Xewleer

This is a story commemorating my return. It's the story of a stone cold Valkyrie and the human who loves her. Rather pathetically. Ben walked the battlefield. It was his first battle, but he was lucky, few had been able to find their weapons in time, much less use them. He had been outside reading when the first sonic boom had disturbed him. The Zune V he was listening to started a battle theme. How appropriate. He stood outside watching the flashes, absolutely confused about what was happening, then he realized exactly what it was. Alien invasion, obviously! He then went through the mobius strip like brain and started to work out things, namely survival rate. It didn't look good if they insisted on space-age laser weapons and super something or others. "You! In the name of the All-father, Demon Lord Odin, stand and prepare your heart for death!" He turned and noticed that he was in the process of being surrounded by what might be dwarves, humans and a female warrior, having mentioned Odin, he designated Valkyrie. She was over-beautiful, and not his type at all, Ben nearly laughed in the absolute absurdity of the suggestion that he would ask her out. She was way to proud, and not to mention arrogant. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a battlefield death, her's, of course "Uh, no." Ben threw his book in a fast gesture. The Valkyrie, using her strange spear/sword, cut it in half. But the book, a hefty tome with the entirety of Greek, Norse and Asian Mythos, slammed into her face, knocking her back. The battle tune picked up a notch, but changed, to one that gave him the feeling of falling into battle, The Thirteenth Struggle. He smiled, guess he would have to make a deal with the devil to survive this one. He wasted no time in taking advantage of the split second distraction. He slammed into her and head-butted her repeatedly. The soldiers started to rush him, but he grabbed the Valkyrie's weapon and stabbed one, then another. He was amazed at the skill his other self wielded the blade, all the while keeping the Valkyrie incapacitated with constant head butts. He stopped when no one lived except him and the Valkyrie, which regained consciousness. "Might as well kill me..." Ben, the one we first saw, fell asleep and Ben took over. "Not before I've satisfied myself with your body. It's not every day that I'm allowed to come out and play, and you are too beautiful for your own good." Ben would be ashamed with the actions that his self was doing, but, when deals are made with the devil, something must be sacrificed. It was kind of enjoyable. Ben reveled in the blood, screams, the eyes, everything painful, for her, titillated him, especially the way the eyes dilated as he cut her open, probing her anatomy to the maximum, somehow keeping her alive. He left her a sobbing pile of blood and guts, barely with a human form. He looked over himself and realized that blood was hard to get out of Polos and Khakis. He went inside and came out with an expendable t-shirt and old pair of pants. He saw that she was still alive and, in a pang of perverted pity, cut her head off, killing her. He laughed as he stood and listened to "Weird Al" Yankovics, 'that's your Horoscope for today.' He sighed, and sat down. His media player was on one of his favorite classical pieces, Kanon in D. He waltzed to it with the beautiful, ruined Valkyrie's head, then discarded it when the music was over. He carefully locked his back door and walked off, taking the former Valkyrie's spear with him. He was not unrewarded for that move. Within a minute, he discovered reinforcements. "How about we fight together this time? I feel weird since I left you take over..." "Fine." The two Bens fought and fought, decimating the reinforcements. They moved on, continuously moving on, destroying anything they did not register 'of this earth.' Ben walked the battlefield, looking for a foe. He somehow wandered back to his own house and saw another force in his yard, staring at the mangled remains of blood and guts on his back patio. The only thing keeping him from massacring them as well was the Valkyrie that accompanied them. She was much more plain than the other he had decimated, but that he liked a lot. Grey hair, young, brown eyes, nose a little large, but that really didn't matter to him, as long as she wasn't monster-ugly. He saw inside her, and he liked it a lot. Pity she would hate him for killing her friend. One part of him was bound to be the villain, just like King Richard the third, and the other, was to win, in the end, but was the hero. He'd pull it off. "Heh, didn't think you'd find her so soon. You Valkyries are great screamers. And those EYES amazing! Segoi! Segoi! Sorry... Ha! I'll enjoy you just as much, especially since your personality is so much more... desirable." He stood, smiling at her with greedy eyes. Ben fought to regain control, but his demon pushed him back. One of the men, obviously an officer, took charge while she knelt, shocked. "Lady Hermione! Leave! We'll distract him! We cannot lose two Valkyries on the same day!" The men rushed towards him, wielding their varied weapons. "Raca! Raping and dissecting men is kinda gay, you guys can keep your worthless Bushido!" He met their charge and killed two with the first cut. "I must declare! Am I insane here, or is it just me?" He laughed as he impaled a human, asking the question in his bleeding ear. "Gomen... Guess your punctured lungs can't answer me back! HA HA HA!" He threw the body off his weapon and turned to the commander, who was still standing, quite surprisingly. "And then there was un. My mind must be misfiring, I seem to be Hablas-ing multiple languages... forsooth? HA HA HA!" He charged the man, getting under his guard and cutting his sword arm off. "Worthless trash!" Ben cut off his head, unblinking as the blood spewed all around him. "Sorry, dear bosom buddy, she got away." "No thanks to you." "Sorry, guess we'll try harder tomorrow. I'm tired. Let's go to bed." "First, wash off the patio, otherwise we'll never get the blood stains out." "I may be heartless, but that really takes the cake. Ha" "Shut up and get to work." "Haaai!" Ben used the hose and callously washed the blood away. He started to cry a little, this wasn't what Ben wanted at all... stinking alter-ego. "I heard that... KISHISHISHISHI!!!" Hermione hid in his bushes, scared. She had known fear before, but never the near-panic that this crazed berserk gave her. He was beyond any honorable warrior's ability to fight fairly. She crept off while he washed and wailed. But his sorrow did nothing to help to soften her heart. He was obviously insane, schizophrenia, Multiple personalities... he was... beyond any redemption. She made it back to her command post, where Lord Frey commanded the invasion of America's Heartland. "Well." He said, pouring over the charts that graced his command table. "What is it?" Hermione held the head of her slain friend out. "Odin's beard! Any loss of a valkyrie is horrendous..." He paused in thought. "We have been doing badly in his campaign, their gunpowder slays all but our strongest warriors. However, despite our losses, this is the only place yet to be conquered. We'll focus on surrounding it. Their last army here is making a charge on our eastern flanks, trying to undermine our entire plan. Go their and hearten our troops, their metal and black powder weapons cannot hurt you." She nodded and went to the flank in question. She saw the tanks charge them and gave a battle cry. Humans and their machines! The riders of the tanks were worthless when you peeled away the armor and got to the pilots. The tanks rode down the warriors, but in turn the warriors ripped the tanks apart, destroying each other. Humans, she decided, were the worst of all the universe's species. They spend so much time making such horrible, terrible, scary weapons of war. The images of crushed bodies and wrecked hulks, along with that of her dear, dead friend's mangled body, burned in her mind. The battle was won, and she had to fight, ripping up and destroying tanks that came within range. Soon, the battle ended. They lost much, but the human's stinking machines were utterly defeated! She allowed no prisoners of any rank. She returned to Frey's command and reported. The battles ended at nightfall, with only the crack of human snipers disturbing the gloom and silence. That, and Hermione's crying. It was so horrible... the losses, the machines, that inhumane monster that was so cruel and heartless.

