--Actually in case you didn't know, I'm 19, not old. (Did it seem like that?) If it did I'm flattered. (I value maturity and wisdom). Anyway, let me see what I can do.--

Merlin found himself directly under the floor of the room, safe, for now, inside his sheild. Now he knew it was up to Gebohq and the others.

Gebohq stood ready for battle. Suddenly he had an idea.

Gebohq: Why do you try facing yourself Apathis?!

Gebohq makes himself look like Apathis. Apathis seems sincerly suprised by this.

Gebohq: What do you do if you don't care about anyone but yourself? You become selfish and without direction.

Apathis: I have all the direction I need!

Gebohq: By following Bazaal? Your not reallyn satisifed with following others are you. But you don't have any choice, do you?

Apathis doesn't reply. Suddenly to giant stone hands shoot from the ground, Scout keeps them at bay by moving very fast, forceing Apathis both focus on Gebohq and his magic.

Gebohq: You don't really want to serve Bazaal do you? DO YOU?!

Apathis: No of course not you fool! I don't care about his plans for domination. As long as I'm having fun.

Gebohq: But your not enjoying it. Your only doing his will.

Apathis: What do you know?!

Gebohq: Cause now I'm you, Apathis.

Apathis: Do you think I care about anyone!

Gebohq: Not even me, who is you.

Apathis: No I don't care about you, NO I DON'T CARE ABOUT . . .

A dark shadow begins to form around Apathis. He starts to fade away.

Apathis: YOU!!!

Apathis fades away in a cloud of darkness. The spell is broken over the others. Gebohq turns back into his normal self.

Scout: How did you do that?!

Gebohq: We he said he did care about me, his mind accepted he didn't care about himself. All his magic was set on himself. I figured as soon as he didn't care about himself, his magic had no base to work from, so it turned in on itself, and him.

With that part of the floor explodes, Merlin slowly climbs out of the crater.

Merlin: I heard everything. Great work Gebohq, I couldn't have done it better myself. I knew you had it in you, even when you didn't.

Dragonfly, along with the others awoke to find Apathis gone and a big crater in the floor.....they quickly learn what happened.

DRagonfly:Come on! No time for celebrating! LEt's get a move on!

They walk quietly across the room with a new sense of pride and achievement, but still knowing the true task is far ahead.They throw open a large metal door, and what they see next is a large room almost as if divided in half.......the left side of the room looked as if it was made of stone, and the right was that of a torture chamber with dead bodies thrown all over the place.
"Oh no," Dragonfly thought to himself,"This must be my challenge...."
Then out of the right side of the room he saw Turneh beaten and broken, sitting against the wall on the right tied to the wall.
"Turneh!" he screamed as he ran over to help his hurt father.
"Son, I must tell you something. It is reallly me..."Turneh begins to say as DRagonfly cuts him off....
"How do I know it is REALLY you?You could just be another of Bazaal's or Kricha's illusions!"screamed DRagonfly.
"Ahhhh......son.You hard words hurt my old ears. You must trust me, like when i helped you in my homeland, the Beuto capital."Turneh began."I have had much time to think during all of this, and I am ready to die. To see your face one last time puts me at peace with myself, knowing that I did something right."
"It really is you, Father"Dragonfly says as he bends down to release his father from the chains......
"It is too later for me,"Turneh replied in a hoarse voice,"Go.Deffeat BAzaal. Save this world.It is my final wish.and one last thing you need to know.This is all...all of these rooms.......Bazaal didn't have the materials to build these rooms as you see them....They are all illusi......"
Turneh breaks off as he is shot by an arrow.The whole party turns to see Kricha standing there holding a crossbow in his arms.
"Ahh......finally the old fart is dead!hahaha"Kricha says as he begins to laugh.
Just then the room changes before the party's very eyes. The room changes to look like a large open room with little decoration and metal decorating the walls....
"So all the rooms are just an illusion?"Merlin asks.
"Apparently so,"Kricha remarks," Ahhh Dragonfly. The one who killed my love. You shall die for that!"
And thus the battle begins...jsut as KRicha summons (images) up several dark knights.

[This message has been edited by Dragonfly (edited November 24, 1999).]

Most of the party begins to duel it out with the evil looking knights. Soon all of them are defeated. Almost to easily. They now converge on Kricha.

Kricha: But that isn't all I have in store!

He turns quickly and runs into a nearby door. The party follows after him. They breifly enter a short hallway that leads into a huge room. In the room there are hundreds of staircases, some going down, some going up, some going along the walls, some you could only see the underside. They hear Kricha's voice call out as it echos through out the room.

Kricha: Find me if you can!

The party immediately splits up and each person takes a different stair case. As Merlin walked down one set of stairs he saw Ji'tory run up another, suddenly out the corner of his eye he says something else, he turned to look and saw Avenger, running along the wall. Merlin looked up and saw Gebohq running upside down along the ceiling descending a upside down stair case.

--Think Escher's painting "Relativity" or the movie "Labaryith"--

Merlin: It's a maze!

Merlin's voice echos and rebounds all over the room. The party members now begin to run more franticlly. Suddenly Merlin saw Kricha on one of the stiar cases that led to open air. Kricha walked right over the edge, flipped upside down, and continued upside down on the otherside of the staircase! After a great deal of running the party eventually reunites in a hallway, which seems to be the end of the maze of stairs. They enter the hallway, and enter a great hall, at the table sit a large group of men, celebrating something. There are vacanies at one end of the table. Kricha is no where in sight.

A man at the table: At last you've arrived! You must be tired, come join us at the table and feast!

Gebohq (softly to Merlin): Merlin, we can't just sit down to a table and start eating.

Merlin: Kricha's abilities of illusion are multiplied 100 times here. We will have to play along untill we can find a weak point and break his illusion and force him out into the open.

Why is nobody posting? Or is everybody waiting for me to post and complete the rest of the battle with Kricha (I thought all of you were going to join in too, or was everybody just gone for thanksgiving (Now THAT'S Turkey! mmmmmmmm.))?

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 26, 1999).]

*Orca teleports into Merlin's kitchen and cuts his head off for eating turkey. Now, back to the story world*
_____________________________________________
*Orca steps forward*
Man-Come on, sit down!
*Orca slices the mans head off, then presses forward. The rest of the party looks at each other, than proceeds.*
Orca-Hey, why not use these illusions as target practice? They're just illusions after all.
Merlin-Because it plays off your dark tendancies.
Orca(Disgustingly)-Do I look like I need to be reminded of that? If their just illusions, it won't contribute to any real-life problem!
Merlin-Ah, but it can. If you kill thousands of imaginary men each day, would it not be easier to cut down a real man?
Orca(Sneering)-No. It is so easy for me already.
Merlin-What have you done with Orca, Kricha?
Voice-Why, he is... shall we say.... enjoying the company of an old friends.
*Indeed, the real Orca is much farther down the maze, having moved off to scout ahead. He now finds himself face to face with Salanas, now a true demon, burning brightly*
Orca-Ha! Your just an illusion!
*Orca pretends Salanas isn't there and dosn't believe in him. He just closes his eyes.*
Salanas-Surprise!
*Salanas's burning hands(Salanas is really there, its not an illusion) touch Orca's head, engraving flaming patterns in his head.*
Orca-AHHHHHHH!
Salanas-Yes, my old "friend", Bazaal has a special interest in you...
_____________________________________________
*Meanwhile, the battle outside rages. The Merfolk assaulted with a amazing surprise from the sea, catching the skeletons by surprise. Meanwhile, Arfrassa and 10 other elite Merfolk have snuck into Bazaal's fortress. They come across Salanas dragging Orca across the floor*
Arfrassa-Stop!
Salanas-Fool!
*Salanas throws a piece of fire from his hand, catching Afrassa in the mouth. He proceeds on, not knowing that all Merfolk have a coat of water on thier body, and that the fire is quickly put out. Breathing heavily, Arfrassa and her commandos move in pursuit.*
_____________________________________________

*Meanwhile, Havok, Bug, and Dirtbag are in the throne room*
Bazaal-Well, my apprentices, I need a leader of the flaming sword elite. I am nominating you three. Fight each other. I will teleport you away if you are too badly injured.
*The three close. Havok steps out of the way, allowing Dirtbag(In shadow being form) to assault Bug. The battle rages, but Dirtbag is finally blown backwards and taken out of the battle by Bazaal. Dirtbag now crouches in uninjured normal form behind Bazaal's chair. Havok meanwhile jumps on top of the weakened Bug and knocks him out.*
Bazaal-Very good, Havok. You will be in command. Dirtbag, you are to lead all the forces made up of beasts. Bug, you are to lead the undead and sympythetic human teams.
*Both Bug and Dirtbag salute, meanwhile glaring at each other, then run off to meet their commands. Meanwhile, Bazaal turns to Norran*
Norran-Well, Bazaal, it looks like things have gone your way.
Bazaal-Yes. Havok, what do we do with this twerp?
*Havok moves to stand over Norran, a triumphent and arragont smile on his face*
Havok-Let him live, but continually torture him. We may be able to blackmail Orca using him.

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

As the faux Orca and the illusionary dinner party fades, the group waits uneasily for their next challenge. It comes quickly.

Without warning, the ground beneath them begins trembling, and a sound like rock grinding on rock fills to room.

"Great, now what?" Scout wonders aloud.

"Stay alert and focused," Merlin warned. "This is very likely simply another illusion."

But then the floor began tilting upwards. "It's the room!" Gebohq declared as he crouched for better balance. "It's starting to rotate!"

"Can this really be illusionary?" Scout asked as she grabbed onto the table for support.

"Difficult to say," Merlin replied, standing firm. "In the end it almost doesn't matter; we won't be able to convince our minds otherwise."

But as the rotating room passed the 45 degree angle, the furniture began to slip. With a yelp, Scout, still clinging to the table, went flying towards the far wall.

"Are you all right?" Dragonfly yelled, taking flight, but not quit sure how to orient himself.

Scout rubbed her head as she nodded. "Being a freak does have it's advantages."

All at once, the other party members, including Merlin, followed Scout down the slope, ending up on the far wall. Still the room continued to rotate. As the ceiling started becoming the floor, though, they were ready, and simply walked over onto it. When the ceiling was finally flat, the room ceased spinning.

"Is that all?" Scout quipped. "I've been to amusement parks more impressive than that."

"I'm sorry you're not impressed, my dear." Kricha said as he entered the big main doors of the room, walking upsidedown on the former floor. "As I'm sure you know, appearances can sometimes be more important than reality." He grinned at her.

Scout glared at the dark wizard, lip twitching. Pulling her sword, she ran at the inverted evil man, jumped, and swung it through his body. As soon as she landed, she spun, but found that there were now two Krichas standing on the ceiling.

"Congratulations, you managed to split us in half?" they said in stereo. "Impressed yet?"

"Parlor tricks don't float my boat," Scout spat back.

Mirror images of one another, the twins both raised their eyebrows and nodded. Gesturing in Scout's direction, they said, "Then how about... this..."

With a poof, the stasis spell that Scout had been living with for so long seemingly lifted, returning her features to a naturally warm tone. She looked at herself in amazement. "But... if the spell is lifted, then..."

"You can be hurt, injured, and killed once again," The Krichas finished.

"No," Scout stated. "It's just an illusion."

The Krichas shrugged. "Maybe so, maybe not. We hope you have fun figuring out. In any event," they said, waving their hands dismissingly. "We're transferring the power to Bazaal, so supposing you defeat us, like that's likely, the illusion... if it is one... won't wear off." They smirked at her, then turned to the rest of the group. "Anyone else care to take a stab at us? I always thought there world needed a few more me's..."

