors of great tragedies. They both were now without planets and people. She looked regal still, and strong, her sash and cape flowing, and her power of light flowing from her hands. But she too looked extremely tired, and somewhat beaten. She no longer believed she had anything to live for without a planet or people. She was magnificent and tragic all at once. Cobalt nodded slowly. “I knew you survived, though most the other were skeptical,” he said. “I have a sense for such things.”
“Its my punishment for my role in the long war, that I’m sure of,” she replied. “That while my people move on to a higher plane, I am left behind with nothing but sorrow. If I could kill myself—I would,” she added, and he saw truly now her pain. A soft tear drop fell down her face. These two had been enemies throughout their past relations with each other, but for the first time that bitter rivalry was gone.
“You have yourself,” said Cobalt, walking over to her, “and you have your duty to this universe. And that will always be enough for those such as us,” he added, putting his hand on her shoulder. For the first time, she did not flinch and prepare to respond with an attack. “Now is a time for mourning, Tarina,” he said, “but there will be another time after that. Come and sit with me for awhile. We don’t have to talk about the tragedies, but maybe each other’s company will provide us some comfort.”
And so Princess Tarina and Cobalt Kid, both orphans and homeless, sat together for a time and said little, reflecting on all that had happened.
Princess Tarina
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Legion World Orbit The Trumpeter spoke: “Today, my friends, we will show the LMB once more that they are not safe here on Legion World. It’s that vulnerability we will use to our advantage, after recent events here. They’ll be so consumed with protecting the population below, that they won’t know what hit them…”
Immediately after, the first vestiges of the plan went into effect:
The Arch Duke of Time, with his powerful time-ship that could travel through space/time with ease bypassed the first line of defense on Legion World, a powerful polymer shield that had been retrofitted after the Invasion, but could not withstand the super-science of the 89th Century, where the Arch Duke had spent a great deal of time.
Madrox the Multiple Durlan stretched himself farther than ever before: and in doing so cloned himself one hundred times over, creating an army of super Durlan clones to lead the invasion below into Legion World. Salad-Tosser Lord and the Trumpeter had not been idle in applying their intellect to his abilities.
Most chillingly, the Trumpeter held the Horn of Undoing high, the powerful artifact that he now had in his position. And seeing Grand Central Space Port, the first hub of civilization upon entering Legion World Orbit, he unleashed a might rhythm into the sacred spear, and the powers of destruction flowed forth. Once more, Grand Central Space Port was left in ruins.
Legion World, LMBP Headquarters, Monitor Duty
Walk with Crowds, Saturn Girl, Jailbait Lass
Walk with Crowds immediately received word of what was happening. “Bloody Liberty!” he yelled out loud and his other selves turned to see. “We’re under attack! Quickly, all of you, get Kid Marvel on the line! Contact the Office of Security! Legion World is under attack!”
One of his cloned selves checked the monitor board and immediately understood how vulnerable they were. The LMB were spread very thin, and now there were very few that would be able to protect the planet-side. He looked down the list: “Okay, Fat Cramer…Quislet…who else…Saturn Girl!” There was always at least one Legion World Founder present on Legion World, and this must be Saturn Girl’s turn to hold down the fort.
«Saturn Girl» he thought telepathically, «please hear me. Please. We are under attack…»
No reply. He waited. Tried again. No reply. More waiting.
Walk with Crowds waited, as his other selves checked the monitor screens. One was calling Quislet, while another was running out the door. “I’m hitting the streets!” he yelled. “We need to get the citizens off the streets!”
Another was on the line with the Office of Security. Jailbait Lass, the assistant to Cobalt Kid, was there with My Whee Fem, the general secretary. Jailbait Lass spoke up, “All the Chiefs are off-world, WWC,” she said, fully understanding the predicament. What Walk with Crowds did not know is that she faced such a predicament not long ago, and it was a very scary one. “As are the deputies. Only Invisible Brainiac is on planet, and he’s currently with Shark Lad on the other side of the planet in the Jungles. I’ve alerted him, but it would take him quite awhile to get back to the capital city. Polar Boy is the only ranking security officer here and I’ve alerted him…he’s taking to the streets and will be with you via Omnicom shortly…” My Whee Fem was by her side, but was shaking nervously. Jailbait Lass looked at her, and put her hand on the other girl’s shoulder. “Pull it together My. They’re going to need our technical support…”
Walk with Crowds cut off the line, slightly chilled by how serious even the support staff was getting. He felt Saturn Girl reenter his mind. «WWC, I’m back, and Kid Marvel is with us. I’ll let him take over»
«WWC, Saturn Girl will handle our communications hub telepathically. We need you out on the streets. Try to find out who are assailants are and keep them contained. I’ll be joining you shortly. Good luck, »he added, and signed off.
Legion World, The streets of the Capital City
Kid Marvel (LMB Leader)
Dozens of Madrox the Multiple Durlans entered the atmosphere, and began to land in the streets of Legion World, as the armored female figure known as Middlefinger joined him, firing at various buildings. “You know what must be done!” she yelled, firing again into the crowd. “Create a panic, cause destruction! Let them know we’re here!” she screamed.
“Oh, we know,” said a voice, as Kid Marvel flew at super-speed towards her in the skies, and landed a double-punch to her side, knocking her backwards. “And you are very much not welcome here!” he added, as other cloned Durlans dog-piled on him in various shapes and forms.
Legion World Orbit – Takron-Galtos The guardsman on Takron-Galtos quickly got word of what was happening below, and like months earlier, watched the monitors closely, hoping the population was safe and there wasn’t too much damage this time.
“Sir?” said one of the lower-ranking ones, checking on the various cells where prisoners were stored. “Sir? We’ve got an extreme pressure spike on the East Wing. Something is going on there. Something external on our defense shields…”
“What?” said the Captain suddenly in a panic, “everyone to your posts! This can only be one thing! Quickly!” he screamed, as they scrambled.
Across the large entities body, on the East Wing, that pressure was indeed real, as suddenly the walls burst forth, exploding inwards as guards and prisoners were killed in the blast together as the Spear of Night unleashed its fury. The figure of the Trumpeter stepped through, flanked by Déjà Vu and Pillum on either side of him, entering the halls of Takron-Galtos.
“Yes, this will do nicely,” said the Trumpeter.
Prisoners ran to the edge of their cells to see what was happening. ‘What is it?” and ‘Who is it?’ were screamed repeatedly.
Finally the Trumpeter blew his horn to silence them. He grinned. “Ladies and Gentleman,” he said slowly. “This is what we call a jailbreak.”
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Legion World Orbit – Takron-Galtos
Quislet, Esq., The Royal Inquisitor
“Quis,” said the Royal Inquisitor, still stuck in his cell on Takron-Galtos, “what is it? What’s happening?”
Quislet, Esq., famed member of the LMB did not respond right away, standing upright in the hallway, as guards ran forward. “This isn’t good Roy,” he responded. “I think it’s a jailbreak.” Quislet had been visiting with his fiancé, famed villain the Royal Inquisitor, who had tried to prove many times in the last two years that he was a villain no longer.
“Wha--?” replied the imposing figure. There was no doubt the Royal Inquisitor had a terrifying look about him. “But you’ll be in great danger then. Most of the prisoners in here would give anything to kill a Legionnaire.”
“You’re telling me…” said Quis, putting his back against the wall and looking for his Omnicom.
“Quis,” said the Royal Inquisitor, “I think you’re going to have to free me. This is going to get rough…”
Legion World, The streets of the Capital City
The Blue Battler, Bat-Fem, Fat Cramer, Polar Boy, Helena Handbasket
Kid Marvel continued to battle in the skies, as Middlefinger regrouped and got behind him. The Madrox clones held on to the mighty leader of the LMB, as Middlefinger took aim, and fired, letting loose a blast of anti-energy that instantly killed the Madrox clones, and fried Kid Marvel. The mighty LMBer’s strength remained however, and though it was extremely painful, he lived, and now turned to face his enemy.
Below, Walk with Crowds ran through the streets with many of his clones, instantly seeing the cloned Madrox’s and running at them. Though just two individuals, they were essentially locked in a gang fight.
“An impressive power,” said a Madrox, “but you’re no Durlan. You haven’t a chance!” he laughed.
“Perhaps, perhaps not,” said a voice, as the Blue Battler suddenly swung into the fray! “But Legion World has many protectors, and the LMB has more members than you can probably count!” he added, landing a kick into the main Madrox’s face. The Blue Battler was a full-time LMBer, though he often spent the majority of his time patrolling the streets of Legion World to keep it safe. Now he took it personally that Legion World’s streets had a villainous multi-Durlan in them.
“Blue!” said Saturn Girl, joining them, and glad to see her friend. “I’m glad you’re here…” she said, but was cut-off, as an arm pulled her.
“Saturn Girl, wait!” yelled the person pulling her, who was Polar Boy. “My Omnicom went off and it’s Jailbait Lass—she just got word from Quislet and you need to contact him right away, he’s on Takron-Galtos. There might be more to this than meets the eye…”
The Blue Battler and Walk with Crowds hammered the Multiple Durlan, who seemed to be more-super-powered than normal. They had no idea that Salad-Tosser Lord had worked on him day and night for weeks now, increasing his power levels and storage cells, to make him a virtual army. The Arch Duke of Time’s 89th Century weaponry helped speed up the process it took to clone another Durlan form his body and now the rogue unleashed himself on Legion World.
“Need another hand?” said a voice, as a bat-arang came sailing into the fray and knocked a Madrox clone to the ground. The mysterious and often-rumored figure of Bat-Fem sat up higher in the shadows.
“Is that--?” began Walk with Crowds.
“I wasn’t sure she existed,” said Blue Battler, “but I’m sure glad she does...” he smiled, then turning to battle another clone.
In the shadows, Bat-Fem kicked off two Madrox clones that closed in on her and knocked them to the side.
Above, Kid Marvel and Middlefinger continued to duel, and now, Kid Marvel realized, this was an enemy far more powerful than they had previously given credit to. She had a variety of blasts she could shoot from her fingers, and apparently there must be ten different kinds, undoubtedly the work of Salad-Tosser Lord and the Trumpeter. It was the silly moniker of ‘Middlefinger’ that made one underestimate her so. He hammered away at her again, knowing he’d have to catch her unaware and use force to knock her to the ground, in order to dodge those blasts. It was proving harder than he thought.
Back below, Polar Boy stood next to Saturn Girl, who was communicating with Quislet above on Takron-Galtos. She stopped. “Saturn’s Rings…” she said to him, “…this is all a decoy. Legion World isn’t the target after all. It’s Takron-Galtos. They’re breaking all the prisoners out! We need to get up there—quickly!”
“This way!” said a voice, and they turned to see Fat Cramer, leading through a back alley into her Café. “I have Stoopid Cat’s tesseract tech in here and it can take us up there right away. I don’t think Legion World can spare anymore than the three of us, so be ready—this will be rough.”
“I’ll come with you,” said another voice, and they turned to see Commander Helena Handbasket, former Dark Oval Commander who renounced her old ways, stayed on Legion World and recently had won the respect of the LMB. However, she was not an LMBer, but time was short—too short for debating. “Let’s go,” she added, and they nodded, and went into Café Cramer, Helena’s mechanical hand flexing as she prepared for battle.
“This way,” said Fat Cramer and the three followed her. “Be ready,” she added, “Quis said they’ve already freed half the prisoners up there…”
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Legion World Orbit – Takron-Galtos Pillum walked down a hallway with his electrical spear in hand. Prisoners screamed to him to free them, but he was picky in who he choose. At last he came to a cell with what looked like no one in it. He checked the name. Salu Digby. Codename: Virus. “Virus,” he said out loud. “Yes, I’ve read the file. I’ve read all the files on the 52 assailants on Legion World a few months ago. You’ll do perfectly Virus, if you show yourself. I’ve come to free you.”
Suddenly, the woman known as Virus rose to full height, to reveal a Imskian. Her face was horrifically scarred, as if she had been burnt very badly. Her black hair covered some of it up, but no amount of hair or make-up could hide it all. She looked cold and calculating and was silent. “I’m ready then,” she replied. Pillum blasted her free.
And so many of them came free, as dead guardsman littered the halls: Déjà Vu freed more of the 52 from weeks previous, including a female Dominator Unkillable known only as Dominatrix, and a Bismollian sociopath known as Cannibal. Geo-Thing. The Banata Commando.
The Trumpeter came to a series of cells housing three of Takron-Galtos’ oldest prisoners: Avengilyne, Slaughter Hawk and Bloodeath, three wannabe criminals from the LMB’s first days of Legion World. “Well, the Image Trio,” said the Trumpeter. “I should let you rot…or I can give you a second chance. Let’s see what you can do,” he laughed, freeing them.
At last, Déjà Vu and Pillum came to the cell of Kalla Hryl, the former Dark Oval Officer who had been the leader of the 52 on Legion World, attempting to destroy the entire planet, though she was thwarted in the end by a handful of LMB allies. She sat quietly in her cell in her bridal gown, which she had worn when caught.
“Mistress…?” said Cannibal, who was now with the jail breaking villains, and was one of Kalla Hyrl’s top lieutenants. She said nothing.
“Kalla Hryl,” said the Trumpeter with a serious face. “I don’t expect you to join us, but you’ve been an admiral enemy to the LMB and Legion World. Having you locked up serves neither of us any good purpose. Free her,” he said to Déjà Vu and walked on, now with a huge entourage of villains behind him.