I know... but Google had yet to cache them...

Tales of Harmony The Hero! Kurtiss Yaman Age (like all heroes) 18 Abilities: Is considered a natural genius when using just about all non-magical weaponry. No magical ability what-so-ever. And none of that "power of the heart" nonsense either. Bio. Comes from a healthy, well-adjusted, patriarchal, typical household. Since his father runs the neighborhood dojo as a job, he gets lots of practice. He is currently in charge of training first to third year students of the night class. Has saved Carrie many, many times. Has an actual tally that he keeps secret. Hates "Ropers" with a passion. Likes Jasmine a lot, despite her slight sadism. The Teacher and Father! Harra Yaman Age: 40 Abilities: Master swordsman, practitioner of the "Soldier" style Bio. Very competent. He loves his family above himself. So, when his son said that he wants to go on a manly quest, he made a hard choice and left the Dojo in the care of his wife, and Kurtiss' sister, Mariee. He met his wife, Karla, on the field of battle, and, after several fights, decided to marry to fight more conveniently. Despite their hot-bloodedness, they settled down and started the Dojo to provide both support and stability to their children. The unrequited, absolutely devoted, Love-interest.! Carrie Turya Age: 18 Abilities: Spear. Has one or two mild healing moves. Also is quite good with axes as well. Has a good grasp on basic physics and simple machines. Bio. Loves Kurtiss. She essentially grew up with Kurtiss, who, because of unknown factors that make monsters extremely attracted to her, has had to save her almost weekly. Loves Kurtiss a lot! Both Harra and Karlla support her in pursuing him. Kurtiss, however, only views her love as thanking him for saving her all those times. Kurtiss centric. However, she can act on her own for a time, but inevitably must visit Kurtiss once a week. Happy and nice, she would do anything for Kurtis. The Sadistic, partially Ax-crazy, indifferent Love Interest! Jasmine Le'Claire Age: 25 (says 18) Abilities: General mastery of knives, daggers and other extreme short-range implements. Can ignore great deals of pain while spouting insults at her opponent. Adept at spell-casting. Bio: She was a hero once, but she and the King decided to step down and give the Villain back his spot on the throne. No one knows her past very well, except for Orlando Le'Clair, who visits her quietly every now and then. She knows that Kurtiss is infatuated with her and toys with him, but she doesn't love him much. Mysterious Traveling warrior! Orlando Le'clair Age: 27 Abilities: Long range fighter. Specializes in the Long bow. He is also able to engage in hand-to-hand combat when necessary. Also has mild healing ability Bio: People assume that he and Jasmine are relatives, as he visits often. He comes and goes when he pleases. He is worldly-wise and has a calm demeanor. However, there are hints that his sanity is not in the best of shape. Seems to care for Jasmine a great deal, in his own way. The Overlording Villain! Lord Alvern MalPernon Age: ??? (triple digits, known for sure) Abilities: multiple. No one but his Dragon (title of his trusted lieutenant), Erik Longbarb knows half of his abilities. However, he is quite weak when unable to fight at a distance. Is an excellent administrator. Bio: Ruled the land for who knows how long. People turf him off the throne every ten years or so, but he always takes it back. His subjects don't really mind the fact that he is evil because he actually excels at being a ruler. Jasmine and the King are the only ones to have voluntarily given the throne back to him. Chapter one. Harmonious meeting. Harmony was just another village. There were, maybe, five thousand other villages like it in the entire world. To distinguish it, it exists in Cameo, not one hundred miles from the shore. Cameo, in turn, is among many nations, distinguished by its universally excellent cuisine and large amounts of plains, for the past 200 years it has been under an evil man named Alvern Malpernon, who has not had the throne for more than ten years at a time. Cameo is bordered by Shabbotholm to the east and Jaedinar to the south. Returning to Harmony, it is a way station of sorts for anyone and everyone. Pirates, soldiers, lone warriors and adventurers come and go near constantly. However, Harmony is well removed from trade routes, and agriculture is its main export. But that does not mean it is boring! Oh no! The famed Yaman Dojo resides there, which teaches the children of the village, as well as anyone who can pay, how to fight and how to live. Also, the bar, Inn of the Seven Swells, is a great favorite among passerby, known for its brew and hospitality. Lastly, the river that flows nearby, Verone Rapids, is impassable to ships but provides excellent fish in season. Yes, it is a lovely place, not over-blessed with prosperity, but certainly not suffering for it. Villages also are host to many, many interesting characters. It is raining, and everyone has umbrellas out. Walking down the street is Jasmine Le'Clair, a quiet girl who recently moved into to town. No one knows much about her, but that suits her just fine. Across the street, Harra Yaman, the Master of the Yaman Dojo stands outside, enjoying the breeze from his door, but soon, his students request he return. The Dojo is very sturdily built, not out of the current architectural fad, but the door is framed by old swords, stuck point first into the lintel. Let's continue then? There on the far side of town, running down the street screaming, is Miss Carrie Turya, chased, like always, by some monster. Ah! It's a Roper, a strange creature made up of octopus-like tendrils that draw people under ground. Unfortunately we aren't allowed to interfere, so we'll leave her alone. The Inn of the Seven Swells is next. It is a pleasant place, a lovely shade of blue paint with white windows. Mr. Poah is the owner of this establishment, here he is wiping the counter with his hanker chief. He does so love his job! What? It looks like Jasmine Le'Clair is talking secretly with a traveler! Ah... no gossip there, it's only her relative, Orlando Le'Clair, traveling archer, not much known about him. We'll continue then! What? Carrie got caught? Let's see then. Ah! She'll be okay, here comes Kurtiss Yaman, son of the before mentioned Harra Yaman. She'll be alright, look, he's already freed her! Let's listen in on what they're saying. "Thank you VERY much for rescuing me again! I appreciate it!" Kurtiss smiles at her and pats her head. He wipes his sword on the monster's corpse before "Your welcome. One more for the tally then. See you for the lessons." "Uh.. Kurtiss?" Oh! She's embarrassed! This should be interesting! "You know I turned eighteen last week...?" He turns, the fool doesn't read her face! "Yes, thanks for inviting me to the party!" Gah! Why doesn't he notice she's uncomfortable? "Oh... your welcome! But... I... Never mind." She can't say it! "Alright then! Bye!" He leaves her standing there. "I really like you..." Aw. Sweet love even in this hamlet, pity Kurtiss doesn't see it. No matter. Lets move forward the clock a little. Ah, it is now three in the afternoon let's see how things changed. The rain has stopped, and the puddles are drying up. People are in their normal clothes at last. There's Ukkan D'ooitt on his way to his next