Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Rockhopper's Rookery: Annual Holiday Party in Progress

Hours later, Dev slowly opens his eyes.

In a voice that is barely audible above the hustle and bustle at the Rookery says, "need sunlight..." and passes out again.

Red Arrow felt satisfied with Tempest's stability and turned to Dev-Em. She went through the Rookery's files and asked the physician, "Do you know of Ted Knight*?"

"Oh yes, Knight Industries. It's been headed by one of Kalim's sons since the father went evil and conquered that moon," He says.

"I know," Red Arrow slowly admits. "Have you ordered any equipment from there?"

"Yes, but it was the wrong shipment and the warantee expired by the time I got it. I got some sort of rod instead," The doctor pointed to the closet, and went back to looking at the charts. Red Arrow shifted through medical supplies until she found it: A Cosmic Rod. She took out the Cosmic Rod and fiddled with the controls until a blast of solar energy emerged.

"Thank you," She said as she poured the energy onto Dev-Em.

*= Red Arrow's mother is Alison Knight aka Crimson Avenger, a descendent of Starman and the Mist.

<message comes in to Question Kid>

Meet me at the Red Bee's message downtown--you know, the Descent into Maelstrom. I've got an idea.

Dev heard the message for Question Kid come through and sat up.

"Wow. I feel better than ever." He looked over to Red Arrow. "Thanks Kid, whatever you did helped."

He stood up and walked over to where Tempest was still laying. He sighed and turned to leave.

"When Lardy wakes up, tell him that I went to talk with Cobalt Kid."

He picked up his comlink, "Lon, meet us downtown at the message."

He smiled. "We can do this."

His comlink beeped. "Yeah? You did...tell me while I'm in route."

At last, all of the sick and injured have been moved to Medicus Two , except for Lardy since I suspect he wants to say goodbye to Roy one final time.

Glad I could help see that done. Now to see where else I can help.

*Looks at Rockhopper Lad.*

Thank you, your highness for everything.

*Exits.*

<Lardy is about to be transported to Medicus Two by orderlies> One moment, please, guys.

<hoverchairs over to Roy's body>

I heard about what you did, Roy. Dying to save all those orphans. I'm so damn proud of you!

I'm sorry I couldn't muster to tell you this last night before you passed. I was overcome by grief. But I believe your spirit is listening now. You were as great an Officer and LMBer as I've ever had the priviege to serve with.

Rest in peace, my friend.

<bows head for a moment>

You...Tim! <Time Teller Lad walks over> Please give this note to Rocky when he returns:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">It reads: Rocky, I'm so sorry about what I said the other day. Please, let us talk about everything before long.</span></span>

<the orderlies take Lardy aboard the ambulance shuttle bound for Medicus Two>

<Tim takes the note from Lardy>. Of course, Chief. He went to talk to his chaplain to begin planning Roy's memorial. He said they were sparing no expense. I've never been to a Pyngwyny funeral, but Rocky tells me it's quite grand.

<Rocky returns from his consultation with the chaplain.>

Ah, Tim. I need to call Quislet, Esq., He and Roy were involved at one time. What's that?

<Time-Teller Lad hands Rocky the note from Lardy>.

Of course. When he's well.

<Rocky picks up his Omnicom and presses a few buttons>. Hey Quis? It's Rocky...

<Omnicom message received from Lardy>

Rocky, I'm gonna stop by after I finish a meeting. I hope we can talk.

<end of message>

<Sends message to Lardy>

Please come by, Lardy. I'm a bit tied up the rest of the afternoon, but I'll get with you this evening.

<arrives>

Ah! Hello, Sffenyskus. I got Rocky's response to my message, so he may not be here, yet. I'll wait...

<looks around and enjoys taking in the place where he's shared great memories while he waits>

<listens to the Pyngwyny music being piped throughout the Rookery for ambiance>

Cripes! That sounds like the theme song to "Growing Pains"!?!?

Ah, Lardy, thank you for your patience. I was with the chaplain and the musicians preparing for Sir Roy's memorial service. It will be a beautiful liturgy--in Pyngwyny, of course, but we'll have a translation in the leaflet.

Did you need anything? Perhaps a nice hot cup of tea and some sugar cookies?

