Chapter 5: Liberty Justice Revenge
Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud sneaked into the house of the witch Acrasia Ruggwain. "Hello? Acrasia? Anybody home?" Androcles called out. As they walked around the house; the four of them saw potions, spell books, fairy dust packages, mermaid hex jars, and white witch healing kits. Just then, there was a rumble as Androcles and Yvain could sense that someone was coming. They quickly hide as they could hear the squeaky door opened. The footsteps coming into the house, "Whoooo is in my house?" A voice called out. Androcles and the others tensed but the footsteps wandered through the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the hallway, left and right, by the fire place, in the attic, and all the other chairs. "Oh man, oh man, oh man! I think I'm gonna wet my pants." Hijiro muttered. "Calm down, as long as we're quiet that witch won't find us." instructed Yvain quietly. But then, the footsteps slowly walked into the room towards their hiding spot. "Spoke too soon, huh." Maud remarked. "Shh!" hushed Androcles. The footsteps came closer and closer. Hijiro and Maud were so shaken with fear, their hearts pounding like metal hitting steel. "Whooo is in my house?" The voice called out, it made Hijiro and Maud shiver. The door opened and a face with gleaming white teeth peered out, "AH-HA!" She cried. Hijiro and Maud screamed but Androcles and Yvain used their telekinetic powers to force the woman away as they tries to escape but the front door slammed on them.
There stood a woman with wild, untidy hair and wore a unique style with her black clothing. She wore dark makeup along with the messy hair and weird clothes. "Oh! Uh, hi? Nice look for ya." Androcles said with anxiousness. A knife slammed through the wall next to the four of them as the woman cried out, "SILENCE!!!" "OK, my bad! Shutting up now." Androcles said quickly. The four of them looked at the woman who glared at the gang as she said, "You dare break into my house!?" "Sorry, we were given a key by your landlord, he was worried about you. He said you were gone for two whole weeks at least." Yvain explained. The witch softened, she ran her fingers through that wild hair of hers and sighed, "Ugh! Made Jimmy worried about me, that nagging fool must be wondering I'm not paying my rent. Doesn't he know I'm witchy and have a contract." She muttered to no one in particular. "What?" asked Yvain. The witch stamped her foot angrily, "I said, QUIET!!!!" She exclaimed. Yvain jumped, as well as the others by her shrilled and scary voice. The witch sighed again, "What do you want?" She snipped. "Your help." explained Androcles, "We came to work for you." The witch looked at him dully, "Sorry, can't help you with that." She said emotionlessly. She walked away as a disbelief Androcles and his friends were shocked by this. Androcles walked over to the witch and asked, "Why not?" "Two words, I'm. Retired. Besides, why would they send you four? You don't like a mage. Don't like a witcher or even anyone that knows my name..." She slammed her cooking pan hard, startling Androcles and announced, "Acrasia Ruggwain--The Witch of Summer Plague!!!!" When Yvain mentions about Xian being kidnapped; Acrasia sniggered and decided to help them out as she claims, "I know where the boy is." But she has tasks for the four of them, Androcles and Yvain had to create a team. Androcles is unsure but obeys to this as well as the other three and they go South in Autumn Plague--where the fastest thief is there. His name is Esfandyar Crane as well as Lady Green Muse, Nikita Absinthe.
The prison door creaked opened, footsteps echoed against the floor in the hallways. The guards appeared at the cell of Esfandyar Crane. "Wake up you thief!" One of the guards announced, "Your trial and excuition awaits for you!" No response. "Hey, you thief! Didn't you hear me?" The guard said. Still no answer so they got the keys out and opened the door only to find the jail cell empty. They noticed that the bars of the cell were slightly bent and they were angry: "Why that lousy--DAMN YOU GENTLEMAN THIEF!!!!" One of the guards shouted, "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS YOU GALLANT, STICKY FINGERED BASTARD!!!!!" Esfandyar was moving at such great speed swiftly and got on top of a building. He saw cars driving by, they were police and their lights were flashing. Esfandyar smiled, "Speed is everything--Especially when you escape from trial and death." He said to himself and whisked away into the night. The next morning; Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud walking in a land of orange leaf trees--They were in the land of Autumn Plague. "Well, I can see why it's called Autumn Plague." said Hijiro brightly. Androcles sighed, "So, where's Speedy?" He asked. "Who knows, he moves pretty fast." answered Yvain. "Boy! That sucks, you think you guys can catch him?" Maud asked. While walking along the path; Androcles and Yvain stop to sense something's coming closer and closer. Going left and right, so Yvain concentrated, he could have sworn someone fast at the speed of light was coming. Closer and closer. And when it did; the duo used their powers to stop them in their tracks.