“Stop right there,” said a voice, and the Trumpeter turned with an eyebrow raised. Before him stood Quislet, Esq., the Royal Inquisitor, Fat Cramer, Saturn Girl, Polar Boy and Helena Handbasket. Behind the Trumpeter stood scores of enemies who now hated the LMBers that had imprisoned them. In the Trumpeter’s hand was the Spear of Night, often called the Horn of Undoing, one of the most destructive artifacts to ever exist.
“Dear, dear Legion,” said the Trumpeter. “You’ll never learn, will you?”
“No,” said Fat Cramer defiantly.
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Legion World Orbit – Takron-Galtos The scores of super-villains rushed forward at the LMBers, who braced themselves to be pushed back. Polar Boy iced the floor between them to knock their enemies off balance, as Fat Cramer leaped forward at them, and the Royal Inquisitor swung his large axe throw them, scaring them backwards. Quislet trusted the Inquisitor, even to the point of arming him with his greatest weapon.
Quislet stood in front of Saturn Girl who telepathically read their minds. “I’m shutting some of them down by putting them to sleep,” she said. “But the main antagonists are making an exit. We need to get to them. I can sense the Trumpeter, Pillum and Déjà Vu leaving.
“Sounds like a plan,” said Helena, who suddenly ran into the fray, this time grabbing a pulse-grenade and throwing it to the floor, knocking back a score of them. She, Polar Boy and Fat Cramer ran through, while Quislet and the Royal Inquisitor pushed back the now split forces into two cells.
“Let’s stay and kill them all!” said Virus, feeling the sweetness of freedom as if it was the high off a beautiful drug.
“By all means, I hope you do,” said the Trumpeter, who walked with Déjà Vu and Pillum, followed by many smart villains looking to follow the ones who had freed them. “That’s part of the plan after all.”
“I’m sticking with this guy Virus,” said Cannibal, “you should do the same.”
“Bah!” said the creature known as Geo-Thing. “I’m going to get some revenge.”
“Me too!” said Banata Commando, as the two ran back.
“The rest of you would do well to follow us to our ship,” said Déjà Vu. “We’ll drop off any who want off later, including you Kalla,” she said to the wedding gown covered figure that remained silent. “Though I’m sure many of you would rather stay once you’re heard of our plans…”
Banata Commando ran back to fight the LMB at full speed, seeing bodies everywhere, both prisoner and guard. He turned a corner—right into the fist of Fat Cramer. “Not today, Commando,” she said seriously, “we don’t have time for you today.” The Commando was a silly villain at best, and now wasn’t his time.
Suddenly Fat Cramer was grabbed by the creature known as Geo-Thing, who had aided the 52 on Legion World against its citizens. Helena remembered him well, as she lunged from the shadows, placing a grenade in his rocky frame, and knocking him forward, pulling FC away, and regrouping with Polar Boy. The creature suddenly exploded!
“Helena!” said Polar Boy, “y-you might have killed him!”
“No time to worry about that now,” said the former Commander dead serious. “I’m not an LMBer and don’t have follow your code. But he planned on killing Cramer and we didn’t have time for that right now. Let’s go,” she finished and they moved on silently.
But they would be too late—Salad-Tosser Lord had the Cacophony waiting for them, and the villains piled on. Most had been recaptured and defeated by the small squad of LMBers, as they stupidly choose to battle them. But the Trumpeter noted several additions to their ranks that would prove useful: Virus. Cannibal. Avengilyne. Slaughter Hawk. Bloodeath. And many more they would drop off, allowing them to scatter across the United Planets. Terror and fear were the allies here after all, and the spread of criminals throughout the UP once more would work well for the Trumpeter’s plans.
At last, Helena, Fat Cramer and Polar Boy reached them—but it was too late. The Cacophony was already on its way.
Legion World, The streets of the Capital City At once Middlefinger knew it was time to leave. And she was glad too—Kid Marvel was not be trifled with. Her armor could not take much more and she was now trying to outmaneuver him. He knew it. “Listen Middlefinger,” he said, “you might as well give up. Because my next blow is knocking your helmet off, and we’ll see who is inside there…”
Below, Madrox continued to battle Walk with Crowds, the Blue Battler and Bat-Fem, as well as other Security Officers who were pitching in. Invisible Brainiac and Shark Lad were on their way, and that would help turn the tide, as Invisible Brainiac was one of the strongest LMBers by far.
But the damage had been done. The decoy had been set and it was already too late by the time the LMB got to Takron-Galtos. The jailbreak was successful, though not completely. But enough prisoners had been free.
The Arch Duke of Time suddenly teleported down to Earth, his technology allowing him to move through space at a much quicker rate than any other. He gathered Middlefinger and then the main Madrox body, and quickly teleported back, not saying a word to any of the LMB. And just like it began—it ended.
They were gone.
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Legion World– Streets of the Capital City “Dammit,” said Walk with Crowds to Kid Marvel as he flew down to join them, “a hit and run. And we didn’t even capture one of them.”
“The streets are safe, and the damage was minimal,” replied the LMB Leader, keeping it all in perspective. “And I’m receiving word from Saturn Girl. Apparently it could be a lot worse. A major jailbreak just took place on Takron-Galtos. A large handful of them got loose, freed by the Trumpeter, but most have been returned to their cells. The LMBers up there now are rounding up the final ones, but they don’t have anywhere to go.” He looked satisfied that they defended Legion World, but annoyed at the suddenness of it all. At last he spoke again. “This madness with the Trumpeter needs to end soon.”
Not too far off, the Blue Battler waved to Bat-Fem who leapt back into the shadows and swung away. “Well done,” he said just as she was getting out of ear-shot.
“You too,” she replied. Though he didn’t say it, he thought to himself that he wouldn’t reveal her existence to anyone just yet.
Weber’s World “Legionnaires, we need to talk,” said Admiral Cornwallis to Kent Shakespeare and Actor Lad. “Have you heard what has happened on your home planet?” The Admiral was obviously in a panic, and he was balancing his anger with his obvious respect for the LMB.
“We have Admiral,” said Actor Lad, “we’re getting LMB wide reports as we speak from Kid Marvel. Apparently its not as bad as the media is making it seem, though some prisoners were freed…”
“This business with the Trumpeter,” said the Admiral. “We need to end it. We have to focus on the war with the Khanate. The Prime Minister is breathing down my neck…”
Kent walked away leaving Actor Lad to Admiral Cornwallis, though he felt bad for doing so. Their recent conversation with Ambassador Relnic had given him a new perspective on the current UP political power players and he wasn’t sure what to think. The Admiral at least seemed to be easy to read, but Prime Minister Maya adi Lva was certainly less so.
He looked out across the wide courtyard to see any other people he knew that he could get a word with. At last, there was Ambassador Relnic, whom he wanted to speak to. But…who was that he was with? Princess Cxstina of Agueleria? The one the old time LMBers called Princess No-Protection? They were walking together laughing, as if she was charming him—or no…like he was charming her. He must be three times older than her. Weber’s World was an odd place…
He turned back around to see Actor Lad rejoining him. “Thanks for abandoning me,” joked the former LMB Leader. “And great, here comes the Prime Minister…”
Flanked by an entourage, the United Planet’s Prime Minister walked directly up to them. “I’ve heard LMBers,” she said, cutting out the whole opening sequence of dialogue that they figured was coming. “I know you realize the threat the Trumpeter is posing at this point. Though no evidence suggests it, I’d say he’s still working with Caracalla to undermine the War. It needs to end soon, otherwise we’re in for a major problem. I trust you see how serious I am.”
“We do,” said Actor Lad, as Kent nodded. There was a tension there that seemed more potent than there should be.
“Thank you then,” she replied, easing up a bit, “we can’t have terrorism rampant here in the UP. If we do, there are a variety of ways to counter it,” she said looking at her staff with grave eyes, adding, “and one of them is fighting fire with fire. I hope it doesn’t come to that. Because I think you know who some council members would prefer to send to the Khanate.” she finished, walking off.
Actor Lad looked at Kent with an eyebrow raised. Apparently, it was far more serious than they thought.
END CHAPTER TWO
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Chapter Three: The Madness of the Trumpeter
Roll Call: Dr. One
The Science Asteroid Home of the most cutting-edge technology and scientific thought in the universe, the Science Asteroid remains an extremely exclusive location to conduct science with very little parameters. One can only visit the Science Asteroid via invitation, which is thought to be a very high honor.
Dr. One smiled at his colleagues around him, feeling the quiet pride of knowing he’d just accomplished something great. Moments earlier, he finished his lecture on white-hole particles as a building block for fifth-dimensional life-forms and it had become apparent midway through that he had broken entirely new ground in this field, perhaps even creating his own field of science. He quickly pushed ideas of ‘Juan-ist’ thought out of his head—after all, he cared little for accolades or celebrity, rather, he simply wanted to continue to push science forward. This had been a nice few weeks away from the LMBP, and he was glad it could be spent so productively. There was hardly ever a time that the Legion didn’t need him in some form or another, so any chance to sneak away for something so bold was definitely worthwhile.
Now he allowed another scientist to take the floor and give his own lecture, and he walked back through the crowd, catching many nods of approval and smiles. There was a great sense of brotherhood on the Science Asteroid and he enjoyed the present company quietly.
Quiet, however, would not last.
“My dear fellows,” said a voice interrupting the scientist speaking, “I apologize for the intrusion. You see, on my world we don’t have anything like this because I’ve made it a lifelong habit to kill any other minds that could approach my greatness. While I had hoped to avoid doing something similar here, I can’t help but feel some sympathy for my friend Dr. Strnglv, whom you all so cruelly dismissed from your ranks many years ago. I believe you know him now…as Salad-Tosser Lord.” The ranks of scientists were quiet now, and saw the Trumpeter standing before him, holding the Horn of Undoing firmly in hand. There was hardly a member of the United Planets who did not know who he was at this point. “Dr.?” he said, turning to Salad-Tosser Lord.
The other villain stepped forward. “You’ve berated me for my morals and laughed at me for my quirks,” he began, “but I won’t take vengeance on you, dear friends. Instead, I’m going to give you the scientific opportunity of a lifetime. You all work for us now,” he said growing more grim, “and you’ll experience science on a level you’ve never dreamt of before.”
The Trumpeter’s face turned to a mock frown. “No vengeance?” he said slowly beginning to grin. “Well…perhaps some…”
Suddenly, a violent explosion of blood occurred off to the side, as a scientist fell forward in pain. This was Dr. Annoibis Gllyr, the leading expert in using cancerous cells as alternate forms of fuel—and he would never again be able to apply his mind to such research. For the villainess known as Virus suddenly leapt through his side, tearing his arm and torso off of him, and causing him to bleed to death. The other scientists gasped and screamed in horror.
“Not a single one of you will move,” said another voice, and at the back entrance stood Middlefinger, flanked by Déjà Vu, Dominatrix, Cannibal and Pillum. “Or that will be the last thing you do,” she finished quietly, holding her hand out like a fist, and then unleashing a blast of anti-energy into the middle of the group, incinerating two more.
Dr. One turned now at his colleagues who were too gripped with fear to even realize that he was a bonafide Legionnaire. He instantly pressed his signal device on his walking ring, and then did nothing else. The woman known as Middlefinger had an odd air about her, and the Trumpeter was assuredly insane.
“Boys?” said the Trumpeter loudly over his omni-com.
“It’s secure,” said the voice of Slaugherhawk, one of the Trumpeter’s newest recruits who now pledged their allegiance to him. Outside, he, Avengilyne and Bloodeath were finishing off the armed Science Police officers stationed on the Science Asteroid.
“Excellent,” said the Trumpeter, “at last, our real plan can begin.”
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Deep Space “Anything?” said Dedman to Outdoor Miner, who was on monitor duty within the LMB cruiser. They had been searching for a clue or hint of anything for days.
“Nothing,” replied Miner to Deddy, who was piloting the cruiser. “They haven’t made their move quiet yet…”
A little far back, the other LMBers were sitting together: Lightning Lad, Arachne, Spellbinder and Tamper Lad. “Dammit,” said Lightning Lad in frustration. “And their ranks have been doubled if not tripled,” he added.
“That tells us something then,” said Arachne, “whatever they’re planning, its going to be soon. They stretched us thin and terrorized the UP long enough. Now they’ve added to their ranks, which must have been part of the plan. It’ll be coming to a head soon enough…”
“I’m more interested in this Middlefinger,” said Tamper Lad with a smile. “Besides her colorful name, we know next to nothing about her, other than she must either be a loon or is really nostalgic, for choosing that awful name.”
“Especially with its equally awful history,” said Spellbinder, referring to the fact that this was the eighth Middlefinger—and all previously Middlefinger’s had killed their predecessor.
“But who is she?” said Tamper again. “I wonder…what do we know about the Trumpeter of Earth-1, or should I say, Universe-1? Has that ever been figured out? Its no stretch that the Trumpeter here could be a female. Many of our counter-parts on Earth-4 are decidingly different from ourselves. My own is an evil villain known as the Stalker.”
“Yeah, a real stretch,” said Arachne, rolling her eyes.
“Wait,” said Outdoor Miner, “I’ve got something. Coming in, its from Dr. One… its something odd. He’s not transmitting anything…wait, there’s tapping.”
“Juan’s on the Science Asteroid,” said Lightning Lad looking at his roll call list.
“Its code,” said Tamper, listening carefully. “He’s under attack,” he said cracking the code with no help. “And we have our big break. It’s the Trumpeter—he’s on the Science Asteroid.”
