--I don't thing it is vain you did that. It wasn't an exact copy of your character. She was a woman not a man like Ping_me (if gender really applies). If anything it opens a host of possiblities and problems. The girl hologram might not be inherently evil. So it is possible for the problem if she will turn or rebel. All kinds of fascinating options were opened up. Now it is up to us to explore them.--

--not vain at all , Ping_Me!--

Dragonfly couldn't stop thinking about what Merlin had told him about Turneh............it couldn't be true! No it couldn't!"he thought to himself....HE fell asleep uneasily, adn all he could think of was Merlin.............all the blame he put on Merlin's shoulders.......

DRagonfly:that merlin is the reason Turneh is in capture and probably dead at the hands of Bazaal!

He grabs his sword in a fit of rage as tears continuosly fall from his tired eyes......He looks for Merlin..............He walked into Merlin who was sitting outside of J'iotry's tent. Crying could be heard from within..

Merlin:Hello Dragonfly

DRagonfly:you..........you are the reason my Father is gone! What have you against him! And why tell me lies like that! My Father is alive adn well in the Beuto city!

Merlin:No, he isn't! Believe me! Your Father was a friend....and I would never lie to any one of you! I can feel your Father is in Bazaal's grasp.can' you? Look inside yourself, you will find you feel it tooo...It may be too late for him, but there are others who we need to worry about also!

DRagonfly taking in what Merlin says falls to ground dropping his sword with a thud onto the ground...........the tears continue to fall from his eyes......his crawls up into a ball.....like a small child..........not knowing what to do when something bad happens...

--by the way this is way different than what I am writing (maybe even better than it). (In my version Dragonfly through out the tale grows to love Turneh, but only accepts him as his father at the end.) I know this version is differnet though (and just as good).

Merlin walked over to Dragonfly and knelt down next to him.

Merlin: Dragonfly. I know you love your father. And I know what it is to lose someone you love. I lost Anna. But we are working for the sake of this world. If saving this world and your father meant sacrificing my life, I would do that. At least then I would also be with her. There is also a really good chance your father is still alive. I think this because it is very likely Bazaal will want to use him as a bargining chip in the coming fights when we enter the castle. To force you out of the fight. The sooner we get to the castle and the sooner we can face Bazaal. The sooner we can save your father.

After a little while Dragonfly after composing himself (and noone can blame him for his reaction) Dragonfly returned to his tent. Merlin returned to the fire and spoke with Ping_me.

Merlin: So why don't you tell me who you meet.

Ping_me hides his suprise well.

Ping_me: How did you know I met someone?

Merlin: I didn't know for sure, but I sense something had happened.

Ping_me explained who he had met and that she ran on magical energy.

Merlin: Hmmmmm. . . There is a real possibility she was telling the truth. Remeber when I recharged you with lightning. It was made from magic. I imagine they must use a very similar process. Perhaps even a self sustaining energy core so she never needs to recharge.

Ping_me: Is it true what she said? That she could be able to give me that emotion.

Merlin: I honestly don't know. I don't understand the process that created you or the process that created her. Or how emotions are involved. But there is a real chance she may be in fact not evil, but simply under Bazaal's control. In which case he may have created us an ally.

Ping_me: But how could a man so evil create anything good?

Merlin: He may not have used the evil branches of magic to create her. Indeed if she is how you described her, she may not be evil at all.

Ping_me: I don't know what I am going to do about it.

Merlin: Indeed what to do with a woman of your own kind. What for Adam to do with Eve. . . . . but love her. For God said it is not good that man be alone.

Ping_me: But I can't love her.

Merlin: I know. Or at least maybe not yet. Perhaps out of all this evil something good came. . .

"Thank god that jerk's finally out of my head" thinks bug to himself as the dream world around him begins to shift.

"What was Bazaal smoking when he came up with this little nightmare? Geez, the Haunted Mansion in Disney Land is more frightening than this little spook ride. So, which one is going to be first today?"

The colors swrill around then begin to focus. Bug is standing in a half inch of water in a small metal room. The room is has riveted stainless steel walls with no doors or openings of any kind. Overhead a metal grate is fastened into place.

"ooh... the water one. well, this shouldn't take long"

Water starts to pour over the sides of the grate and fill the metal room. The half inch of water starts to rise up to bugs ankles.

"Damn it, I always forget how cold the water is. Oh well, it's nice to finally get away from Apathis. I swear, Bazaal has got to get some less paranoid wizards on his side. Apathis didn't go for a minute without keeping an eye on me."

The water continues to rise in the room. As it starts to reach the grate bug takes one last breath.

"20... 19... 18... 17... 16... 15... 14... 13... 12... 11... 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... and SHIFT!"

The room changes again. This time it is total blackness. Lying on his back on a hard wooded board bug can feel himself being moved along.

"Oh no. Not the coffin one. This one is so boring"

The movement stops, then bug starts to feel himself being lowered into the ground.

"You would think someone as smart as Bazaal would be more original than this. Then again, you would think anyone with half a brain would realize how mild these little horror flicks are."

Up above, bug can hear the sound of someone shoveling dirt onto the lid of coffin.

"well, I might as well catch up on sleep while I wait."

Bug dozes off as he is buried alive under 6 feet of dirt.

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

Ping_Me continued to watch the fire with Merlin.

"I don't know if it effects anything, but when I was first created, I was subject to my mistresses will. Like a droid and his master, without question."

Ping paused. Merlin waited for him to continue.

"Which may mean that she too will be controlled by Bazaal's will. Bazaal's evil."

Pause.

"I was created to fight the Empire by a small band of rebels in the heart of Coruscant. I inheirited a good will as a part of myself. I was made to be a warrior as well as a compassionate person to a orphan girl who had neither father or mother."

Dramatic Pause.

"She (the alter me)was created for evil purposes, for destrution. But I could see a struggle inside herself. She was ordered to try to destroy me but she didn't. I cannot turn away from my principals, therefore she will be forced to try to destroy me. Forced against what she wills."

Now Merlin stared at the fire too.

"Merlin, you said once you had a love whom you were forced to kill because she was tormented by Bazaal. I wonder if that's what will happen in the end with her. Would I be forced to destroy her as a mercy?"

"You must believe that she might be able to turn away." Merlin said. "When your creator was killed you had your own will then didn't you? Why shouldn't it be the same with her?"
he continued with confidence.

Ping said nothing and stared at the fire. Merlin saw that his words had had much of an effect on Ping. As he sat a cold shadow seemed to fall over Ping. Merlin noticed and looked up to the moon. A cloud had passed over it but only seemed to block the light to Ping.

-----To bug: LOL! ------

[This message has been edited by Ping_Me (edited November 21, 1999).]

Bazaal reenter Bug's mind.

Bazaal: I can see from you what your thinking you don't find these dreams scary enough. Very well.

Bazaal withdraws from Bug's mind and a new dream shift into veiw. One bug had never seen before. He was being held up in the air by Bazaal with one hand about 3 feet off the ground.

Bug: You call this scary. (bug smirks) Though I must admit it is kinda uncomfortable.

Bazaal with draws a knife from his belt.

Bug: Hey what are you going to do with that?

Bazaal: The same thing I did to Jason. . .and more.

Bug's smirk vanishes.

Bug: Well, I mean, er . . . the other dreams were really scary. Why don't I just umm. . . go back to them.

Bazaal smiled coldly. Then held bug down to a nearby table. The wood was hard and cold.

Bug: Fine. I know this is only a dream. Only a dream.

Bazaal: Oh, but you'll feel it anyway. Maybe it will be real when you wake up.

Bug: Wait! If i'm blind i'm no use to you as a servant!

Bazaal: Sure you will be. It will make Merlin and his friends pity bug all the more.

Bug: NO! WAIT!

Bazaal's hand thrust the blade into Bug's right eye and with a vomit inducing squelch everything went dark in that eye. . . But Bazaal didn't stop there. He shifted the blade so it ground against the eye socket as he cut around the eye. Bug writhes with pain. His legs kick, his arms wave. He screams and Bazaal holds him down tighter.

Bug: Ahhhhhhh! AHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Bazaal then threw the bloodied eye onto the stone floor.

Bug: Bazaal! NO! DON'T!

Bug writhes and kicks. Struggles to get free of Bazaal grasp. But he can't. Bazaal gouges his other eye the exact same way.