They could see a man in a dark blue mask and matching clothing. There he was, the Gentleman Thief himself! "So, you're Esfandyar Crane." Androcles notified. Esfandyar smiled, "In the flesh!" He said, "So what's a couple of newcomers doing in a place like this?" He asked. "Just--You have dead or alive posters with your face on them." remarked Androcles. "Well, I'm not completely surpised. A thief gallantly has great speed and smarts. I'm quite the unique guy, aren't I?" bragged Esfandyar. "Yeah, you make a pretty good crew member." said Androcles. "Like hell." said a woman's voice. All of the others turned to see a gorgeous young lady in a kelly green dress that glitters and her hair was in an elegant bun. This was Esfandyar's sidekick name Nikita Absinthe, who helps him on his master thief missions as she is a sorceress with great powers, healing abilities, and invincibility spells. "Ah, Nikita. You are interrupting a man's business." said Esfandyar. Nikita backs down, as her lips pouted but her mouth looked like a rosebud. Puckered like cherry on top of a sundae. Esfandyar turned back to Androcles. "I would be delighted to join but only if you solve some riddles." He said, " Would you like to play?" Androcles was annoyed, "I don't have time for this man." He replied. "Come now, would you like to play a game of riddles? If you win, I'll join your team." Yvain was irritated but he accepted, "Fine--if we win, only you would join us after this is over." He said. Esfandyar smiled, "Deal."He said. The Gentleman Thief bowed gallantly, "I humbly accept."
Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud found the first riddle: Three people check into a hotel room. The bill is $30 so they each pay $10. After they go to the room, the hotel's cashier realizes that the bill should have only been $25. So he gives $5 to the bellhop and tells him to return the money to the guests. The bellhop notices that $5 can't be split evenly between the three guests, so he keeps $2 for himself and then gives the other $3 to the guests. Now the guests, with their dollars back, have each paid $9 for a total of $27. And the bellhop has pocketed $2. So there is $27 + $2 = $29 accounted for. But the guests originally paid $30. What happened to the other dollar? "What does that mean?" Androcles asked. Yvain looked at the riddle, a sign of rememberance crossed his face. "Wait, I think I know this...." He said. He solved the answer: There is no missing dollar. The men spent $27. Of which $25 went on the room and $2 went to the light fingered bell boy. You can not add the $2 the bellboy has to the $27 the men spent as this $2 actually comes out of the $27 the men spent, the other $25 going on the room. Then, the foursome move onto the second riddle, Why is a raven like a writing desk? "Um, I haven't the slightest idea?" Androcles asked. "That's a reference from Alice in Wonderland." Yvain asked. Maud looked at Yvain, "Alice in Wonderland?" She inquired. "Yeah, where Alice goes to the Mad Tea Party and meets the Mad Hatter, he asked that question to Alice. Alice try to figure it out but she couldn't and the Mad Hatter admits, 'I haven't had the slightest idea'." Yvain explained. "So what is the answer? There isn't one?" Hijiro asked.
"In an introduction to a later edition of the book, Lewis Carroll addressed the issue, saying it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front. In the original preface, 'never' was spelled 'nevar,' which is 'raven' backwards. The answer is 'they both stand on sticks and they both come with inky quills.'" Yvain responded. Androcles looked annoyed, "In English, please." "Because there is a B in both and an N in neither." said Yvain, thus solving the riddle. The third riddle was a bit nauseating: No matter how long I've been in there, no matter how much my coffin begins to leak; the worms crawl in and the worms crawl out; what am I? "I can tell you know this one, yes?" Maud asked. Yvain nodded, "Yeah, he made another referrence. From the Hearse Song." He said. Maud looked confused but then she knew, "Oh....Don't you ever laugh as the hearse goes by, For you may be the next one to die. They wrap you up in a big white sheet, From your head down to your feet. They put you in a big black box...And cover you up with dirt and rocks. All goes well for about a week, Until your coffin begins to leak..." She sang. Androcles cringed, he glance at Yvain. "Stop her." He said with gritted teeth. "Shh, listen." Yvain hushed. Maud continues to sing, "...The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, The worms play pinochle on your snout. They eat your eyes, they eat your nose, They eat the jelly between your toes...." Hijiro grimaces, "Oh gross...!" He rasped. Androcles shudders, Yvain looked calm however he had a bit of a disgust look on his face. So the answer was--A corpse! Then, onto the next riddle: What creature that walks on four legs, two legs, and on three legs? "Human." Maud replied. Yvain shook his head, "No, not a human." He said.
Maud looked at him with disbelief, "What? But it is, isn't it? A human baby crawls on four legs, two as an adult, and three for an elder man with a cane." She pointed out. "True. But it says, 'four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening.' A human takes years to grow. They can't transform instantly." explained Yvain. Maud sighed, her hand palming her forehead. "Dang it, you're right!" She admitted. "So, what it is?" Androcles asked. "The mythical creature with the body of a lion and a human head." explained Yvain. "What's that?" asked Maud. "The Sphinx." answered Yvain, and he solved that one too. Esfandyar and Nikita were watching them solving riddles, impressed by Yvain's brain but Nikita was shocked to see the Hook Man Murderer and told Esfandyar about it, "Maybe we should stop this now, nobody should get hurt here." She said. "But they have one more riddle to go." protested Esfandyar. "I don't care if they have three more, I don't want him to hurt anyone. " said Nikita. "Dearest Nikita, he's just watching them. He's not going to kill them." assured Esfandyar. "Oh Esfandyar, he's done this before. He watches his victims before striking at them. It's been over radios and TVs. I don't want them to play anymore." replied Nikita. Esfandyar was bummed out, "All right, Lady Green Muse. I'll stop the game." He admitted. The telephone booth rings, Androcles and the others wonder who it was. Androcles went in to answer it, "Hello?" He asked but he was startled by heavy breathing.