[This message has been edited by Scout (edited November 26, 1999).]

Merlin: Have one of you is irritating enough. Having two is down right annoying.throws two very low intensity fireballs at each of the krichas. One shatters like glass, the others is simply knocked to the floor/ceiling.: Tell me Kricha. Since you live by illusions how can you tell what is real and what is not?: I know reality when I see it.: But how do you know. hmmmmm . . . Your illusions are so real how do you know what is real and what is false. Like a child when it starts to lie, if they keep it up they forget what it is to tell the truth. So with reality and illusion, you cease to remeber what is real and what is an illusion.doesn't answer. Instead he starts hurling fireballs at the party, since they had seen this trick before, the fireballs had no effect.

I could have killed dirtbag in a fair fight. I've got my new improved rail detonater, and dirtbag is just a tiny rat.

------------

A short while later, after going through all the formalities of being given command (they speed things up in the middle of a battle), bug is guarding the west gate to the fortress. Actually guarding isn't quite the right word. Bug is sitting at the top of the wall with his troops waiting for something to happen. Looking down the wall bug can see Dirtbag with his troops skillfully defending against much larger numbers.

bug: "this sucks. We sit around doing nothing, while they get to have all the fun."

2nd in command: "yes, doing Bazaal's bidding can be very hash indeed."

bug: "shut up! If I wanted to hear from you I would have said so. I think it's time we swapped places with dirtbag."

2nd: "But, Bazaal ordered us to defend this gate against any invading force."

bug: "Hey, look. I don't see any invading force. Do you? Now all I want to do is have a little fun. Dirtbag can take over our place while we are gone."

2nd: "I don't approve of this. Bazaal will hear of this after the battle"

bug: "Yeah, well, you can blow it out your a$$. I'm the one in command here, so I make the decisions."

Bug and his forces walk down the wall to where dirtbag is defending. A very pompous dirtbag greets bug.

dirtbag: "Shouldn't you be hiding elsewhere bug? I don't want you here near my troops. You're making us look bad."

bug: "move your troops out you overgrown rodent, we're taking over here."

dirtbag: (with a smirk) "under who's authority? Don't tell me Bazaal gave you special orders."

bug: "No ones authority. I just saw how poorly you were defending and I thought you might like to see how the job should really be done."

dirtbag: "I'd like to see you fail, but I have orders to defend this gate. My troops will be adiquate, and those orders don't involve your troops running around and getting in the way."

bug: "yeah, how adiquate will they be if I knock half them out?"

Pulling out his rail detonater bug aims into the thick of dirtbag's defenders. Firing one rail, all of the troops in the sorrounding area drop down unconcious. Imediately the rest of dirtbag's troops turn upon the new attackers. A volly of arrows strikes down many of bug's undead, and a few of his humans.

"You fool! now look what you've done" yells dirtbag as bugs troops rush forward to meet the archers. Both sides are soon lost in the fighting, and ignore army outside which has begun hammering down the gates.

------------------
Good pitching can always stop good hitting and vice versa.



[This message has been edited by bug (edited November 27, 1999).]

-Are you telepathic or something, bug? That was almost exactly what I had planned! Oh, and Dirtbag had transformed into a Shadow Beast. (Read his post when he came back for description). So the Modified R.D. didn't have that much effect. So it was mostly hand to hand. Under those curumstances, you did very well. You see, Havok was very cunning. He knew you hated Dirtbag, so he let you two fight it out, then quickly dispatched the victor.-

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

Merlin: How can you know the truth, Kricha. You've live your whole life in lies!

Kricha: If I must live in lies, so be it! Then I am lies!

Merlin: Then what are you, if you are falseness. Lies can only exist because truth does first. Just as a vampire, can only exist because the living do. Just as evil can not create, it can only destroy. So it is eternally depenedent of good, the very thing it seeks to destroy.

Kricha: And I will destroy you!

Merlin: We are the truth. We are the light and you are the shadows. . . .

The other party members begin to see the room becomes indistinct.

Merlin: And from the light, the shadows fade.

The others realize what Merlin is doing. He is challenging Kricha's base in illusion.

Merlin: Darkness can not stand against the light. Lies falter before the truth. Lies build upon lies, till you no longer see reality itself. But the truth is our rock.

The room begins to become blurry.

Merlin: Kricha BEGONE!

The room fades as if made of mist. They now see again the banquet hall they saw earlier, but now the men that we celebrated are now dust and cobweb covered bodies, resting silently in their chairs. The celebration long since over. The room looks old and decrepit. Where Kricha stood now stands and old man, more decrepit looking that the room. The real Kricha. Scout draws her sword. But Merlin raises his hand signiling that it is unessecary. She sees why. Kricha stands cringing in fear. Now he falls to his knees and begins to weep. Scout sees Merlin has an expression of only pity for this man.

Merlin: He now has to live with the truth. Once he saw himself as he really was, he can't return to his lies. His power is gone. Forever. . . . Come, there are other battles to fight.

They now leave Kricha, who now nothing more than an powerless old man, weeping, alone.

(I'm back, and feeling more energized than ever!(mmm....good thankgiving dinner*homer drool*, oh yeah, and that family bonding thing too). Thanks Merlin for writing up the post about Apathis, I really apreciaite it(I just felt really drained out, like all the creativity and good writing skills went out the door). Now I will be glad to join back in writing, but I need to know, who are we fighting next? I can only remember Cathar and Jezaba(and of course Bazaar). I want to fight! yeah yeah, violence isn't the answer(grumble..)

--Cathar, Jezaba, and Bazaal are all that remain now. Though Ping_me had to deal with Pristine. We don't know what happened to Lina. Orca has vanished too. Orca wanted to do a thing involving Jezaba and Bazaal and Orca and the party. So after Cathar I'll stop at that point and let him do that part, then I'll begin the final battle part. I don't know what happened to some of the other people who posted (I've not heard from Avenger in ages, Ping_me where are you!, Orca, I hope you'll be back soon!, What ever happened to Shawn Templar?) I'll tell you now, Apathis and Kricha were the weaker wizards, now that we enter with Cathar, Jezaba, and Bazaal it will be tougher.--

The party marched on though the castle. Suddenly they heard laughter. It echoed down the halls and rebounded from the walls. It was cold. Cold as an artic night. It lacked human warmth.

Voice: Those others were easy! They were fools. It will be all the better around here with out their stupidity as a dead weight!

Merlin: Your arogance is your greatest weakness Cathar!

Cathar's voice: And you foolish love in your friends is yours. It made you weak! I could see it when you fell for our illusion of Anna. Your love is your weakness.

Cathar materialized now, in the dark unilluminated hallway the party stood in. He was hidden by the shadows.

Gebohq drew his sword ready for battle and ran at Cathar. Cathar with a sweep of his arm threw Gebohq back.

Cathar: That won't work. Brute strength always fails when going up against brains, especailly an intellect like mine.

Merlin: And what intellect is that?

Cathar becomes livid and temperature in the hallway seemed to drop several degrees.

Cathar: Ah, my poorest pupil, Merlin! You always valued your heart before your mind. Especailly when it came to that girl Anna! I'm glad Bazaal did that to her, it at least forced you to become a little wiser!

Merlin: It lead me to a lonely life Cathar. And wisdom is different from intellect. Intellect comes from knowledge and the mind. Wisdom sees beyond knowledge with heart and soul. In which love sees better than the sages. And God's wisdom makes the wisest fools.

Cathar: HA! God! I'll tell you what I've learned since then, either God doesn't exist or he doesn't care! If he did he would have stopped Bazaal. He would have stopped your beloved Anna from suffering. No! God doesn't exist, becuase if he did why would we suffer!

Merlin: Suffering is part of living, just as joy and love is. You don't live at all. . .

Cathar: I live. I have power in evil, Merlin. It flows through me. It makes me more powerful than you!

Merlin: But at what price! Your humanity! I knew a teacher a man who sought to know. To discover truth.

Cathar: I have found that truth! And it is power!

Merlin: You found power, not wisdom.

Cathar: This soon won't matter Merlin. Your going to die.

Suddenly a squad of skeletal soldiers appeared behind the party. Avenger and Gebohq drew their swords.

Gebohq: Finally! A fight!

Avenger and Gebohq charged into the fray and where doing quite well against the skeletal soldiers. Merlin stood there in thought, this wasn't Cathar's style. Suddenly the skeletal soldiers turned into shadows which enveloped Avenger and Gebohq and they vanished.

Merlin: NO!

Cathar: Don't worry I didn't kill them. There just in a cell nearby. You know there is no sense in hiding it anymore Merlin. Why not join us.

Merlin: Why would I join you after you killed Anna!

Cathar: Just give into to that darkside of your nature Merlin. I know it as well as you. The part of you mind you keep chained down. The part that longs to use your powers to their fullest!

Merlin: To restrain my power is to give others the freedom to choose.

Cathar: They aren't worthy to choose. They aren't intellegent enough to do that!

Merlin: Still I choose to give them a choice. God gave them that choice. To choose good or evil, you have no right to take it away!

Cathar: There you go again with God! God doesn't exist! If he did why did he let Ji'tory nearly get raped. Why does he let people suffer. Why does he let people die. hmmmmmm . . . Merlin. If he was so good, why did he let Anna die!

Merlin: I don't know the fullness of God's plan Cathar. And in all your earthly knowledge, neither do you. But as much as it hurt me it lead me down this path to challenge you and Bazaal.

Cathar: The BLIND servant of God! Hahahah! You are a fool!

-I hope you don't mind if Orca's part is going on at the same time, if not, just move this to after the fight with Cathar. Also, I hope I interpretted what Jezaba can do-
*As Merlin and Cathar continue their philisophical duel, Orca is brought into Bazaal's throne room*
Bazaal-So, Orca. As you probably know, I have already lost three of my dark wizards to you and your party... quite a loss, but they can be replaced. Easily. Especially with Merlin unwittingly having brought so many recruits.
Orca-If you think you can turn me to dark, I highly doubt you'll succeed.
Bazaal-Ah, but you don't realize Orca. Me and Jezaba know everything you want. And you are perfectly fitting. You want power. I have power for you, and in abundance.
Orca-The Force is power enough for me, thank-you-very-much!
Bazaal-Ah, but you are wrong. Jezaba, come here.
*Jezaba comes out of the shadows. Orca's eyes immediatly dart to hers*
Jezaba-I can offer you tremendous power. Enough to rule the universe.
*Orca sees in his mind a sudden vision of sitting on a huge throne chair, looking down on his home galazy*
Orca-No... This cannot be true....
Jezaba-But look closer, at the now.
*The vision changes back a year, and zooms in to the Whalei Home Planet. The place is beseiged by thousands of dark warriors. Orca sees all his friends slaughtered outside the base*
Jezaba-You see, Orca, that is only a sample of the evil that has infested your galaxy. But the fact is, you are not too late to stop it! Not with this power I am offering! All I ask is a small service.
Orca(weary)-What?
Jezaba-That you dispatch Merlin and his friends.
*Orca thinks between his friends back in his old universe and then his new ones. Then, an image of his best friend, his head cut off and being carried back to camp by dark warriors enters his mind.*
Orca-All right. Give me the power and I shall assist you.
Jezaba-Good, very good.
*Orca feels an amazing sense of power emminating from him. He looks up and can see the whole past of the building.*
Orca-Astounding...
Jezaba-Yes. Now, go and give Cathar a hand.
*Orca suddenly sprouts a smile, and it grows larger*
Orca-What? My hearing isn't very good these days?
Jezaba-I SAID TO GO AND GIVE CATHAR A HAND!
Orca-Oh! Give Merlin a hand! Okay!
*Orca charges as Jezaba, who just stares at him in terror. She ducks, but Orca just mysticlly appears where she is. Orca's lightsaber appears in his hand, and he cuts her head off. Orca now turns to Bazaal.*
Bazaal-Ah, so you are somewhat loyal to your friends... ah, well, my wife was such a small price to pay for such a powerful ally.
Orca-But would you be willing to pay with YOUR life?
*Orca charges at Bazaal, but Bazaal takes away Orca's power. Orca suddenly feels weak, and he collapses to the floor.*
_____________________________________________
*Meanwhile, Arfrassa had been watching the whole ordeal. She had also noticed Salanas standing by Bazaal, and she knew that Bazaal hope to recruit Salanas as well.*
Arfrassa-We had better stay here until Merlin arrives. Then we can lend a hand.