Bug: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Blood pours down the sides of his face. The Bazaal holds him up in the air again as the blood drains down his face like tears.

Bazaal: Now have you learned your lesson! You do not disobey me! You are my SLAVE!

Bazaal hurls bug against the stone wall.

Bazaal: YOU WILL OBEY MY EVIL WHIM! IS THAT CLEAR!

Bug (shuddering in pain): Yeeesss.

Bug awakens in his cell again with his eyes intact.

--I hope all of you didn't throw up on your computer or something after this. The Bazaal character takes lip from no one. (It was funny bug earlier (I mean your part)). But Bazaal is incredible viscious to his enemies. Yet another glimpse into the darkerside of me.--

--What? Nobody's posted, yet. I hope I didn't scare people off.--

--I really don't have much to post until we start to gather the armies. I think the same goes for everyone else. I guess were all waiting for the final confrontation. It looks like the story will be wrapping up during Thanksgiving Vacation. I'm currently writing up my conclusion in Notepad and saving it in my web freespace, 'cos I'll be away from my computer and won't have time to write. I'll still have acsess to the internet tho, so I can still make my posts. If anyone's interested I'll be in the Mineappolis (sp?) area.---

--Does this mean everyone just wants me to get to that point? We just started the Misty Mountians. It would take several more days to reach it. If everyone just wants me to get to that point. I will. Just tell me.--

Merlin, that was not too sickening.I started out laughing, but ended up cringing. About the Misty Mountains thing, we can stay as long as you want, but what else can happen? I personally don't think we are ready to go to that point now...........I feel that something has to happen beforehand.......but I don't know what......something that will rock our world(in story)

--Something that would do that huh. . . well I'll see what I can do. BTW Dragonfly why did you start out laughing and at what point did you start cringing? Also one of you said we are all kind of waiting for the final showdown. Actually there will be many final showdowns (one with each of the Dark Wizards, and in some cases with our pasts, or part of our selves (like Shawn)--

Merlin drifted off into sleep. Bazaal couldn't touch his mind, he could even get as close as he could in Ji'tory's dream. But he could let Merlin see his vision of the coming world.

Bazaal: Merlin, you and I both know this is a dream.

Merlin: I know. What do you want?

Bazaal: To show you your future Merlin.

Bazaal waved his hands and Merlin saw Bazaal's vision. He saw his friends ready for battle running through dark twisted corridors as if fleeing from something. Merlin saw he friends strapped to tables being tortured. He saw Shawn standing with Bazaal. Then Shawn killing Lina. Merlin saw Ji'otry struggle against Bazaal as she is raped. Then in a flash he saw her again, sitting calmly at Bazaal's side, her eyes showed no sign of humanity. Her mind was gone too. He saw a vision of the world where the shadows stretched outward as they did on this own world. Where innocent people died. The world enslaved. And darkness covering the world like a plauge. And her heard Bazaal voice cry out from his Dark Towers, "I am a god!" and a people bowing down and worshiping him.

Bazaal: Do you see this Merlin! It is your future! Your fate! And there is nothing you can do about it!

Merlin awoke with a jerk.

Ping_me: What dream did you just have that made you wake up like that?

Merlin: I saw what Bazaal wanted me to see.

The next morning the group awoke and set out again. They were no more refreshed from the night than they were from the day before. The walked through the Misty Mountians. Strangely, nothing attacked them. Nothing seemed to happen. As if Bazaal had given up throwing bad dreams and monsters at them. Perhaps he had. At one point the part reached a pass in the mountians with jagged cliffs, which had many ledges, loomed on either side. Suddenly Merlin stopped.

Merlin: Everyone get out your weapons.

Everyone readied for battle. Apathis was strangely calm. A brezze blew through the pass whistleing like children crying. The fog lifted somewhat. It was quite. Too quite. And like a spark that starts an inferno so was it suddenly that the form of a shadow rose from a ledge over head. The shadow became the form of a man, and a man appeared from the shadow. He was tall and guant wearing black clothing and a black cloak, he had pale skin. Lina instictively backed away from him. Ji'tory held her place for a moment. Then she to began to back away from him in fear.

Ji'tory (in a quite whisper that was very close to a whimper): Bazaal.

Merlin heard he say it, he was the only one close enough to her it. Even though there was no doubt in anyone's mind who it was, yet Merlin on confirmed it more.

Merlin: Bazaal.

Bazaal: I decided to stop throwing my lesser wizards and monsters at you. I decided to take care of you myself.

The two Orca gaurds Orca had brought drew their weapons and chrage toward Bazaal.

Merlin: NO!

Merlin was too late. Bazaal simply out stretched his hand and lightning arched from his hand striking the two Orcas. They fall to the ground writhing in pain, their skin smoking, in pain, but not dead. Merlin had barely enough time to put up his sheild in front of everyone before Bazaal struck again. Bazaal with a quick sweeping motion of his hand created a shock wave of blue fire that raced toward the party and struck the sheild so hard that it nearly knock Merlin down. His sheild was illuminated by a wash of blue fire like surf upon the beach.

Bazaal now placed his hands togeather and as he seperated them a large fireball formed. Reyuan pulled out "Consilum ex Deo". Bazaal threw the fireball straight at Merlin, but as it raced toward them Reyuan struck it babe Ruth style with the sword sending it straight back at Bazaal. Bazaal eyes went wide as his saw the fire rush back at him. He morphed back into a shadow which faded just as the fireball reached his postion. The shadow rose up again from a nearby ledge and Bazaal reformed with a new look of rage in his eyes.

Bazaal: You'll pay for that!

Bazaal stretched out his hands again this time sending lighting raining down upon the party. Merlin got his sheild up around them just in time. The lightning cascaded like heavy rain off an umbrella.

Now Bazaals reformed into a shadow and the shadow raced at blinding speeds toward another ledge where reformed. There he rained down lightning again on the party. Again Merlin blocked the energy. But all of them knew Merlin couldn't keep it up forever.

Bazaal once again morphed into a shadow and reformed on the ground in front of them. He stood there laughing.

Bazaal: You are more powerful than I thought. I will have fun killing you at my citadel. But for now, i'll let you all go. Come Apathis.

Several members of the party looked shocked. Merlin watched on quietly.

Apathis (as he walked toward Bazaal): Of course. It was fun while it lasted. Come bug.

Obidently Bug followed too.

Ji'tory: Bug don't!

Bazaal: You don't have any choice. He is with us now. As will you be soon enough.

With that Bazaal, Apathis, and Bug levitated into the air. Like an unhold trinity ascending. Apathis and Bug where engulfed in Bazaal's shadow which then vanished like a flame of a candle being blown out by the wind.

For a few minutes everyone just stood there, realizing how powerful Bazaal was. Bazaal had only been playing with them. What would he do if he really wanted to kill them. Ji'tory went cold as she realized part of the reason Bazaal just didn't kill them was because he didn't want to damage Ji'tory. She shuddered as she though, he was saving her up for himself.

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 21, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 22, 1999).]

-Merlin, edit that and make them just hurt. I have an idea for what will happen with them when we get to the dark tower. Also, can I confront Bazaal and his wife (I forget here name) first, and then get defeated and hurt leaving Merlin and Ji'tory alone against Bazaal. (I will have killed his wife)-
*Meanwhile, the party slowly moves up the mountains, weary for anymore tricks.*
Orca-I have a bad feeling about this!
Havok(Scowling)-Don't you always, dumb fool. You're the one that got us into this little mess.
Orca-Be quiet, before I finish you off with my bare hands!
Havok-I'd like to see you try!
Dragonfly-Settle down, you're only helping Bazaal!
Havok-Helpign Bazaal HAS to have greater rewards then helping you freaks!
Dragonfly, Orca, Ping_Me, and Shawn in unison-SHUT UP!
Havok-*Raises hands defensivly*If you're so much against me then I guess I'll have to shut my mouth.
Orca-Good, finally!
*Suddenly, large red fire spirits rise from the mounain*
Orca-I told you I had a bad feeling about this!
*Orca ignites his lightsaber and proceeds to charge at the fire spirits. The spirits fire their fire blasts at him, but he deflects with ease. Orca suddenly stops as dark robed figures start approaching the party from behind*
Orca-Vetrecitys!
*All the party except Orca, Merlin, and Reyuan start to run. Orca knows how to deal with these creatures, Merlin is magiclly protected, and the magic sword protects Reyuan.*
Orca-Stop! You're running into the... *All the party but Ping_Me, who is an electric being and thus not nearly as vulnerable, are stopped cold(Or should I say hot?) by fire blasts. They all fall uncouncious* (In a much quieter voice) fire spirits...
*Ping_Me turns on his powerful fighting abilities and massacres the Fire Spirits*
Orca-That still leaves us with severe problems...