Androcles looked puzzled, "Hello?" He asked. "Did you look behind you?" The caller asked in a scary voice. Androcles looked complexed, "Who's there?" He asked again but the caller hung up. Androcles left the booth. "Who was that?" Hijiro asked in a worried tone. "Some weirdo. Come on, let's move." Androcles said, they begin to walk. They continued to walk when another telephone booth begin to ring, Androcles went to answer it: "Yes?" He said. There was the caller's voice from before, "I am 50 steps behind you." The caller said, he laughs and hung up. "Who was it?" Yvain asked, when Androcles came out of the booth. Androcles shrugged, "I don't know, some freak." He replied. They kept walking, Maud looked behind to see a dark figure standing there and she looked scared but wrapped her hands around Yvain's arm. Another telephone booth begins to ring so Hijiro decides to answer, "Hello there? Esfandyar?" He asked but it wasn't Esfandyar. It was the same caller and he said to the creeped out Hijiro: "48 steps behind, 36 steps!" The caller said, he laughed and hung up. Hijiro peeked out from the booth and said, "He said, '48 steps behind, 36 steps.' What does that mean?" "Relax, Jiro. It's someone messing with us." Androcles assured him. "I--I--I'm scared...." Maud said with fear. Yvain patted Maud's delicate hands. They were still walking when another telephone booth rings and Androcles answered it, "24 steps! 12 steps! 11 steps to go, 10 steps to go! 9-8-7, yes yes yes!" The caller sang. He laugh and laugh, Androcles begin to get angry, "Esfandyar. If this your kind of a joke, it's not funny!" He said. But the caller hung up. Then it rang again, it was Esfandyar.
"What the hell, Esfandyar?" Androcles demanded. "That wasn't me!" Esfandyar claimed. "Oh really? This has gone far enough! No more games, no more riddles! I had enough!" Androcles hollered. "I want to ask you about the caller, what has he been saying?" Esfandyar asked, ignoring his questions and his shouting. Androcles looked confused, "He's been saying the number of steps. Like I know in hell what that means!" He exclaimed. Esfandyar sighed then he said, "OK, listen to me. Be careful, if he tries to call again from another booth; please try to dial my number. It's 555-236-2277, got it?" He instructed. Androcles nodded, "Yup." He said. "OK, good." Esfandyar said. So the four of them kept walking until another phone booth begin to ring, Androcles answered it. "5 steps! 4 steps! 3 I say, would you like to make it 2?" The caller said, he laughed and hung up. Androcles immediately dialed Esfandyar's number, Esfandyar answered after the first ring. "Esfandyar!" Androcles cried. "Did he call back?" Esfandyar asked. "Yes he did." Hijiro answered, who was in the booth with him. "Good, I got one thing to say." Esfandyar said. "What?" Androcles asked. "Run!" said Esfandyar. Androcles looked confused, "Why?" He asked. "Those number of steps? He's been behind you guys all this time! He's going to kill you, run! Run and never stop!!!" exclaimed Esfandyar. Terrified; Androcles and Hijiro fled from the booth, Androcles and his friends ran but they turn to see a hooded man with a hook in its place of a stump where his hand should've been. The hooded hook man chased them as Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud begin running. Running. And running! Just then, Nikita and Esfandyar came down on the hooded hook man and stopped him. "Games over!" Esfandyar said. Just then, A crocodile-like monster came, Androcles and the others were horrified by this sight. "The Wani!" Nikita gasped. The hooded hook man trembled, he looked to see the monster snapping its jaws at the man, who fled and screamed while the Wani chased him.
"What a happy surprise!" Acrasia exclaimed gratefully, "You found Esfandyar! And his Tinker Bell-ish lady Nikita. How nice to meet you." The gang had return to Acrasia's house with Nikita and Esfandyar. "Well, I've heard many tales about you, but your beauty doesn't do the rumors' justice." Esfandyar remarked flirtatiously as he kissed Acrasia's hand. Androcles and the gang were pretty annoyed by this, even Nikita was irritated as she more likely to be jealous. "Ugh, man! That is so sickening!" Maud complained. "Make it stop!" Hijiro groaned. Androcles sat down with a big sigh, Acrasia heard him and lift a pan up and slammed it down; startling Androcles. "Hey!" He complained. "Uh, Uh, Do not sit!" Acrasia scolded. "Oh c'mon! It's been a long day!" whined Androcles. Acrasia pursed her lips in a hard white line, Androcles had to get up from the chair he was sitting in. "OK, fine. I'm not sitting." He said, "None of us can right?" "Nope." replied Acrasia and she begin to tell the next assignment while she pulls out a map, "Now then, go find Bennu Nordmann! The Brute." She said. "Oooh, Bennu the Brute. Are you saying his a brute? Or just trying to make us piss our pants?"Hijiro said sarcastically. "He is a brute." Acrasia said, "He is a muscle man and he lives in the coldest part of Winter Plague up north." She snaps the map back into a scroll and turns to Androcles, Yvain, and the others--as well as Esfandyar and Nikita--while bellowing out, "Get going!" "C'mon, can we take a nap first?" begged Maud. "No naps, no resting now. You want Xian to suffer?" Acrasia said. Now that hit home for Yvain, he sighed and glared at Maud. Maud looked anxious as she sqeaked out, "No." "Then, go! Time's a-wasting!" Acrasia said, she shooed them out and slammed the door. Esfandyar smirked half heartedly, "Hmm. Busy woman." He remarked. "You have no idea." Androcles said, rolling his eyes.
