Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Every 10 Years Forum FIVE FACES OF DEATH: The Path...

<stands, in a trance-like state>

No.

No…I cannot. I cannot help myself.

<pulls out machete>

No, not this.

<plunges it into Clive-bot. Rips wires and cords out>

<turning around, slashes at Hrun the Barbarian, and punches Rockhopper Lad>

At last, the Inquisition begins again!

NO!!!

Why…why me?

<pulls out skeleton key>

I cannot hand it over…

<hands key to mysterious figure>

No…

<takes machete, stabs self through the stomach. Falls>

Never would I have been able to find this Path. But now I have the key to the Tower, and Legion World and the United Planets will be mine. And at long last, Angra Metternich shall have the vengeance I so justly deserve. I shall rule Legion World as I once did so briefly. At last the Five Faces of Death come together.

<suddenly appears after being invisible>

I shall take this.

<takes key. The Royal Inquisitor lies on the ground in blood, the other heroes are frozen>

A little magnetism shall hold you back.

Come now. The composite powers of all the of LMB allow me quite an upper-hand. Telepathically controlling one as screwed up as this was child’s play. Thank you Inquisitor. You’ve served me well.

Oh, don’t look so concerned, friends. I have no intentions of fighting you. I’m going to need a population to rule after all.

*BAMF!*
<using Nightcrawler’s power, teleports away>

<lies bleeding>

At last, I feel his presence leave me. I have been tricked. I've given up the key to our enemy, and I have betrayed my friends.

I truly deserve to die for my crimes this time...

...there is no hope for me...

<unable to move, eyes shutting>

Rocky...Hrun...Clive...if you could bring me to Quislet, so that I may see him again...

...I live, but I do not know for how long...

...I've failed us. The Path is over...

<stands up, morphs before their eyes into hulking robotic form--all flesh is burnt off and electricity radiating from its positronic brain, wounds seal>

FOOLS! Letting this 'Clive Bot' go with you on this Path was a huge mistake! The nature of this mystical place enabled me to penetrate the unique defenses of a robot with a soul! You will all rot here without the Key!

As for me, I have a link in the real world to allow me passage! Farewell and tremble in fear before the...

<span style="font-size: 25px;">COMPUTER TYRANT!!!</span>

HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAAA!!!!

<vanishes>

Hrun frees himself from the trance and runs over to the Inquisitor.

He looks at the machete wound and realises that, though it is deep, it is not life threatening. Quickly binding the wound with healing herbs from the forest he lays the Inquisitor to rest at the side of a tree.

“Noble Rockhopper stay with him, keep him warm and safe, I must scout on ahead”

Hrun turns to go but is stopped by Rockhopper Lads hand

“Take care we don’t know what’s out there or what magical creatures may lurk in the woods”

Hrun smiles, “magical or non magical, I have fought and won many such fights, I have naught to fear in this place”

He walks off “I must see if I can find a trail out of this place, we must move on to the tower. The evil one has the key, he will sooner or later turn up to try the lock that key fits”

Roy, there's really nowhere to go but forward. {Rockhopper Lad picks up Roy and, cradling his wounded body, carries him}

Perhaps if we reach the end, we'll get back where we came from.

Hrun returns. In his hands he carries two dead Rabbits.

“Food” he cries “we shall eat well tonight”

Seeing Rockhopper lad struggling somewhat under the heavy limp body of the Inquisitor, Hrun steps forward. Taking him from Rocky’s arms he lays him down on a soft bed of ferns and with an anxious look examines the wound.

After a few moments the anxiety leaves Hruns face and he straightens up. “tis good. The wound has no poison in it, the Inquisitor will be sore but if we can help him to rest he will recover”

Rockhopper looks at Hrun, he is slightly disgusted by the barbarians matted reeking hair and clothes, but has to admit, out of many of the LMBP he is probably one of the most useful people to have around out here in the wild.

“Hrun” says Rocky “I think we need to move on, not only is this wood starting to feel, well oppressive, I guess. But I do think we need to find this Tower thing as I am sure it has some significance and may be our only way home.

“HA HA HA” laughs Hrun and he slaps Rockhopper so hard on the back that Rocky staggers forward slightly. “The penguin princeling has clear sight by damn. This doom thou hast foreseen I too have seen in my halls late at night when the moon rises over the scrying bowl. But thou ist correct, this road leads to The Tower, it is some days hence but the road is clear and we must take it”

Effortlessly lifting the inquisitors sleeping body Hrun steps forward.
“Come my friend I know of a cave only a short distance ahead, we will sleep there”

As Hrun moves down the forest path Rockhopper lad hesitates. A cold wind blows through the trees and he shivers. “that’s not the wind” he thinks, “its almost like…”

From ahead comes the voice of Hrun “Come along little princeling and don’t forget the rabbits”

Startled out of his thoughts Rocky jumps forward and picking up the Rabbits he runs on to catch up to his friend and Hrun..