------------------
-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 Orca puts on a happy face for the vetrecitys, the robed monsters try to avoid him and attack the other members of the party. Meanwhile, as Ping_Me finishes off the fire spirits, Scout, being somewhat more resilient than the others, snaps back to consciousness. The first thing she notices is that those bodies of her compatriots around her are smoldering. The second thing she notices is that she, herself, is on fire.

"Ah!" Scout yelps, jumping to her feet. Out on the mountainous ledge, there's no place to stop, drop, and roll though, so she simply throws herself against the cliff wall and starts rolling back and forth against it.
Once her clothes are out, Scout retrieves her sword and faces the nearest robed monster, shouting to Orca, "What are these things?!"

"Vetrecitys," he answers, "Monsters that feed on fear. They're from my home dimension."

Orca says something else, but Scout doesn't hear it, due to the large clawed hands that grab at her. They're black and twisted, seemingly designed to inspire dread. Scout slashes at the monster, fails to hit anything tangible, and is duely smacked back by the vetrecity. The blow knocks her clear off the cliff.

"Ow!"

"Ow!"

"Ow!"

"Ow!"

"Ow!"

Finally Scout rolls to a stop halfway down the moutain on a parellel trail. She sits up, rubs her head, and looks up at the battle still taking place high above. "Good thing I didn't let Bazaal change me back normal," she murmured to herself as she rubbed her head.

-Note: I didn't fall behind, I just fell onto a different path. I'll make sure to keep track of what's going on and converge with you when it's fictionally dramatic.

--I've made the changes you asked Orca. (I am not understanding something about your previous post. Do we still have an enemy to deal with there or did you kill the all?) The reason why I asked is what I was planning to do becuase of what Ping_me and Dragonfly said. They said there wasn't much to do now (Dragonfly said I should do something climactic) so I unleashed Bazaal. Which in which I created (or tried to) the most climactic (high point of confilct or action) before the heavier stuff at the castle. (Some people could even argue that monsters after him are anti-clamtic becuase he is the head of all the evil going on). (If you wanted to do something about that, if you want to, I don't care, you could set it before Bazaal attacks (we all agree for the sake of convention)). Anyway after Bazaal I had been planning the rest of the journey to go strangely with out a problem. (As if Bazaal simply wanted to wait till we were inside his castle for his fun to begin). About the inside of his castle, I wanted to give you a better idea of it, it is a place altered by evil magic, built like no sane person would build a castle, with twisting winding corridors. And large rooms in between (and rooms that look really off from the rest of the building, like you walk down a dark hallway open a door and walk into a well lit home like looking room. Or you could walk into a room that looks like Escher's painting "Relativity" (the one with stairs that go upside down, ect.) As for Bazaal's wife, Jezaba, I had been planing something of my own involving her alone with out Bazaal first. (Perhaps let me do that first, she won't die, but she will tempt Merlin himself (something that doesn't happen very often), then she will escape join up with Bazaal (then the fight we Orca, Merlin, Ji'tory against them both, Jezaba is killed, Bazaal vanishes again). Is that ok? Well I'll just wait for you guys to finish up that stuff with the monster you introduced Orca, then I'll take up with the castle in my next post (I hope you repost SOON, cuase I will continue tonight.)

*Orca continues to fight the Vetricitys. They start running, leaving the party badly injured.*
Orca-Come on, we have a hard journey ahead. Merlin, gather up the uncouncious people. And where did Scout go?
Merlin-Orca, whos in command of this expedition?
Orca-Oh, sorry sir.
*An image of Bazaal suddenly appears in the air*
Bazaal-Well well well. It would appear you ARE powerful enough for a final battle. You will lose of course...
Merlin-Never forget Bazaal, Good is stronger than Evil. We WILL prevail.
Bazaal-Ah, I love a challenge . To provide all the more enjoyment, I shall raise you all to full health. *A smile crosses Bazaal's face* Especially you, little Ji'Tory. Such a nice mind, such a nice body. Perfect for me, just perfect! *Bazaal turns to Merlin, and adapts a mocking tone* like the slave I never had! MWAHAHAH! *Bazaal winks out, leaving Ji'Tory crying her heart out once again and Orca staring with a vengeful look in his eye toward the tall towers of Bazaal's Castle that were visable even from this distance.*

--Orca, I don't know if ya knew or not but Shawn's not with the party. on page 8(i think) i put a post up that'll explain why.--

The party, after being healed by Bazaal, start to head up the mountain, hopeing to regroup with Scout. They hope to find out why Bug followed Apathis and Bazaal, and what happened to Shawn. The closer that they got to Bazaal's castle, the less resistance they met.

Lina - Merlin.

Merlin - Yes?

Lina - What do you think happened to Shawn?

Merlin - I'm not sure. For all we know, Bazaal may be holding him prisoner, or worse.

Lina - I hope hes alright. I can't quite explain it, but I have a feeling that he is in some sort of trouble, but is alive.

Merlin - Your love for him is deep. I also sence something else specail about you, but if so, it will reveal itself in time.

The party continues till they spot some level land. In the mist ahead, they can faintly make out a figure, the closer they get, the more details they make out. All of a sudden, the fog lifts a bit. Ahead of them, they see Shawn. He is still in the same state he was in when he left for Bazaal's castle.

Merlin - Shawn, it's good to see you again.

Shawn -...........

Lina - SHAWN!!!!I knew that you'd be alright. *she starts to run to him but stops halfway there.* Shawn, whats wrong?

Merlin (with alarm) - LINA, get away from him.

Lina - Why Merli.....

Lina is lifted off of the ground and tossed aside.

Shawn - I'll deal with you later.

Shawn then moves toward the rest of the party. They all draw their weapons, but Shawn does not. They all prepare to defend themselves against their friend. As Shawn draws closer, Dragonfly backs off a bit, remembering his last encounter with him in this state.

Merlin - Shawn, don't do this. If you do this, Bazaal has won. Shawn stop.

Dragonfly - Its no use Merlin, I don't think he's listening to you.

Lina gets up rubbing the tears from her eyes.

Lina - Shawn stop. Don't do it, don't kill your friends.

Shawn - Shut up, and perhaps I'll let you live long enough to Merlin die.

Lina runs toward Shawn, when she reaches him, she is thrown to the side again. While Shawn is distracted, Orca charges at Shawn, igniting his lightsaber. Orca brings his saber down to find that Shawn is no longer there. He turns around and is punched in the face and sent spiraling backwards. Rayean dashes in along with Ji'tory, Rayean slashes at Shawn and Shawn teleports behind him. Ji'tory then slashes at Shawn only to hit Rayean in the back, wounding him. Ji'tory runs to Rayean's aid but is knocked up into the air by Shawn and then slamed in to the ground after being kneed in the back. Merlin stands there, waiting for Shawn to come closer. As Shawn reaches Merlin, he finds Lina in his way.

Shawn - No more warnings. Time to die.

Shawn grabs Lina by the throat and slams her up against the side of a cliff. Lina screams out in pain. Shawn draws his sword and holds the tip to Lina's throat.

Lina - Do it Shawn. If you really don't love me, then kill me.

Shawn (grinning mischievously) - Fine, have it your way.

Shawn brings his sword back ,everyone looks away as Shawn brings his sword down. They all look back at Shawn to see that the tip of Shawn's sword stopped at Lina's throat.

Shawn - I......can't do.....it.

Lina (happily)- Shawn, I knew that you couldn't do it.

Merlin - Your love for her stopped you, even though you couldn't.

Shawn - Ones greatest enemy is found deep within ones self, not without.

Bazaal - Do it Shawn kill her. Kill her and bring yourself peace at last.

Shawn drops his sword and lets go of Lina.

Shawn - .......NO, I'll no longer serve you.

Bazaal looks at Shawn angrily. He then hovers above the party and stares at him.

Shawn - But I have no such feelings for you Bazaal. You made me try to kill my friends. You almost pushed me to kill the one person I love in this world. My love for her is stronger than my hattred(sp?) for you.