"Busy woman? That 'busy woman' called me Tinker Bell. Hmph! Tinker Bell my ass!" Nikita snapped. "Hey now, Green Muse." Esfandyar said, "Tink wore green." "Shut up, Peter Pan!" remarked Nikita and the others laughed, and off they went up north to Winter Plague. A big muscular man with a chonmage and he was in a vest & trousers. He had wooden geta on his feet and Tabi socks. And he also carried a kitana in hand. But with clothes that he wore weren't too good with the cold winter. This man doesn't get cold surprisingly, he is Bennu Nordmann where he was known as Warm Skinned Bennu. He was trained to avenge the destruction of his village and the death of his family by the evil forces of Deathless Koschei. But Koschei was too powerful against Bennu and made him fall over the mountain however Bennu breaks his fall with his sword as he will try to climb the mountain. He will fall many times, die trying but he will not give up. Meanwhile; Androcles, Yvain, and the others arrived at Winter Plague. They were freezing their asses off, it was so cold. They had their arms wrapped around themselves as they walk through the snow land. "O--O--Oh m--m--man! I--I--It--It--It's frickin' freezing!" complained Androcles. "M--my f--fi--fi--finger--ss--sss ar--are--fro--fro--fro--frozen li--li--li--like ic--ic--icicles!" stuttered Maud. "Brr!" Hijiro complained. "Oh, don't complain. It's not that cold." Esfandyar said, but his legs trembled in the cold. Nikita, who isn't shivering, looks at the others. "Here, let me help." Nikita said. Then there was red specks that showered the gang and they didn't feel so cold anymore. "Wow, nice." Androcles remarked. "Thanks." Yvain replied. Nikita nodded, "My pleasure." She said. The gang were walking along the path towards the mountain. Just then, they found themselves face to face with a kitana. "YOU!!!!" A big voice said, "Have you come to slay the terror of Deathless Koschei?" There he was, Bennu Nordmann! The Warm Skinned Samurai! "You want him? Go through me first!" said Bennu.
"Hold it!" Androcles explained, "We don't want to fight you Bennu Nordmann. We only want to recruit you." "Not quite, I'll take you all on if I have to." Bennu said, snubbing them. Androcles and the others have no other choice but to take down this guy. So they fought the samurai however Yvain went out of his mind by telekinetically shoving him into a tree! Shocked; he rushed over to see if he's OK. "Crap. Crap. Crap!" He panted as he looked over the unconscious Bennu. "Aww man, Yvain! Why did you have to go and do that?" demanded Androcles panicky. "I didn't mean to do it that hard!" protested Yvain. "If he's dead, we're going to be in big trouble and it's all your fault!" Hijiro remarked. "Leave him alone, it was an accident!" Maud argued. While everyone squabbled amongst themselves; Bennu had a smile on his face and punched Yvain in the stomach, Yvain fell over as he was shocked over what just happened. Then, Bennu let out a deep laugh that startled everyone, he was laughing heartily. He rise up with a grin on his face, "Ah, great power. I am satisfy with the outcome of the battle. I give you my best wishes, good man." He said. Yvain looked up at him and rasped out, "I guess we're even." He was rasping because that punch took the wind out of him. "Indeed, I assumed you are not here to slay Koschei?" Bennu said. "Not really but hey, if you want us to come with you. I mean, we don't have to fight him for you." Androcles suggested. Bennu nodded, "Fair enough." He replied. And so, Androcles and the gang followed Bennu up to the tall mountain. As they reached the mountain, Bennu offers to go alone and entered the cave. "Koschei!!!!!" Bennu bellowed. There was a man in black and red leering down at Bennu, "So, you've come back have you? Are you ready to fall again?" He asked in a menacing tone.
"I will not stop until I slay you Koschei!" Bennu declared. Koschei smiled in a slashing way, "Good enough for me, Now then....DIE!!!!" They were fighting each other until Bennu is pushed out from the mountain as Koschei laughed, "Goodbye, until we meet--HUH?!" He stopped when Bennu is suspended in the air and not falling! "What?" Bennu gasped. Androcles used his telekinesis as he said to Bennu, "You're not falling over. And over. AND OVER, Again." He said, emphasizing his words. "NO, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!" bellowed Koschei. Yvain appeared, "Nothing's impossible." He remarked. Bennu looked at Androcles, "I thank you." He said. "Forget it." Androcles said, shaking his head. "I never asked for help." replied Bennu. "It's nothing, that's what comrades do for one another." "Comrades?" Bennu asked. Androcles smiled, "Yeah, comrades." Bennu smiles, "All right, I will defeat him. Not fall again but actually defeat him. If I win, I will join you all." He said. "Just one thing, here." Nikita said, splaying a clear specks and Bennu looked at her. "What is it?" Bennu asked. "An invincibility spell, you'll need it and also a flying spell to go with it." explained Nikita. Bennu grinned even more, "Thank you, thank you. It's quite kind of you." He said. Nikita smiled, "No problem." She replied. And so, Bennu fought Koschei and feels invicible! He fought Koschei and finally slays him. Koschei let out a screech, "FOOL! NOBODY SLAYS KOSCHEI!!!!" And he turn to black ashes. Androcles and the others cheered, "You did it!" Hijiro exclaimed. "YEAH!!!!" cried Maud. "Now I will join you, thank you!" Bennu said. "Hey, that's what comrades are for!" Androcles replied.