case. He's the village doctor and is very serious about his job. Mrs. Monken is having another baby and her eldest says "She thinks it's time!" Soon, another baby's wail shall grace the Monken Household. Mr. Monken is sure to be pleased once he returns from work! There's Jasmine is sitting on the fence of her house. There! We can get a good look at her now! She wears very dark, nearly purple clothing. Ribbons in her hair flutter about nearly constantly, but she likes it that way. Her long purple hair is kept in place by those ribbons. Around her neck is a choker. Her blouse long, as are the sleeves, which go well past her hands. Her bottom is a skirt and she wears very tall socks. Apparently, she is alright with wearing no shoes in her own yard. Lets move on, she looks like she is deep in thought. Orlando is leaving town with a bag over his shoulder. He wears medium armor. Nothing abnormal about it, you could find it at any armor store. His weapon is a tall long-bow, taller than he is. It is strapped on his shoulder opposite his sack and quiver, which is full of fine arrows. His hair is red, it is unkempt, and probably unwashed. He looks ahead, laughing at some private joke that was only funny if you had been there. He waves behind without looking, and, to our surprise, Jasmine waves back. He passes Kurtiss as he leaves. A friendly nod passes between them. Kurtiss is dressed in his favorite outfit. Full leather armor, minus a helmet, with a t-shirt and shorts. He wears heavy military boots for their grip, and his brown hair is controlled in a undirected way. He is carrying a sack full of what might be wolf pelts. Seeing Jasmine sitting on the fence, he walks over to talk to her. Lets listen in. "Hello, Jasmine." He says with a flourish and smile. "What do you need now." She says with great indifference. "Well, a nice greeting would be acceptable." He says with a bigger smile. She glares unnoticed daggers at him. "My, you are nothing like a dog. I only like dog-men. You are more like the hamster that was ran over in the street. Smelly roadkill. Go away." She says with boredom. I don't think she was really concentrating on what she said at all. "Huh. I thought I was a human... I'll be your dog!" He says it like a bark. "... The kind of dogs I like are the ones who do it naturally. Leave me alone." She is too deep in thought to care about what Kurtiss says. "YES MA'AM." He walks off with a dog-like panting noise. Dear Lord, I'm the narrator and I'm finding him obnoxious. Let's move on to what Harra Yaman is doing. Ah! We're in luck! He moved up his evening class so that the Dojo could be used as a nursery while the Inn has it's monthly town meeting. shush! He's starting. "A warrior is not a warrior unless he is like a clock. A warrior is well-tuned with himself, and his surroundings; a clock is well-made and built to last in its environment. A warrior constantly improves himself; a clock is wound daily to preserve its time. A warrior, this is most important, values and understands the beat of battle, a clock must keep its time or it is worthless. "I know that sounds confusing, but here it is. If a warrior can keep up to his opponent, then you can ensure that the battle won't end within the first seconds. Essentially: A master strikes when his student is thinking about striking. You sir! Name and style!" He points to a man in the front center. "They call me rapid-fire Hyl, sir. I am trying to master swift, deadly strikes to end a battle in its first instance. My spear has been known to strike five times a second." He was proud. "One hundred strong warriors fell before me when I fought in the last war!" His chest swelled a bit as he said this. "I could beat you with this paper fan." Harra said, holding it out. Hyl is taken aback but regains his composure in a moment. "Sir. If you want it to be, I'll kill you before you can strike me. I warned you." The other students steps away. As soon as they are out of range he unleashes his spear. It is covered in intricate gold and silver filigree, and he stabs it in the air, making a little pop. "Gatling!" He rushes at Harra. His spear is cupped in his left hand and the right hand starts pumping it rapidly, until it is a blur. Harra does nothing until it is in range. He moves faster, deflecting every blow with his fan. He then throws it! It strikes Hyl in the cheek, drawing blood. "I lost. Heh. Makes sense, after all, I came to learn from you." He takes it in good humor and sheathes his spear. "Ha! Beaten by a fan!" Chuckles ring out from the group. "Well taken. You aren't too bad. I'm just too strong. Now then. I'll tell you what you did wrong. You didn't have enough power in your strikes. If you had been stronger, you would have destroyed my fan and I would have had to use my bare hands to defeat you." He leans against the wall, as if talking casually. "Strengthen your arm before you start working on your speed again." Hyl nods as the students reform their files. "Take my lesson to heart. Find a partner and practice, please. No killing, and if you can fight with the sheath on, do so." He watches them and shouts out advice to one group or other. "Your not trying enough!" ... "Keep your guard up when fighting club wielders!" ... "Remember! Spear attacks can strike anywhere in the front of your body, but is weak when you can get past the shaft!" And so on. I think we've learned enough... Wait! It's Carrie, coming in for her personal lessons. Interesting, she wields a spear. Harra trains her as he watches the class. "How's things? Thyme, heard you nearly got caught by a roper." She strains to get past his guard, unfortunately, she is nowhere close to Hyl's skill. "Fine, Kurtiss saved me again." "Your distracted!" He strikes the spear in a certain way and she spins around. "Speaking and fighting is one thing, but you must still concentrate on the battle." "Sorry. I wish..." She fights more earnestly this time. "That he would notice you?" He moves past the shaft, but Carrie spins the spear around to strike him with the butt, but he moves back out of range. "There was embarrassment in that strike." "Yes, I want that very much! And now he's interested in that new girl! It's horrible!" She spins vertically and brings her spear crashing down an inch from Harra's toe. "He is not a warrior yet, just try to show him you care greatly for him. I know that one of the reasons he likes Karlla so much is because she feeds him." "You know I have no confidence in wooing him or whatever it's called." She makes a quick three strike to his mid-drift. Not even close. "You have both mine, Karlla's and Maree's blessing and confidence. Don't give up. That girl is too dark. He's not the brightest and... You're distracted again! Guard up! One-two! One-two!" He grabs the shaft and pulls her towards him, before pushing back and knocking her down, painfully. "Why don't you stop for now. We'll continue talking. Try to find Kurtiss and invite him for a snack or something. I know you can cook well, you just lack the true 'want'. You two are on kids duty tonight, bake something." He gives her a dismissive gesture as she gets up and bows. She then leaves. He turns to his students and begins to shout out his advice and direction to them again. It seems that Carrie is fighting something within herself. We'll join her once she's in her house. For now, let's enjoy the war-games of the students.