Shawn's black aura changes from black to blue and his eyes turn to a peaceful green. He looks up a Bazaal and fires a blast a energy at him. Bazaal morphs into a shadow and the blast passes through him, he moves to a ledge and reforms. He looks around but doesn't see Shawn, he turns around and blocks Shawn's kick. Bazaal jumps back and forms a fireball infront of him and slings it at Shawn. Shawn stares at Bazaal. As the fireball comes toward Shawn, his aura glows brighter. The fireball hits his aura and is sent flying upwards. Shawn teleports upward and hits the fireball back at Bazaal. Bazaal forms into a shadow and dissappears. Shawn floats down to where Lina is and picks her up. Merlin walks around and heals everyone injuried in the battle.

Shawn - Sorry about this everyone.

Lina - Don't worry about it Shawn. You weren't fully in control with yourself. Its not your fault.

Shawn - but it is. If I wouldn't have gone after Bazaal by myself, none of this would have happened. But you see, he told me that you wanted me dead. He said that after I attacked Dragonfly and saved you, you guys thought that I posed a danger to the party and wanted me dead. I'm sorry for all the trouble that i've caused you guys. All I can say is that it won't happen again.

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

"Semper Fi"

(non-story reply)

You know, if you want, the trip between now and the castle can be a final insight on all the characters' minds. We can all add our final thoughts(our characters I mean)before we get there, maybe the insights can even foretell of things to come. I had thought of what to do with Apathis, but since you sent him back, that makes it all the easier on me. Though I was hoping that Apathis would crush everyone emotionally before leaving. And I want to fight Apathis, if anyone would like to join, be my guest(though I have to ask, do all the wizards have to die? I don't know if I want him dead or not, but if he isn't, that would leave for stories to come(not to mention having evil escape). and one last thing. would Jezeeba be the type to sleep with the other wizards? and if so, would Bazaal mind? OK, that's it, any answers to these would be great.

--I had thought that in the castle we would fight in of the Dark Wizards in a kind of ascending order, first Apathis, then Kricha, then Cathar, then Jezaba, then Bazaal himself (evenutally). Jezaba might sleep with the others, but Bazaal could care less (he found someone else he want to . . . you get the idea and with whom, and he could care less if all of them die. He's out grown them. Finally I planned Yimir (Bazaal's son) escape back into the corrupted world where Bazaal and Merlin originally come from. (This opens up for the tale set 20 years later, "The Dawn of the Knight of the Sword" (concerning the formation of the Order of Knight which would protect the sword, Ji'tory's future daughter, Ji'traya and Yimir's return (now as an adult) having studied his father's works.)--

The contiuned the rest of their journey suprisingly unhindered. Now they stood at the brow of the hill over looking the valley. The valley lead to the sea and on a penisula sourrounded by jagged rocks stood the walled Dark Towers, Bazaal's fortess.

Merlin and the party stood on the brow of the hill and Merlin out stretched his arms and began to speak in an archaic language. In a brilliant flash of light their armies appeared ready for battle. The Elven Arches and foot soldiers lead by Sakana. The human foot soldiers. A large band a dwarves. An army of Beuto. A large mob of Goblins. The Merfolk were now waiting the sea off the penisula. The small but formidable army of dragons stood in the back.

Merlin: Afarassa, meet up with your people and be ready for the signal.

Afarassa jumped into the sea and slipped beneath the waves. By this time the main gates of the castle had opened out marched a seemingly endless horde of skeletal warriors who filled the valley below, arrayed as death. Behind them stood the ready and all to willing Skeletal Archer. Many arches also stood on the walls and towers. It was exactly as Merlin had planned.

Merlin: Dwin, take the dwarves and start digging. Yorg and the goblin follow them. Dwin you know where to dig that tunnel to.

Dwin and the dwarves set off in a furious digging frenzy followed by the lumbering Goblin's with their huge clubs.

Sakana: We are ready here.

Merlin: Good, set up along the hill here.

Sakana: All right all of you. Form up!

The archers arrayed themselves across the hill.

The foot soldiers both human and elven lined up behind them.

Both armies were now ready.

Bathlazar metallic rasp of a cry was the battle signal. The Elven archers let loose with a volley of arrows, but with little effect.

Merlin: Ready . . . NOW!

The Archers line broke and the foot soldier charged into the fray lead by Reyuan! The Elven archers were more or less able to shoot down the enemy arrows with their own due to their tremedous skill, making the ground fight more to Merlin's side an advantage.

Merlin: Balthazar. . . NOW!

The dragons took flight with a sound like a tornado as they raced toward the castle walls. With their firey breath they torched the archers on the walls, but more simply took their place. But combined the Dragons where able to keep the archers on the walls at bay. Merlin ordered the Beuto to stay back till the mid point of the battle when the dwarves work would take out the skeletal archers in the back and make it safe for the Beuto to strike without heavy loss of life.

Reyuan's held the sword "Consilum ex Deo" and weilded it with a vengance! Skeletal soldiers fell left and right from his powerful blows. It had now become a pitch battle and noone knew who the victor would be. Human and Elven soldiers moral was lifted as they saw Reyuan take down enemies like the reaper before a feild of grain. In the heat of battle Reyuan didn't see the lucky skeletal arrow's shot. The arrow burrowed into his right shoulder causing him to loose his grip on the sword. Ji'tory who had been with the archers in the back had been watching Reyuan fight. But when she saw him fall she was filled with panic.

Ji'tory: Reyuan! NO!

Ji'tory raced out into the battle feild headless of death.

Sakana: Ji'tory! Stop!

But Ji'tory didn't hear him. She raced on through the crowds of men fighting, bleeding, dying.

Finally she reached Reyuan.

Ji'tory: Reyuan! Oh my God!

Reyuan lay on the ground griping his arm which was bleeding profusely. But he was breathing. She half carried half dragged Reyuan back out of the battle feild, back to their archers lines. Once Reyuan was behind enemy lines Merlin meet up with her.

Ji'tory: Reyuan has been shot.

Merlin: It isn't fatal.

Merlin and Ji'tory carry him into the medical tent. There Merlin magically disolved the arrow. And bandaged his wounds.

Merlin came back out of the tent carrying "Consilium ex Deo."

Merlin (to Ji'tory): Ji'tory, Reyuan will be all right, but he is in no condition to fight. Someone else will have to weild this sword.

Ji'tory: Who?

Merlin: You.

Ji'tory: Me?!

Merlin handed her the sword.

Merlin: I feel it is your destiny.

She takes the sword in hand. It was suprisingly light to hold. Yet she could sense it's power.

Merlin: Now we have to go.

Ji'tory: Go?

Merlin: Into the castle itself. Everyone has their orders. Now our party has to face Bazaal.

Ji'tory (somewhat with fear, but with determination): All right.

Togeather Ping_me, Merlin, Gebohq, Avenger, Orca, his two guards, Dragonfly, Shawn, and Scout climb onto Balthazar's back. Balthazar ferries them over the writhing battle field and safely onto the castle walls. Then the team sets out to one of the nearby towers. Finding a door in it they enter. The door automatically closes behind them. As it does the sound of battle is ominously abrubtly cut off. They walk down the spiralling steps in eirre silence.

As the team go down the stairs, they can't help but wonder whats at the bottom, whats waiting down there. Shawn hears a faint sound and turns around, but finds nothing there. He holds on to Lina tighter, not wanting to lose her in this horrid place. Shawn feels something tug on his arm and turns to face to see that an arm has reached out of the wall and was pulling on him.

Lina - Ahhhhhhhh, Shawn. HELP.

Shawn - LINA.

Shawn turns around to see Lina dissappear into the wall. He runs up to the wall but it had solidified. He starts to bang on the wall yelling out Lina's name but got no reply. He turned franticly for help from the rest of the party but knew from the exppression on Merlin's face that it was no use.

(Bazaal's voice ecohed(sp?)) -HAHAHAHAHA, Shawn I have Lina. If you want to see her alive, then join me once more.

Shawn - If you harm her, I'll kill you. DO you hear me, I'll kill you.

Merlin - There's no use trying to talk him into realseing her. Let us continue on, don't worry Shawn, we'll rescue her.

Shawn - I know I know. Its just that, I feel so helpless.

Merlin - In this place, we all are in a way.