"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you Sir Bennu!" Acrasia gushed. The gang had just return with Bennu Nordmann, and once again Acrasia is acting sweet. It was sickening the way she was being sweet, it was genuine--It seemed fake. But at least Bennu was being nice, still it was beyond disgusting of Acrasia. "Thank you for letting me into your home, Lady Acrasia." said Bennu with good mannerisms, "Your house is wonderful!" "Oh ho-ho-ho! Why, you're so sweet." prattled Acrasia, too saccharine. Androcles and the others were agitated, her niceness was getting on their nerves. But then, Acrasia instructed to Bennu and the others: "Tomorrow! Your task is the most important of all!" "Yay!" Maud cried and everyone passed out from exhaustion. The next day as everyone was sleeping, a cart was wheeling in and Acrasia pulled out a trumpet as she played it loud enough for everyone to wake up startled. Androcles had fell down and he rubbed the back of his scalp, "Hey, what's with the hubbub at the break of dawn? What? No nudge, no nice smell of pancakes?" He asked. Acrasia snubbed him, "Your final task is to find a fair maiden. Beautiful. Good, as well as pure. Her name is Lizina Bellefontaine." She explained. "OK, I hope this is the grand finale because we're tired and to need rescue Xian. He could be tortured or alone in the dark." Androcles said. "I am aware of that but I doubt that." assured Acrasia, "But I wish to ask you--How many witches do you see here?" Androcles looked around and replied, "You and Nikita." "Exactly! The reason why I want to do this is to create an army towards the Pretas so--" said Acrasia, she slammed her silver spoon that startled the others, "--Quit complaining!" She cried. She gives them Androcles and the gang breakfast for some energy in their next mission.
"What a happy surprise!" Acrasia exclaimed gratefully, "You found Esfandyar! And his Tinker Bell-ish lady Nikita. How nice to meet you." The gang had return to Acrasia's house with Nikita and Esfandyar. "Well, I've heard many tales about you, but your beauty doesn't do the rumors' justice." Esfandyar remarked flirtatiously as he kissed Acrasia's hand. Androcles and the gang were pretty annoyed by this, even Nikita was irritated as she more likely to be jealous. "Ugh, man! That is so sickening!" Maud complained. "Make it stop!" Hijiro groaned. Androcles sat down with a big sigh, Acrasia heard him and lift a pan up and slammed it down; startling Androcles. "Hey!" He complained. "Uh, Uh, Do not sit!" Acrasia scolded. "Oh c'mon! It's been a long day!" whined Androcles. Acrasia pursed her lips in a hard white line, Androcles had to get up from the chair he was sitting in. "OK, fine. I'm not sitting." He said, "None of us can right?" "Nope." replied Acrasia and she begin to tell the next assignment while she pulls out a map, "Now then, go find Bennu Nordmann! The Brute." She said. "Oooh, Bennu the Brute. Are you saying his a brute? Or just trying to make us piss our pants?"Hijiro said sarcastically. "He is a brute." Acrasia said, "He is a muscle man and he lives in the coldest part of Winter Plague up north." She snaps the map back into a scroll and turns to Androcles, Yvain, and the others--as well as Esfandyar and Nikita--while bellowing out, "Get going!" "C'mon, can we take a nap first?" begged Maud. "No naps, no resting now. You want Xian to suffer?" Acrasia said. Now that hit home for Yvain, he sighed and glared at Maud. Maud looked anxious as she sqeaked out, "No." "Then, go! Time's a-wasting!" Acrasia said, she shooed them out and slammed the door. Esfandyar smirked half heartedly, "Hmm. Busy woman." He remarked. "You have no idea." Androcles said, rolling his eyes.