Chapter 3 Drake Horatio was a large, muscled man, every bit of his body proportioned well in a buff manner. He stood 'at ease' comfortable in the loose military dress he was wearing to its perfection. As they walked closer, he loosened up and nodded his greeting to the two as they walked into the main server nodule. "Are you ready, Nelson?" He said, observing the screens in front of the only computer station in the room. "Will you take everyone's lives in your hands and move forward, like your father?" Nelson took this in stride, his grandfather demanded answers from him nearly every time they met like this. This time, however, there was a great deal of truth. "I have been made to be ready. It is my last remaining purpose now that our dream has landed in our grasp. It is in my being to lead them. Hermione, are all the colonists ready to go through final checks in preparation for launch?" Hermione glanced at her notepad. "Five minutes until Mr. Wells arrives via ball-bearing. We are ready as soon as he is in the American Colony ship." Nelson nodded and clambered into the large, over-sized chair in front of the lone computer. He ran his fingers over large amounts of buttons, eyes glowing with the charge he felt in his spirit. Drake and Hermione backed into the door way. Finally pressing one last button, the chair swiveled and molded itself like a gel around him, covering completely. He reemerged from the chair with his back exposed. The chair transformed more, completely losing its original shape. It grew tendrils, holding his back, legs and arms steady. His head remained untouched for several minutes as he eased himself into the role he was even bred for. Then, the once-chair oozed over his head, covering it. Lastly, cords streaked out of many walls and the ceiling. Holes opened up in his back, avoiding the spinal column, but covering nearly everywhere else. He was as much a machine as the Star Destroyer was. His father had turned him into the pilot that would have been necessary for optimum results. Able to use the nano-seconds of time the computer used to make decisions, he could control over five thousand nodules at once, in the simulations. But his father could only find enough funding for five hundred. But that did not matter to Nelson, it still required his full concentration. Drake and Hermione walked out of the area, returning to the communications nodule, one of many. Hermione pressed a button and status reports flooded in. She sifted them all thoroughly, she eventually, at Drake's question, gave her approval. "Drake Horatio to all ships. I believe we are ready for our test run. Last night was your last night on earth. We can no longer turn back. Please commit your souls to your deity, whoever it may be, and prepare for the next stage. Nelson, at your mark!" Nelson, ensconced in his technological marvel, sent his thought throughout the ships, nodules and launch sequences. Lastly, his consciousness focused on the surrounding space, locating the space where radiation would do the rest. He also took one last, longing look to where his home had been. He would not miss it horribly, but he felt that he should take one last look, he was not the only one. All of the colony ships were doing the same thing, the earth, humanities jewel, would no longer be their only home. Hermione only spared no idle thought on her once-home. Plugging in a communications jack into the socket of her mechanical eye, she communed with the commanders and soldiers on board the Star Destroyer, as well as the colony ship pilots. "We are all ready, Mr. Drake. Mr. Nelson gives his signal." "Thank you. Hermione. We are the first. The first humans ever to do such a momentous thing in all our entire history. What do you think of that?" Hermione did not really care, so she stayed silent, focusing on sifting through the data that was flying into the nodule. Alarms sounded, a flustered and harried USA General appeared on the screen. He was in charge of the security of this project, a competent man who had never failed in a security job before. "Drake! Dire news! Traitors hijacked our missile launch codes, the protection we set up couldn't stop them! Nuclear missiles are homing onto your location! There's nothing we can do! Get out of there!" Drake acknowledged calmly and set himself to a more militaristic style of talking. "Hermione, get Nelson." "Hup." Her fingers flew over the keyboard in front of her. She was completely engrossed in this new crisis. "I'm here, Drake." Nelson's voice came out of a speaker, a little distant. "We have seventeen minutes. Orders?" "We can't evade in time, we'll have to launch. Tell the pilots not to send that information to the colonists. Can you do that?" "Col. Drake, let me focus on the pilots, Nelson can then use his time to send us to our destination." Hermione suggested; Drake agreed after less than a second's deliberation. "All pilots, this is Hermione. Do not tell the colonists of the situation, repeat. Do not inform the colonists of the situation. We are going to jump, as planned for tomorrow morning. Repeat, jump as soon as Mr. Nelson gives us the signal." Nelson, in his command station, ran through the last sequences. In less than three minutes they could jump. Finally, time passed and he sent the thought that would launch them into the next system they could have for their own. They disappeared nearly ten minutes before the rockets would have destroyed them. Nelson was the only one aware of the actual journey. It was short, cold and still. Nothing moved except his mind and mounds of data. Finally, everyone returned to proper consciousness seconds after their leaving earth. Nelson laughed to himself, and kept laughing as he watched the battle outside. Not even five minutes into their maiden voyage and aliens already discovered. Chapter 4 There were two different factions, that was certain; waging a battle right before the newly arrived human eyes. Nelson stopped laughing when his grandfather started to relay orders. "We can't jump out for fifteen minutes! Nelson, arrange the Star Destroyer to defensive formation! Colony ships! Get behind it! Nelson, see if you can get a transmission to the ones opposite the ships near us." Nelson immediately began relaying his practiced transmission. "We are the species who call themselves humans. We are willing to talk provided you deal peaceably with us. Please respond." Within an instant, the ships nearest to them turned to engage, weapons already firing. Fortunately, the range lessened the damage sustained to a great degree. Unlike the enemies blue lasers, the projectile weapons of the humans had no such hampering. Using similar technology as the mass driver, the weapon nodules fired ball-bearings with deadly accuracy towards the offending ships. "Listen, we still can't leave for ten minutes! Drake! What should we do?" Nelson sent the message to Drake's phone; he replied quickly. "Send the hangar nodules to the outside. I'm entering the field." While the ball-bearings were perforating the now declared enemy, they could do little besides superficial, and disabling damage. To really destroy the enemy, Edward Horatio had designed the All-purpose Combat Hedgehogs, or "[bleep]ers," as the soldiers called them. They were essentially over-glorified ball-bearings with engines, life support and weapons. There were two. One was a high-yield missile launcher designed for finishing the victim, it had a magazine of ten. The other were some ten [bleep]es, of 5 different sizes and purposes. To list them: attack engines, attack general body, attack bridge, attack small ships and the last two were gigantic cones designed for anything that didn't fall into the other four categories. Drake, Hermione and around twenty of the soldiers that accompanied the mission were proficient at using them. Drake and Hermione, however, were considered the best. They both sprang out of their hangar at lightning speed. They both paused a second, already outside of the line of fire, to judge their targets. There were two very large ships, as big as the Star Destroyer, and about ten smaller ones, about half that size. They charged in, [bleep]es ripping through the plating with their special weapons. Very soon, ten more [bleep]ers shot out as soon as the lasers were pulled from their previous target and caused more havoc among the enemy. The battle was essentially won. The twelve [bleep]ers went on to destroy the rest of the ships that fought them, but didn't touch the other faction. Drake and the rest of the [bleep]ers flitted speedily in the wreckage, taking readings and making sure that the ships were indeed destroyed. Drake and Hermione left them, and went back to the Star Destroyer. Leaving their ship and taking up station in the communications nodule. "Hermione, like we practiced." She nodded and activated. "Greetings! I am Drake Horatio, commander of this voyage! Please identify yourselves!" He said this in a firm, powerful voice. He sounded no-nonsense and tough, that's what he wanted to show. Static was returned, but that merely meant that neither of them were on a common communication's line. Hermione quickly cycled through the channels, until, on the Ultraviolet channel, they got their reply. "I return your greetings, I am Prince Hie'gah'ha. My species, Hahhhaelavvehhas, thanks you for saving me and my ships." "You are welcome, but may I ask why you know and understand English?" "T.V. If I may say, you drove our own entertainment industries, for the entire galaxy, out of business." The prince said this with a smile; he meant no insult. And Drake did not take it as such. "Sorry. To get to my point, I am leading the first inter-galactic colony expansion by the human race. If you would provide us assistance in our journey, and give us a map of the galaxy, we would consider ourselves in your debt." The prince was disturbed at this, and uncomfortably shifted in his chair. "Let it not be known that the Crown Prince indebted his saviors! You shall come to the capital, a most pleasant place, and meet my mother, the Empress!" "Thank you, if you would feed the information to our computers..." The looked at him in surprise. "You do not use the Ley-lines? You just came out of one! Follow my Hhhhrraa closely, return your ships to yourself. My own guard shall treat you as they do I." The Prince nodded and sent a video feed, showing his ship turning to the proper direction. "I put it on silent. You think we can trust them?" Hermione was already relaying the information to the colony ships. They would be intractable if they were not informed. "I feel that the Prince is honorable, but his Empress?" "We can trust them. Entirely." "But sir!" "Hermione! Just relay the information. I know what I'm doing." A voice warbled from the intercom. "I'm glad you do to, Drake. Because I don't like this." Drake sighed. Despite their personal misgivings, they obeyed. And they soon arrived at the Prince's home system.