-Remember, you have to deal with Salanas! Hes a demon very similar in appearence to Flaming Demon, but he is a true Demon, and he actually is on fire all the time(Flaming Demon can control it). He has his lightsaber, modified by Bazaal to be flameproof.-

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

*Gebohq and Avenger find themselves now imprisoned in a shabby and dank cell, most likely at the other end of the castle, far away from Merlin and their friends.*

Avenger: "How did we get here?"

*Gebohq walks up to the metal bars and proceeds to bang his head against them*

Gebohq: "Stupid, stupid, stupid! How easily I forget my training. "Think before leaping" I was told and I ran into the fight anyway! Stupid, stupid.."

Avenger: "Giving yourself a head concussion won't solve our problem. We have to find a way out and get back to help our friends."

Gebohq: "Your right. But how..."

*They look at the guard past the bars. They then look at each other with huge grins across their faces.*

(OK, this is where Avenger wants to start writing...any time now...)

--Sorry for being gone so long, i just had to fix up a couple of pics for JK Depots art gallary. well, no to the story.--

The party stood there, looking at where Avenger and Gebohq were engulfed. Shawn looked back at a past event. Shawn turned around to face Cathar, his eyes fixed on his

Shawn - What did you do with Lina?

Cathar - So you figured it out did ya. Well, lets just say that she's being. . . taken care of.

Shawn - If you hurt her, you'll pay with your life.

Cathar - Dont worry, Bazaal would never do anything to such a precouis young girl.

Cathar taunts Shawn and Shawn charges at Cathar. Cathar turns around and runs down the hallway with Shawn not too far behind.

Merlin - Shawn stop, he's leading you into a trap.

Cathar - Shawn, if you stop, you'll never find Lina in this castle.

Shawn - Sorry Merlin, but I have to follow.

The rest of the party follow Shawn and Cathar down the hallway. Cathar and Shawn turn into a large well lit room and the rest of the party stop at the door. Shawn stopped in his tracks as he sees Lina sitting on the floor infront of him. She wasn't dressed in her usual attire, she now wore light leather armor and assorted jelery. Shawn stared at her and then fell down on his knees in front of her. He held her in his arms.

Shawn - I thought that I'd never see you again.

Lina - ........

Shawn - Whats wrong? Lina ( in a firm voice), tell me, did they hurt you in any way?

Lina - .......

Shawn - Lina? Cathar what did you and.... Cathar. Cathar where are you. I'll find you you old bag of wind, even if I have to tear this castle down stone by stone.

Cathar - Shawn, you still attack us? You once stood with me and the rest of us. you even attack your friends and even poor Lina here. Join us once again, and I promise you that nothing will happen to you or Lina.

Shawn - (gripping his head as if in pain)Uhhh, NOOOOOOOOOOO. I'm tired of your useless babble.

Shawn stands up and puts Lina behind him, he draws his sword and feels a sharp pain in his back and stumbles foward. He turns around to see that Lina had drawn 2 swords from behind her and sliced his back with them. The swords were Sai like and would extend to the length of a sword and retract to the length of a regular Sai. She look coldly at Shawn.

Lina - Leave this place or die at my hands.

Shawn - Lina, what did they do to you?

Shawn moves closer and reaches out to her but Lina slices his hand. Shawn jerks his hand back and looks at the blood coming from it.

Shawn -(This can't be happening. It has to be another one of Bazaals illusions.*Shawn looks up at Lina* I can't kill her. I can't lose her either. What should I do?)

Lina - Are going to leave or shall I kill you now?

Shawn looks at her unable to bring his sword up to meet hers. Lina nods and charges at Shawn, Shawn dodges the firts slash but is cut in the arm by the second slash. He jumps back but finds that Lina is at him. Lina does a seris of slashes, Shawn dodges the attacks. He filps over Lina and turns around. Lina spins around with her arms outstreched, Shawn jumps back but is cut in the leg. Merlin and the rest of the party watch as Shawn is unable to defend himself against his new found love. Dragonfly draws his sword and begins to walk into the room but feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns around to face Merlin.

Dragogfly - Why are you stopping me? Shawn needs our help.

Merlin - This is something that he must do alone. We can't not help him in this battle. All we can do is hope that he makes the right decision.

Dragonfly sighs and puts his sword away. The party watch as Shawn contiues to dodge Lina's attacks.

Cathar - Well Shawn, if you won't join us, then it looks like we found your replacement.

Lina stops attacking Shawn and retracts the swords into Sai's and sheathes them. She smirks and turns around and walks to Cathar. She stops at Cathar's side and turns around and stares at the now battered Shawn.

Lina - Next time, you'll die.

Cathar waves his hands and they dissapear. Shawn sits up and holds his arm. The rest of the party run to Shawn's side and help him. They all can't help but wonder, will Shawn be able to kill Lina when the time comes, if not will he be able to defend himself. Only time will tell.

---------------------------------------------
I'll try to post a pic of what Linas armor looks like and the weapons.

------------------
"I can become enraged like Vegeta, if i smile, run...................very fast."

"Semper Fi"



[This message has been edited by Shawn Templar (edited November 28, 1999).]

I was so in love with you
you rarely see a love that true
wasn't that enough for you?
wasn't that enough for you?

I would climb a mountain
I wouldn't wanna to see you fall
rock climb for you
give you a reason for it all

(chorus) :
you kept on thinking
you were the only one
too busy thinking
love is a gun

it hit me like a slow bullet
like a slow bullet
it took me some time to realize it

(chorus)

I know the end before
the story's been told
it's not that complicated
but you're gonna need a Bullet Proof Soul.

(chorus)

I know the end before
the story's been told
it's not that complicated
but you're gonna need a Bullet Proof Soul.

you were trigger happy baby
you never warned me let me free
it's not that complicated
but you're gonna need a Bullet Proof Soul.
think you, got it, but you got, all the, trouble you need.
I came in like a lamb
but I intend to leave like a lion

it hit me like a slow bullet
it hit me like a slow bullet

--------------Sade : Bullet Proof Soul (album: Sade Love Deluxe)
______________________________________________________

Another lunge from Pristine. Ping had found that she was very agile and strong. He blocked the blow with one of his shields. He too made a swipe at her which she easily dodged. She brought her sword down over him. Ping brought his own sword up to meet it. The swords collided in amazing blue and white sparks. She smiled at him and Ping felt a strange force throw him backwards. He somersaulted through the air and landed on his feet. He brought his sheild up just in time to catch a round of blasts from her.

It continued as it had for quite some time now. They danced among the statues, swords blazing in the low light. Char marks dotted the room in places where a projectile had gone astray. Ping felt as if he was truely fighting a copy of himself. Her fighting style matched his, even if he changed it. Even her sheild was similar to his and she used it in similar ways.

During the fight Ping was half himself. He didn't know what to do. Wait? Wait for Merlin and his freinds to destroy Bazaal? Wait for someone to come help him? Ping didn't think that he could possibly bring himself to destroy her. He felt some degree of gratitude to her for giving him his newfound emotion. And he did love her. He didn't know why, but he did. He wondered if she was feeling the same conflict inside herself. He could clearly see that she was more powerful than himself. He wondered if she was holding back.

Ping let loose with a volley of his own and ducked behind a large statue. He quickly calculated an angle and sliced the statue in half. It slid and started to fall. Ping jumped out from behind it and fired again, green bolts of energy flying from his free hand. They impacted on the shield she formed. She quickly realized the statue was about to fall on her. She dived out of the way and rolled across the ground. She got up just in time to block Ping's next blow with her sword. They strained against each other, locked in each others strength. She flashed with light and Ping felt himself flying through the air. He slammed into a wall leaving a Ping_Me shaped crater in it.

As he stepped out of the wall, Ping noticed Pristine grasping her head in pain. She seemed to stumble around. "Yes....... master...." she said almost mechanically. Her eyes grew feirce and she leaped high in the air. She landed on a high pedastal overlooking the room. It didn't even look like she was herself. Her body glowed bright and a black hole opened up underneath Ping. It was as if he was dragged to the ground by a great weight. He dropped to his hands and knees over the swirling portal. He grunted in pain. He couldn't move. From his hands electricity escaped his grasp and vanished in the void. It was his power. It was draining from his body. He tried destperately to get to his feet and escape, but the more he struggled the more he found he was trapped. Pain lanced through his body. He looked up above him and saw Pristine with her hands outstreatched looking down meanacingly at him. Ping felt almost as if his will to live was being drawn out of him.

From out of nowhere Ping saw a glinting behind Pristine. There was a metallic clanking sound and Pristine grasped the back of her head. Ping saw that not a few feet away a sword clattered to the ground. He searched the room from his humbled position and found a pair of elven warriors standing by one of the entrances to the room. One was a man the other a woman. The man had sandy blonde hair, cut bowl like. He still held his sword and sheild he stared down Pristine with a look of defiance. The woman had spiked brown hair and only held her sheild. She was evidently the one who had thrown her sword. Pristine growled something and threw white bursts at them. On instinct they scattered in both directions. Pristine's white sword burst into being in her hand. She floated down from the pedastal and chased after the man. He turned to face her as she charged.

She brought her sword down over him and he moved to block the blow with his metal sword. There was a noise and the man saw the blade of his sword clatter to the ground. He looked at the hilt in amazement. "Not good." he said simply. Again she made a lunge at him. This time he tried his sheild. It too was cloven in half. "It's like I'm fighting with cardboard!" She proceded to chase him comically around the room, her sword swinging and slicing through the air. As they were running Pristine was interrupted suddenly by the woman elf. She had used her sheild as a sort of ram/gaurd, and had launched herself at Pristine holding it in front of her. As a result of the impact, both of them went flying in either direction. The man stopped and looked after the woman. "Sa'teyan!" He called out. He ran to her and found her smoking slightly. She got to her feet and found her sheild useless. She threw it frizbee style at Pristine, who vaporized it with one of her bolts. With a wave of her hand the man elf flew back through the air and landed with a thud on the ground. "Randon!" Sa'teyan called after him. She was also hit with a hidden blow and landed next to him. She grunted trying to get up.

"You two.... take these!" Ping_Me said over the dark portal. He struggled to one knee and motioned with one arm toward them. In a flash a transparent sheild appeard on each of their left arms. A green sword appeared in their right hands. The sheild appeared to be attached to them without strap or handle yet moved with the arm lightly and easily. The sword glowed green and was also light and swung effortlessly.