"Busy woman? That 'busy woman' called me Tinker Bell. Hmph! Tinker Bell my ass!" Nikita snapped. "Hey now, Green Muse." Esfandyar said, "Tink wore green." "Shut up, Peter Pan!" remarked Nikita and the others laughed, and off they went up north to Winter Plague. A big muscular man with a chonmage and he was in a vest & trousers. He had wooden geta on his feet and Tabi socks. And he also carried a kitana in hand. But with clothes that he wore weren't too good with the cold winter. This man doesn't get cold surprisingly, he is Bennu Nordmann where he was known as Warm Skinned Bennu. He was trained to avenge the destruction of his village and the death of his family by the evil forces of Deathless Koschei. But Koschei was too powerful against Bennu and made him fall over the mountain however Bennu breaks his fall with his sword as he will try to climb the mountain. He will fall many times, die trying but he will not give up. Meanwhile; Androcles, Yvain, and the others arrived at Winter Plague. They were freezing their asses off, it was so cold. They had their arms wrapped around themselves as they walk through the snow land. "O--O--Oh m--m--man! I--I--It--It--It's frickin' freezing!" complained Androcles. "M--my f--fi--fi--finger--ss--sss ar--are--fro--fro--fro--frozen li--li--li--like ic--ic--icicles!" stuttered Maud. "Brr!" Hijiro complained. "Oh, don't complain. It's not that cold." Esfandyar said, but his legs trembled in the cold. Nikita, who isn't shivering, looks at the others. "Here, let me help." Nikita said. Then there was red specks that showered the gang and they didn't feel so cold anymore. "Wow, nice." Androcles remarked. "Thanks." Yvain replied. Nikita nodded, "My pleasure." She said. The gang were walking along the path towards the mountain. Just then, they found themselves face to face with a kitana. "YOU!!!!" A big voice said, "Have you come to slay the terror of Deathless Koschei?" There he was, Bennu Nordmann! The Warm Skinned Samurai! "You want him? Go through me first!" said Bennu.
"Hold it!" Androcles explained, "We don't want to fight you Bennu Nordmann. We only want to recruit you." "Not quite, I'll take you all on if I have to." Bennu said, snubbing them. Androcles and the others have no other choice but to take down this guy. So they fought the samurai however Yvain went out of his mind by telekinetically shoving him into a tree! Shocked; he rushed over to see if he's OK. "Crap. Crap. Crap!" He panted as he looked over the unconscious Bennu. "Aww man, Yvain! Why did you have to go and do that?" demanded Androcles panicky. "I didn't mean to do it that hard!" protested Yvain. "If he's dead, we're going to be in big trouble and it's all your fault!" Hijiro remarked. "Leave him alone, it was an accident!" Maud argued. While everyone squabbled amongst themselves; Bennu had a smile on his face and punched Yvain in the stomach, Yvain fell over as he was shocked over what just happened. Then, Bennu let out a deep laugh that startled everyone, he was laughing heartily. He rise up with a grin on his face, "Ah, great power. I am satisfy with the outcome of the battle. I give you my best wishes, good man." He said. Yvain looked up at him and rasped out, "I guess we're even." He was rasping because that punch took the wind out of him. "Indeed, I assumed you are not here to slay Koschei?" Bennu said. "Not really but hey, if you want us to come with you. I mean, we don't have to fight him for you." Androcles suggested. Bennu nodded, "Fair enough." He replied. And so, Androcles and the gang followed Bennu up to the tall mountain. As they reached the mountain, Bennu offers to go alone and entered the cave. "Koschei!!!!!" Bennu bellowed. There was a man in black and red leering down at Bennu, "So, you've come back have you? Are you ready to fall again?" He asked in a menacing tone.
"I will not stop until I slay you Koschei!" Bennu declared. Koschei smiled in a slashing way, "Good enough for me, Now then....DIE!!!!" They were fighting each other until Bennu is pushed out from the mountain as Koschei laughed, "Goodbye, until we meet--HUH?!" He stopped when Bennu is suspended in the air and not falling! "What?" Bennu gasped. Androcles used his telekinesis as he said to Bennu, "You're not falling over. And over. AND OVER, Again." He said, emphasizing his words. "NO, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!" bellowed Koschei. Yvain appeared, "Nothing's impossible." He remarked. Bennu looked at Androcles, "I thank you." He said. "Forget it." Androcles said, shaking his head. "I never asked for help." replied Bennu. "It's nothing, that's what comrades do for one another." "Comrades?" Bennu asked. Androcles smiled, "Yeah, comrades." Bennu smiles, "All right, I will defeat him. Not fall again but actually defeat him. If I win, I will join you all." He said. "Just one thing, here." Nikita said, splaying a clear specks and Bennu looked at her. "What is it?" Bennu asked. "An invincibility spell, you'll need it and also a flying spell to go with it." explained Nikita. Bennu grinned even more, "Thank you, thank you. It's quite kind of you." He said. Nikita smiled, "No problem." She replied. And so, Bennu fought Koschei and feels invicible! He fought Koschei and finally slays him. Koschei let out a screech, "FOOL! NOBODY SLAYS KOSCHEI!!!!" And he turn to black ashes. Androcles and the others cheered, "You did it!" Hijiro exclaimed. "YEAH!!!!" cried Maud. "Now I will join you, thank you!" Bennu said. "Hey, that's what comrades are for!" Androcles replied.