Prologue: The last few players to be gathered Edward Horatio and Hermione walked down an unnamed alley in the more run-down portion of London. The future had been very kind to the city, but still, the scum of society had to gather somewhere. "The Nightshade pub, a wretched hive of scum and villainy if I ever saw one." Edward Horatio said with a little humor. He was of average height, with brown hair and blue eyes. He walked a little funny, as if not really used to it, but his strides were very long. Hermione snorted and made a tally on her notepad. "That's the fifth Star Wars quotation you've made today." She was rather average in build, blond hair, slightly tanned complexion. But what was unique about her was the robotic eye, which constantly adjusted itself as she focused on different things around her. Her back was absolutely straight, as if by habit, indicating a military background. "And the best part is, I don't have to pay royalties." He said, with a little smile. They were approaching the door when a broken body flew out, shattering the wooden frame as well. A tough, large and fearsome man walked out nonchalantly, despite the feat of strength he had just performed. He had black hair, blue eyes and a five O'clock shadow on his chin. A woman followed him, after they arrived on the street, she clung onto him. She was bigger, bulkier and more rugged than Hermione, but she was a little less refined. Edward and Hermione caught their eye and walked to them. Edward spoke first. "Wolf? Of the British Bulldogs?" "Aye. What do you want with me?" He said slowly. He didn't sound very intelligent, but he didn't sound stupid either. He also had a bit of an American accent. "I hope it's not another tax audit, after all, you just saw what I did to your man didn't you?" Edward waved his hands, as if brushing away stupidity. "Oh no no no! I'm from the space colonization program! I have a job offer for you and your team." Wolf pondered this. His entire forehead wrinkled and he rubbed the sides of his head. He nodded after a minute's hard study. "I'll want more information before I promise anything." Edward nodded. "This is Mate." He said, indicating the clinging woman. "She goes with me." Edward assured him that everyone on the team could come. This satisfied him. "Wanna go?" This was Hermione. Mate and she had been eying each other after Hermione had stared at Wolf too long for her liking. "Right now!" Mate and Hermione charged each other. Wolf calmly blocked both their blows and sent them flying back. He shook his head and helped Mate up. He handed a piece of paper to Edward. "My number. I'll gather my team." Edward smiled as he accepted it. He promised to contact him soon. "I don't see why we need him. That woman was a total..." Hermione was angry and her metal eye twitched near constantly. "Just in case." He said with a smile. Hermione failed to notice this. "In case of what? This is colonization! Not invasion! Seriously, if anyone was out there they would have contacted us by now." "If you say so. But remember, that's some six thousand people. Five thousand innocents with little fighting ability. I think we can't be too careful. Not everything is on our side." "You talk like you know something." "We'll talk later. Review who we've gotten so far." "The only people we need to find are the Five Samurai, Japan is our destination. I don't see why we have to meet them in person..." "Why, to show that we care, of course. We don't want them to undermine our project..." He petered off as he walked ahead. Hermione sighed and walked quickly after him. Reserved for when I get to writing chapter 1, 2