“Great,” said Outdoor Miner, “just where we want him to be.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Lightning Lad, “move out! You can bet they’re expecting us, but we have to go now anyway. They’ve done enough damage…”
The Science Asteroid “That’s enough Dr. One,” said Salad-Tosser Lord. Dr. One stood among the scientists with his hand in his coat, sending the code to the Legionnaires. But now Salad-Tosser Lord was behind him, a blaster pointed right into his back. “You can be sure that this blaster will work on that rocky frame. You’ve alerted the Legionnaires undoubtedly, which we knew you must do. But now you can move to the front of the class. I’ve always admired your intellect, and it will be enjoyable knowing you’ll be seeing what is to come.”
“It’s a shame doctor,” said Dr. One, turning off his flight ring and following him, “that its come to this. I’ve never known you as a murderer. Since when has that changed?” he asked, looking down at the ashes of a fallen scientist and friend, whom Middlefinger killed moments earlier.
Salad-Tosser Lord’s face was suddenly frowning and at once Dr. One could see it was filled with regret. Evidently, he didn’t want there to be any death after all. He sighed, but then regained his composure. “Unfortunately, old friend, there will be much more I believe…but the science…it will be fascinating…”
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Deep Space – Aboard the LMB Cruiser “Have you looked at the report Scott?” said Spellbinder to Lightning Lad, as the cruiser flew ever closer to the Science Asteroid.
“Report…?” said Scott, a little distracted as he prepared to give orders on the upcoming mission. “Sorry Crujeckie…” he said, getting his bearings, “…yes, I’ve looked at it. Another semi-invasion of Legion World, but at least this time there were little casualties. Its tiring…” he said, referring to the recent jailbreak. “…but we did good defending it.”
Spellbinder waited for him to finish. “Apparently Helena Handbasket and the Royal Inquisitor helped out in defending Legion World, as well as various others down on the street.”
“Again, they make us proud. Still…”
“Exactly. It worries me that we’re so stretched thin that the citizens of Legion World are forced to help out and defend our home. We really are spread across the entire UP and beyond right now, and that isn’t a good thing, especially now that we’re heading into battle with probably little chance of back-up. I think its time to call in whoever we can…” she added.
Legion World – the Office of Security Jailbait Lass sat at her desk, updating her files and typing away. She was also speaking on her omni-com, giving orders to low-ranking security officers on how to deal with the recent clean-up while adjusting the schedules to maximize efforts on patrolling the streets. “Yes, yes, report to Invisible Brainiac in an hour for that. He is still ranking Security Officer here on Legion World…no, no, that goes directly to LMB command, I believe Monkey-Eater Lad is now on Monitor Duty…”
Suddenly, she felt an odd sensation, and knew someone was entering her mind. «Lolita, be calm. This is Princess Crujectra, contacting you via telepathy, though I’m a far distance away»
«Princess», said Lolita slowly in response. She was uneasy about telepathy, and she virtually never spoke directly with Princess Crujectra, despite the two of them being so close to Cobalt Kid. They had an unspoken understanding, though there were many on Legion World that wondered on how they would interact. «Is everything alright? I’m just reading a report now about where you’re cruiser is going…»
«Everything is as good as can be, but that’s not why I’m contacting you. We need our ranks more filled out Lolita. We need every LMBer we can get. I think its time. I want you to contact Cobie. »
«Princess…I…I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. He asked me not to. I’m not even sure how I would do it. »
«I know you don’t want to disrespect his wishes Lolita, but we need him right now. And he needs us. I know you can figure out a way to contact him. It will be for the best. He…listens to you, you know that. I can’t be there for him right now. You need to get him to rejoin us»
Jailbait Lass said nothing for a moment. Up until now, she never was sure if Princess Crujectra liked her at all, or even had given her any thought. «…Ok. I’ll try. I’ll get him…» she replied. Though she had no idea how. And as she scrolled down her list of unactive LMBers, to see where Cobalt was, her eyes landed on another name: LARD LAD.
Ggrrgg Cobalt Kid and Princess Tarina, both dirty and exhausted, sat together once more, just finishing another mass grave burial for the many dead on Ggrrgg. Neither had spoken in quite some time.
“You confuse me Ggrr—Cobalt,” said Tarina finally. “This must have some emotional healing aspect to it,” she added, “but I can’t feel it myself. I still feel the vengeance—I know that is still there. But all I feel now is the sense of loss. The uselessness. The universe has left me behind, but not quite you. Why are you even here?”
Cobalt looked at her, his dirty bearded face unable to cover his large eyes. “I have no idea,” he said at last with a smile, “or at least, I’m not ready for that heart to heart.” She laughed with a sigh, but too tired to get into it, both too tired at this point for tears or more descriptions of their pain. “But I can tell you neither of us is uselss and there is still plenty for us to do.”
“For you perhaps,” she replied.
“No Tarina, for both of us. You can still live, and you can still grow. You can love, you can build, and you can explore the universe. I tell myself that every day, and I have for many years. No one has ever had a completely easy life. But we can grow from the awfulness, whether we are ready for it or not.”
“And for me, then?” she said. “I’m not ready to love or explore. Where can I grow?”
“You can start with the Horn,” said Cobalt quietly. “You know its still out there in the hands of a madman. What are you ready to do about it?”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
two days later…
Sorcerer’s World
”Perhaps one of the most undefined planets in the United Planets, Sorcerer’s World remains a vague location that confuses many UP scholars. They say that in order to understand it, one must first go there. The only problem, one then notices, is that most can’t figure out how to enter the Sorcerer’s World”. – Encyclopedia Galactica, 3006 edition.
Jailbait Lass stood at the marble gates before her, completely unsure of how she had just arrived there. Moments earlier she was aboard her LMB cruiser, taken without permission from the Security Office’s stable of cruisers, flying into the atmosphere after requesting permission to enter repeatedly for no less than four hours. Finally, a response was given that she had permission. Upon entering the atmosphere, she began to see a swirl of colors, then a city upon the clouds, and then suddenly—she was somehow transported from the cruiser, into the water below, and then she blinked—and now she was here, in front of large marble gates, with mist surrounding her. No one came forward. No noise was heard.
She couldn’t stand it any longer. “Lard Lad!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. “Lard Lad! Please!” she yelled. She repeated herself a dozen more times. Her frustration was growing, and a sense of urgency over took her. What if the Princess was in more trouble than she let on? What if Cobie not only had to be found, but was in trouble? Damn her for not making sure she knew where he was going. Of course he didn’t want anyone to know…his entire planet had just been destroyed. She had wanted to respect his wishes, but…
“LARDLAD!!!” she screamed again, and this time there was a panic in her voice.
“I’m here, I’m here,” said a voice, as if he had just woken up out of sleep. He was dusting off his jacket with a grin on his face, his goatee catching her eye, then the casual grin and relaxed demeanor. “Who the hell is bothering me here? Do you know pissed they are…?” He paused to see her. He didn’t know her well at all, only that it was one of Cobalt’s closest friends and personal assistant, whom he assumed Cobalt had been having an affair with for several years. “Jailbait Lass? What the hell are you doing here? Is Des in trouble?”
She suddenly felt very embarrassed for her yelling, and was a little red. “Well…” she began, “…I’m not sure, actually…that’s not why I’m here…”
“You’re not here for Des? Then…why?”
“Well, I am here for Cobie, its just…well…I’m not making much sense at all am I?”
“Not really,” said Lardy with a laugh.
“Well, I know that you promised Cobie that if he needed you, you’d be there for him.”
“He told you that?”
“There isn’t much he doesn’t tell me, Lardy,” she smiled.
“Hm. I knew you guys were close, but wasn’t really sure of the…extent of it,” he replied.
She looked at him sternly. “Cobie is true to Crujectra,” she said, adding, “and I—I mean ‘we’…well, that hasn’t happened in a long time, and well, I, I, why are you bringing all that up?”
Lard Lad laughed. “Well, he must not tell you everything,” he replied. “Or he’d tell you I basically talk about sex and drinking all the time.” He smiled at her. She half-smiled back, seeing the humor in it. “Well, I’m trying not to as much anymore. I’ve calmed down…a little, at least. Now, you’re here for Des.”
“Yes. I need to find him. The LMB needs him. They need you too, actually. They need as many members as they can get. There’s a crisis, as usual, and this time they’re spread extra thin. Cobie has been on a mini leave of absence for the last few weeks to deal with the destruction of Ggrrgg. He told no on of his whereabouts, and left in the middle of the night, telling me he’d be back and not to let anyone contact him. But they need him, and—“
“Well, that’s easy,” said Lard Lad. “He’s on Ggrrgg.”
“Obviously,” she said to him dryly. “But I’m not here to get you to help me find him.”
“I wish I could have sent him a message in time, with my condolences,” said Lardy to himself. He looked up. “Then why are you here?”
“I’m here to get you to help me convince him to get back out there and help out the LMB. You know how he is with emotional stuff like this. Its impossible to talk to him. I figured…you could help.” She looked at him now, and he saw a genuine vulnerability in her. Instantly he realized something that most had never seen before. Probably not even her. She loved Cobalt Kid—was in love with him actually. She *had* to be. This intimate friendship and devotion to one another…he had Cobalt explain it a million times. But now he saw it from Jailbait Lass’ perspective.
“I’d be honored to help,” he said.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Science Asteroid
Outside the main buildings, a tight perimeter has been set by the Trumpeter’s new band of mercenaries and terrorists. The Image Trio, the collection of second-rate villains known as Slaughterhawk, Avengilyne and Bloodeath keep a close watch on the perimeter, hoping to show their mettle as the first line of defense. They are known for their bloodlust and cruelty, but among the LMB, they are known as just another fad that came and went. And now they would be reminded of that.
“Quiet,” said Slaughterhawk. “My senses are picking something up. Something approaching…” He’d have no time to react—Lightning Lad’s lightning ripped through the three, knocking them backwards to the ground.
“Stay down, you three,” said Lightning Lad. “This won’t get any easier on you.”
Inside…
“You see Juan,” said Salad-Tosser Lord to Dr. One, “this artifact of the Trumpeter’s is science beyond even our imagining. To undo the forces that hold the world together, whether on a micro scale or macro…its simply amazing.” Salad-Tosser Lord for the first time among the villain looked to be enjoying what they were doing, and the Arch Duke of Time took notice of that. Apparently he was not enjoying the scientific discussions with the Trumpeter as he had let on. Perhaps the Trumpeter’s proclivity towards violence was the cause?
“Quiet, all of you,” said Déjà Vu. She put her fingers to her forehead. “They’re arriving now.”
“Sweet Déjà Vu,” smiled the Trumpeter, “have I told you how much I adore you?” he said with a laugh. She did not respond.
Dr. One noticed a small spider inching up towards his chair, and onto his leg. He new instantly it was Arachne, but continued to say nothing.
Middlefinger walked forward, flanked on either side by Cannibal, the Bismollian psycho, and Dominatrix, the female Unkillable Dominator. “Let us meet them then,” she said.
“No…” said the Trumpeter. “They’re already here,” he said grinning. “Cannibal. Devour a prisoner.”
Cannibal began to laugh. He grabbed a small scientist, a Gnome-ish one with a long beard, and pulled him into the center of the room. “I like the sound of that,” he said to the scientist. “You see, I’m starving. And this rot they have me eating doesn’t fulfill me as much, as…say…flesh.” He leaned forward, preparing to bite down on the scientist’s shoulder.
“ENOUGH,” said a voice, and they turned to see Spellbinder, hovering above them, with Dedman and Lightning Lad by her side. “PUT HIM DOWN. NOW.” Within an instant, Cannibal was hurled backwards into the wall with the full force of Spellbinder’s telepathy.
It was a bold ploy, but necessary. The Trumpeter had forced them to play their hand early, they knew that. Otherwise someone else would die for no reason. Instantly, Dedman leapt down, landing a kick at Dominatrix, as Lightning Lad turned to blast Middlefinger. The female villainess was ready however, and the two began exchanging blasts of energy from a distance, each looking to find a weak spot. Spellbinder hovered down towards the scientists, to see Déjà Vu and the Trumpeter preparing to attack. The Trumpeter, however, began to take a step back, as if to let the other villains into the fray.
“A pleasure to see you again, Princess,” said Pillum, coming up from her side and hurling an explosive spear towards her. “Perhaps I can show you what a real Ggrrggian is, after all?” he said wickedly, exploding another near her feet. Déjà Vu came up the other side, using her blaster as the two tried to flank her—only to be met by a telekinetic shield.
Off to the side, Salad-Tosser Lord sat by Dr. One without entering the fray, allowing the other mercenaries to do the dirty work. The Arch Duke of Time did the same. Subtly, Arachne climbed up Dr. One, coming at last to the bonds holding his hands behind his back. In her miniature spider-form, she had not been seen—except by one. The female known as Virus, an Imskian mercenary with a lust for blood, was waiting. “You didn’t think we wouldn’t see this coming, did you?” she said with a laugh. Her badly burnt and cut face looked horrific, and her black hair could not hide the scars.
“On the contrary,” said Arachne, leaping at the small enemy, “I was hoping one of you had the nerve to face me in my element,” she added, as the two began to battle.
Most of the scientists had been huddled into one corner of the room, and it was here that Outdoor Miner and Tamper Lad made their appearance. Quickly they ported in. “Gentleman,” said Tamper Lad, “prepare to evacuate. We can’t get you all out at once, but we can come close,” he added, using a laser-tipped pen to peel back the bonds holding a younger, female scientist.
“Hurry up, Tamper,” said Miner, watching as the battle continued only twenty feet in front of them.