Behind him in the now quiet empty space in the forest a shadow watches. Twin eyes watch greedily they are burning with an evil red flame and it is hungry oh so hungry. “Not now, not now" it thinks. "Later, when they sleep”.

<begins to stir>

<span style="font-size: 9px;">n-no...no...betrayed them...aggrippina...quislet...</span>

<slowly wakes, to see being carried>

<span style="font-size: 9px;">i apologize friends, for my uselessness. I shall be able to walk from here on in, and perhaps the effort will do me good, to revitalize me. You are both right, of course, we must make for the tower. Always </span> the Tower.

<span style="font-size: 9px;">No matter what plans Metternich and his allies have on Legion World, the key to the Tower must be important to them. We will cut them off there, at the entrance...</span>

<coughs, the others see there is blood. Walks forward>

Roy staggers forward a look of determination on his face.

“must not surrender to the voices” he whispers to himself.

Hrun and Rockhopper exchange glances but silently agree to let him go through this.

As the three walk on Rockhopper Lad starts to feel the evil presence again. At first he thinks it is just tiredness but it grows as they walk onwards.

“Hrun” he says “do you feel that”

“Verily my friend there is an evil presence here, we must be on our guard. You look to the Inquisitor I shall lead for a while” And loosening his battle axe Hrun strides forward.


They march on for a few more miles, The Inquisitors strength is failing him now but still grimly determined he forces one more step, just one more step out of his exhausted body. Only one thought in his fevered mind now “The Tower the Tower must get to the Tower”


Then there is a swirling wind, a flash of light and a loud popping sound.

And out of nowhere staggers a ravenous Zombie. Arms outstretched it makes straight for the Inquisitor.

{Rocky gestures to the Zombie}

Freeze!!!

{The Zombie is encased in a block of ice}

Where did that--thing come from?

Hrun: Verily, Noble Prince, these woods are rife with creatures beyond the imagination of a man--or a Pyngwyn.

Roy {groans} Must go on.

{Rocky supports Roy as he continues}. We'll get there, Roy. We'll get there.

<moving along the Path, Roy's wounds remain infected, but the cold air keeps him awake>

<span style="font-size: 9px;">s-so...so many memories flood me now...so many horrible decisions in my life...so many hurt by me. But one great decision in Quislet, Esq. And helping him defend Legion World on those occassions....</span>

<trips, falls. Gets up before Hrun or Rockhopper Lad can help him>

<span style="font-size: 9px;">the light...</span>

*the light hits Rockhopper Lad and Hrun from the east, and causes them to glimmer in Roy's eyes. And finally he sees them for who they are. Noble Princes, come to Legion World to do right in the the world. Royal patrons of the White*

...

...

I have been blind. I thank you friends for all your help. In all of my grief and sadness I failed to understand thee. Lord of the House of Hrun. Noble Prince of the Pyngwyn.

I once served the Royal House of Illyria. I now pledge my unending service to you both, to serve Legion World, protect it and to destroy its enemies. For many years I have been the royal Inquisitor in name only. I would have that moniker restored to me now, when I feel my days as such may be close to their end.

<drops to one knee, bows>

Here my pledge, Lords. My strength is returning to me, as my enthusiasm does. Perhaps, after all, I truly have found my Path.

{Rockhopper Lad smiles}

Roy, get..(pauses a moment, then understanding the situation from Roy's perspective) Arise, Royal Inquisitor.

We don't have an Inquisitor in that sense in the Pyngwyn Colonies, but the House of Rockhopper welcomes your service. {Rockhopper Lad closes his eyes, spreads out his hands toward Roy and begins to chant in Pyngwyny}:

Lly, Yy’dyptyyz Krysokom ky Rokk H’por kep D’zant L’yal ky Ollurem’yy Pyngwyny, wyl reffyrko ffy ysorfytyk yng ffy wyl bynf'rto ky wyflsopyk'y ky Rokk H'por yng ky Ollurem'yy Pyngwyny. Ffy Norys Roy ky L’ndem Lyyjyyn.

In the Pyngwyny Court, you are now Sir Roy of Legion World.