This is a story I've named Affably evil. The plot will be made up as I go along and it might not make sense. Johnston sat in his chair and talked, via a web communication service named Ventrilo, to his friends. "I tell you I would make an awesome villain. Think about it? I lead Jonston intl. An up and coming industrial company that makes anything! I could make guns for rebel armies and all kinds of things like that!" "Johnston, that's not really evil so much as a corrupt corporate executive." This was Randy, a script writer for a reality T.V. series. No one knew which one. "Well, what else can I do? I want to do something evil for once. After all, I've done good all my life, I want to be bad!" "But you'll ruin your life! Please, Johnston, don't do it!" This was CatGirl, a fourteen year old who had somehow joined the group via the MMO, Real Life, they all played. "But life is boring for me! I've delegated all the tasks in my company to people much smarter than I am, and I'm just a figure head..." One of the members rarely talked, but he was very well respected, WarlordO'DARK. "Well you have the resources to get away with all sorts of crimes. How about the world's first supervillain? You know, rob banks, blow up bridges, hold those blasted orphanages hostage and steal all their teddies. That would be awesome to hear the news report." "Naw... that's too insane. I could be a blackmailer! How about that." Randy spoke up. "No." CatGirl went next. "You're too honest, you don't have what it takes." The rest of the group agreed with her. One of them, LightLesion, was laughing. He never seemed to add anything. "Alright, so what can I do?" "Hold the world hostage somehow? And then, be a completely nice guy. Affably evil, I think it's called. What about it? But here's the kicker, you don't actually do anything." This was one of the core members, Leroy. He was very into genre and tropes, nearly to the point of obsession. His knowledge of strange, and quite frankly useless information is second only to Randy. Johnston thought this was a very good idea. "Crazy enough to work! So I stay a nice guy and I threaten everyone's destruction?! Awesome!" "Johnston... odds are..." "No, I'm doing this! I'll be the nicest supervillain ever! Just watch! So... how do I go about this?" Groans were audible. Johnston was one of the smartest, but man could he be dumb some times! Leroy spoke up. "Okay, here's what you do! You are our leader, let's call you the 'big bad' now we need a dragon, which is your second in command. Because it's my idea I claim that position. Then you need an evil genius. Randy? And a Dark Chick... CatGirl! And a Brute. WarlordO'DARK? And, lastly, someone else who will show up eventually as a sixth wheel." "Hey, I could go with that, what about the rest of you guys?" CatGirl sighed. "I'll go along just to make sure you guys stay out of trouble. Mom's not going to like that... I claim my own costume! Within the theme, of course." "We're villains now! We don't really need our mom's approval to do that! Sure, I don't see why not. In tradition of all evil villain teams, we'll be a 'black sophistication' theme. Sports coats... masks, the whole deal! Hey, and the guys who didn't get positions can be... the Legion OF DOOM!" "I like Dark Riders!" "Death Squad!" "Dark Soldiers!" "I claim Captain!" This last comment came from LightLesion. "We'll work on the name later guys, but my company will build you guys some awesome robot suits. How does that sound?" "I'm sold!" "Glad to hear it. Does the rest of the 'team' agree?" Indeed they did. "Alright! I'll plan something out! You guys work on the costumes. My soldiers of ... something as of yet undecided, your suits will be given to you later. We'll meet up on the thirtieth. CatGirl, there's some legal issues with you being underage doing clandestine things with a bunch of older people, get your parent's permission! Alright! Johnston! Evil Warl... Ov... Errr..." "How about... the Magnificent Bastard!!" Came from Leroy. This was a compliment in his case, it meant the best and brightest evil villain around. "Perfect!" Johnston signed off. This would be awesome. Now, to begin creating his suit. He had it planned already and he walked to his closet, in the bedroom of his luxury penthouse apartment. He pressed a button on his hundred button remote control and the T.V. went on. Wrong button... and wrong remote... There it is! He picks it up and presses the proper button. The closet opens and he observes his midnight black, yet fashionable, sports coat and suit. It was your common evening dress clothes, but it was bullet proof and resistant to all forms of acid, poison and wine. Not even Merlot would stain it's whiteness. It was designed for dignitaries in unstable countries. However, his was not white, it was all black with a touch of red filigree weaving a delicate pattern along the seams. He even had a mask. It was like the Phantom of the Opera's, except jet black and it covered his hair as well. Yes... so evil! Meanwhile... Leroy laughed his evil laugh! His plan had succeeded! Except, now that he thought about it, he didn't really have a plan and did this on the fly and now he had to go through with it. Oh well. "LEROY! STOP THAT RACKET!" Needless to say, he was a twenty-five year old living in his parent's basement. It's not that he didn't work, he just didn't seem to get a job that wasn't redundant after six months. Happened every time for the past four years after he left college with his Accounting degree. He realized that he had to make up his own evil villain 'Black sophistication themed' suit and got to work. Since he was the Dragon, his suit had to complement the Big Bad... Butler suit? All black with a sniper/gun cane? Indeed! Meanwhile... CatGirl ran downstairs and to the mall, which lived, fortunately for her, five minutes walking distance. She picked up her gear. She was thinking black evening dress with white highlights. But... sophisticated... and with a combat suit under it. Oooh! That choker would be a nice addition. She decided, instead of the overused black, elbow-length gloves, she'd wrap her two blackbelts, Jujitsu, a style of martial arts that use grappels, and Karate, which is considered a striking martial art, around her arms like a boa. Eventually she came home and pondered how to deceive her protective parents. Simple! Just hide the permission slip Johnston emailed her with the school report papers. Also, the trip would be taken care of, her martial arts school, the only one in the nation that did both Jujitsu and Karate together, was doing an exposition in Jonston's city. They'd meet up. For the first time, she realized just what she was getting into and decided not to care, unless one of the guys had been practicing martial arts his entire life, she would be relatively safe. Meanwhile... Randy dug through his discarded scripts and took out one that involved this sort of situation. He sighed. He was evil genius... does that mean evil scientist... perhaps? He gets it! A midnight black lab coat, with a black tie and black polo shirt. Sophisticated scientist indeed. Meanwhile WarlordO'DARK decided to just go with the flow. He would copy the suits that the bouncers that the local night club wore. Simple. He didn't really care about all that stuff, but it sounded fun. He also hoped he would be allowed to indulge in his sado-masochistic-homicidal-nihilistic pleasures. Mostly, it involved killing. "Isn't that right, my dear?" His most recent conquest, literally, was a college peer who had spilled soda on him. Needless to say, she was very sorry. So what do you guys think of this, eh?