“There’s no need to hurry,” said a voice with a laugh, as a snake-like Madrox clone suddenly smashed her tale into the cluster of bodies, knocking them all back. “There are plenty of us for all of you!” it added, leaping forward to grab Miner’s head and shoulders with her super-strong arms. “Don’t run too far Coulan, you’re next after the bug…”
The battle raged on all fronts, as the Trumpeter walked over to Salad-Tosser Lord with a smile, and Dr. One noticed that Salad-Tosser Lord, like Déjà Vu earlier, was uneasy around their supposed ‘leader’. “I believe my friend,” said the Trumpeter, “that they have forgotten that I have the horn. I intend to remind them.”
And at last the Trumpeter let loose the Horn of Undoing, known as the Spear of Night, upon the people in front of him, and the Science Asteroid instantly rumbled, as chaos and terror were unleashed.
[ April 03, 2007, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Science Asteroid
“Back!” said Spellbinder to Lightning Lad, Déjà Vu, Pillum and a cluster of scientists, yanking them all back with telekinesis, as the Trumpeter’s horn blasted everyone in front of him. Spellbinder herself, in the midst of defending those around her, felt the effects of the horn and was blasted backwards off her feet, into the steel wall. Lightning Lad ran over to her, himself weakened.
Pillum and Déjà Vu got up barely, to hear the cackling of the Trumpeter. He turned now, to see Dedman dueling with Dominatrix, the two locked in a viscous hand to hand battle. Instantly, Dedman knew what play he would have to make. He leapt over the Unkillable Dominator, sensing the oncoming blast and was caught in the full wake of the Trumpeter’s second blast from the horn—instantly destroying him. He only hoped his power would kick in, and the Horn’s effects wouldn’t render it useless.
“We owe you punk!” said Slaughterhawk, running into the fray and towards Lightning Lad, who was being closed in on by Middlefinger, Déjà Vu, Pillum and Dominatrix now. Avengilyne joined him, as Bloodeath turned towards the Trumpeter.
“The got the drop on us—“ he began to say—but suddenly was ripped to atoms, as the Trumpeter murdered him without a second thought.
“Excuses…” he smiled. “Let that be a lesson to all of you,” he added, as Slaughterhawk and Avengilyne looked on in horror.
Arachne battled Virus microscopically on top of Dr. One, as the Imskian attempted to carve the LMBer with two mini-laser swords. But Arachne was a veteran of this type of combat, far moreso than Virus. As she began to get the upper-hand, she heard laughing. She turned, to see a dozen mini-Madrox the Multiple Durlans. “Funny thing,” they all said at once, “the types of fights I find myself in…”
At normal size, the villains all now began to pummel Lightning Lad, as Tamper Lad placed a photon-grenade on top of a large snake-like Madrox clone, to pull Outdoor Miner free. The serpentine Durlan was blasted back as the two LMBers regrouped. “Its not looking good…” said Tamper, to see the tide had turned. Before them now stood the Arch Duke of Time, with a purple globe around him, obviously the technology of the 89th Century.
“I think,” said Miner, “its time we make our exit,” and suddenly he grabbed Tamper Lad and ported out.
Soon, the debris cleared, and Lightning Lad, Spellbinder and Arachne joined Dr. One as prisoners aboard the Science Asteroid as the villains cheered. The scientists again looked on with angst and worry, though despite their cheering, some of the villains related, seeing the ash that was once Bloodeath on the ground.
“You’re beaten heroes,” said Middlefinger with a laugh. She turned to the Trumpeter. “And now?”
“And now, at last, it begins,” he said, as he walked up a large metal staircase onto a deck above them, that looked more like an observatory than anything else. Stars and endless space could be seen from above, and all that were conscious down below looked on. Again he placed the Horn at his lips, and this time, he let loose a melody more loud and horrific than anytime before.
It was the Spear of Night, renamed the Horn of Undoing, for its abilities to undo molecular bonds in the universe, and undo fundamental forces that hold reality together. The Cacophony unleashed by the Trumpeter at last revealed a plan that was truly mad—as he began to tear apart the fabric of the universe without remorse. Instantly, it reacted, the strain too great, as the alignment and balance that kept energy and matter together, that bonded atoms and molecules felt the pull. The universe began to unravel.
END CHAPTER THREE
[ April 03, 2007, 04:53 PM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Chapter Four: Super-unified Theory
The Science Asteroid Dr. One, Spellbinder, Lightning Lad and Arachne looked on in horror, as the universe around them appeared to be unraveling. They were surrounded by dozens of clones of Madrox the Multiple Durlan, who kept a close watch on them, and their wrists were now bound with super-dense ‘hard space’.
“What is all that?” said Arachne.
“I don’t know, but my powers aren’t functioning correctly anymore,” said Lightning Lad. “I don’t feel the lightning. That’s never happened before…”
“You’re not the only one,” said Spellbinder, with a nod towards Déjà Vu who was thirty feet away, talking with Pillum. They couldn’t hear her words, but obviously, something was blocking her from seeing the future.
“Space is unraveling,” said Dr. One to them, “that means time is unraveling too. Its complicated, but one effects the other. There are probably many ‘powers’ out of whack, depending on proximity to the event. What I don’t understand, is what’s the point?”
“Ah, good Doctor,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, enjoying every second of this, “that is where you and the other scientists will come in.”
The Trumpeter spoke now loudly, flanked on either side by Middlefinger, Cannibal, Dominatrix and the Arch Duke of Time. “Scientists! You have been wondering why we have come to bother you? Well, now you know. I have used the horn to undo the bonds that hold reality together. You have literally two hours to fix it before the universe ends. Frankly, it is impossible. But you have a slim hope of holding off the inevitable…while I ransom off the universe itself.” The Trumpeter was grinning now from ear to ear. “Good luck,” he added, and turned on a dime, and began walking away.
“And so you’re off,” said the Arch Duke of Time to him matter of factly.
“Yes, and Déjà Vu, Pillum and Cannibal will come with me. We’re going to address the United Planets at large, and make them truly think about how much value they hold for everything they hold dear in this universe. It should be an interesting outcome,” he smiled, clutching the Horn. “The horn comes with me,” he added quickly.
“Of course,” said the Arch Duke, keenly aware that it was out of character for the Trumpeter to be so obviously amorous with anything, like he was with his new found artifact.
“Middlefinger, you are in charge here,” he said to the rest of the villains. “Keep me updated.” Déjà Vu looked suddenly at Salad-Tosser Lord, surprised that it was Middlefinger in charge and not him. He showed no emotion, but Dr. One once again did not miss this exchange. The four villains boarded the Trumpeter’s ship Cacophony, and moments later, were off.
All of the villains now turned to Middlefinger. She spoke at last. “Slaughterhawk, Avengilyne. You’ve seen what happens to failure. Go find the other two Legionnaires, Tamper Lad and Outdoor Miner. Take them alive, or kill them, it matters little.” The two villains nodded, and went off in search of them. “Now, you scientists, you heard the Trumpeter. You have two hours to stave off utter annihilation of everything in this universe. I would get started if I were you.”
“This is madness,” said Dr. One to Salad-Tosser Lord. “Why on Earth would he do this, and then give us a chance to fix it?”
“Madness…” said Salad-Tosser Lord with a laugh, “…indeed. Come now, Doctor. You’re expected to help.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
The Science Asteroid
“This horn…,” said Dr. One to the scientists around him, “…it makes no sense. Unraveling the universe? Forgive me brothers and sisters if I find it hard to believe. But I need a better explanation than that.”
“I’d get back to work if I were you, Legionnaire,” said Middlefinger in response, pointing her gloved hands at Dr. One, “lest the universe lose yet another ‘great mind’,” she added, sarcastically.
The scientists continued to work, but Salad-Tosser Lord was unable to contain himself. “Its an odd artifact,” he began, speaking to Dr. One, though some of the villains, other scientists and the captured Legionnaires could hear him. “According to legend, it simply has the power to ‘undo’, to revert things back to their natural forms. For instance, when the Trumpeter brutally murdered that Bloodeath fellow, he was able to rip him apart via his molecules and send his energy back into the universe. It’s a truly horrific item when you consider it like that. All that has ever been accomplished, by man, by nature, by everything can be undone. And we can return to a blank slate.”
“Heh,” said Lightning Lad. “I know plenty of people who would like that…”
Salad-Tosser Lord looked at him with squinted eyes, annoyed. “That is probably the worst thing of all. Un-creation. The very concept is dull.”
Dr. One looked at the evil scientist quizzically.
“When applied to the universe itself—and make no mistake, it contains that type of raw power—it begins to break down the fundamental forces that hold the universe together.”
“Ah,” said Dr. One. “The Super-unified Theory. Proven in the 22nd Century, disproved in the 24th and now popular again.”
“Correct,” said Salad-Tosser Lord. “Traditionally, there are four ‘known’ forces in the universe. First, gravity, the force between all mass and the most important. Second, the electromagnetic force, which,” he said, turning to Lightning Lad, “includes electricity, magnetism, light, etc., which is why you are losing your powers on and off now,” then turning back to Dr. One, “the Strong Force, which binds neutron and protons together, and of course, the Weak Force, which causes Beta Decay.”
“I’m already bored,” said Arachne, to which made Virus, the villain laugh, as she walked away.
“Beta Decay is the conversion of protons to neutrons,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, “and electrons to anti-neutrons. We are using the Horn to harness the Weak force to undo the strong force, which in essence, is undoing all four of the fundamental forces of the universe at once. Its brilliant. You can see with the side-effects, as reality is becoming more unsteady.”
Dr. One paused. “Hm. I’ve always wondered why reality becomes unsteady in all of our various crisis. I wonder if its somehow related.”
“Probably, probably,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, immersed in his explanation. “Of course there is one problem…”
“Yes, I know,” said Dr. One. “There are four known forces, but this theory is a thousand years old. There are theories as to a fifth force, and some theories don’t agree. I, myself once thought of a fifth dimensional force linking time/space with alternate realities, though I can’t say for sure if that is not just an extension of the electro-magnetic force…” he began to trail off.
“Enough, both of you,” said Middlefinger. “You’re slowing the others down. Forget science, that’s not why we’re here. We’re here to show the United Planets that life itself can be gone in a blink of an eye. Science, the Legion, nothing can save it.”
Elsewhere on the Science Asteroid… Outdoor Miner ported, and suddenly he and Tamper Lad found themselves knee deep in some sort of underground sewage system. “Why did I ever quit drinking…” he muttered.
“I swear,” said Tamper Lad, “someone will pay for this,” he added, as he saw the dirty water staining his uniform.
“Well?” said Miner. “Where to now?”
“Now? Now we wait for one of them to slip up and we shut them down. Let the Trumpeter take a few of his cronies with him. Its time we shut the rest of his gang down. Its time the LMB starts fighting back.”
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Ggrrgg
Princess Tarina lit her hands up with light to let herself see in the darkness, having tossed her shovel aside. There had been enough burying today, and she was tired. She began to walk back to the campsite to find Cobalt Kid, feeling the soreness in her back and arms. They had made some good progress on cleaning up the capital city.
She had no idea why she was there, or why she stayed. After all, these were the people that wiped out her own people. By all rights, she should raze the entire planet again. But she didn’t, and she helped clean it up with Cobalt Kid. Perhaps she felt a kinship with him, both being survivors of similar tragedy, trying to help him deal with what she was going through? Or maybe she was just doing it to take her mind off of everything, to find focus? Or perhaps…perhaps she was trying to find it in herself to forgive the Ggrrggians? Maybe that way, she could forgive herself for failing her people…
“You’re thinking too hard,” said Cobalt with a smile, and she jumped back, not having seen him. That worn Elvin cloak hid him easily in the shadows. It was a useful tool.
“That’s all I’ve been doing these last few days,” she replied. “Since our last conversation.”
“Ah,” he said. “The Trumpeter. I was wondering when we’d get back to him.”
“Yes. Not so much him though. The Spear of Night. That horn. You think I should help destroy it?”
“Only you can, Tarina,” he said softly. “And you know that you must…”
“But what about you, then? I go off to defend the universe, like you once did, and you stay here and mourn in silence? Go days without talking? Burying a people that treated you with contempt and hatred? It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Cobalt grinned. “Its not supposed to, I don’t think,” he said, adding, “nothing anyone does makes any sense really. That’s what makes us so…human.”
“Or stupid,” she replied. “The smell will kill you,” she added, “we haven’t showered in days. To think, a Princess, and here I am…”
He was glad to hear her talking so much. The silence was getting to her. Before all she could do was cry or get angry, swinging wildly at debris and air. Now she could joke again. “Princesses that get dirty are the best kind,” he smiled, referring to someone very close to him. He looked at his hands, seeing a light blue energy glowing. He was healing her, he knew that. It was helping him heal himself.
“Seriously, Cobalt, or Cobaltus, or, whatever, how long do you plan to stay here?”
“Call me Cobie if you’d like, all of my friends usually do. And I plan on staying until I feel I’ve done enough. And then one day I’ll return and do some more. Perhaps if you leave, I’ll leave with you. But are you ready to leave yet?”
She was silent for a minute. They both sat there, and Cobalt wiped away some dirt from his bearded face. He tried to get if off the scar on his forehead. They suddenly hear a noise in the distance. Both looked at each other quickly, and Tarina immediately began to build her light energy. Cobalt grabbed her arm and shook his head ‘no’. They stood up.