Pristine snarled and launched a volley of bullets at them. They held up their new sheilds and found them easily blocking the projectiles. They both charged at her under the fire. They reached her and swung, only to find her gone. They looked around and found her behind them. She stretched out her free hand and another sword appeared in it. The elven warriors looked at each other and then launched themselves at her.

No words can describe the battle then. The room was awhirl with green and white. The elves danced with her and she easily blocked all of their blows with both the swords. This continued on for a lengthy amount of time. In frustration Pristine flew back to the pedastal and focused on Ping_Me. He felt the void below him increase and was totally forced to the ground, held there like he was magnetized. Randon and Sa'teyan were surprised to see the transparent sheilds dissapear. "Can't.. keep.. it up.." Ping almost whispered. The swords promptly vanished as well. Ping grunted.

Randon and Sa'teyan dived when a large bolt of energy flew from Pristine. They rolled in recovery. Pristine chased them around with white hot blasts of power. They became separated. Sa'teyan found herself cornered. Pristine stared down menacingly at her and floated down from the pedastal. Anger seethed inside Sa'teyan. Being cornered and helpless was not a good feeling for her. She yelled and charged at her, her fists clenched. Pristine's body glowed and the glow travelled though her arm to her hand. "NO!" Randon screamed and ran to intercept Sa'teyan. He jumped at her and knocked her aside. It was then that the bolt of lightning flew from Pristines hand and struck Randon in the back. His body careened throught the air and landed in a twisted, unmoving heap.

"RANDON!!!!" Sa'teyan screamed in horror. Tears stung her eyes as she got up and ran to him. She reached him and held his head in her lap. He opened his eyes. His face was scarred and reddened. He looked up at her. Tears streamed down her face. "Hello. Who are you? Are you an angel, pretty young lady?"

"Randon.." Sa'teyan choked through her tears. His eyes began to droop. "No! please don't! I love you please don't die!" Randon finally closed his eyes. Sa'teyan wailed aloud and hugged his body to hers.

Pristine advanced on them her body glowing again, charging for another blast. Sa'teyan looked up at her in utter helplessness. Her soul was broken now. Despair entered her. She only hugged Randon's lifeless body closer to her, trying desperately to defend him. Pristine angled her hands down at the pair of them, a blank look on her face.

"PRISTINE!!!!" A voice called. Ping_Me descended from on high. He had escaped his prison, weilded his sword, and was now bringing it down on her. Time slowed to a crawl. She looked into his eyes as he fell and opened her arms. Ping came straight down and the sword bloomed between her breasts, slicing straight through her body. Ping still held on to the blade as lightning lanced out in all directions. The energy reaction from a blazing blade meeting an energy being. They both collaped to the ground. Sa'teyan watched all of this with a tear streaked face.

Ping crawled to Pristine who lay on the ground. The sword was gone. She looked up into his eyes. "People always remember their first kiss. Will you remember ours?" She said to him.

"Yes, I will. I promise."

"I was created as a weapon, I was only born a few days ago, maybe a few weeks. I'm so new to this world. and yet now I have to leave it... You won't forget me will you Ping?"

"No, Pristine. I won't."

"Thank you." Ping held her in his arms. Her image fickered and wobbled. Lightning trickled and flowed out of her. Static claimed her and she was gone in a twinkling. Ping sighed as he held nothing there on the cold stone floor.

Sa'teyan sobbed and rocked back and forth holding Randon's body. She held him tenderly and gently. She was almost insane with sorrow. She hummed some sort of tune Ping took to be a lulaby. Ping crawled painfully over to her.

"Lay him on the floor." He commanded. He knew she wouldn't easily listen to reason, but she complied. "Hold his nose and breath into his mouth three times, pausing for a second between each breath." She looked at him like he was crazy. "Do it!" He shouted. She did so. "Take his tunic off." Ping said. She did so baring his chest. Ping_Me laid his hands on him and electricity jumped from his hands into Randon's body.

"Do it again." Sa'teyan breathed into his mouth. Ping again laid his hands on Randon's body and again his body jerked with the entry of electricity. Still he did not breathe. "AGAIN!" Ping shouted he was quickly becoming afarid that they would lose him. Tears still streamed down Sa'teyan's face. She gingerly lowered her lips onto his, as much to give him a kiss as to give him breath. Ping laid his hands on Randon and electricity jumped between them. Randon's body jerked.

"Arrghh! (cough) (cough)" Randon opened his eyes again.

"Randon!" Sa'teyan cried. Randon continued coughing almost uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms around him. Ping turned away and sat by himself.

"I thought I had lost you!" Tears of joy ran dwon her face. Her had never felt anything like this before. She was so overjoyed.

"What happened?" Randon asked in a strained voice. He coughed a little still. He was in great pain.

"You died... But he saved you..." She indicated Ping_Me. Ping turned his head to look at them. Ping's image flickered

"He is Ping_Me. He was the one who came to the kingdom to inform us of the Dark Wizards. I travelled with him when Ji'tory failed the test. Her opponent was Ping_Me. That is the only reason she failed. I'm not surprised at all that he could save me."

"Are you a healer?" She asked.

"No. Just...." Ping's image faded in and out. He bowed his head a little.

"Thank you very much." she said.

Ping stood up very slowly. "There is no time to lose. We must search the castle for Pristine's projection unit."

"What's that?" Randon and Sa'teyan.

"Nevermind. Just follow me." Ping said. Randon and Sa'teyan simply looked at each other in confusion. Randon tried to get to his feet but found himself very weak. Sa'teyan hauled him up and leaned him over her shoulder. Ping didn't feel well either. As they limped together down the shadowy corridor Ping found himself fading in and out more frequently....

_____________________________________
Okay, I'm back now. Actually I haven't really been gone. I've been in Minnesota since last Wednesday. I haven't been writing but I have been keeping an eye on you guyz. Saw the Mall of America. Saw The Matrix (Neo rulz). Anyway looks like you guys are very creative. I'm glad to be working with you keep up the good work!

[This message has been edited by Ping_Me (edited November 28, 1999).]

Merlin now stood his head bowed as if in prayer. His eyes shut as if in solemn serenity. Then he spoke.

Merlin: Ping_me.

Ping_me: Merlin?! Where are you? Are you close by?

Merlin: No. I am with Shawn and the others. We seem to have a respite from the onslaught and I was able to focus enough to find you. Apathis is dead. Kricha no longer has any power. I sense something has happened to Jezeba, but I can't tell. Ping_me I realized something about the girl you meet, the one like you.

Ping_me: Her name is Pristine. And I'm afraid you may be too late. I just had to duel with her . . . unfourtunatley I won. But she may not be lost if I can find what ever Bazaal uses as a projector to sustain her I might be able to save her files.

Merlin: That was what I wanted to talk to you about. I don't think Bazaal created her.

Ping_me: What?

Merlin: Evil has no creative ability. It can only destroy, control, or corrupt. Bazaal isn't capable of creating life, let alone her.

Ping_me: What does that mean then?

Merlin: I'm not sure. Either perhaps she came from your or another reality. Then Bazaal simply enslaved her. Or maybe even God created her. I don't know. All I know is Bazaal didn't create her. She isn't inherently a weapon. She is a person like you. . . . I have to go now.

Merlin's words echoed into silence in Ping_me's mind.

Merlin now walked over to Shawn.

Merlin: These aren't to bad as cuts go. I should be able to . . .

Merlin stretched out his hands over the wounds and they promptly stopped bleeding and healed.

Scout: I've never seen you do that before Merlin! Why is it you can do it now?

Merlin: The same reason why a torch looks brighter in a dark room, than in broad daylight. Evil sourounds us. Like the torch in a dark room, my powers are brighter, but only minimally so. I still am limited.

Shawn: But what about Lina!

Merlin: I think Cathar has done to her, what Bazaal tried to do to Ji'tory.

Shawns eyes went livid with rage.

Merlin: No. I don't mean he raped her. I mean he took control of her mind. If we defeat Cathar, that should release Lina.
. . . . Come. I am sure Cathar is waiting for us.

The entered the next room to find a vast chasm, in the middle floated a rusting platform, on onside stood Merlin and his friends, on the other stood Cathar. Rashly Shawn jumped onto the middle platform, at which point Lina jumped on to it to. They began to duel again.

Cathar: Check mate Merlin!

Merlin: Only check not mate.

Both sides could only watch and Shawn and Lina dueled. Both equally blocking each others moves, both equally lethal. Their weapons dance that strange dance of death in faint light. Weaving in and out looking for an open place to strike. Merlin noticed Shawn had several chances and didn't take them. And still they danced that wicked dance, with danger on all sides.

Cathar: The greatest game in the world Merlin!

Merlin: Not a game at all.

Suddenly before Cathar could respond Shawn made a sharp twisting motion with his sword and threw one of Lina's sai and it slid into the pit below. With a quick jab of his elbow to her other had the other sai slid to the far side of the platform. Lina fell backwards to platform. In a swift motion Shawn droped to his knees and was on top of her, with his sword point nearly touching the peircing the skin between her heaving breast. Cathar smiled on wickedly! Merlin watched on is silent helplessness.

And with a swift motion, Shawn withdrew his sword.

Shawn: I love you Lina. I can't do this!

Lina scrambled out from under him as he got up. She moved/crawled as fast as she could to reach the sai. Shawn just stood there. She picked up the weapon and stood up and turned to face him. Shawn just stood there. Now he spread his arms out wide. Like a lover ready to embrace his beloved. Or a martyr being cricified embracing death. Lina cried out and charge at him with the weapon.

Then something happened that no one expected. Ji'tory pulled out Consilum ex Deo and threw at Cathar himself. The blade went right through Cathar's chest! Cathar howled like a wolf and howled like the wind, he howled out in anger and in pain. Lina cried out and collapsed foward. She collapsed right into Shawns open arms.

Lightning erupted forth from the blade and raked up and down Cathar's body. He collapsed to the floor and did not rise. His body disapated into a shadow which then faded away leaving the sword laying on the floor. The chasm faded away too. Now Ji'tory walked across the room and picked up the sword.

Ji'tory (softly): I didn't want to use it that way. But I couldn't let him kill Shawn.

Merlin: I know. Some how I don't think you could have used it in a way it wasn't meant to be used. Now all that remains, I feel, is Bazaal himself. . .

--Ok. We are coming down to the final battle. I'll post the first half of the final battle tommorow. Then I'll finish it the next day (at which time I need everybody here to write their part in the epilouge). So this is the time every one should be bringing to a close their part so too. But the best (I hope) is yet to come.--

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 29, 1999).]

-Well, that is the end of my part. I understand you want to write the final battle, but I want to tell you one idea. Arfrassa and her team are in the castle, they should arrive to block a new threat (The victor of the bug/dirtbag match perhaps?). Also, Merlin should somehow bring Orca around to fight Salanas, or maybe assign Avenger, Scout, and Geboqh to fight him. Salanas is immune to magic, and he has no real uncontrolled mind to outsmart, so it will be a duel to the death, a straight out fight. He has both his flaming skin and a large lightsaber (1 1/2 as big as Orca's) and it is on fire(Yes, this is possible with magic). Salanas should be defeating everyone because noone can hurt him through his fire except another fire creature, so Orca should summon Flaming Demon with his last reserve of strength, who should fight a big fight with Salanas by using a magical flaming sword of his own. He should eventually kill Salanas, but the fire balls being hurled by both sides should pose a constant danger to everyone BUT Arfrassa and her team, who, as mentioned earlier, are rather fire-proof.

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

Oops, even the greatest of us makes mistakes. Read below instead.