The party continue down the stairs, awaiting anything that might pop up.

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

"Semper Fi"

Sakana watched from his commander's position high on one of the hills overlooking the valley. Over the rageing battle the enormous dragon carried Merlin's company to the battlement walls. There they walked to a tower door and seemed to be swallowed up in darkness. Sakana sensed something in the air. He had a strange sense of forboding about that castle. On an impulse Sakana ran down to the battle.

There in a wide circle stood Randon and Sa'teyan. They had evidently cleaved it for themselves and the skeletons were giving them a respectable amount of room. Sakana's eyes went blue and he blasted a hole in the wall of skeletons that stood between himself and the pair of elvish fighters. The blast created a small hole in the ground. Bones went flying everywhere. He reached them as they were fighting back to back, both at their peak of skill.

"RANDON! SA'TEYAN! COME WITH ME!" He had to yell over the din of battle. They faltered a bit out of surprise and quickly finished off their current adversaries. Sakana drew his own sword and together they clove a path back to the hill. They rested for a second to catch their breath.

"Randon, Sa'teyan, I need you two to go into the castle."

"WHAT?" They about screamed together.

"I'm worried about Ji'tory. I'm worried about all of them. I'd feel better if some elves went with them."

Randon still panted from his exertion on the battlefield. "Alright with me Cap' but how are we going to get there?"

"Oh yeah." Sakana said stupidly. He looked around the landscape. Then he saw the dwarves hole. Together they ran to it. It was apparent that whoever was digging the hole must be far underground by now. "The Dwarves must almost be at their destination by now. C'mon I'll go with you as far as the gates."

"But Cap' there's Goblins in there..." Randon said.

"I don't care! They're on our side even if they do smell!" Sakana promptly jumped down into the hole. Randon shrugged his shoulders, Sa'teyan laughed and jump in too. Randon soon followed.

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

The party marched down the endless staircase. It wound up and down, spiralling into the darkesses. A perplexing vertigo that made even the toughest of the party waver.

It had probably been fifteen minutes since Lina dissapeared. A hard silence surrounded Shawn. He seemed very grim and determined. They still marched downward.

They were surpried to find a light steadily growing around Ping_Me. It beacame so bright that soon they stopped in their tracks. Ping looked around himself finding himself becoming less apparent. The white light became intense and soon in a clap of thunder Ping_Me was gone.

"Ping!" Ji'tory cried out. "Merlin where has he gone?"

Merlin closed his eyes in concentration. Seconds passed. "I cannot tell. He may be out of my range of sight."

"What can we do?" Ji'tory said.

"I don't know..." Merlin mused softly to himself. "The light was white. Just like Ping described..." Merlin looked back to the party. "We cannot deiviate from our course now that we've set it. Bazaal destruction is our goal. We should accomplish it as quickly as we can for the good of this world. We can look for him later."

Merlin paused. "Besides. I think this is somthing he must deal with himself." Ji'tory nodded in silence.

All together the continued down into the darkness.

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

The ground suddenly heaved and collapsed under a regiment of skeletal archers. Dwarves piled out of the hole in great numbers. With the help of the Goblins they quickly overwhelmed the archers. A cry of victory went up from them, but still the battle raged on. It was far from over.

As they cleared out of the way, Sakana popped his head out of the hole. He leapt out of it and was quickly followed by Randon and Sa'teyan. Randon had managed somehow to find a clothespin and wore it fasionably on his nose.

"There's go to be a door around here somwehere." Sakana said. Randon and Sa'teyan took this signal and fanned out across the rock face that stood before them. It wasn't long before they found one.

Randon had called them and they came running. When they found him he was trying desperatly to open it. He had braced himself on the wall and was grunting with effort. "It's no good captain..."

Sakana's eyes went blue. "Stand back!" He said. Both of them wasted no time in obeying him. They took refuge on the far side of the rock face to make doubly sure they wouldn't get hurt. They knew what Sakana was capable of. The heard a loud roar and saw a huge cloud of dust. They ran toward what was left of the door, coughing through the dust. Sakana was reletivly unhurt amazingly. Where the door once sat was a large hole in the rock. A murky dark passageway opened up before them.

"You two are my best fighters, though I wouldn't say that in from of the rest of the guys. I'm trusting you to help in anyway you can. I need to get back and direct the archers. Good luck you two and don't get dead." Sakana turned to go.

"Good luck to you too Captain!" Sa'teyan called after them. Sakana bowed in a flourish and dived into the hole like he was diving into a swimming pool.

Randon and Sa'teyan looked at each other and then at the passageway. Sa'teyan winked at him and drew her sword. He grinned stupidly and drew his sword too. Together the ran down the dark tunnel.

(I wrote this mainly to develope the character Apathis. cheers)

Meanwhile bug is sitting in the top of a tall tower. Looking out the window he can see the battle taking place down below. Apathis is sitting in a chair across the table from him. Apathis is busy tinkering with bug's rail detonater.

Apathis: "This is a marvelous invention. The design looks so simple on the outside, but it all works without any sort of magical components."

bug: "yeah, yeah, whatever. Um, shouldn't we be doing something about the battle outside?"

Apathis: "We don't need to worry about that. Our troops can easily take care of them. All we need to care about is Merlin and his party once they get inside, which should be any time now."

Apathis closes the case on the rail detonater and hands it over to bug.

Apathis: "There, those modifications should be adiquate for fighting merlin. Remember, only use one rail. You know what Bazaal will do to you if you actually kill them."

bug: "no problem. By the way, why was it that Bazaal went to all the trouble to capture me? Why not someone else in merlin's party who was of more importance."

Apathis: "To be honest I'm not sure. I think he saw some use for you at first. Maybe as a traitor to defeat merlin as I was. Everyone else in the party was actually dedicated to their quest to defeat Bazaal. You however didn't actually have any loyality towards merlin, or a reason to fight. In the end though, Bazaal just wanted to torture Merlin for standing up to him. Not just physically, but mentally. I think that is the reason he keeps waiting. And what does Bazaal want with you now? (Apathis smirks) Well, Bazaal always wanted a pet."

Overhead a bell suddenly starts ringing. The sound continues for several seconds then it stops. Apathis gets up from his chair.

Apathis: "They are inside. Come bug, it's about time we finally put a stop to Merlin and the trouble he has been causing."

Apathis walks through the twisting hallways followed closely by bug. The building resembles a maze designed by a madman. bug can't help but notice the um, unique design
of the building.

bug: "did Bazaal design this?"

Apathis: (in matter-o-fact tone) "Yes"

bug: "I couldn't help but noticing, but you don't seem to be as quite, uh, how shall I put it, um, as Evil as the other wizards are."

Apathis: "There really is no such thing as good or evil. There is only power. Bug, if I decide to kill a crowd of people because they oppose me, is what I do wrong? Or how about if I destory a village so I can build a new palace for myself?"

bug: "I wouldn't want to oppose you here, but I don't see how you could consider those things right"

Apathis: "But it is. As a wizard I am those peoples superior, so I can do anything with them that I like. You see bug, there is no right or wrong. There is no good or evil. It is power that defines what we may do. A superior person will use that power to make himself more powerful, while a inferior one would let go of the power in fear."

bug: "Are you refering to Merlin when you say that?"

Apathis: "Yes, Merlin, and all of the wizards of his kind. They all waited around, afraid to use their power to it's full potential. It wasn't until Bazaal appeared that they understood what true power was."

bug: "How can you say Bazaal's not evil. We both know what he is like. He delights in the suffering of others, he doesn't do things for the benefit of himself."

Apathis: "Not evil. Maybe he is little ecentric, but that is it. Most of what you are calling 'evil' is actually based on basic human emotions. Hate, anger, lust. Every human has these emotions to some degree or another. Even Merlin, whom you would consider 'good'. You see, Bazaal isn't really evil, he just has the power to do what he wants."

bug: "Ok, ok, maybe so. But if there is no good or evil than what is God. Surely you can't consider God to be influenced by human emotions."

Apathis laughs and looks at bug

Apathis: "There is no such thing as God. We invented God to make ourselves feel like we had a place to go after we died, and to feel like we had a purpose. Without the idea of god our societies would have crumbled. That is why it is necessary to enforce the idea upon the people. Not the god who is just and kind, but a god who rules with an iron fist. One who would crush all opposition and mercilessly kill those who do not please him." Apathis's eyes flash for a second. "A god, and a ruler".