“Wow, Lolita, what a great place to take me…” said Lard Lad loudly in the distance. “Sure, lets head right on down…obviously, you need LMB course 213, where we teach you how to land on a planet at the opportune time, like, y’know, when its day and stuff…”
“He’s close, I can feel it,” she replied. “He’s probably in the capital city, so we need to—“
“Lolita! What are you doing here?!” said Cobalt loudly, interrupting them and catching them both off-guard! “I told you not to come here! I told you not to have anyone else come here actually—you particularly shouldn’t be in this whole sector of space!” he said, his voice growing louder. “I should never have taken you to the Khanate that time…its too dangerous out here now. There’s a war going on, and you could get hurt—easily—there’s barbarian space-fleets, and you—“
“I think she gets it Des,” said Lardy. He turned to see Lardy grinning and Princess Tarina looked amused.
Jailbait Lass pulled her arm away from him. “Hi to you too,” she said.
Cobalt looked at Lardy quizzically. “Lardy?” he asked grinning. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for beer, but…” he looked around, “…I guess I was mistaken.” Cobalt let out a little laugh. “I’m sorry about this all Des,” said Lardy softly, putting his hand on Cobalt’s arm.
A momentary look of pain came across Cobalt’s eyes, but it faded quickly. He nodded with a smile. “I know. Thanks,” he said. “So I guess Lolita cashed in on my favor,” he smiled, and turned back towards her. She looked annoyed. “Hi,” he smiled, walking to her, and she tried not to, but then smiled back. He hugged her.
“Uh, you’re filthy…” she said, holding her hands to her mouth and face, “…and you stink! Bloody Liberty…” she said, but was starting to laugh.
Lard Lad turned towards Princess Tarina. “Anthony,” he said, “but my friends call me Lard Lad.”
“I know who you are,” she said with a nod, “Princess Tarina.” Again, Lardy wondered why this young woman was spending nights with Cobalt on the ruins of Ggrrgg, but said nothing.
“She cashed in on your favor,” said Lardy with a pat on his back, “but lets just say its still on the table. This is a sampler. But I’m here to help you get back out there and help the Legion Des,” he said, but Cobalt cut him off.
“Looks like fate is forcing you to make a choice Tarina,” he said turning towards her. “Shall we leave Ggrrgg?”
Jailbait Lass and Lard Lad looked at each other with an eyebrow raised. Tarina looked down at her feet. She hid her face from them, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.”
“Good,” said Cobalt, “me too. Its time to leave.” He turned with a smile, and put one arm around Lardy’s shoulders, and began walking to the cruiser.
“All this way, for that?” said Lardy, “Dru is going to kill me…”
“Wait,” said Jailbait Lass to Cobalt and Tarina, “you were ready to leave this whole time? I didn’t need to come all the way out here?”
Cobalt smiled. “You probably did,” he said to her quietly so only she could hear, “Tarina needed a push, and this is it. She’ll be ready to help us now. And we’ll need it. Only she has the power to destroy the horn.”
“But what about you?” said Jailbait Lass now, concerned. “You’re ready to leave? Or did you…did you come her only to get her to help us fight the Trumpeter?” she asked.
Cobalt laughed.
“You did…” she said, shaking her head.
“I think many birds were hit by this stone,” he added with a grin, looking at Princess Tarina walk confidently again beside Lard Lad, and then over at one of the many burials he had created. His face grew somewhat serious. “Thanks for coming out here,” he added, turning one last time to look at Ggrrgg before he entered the cruiser. Though he would never put it into words, she understood.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Weber’s World
“Is that Relnic with Princess No-Protection again?” said Actor Lad to Kent quietly, seeing the Ambassador walking with the young princess across the courtyard. “He has to be at least three times older than her…”
“Its Princess Cxstina,” replied Kent quietly, “and I’d say your about right with the ratio. How odd…but we need to stand fast, the Admiral and Prime Minister are around again and are looking for us. I’m not sure how I feel about Prime Minister Maya adi Lva yet,” he added, unsure why.
“Me either,” said Actor Lad. “She seems nice enough. But she’s a politician, and evidently a master one. So of course we’d be a little suspicious. She probably knows how to play her game well. That’s probably a *good* thing for the UP.”
Kent nodded in agreement, as Admiral Cornwallis and the Prime Minister said hello to them again. Ambassador Relnic said goodbye to the pretty young blond Princess and walked over to join them. Actor Lad, however, felt like something was off. He slipped away, leaving Kent to the heavy-hitter politicians and began to quietly follow the Princess. None realized he was doing so, as that, after all, was his super-power.
Kent turned suddenly, realizing Actor Lad was gone again. The Prime Minister again mentioned using Legionnaires against the Khanate, though Admiral Cornwallis was adamant that the UP military could handle things. Maya adi Lva was in her late forties by standard Terran years, with brunette hair and pretty features, though she was very business-like. Kent turned to see the Courtyard square full of politicians and ambassadors, as this was just before their usual gathering hour. He was definitely ready to leave Weber’s World after all these continual days of politics.
Suddenly, he heard a horn blow loudly in the distance. Then again, closer. Then once more, this time extremely close.
“Ladies and Gentleman!” said the voice. “Politicians and good people of the world…of which you cannot be both,” it added, “allow me to introduce myself.”
Suddenly a spear came hurling down into the center of the courtyard causing a tremendous explosion, and energy was released from all angles, sending a jolt to the ambassadors.
“I am the Trumpeter,” he said with a laugh, “and I’ve come to negotiate with you.”
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Weber’s World
Actor Lad followed Princess Cxstina around the corner into a garden area, and then a little more towards a faux-brick alley way, that led to normal 31st century hallways. She seemed to be going to her quarters, but she was moving extremely fast for a casual stroll—she was in a rush. Was she working with Relnic in secret? He wondered…the Ambassador was the biggest supporter of the UP he’d ever seen and a good man. Perhaps he had some secret play going against the new Prime Minister…
He turned the corner, but she appeared to be gone. Odd. There was no way she could have ran the length of the hallway in the time it took him to enter it.
Elsewhere…
“What do you want, madman?” said Prime Minister Maya adi Lva in anger at the floating Trumpeter before her. “We won’t negotiate with your kind—ever.”
The Trumpeter smiled. “Really?” he said, as Pillum suddenly hurled another energy-spear into the crowd of Ambassadors. “I’ve already used my new Horn on the poor Science Police Officers who had the honor of guarding this filth-ridden planet of politicians. I suppose I should have just eliminated the filthiness of it first…” As he spoke, Cannibal, the mad Bismollian, grabbed a scared Ambassador, and bit hard into the alien’s shoulder with a laugh.
“Enough,” said Kent Shakespeare finally. “I might be vastly outnumbered, but I’m a Legionnaire. And that’s more than enough to deal with you all,” he finished.
The four villains laughed loudly, as the ambassadors looked on. Kent seemed calm and sure of himself.
“Fine,” said the Trumpeter, “then let you be our first example,” he added, putting the Horn to his lips. As he prepared to blow it, Kent suddenly flew at him with super-speed, attempting to land a hard punch into his mouth. Déjà Vu and Cannibal were too slow to react, but Pillum was waiting for something like this, and immediately hurled his electro-spear at Kent, knocking him backwards with tremendous velocity.
“The pulse was stronger than I thought,” smiled Pillum. “I sent him clear over the wall.” Indeed, Kent was nowhere in sight.
“Jeepers Pillum!” said a voice suddenly, “aren’t we getting cocky?!” And the villains turned to see Kent flying around the corner, this time with Actor Lad, Eryk Davis Ester, Rockhopper Lad, Caliente and Lash Lad.
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Weber’s World
“Jumpin’ Fishhooks!” yelled Lash Lad, “looks like we got ourselves a super-hero brawl!” he added, leaping at Cannibal, and kicking him in the face. “To think, you give Bismollians a bad name, and I can’t have that!”
“What’s this?” said the Trumpeter to Déjà Vu, “you didn’t see this coming?”
“Its that damn Horn of yours, I told you,” she said angrily, “it’s playing with my powers. And its too late now…” she said, defending herself against Caliente.
“Please Trumpeter,” said Rockhopper Lad, “we knew you were going to come here eventually. We’ve been waiting for days in secret trying to figure out when you’d have the nerve to show up…”
“Get back everyone,” Kent yelled to the diplomats and Ambassadors. “You too, Admiral!” he said, but the Admiral, a staunch man who refused to back down, refused to leave.
“My boy…is it odd that the Trumpeter…something about him…seems very similar…to Maya?”
“No time for that sir!” said Kent, joining Actor, as they battled the Trumpeter.
Pilllum prepared to hurl another spear into the fray, when a certain Luck Lord scooped it up. “We still owe you Pillum,” said Eryk, “and with a little luck—I intend on collecting!”
“Good luck then,” laughed the Ggrrggian spearman, “but you better focus on your real problems,” he said, referring to the Trumpeter.
The Trumpeter now stood in the center of them all, as Actor Lad, Kent, Rockhopper Lad and now Lash Lad surrounded him. He smiled, and placed the Horn of Undoing near his lips, and unleashed a mini-cascade of power. Eryk yelled ‘Jeepers!’ and the Luck Lord swung around and grabbed the four out of harm’s way.
Not far off, Pillum and Cannibal, realizing they were outgunned, made their exit.
“Not a bad plan,” said Déjà Vu preparing to do the same, but Caliente was on her quickly, putting a path of fire between them, and then leaping on her back. Déjà Vu turned, smacking Cali hard across the face, and knocking her back, but Cali was able to land a hard kick underneath the female terrorist’s chin. “No time for this…” said Déjà Vu, preparing to run off, when suddenly, Prime Minister adi Lva landed a hard punch into her face.
“Figured you needed some assistance, Legionnaire…” she said.
“Its her powers, Prime Minister,” said Cali, “without them, she’s useless.”
Thirty feet back, The Trumpeter put the Horn back to his lips and let another blast loose, and Rockhopper Lad was thankful that he wasn’t trying to destroy Weber’s World, like he had done at the Science Asteroid, because he certainly had the power for it. The five heroes closed in on him, unsure of how to proceed.
“Should we use lethal force?” said Lash Lad, unsure but considering it. “We certainly have cause.”
“No!” said Actor Lad, “there’s got to be a better way.”
“As if you could,” said the Trumpeter. “I’ll show you lethal force…”
As he prepared to unleash one last blast, Rockhopper Lad realized he would have to make his decision now—but instantly, he didn’t have to.
BLAM!!!
The Trumpeter’s brains were blasted all over the gardens, as a blaster smoked ten feet away. Admiral Cornwallis stood there rigidly, no remorse in his eyes. The Trumpeter’s body fell forward, and the Horn fell out of his hands. The Legionnaires were in shock. “I’m sorry lads,” said the Admiral, “but there was no other way, and this is war. I have no such code against it…”
“There’s no doubt,” said Kent, bending over, and assessing the body, as a trained field medic. “He’s dead.”
The Admiral picked up the Horn. “I will take this for the time being,” he said, and instantly, Eryk, Lash, Actor and Rocky turned to protest. There was not one among them that had not been a leader or deputy leader of the LMB before. “I promise it will not be used until more is decided. But I can’t have it out in the fields right now…” he said seriously, and they knew he was right.
“Man…” said Lash. “What a anti-climatic ending…”
“Its not over yet,” said Cali, bringing forth an imprisoned Déjà Vu in cuffs. “The Science Asteroid is still in their grasp and this is only a few of them. But I guess the Trumpeter was the one calling the shots…”
“Screw him,” said Déjà Vu, “I would never have joined him if I knew what he was like. He was a madman. I’ve been trying to leave for weeks…a lot of us have. But he was watching us…”
“Take her away gentleman,” said the Prime Minister to the Science Police. “Well, LMBers…” she said. “What do we do now?”
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Weber’s World
“Where do you intend to go now?” said the Prime Minister to Rockhopper Lad, as the LMBers watched the Science Police searching the area for the missing Cannibal and Pillum.
Ambassador Relnic joined Actor Lad and Kent Shakespeare and immediately were getting filled in on what happened.
“That’s her!” said Lash Lad to Eryk and Cali, “that’s how I accidentally helped crate half of our enemies, by introducing Cobie to her!” he added, pointed at Princess Cxstina across the courtyard.
Rockhopper Lad took all of this in and turned back towards the Prime Minister. “I’m not sure…” he said, “…but I don’t think we should leave just yet…something isn’t right here…”
Elsewhere… Admiral Cornwallis walked through the hallways carefully, a contingent of bodyguards around him. None of these particular guards were made aware of the fact that he had a very important artifact on his person: the Spear of Night, also known as the Horn of Undoing. He said nothing, and they dispersed near his quarters, allowing him to enter.
The room was dark and he turned the lights on, making his way to his desk. Finally he sat, and sighed a breath of relief, finally relaxing. He put his fingers to the bridge of his nose.
“You should be careful old man,” said a voice, and instantly, an electro-spear was at the side of his head. Pillum was hovering behind him.
“Or something terrible might happen to you,” said another voice, and Cannibal came out of the shadows in front of him.
Admiral Cornwallis looked at them, and sat back in his chair. Slowly, he pulled out the Horn of Undoing from his jacket-pocket and held it tightly in his hand. A subtle grin began to form, until it became obvious and apparent. He began to laugh.
Pillum pulled back his spear and laughed quietly as well, as did Cannibal. For Admiral Cornwallis, unfortunately, was a victim of the super-science of the Trumpeter, and before he could react, his brain had switched with the Trumpeter’s brain. In the blink of an eye, Cornwallis killed himself accidentally and died. And in his place, now commanding the United Planets military and wielding the Horn of Undoing, was the Trumpeter.