"Oh, I'm so glad to meet you Sir Bennu!" Acrasia gushed. The gang had just return with Bennu Nordmann, and once again Acrasia is acting sweet. It was sickening the way she was being sweet, it was genuine--It seemed fake. But at least Bennu was being nice, still it was beyond disgusting of Acrasia. "Thank you for letting me into your home, Lady Acrasia." said Bennu with good mannerisms, "Your house is wonderful!" "Oh ho-ho-ho! Why, you're so sweet." prattled Acrasia, too saccharine. Androcles and the others were agitated, her niceness was getting on their nerves. But then, Acrasia instructed to Bennu and the others: "Tomorrow! Your task is the most important of all!" "Yay!" Maud cried and everyone passed out from exhaustion. The next day as everyone was sleeping, a cart was wheeling in and Acrasia pulled out a trumpet as she played it loud enough for everyone to wake up startled. Androcles had fell down and he rubbed the back of his scalp, "Hey, what's with the hubbub at the break of dawn? What? No nudge, no nice smell of pancakes?" He asked. Acrasia snubbed him, "Your final task is to find a fair maiden. Beautiful. Good, as well as pure. Her name is Lizina Bellefontaine." She explained. "OK, I hope this is the grand finale because we're tired and to need rescue Xian. He could be tortured or alone in the dark." Androcles said. "I am aware of that but I doubt that." assured Acrasia, "But I wish to ask you--How many witches do you see here?" Androcles looked around and replied, "You and Nikita." "Exactly! The reason why I want to do this is to create an army towards the Pretas so--" said Acrasia, she slammed her silver spoon that startled the others, "--Quit complaining!" She cried. She gives them Androcles and the gang breakfast for some energy in their next mission.
In the meantime of Spring Plague, A young beauty who has white blonde hair and a curvaceous, buxom figure. Her hair was short as it framed her face. Lizina Bellefontaine is wheeling her luggage, she has nowhere to go. She was once part of a group known as False Indigo. After she failed to eliminate any Pretas; she was reprudiated. So she was alone....Or was she? "Lizzie!" A voice called out from afar. Lizina turned around in surprise to see a mousy boy with goggles on his helmet he wore. This was Turms Feboldson. "Turms? What are you doing here?" asked Lizina. "I left False Indigo. They were too busy celebrating your departure." He said, "So I told them off and left." "Oh, Turms. You didn't have to do that." Lizina sighed. "No, I want to. Those guys were a bunch of jerks! Wherever you go, I follow." Turms said. Lizina was moved by this as so the two friends walked together but Turns said he had to do something first. He turned his back and pulled out the tracking device, let it drop to the floor and crushed it with his foot. "Screw you." He muttered. And then he followed Lizina to a new journey. A few hours later; Lizina was sniffling as she tried to wipe her tears from her eyes. She had Turms draped around her and Lizina was escorting her unconscious friend. Earlier before, they have been attacked by False Indigo. They have been harassed and beaten up. Turms took the beaten, he couldn't bare Lizina to get hurt. But Lizina was so upset by those jerks that hurt her and her friend. "Why?" thought Lizina while crying, "Why do they hate us so much?"Just then, there was a growling sound and Lizina look up to see Pretas in her way. She knew that this was it, this was it for her and Turms.
Lizina doesn't have any fighting skills at all, only healing powers. False Indigo puts her down for that, saying that someone with healing powers isn't worthy enough. She believed it, Lizina has no purpose in fighting no longer. She closed her eyes, bidding farewell for she was too good for this sinful earth. However, she is shocked when she heard the Pretas letting out a blood curdling scream of pain and she opened her eyes. She saw that they were being speared by some people, these people were none other than Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, Maud, and all of the others. They were fighting these monsters with their powers and skills. This was too much to believe! Too much to process. Finally, once the heroes are done taking care of the monsters; Androcles noticed Lizina, "Hey. You OK?" He called out. Lizina nodded, but then when Androcles looked to see Turms around Lizina and asked, "Your friend OK?" Lizina shook her head, "My friend--He's been hurt!" She managed to say through her tears. Nikita step forward, "Let me take a look at him." She said. Lizina looked at her with a worried look, "Who are you?" She asked. "Don't worry, you can trust me." replied Nikita. So, Nikita took a look at Turms's wounds and right on the spot, she healed Turms. When Turms awoke, he was glad to see Lizina. "Lizzie! I'm so glad to see that you're OK." Turms said. He and Lizina embraced, it seems these two friends were like brother and sister. Lizina glanced at Nikita with a smile on her face, "Thank you." She said. Nikita looked all snooty, "Yes well....My regards I give you." She replied and sauntered away.
Lizina looked at her with a confuse look and she glance at Androcles & the gang, "Was it something that I said?" She asked. Androcles shrugged, "Beats me!" He said. "Oh don't fret. She's always like that around the 'pretty ones'." assured Esfandyar. Maud glared at him, "And what am I? Chopped liver?" She asked. Esfandyar looked embarrassed, "You are--Are--Um--Uh!" He was lost for words but Bennu helped him out, "A sister?" He said. Esfnadyar brightened up, "A sister...Yes, you are like a sister." He said cleverly. Lizina was troubled by this as she said, "Funny. She doesn't see me that way." Now Esfandyar was red faced then before, "That's because...She doesn't know much about you just yet." He said. Lizina smiled, "Good answer." She replied, she and the others laughed. But Lizina was shocked at herself. She never laugh like this in awhile. Ever since she joined False Indigo, she never felt happy and was always miserable. But after leaving False Indigo, she felt happy. She found people that were kind, considerate, nice, and not a mean bone in their body. Something that False Indigo was not. She and the rest of these people were looking around in places after they found an abandoned part of a building. While looking about, Lizina discovered something inside the abandoned place.