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

Now that the skeletal archers were down the Beuto could come in to the fight. In formation they flew up and over the writheing battle feild. Groups of them swooped down a various times attacking where they could. It helped, but not enough to give a huge edge. Finally the emergence of the goblins was the signal to the Merfolk to attack. Their armies rose out of the sea on either side of the peninsula! The skeletal armies were now trapped! Merfolk coming from right and left. Goblins bashing the crap out of them from behind. And human and Elven soldiers all around them. Yet the skeletal soldiers numbers didn't seem to dwindle. For unbeknowest to them they were continuely rising from the ground! But now the fight was an even match. But how long would it rage on noone knew.

Merlin's party reached the bottom of the stairs they now stood at the end of a long hallway. The hallway had black and white checkered floor. It's walls and ceiling were made of wood. One one side of the hall was a long row of doors. On the other side a row of windows. Moonlight poured in through the windows casting a silver light on the shadowy room. Beyond the windows stood a large garden of stone statues in the moonlight. Even though all of them knew it wasn't night. This place was truly strange.

Merlin: We will have to explore this place.

Merlin walked to one of the doors and opened it. Behind the first one was only a stone wall. Behind the second one lay a empty dark room. Gebohq too began to open doors. As did Avenger. Orca stood with his guards watching.

Gebohq: What is this? Alice in Wonderland.

Ji'tory: Who is Alice?

Gebohq: Never mind.

At one point they reached a door a ways down the hall. Light was coming from beneath the door. Merlin they gathered around Merlin as he reached to open the door. He opened the door and before them stood what looked like the inside of a small cottage. Sunlight poured through the windows. The room was full of sunlight.

Merlin: My God!

Ji'tory: What is it Merlin?

Merlin: It's. . . . It's Anna's house. This looks like her home. Exactly like her home. Just before the shadow came.

Merlin stepped into the room. Ji'tory watched with awe as Merlins figure melted away revealing a young man around 19 or 20 with brown hair. The man stopped and looked at his hands. Then turned at looked back at Ji'tory. She saw his face. A young man man with a short beard and with Merlin's facial features. Ji'tory realized with a shock that this must have been what Merlin looked like in his youth.

Ji'tory: Merlin?

Merlin (softly): Yes. It is me. This is how I looked just before the shadow struck.

Ji'tory gingerly stepped through the door way, which had no effect on her. The others followed. It seemed it only affected Merlin.

Merlin: It is almost as if, I was back then, before it all began.

Merlin turned about the room slowly gazing at the room as if drinking in the light and colors.

Merlin: Could it be Bazaal has found a way into the past?

None of the others knew what to say.

Merlin: But that means. . . .

Merlin's eyes go wide.

Merlin: Anna! Are you here!

A voice called from the other room.

Voice: I'm here Merlin!

Merlin ran into the other room with others in hot pursuit.

When Ji'tory caught back up to him she stood in the door way of the other room. Merlin stood still in the middle of the room gazing upon a woman with blond hair what she could only judge from Merlin's descripitions must be Anna.

The girl ran to Merlin and he held her in his arms. Merlin began to cry. She did too.

Merlin: I thought you were dead.

Anna: No. That was an illusion. Bazaal held me prisioner.

Merlin (with concern): Did he do anything to you?

Anna: No. He just kept me here. But I couldn't leave. But I always knew you would come and save me. I love you, Merlin.

She embraced him and held her.

Merlin (softly): I love you too, Anna.

Ji'tory had never seen Merlin so happy.

Anna: Stay here. Don't every leave me again.

Merlin: I won't ever leave your side again, Anna. But we have to get you out of here, to some where safe.

Anna: I can't get out though. Because of the sphere.

Merlin: The sphere? Show me!

Anna led the way to other room, they all noticed a black orb floating in the center of the room.

Anna: I tried to leave but it put up some kind a shield. I couldn't touch it. But if you can smash it I'll be able to leave with you.

Merlin stepped foward and stretched out his hands. He was about to place his hands on the dark sphere, but then stopped. He pulled his hands back.

Merlin (softly): Anna. Why haven't you aged?

Anna: I've been kept here. Here nobody ages. You look young again. It's what this prison does. When we leave we'll still be young, but age normally. Hurry Merlin. Before Bazaal comes.

Merlin reached out again toward the dark orb. Then he paused again. He withdrew his hands and began to cry.

Anna: What's wrong Merlin? We can go home. I'm alive, I'm safe. I'll be with you forever. You'll never loose me again. Let's go home.

Merlin turned to face her.

Merlin: Oh, God! I wish it were true! BUT YOUR NOT MY WIFE!

Anna's face went cold. A dark shadow appeared at the top of her hair as it flowed downward it revealed a woman with firey red hair, and voluptus figure, her face cold as stone. The shadow flowed from her on to the floor as flowed over the floor it reveal the room as it really was, a cold empty stone room. When it reached Merlin, he was again the old man Ji'tory had always known. If not looking a little older, by looking a sadder. Tears still ran down his face.

Merlin: Jezaba.

Jezaba: I have to give you this Merlin. Not many men can give up their fondest dreams come true, even if just illusions, to live in a cold dark reality.

She laughed coldly and she became as a shadow and faded away.

Ji'tory came over to him and put her arm around his shoulders.

Ji'tory: I'm sorry, it wasn't real Merlin.

Merlin: I'm sorry too.

Merlin got up and the left the room and shut the door behind them. They returned to the hallway and found the the end of the hallway a glass door that opened into the stone statue garden. Then began to walk among the statues toward the farside of the small courtyard where another door stood.

--Bug. Thanks for doing that with Apathis. I didn't know you had it in you, you must be smart to think up philosphical stuff like that. Maybe I just underestimate people to much cause often when I try to talk about that kinda stuff people get headaches. Just kidding. But I must say, excellent work!--

Without warning, the out door to the courtyard was kicked open, and Dirtbag walked through upright on his hind legs, a huge machine gun clutched in his paws.

"Hi guys! Long time no annoy. Oh, by the way... EAT HOT LEAD!"

-Have fun, suckers. Just two things: don't make me turn into a human so you may sword fight me (this means you, Orca!) and don't make it absolutely certain that I die. Oh, and if worse comes to worse, have me morph into a hideous shadow beast with three foot fangs and about thirty-seven red eyes-

--Uhh. . . that kinda just killed the mood we had going. I thought everyone was gearing more toward emotional or magical attacks on the party that some rat pulling a machine gun. I'm sorry, everything so far kind of had a mood to it I liked alot, but reverting to the enemy attacks you with big weapon thing seemed to kind of kill the mood that all of us had set up. I don't want to offend Dirtbag. Would anybody mind if for the sake of the mood I worked to build for the previous scene that I kinda just ignore it? If not, tell me and I'll go back and edit my post. BTW if anyone wonders, I left Jason back at the medical camp. Also I'm kinda waiting for Gebohq to write the part which involves the duel with Apathis.--

I just erased what I wrote below here cause Orca, wrote over the same setting and point of time so I just let him do it.

[This message has been edited by Merlin (edited November 23, 1999).]

dirtbag looks into the empty room.

"What the- where did they all go?"

pulling out a map dirtbag examines the floor plan of Bazaal's fortress.

"sh*t, there are 2 identical courtyards here! I must have gone to the wrong one! Ok, if I want to get to the other one I will have to cross across here, go through here. From that room I can go over to there..."

dirtbag sits down on a broken statue and starts tracing through the map of Bazaal's multi-leveled fortress maze.

-----

Ooh, I forgot to talk about the modifications Apathis made to my rail det. Well, it's the same thing, except unstead of the rails exploding they send out an expanding blast of that dark shadow thing tha merlin talked about. It should be a pretty big blast, like expanding to a radius of 20 meters. It's not a powerful enough dose to kill anyone, at least not with one rail, but whoever it reaches will by lying on the ground half paralized, and withering with pain. Temporary side effects only. See your doctor for details.