END CHAPTER FOUR
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Chapter Five: War and Terror
Weber’s World
“Man, what a bust,” said Lash Lad, “we came all the way here and that was pretty quick…maybe some of us should race over to the Science Asteroid and see why Scooter’s team has broken off communication?”
“It was a very quiet end,” said Rockhopper Lad, curiously. “I can’t help feel that it isn’t quite over yet.”
“Jeepers!” said Eryk, “I wonder if we’ll know.”
Suddenly, a side door in the hallway that they were walking in opened up, and Kent Shakespeare dodged out of the way before he hit the person entering. It was Prime Minister Maya adi Lva and Ambassador Relnic. “Madame Prime Minister,” said Kent, “my apologies. I’m surprised to still see you up,” he added curiously
“Likewise,” she said with an eyebrow. “Any luck finding those last two terrorists?”
“None yet,” Rockhopper, “but this is a big planet. We’ll have them eventually.”
“Good, good,” she said, looking tired and vulnerable for the first time, “and thank you. It seems things never cease. Admiral Cornwallis has not left his quarters in some time and I just received reports that the military is making preparations for something. I fear what the Khanate of Sol Invictus has done now that the Admiral is in such a hurry he hasn’t informed me.”
“Even with the threat of the Trumpeter over,” said Relnic, “the war remains the main issue at large,” he added.
Elsewhere aboard Weber’s World… Caliente and Actor Lad stole a moment to themselves away from the group, to enjoy the wonderful view of deep space and a distant supernova as this portion of the planet was now nighttime and overlooking the stars. They were engaged, though romantic moments remained few and far between as they were off on various missions across the United Planets.
Caliente snuck a quick kiss in when Actor was turned away, causing him to smile. He turned to look at her, only to be interrupted:
“Aw, that’s sweet,” said Lard Lad entering, “playing it coy, I see, eh Actor?” he added. “Usually a good strategy…” He was entering with Cobalt Kid, Jailbait Lass and Princess Tarina, flying from their docked cruiser to Weber’s World proper.
Actor Lad rolled his eyes, as Caliente replied, “Har, har, Lardy…”
“Cute as you two love bird may be,” said Cobalt, using that line to add a little extra jib, “we have business to attend to. The Trumpeter…”
“…we know, we just fought him,” said Actor Lad. “You’re all late. He’s apparently dead.”
“Dead?” said Cobalt.
“It matters little,” said Tarina, who seldom had little time for small-talk. “It’s the Spear that’s the main threat. The Horn. Take me too it.”
“Tarina…” said Actor with an eyebrow raised at her demeanor, “…how plesant to see you again…”
Caliente elbowed Actor in the ribs. “*Princess Tarina*? Isn’t that the one you almost married?”
Actor looked at Cobalt annoyed, and Cobalt snuck in, “It was a trick, Cali, an LMB maneuver, really…”
“I’m just glad you’re cleaned up,” said Jailbait Lass to herself as Cobalt was now clean-shaven and back in his proper uniform, and showered as well.
“I kind of liked the bearded look myself on you,” said Lard Lad. “You should have went for a goatee like me,” he added, brushing his own goatee with his hands.
“Er, goatees are a bit evil Lardy,” joked Cobie. “Thanks for coming with me though. We’ve already disturbed you, so you might as well see this through to the end…” Jailbait Lass looked embarrassed at this comment.
“I just wish I’d have more to do than watch Tarina destroy a horn,” he replied.
Actor Lad and Caliente led them down the hallway. “Actually, you might,” said Actor suddenly. “I’m getting word that Admiral Cornwallis has just issued a full on charge of the Khanate homefront—without the Prime Minister’s orders!”
“What?” they all replied in unison.
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The Science Asteroid
Spellbinder, Lightning Lad and Arachne watched on, under the guard of Madrox the Multiple Durlan, as the scientists continued to work on the devices keeping the stability of the universe in check. They had worked for hours now, into the next morning, and still it hinged on the verge of destruction.
“Truly,” said Dr. One, an LMBer that was helping the scientists, “this is no longer science at all. This is pure madness. It is worse than that actually,” he said, looking at Salad-Tosser Lord, “its blood-lust.”
“But you can see the astonishing effects of the horn, can you not Doctor?” he added.
“No, doctor, I can’t,” replied Dr. One. His words stung Salad-Tosser Lord.
Not far off, Middlefinger watched on, along with the Arch Duke of Time who was by her side. “We haven’t heard from the Trumpeter yet,” he said to the mysterious villainess. “That worries me. He appears cool and calculating…but there is something not right with him. I think he’s much more erratic than we originally thought.”
“You may be right,” she replied. “But we wait,” she added firmly.
In the Underground Sewer System “Fascinating,” said Tamper Lad, “so they have a conversion unit turning all this sewage into fuel. Yet, it still resembles a traditional 20th Century sewage system. Odd.”
“Tamper, less talk, more action,” said Outdoor Miner, as he punched Slaughterhawk across the nose, breaking it. “You’re the one shaped like these two…” he said, as Slaughterhawk’s partner Avengilyne leapt at him.
Moments earlier, the two villains had found them at last, and instead of attempting to trap or trick them, they simply attacked.
“Please Miner,” said a voice laughing, “these two losers aren’t worth two LMBers time,’ he finished, revealing himself to be Dedman, coming down from above and kicked Avengilyne’s face into the sewage. He quickly cuffed her as Miner did the same to Slaughterhawk.
“I was wonder when you would reappear,” said Tamper Lad. “We were waiting for you before we freed the others. Thought we’d hedge our bets.”
“I’m glad,” Dedman replied. “I want another shot at them.”
“Shall we go then?” said Miner, “the smell down here is killing me.”
“Let’s,” said Tamper Lad, “hm, wait. Look at that. My evil genius computer finally calculated who the most likely doppelganger for the Trumpeter is here in Universe-1.”
“And?” said Dedman.
“Apparently, a female named Maya adi Lva. I’ll have to find out who that is after the battle…I could swear I’ve heard that name before…”
Topside… Salad-Tosser Lord looked on, as the scientists worked. Middlefinger looked on coldly, and Salad-Tosser Lord began to notice the group he was with for the first time. The Trumpeter and Déjà Vu were long gone, and he was now stuck with the others: Madrox, the Durlan mercenary. Virus and Dominatrix, two terrorists. The fools who were down in the sewers. This wasn’t what he had in mind at all when he heard the Trumpeter’s plans.
“Its no use!” said a scientist, “its simply too far-fetched to make it work!” he added. “The systems are failing…there’s simply no way to manipulate the universe in this way safely!” The scientists panic snapped him back to attention.
“Doctor,” said Dr. One to him, again referring to him by something other than his villainous moniker, “we need your help for this. This has gone way beyond your usual motus operandi. You must help us.”
“Stay where you are Salad-Tosser Lord,” said Madrox the Multiple Durlan to the mad-scientist suddenly.
For the first time, Salad-Tosser Lord hesitated. Where did this insignificant mercenary…the hired help…get off giving him an order? For that matter, where did Middlefinger, whom he helped create? He thought of those dead scientists. For all of his mad schemes and countless attacks on the LMB, he had never once been a murderer. That was not the reason for his actions. This was not who he was. “Bah!” he said loudly, “of course you need me to fix this,” he said, his words convincing no one. He had enough.
Salad-Tosser Lord walked over to Dr. One and immediately began looking at the machinery, the two quickly engaging in scientific talk. “Thank you Doctor,” said Dr. One calmly, as Spellbinder gave Lightnign Lad a look.
“What are you--?” said Madrox the Multiple Durlan walking over to grab him. Dr. One turned around, with a back-hand, using his massive frame to knock the mercenary backwards, creating another duplicate.
“The experiment has reached its conclusion,” said Salad-Tosser Lord, feeling sure of himself again for the first time since he met the Trumpeter, allowing his ego to return, “and the universe will live another day.”
FLASH!
A blast of blue flame ripped forth and through Salad-Tosser Lord, knocking him backwards, and then stumbling to the ground, as it seared his skin and burnt away his laboratory costume. Steam rose off the gloves of Middlefinger VIII, who stood there coldly. “There will be no end to this experiment,” she said.
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The Science Asteroid
The smoking body of Salad-Tosser Lord lay at Dr. One’s feet and for the first time, the captured LMBers saw the usually calm and collected LMB-Scientist growing furious with rage. He turned at Middlefinger, glaring at her.
“Continue Doctor,” she said.
“I fail to understand you,” he replied, growing calm again. “You obviously intend on us not being able to do this. Otherwise you would realize that we have seconds to accomplish it. That leads me to believe that we scientists are not being arrogant in our little secret discussions earlier. You truly do have the mind of a child.”
“You’re crossing the line, Legionnaire,” said Dominatrix with a growl from the side, “you better be ready to back up your insults.”
“Likewise,” said a voice, as suddenly Dedman floated through the floor, getting solid and then landing a cheap-shot upper-cut into Dominatrix chin. The female Dominator Unkillable fell backwards hard, slashing at her claws at her assailant but to no avail.
“You better execute these two as well,” said Tamper Lad, throwing the beaten bodies of Slaughterhawk and Avengilyne on the ground, “they failed you too, you heartless thugs.” He was grinning widely. “Nice monocle,” he said to the Arch Duke of Time.
“He’s mine” said Virus, shrinking down and leaping at him, “I hate green people.”
“I’m tired of getting slapped around,” said Madrox the Multiple Durlan, “leave a piece for me.”
“Truly childish, Dr. One,” said Tamper Lad with a laugh. “You realize of course, you two have just left the three captured LMBers without anyone watching them for, oh…4.76 seconds?”
Everyone turned towards the three prisoners to see Outdoor Miner, loosening their laser-bound hands with a standard LMB Omni-pick. “Hey, don’t look at me”, said Miner, “I wasn’t in the mood to do any of the actual fighting anyway…”
Lightning Lad ran forward, blasting lightning at Madrox and the Arch Duke of Time. “I was,” he said grimly, pouring the lightning down on them. Madrox immediately had all of his bodies run towards the Legion World Founder.
“Of all of our enemies, Madrox,” said Spellbinder, hovering in the air above them, “you’re definitely the most persistent…we’ve got to give you that,” she said smiling suddenly using her telekinesis to grab the entire two dozen of them and lift them off the floor.
“Hm…” said Tamper Lad standing there. “Can someone help me? I have a microscopic Imskian with Kryptonian enhanced powers coming towards me, and she happens to be an angry female, which usually doesn’t bode well for me…”
Virus was less than eight feet away, as she descended on her prey. Suddenly, super-strong web-fluid knocked her sideways and began to build and build into a larger cocoon. “Why not,” said Arachne, running towards her prey, in full-on spider-form, nearly twice the size of Virus.
Middlefinger pointed her gloves at the Legionnaires, as Dedman and Dominatrix battled one on one with each other, Dominatrix using her brute strength, but Dedman using his skills to keep her at a distance. She prepared to end their fight for them, but quickly felt the effects of lightning blasting through her. “No,” said Lightning Lad, “you’re mine.”
Outdoor Miner ported by Dr. One’s side, who was checking on Salad-Tosser Lord. “Is he..?”
“No, he’s alive,” said Dr. One. “But we need to stop the effects of the Horn, and we need to do it now, otherwise these lunatics will have started something irreversible. The Trumpeter is a loon and only Dr. Strnglv here really understood it,” he said nodding to Salad-Tosser Lord.
“It was my fault,” said the fallen villain, “I should never have allied myself with such cretins. Help me up. I will help you set things right.” Dr. One nodded at him, and he and Outdoor Miner lifted him up, and walked him over to the machine as the scientists scrambled around it.
“Aaargh!” screamed Virus, as she punched through Arachne’s wall of spider-fluid with her super-strength. “You’ll pay for that insult,” she said, leaping at the LMB Spider before her. Arachne put her eight legs up and pushed back and the two collided. Virus had enhanced semi-Kryptonian strength via the experiments of the Dominators, but Arachne had the proportionate strength of a spider when she was in her spider-form.
Lightning and Middlefinger continued to blast one another, as Spellbinder held the Madrox clones together in a telekinetic shield. “I’m going to give you one chance to return all your clones back to the main body,” she said. “And then I’m going to start squeezing you until I smush you all together myself.” Dominatrix slashed and hacked again, showing a speed and deadliness rarely unmatched in the UP. But Dedman dodged easily, moving in and out of the poltergeist area. “Let me in on a little secret,” he said, grabbing a pipe above him, as he floated upwards. “Your facing the original ‘Unkillable’,” he added, ripping the pipe down and flooding Dominatrix with super-dense cold water that was used to run the Science Asteriod.
Arachne knocked back Virus again, and this time, the microscopic killer grew back up to normal size, realizing she had the upper-hand in that way. Instantly someone’s hand was on her shoulder, and she turned to knock him out. “Easy my dear,” said the voice of the Arch Duke of Time, “but I figured I’d you let you know. I’m cutting my losses and taking flight. This fight has seen better days and I’ve been able to elude capture this long—and have no intentions of stopping. Care to join me?” he said smiling. She felt it was hardly a choice at all.
“Again!” yelled Salad-Tosser Lord, as he, Tamper Lad and Dr. One all took control of the large device restoring the balance between the strong force and the weak force within the fabric of the universe. His burnt and bruised body was in pain but he did not give up. “We need more energy.”
“Scott…” said Tamper Lad, as Lightning Lad, in the middle of fighting Middlefinger turned his head.