[This message has been edited by Dirtbag (edited November 29, 1999).]

"Die you filthy rodent!" bug screamed as he launched rail after rail at Dirtbag.

"I wish," Dirtbag muttered as he scampered about, deftly avoiding Bug's pitifully aimed shots.

But abruptly, the presence of Bazaal was standing amid them. "Your time is up, my minions," the dark wizard said in a booming voice. "You contest is at an end, pity too, with no clear victor."

"Contest?" bug repeated.

Dirtbag just laughed.

"My plans have been accelerated, and Merlin has forced me to choose between you." A portal opened between the two combatants. "Dirtbag, step through this portal, where you will defend my lair, personally."

"Oh great," the rat rolled his eyes as he stepped through, and disappeared.

"And you bug, will stand with me within my inner sanctum, where you will complicated matters for Merlin and his friends once they defeat Dirtbag."

"Ha!" bug whooped as he stepped through. "Up yours, rat-boy!"

Meanwhile, with the crew:

"Wrong-o, Merlin-o!" cried a voice in the room.

Merlin sighed. "Dirtbag, begone! We don't need to deal with the likes of you."

"Wrong-o, again-o," the rat said as he scampered into the light. "I'm here to annoy you once again and for the last time!"

The party drew their weapons as they prepared for what Dirtbag had in store for them. But the rat just stood their on his hind legs. "So what happens next?" Shawn asked.

"Kill me," Dirtbag said.

The party just looked at him.

"Uh... what?" Scout replied in confusion.

"Kill me, dammit! Due to the combination of time-warps, dimensional hops, and paranormal abilities I've learned over time, I've existed in the multi-verse for over seventy-five thousand years! Do you know how boring that can get? Can you comprehend how little there is left to do? Why, annoying you was my last great pleasure, but that'll be over soon. So just kill me before you go and die at Bazaal's hands. You know I deserved it."

Merlin shook his head at the pathetic beast. "No. I don't believe in euthanasia or in murder. No matter the crimes you've commited, we will not simply kill you."

Dirtbag sighed. "I was afraid of that. No, really. I've known lots of goody-goodies in my time, but you take the cake, Merlin. All right, we'll do it your way..."

With that, Dirtbag began to change. His form grew, his flesh splitting apart to reveal shadowy blackness. His eyes turned red, and dozens more opened all over his face. Worst of all, his teeth grew into gleaming metallic daggers, ready to tear through anything. "Now you see how I truely exist," the being formerly known as Dirtbag said. "Now... let's get it on!"

Meanwhile, inside his inner sanctum, Bazaal laughed.

"He's just going to roll over and let 'em kill him," bug observed with disgust.

"As I expected," Bazaal said. "What Dirtbag doesn't know is that I have placed a destruction spell on him tuned into his heartbeat... once Merlin and his companions finally slay the dirty rat... he will explode into shadow, destroying them all! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

[This message has been edited by Dirtbag (edited November 29, 1999).]

Merlin: Dirtbag, you don't have to do this...

Without hesitation, the shadow-beast leaps at the wizard, dagger-like fangs bared. The message was clear: Yes I do.

But Merlin put up a shield, and Dirtbag's attack was deflected. Unperturbed, the shadow-beast pounces in another direction.

Merlin: Scout, look out!

But the still-human-looking Scout sees him coming. Her sword drawn, she jumps to the side and swung. Unfortunately, the sword passes right through Dirtbag's body as if it weren't even there.

Dirtbag: Can't cut me up no more than you can cut up your own shadow, kid.

Suddenly, though, Shawn leaps at the beast.

Shawn: Die monstrosity!

Again the sword passes through unharmed, except where it hits Dirtbag's teeth, creating a spark.

Merlin: So some of you is corpreal...

Dirtbag: Of course, old man, I gotta have something solid to threaten you with. Now hurry up and figure out how to kill me!

Merlin: Dirtbag, there has got to be a better way...

Dirtbag: Shaddup, geezer. You ain't talking your way out of this fight! Here, the rest of you can have something to play with too...

Then Dirtbag opens wide his mouth and let loose a flock of flying shadow beasts.

The beasts attacked the group, but they were much easier to dispatch than Dirtbag, there were just a lot of them.

Gebohq: This isn't helping anything, Dirtbag...

Dirtbag: Guess I'll have to eat one of you. Then maybe you'll take me seriously.

Dirtbag leaps in Lina's direction, but Scout pushes her out of the way and Dirtbag clamps onto her arm, his daggerlike teeth sinking into the very vulnerable flesh.

Dirtbag: Guess that answers the question of the stasis spell, eh?

Scout: Maybe, *deep breath*, but now I have *gasp* you right where *pant* I want you...

Take her sword up, she stabs downward with her sword into Dirtbag's largest glowing red eye. Black blood sprayed all over Scout, and Dirtbag staggered a few feet away.

Dirtbag: Now... *cough* THAT'S the spirit.

The beast fell on it's side, the shadowy form disappating again into that of a simple rat bleeding black blood. Dropping her sword, Scout craddled her injured arm.

Dirtbag: *weakly* Finally... *

All of a sudden, Dirtbag's body was torn apart by a darkness from within, expanding out towards the heroes. Scout, being the closest, is the first seized by the shadow. She falls to the ground, writhing in agony.

Merlin: No, not when we were so close...

Through the pain, Scout see's Dirtbag's body in front of her emitting the shadowness.

Scout: One... chance...

Concentrating her will, Scout grabs Dirtbag's body, pries open the mouth, and shoves a hand into his gullet. Inside his body, she finds what she's looking for... she grabs it, holds it with all her might, and pulls.

In the next instant, a black void in space/time envelops Dirtbag. It expands outward, filling the room with swirling wind. All the heroes grab onto anything sturdy and weather the storm, but the shadow coming at them is drawn back into the void. And then, in a swirl of wind, the hole closes itself back up again, leaving no sign of the shadows, Dirtbag, or Scout.

Merlin stands and faces the mighty doors into Bazaal's domain.

Merlin: BAZAAL! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, YOUR REIGN OF TERROR ENDS NOW!

[This message has been edited by Scout (edited November 29, 1999).]

--Orca, you have an idea about what you want to do in the battle with Salanas. You should write it, not me. I've got my mind filled with the final battle itself, since it is the culimination of this work (or at least my part in it).--

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 29, 1999).]

Merlin, I don't suppose you could change your post? Dirtbag and I had this worked out ahead of time...

Bug raced down to the end of the stairs with his weapon ready, willing, and able.

Merlin: I hate to do this bug, but we don't have time for this.

Merlin fired a low intensity fireball at bug which knocks him against the wall, he lays there on the floor unconscious, but otherwise unharmed.

Merlin and his party ascend the stairs, with each step came a growing sense of dread. When they reached the top of the stairs they could now see into the room. The room had two levels a lower level, which was empty except for a small wooden table. A short flight of stairs lead to the upper floor which was also empty except for Bazaal standing there with his back to the door.

Merlin and Ji'tory entered first. Suddenly the massive oak doors slammed behind them with a booming sound that echoed through the halls. They were trapped. Shawn ran up to the door and tried to blast it with his power, but to no effect, the room had been reinforced by magic. Merlin and Ji'tory were in effect alone. Their friends could only listen and hope.

Bazaal (with his back still turned to them): Merlin, at last we meet again. And you brought Ji'tory. She will make a good replacement for Jezeba. At least in bed anyway. Ji'tory drew "Consilium ex Deo" it shown with an etheral light in the coldness of that room.

Bazaal now turned with a frightful speed, with a swish of his hand a fireball raced toward Merlin. Merlin had his sheild up but the blow was enought to knock him to the ground. Now Bazaal was as a shadow, moving like lighting from heaven to earth. Suddenly Ji'tory felt his cold hand upon her throat. He reformed right in front of her and lifted her off the floor. She hung there in abject fear. Tears streaming down her face.

Merlin: BAZAAL!

With a swift motion Bazaal sent Ji'tory flying across the room and on to the table which broke beneath her weight. She lay there unconsious with the sword at her side.

Bazaal hurled fire and lighting at Merlin, but Merlin sheild held, but was weakening.

Bazaal: You know Merlin I never understood why you were unaffected that day by my shadow that took you beloved Anna. . . Perhaps it is all the better. It was sweet to watch that young innocent blond girl die at your own hands.

Merlin: It lead me down this path to challenge you now!

Bazaal fired more lightning, but Merlin blocked again.

Bazaal: To your own death!

Bazaal opened his mouth and howled like the wind. Merlin was thrown back and slammed to the wall.

Bazaal now stepped over to pick up "Consilium ex Deo" only as his hand neared it lightning leapt from the blade with a vengance and raked up and down his arm. Ji'tory's eyes flew open just it time to see Bazaal stagger backwards howling in agony! She reached for the blade but he kicked it out of her hand. Merlin was still pinned to the wall. Now Bazaal spread his legs apart and climbed on top of Ji'tory.

Bazaal: Now that Merlin brought you her in the flesh, I can really have your flesh next to mine!

Merlin shifted his hand and lightning arched from his finger tips and raked up and down Bazaal's spine. Again Bazaal howled in pain. Ji'tory crawled backwards out from under him. Bazaal became a shadow again and with the speed of lighting, and as dark as it is brilliant he was again at the top of the stairs.

Bazaal: Foolish old man! You'll join your wife for that!

Bazaal now moved again like lighting in shadown form. Before either Merlin or Ji'tory could react Bazaal was lifting him off the floor with one hand as he had done to Ji'tory minutes before.

Bazaal (savagely): Now join your wife and your God Merlin!

Bazaal with the same force he had used to throw Ji'tory across the room he now used at a closer range. With all his ungodly strength he slammed Merlins head onto the stone steps.

Merlin: AHHHHHHHHH!

Merlin lay there, unmoving.

Ji'tory: Merlin! Get up! MERLIN!

Merlin didn't move.

Bazaal: He's dead, Ji'tory.

Ji'tory went silent.

She still held "Consilium ex Deo" in her right hand, but she held it limply in her hand as if it wasn't there at all.

Bazaal now turned to her.

Bazaal: And now I will finish what I started.

Ji'tory began to back away. Her body trembleing. Her eyes filled with tears. He mind locked in fear.

Bazaal: Now I will taste your body. I will feel it all over.

Ji'tory began to back away.

Bazaal: What is this, your resiting me. I was hoping you would give yourself to me voluntarially. Since Merlin is gone his sheild is weakened. I guess I'll just have to take your mind.

Ji'tory's eyes went wide and her body went cold all over.

Bazaal: Yes! You can already sense me there? I will enjoy hours of making love with you Ji'tory. Don't you want that?

Ji'tory felt her lips go numb. She herself losing control again.

Her left hand went to her throat as if she was about to gag. Instead she spoke.

Ji'tory: Yes, take me!

Bazaal began to lick his lips and strenghten his grasp over her mind and body.

Bazaal: Tell me Ji'tory, what do you want me to do with you?!

Ji'tory spoke again, against her will, this time her hand did not move to her throat.

Ji'tory: Mount me! YES! Ride me!

Ji'tory felt her mind begin to falter. It was worse than before. This time she knew she would not even keep her free will or her mind. She felt her hopes and dreams fade from her mind. She felt her memories disappear too. The evening in the Beuto city with Ping_me, faded from her memory. The times she spent with her mother as a little girl, faded from her memory. With her eyes filled with tears, she was as a little child again. With what little muscle control she had left she looked up toward heaven and silently in her mind prayed, "Help me, God."