Nah, I'm good. Sffenyskus has been taking good care of me while I wait.

Look, Rocky...I'm glad we have a chance to talk here.

Look, I'm sorry for disrespecting you last week. I've been in a lot of pain in various ways, and I lashed out at you. I know your Pyngwyny traditions and values mean everything to you as Prince of the realm. I...I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to break things off with me when I lost my powers. I know that.

<gathers himself> On my part it's just so incredibly hard for me to comprehend, you know? Everything I do is driven by my passion, by the fire that burns inside me. As you know, I'm often afraid that same passion will just consume me at some point. And it's that passion that would never allow me to do something simply because it was expected to me.

I...I hope that makes some kind of sense to you.

<Rocky nods and smiles very slightly>

Of course, it makes sense to me. Because you're you.

We Pyngwyny are often accused of being--well--cold <he crackles some ice around his fingertips, just for fun>. I know you've seen the other side of me. I have feelings, love and passion, too, in my way; but, ultimately, I'm a creature not of fire, but of ice.

I love you, Lar--Anthony. I love you very much, and knowing I was honor-bound to break off our relationship and spare the hurt that it would have caused if I'd delayed it was quite possibly the hardest thing I've ever done. Despite the rough exterior and--and the potential that's not so good--I've seen the pure heart inside you, the part that does the right thing and helps people. That's the Lardy I grew to love. And that's the Lardy I never wanted to hurt.

But I did and you know how sorry I am for that.

It's been a while now and we've both grown in different directions. We can't pick up where we left off, whether you have your powers or not. But I hope very much that you will remain one of my closest and dearest friends.

We'll always be... <it hurts for him to say it> friends, Rocky...Eudyptes. No matter what. It was your kindness, warmth and devotion that made me fall for you. <hugs Rocky tightly>

L-look, Rocky. <rubs eyes> I also have news for you. I've learned more about the Evil Emperor Pyngwyn the past few days, and the news is, well, it's startling!

The other Eudyptes has a new throneworld within the Dark Oval. It's Earth-4, Rocky! It lives! They switched it somehow with another burnt-out planet. The SMB are there and still alive--but they're enslaved. Enslaved by him and that other Blaine Fey.

Cobie and I...we're putting a group together to go out there and liberate them, Rocky. I don't know if you would want to go with us, but I know very well that you would at least want to know.

We're keeping this on the down-low, Rocky. It would be a diplomatic nightmare to do if it were an official action. So no matter what...you can't tell anyone about it.

Merciful Dywh in feathers!

I may be honor-bound as Prince of the Pyngwyn Colonies, but I am also a card-carrying member of the Legion of Message Board Posters and, of all LMBers, if Evil...if Eudyptes is causing trouble, it's my duty to help out.

And is Rockhopper Lass there too?

<looks shocked as the thought hadn't occurred to him> I...I don't know. Ka--er, our source didn't mention anything about her. Possibly, she doesn't know. It would make sense, though. I'll have to ask...our source...about Adelie and the others that have been missing, like Bat-Fem. Huh. <his mind races>

<Rocky taps microphone> Is this thing on? Testing, testing, one, two, three.

My fellow LMBers, I welcome you all to the Rookery, which is campaign central for Rocky/Fanfie in 3011!

Food and beverage are plentiful. Please relax and enjoy while my scantily-clad waitstaff tend to your every need.

And line up over here to play the vintage Pengo arcade game. Your quarters go to our campaign fund.

As a special feature, the Rookery cinema will be playing a continuous run of Peanuts specials, Warner Brothers shorts and Hanna-Barbera cartoons during the entire campaign.

Good grief! What's up, doc? Yabba dabba doo! We have it all!

Candidate, is it true that Rocky was involved in a non-platonic relationship with a silver ladle and the plate?

Also, this being my birthday weekend, be sure to come by tomorrow night and Sunday night for screenings of my favorite Transformers episodes.

My only non-platonic relationships have been Openly Gay Lad and Lard Lad. Oh, and Hypno Nips. Can't forget Hypno Nips.

Ooooooh, dun caught on'a dem dere candidet's inna lie, I dun got picker's. Now, who's gonna pony up tha green.