Hmmmm... I happen to agree on this one... try to gather your skills by creating some truly unique Characters for your first stories. Some of the characters I made up in my second multi-chaptered story still resonate in my mind. (Ah... Simoun Simula and her crew... I haven't posted it here yet have I?)

Thanks... now write more! gah ha ha!! (If your wondering, I'll repost my stories tomorrow... too tired today)

Fascinating. But I really can't give you my true opinion merely because I am feeling "Meh" towards it... not that it's bad, not my cuppa tea. Man! I lost some 5 stories... most of Space Opera and Tales of Harmony! Gah! Along with Slavery of the Ancients and Zombie Night, The Last One and a couple other one shots.

Ratchet! True heart! Use google Cache to find what you can... I was able to piece together some of my previous works... But alas, I shall have to rewrite many of my works. I saved Love Hurts though! :D :D

What in the world is the Iambic whatchamawhosit... but I liked it, though, it was a little too much LOTR for true epicness. 7/10 And I'm the good cop round here,

Issy! Its been what? 6 months since I've seen you last? Anyway, I'm not a fan of James Bond, I prefer Alex Rider.

poems like this freak me out, complicated and sad, obviously, you need some counseling... Dr. Xewleer always listen, I mean, if Montel or other's can do it? Why can't I? Its all good... I disappear into the mist!

well, if you're grateful, maybe you can comment on my story? hint hint... I'll read the rest tonight, when I have time.

First off, Charlie and I in the first sentence. And through out the story, however, you sometimes switch... Went ahead (when they're following the cat) Miss (Miss Meyers intro) does not require a period more frequent commas would be nice they did not use "dude" is 15th century speech. Nor did they talk "modern" either It is passed down from parent to child, nobody who has not a single parent who knows magic, will have the talent himself. rework this sentence, tis grammatically incorrect and I can't understand it. I got through about half of it. I'm going to bed now, I like it, but it needs some refining.

Me, I prefer Star Wars extended universe. And yes, he is much better than most of the people here. Perhaps better than me... (no jealousy)

Um, I couldn't read it very well (bad eyesight) could you unquote it? It would increase the readability 100 fold.

well, at least give proper credit (what's the point of being quoted when no one knows who quoted?) Uh... okay then.

I don't mind really if people lie to me, I believe that most people lie a lot on the internet (except for the people I trust) if someone says they did something, they might have, or they might not have. (I can speak for myself that I have not lied on this forum intentionally, well, except for the mystery author, Xebn Xocnil,) I tend to look past that, I've not seen this published, so, in all likely hood, he has written it. Also, Nom Anor, I think you were a little hard, but not a douche.

Halo is not the answer... #-o

YES!! FINALLY! SOME FEEDBACK!!!! Thank you very much!