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 29, 1999).]

Bazaal-Ah, good, we have won. Now, Salanas, prove your loyalty. Slay this foolish wizard.
Salanas-With pleasure.
*Salanas runs over to where Merlin lies. He is now just stirring. Salanas raises his sword and prepares to bring it down when the door blows open.*
Everyone, seeing what Salnas is about to do, in unison-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
*Suddenly, Orca jumps up out of the shadows, his powers replenished. He waves his hand and Merlin is teleported to the other side of the room*
Salanas-What? Orca? I guess it IS time for a final match!
Bazaal-Ahahahah! Thats right, Salanas, finish him off! You are undoubtably more worthy. Meanwhile, you friends of Merlin, don't worry. We won't let you in on our private battle.
*A giant magic shield, the one that was in the doorway, erects itself, encompassing only Ji'Tory, Merlin, and Bazaal. The rest are left outside.*
Orca-Salanas, now it is time to say your last regrets and prey to whatever non-existant god you believe in, because death is coming for you as fast as a bullet and its not going to be stopped by the evil likes of anyone like Bazaal!
Salanas-Ah, Orca, as cocky and arrogant as always.
Orca-Think what you want.
*Orca dives forward, the two lightsaber locking together. Gebohq, Shawn and Scout run for Salanas, swords drawn. Meanwhile, Bug watches from the shadows.*
Bug-Hahahaha, they'll never defeat Salanas.
*Dragonfly flies in, attacking Salanas from above. However, upon contact, Dragonfly's sword melts. Gebohq's and Scout's do likewise. Shawn uses his powers to enchant his sword, allowing him to fight Salanas as well. The fight rages, until finally Salanas summons a fireball and uses it to blast Shawn off the platform they are fighting on, sending him cascading down onto the hard floor several meters below. Gebohq, Scout, and Dragonfly retreat to watch solemly as Orca and Salanas duel. Gebohq drags Shawn's body over to the party, while Lina and Avenger creep up behind the party to watch as well. Finally, after several minutes, Orca gains the initiative. He slams Salanas's sword out of his hand, and slashes downword into Salanas's body... but there is nothing there but fire and small, insignificant bits of flesh. These bits simply eject in Orca's face, sending him reeling back. Salanas leaps forward, his firey hands grabbing Orca by the neck. Orca cries out and leaps out of Salanas's grasp... falling right off the platform. Everyone looks on as Salanas raises his hand to fling a fatal fireball at Orca. Then, Orca chants some magic words. Flaming Demon suddenly appears behind Salanas. The two start fighting, but Flaming Demon clearly is doing better. Finally, Flaming Demon strikes at the heart of Salanas's flames. As foreign flames burned into him, Salanas let out a final scream, then crumpled into a pile of ashes. Just as that happened, Bug drew his modified rail detonator and fired into the crowd of onlookers. Everyone, including Flaming Demon, fell down, uncouncious. Bug stept down from his sniper's point, and looked over the carnage. Indeed, they were all throughly knocked out. Bug readied a normal rail to blow away the troublesome Orca when a battle cry came from the doorway. 21 Merfolk rushed in at the surprisd Bug, who lifted his Rail Detonator but was too late. The creatures hacked at bug, hurting him and knocking him uncouncious. Finally, Arfrassa hoisted Bug's Rail Detonator, and fired into a dark orb in the cieling. Bazaal cried out in terror as he felt his dark power over anyone beyond the force field(That includes Pristine, Ping_Me!) lifted. Bug got up, rubbed his head, murmmered "I don't want to know, I don't want to know. Then fell back into uncounciousness.*
-Thats the end of my little part. Anyway, Merlin, you said you wondered if you thought you were older the nineteen, the answer is that I thought it stood out like a sore thumb that you were that young. You had spelling, grammer, and punctuation errors all over. Not that I'm blaming you. Although I am 11 and so you should be able to outspell me. Oh well.-

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.




[This message has been edited by Space_Orca (edited November 29, 1999).]

--Merlin, was gonna finish the part of the story with Lina cuz I had it planned out, but ya did pretty good with it, but can ya do me a favor, can ya edit ya post so that Lina will still have her armor and weapons cuz It'll come into play later with my story. Thanks. I guess that I should have posted that I wanted to finish it.--

Shawn woke up, head hurting and his back. He looked up and saw how far he had fallen.

Shawn - Hmffff, I guess one can only hope for the best when falling.

Shawn looked around to see the rest of the party slowly wakeing up from the blast of Bug's rail. He went to Lina and waited for her to wake up as well. He heard a fimilar voice speak to him from the shadows of the door way.

voice - Hello Temp, it's been awhile.

Shawn - That voice. It can't be, your dead. I saw it with my own eyes.

voice - Yes, but the eyes can be deceived. I'm pretty much alive, well as alive as one can expect to be after being hit by a Spectlon Charge.

Shawn - ......

The person steps out of the shadows and walks into the room. She is about Shawn's height and her light brown hair braided down to her hips. Her blue eyes seemed to be unreal. Shawn stood up and looked at her closer.

Dragonfly - Shawn, who's this?

Shawn turns to Dragonfly

Shawn - Her name is Jenna. She was my first love. She died because I failed to protect her.

He turns to face Jenna.

Shawn -Jenna, I can't believe that your alive.

Jenna - No thanks to you, I almost died Shawn. You said that you'd always be there for me Shawn, no matter WHAT.

Shawn - I'm sorry, I....I could get to you in time.*he drops to his knees.* I couldn't save you.

Jenna - Well, it seems that you easly replaced me. Temp come on, don't you want to be with me again?

Shawn - I....I don't know.

Jenna - All you have to do is kill her and we can be together again. Come on Temp, I know you want to be with me again.

Shawn - .......No, I promised her that I wouldn't let any harm come to her.

Jenna - And you did a fine job with that. You brought her here and what happened to her, she was nearly killed by you on the mountain. You also let Bazaal and Cathar take her. Is that what you meant by no harm?

Shawn - No, but I won't kill her Jenna.

Jenna - Fine, then I'll do it for you.

Jenna took the bow from her back and drew an arrow. She shot it and it flew toward Lina, Shawn covered Lina and felt the arrow tear through his arm. Shawn stood up and saw Jenna draw her sword. Shawn ripped the arrow from his arm and charged towar Jenna. They both attack with precision but blocked each blow. Shawn jumped up and brought his sword down on Jenna's and was knocked backward and landed on the floor. He tried to get up but Jenna wouldn't let him. She brought her sword high over her head.

Jenna - Now you will feel what it's like to die. Time to die Temp.

*Shawn reached for his sword*

Shawn - LADY'S FIRST!!

Shawn sliced though Jenna's waist and saw her fall into two. He got up and saw the image of Jenna shatter and a skeletal warrior in her place. Shawn thought to himself(Yes the eyes can be deceived). Shawn turned around and walked to Lina who was starting to wake up.
_____________________________________________

There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You, became the light on the dark side of me
Love remains, a drug that's the high and not the pill
But did you know that when it snowsMy eyes become large
And the light that you shine can't be seen?

1-Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom A light hits the gloom on the grey

2-There is so much a man can tell you So much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain Baby, To me, you're like a growing
Addiction that I can't deny Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows My eyes become large
And the light that you shine can't be seen?(rpt 1)

I've been kissed by a rose on the greyI've been kissed by a rose on the grey
And if I should fall, will it all go away?(rpt 2, 1)

Yes, I compare you a kiss from a rose...on the......grey.

--Kiss From A Rose by Seal (Batman Forever Soundtrack)

I'm not totaly done with the last part of my story


------------------
"I can become enraged like Vegeta, if i smile, run...................very fast."

"Semper Fi"

[This message has been edited by Shawn Templar (edited November 29, 1999).]

(You can't think I would be so unprepared as to take on the entire party without calling for backup first?)

With the destruction of the dark orb Bazaal's presence is lifted from everyone. Half the undead on the battlefield lay down to sleep where they are, while others just lay down their weapons and refuse to fight.

Carnid(remember him?) rushes around the corner leading a dozen undead. All of them wear the emblems of The Order of the Flaming Sword (Bazaal's elite commandos) Raising his hand he throws Arfrassa against the wall, knocking him out cold. The 20 remaining merfolk raise their swords at the new attackers and rush forward. The undead meet the merfolk with a clash of swords. Carnid grips one of the merfolk in the air, then throws him across the room. The fighting is even on both sides. The merfolk are better fighters than the undead and have more on their side, but all Carnid has to do is grip each of them uncouncious, then toss them away. The merfolk are skilled fighters though, as two of them confront Carnid from the front, a third is able to get a stab at him from behind. Carnid spins around and throws the merfolk violently against the stone wall.

Bug, who is now fully awake scrambles across the room for his rail detonater. Picking it up he loads in a normal rail, and fires a shot into the ceiling. "Lets get out of here" he yells, and runs for the nearest corridor. The wounded Carnid and the 5 remaining undead follow, pursued closely by the vicious merfolk.

They race through the twisting passages, randomly taking turns at intersections. The sound of the pursuing merfolk becomes fainter and fainter until they can't be heard at all. Finally, bug takes a breath and turns towards Carnid.

Carnid: "You're the one in command bug, All the dark wizards are dead, and appearently, Bazaal is now dead too. We can all feel his presence lifted. We finally know what is like to be free from him. It was him who was the enemy, now, those who should have been our friends are still turned against us. They hack apart the undead when they lower their weapons, and are intent on destroying everything in this place. We have to get out of here bug, or we will all be destroyed."

------------------
Good pitching can always stop good hitting and vice versa.

-OOPS! I forgot someone too! Guess one more part is upcoming. Besides, I thought up a little extra, end of story charechter conflict.-
*Orca is brought awake by the feel of cold, watery lips on his head. He awakes to find Arfrassa the source, hugging him in her embrace.*
Orca-Get off me, will you, you big glob of water?
Arfrassa-*Laughs* Well, I see your tongue is as sharp as ever. Well, Orca. The battle is over.
Orca-Arfrassa, your wrong. Look over there!
*Orca points to where the fight behind the forcefield is still going on.*
Arfrassa-But we can't do anything about that battle. Come on, Space-Orca.I am interested in a more... peaceful and personal life now. What about you?
Orca-If your suggesting what I think your suggesting, I should just kick your little finny head away and run.
Arfrassa-Admit it, you have feeling, you just don't like to show them. Honestly, we're the only two famous water creatures here.
Orca-What about your leader?
Arfrassa-Considering his inactive part, I'd say he'll just be a footnote in the annals of history. As for us... we'll go down in history. As will our child, if he or she is ever born.
Orca-Get your sick ideas away from me!
Arfrassa-Orca, your so immature. Your physiclly 36, but you insist upon acting emotianally 10!
Orca-All right, that hurt! I'll teach you!
*Orca readies a playful punch when he is interrupted by a blaster shot screaming over their heads. Orca turns to find Havok, blaster in each hand, entering the room.*
Orca-So, you have returned.
Havok-Yes. And I have something to show you.
*Havok drags our Norran's body. It is all bloodied and tortured. Norran is just barely alive.*
Havok-Orca, surrender of I'll finish my job.
Orca-So what. Hes as good as dead now anyway.
*Orca picks a dagger up off the floor and hurls it. Havok jumps out of the way, but he was not the intended target. Norran takes the dagger in the heart, and he instantly falls dead.*
Havok-Good, good. Go down the dark path.
Orca-You do not understand, Havok. I killed him to put an end to his suffering.
Havok-Well, I think I'll just put an end to everyone's suffering due to the fact that your alive!
*Havok lunges forward, firing his blasters. Orca dodges and Arfrassa jumps up. Her sword swipes through the air, taking a blaster bolt that was going to hit Orca. However, a second one catches Arfrassa in the chest. She falls over backwards, clutching at her wound*
Orca-NOOOOOOOOOO!
*Orca lunges forward, his lightsaber blaring. He cuts Havoks head off and continues to hack the body to shreds. After a minute of this, he relaxes again and drops his lightsaber to the ground.
_____________________________________________
*Arfrassa feels herself awakened by the feel of dry lips and a embrace. Orca is the source*
Arfrassa-*Smiling* I knew you cared!