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

-Dirtbag, why don't you show up as an obstacle just before we enter Bazaal's throne room? I would think that might be the kind of place Bazaal would put you. So, anyway, I'm going to pretend that didn't happen-
*The party continues walking through the courtyard. Several of the statues Merlin recognizes as being of his old friends at the school, now turned into solid stone.*
Merlin-Its... its just terrible.
Shawn-Merlin, I have a feeling that there might be something wrong here.
*Several large fireballs fling toward Merlin and his party. Orca deflects them with his Lightsaber, but they swing around and slam into Havok and Norran. The two disappear.*
Orca-NOOOOOOOOOO!
_____________________________________________

*Havok and Norran find themselves standing in a dark corridor only a second later. They see Apathis telling Bug to go get him some magical supplies, then Bug departs and Apathis turns to the two Orcas*
Apathis-Ah, you two. I was, shall we say, expecting you?
Havok-Evil fool! I shall kill you, and I shall be recognized the world over!
Apathis-Ah, Havok. But I'm afraid not. Death only causes more death. IF you are in the inferior position.
Norran-You are wrong. Death ALWAYS leads to more death.
Apathis-Ah, but no. Not if those who would are too scared to fight. Only a few of you seem to be brave enough to fight. And they are ready to get themselves slaughtered.
Havok-Who the h*** cares about more death. I just want a position deserving of my skills.
*Apathis gives a large smile*
Apathis-Really? Well, that can be easily done. You want power? Here you go.
*Apathis hands Havok a small badge showing a skeleton holding a flaming sword*
Apathis-Welcome to the order of the Flaming Sword, Bazaal's elite commandos.
Havok-Thank you, sir!
*Apathis winks out to catch up with Bug*
Norran-Fool! Crush that badge and all it stands for!
Havok-No! It stands for power, and that is what I want!
*The two draw their blasters and train them on each other. A dark ominous laugh can be heard resounding from the walls of the room.*
Havok-Don't make me prove my superiority.
Norran-All right, I won't.
*Norran ducks and rolls, firing a few shots that miss wide. Havok jumps behind cover of a pillar and snaps off a few shots. Norran assumes his position behind a large cabnit of dark magic supplies.*
Norran-Havok, surrender now. You know that you are on the side of wrong.
Havok-Evil and wrong are in the eyes of the beholder.
Norran-Havok, I never knew you could talk phisilocphical. Its too bad that I didn't know that before now.
Havok-Maybe you can cotemplate it in the afterlife!
*Havok fires a few shots that blast the cargo crate Norran is hiding behind into oblivion. Norran jumps out, but is hit in the midsection by one of Havok's shots.*
Voice-Very good. Now, come to Bazaal's throne room. You should know the way by dark instinct. He likes to meet the newest members of his troop.

------------------
-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 and his party now reached to door on the farside of the court yard and now opened it. They entered the room beyond. It was a large empty room illuminated by torches. At the center of the room stood Apathis.

--This is the point where I'm waiting for someone to do the final duel with Apathis.--

Ping seemed to decend down straight through solid stone. Natural stone. //I should be down to the dungeon levels by now.// Ping still had no indication of what was moving him. He didn't have this kind of power, and he didn't think that the woman he met would have this kind of power either.

Intrestingly enough he passed a hallway. In the hallway the saw a face he hadn't seen in a long time. There stood a very confused Dirtbag. He had a rather nasty looking machine gun under one arm and a map in his hand. "I knew I should have made a right turn at the Cesspool of Huguggub...." Even for being a computer program, Ping was very confused.

Anyway he still continued to descend. It seemed like he was being drawn toward some point in the castle. //All of this must be for effect. I could have been zapped there anytime.// Still the layers of rock passed by. Ping could have sworn he saw a dinosaur skeleton at one point. He saw a new ray of light now and I grew in intenstity.

And suddenly he was in an open field, much like the one Merlin and company were walking in before PIng had made up with Ji'tory. Ping regretted being in such a foul mood that day, he missed some very nice scenery. He stood in a golden feild. A hill really, covered with long brownish golden grass. A light breeze blew through the feild. The grass moved in waves along with the wind. Ping figured it was mid fall by the way the trees looked like multi colored torches in the cool air. In the distance, purple mountains, capped with white peaks. The sky had only a few clouds in it, but the atmosphere was such that the sunlight streamed down in between them, creating visible pillars of light.

"This is a vision from your own memory." Said a voice.

"I know." Ping said. He expected that voice. He turned around slowly. He didn't expect attack from her. She stood there, just as beautiful as ever. Her robes fluttered in the wind as did her long white hair. "It hold's meaning for me." He said simply.

She quickly closed the distance between them untill she stood right up against him. "I brought you here to see if you had made up your mind yet..."

"I didn't know you had the power to do anything like that. I just assumed that since I couldn't do it, neither could you." Ping said looking straight at her. She smiled at him in the way that Ji'tory used to. "And I haven't changed my answer."

"I figured as much. But maybe this will change your mind...." She said. She immeadiately brought her mouth up to meet his. Ping was intsantly jolted by a strange feeling. He felt the connection between himself and his projection unit back in the CyberNet change. He was flooded with a new feeling. His eyes went wide and he saw the entire world in a new way. It was as if colors became more vibrant. The wind became more tangible. He felt her arms aound him, her lips on his. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to be swept up in the feeling.

Time had no meaning, reality was but a fleeting thought. They seemed to float off the ground, locked in an embrace of love. Ping knew that he would never be the same again. He was not confused about this new feeling. He now understood everything. That way that Ji'tory looked at him, the reason his creator blushed whenever that one boy looked at her, the reason she was so sad when she said that she was sorry she never completed him. This feeling was so illogical. It shouldn't even exist. But still he held it inside of himself. He realised that she felt the same way for him.

"My name," she said while breaking off the kiss, "is Pristine." Ping looked deeply into her eyes and she stared back. They stood there together for a long time. "Now will you join me?" she said finally.

"No."

She was truly taken aback. She backed away from him. "Why?" she asked in a voice near a whimper.

Ping laughed, a deep rich laugh. He spun around in the feild that was rich and vibrant with color. The world was alive. "I've never felt this way before in my entire existance! This feeling is good. I understand everything now!." Ping closed his eyes and seemed to see every man and woman, boy and girl on the face of the world. No in universe, No... across all dimensions. In his world and this one. "Everyone feels this feeling. I've never felt it until now. Bazaal will destroy this thing called 'love'." He paused. "I'm going to make sure that no one will ever be deprived of it!"

He turned to look at Pristine. Her eyes seemed downcast. She almost looked like she was ready to cry. Ping walked over to her and held her. "I understand." he said. "Because Bazaal is your master you can't do anything but destroy me... Come let us destroy Bazaal. Then you can be free!"

"No!" she shouted. "That's not it! I was made for destruction. It doesn't matter if you destroy him or not, and I cannot harm him."

Ping drew back away from her. "I see...." She turned her back on him. The landscape spun into darkness and Ping found himself in a dark cave. There were multiple exits and entrances. It was decorated with ornate carvings and statues. It wasn't cramped or anything, it was spacious and had a high ceiling.

"Bazaal truly is a monster." Pristine said. "To allow me such feelings and still make me a weapon of destruction." A large white sword appeared in her hand.

Ping made his green sword in his own hand. "I'm sorry Pristine."

"I'm sorry too Ping..."

They faced each other down.

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

(chorus)
*Get ready love will leave you cryin'
*It's gonna hurt you till your heart is dyin'
*Can't escape it, ain't no use in tryin'
*No exception, love will leave you crying too
*Till you're a broken man, poor you

The day you see her, a lonely stranger
You only pray that soon you you'll know her name
You finally touch her, then you're in danger
It won't be long before you feel the pain

'Cause your emotions will overtake you
You'll look for heaven in her big brown eyes
But she's no angel, and she'll forsake you
It shouldn't come as any great surprise

Passion isn't really happiness
There is trouble in her sweet caress
Love is confusion
You'll drown in your delusion
If you don't run

(*Repeat chorus)

You think you're macho, a real soldier
But you've never seen this woman smile
You can't resist her, You can't control her
Soon you'll be helpless as a little child

You'll feel so foolish, but just remember
There is no man who wouldn't be her slave
She hot as fire, cold as December
Her kiss will drive you to an early grave

Every time you try to run away
Your desires are gonna make you stay
Still in her power weaker by the hour
Why even fight?

(*Repeat chorus)
(Guitar Solo)

Passion isn't really happiness
There is trouble in her sweet caress
Lost in confusion
You'll drown in your delusion
If you don't run

(*Repeat chorus)

--------Tenchi Muyo! TV opening

Sorry, it seemed that after I logged off everyone added 10 more posts! Thank you all for letting me fight Apathis like I asked. I'm still working out the details of the battle and will post it up around 9:30 eastern time, but I need to know if anyone wanted to fight Apathis along with Gebohq. And I hope you'll like the battle.