“Not now…”he said, turning back, “…oh, alright!” he yelled, flying over and instantly pouring electricity into the main battery.
The scientists all stood back and waited, and Outdoor Miner realized this was it: do or die time. Lightning Lad continued to flood it, as Salad-Tosser Lord began to fall back. Dr. One and Tamper Lad caught him. Another scientist put his hand on his shoulder as well.
Middlefinger looked at the scene before her, and saw the Arch Duke of Time and Virus making their exit. Oh, how she wished she could get at the Legionnaires. But no, it was not to be today. She joined her other allies.
“How’s it looking?” said Spellbinder, flying down with Madrox and hurling him towards the beaten Dominatrix, Slaughterhawk and Avengilyne.
“Not sure…” said Dedman.
Tamper Lad looked at his wrist watch, and then at Dr. One. “Its taking too long…”
“No,” said Dr. One, “just a little faith in what we can all achieve together…”
And suddenly, the swirls of reality outside began to dissipate. With little noise and no large boom, science succeeded and the Horn of Undoing was undone. The universe was normal again, and the Science Asteroid was won back.
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
“We got four of them,” said Dedman to Lightning Lad, who looked exhausted. “Well, five, really,” he said, looking towards Salad-Tosser Lord
“What about Middlefinger and the other two?” said Outdoor Miner. “They might be too far.”
“No…” said Spellbinder, “…the Trumpeter. He’s the madman here that must be stopped. There’s no telling what he plans to do now…”
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The Orbit around Weber’s World
Admiral Cornwallis stood quietly, looking ahead at deep space, his eyes narrowing and his determination palpable. Usually, he was much more talkative and gruff, and his silence unnerved the lieutenants around him. “Its out there…out there right along this path,” he said grinning. “The Khanate of Sol Invictus. We will annihilate them from space. It will be glorious! Imagine—the galactic war to end all galactic wars,” he finished.
What his soldiers did not know was that Admiral Cornwallis—the real Admiral Cornwallis—was dead. The Trumpeter’s super-science had allowed him to do a brain-switch moments before the Trumpeter himself was dying. In effect, the Trumpeter had lost his body. That was alright, his real body was long lost many years earlier, and none ever knew who he really was. None eve knew what gender he truly was. This new body, though old, was the perfect vessel for the implied authority it gave him. His recently acquired allies all admired his intelligence and leadership and assumed he had some great master-plan. He laughed at their naiveté. Master-Plan? What need was there for that? He was outnumbered one against an army of super-powered heroes, as well as an entire conglomerate of planets. He had already succeeded in his plan. Inspire true terror among the populace and slow life to a grinding halt as they focused on the terror he brought to them. Rip apart their economies! Let them believe that the universe itself could actually unravel through a weapon they could hardly understand!! Accelerate an entire intergalactic war that will have casualties hit numbers previously undreamt of!!!
“Sir?” said a soldier coming up to him. “The Prime Minister is on the line again. She insists upon speaking with you. She said it’s urgent.”
“Son,” said the Trumpeter, a truly horrifying tone of voice taking over, “the Prime Minister can go to hell.” He was reveling in the role he’d cast himself now. He felt the Horn at his side. What would happen if he ripped this soldier apart right now, atom by atom? The anticipation was almost too seductive and he was ready to forget the entire plan there and then, and commit this one tempting act of murder. It would feel so delicious!
*POP* suddenly, an odd noise caught their attention, and the Trumpeter and the soldiers turned to see the figure of Lard Lad suddenly port into the room. He had a large grin on his face, and flanking him on either side were Rockhopper Lad and Caliente. “You’re a tricky devil,” smiled Lardy, “and I’m glad I could be here for the ass-kicking we’re about to give you!”
The soldiers immediately ran up, grabbing their weapons and surrounding the Admiral. “Stand down Legionnaires!” yelled a lieutenant.
Rockhopper Lad stepped forward, and they raised their blasters higher. “No,” he said simply. “You will have to stand down, by the order of the Prime Minister of the United Planets, the Commander-in-Chief of its military. I’m afraid you’ve all been led astray. There is no way that Admiral Cornwallis would ever agree to such a war-mongering maneuver.”
“Oh?” said the Admiral. “Then what are you saying?” His smile was all-encompassing. He seemed to be enjoying every moment, as if getting caught by the LMB was better than actually going to war.
“We’re saying, you sly bastard,” said Lard Lad, “that you’re the effin’ Trumpeter!”. As he said that line, Caliente moved among the men, and attempted to send a blast of fire towards the Trumpeter, but it was to no avail. A light blue shield previously unseen flashed as the fire hit him. The Trumpeter smiled and pulled out the Horn of Undoing. And in one large blast, he let loose its fury. The endgame had begun.
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“Lardy seems to be having fun being back in it,” said Kent to Cobalt and Lash, as the other LMBers watched on from above, in space. “I guess that’s our cue,” he added.
“Good luck,” said Cobalt, as Kent Shakespeare, Actor Lad and Eryk Davis Ester flew down below to battle the Trumpeter.
“*choke*!” said Lash Lad mockingly, “you too Eryk!” He laughed. “So the second guard is in to keep him distracted. As *if* we couldn’t figure it out. Brain-switching villains was my minor at LMB Academy.”
“But you were a teacher Lash, not a student,” smiled Cobalt.
“One can never stop learning young Cobert,” said Lash in response. “Are you ready Tarina?”
“Yes. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get the Horn. I have the power of light at my back and call.”
“Don’t under-estimate the Trumpeter,” said Cobalt. “He probably suspects something is up. We need to wait until those shields are down, and then you need to move fast.”
“And you two?” said Tarina.
“We have two minor problems to squash,” said Cobalt.
Down Below… The soldiers and Legionnaires were knocked backwards as the Horn’s anti-matter blast ripped the ship’s hull completely in half. Immediately Rockhopper Lad used his new-found ice-breath to create a ice-wall ceiling one-half of the ship up, while Kent, Eryk and Actor, all just arriving, pushed the soldiers into the other half of the ship, keeping them safe.
Caliente blasted fire again, as Lard Lad used the Lard-force to create a concentrated blast at the Trumpeter. Immediately, the other four LMBers joined them, swirling around the Trumpeter, using an LMB maneuver designed to throw the enemy off-guard as the LMB disoriented him. The Trumpeter, however, had the Horn, which changed the rules of the game.
“Keep moving LMB,” said Rockhopper Lad, giving orders as the Deputy Leader, “prepare to surprise him…” he said.
“Hey Eryk,” said Lardy in the middle of battle, “do you see much of Jailbait Lass, that cute little piece of steam always with Des? Man, she has the HOTS for him! Is he, you know, you know on the side?”
“Jeepers Lardy!” said Eryk, “I’m trying to concentrate! But no, er, I don’t know, and I’m surprised you haven’t told me how good the sex is with your new wife!”
“Hell, its GREAT!” he said, as Actor Lad shook his head in disapproval.
“The old guard…” he said under his breath, causing Rockhopper Lad to smile.
“What about you, have you given Antiquated Forms of Communication Lass that call yet…” he added, almost getting blasted by the Trumpeter, as debris swirled around them.
“Concentrate on the problem at hand, Lardy!” said Actor, saving him in the knick of time.
“Easy for you to say, you’re lady is right here,” he said, adding, “and looking goooood too…” he smiled, porting towards the Trumpeter, and landing a hard punch at him, though the shield was still held up.
“Boys, boys, boys,” said Caliente, “it just never ends,” she said.
Now the battle was joined by two others, as Cannibal and Pillum, long-hidden in the sealed half of the former ship, broke free. “Perhaps we’ll even the odds?” said Cannibal, preparing to launch an attack at Rockhopper Lad.
“Perhaps not,” said Lash Lad, flying down and landing a hard whip across Cannibals back with his signature whip. “No one gives Bismol a bad name on my watch!” he yelled jokingly, knowing Cannibal was a crazed Bismollian gone rogue.
“And you Pillum,” said Cobalt Kid, flying at top speed into the fellow Ggrrggian that fancied himself a nemesis for Cobalt. “You and I have unfinished business,” he finished, punching him in the face with raw fury. Though he said little, the entire rage of Ggrrgg’s destruction was in every punch.
“Enough!” said the Trumpeter with a yell, as Caliente, Lard Lad and Kent were all leaping on him. He put his lips to the Horn, and at once blew it as hard as he could, using the tune to rip apart the area around him, creating spatial disturbances that knocked all backwards despite being in space. He looked up, and pure malice was in his eyes.
“No…” said Kent, “…not enough.” In Kent’s hand was the device on the Trumpeter’s belt that was maintaining the shield.
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The next series of events were immediate: The Trumpeter looked towards his shield, saw its removal and instantly prepared to blast Kent into molecules. Kent smiled, and then put his entire faith in the LMB’s plan. Even Cobalt and Pillum, and Lash Lad and Cannibal looked on.
Tarina, the Light-bringer, former Princess of Kerissia, was there instantly. She had thought she had little to live for any longer. Cobalt Kid believed the opposite to be true, that she did indeed have great things before her. And here and now would be the first. At the speed of light, faster than the eyes could see, she blasted through them towards the Trumpeter, blasting him with a pulse-ray, and then she was upon him in a flash. And quickly, just as she had done with the Psionic Spear, she ripped the Horn of Undoing from the Trumpeter’s hands, and held it up high.
quote:Originally spoken by the Trumpeter: It is said that only one spear could destroy another, which indeed is why the Psionic Spear was hid and not destroyed.
And with all her might, the Horn of Undoing was destroyed.
The Trumpeter rose, and a laser-knife came out of his sleeve, the always-prepared villain wanting at least one kill. Tarina turned, quickly realizing she was exposed, ready to take the laser-knife in her side.
“No!” said Kent, pulling her away and taking the knife himself across his shoulder, its cut digging deep but being anything but fatal. They fell backwards in space, as Actor Lad was on the Trumpeter instantly, knocking him backwards with a punch. “I figured I’d owed you,” said Kent with a smile. Tarina looked up, and realizing it was completely out of character for her, she smiled back at him.
Actor Lad fought the Trumpeter hand to hand now, but they understood how tricky he was. “Jeepers!” said Eryk. “Luck Lord—the Trumpeter has tons of devices on him that he could use on us…if only we could get rid of them!”
“Done,” it replied, not being coy as it usually was, and quickly the Trumpeter’s utility belt of weapons dissolved.
Caliente was by her man’s side instantly, helping him battle the Trumpeter toe to toe.
Twenty yards away, Cannibal felt the full force of one of the Legion’s toughest members, as Lash Lad reminded yet another super-villain that he was the original hand to hand combatant in the LMB, and there were little in this universe or the next that could beat him in battle when he put his mind to it.
Cobalt used his magnetism on Pillum once more and ripped all of his spears off his back, scatting them to the void of space. “More cheating,” said Pillum angry.
“No Pillum,” said Cobalt, “I just want to beat you in a way that I know you’ll never forget,” said Cobalt, flying at him and launching once more in a pugilistic rage.
Tarina helped up Kent, as Eryk joined them. Actor Lad and Caliente continued to battle the Trumpeter, as Rockhopper Lad leapt in and knocked the Trumpeter backwards. Suddenly, Lard Lad ported behind the evil genius. “You outsmarted yourself, Trumpeter,” he said calmly. “And now you’re an old man. You’re body can’t handle this, even if you’re mind can. You’re beaten. Surrender.”
The Trumpeter turned to see Pillum and Cannibal beaten and defeated, not through science of powerful abilities, but through old fashioned fists and willpower. He was bruised and beaten, and weapon-less. At once he began to laugh, and laugh loudly. He continued to laugh, and laugh harder. Rockhopper Lad looked at Actor and Caliente, who shrugged. “You think I’m crazy, and I am assuredly so. But you’ve beaten me of course, because you had to. But I ask you this: the United Planets is on the verge of war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus. Even now, the Dark Oval’s plans percolate and grow, and the true enemies within it plan to launch an attack on you that you cannot even comprehend. Your without allies in other universes anymore, and even Legion World is no longer safe give recent months.”
“Yeah, and we beat you,” said Caliente, annoyed.
“Precisely. And now I hope, you beat the rest of them.”
“What?” said Lardy to Cobalt, who was flying over to his side.
“He’s loony…” muttered Cobalt.
“I couldn’t sit there in my universe, while the United Planets of Earth-1 is utterly defeated by growing enemies on all sides. You needed to be sprung into action. You needed some victories at home. Let the military handle the war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus—you’ll be needed here, in the United Planets. When your real enemies come calling.
“OK Trumpeter,” said Rockhopper Lad, “that’s enough. We’re cuffing you and taking you in. And you can tell us all about it on Weber’s World.”
The Trumpeter laughed. “And now I’ve raised the bar for your horrifying neighbors in the Khanate and the Dark Oval…” he added, as Rockhopper Lad led him to the LMB’s ship, which was just out of sight.
“Well?” said Lardy to Cobalt and Lash, as the Founders walked over to Rockhopper Lad.
“Its over at least,” said Cobalt. “The UP is safe…for the time being,” he said, wondering at the Trumpeter’s words.
END CHAPTER FIVE
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Chapter Six: Internal Relief; External Anxiety
Weber’s World
“Once again Legionnaires,” said Ambassador Relnic with a smile, “you’ve done good. Very good.” Actor Lad, Caliente, Rockhopper Lad and Lash Lad were around him. “You’ve reminded me why I continue to go to bat for you,” he said.
“Thank you, Ambassador,” said Actor Lad.