------------------
-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

Ping walked slowly down a darkened corridor. Slowly, mostly because he had to wait up for Sa'teyan and Randon. He paused when he reached a fork in the road to let them catch up. Could Merlin's words have been true? That she wasn't of this world? Not created by Bazaal? Ping had never heard of any others of his kind. And this world was not advanced enough to invent computers. He didn't even think that Bazaal even knew what a computer was. Pristine said that to understand Ping_Me, Bazaal had to copy him. Ping wondered how much of her was actually like himself.

Sa'teyan and Randon approached. Randon was leaning over her shoulder. "Where to now?" Randon said.

Ping looked down both corridors. "Right." He said and they started down the right corridor. Of course due to the nature of Bazaal's castle, one hallway looked the same as the other. So they found themselves limping down endless hallways of neverending stone, deep in the bowels of the castle.

Sa'teyan struggled under the heavy burden of Randon. She reflected on her emotional words back at the battle. She had felt so empty once he was gone. She had thought somhow that saying the simple words "I love you" would keep him from dying. Maybe they did. Maybe it was just Ping. She didn't know. She immeadiatly berated herself for acting stupid. What would the others think if they could see her now? All of the time she denied having any feelings for Randon. They always made fun of her for it, like somwhow being in love would make her weaker. She didn't know. She was more confused now than ever. All she knew, now, was that she felt so incredibly good being around him. It was like a warmth inside her. Her mind went out of control and she didn't even know what she was doing.

She realized what she was saying, and blushed. She continued to look as the ground as she walked with Randon, who was slumped over her shoulder. He drew ragged breaths and coughed every so often. As she was thinking to herself, she nearly ran right into Ping who had evidently stopped in his tracks. "We're here." he said.

Sa'teyan looked around her, but saw nothing but a dark void. It ws obvious that the hallway had stopped and open into a larger room, but she couldn't see anything. She watched as Ping walked to the center of the room, a glow followed him as he went, as if her were holding a lantern. Sa'teyan followed him with Randon. Ping stopped and his glow revealed a large object about as high as he was. Sa'teyan stopped too and she set Randon down on the floor. He rested himself on his arms and looked after her. She was surprised to she PIng dissapear from veiw, but then reappearing. his body emanating a buzzing noise all along. She was beginning to become worried as to his condition. This had been happening as they were walking through the castle, but not as bad as that was.

Ping walked around the object inspecting it closely. It had various things sticking off of it. What use they had, Sa'teyan had no idea. Once again Ping faded and reappeared. "Hmmmmm..." He said all the while, looking closely at the boxlike object.

"Merlin is wrong." He said finally. "This is not a computer. It's somthing completely different. It doesn't run on files or an interface. It's just a catalyst for magic. A means of storing vast amounts of magical energy for long periods of time. Bazaal didn't completely copy me. He just copied my outward appearance."

All the while Sa'teyan and Randon looked on in confusion. "What is this thing??" Thye asked.

"This is Prisine's projection unit. It's what creates her."

"So to destroy her we have to destroy this thing." Randon said.

"No, no. I don't think that there's any need to destroy her. There's still a chance for her. We just have to make sure that one of the Dark Wizards doesn't reactivate this thing."

"If she was restored would she attack us?" Sa'teyan asked.

"I'm not sure. Her maker was evil. I'm sure that the evil that rests in his heart will be reflected in her. If she could be remade with good intentions, then I think that she would be good."

"Do you know how to do that."

Ping's image flickered. "Even I don't know how to do that. Only a wizard would. Because wizards made her. Only a wizard would understand the intricate interworkings of this catalyst."

"But it looked like you knew what you were doing when you wree inspecting it..."

"I was only checking its similarity to my own. This is VERY primitive and different from my own. But it's obvious that it would be different due to her power source."

"So what do we do?" Randon said.

"You're going to have to gaurd it. To make sure no one reactivates it. At least until the battle is over."

"You said 'you're'. As in us." Sa'teyan said. She walked over to where Randon lay and knelt there. "What are you going to do?"

"Die." Ping said simply

At first Sa'teyan didn't believe what she was hearing. "What?"

Ping walked over to them. "The power drain was too much and I haven't long to exist."

"What do you mean? You mean you're going to vanish just like that Pristine woman did?"

Ping nodded. "But that's terrible!" she said. "How can you be so calm about it? Don't you care that poeple around you care about and love you? What about Merlin and his party?"

"You shouldn't worry. I have a unit that is something like this one that you see before you. I can be reactivated, if you can find it."

Ping walked away from them and stopped. "Which is part of why I came to this place. I want to ask a favor of you." He turned to them. "I need you to journey to my home and reactivate me."

Sa'teyan and Randon looked on in confusion. Ping continued, "You don't have to go now. I don't expect you to go at all. But if you would, I would appreaciate it."

"Where is it? How do we get there?" Randon asked.

Suddenly Ping_Me doubled over in pain. He yelled and was gone in a loud explosion that sent echoes travelling around the castle. The covered their ears quickly to protect them. They both looked up and found that the chamber was empty except for them and Pristine's device.

"What do we do know?" Randon said.

"I am still here." Ping's voice echoed in the room. They both looked around in bewilderment. "I don't have much time to speak as I am quickly fading. Even now I am losing conciousness. You don't have to go alone. Tell Merlin and the others what I have told you. They can decide if they want to go on this journey with you or not. My home is in a place called the Galctic CyberNet. Directions to it are impossible to describe. You will have to search it out yourselves."

Once again there was silence. They both looked around in the darkness, expecting to see him at any minute.

"I can see the reaction between the two of you. I could see it when I first saw the both of you. You love each other. I know it. Even if I never see the both of you again, I wish you a long and happy life together. May unhappiness never enter your lives. Farewell...." When to voice started to speak it had begun to fade into quietness, until with the word 'farewell', It passed into oblivion.

For many long minutes the both of them sat there in silence. Incredulous as to what they had just witnessed. Sa'teyan shifted in her light armor.

"He can't really be gone can he?" Randon said. Sa'teyan opnly answered with silence. "Is it true? The last thing he said?" He asked. He rolled to face her. "Do you love me?"

"She looked into his eyes for what seemed to be a long time. "Yes, I do." she said finally. Tear started to form in her eyes, though she didn't know why.

Randon reached up and wiped one of her tears away. She sniffed a little, "Now look what you made me do," she said. "I've gone all mushy." Randon smiled at her.

She lay down next to him on the stone floor. She gathered his arms around her and hers around him. "Let's just get some sleep. You look like you need it." She said yawning. She said it more for herself than for him. Within seconds they were both asleep in each other's arms.

_____________________________________________
Hold on my heart, just hold on to that feeling
We both know we've been here before, and we both know what can happen
'cause I'm looking over your shoulder.
Oh please don't rush in this time, show her how you feel

Hold on my heart, just throw me a lifeline
'cause I'll keep a place for you somewhere deep inside

So hold on my heart, please tell her to be patient
'cause there has never been a time, that I wanted somthing more.
If I can recall this feelin' then I'll know there's a chance
I will be there
yes, I will be there.

I'll be there for you, whenever you want me to
yes whenever you call, oh I will be there
yes I will be there

Hold on my heart, don't let her see you crying
No matter where I go, she'll always be with me
so hold on my heart, just hold on to that feeling
we both know we've been here before
and we both know what can happen
hold on my heart, please hold on my heart
yes, I'm gonna hold on to my heart

........hold on..........

_____________________________________________
--------Genesis -Live: The Way We Walk- "Hold On My Heart"

(non-story reply)Errr....I'm pretty much done here, just helping out others when needed. When the final battle is over, I'll post my return to my home universe and such. The last post I put up, I'll let you all assume that we escaped and rejoined the party. And I hope you all read the story of my character "control of the Force"(I know you are Ping, funny stuff you wrote). And I plan to write another story that goes along with this one, but I'll leave you all in suspence on what it will be about. And Merlin-in your edited story, make sure to have all the party make their contributions in the big battle with the wizards(except w/bazaal, which I assume everyone will be knocked out o something...)

--Uhhhhh. . . I have a problem now. I don't know how to end the story now. Since the story first began I created a vision of its end. It reflected everything Merlin was, the mystery of the sword, and about good and evil. But now I'm not sure how to do it? You see, that part where Ji'tory's mind began to fade, I left that as a climax point. I expected any other near end of tale things anyone would write would be set simaltainously (yes I would spell better, but I don't have a spell checker with me and I don't have time to find a dictionary, I misspell and screw up puncutation cause I don't care about that here. Anyway) what orca did with everyone bursting in was a total suprise to me! When I said I wanted the battle to be seperate and alone, I meant noone gets into that room. But I guess I just wasn't clear. I didn't understand all that stuff about dark orb getting blasted? My problem is Ji'tory losing her mind to Bazaal was happening during that Orca did his part with Salanis. The result is I had originally planned to do an ending to the tale that would pick up at the instant Ji'tory is about to lose. But with that battle with Salanas what was going to happen can't. The events that were to follow would have rendered anything else happening in the castle pointless cause what was going to happen would wipe the castle from the face of the earth. But I can't do that now, becuase in the time the Battle with Salanis was happening Ji'tory would have finally lost her mind. And Merlin was on the floor unmoving. I gave no indication of life or death. Regardless I can't end the tale now the way I had planned. Rather I am taking up a suggestion Gebohq made to me. In JK you had a good ending and an alternate bad ending. Gebohq wanted to do a tale set after the bad ending of this one. So since I can't end the tale they way I planned (to see what I was going to do, read my version of the tale, in which every thing does lead to that moment.) SO now I am continuing the dark ending so to speak. (I will assume all of the following doesn't happen historically). I'm going to assume Merlin is dead (that is right, I'm dead) I died when Bazaal struck me against the stones. Ji'tory is now his slave mind, body, and maybe even soul. So here is the run down of people at this point.

Bazaal isn't dead.
Merlin lies dead on the floor.
Ji'tory is now Bazaal's mindless sex slave.

Now it is time for the other members of the party to write what will happen next. But know this, in my story on one person defeated Bazaal, God. So to give you an idea, your going up against (practically) Satan. I will continue to write my part in this continuing story. I just wanted to make it clear what I am doing now. This now means that the party with out its leader is now going to have to flee (and Bazaal lets them, what few survive) some of you might want to include scenes involving your reactions to Merlin's death or to what Ji'tory is now. Let the story continue. . .--

Merlin's body now was cold as it lay on the floor. His eyes not seeing, his heart not beating, no breath, no life. Ji'tory looked at his body now. But she didn't see or hear of feel. She was now only and extension of Bazaal. Bazaal brought down his dark sheild and surveyed the party.

Bazaal: Ji'tory. Take the sword and pick it up.

Ji'tory with out emotion picked up "Consilium ex Deo".

Bazaal: Throw it out the window.