Orca will be happy to do so I'm sure.

------------------
-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.

--Of course I am with you Gebohq. Nice addition Ping_me. Still good as ever. I wonder if your battle with her will keep up until the final battle with Bazaal. Well, you've go me interested. The question comes whether or not she will be free after Bazaal is gone. (If he dies).--

(hmm....the 2 people I was going to have most trouble incorperating in the battle...I'll wait until 10 eastern(replaceign this post with the story), but I wanted to know if you guys really wanted to be in it(which is fine) or if you all were just accompanying. I don't mean to ruin the battle I had layed out, but here was the basic gist:

*party meets up with Apathis. Apathis(being specialized mostly in the subconsious area aka persuasive talk, hypnosious, subliminal messages, and more magically, entering dreams/nightmares)he places the party under a hypnotic state where they believe they won the battle against bazaal in their own glorious way(they all share some pride). Merlin is only put to sleep(or somethign, I don't know. what can you do to a wizard to incapacitate him? I suppose he doesn't HAVE to stay out of the fight, but you seem like a powerful wizard. perhaps you'd be too pacifist?) but the rest were taken by their own pride, except for Gebohq because he has such a low self esteem he isn't proud of himself(it would be modesty, but he really does see himself as lowley, so that's bad), maybe Scout could be there also (I said orca would be the most trouble b/c I got a real big sense of pride out of him). ANYWAY, there would be a psychological battle of the wits between the two before Apathis looses that and goes balistic("I'm taking you all with me-type thing--in a non-caring about bazaal, the party, or himself). He can bring stone hands out from the ground and manipulate the earth, which would be the hardest they've encountered yet, but no where near as powerful as the rest of the dark wizards. If you'd like me to edit this outline, please tell me, I don't mind changing it.

--I don't know if any of you have noticed this, but Merlin almost never uses his powers offensively (he actually perfers to overcome the Dark Wizard's by argument, turning their own flaw or evilness against them. (in the case of Cathar, I intend to have Merlin turn his intellectual pride against him.) Evil destroys itself by its own evilness (Merlin only really goes on the offensive against Bazaal). You could simply have much of the party knocked unconscious by bugs magically enhanced rail dentonator (he said it was like a weaker version of the shadow), Merlin sheild would be fast enough to block it in the area immediately around himself (say Scout and Gebohq are close by to Merlin). And everyone else is knocked unconsious (just an idea). I think that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with blows and magic fire, but by turning evil in on itself. By for instance making Apathis's uncaringness lead to his own demise. Well that is what I've been thinking about. But you do what you want. but If you do keep Merlin in don't assume he would be one who is quick to fight physically/magically.

*The party stood in the dark, cavernous chamber, the walls, floor and ceiling being made of a dark brown rock. Towards the back of the room, though also in the center of the room at the same time was a raised area with torches on the edges of the platform. Standing in the middle of the ring of torches stood Apathis, facing away to the side of the room. He seemed disconnected with his surroundings and the presence of the others, as if he had no care in the world. The whole place looked as if it had been abandoned for centuries. Apathis then turned his attention to the party.

Apathis: "I wasn't sure if you all were going to find me. I suppose I shall dispose of you all now."

*Apathis appeared as if he was preparing to launch a magical attack on the party. In defense of his friends, Merlin put up his defense bubble around him and the party. What he didn't realize though was that Apathis only wanted Merlin. Apathis chanted some ancient words, then before Merlin could translate in his head what they meant, Apathis held his hand up as if he were holding a sphere and motioned it upwards. As if the earth was his slave, a rock hand jutted up from the floor underneath of Merlin. Merlin was now standing on the rock hand, trying to regain his balance. Apathis then gripped his hand, and the stone hand did likewise, holding Merlin. Then, as if tossing worthless trash to the ground, Apathis jerked his hand downward, and Merlin was pulled into the ground.*

Ji'tory: "Merlin!...what did you do with him?"

Apathis: "Oh dear Ji'tory, you really should worry about him as much as your own life. I really don't know where he went, probably the other side of these Dark Towers. And I don't care what happens to him, as long as he stays out of my way."

Ji'tory: "And I had thought you were our friend!"

Apathis: (with a grn of amusement)"Bazaal was right. You so nieve...and innocent. It shall be amusing to torture you all."

Orca: (stepping in front of the party)"You'll have to fight us first!"

Apathis: (now turning his attention to Orca and the rest of the party, as if he had forgotten about them) "Your cause is a lost hope. You shouldn't be so concerned with such trivial things. (Apathis' voice changes gradually into a low, almost hypnotic voice) In fact, none of you need to worry about fighting because you just won. You've defeated Bazaal, and you go back to your homes to indulge yourself in your pride."

*The party stands motionless, each imagining having defeated Bazaal personally and then being rewarded with money, women, respect. All except Gebohq, who can not accept having been the one and only hero and to be glorified. Gebohq finds himself still standing in the dark chamber, the rest of the party standing with their eyes moving rapidly, as if they were asleep dreaming. Aapthis notices Gebohq moving and addresses him.*

Apathis: "I see you're still here.(with a touch of disgust) Too modest are we?"

*Gebohq realizes that he is the only chance for the party to snap out of their delusions. Gebohq feels as if a heavy weight was placed upon him, and he questions if he can really take on Apathis. Indeed, the odds seemed highly against him.*

(if anyone would like to join or is innaccurate in some way, I will change this post to fit. I only ask if Orca and anyone who sees himself as a true hero could stay out[though the only ones I could think that would be like Gebohq are Scout for her lack in self-image and possibly Dragonfly]. I want this to be more of a psychological battle than anything{though those stone hands will come back in the physical fight along with other earth attacks}. And I feel as if only Merlin can write for this battle also. I don't mean to be selfish, but I want to make sure Apathis is depicted correctly[bug I didn't forget you, you wrote him good, but could I ask if you could fight the party with dirtbag? or after apathis is defeated? I'd really appreciate it
Oh, just read your post merlin. I definately knew you were the defensive nad not offensive. perhaps I will change this post to merlin's idea, what do you all say? take your vote! and apathis was going to be defeated by himself both physically and mentally)

don't worry Gebohq, you can take the story, my character may have low self-esteem, but he is thinking about the killer of his father dead so,.....,please continue! and after the battle I got some stuff to add, so all please let me describe the next room!thanks

fine by me, Gebohq I will leave this one to you! and everyone please let me continue after this battle ok? i wanna descrive the next room, it will have to do with Turneh and my character's past(much like MErlin's)
Thanks

Me? Fight with dirtbag? *cough*

I'd take out that rodent the moment I saw him. (bug no like stinking rat)

I put in my post that Bazaal wants to capture merlin alive. Apathis is smart enough to not go against what Bazaal wants, so he would care about what happens to merlin.

I can still stay out of the way though. Apathis has appearently taken care of everyone in the party, so there would be no need for me to stay around.

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

(good point bug, I'll remember that when I make my changes to the last post. Merlin, go check your mail(again, I know, I'm just holding everyone up. sorry, I just want Apathis to have a worthy downfall.) If you wish Merlin, you can write the post about defeating him, because I won't have time to write it all soon(not until Thur. night at hte least). Just remember that Gebohq can change his apperance(I know, I haven't used this power much, so you may have forgotten)so that means he can make himself look like Apathis(not have his powers though). But still, to see yourself would freak you out, especially for Apathis, who could never be able to handle himself. Thanks, and sorry for all this inconvinience I've put everyone in. Its just that I feel as if I've become worse with my writing(like when you start constantly playing JK, you actually get worse, same concept). I still continue to write though, so don't abandon me!
On another note, if each of OUR characters represented a part of the human race(like the original star trek crew was), here is what I think we would be:

Merlin: elderly
Ping_me: oriental(common! he's anime!)
Gebohq: African(his race having been slaves)
Orca: Native American(connected with nature)
Scout: female
Shawn: ???care to indulge?
Avenger: caucasian(sp?)
Dragonfly: Indian(could be other)
bug: member of NRA? how about misc?
dirtbag: a rat. ok, so I'm getting lazy now

All in all, a fairly diverse group here, wouldn't you say?