“Are you sure its not just so you can meet all the young chicks?” said Lash Lad suddenly. He was referring to Princess Cxstina, who he once coined Princess No-Protection. Earlier, Actor Lad had told the group of his suspicions about Relnic and the Princess, which caused some to be curious and others to laugh, particularly Lash and Cobalt, who were two that knew her years earlier. Actor Lad looked at Lash and rolled his eyes, and Caliente sighed, while even Rockhopper Lad wasn’t sure if the Ambassador would be taken aback. But Lash Lad had known the Ambassador for at least eight years at this point and could say without a doubt that the two were friends.
“I can assure you, that is not the case,” he said with an eyebrow raised, though it was obvious he was amused. Despite being somewhat older, Relnic was a handsome man and his compassion for the UP made him attractive as both a romantic interest and a friend. “I see you are referring to the young Princess who had the pleasure of knowing the LMB when it was in its infancy. I’ve been trying to meet with her these last few weeks, but have not been able to pin her down.”
“Pin her down?” said Lash again with a smile, and now the other three LMBers laughed.
“Yes, I’ve had some suspicions about her role here. Never before has her planet shown such an interest in United Planets affairs, and they are not really that close to the borders of the Khanate of Sol Invictus or the Dark Oval. I was simply trying to find out what her agenda was.”
“And?” asked Actor Lad, his curiosity piqued.
“And I had no luck. It seems she was never here at all.” The Legionnaires lokoed at him oddly. “During the Trumpeter’s attacks, some of the Science Police Officers witnessed her fade away. Apparently, she as a hologram here on Weber’s World, via some tech that the other Ambassadors from her planet Agualeria had with them.”
“Ah,” said Actor Lad, “That explains her sudden odd disappearance earlier…”
“Well, here’s the moment we’ve been waiting for…” said Rockhopper Lad, changing the subject, as the Prime Minister of the UP, Maya adi Lva came walking to them. She looked to be in a hurry, no doubt balancing twenty-plus situations and things as her role as Prime Minister demanded. She did not have her usual entourage. There was something about her…she was very cunning and no doubt intelligent, but her hard-working nature and confidence made her very likable.
“Legionnaires,” she said as she approached. They waited for her to reach them. “I owe you my gratitude,” she began, “the entire United Planets owes you its gratitude.” She pushed her raven colored hair out of her face to look them all in the eyes. “With so much going on with the war front at the Khanate, the Trumpeter was creating a great deal of chaos within the United Planets. Ending his threat was incredibly important, and I thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome Ambassador,” said Rockhopper Lad, addressing her as the role of Deputy Leader demanded. “It’s our duty,” he added.
She smiled at him, knowing exactly what he was implying. “Yes, I know. And there are many of us here, myself included up until recently, you would have thought your duties could be extended beyond that, to other territories and other fronts.”
“You mean the war,” said Actor Lad, who made no effort to hide the fact that he was against the use of the LMB in intergalactic conflicts.
“Yes,” she nodded.
“But you said up until recently…” said Caliente.
“Yes,” she replied, “and that is what I have come to tell you. I will no longer be pushing for your involvement. You’ve proven, as you always do, that having you here in the UP, defending its population and maintaining order is essential. Your original charter remains as effective and as defined as ever, there is no reason to change it. Most of the Ambassadors and Senators feel this way already, and only now do I begin to see that. While any assistance any one would like to volunteer would be welcome, there will be no push to include the LMB in the UP/Khanate conflict.” Her words seemed to bring a sigh of relief in all four LMBers and Ambassador Relnic, though none showed it. “We’ll need you more than ever though, Legionnaires,” she added. “Because a great deal of military personnel and even Science Police will be focused on this conflict. The United Planets will be more vulnerable than ever.”
“We’ll be up to the task,” said Rockhopper Lad.
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Weber’s World
“Well, if anything, you’ve proven that you’re needed more than ever,” said Cobalt Kid to Princess Tarina, as they overlooked the stars beyond Weber’s World. They both stood tall, almost regally, neither one dirty any longer, but clean, freshly clothed and with a quiet determination in their eyes.
“I fail to see you can infer that,” she said sternly, though there was a hint of delight in her words, “when all I did was grab the horn and destroy it, and then almost get killed I barely did anything.”
Now Cobalt smiled. “You’re missing the point Tarina,” he said, purposely condescending to annoy her, “this was a small step on a much larger path. Despite its enormity and the massive scale of amazing things in the universe, you and I are both still very unique. You have enormous power that can do so much good. There isn’t one among us,” he said, nodding his head a few distances away to where Kent Shakespeare, Eryk Davis Ester, Lard Lad and Jailbait Lass stood, “that has not felt enormous tragedy. But you can continue on in its wake,” he said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
She was quiet for a minute. “I know,” she said. “And I will.” He nodded, and turned towards his friends. As he walked away, Kent Shakespeare began to walk forward.
“Thanks for the save back there,” he said with a half-smile.
“Likewise,” she replied. There was something about this one that she liked.
“Where are you off to now?” he asked, suddenly feeling that same attraction.
“The stars for a time, and to see how the planets near the upcoming war are dealing with what is to come. I am sure our paths will cross again.”
“Then before we are forced to wait until then,” said Kent with a full smile now, “what are your plans for tonight?”
Some distance away, Cobalt rejoined Lardy, Eryk and Jailbait Lass. They were all kidding around with one another, but Lard Lad couldn’t help but frown at Cobalt. “I mean really guys, I give you this favor to use, and you use it on this?” he said, though he couldn’t hide the fact that he was ribbing them. “You didn’t need me at all! But honestly, it felt kind of good…”
“Well Lardy,” said Eryk, “never let it be said that we do anything without our intentions being layered.”
Lard Lad raised an eyebrow and saw Eryk grinning. Jailbait Lass had her own smile, and even giggled a little, as Cobalt put his arm around her. Now Cobalt spoke. “I gave up on debating politics and specifics long ago Lardy. The Khanate of Sol Invictus. It’s a problem. And we need to solve it. You remember Elagabolus, when he was a boy?”
Lardy knew Cobalt knew he remembered him. It was something they spoke of often. “Of course,” said Lard Lad, wondering where this was going.
“Well, the real favor is going to be asked shortly. But I still feel that his existence, as it is now, is partially my fault.” Cobalt put his arms back by his side and a seriousness came on his face. “And its time we do something about it—for good.”
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The Science Asteroid
“Well,” said Lighting Lad, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “as much as I hate to leave this wonderfully interesting place, I think its time we moved on.”
Spellbinder laughed. The two of them had finished tying up the loose ends some time ago. “I agree whole-heartedly,” she said. “And lets hope for the Legion World public’s sake that Saturn Girl and Cobalt Kid are waiting for us when we get home,” she smiled, and they both laughed.
Not far off, Dedman and Arachne were talking with Dr. One, who was constantly waved to and interrupted with a ‘good evening doctor!’, while they talked. He calmly replied to each of them, not having the heart to tell the socially inept, but well-meaning scientists they were being rude.
“So in the end, he wasn’t all that bad?” said Arachne, now referring to Salad-Tosser Lord.
“No,” said Dr. One, “and I dare say, this might be a turning point for him. At least, I hope it is,” he said, meaning every word. Salad-Tosser Lord had done what was right to save lives in the end, and though he had been brutally assaulted thereafter, he had managed to live through it, albeit with some serious scars and burns. “Maybe his long career as a super-villain is finally over.”
“He was always eccentric, said Dedman, who, being a LMBer to join in their second year, was actually the longest serving member of this group. “But he was never a killer. You know, he was actually our first villain? He basically was responsible for the original members joining up together. It gets a little murky on how the story goes…”
“Well, either way,” said Dr. One, “maybe this was his turning point.”
The final two Legionnaires in attendance, Outdoor Miner and Tamper Lad were sitting in the cruiser, already to go. Tamper Lad’s impatience was obvious, and Outdoor Miner couldn’t help but rib him slightly. “Well, if we’re staying,” he said mockingly, “we should probably turn these engines off…”
“I’d rather they burn out in mid-space than consider having to stay one moment longer. This is the free-loving hippy conclave of science. Its disgraceful.”
Outdoor Miner chuckled. “Tell me more about the Universe-1 Trumpeter. I think I remembered who she was.”
“Ah yes,” said Tamper Lad. “Maya adi Lva. I’ll run the database to see.”
“There’s no need,” said Miner, “and you should really get out more. That’s our Prime Minister of the UP. Sounds like we’re in for loads of fun, if the current UP leader is our universe’s version of the Trumepter.”
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Weber’s World
Four days later…
In chains, the aging body of Admiral Cornwallis now housed the brilliant mind of the Trumpeter. Science Police guards surrounded him on all sides, and not far off, Rockhopper Lad watched on. At once, Kid Marvel and Faraway Lad entered the room, both having joined the deputy leader as soon as possible.
“So,” said Faraway Lad, “this is him now? I remember him well…can’t say I’m too sorry to have him leaving us.”
They looked on to see the Trumpeter looking at them with cold, emotionless eyes. He mouth turned into a slight grin.
A few moments later, Faraway Lad and the Science Police began the process, and after some time, a portal opened up between Universe-1 and Universe-4. Previously, Earth-4 had apparently been destroyed in some great cataclysm and battle, leaving a wake of devastation in that universe as well as Universe-1, as the LMB mourned the deaths of almost the entire membership of their great friends, the SMB.* Now, two of the few surviving members, who were not present at that time, came to Weber’s World, arriving from Weber’s World-4 via Faraway Lad. Only the Faraway Lad’s could control the cross between Earths/Universes, and the Faraway Lad of Earth-4 was seemingly deceased.
At once, Lash Lad and his wife, Stretchable Lass arrived from their home of Unvierse-4. They appeared to be very somber. “This is him now,” said Lash Lad shaking his head. “With all the horrible things that have happened, he couldn’t contain himself,” he added. “He had to prove how great he was.”
“His ego was always his greatest downfall,” said Stretchable Lass, aka Linda Lake. “A shame.”
“We’re sorry to just hand him off to you,” said Kid Marvel, “but there’s really no protocol for this. We weren’t sure if we should keep him, or if he should return with you.”
“Its probably good he returns with us. It seems like the most practical approach,” said the Lash Lad of Universe-4.
Just then the Trumpeter began screaming loudly, laughing at himself, knowing full well what a scene he was making. “You’ll thank me by the time its all over!” he said loudly. “I won’t have them defeat both teams and take all the glory and credit! Your true enemies are coming, and you’ll all be needed here! You’ll see! You’re in the United Planets, where you belong! Oh, it will be glorious…” he said.
“A raving madman,” said Rockhopper Lad, as Faraway Lad nodded.
“And so brilliant too,” said Stretchable Lass. “A true shame.”
Yet, Kid Marvel, feeling the Wisdom of Solomon, could not help but wonder at the Trumpeter’s words.
END CHAPTER SIX
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Epilogue I
In a holding cell on Weber’s World, the assassin known as Déjà Vu sat with her back against the wall, staring the ceiling, waiting for what was about to happen to finally happen. With the Horn destroyed the universe restored back to normal, her powers functioned normally again.
Finally, two Science Police Officers entered. Then, a third person, a woman, and Déjà Vu knew because of her powers who it was: Prime Minister Maya adi Lva. She looked at the assassin, and the two stayed in locked eye contact for a minute, as the Science Police Officers looked at themselves wondering what was happening.
“You know why I’m here?” said the Prime Minister finally.
“Yes,” said Déjà Vu. “You think I can help in the upcoming war. With my powers.”
“And?”
“And I think…” said Déjà Vu getting to her feet. “…I think I will. But only for a price.”
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Epilogue II
Somewhere, moving through time and space, the time-ship of the Arch Duke of Time remained undetected and unseen by the forces that patrolled the multiverse and the time-stream. The 89th Century technology made little noise, other than the occasional hum or ‘tick’. Sitting at the monitor screens, wondering what to do next, the Arch Duke of Time and Virus watched as the computers analyzed how far it would be to go to a variety of places: Khundia, Illithyia, the Dark Oval. The Khanate of Sol Invictus.
The Arch Duke took out his monocle and turned towards Virus, whose hair was growing long enough now to cover the burns on her face. “Shall we consult our third ally, or simply choose?” he said with a smile, and Virus laughed.
In the back rooms, Middlefinger VIII looked into the mirror, wondering what she was to do now. The Trumpeter and Salad-Tosser Lord had virtually created her, equipping her with the armor and the weaponry, changing her DNA and metabolism with very enhancements and abilities that had undoubtedly changed her. But they were long lost to their causes, while she stayed on. There was one last ally though, that she could return to: Caracalla, the High Priest of the Khanate of Sol Invictus.
She was so much younger than anyone suspected but she was so much more beyond what she had been. Her brain was able to use its entire abilities now, and she could feel her adrenaline speeding up, causes her new abilities to heal her wounds and increase the super-density of her skin, so that next time, she would feel even less pain. She originally joined the duo of villains when they approached her, because she couldn’t help but feel a significant anger towards the Legion of Message Board Posters, and by extension, the United Planets. They wanted her to be a mole at Weber’s World—she wanted something much more.
And so Princess Cxstina of Agualeria becamse Middlfinger VIII. From one ridiculous moniker of ‘Princess No-Protection’ to another, in the ‘Middlefinger’ line. But a name could be a distraction. For she had sworn to Caracalla that she would bring vengeance upon the Legion, and she knew he would demand she fulfill her promise.
END
Though, I’m sure you can tell true believers, that its never truly the end, with such uncertainty facing our noble heroes!