She did. It feel many stories straight down and dug into a stone that lay in the sea near the tower. It was deeply dug into the stone and would be hard to remove.

Now Bazaal turned to the party. As you can see you master Merlin is dead. Now either join me. Or I will give you a head lead in fleeing from me.

For the sake of having less pages. I'm going to continue this darker part of the story in a new tale called "The shadows of Darkness". I posted my last post before Gebohq got his up. Now that I've read it I hope you don't mind me take the initative. Merlin won't play one tenth as much a role as he did in this one. Well just go to it and see.

Hmmm... guess I chose the right side after all

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Good pitching can always stop good hitting and vice versa.

The story isn't over yet. Go over and see what's going on now! Go see it!

No, Merlin, you're WRONG. Heres what happened: Bazaal transfrered the force that held the door to make a wall between where he and Ji'Tory and (Originally) Merlin were, and you couldn't see through it. Orca's powers let him teleport Merlin back through it. Meanwhile, keep up the battle YOU have, it is happening simulataneously. And, the Orb of Darkness is what Bazaal uses to keep control of his undead etc. It has even more dark power than him, but no independant mind. Bazaal's powers are still the same, don't worry. So the rest of your story can still procede. I thought this was kind of like ROTJ, the battle on Endor and in the Throne Room. They are connected, but seperated. THe Endor one(The fight with Salanas) is pure action, the Throne Room one (Ji'Tory, Merlin, and Bazaal) is both action and phylisophical(sp?). Thats what I was thinking. And heres why Ji'Tory dosn't lose her mind yet: How about Merlin, and all the other uncouncious party members, uncounciously funnel their will into Ji'Tory, letting her hold out longer. But, just as Havok falls, Bazaal gathers the dark energy now floating in the magic air by the Dark Orb, all his other Dark Wizards, Salanas, and Havok, and uses it to force everyone else out of Ji'Tory's mind. This part in between could be a GREAT little thing to write from Ji'Tory's point of view, as her mind is swirling with the powers of so many different people. Maybe, Ji'Tory could even see the future and suddenly give up resisting, knowing it will all turn out fine? Just a few thoughts Merlin, but I thought I needed to include the Salanas part because I not only wanted a good story but a story that would make: A. A great game B. A great novel and C. A great movie. I figured none of these would work without a true climactic-style "action" scene, with a giant swordfight and battle that who knows whos going to win. Who knows, maybe one of these would be possible someday. For now, lets all just hope. *Steps down from the podium and stops his long speech.*
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-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.


[This message has been edited by Space_Orca (edited November 30, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Space_Orca (edited November 30, 1999).]

--Oh, I see what you are saying. But since I already wrote a ton of stuff in the other section (Shadows of Darkness) (which by the way if we go from there, we don't have to end the story, but rather continue it down its darker path. If you want to know what would have happened her is what I was doing in my version of the tale and why the stuff with all her friend funneling their minds together to help her hold out doesn't kinda fit with what I was always working from. You see you and I are working out of two different concepts about hero. You are working from the usual since of a epic heroic battle, the hero after many struggles defeats the evil forces. Star Wars and nearly every book you will read uses this hero type. But I am drawing out of a differnet sense of hero, based out of the New Testament itself. In which (running from the idea of Jesus as the ultimate hero) you have a man with the power to defeat his enemies, yet he dies, and that in the end it is not some grand human effort that overthrows evil, but only God himself. What I was doing was building up to that moment where Ji'tory is about to lose her mind, all seems lost and our heros have failed. Then God steps in (at this point Ji'tory would describe God's presence as she experinces (which notable you do find in Merlin's Judgement by God in Shadows of Darkness)) and God pushes Bazaal out her mind and then unleashes his anger upon Bazaal, who is literally ripped apart like an idol made of sand before and angry storm. Followed by an out pouring of power which envelops the castle tearing stone from stone so that nothing remains. From the rubble emerge the party triumpant, healed, and in some cases transformed. (For instance, Ji'tory feels the scars of what Bazaal nearly did to her lighter than before, Dragonfly transformed into a Beuto, Jason's sight returned.) And each of the party memebers reporting seeing those they love and have lost and speaking with them for a fleeting time and knowing they are beyond evil itself.) Regardless I like the new path the story has taken in Shadows of Darkness because it allows me to step away from the need to control the story as much since my character is dead. It also allows me to take a look at heaven itself and God. And it also sets up and interesting struggle more difficult than before. For now Merlin is gone, Ping_me gone, Ji'tory enslaved, the sword gone. Leaving open the problems of bringing back Ping_me, retrieving the sword, saving Ji'tory and through out the tale dealing with Merlin's death (though Merlin does eventually at my discretion reenter the tale a little like Ben Kenobi, guiding and caring for his friends, but unable to help directly. I mean it opens up a whole new area to explore and we don't have to end the story. Just continue it. But I've already written some stuff there so I ask we continue in the Shadows of Darkness post, this way we don't have to go through 10 pages to write, and I've already posted some stuff there.

-Okay, I think I get what you mean, lets keep Shadows of Darkness here, but lets finish this tale too, I had a great epilouge for my charechter that won't work with Shadows of Darkness. But, the fight with Salanas took really only 1 1/2 minutes, maybe the fight with Havok could actually take place just as the palace is starting to fall apart, and it could be in my path of escape, basiclly just move my previous story to the hallways leading to the exit.-

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-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.

--So be it. I'll bring it to a close here. Then we can all move to the Shadows of Darkness section too. I hope you guys/girls have read some of it too).--

And even as Ji'tory thought, another presence was there. In power it overshadowed Bazaal, in glory it was like a blazing torch. It was all places, yet nowhere. It was powerful, yet restraining its power, in doing so giving free will. It knew all things. Ever known, yet hidden, eternally in the present, it was as the earthquake, storms, and fire, yet a silence too. Seemingly filled with contridictions. Three yet one, filled with righteous anger and justice, yet filled with pity for those who turn from it, loving all.

Ji'tory felt as if it almost physically wrenched Bazaal out of her mind. And before Ji'tory now knew what she knew, for what she had known in her mind was now revealed to her heart.

For the sword's name was "Consilium ex Deo," The will of God.

For no one can weild God, but only can we live in his service. So Ji'tory did not weild the sword, but she choose His will, and became for a time His instrument, so the phrophecy was fufilled, "The sword shall weild the warrior."

Ji'tory's eyes flew open and Bazaal froze, for now as he looked into her eyes he did not see the fear that he given him power, now there was only infinite pity, as Ji'tory saw him for the pitiful creature he was.

Now Ji'tory raised the sword and a sound like a great wind filled the room. And Bazaal howled in terror as his hands dissolved. And now the sound came again even stronger this time. And the blade shown as light. And like a shock wave had hit him Bazaal's features became indistict as his body was torn apart, like a idol of dust before the storm. Leaving only his howling echo in the darkness. Now light poured down from the sword. It poured like water flowing through every crack, shining from every corner. So that now the armies out side watched in awe and terror as Bazaal's castle was torn asunder, so that no brick lay upon another. And in that storm of light each person saw a vision of those they had loved and lost, in place were mankind does not have the words or the tounge to describe, in a place beyond the reach of evil, eternal and boundless.

Then as suddenly as it had begun it ended. The light faded, the visions ended, the world was as it was before, except only that Bazaal and his fortress were wiped from the face of creation.

And from the smoking ruins emerged the party trumphant! First stepped foward Merlin, then followed by Ji'tory, then others. to everyone suprise Dragonfly emerged transformed his insect like wings now like the wings of an angel and his scars gone from his face. The undead soldiers in the feild disolved as if made of dust, whisper thank you's of goodbyes.

Now evening was setting several days latter. And peoples were gathered about great bonfires in the wood sourounding Merlin's citadel. High and celestial Elven flute music lifted toward the heavens and Merlin heard it as he stood at the edge of his cavernous home looking out over the woods. Ji'tory was with him too.

Ji'tory looked quitely over the woods as the peoples celebrated their victory.

Ji'tory finally turned toward Merlin.

Ji'tory: Thank you for being there with me Merlin.

Merlin: And you for being there for me.

Ji'tory: You said in the light you had a vision and spoke with your wife.

Merlin: Yes.

Ji'tory: I didn't tell you who I spoke with.

Merlin: Whom did you speak to?

Ji'tory: My father Ta' rune. The man who inspired me to be a fighter.

Merlin: What did he say to you?

Ji'tory: That he was proud of me.

Merlin: I am proud of you too. For you suffered as much as any of us.

Ji'tory: My father also told me that you are lonely.

Merlin didn't answer.

Ji'tory: Are you?

Merlin: Ever since I lost Anna, I've been alone. I've had friends. But no family.

Ji'tory: I know you love me as a daughter Merlin. Consider me your family.

And Merlin began to cry with joy.

Merlin: You. . . you don't know how much that mean to me.

Ji'tory: I think I do.

Merlin now wiped his eyes.

Merlin: But as I know when I meet you, you were but a girl, now you are a woman, and a man waits for you in the woods below.

Ji'tory smiled.

Merlin: Go to him. Be happy. Live the life I didn't. That will make me the happiest of all.

So Ji'tory turned and left. And Merlin stood there for a very long time looking up into the heavens at the stars overhead. The heavens that wonderous place made by the hands of God. And the music drifted up to Merlin. And for the first time in a long time, he was happy.

Epilouge

About a year later Merlin had the pleasure of giving away the bride at Ji'tory and Reyuan's wedding. Later the following year Ji'tory and Reyuan had a duaghter named Ji'traya. They and their decendants formed a new order of knights called "The order of the knights of the sword" who were sworn to protect "Consilium ex Deo." Unlike most orders of knight this one was multi-racial (open to all races from Stygian, to Merfolk, to Elven, to human, to Goblin) The multi-racialness of the order allowed the order to become experted in relations between the races. They became the keepers of justice and peace through out the world and began a new age of world peace.

Merlin retired to his citadel and wrote a record of the war, which he placed in his library, which is the manuscript you are now reading.

Orca's Epilouge:
After Merlin asked Ji'Tory to go see Reyuan, Orca strode up by Merlin. He spoke quickly. "Merlin, you MUST teleport me back to my home universe. Troubles are brewing there. But, if you ever need my help, call me with this." Orca presses a small comlink into Merlin's hand. Merlin studies it intently, then speaks "How do you work this thing?" Orca laughed. "Click that switch there, then you'll hear a beep. If theres a second one and the button flashes green, it means to talk, and I'm listening. If theres a second one and the light is red, then I don't have time or are away from my commlink. Now, goodbye Merlin. I really must be going." Before leaving, Orca distributes commlinks to everyone. He also tells them they are two way and can be used to signal each other again.
-This was my idea to incite future stories, about us crossing into each other's universe, and maybe some of us could come and help if another problem occures in Merlin's home realm. Now off to play Orca's part in Shadows of Darkness, and as long as we're doing alternate endings, I'm going to make "Dual of Darkness", a little alternative ending where Merlin dies and Orca seeks revenge. It will be very short, but could be intruiging if anyone else wants to presue a sequal.-

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-Space Orca
Space Orca's best qoutes:
"The Force is strong in you. The force of my lightsaber coming down!"
"A planet of pokemon? Don't bomb it from orbit. A few might survive. Get the Death Star in here!"
"Hmmmm... It looks like my Lightsaber needs a little repair work. Know of any lightsaber repair shops in town?"
"Luke Skywalker drew his lightsaber... and turned it in to the art teacher"
"Pokemon is spelled S-T-U-P-I-D!"
If you have any more funny quotes, just send them to me.