<rises>

Thank you, Lord. I feel...as if for the first time in my years, things are more in focus. At last, I believe I understand what it is that I must do.

<bows again to Hrun and Rockhopper Lad>

To the Tower we must go.

<bandages his still terrible wounds>

Mayhap before this is over, I shall see Quis again, and he can see the changes I feel within me...?

We'll make it back, Sir Roy. For your sake and Quis's. {sighs, then, under his breath} And yours, Blaine.

To the Tower!

Hrun turns to slice a head off a wandering Zombie and looks back to see Roy on his knees before Rockhopper Lad

Idly wiping his axe blade clean he moves across to them and then spins and decapitates another Zombie who was reaching for The Pyngwyn Prince.

The Royal Inquisitor rises unsteadily to his feet and leaning on Rockhopper Lad for support sets off down the path.

“Hrun” Whispers Rocky, “I think Roy is delirious but the only way to help him maybe to go along with it and get his to the Tower”

Hrun relaxes, his hand which had reached to the hilt of his sword fell back to his side. As he does so the light catches a jewel on his finger which for a few moments shines forth with the White Light of the West.

“So" thinks Hrun, "the Inquisitor sees much, lets us hope that my friend continues to think it is all a delusion”

Another popping sound heralds the arrival of more Zombies,

“Come on Hrun” cries Rockhopper Lad, “We must get out of here and away from these Zombies we cant let Roy get bitten”


The Three continue down the path towards the Tower.


As they do so the red eyes of the watcher glisten. “soon…soon we will feed oh yes my children we will feed”

{Rockhopper Lad looks over his shoulder, then gestures to the Path behind them}.


I'm going to spray a thin sheet of ice on the path in our wake. It will make it harder for the zombies to follow us. I can't keep it up for the entire trip, but it will at least buy us a little time.

Hrun looks back along the path as dozens more Zombies appear out of nowhere.

Then he smiles.


Picking up a large flat stone he turns to Rockhopper and says “I saw this amongst some of the Scottia of Dal Riada, they play it as a game, though without Zombies. In fact I became so good at it, it won me my freedom from a slave collar. Ah that was a good holiday”

Talking the stone Hrun slides it slowly down the ice path, it sweeps into the advancing Zombies and causes them to fall over.

<Many Miles further down the path a Tesseract Portal opens and Everyday Girl. My Wee Fem, and Jailbait Lass emerge. MWF does a quick recon.>

Okay Brit, the area's clear.

Ohmygod! Look at that!

<Further down the path, outlined against a white marble cliff, stands an emmense ebony tower...>

I think that's where Mr Hrun, Mr Rockyhopper, and Mr Inquisitor are headed.

Yeah and those clowns down there must be the welcoming committee...

<points down the path to where a large group of Zombies, Super-Villains, Zombie Super-Villains, and Zombie Squirrels are gathered and waiting.>

They're so focused on the path, they don't even know we're here...

The tower? But why?

**Lolita touched her blasters nervously**

So what do we do about them?

Right now we just watch, 'Lita. There's way too many of them for us to tackle alone.

Nobody, No-One, find Mr Hrun and let him know what's waiting for him. Tell him we're ready to catch them between us and break their back.

And they have to be headed for that tower cuz that's where the path goes.

**Lolita blushed again**

Oh. Ok.

Hrun walks carefully forward down the path. Behind him the Zombies seem to have gone. Yet ahead he senses danger.

Roy and Rocky walk together a little way behind chatting a litter together. The Inquisitors strength seems to be returning.

“you tell him” says a voice

“No you, he stinks” says another.

“will not” says the first.

Hrun smiles, using his barbarian skills he quickly and silently moves off the path.

“Now look what you’ve done” says Nobody

“Me” replies No One I bet it was your stinky breath that told him”


Suddenly the two are caught in a vice like grip and are unable to move.

“Now ladies, really the two of you are so noisy I could have cut you down with my eyes shut.” says Hrun but with a glint of affection in his eye.

After a few seconds both No One and Nobody lapse into silence (an almost unheard of thing) and stand in front of Hrun looking like naughty school girls before the head master.

“I think you have a message or something for me” prompts Hrun.

Hesitantly the two tell Hrun of the battle waiting for him.

“Good” smiles Hrun loosening his axe “we will have to fight our way to the Tower. Now get back to your mistress and tell her we will soon be with them”

Ohmygod! Heads up girls. Mr Hrun received my message...

Nobody, No-One, I don't care what Mr Hrun called you, take off those dresses and pull yourselves together...

Now, keep a close watch on the path. We need to be ready to move as soon as they appear.