Chapter 6 (first-person) I supposed time passed, it was kind of strange though, like I had matured in the space of an hour with all the memories of four years of living and growing. And I know I fell in love with the princess, looking back on it, but then it was kind of rare for me to talk about my feelings. I had never loved anyone outside of my family before, and the thought of falling in love in a dream scared me. My mom and dad had been VERY thorough about what love should be and how to go about it. They, apparently, had known each other practically their entire lives, and it came to no surprise to the families when they started to date and then got married. But this was a darned dream! I was in my bed, snoring away, with my sister in the room across the hall and my parents on a summer vacation cruise thanks to the church's Bingo grand prize. I was falling in love with a dream! I kept telling myself that, but in the end, I forgot. I wanted to forget, I suppose, I wanted to keep living in this world that had so many new things, and I had only ever been to one area of it, and a very pleasant area it was. Trees lined streets, houses had attractive flowers, magnolias bloomed, even the farms were planned to be aesthetically pleasing. The only thing unpleasant was the massive training that I was put through by Ted and the King. I learned martial arts, sword-play, philosophy and some languages. That took up at least three years worth of my time there, I never knew that dreams could make you stronger, but, they did. So, I began to arrive at my eighteenth birthday. Where, according to tradition, a guy would say what girl he would like to marry (even if he couldn't) then, if the girl said yes, they would get married that same day. Personally, I didn't want to get married in a dream, but I thought, its only a dream, whats the worst that could happen? Well, the worst did happen, the Over-king died, very conveniently for his son, as the will had been lost and he was the only legitimate heir. And he was nineteen. There was only one girl that he would want to marry, and she was certainly not interested in him. The only acknowledgment of his existence was the same one gives to an insect that one hates. He wasn't too pleased by that and swore revenge, obviously. Meanwhile, both the King and Anaconda both dropped broad and subtle hints who I should marry. And one doesn't say no to Anaconda when he asks you for something in a dark alley. The very day before my birthday, the day the Over-king's period of mourning had finished, the new Over-King, Julian II gathered an army to attack us. Chapter 7- The attack came not expectantly, and on the very day of Kevin's eighteenth birthday, around noon, they arrived at the castle and began to siege it. The king refused to let his daughter be taken by such an evil man, and both he and his son swore terrible oaths that they would die before that ever happened. The Over-king took them up on that request. The attack went on throughout the night, but Kevin was not fated to see it's end. Kevin laid with his back toward the battlements. He had fought soldiers all day. This was just like his old video-games. A group of heroes against insurmountable odds. He hated it, it's alright when it doesn't actually include your life. The king sat down next to him. "You're eighteen aren't you?" "I suppose so, I can't remember, battle has kind of drained my mental resources." "You know, you haven't said who you wanted to marry yet. It means a clean bed and a good nights rest..." He grinned, expecting an answer. "Your daughter, now, let me sleep..." He was beginning to sleep when the King roughly grabbed him and dragged him away, the stairs hurt. Arriving on the ground floor suitably awakened, he was met by Anaconda and Alexandra. Anaconda shook his hand and Alexandra hugged him. "I suppose you were hoping I'd pick you." He felt, in the back of his head, he was beginning to awaken, but when? "Your father mentioned somewhere I could sleep..." "Now now..." The King reminded, he obviously had something to do first that included me. "I pronounce you Duke of the castle, I knight you, and make you head of my household staff, in name only. I think that raises your status considerably. I, as King, join you two together in holy matrimony. Do either of you two disagree?" They shook our heads. Kevin was thinking of sleeping in his armor, just so he could get a few extra minutes. "Good, you're husband and wife, now, get out of here before they begin bombarding us again!" He ushered them out towards the keep. Anaconda stood there for a moment, then turned his back to his father and turned his head sideways. "Even me, who's pretty sacrilegious, found that rushed, can you really marry them like that?" The king shook his head. "I can, but, I can't stop the new Over-king. We'll all die here." He sighed and looked at the sky that overhung the area that he once ruled. "Maybe, just maybe they'll find happiness as the end comes." "That's insane logic, the only thing that guy is considering is whether it's comfortable to sleep in his armor or not." Anaconda retorted, and began to walk away. He had chosen a girl who he knew would deny him. He hadn't found anyone worthy of his affection yet. "You just don't get it, my son, it's not what the guy thinks, it's what he gets out of it. And what my baby daughter wants." "A 17-year old girl who actually has made up her mind... astounding." Anaconda started to mount the stair-way to the battlements. The noises outside the castle indicated that they were aiming their siege weapons. The walls had barely held up in the first place. Anaconda knew they wouldn't survive a second attack for long. "A pity you were never happy in life, my son. I just hope you find a reason." The king said sadly. His son had needed a reason for everything. But he was not curious, leading to a bitter, resentful person who was only content when walking his own path. He then walked into his castle, waiting for someone to ask him something, anything, to get his mind off the fate of his children. Chapter 8- We began talking as I was half-supported to the room. I don't remember all of it because I was so tired, but I remember her talking about something very strange. "I wonder, is this all someone's dream or story. Like the ones in the book I had you read to me. With the damsel and the knight, dragons and all kinds of things." I nodded, I remembered. I also remembered having to play the knight, while fighting with some poor servant for her entertainment, it was fun. Sometimes, the servant won. She continued. "And if it is a dream, will you promise me one thing?" I roused myself with a start. As much as I liked her, I was still feeling the vague uneasiness that one feels when something big is coming. "I'd do anything for you." I said, I don't think I sounded convincing. "Thank you. I want you, when, if I mean, we part, I want you to love me, and to be with me." She said in a choppy, but direct manner. "I promise that, but I warn you, I love you, but, I don't think we can be together for much longer." I replied, I looked her in the eye. I saw the hope in her eye and felt guilty, I was promising the impossible to a dream... We both arrived fairly tired, from battle or helping me move about. I began to shuck my layers of armor in preparation of sleep. Which was about the only thing on my mind, I suppose. I also had a brief moment of a Alexandra faced fluffy teddy bear, but that was asking a bit much pf my dream. "So, uh, what are you planning." She hesitantly asked. "Sleep. Sleep, maybe some more sleep." I replied drearily, she looked hopeful as I walked towards the comfy looking bed. I was beginning to feel a breeze, but there was no window, and the door was certainly closed. I did remember that there was an open window in my room, back where I was thirteen. "Okay!" She replied cheerily, she looked tired too, I don't know exactly what she did, but it had involved a lot of running around, helping put out fires perhaps? She had a little soot on her dress... I then collapsed on the bed, not bothering to remove my sword. "Goodnight my love." I heard, and I felt sleep beginning to both cut into my senses and leave my body when I felt a jolt and heard a scream. We both were flying out of the room and into open space. A large catapult shot, aimed wrong, had torn the side out of the castle, leaving a big gaping hole where the floor had been. We plunged down toward the ground. On instinct, I grabbed my sword and rammed it into the wall, finding purchase, it held. "This will sound cliched in my world, but, I love you!" I said, as I held her tight to me with my free arm. I suddenly began to feel pressure from my neck down, and I had the feeling of being in two positions at once. A large ball of flame was rising toward them, coming from the Over-king's forces. "I really believe you, and I love you too. Please, I know we're about to die, but, remember your promise!" She said, almost too quietly to hear. Her eyes were riveted to that ball of death that was coming toward us. I turned her a little, so that the last thing she would see wasn't about to kill us. I felt jerked out of that reality and found myself back in my bed, with warm bedsheets, no sword in my hand and Alexandra beside me. It took me a moment to figure everything out. But, I guess I screamed a little and made my sister come in. Well, Alexandra was a surprise, and I had some explaining to do.

I agree entirely, there's a difference from a little bit of author's creativity (like Raven's Eragon-similar but different story, or a fan-fiction) to yours... oh, and me saying "got bored and gave up trying to read it" is something I have never said before. If you have other stories, you might want to use those post-haste. At least you haven't used chat-speak in your first post here and I give you props for that.

which one?

Mr. Hintak An old barkeep of an apologetic nature, he constantly apologizes until he gets mad. he's surprisingly spry for an 80 year old man, and would be sprier if he would just stop worrying. He used to be an okay magic user, he now channels arcane power through his cane, all the while apologizing to those he has just killed. ... he runs the bar in Falador.