Lizina doesn't have any fighting skills at all, only healing powers. False Indigo puts her down for that, saying that someone with healing powers isn't worthy enough. She believed it, Lizina has no purpose in fighting no longer. She closed her eyes, bidding farewell for she was too good for this sinful earth. However, she is shocked when she heard the Pretas letting out a blood curdling scream of pain and she opened her eyes. She saw that they were being speared by some people, these people were none other than Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, Maud, and all of the others. They were fighting these monsters with their powers and skills. This was too much to believe! Too much to process. Finally, once the heroes are done taking care of the monsters; Androcles noticed Lizina, "Hey. You OK?" He called out. Lizina nodded, but then when Androcles looked to see Turms around Lizina and asked, "Your friend OK?" Lizina shook her head, "My friend--He's been hurt!" She managed to say through her tears. Nikita step forward, "Let me take a look at him." She said. Lizina looked at her with a worried look, "Who are you?" She asked. "Don't worry, you can trust me." replied Nikita. So, Nikita took a look at Turms's wounds and right on the spot, she healed Turms. When Turms awoke, he was glad to see Lizina. "Lizzie! I'm so glad to see that you're OK." Turms said. He and Lizina embraced, it seems these two friends were like brother and sister. Lizina glanced at Nikita with a smile on her face, "Thank you." She said. Nikita looked all snooty, "Yes well....My regards I give you." She replied and sauntered away.
Lizina looked at her with a confuse look and she glance at Androcles & the gang, "Was it something that I said?" She asked. Androcles shrugged, "Beats me!" He said. "Oh don't fret. She's always like that around the 'pretty ones'." assured Esfandyar. Maud glared at him, "And what am I? Chopped liver?" She asked. Esfandyar looked embarrassed, "You are--Are--Um--Uh!" He was lost for words but Bennu helped him out, "A sister?" He said. Esfnadyar brightened up, "A sister...Yes, you are like a sister." He said cleverly. Lizina was troubled by this as she said, "Funny. She doesn't see me that way." Now Esfandyar was red faced then before, "That's because...She doesn't know much about you just yet." He said. Lizina smiled, "Good answer." She replied, she and the others laughed. But Lizina was shocked at herself. She never laugh like this in awhile. Ever since she joined False Indigo, she never felt happy and was always miserable. But after leaving False Indigo, she felt happy. She found people that were kind, considerate, nice, and not a mean bone in their body. Something that False Indigo was not. She and the rest of these people were looking around in places after they found an abandoned part of a building. While looking about, Lizina discovered something inside the abandoned place.
"Hey, look what I found!" called Lizina. She pulled out for the others to see, Androcles squint at it. "A princess wand?" He asked. "Cute." Lizina said. "Oooh, let me see!" Maud squealed, she reached for it. "Maud, wait!" Yvain said, but Lizina handed to Maud and she took it to look at the you, "Oh, I remember these when I was a kid! This is so cool." exclaimed Maud. "Press the button, maybe it plays music." Lizina said. Maud was bouncing up and down, "OK, I feel like a kid again!" She said happily. Maud pressed the button but instead of any tingling music of sparkles, there was instead a creepy laugh. And then it stopped. Maud's mood changed to a frightful look. "What was that?" Yvain asked. "That wasn't any music." said Bennu. "Sounded like a creepy laugh." Esfandyar said. "Ack, that can't be good." Hijiro said with a grimace. Just then, there was a horribly, blood curdling scream: "AAAHHH!" Maud was the one screaming and she dropped the toy. Androcles came over to her, "What, what?" He asked. Maud pointed the toy wand, "There's something underneath the foil." She said while trembling in fear. "Let me see." Androcles said, he reached over to the toy and lifted the foil. He and the others were startled to see what it was. "Oh man, that looks demonic! A girl hurting herself." He said. "That is disturbing." Yvain remarked. "You don't see that every day." Esfandyar replied. Bennu was disgusted, "Who would want to put that in a child's toy?" He asked. "Who is this girl?" Lizina asked. "Who cares! She looks possessed!" Nikita said. Androcles shake his head in dismay, "Ugh, put it away!" He said. Maud threw it down, "Now I'm scared." She said. Maud looked upset, Lizina put an arm around her and looked at her sympathetically, "Sorry Maud." She said. Maud nodded sadly, "It's OK." She said.
Just then, someone came from behind and grabbed Lizina. "So you think you could escape!" said a voice. It was Wister from False Indigo. With the rest of his posse. "Let me go!!!" Lizina cried, trying to struggle of his grip. "Hey, let go of her!" called Androcles. Wister noticed Androcles and smirked, "Oh, Lizina! Who's the boy here? Cute isn't he?" He remarked. "He's just a friend!" Lizina objected. Wister laughed, "Oh, you're such a heifer! A call girl, a flooz!" Yvain glares at Wister, "Stop it!" He said. "Cut it out, this isn't funny!" Hijiro said. Wister glared at them, "Oh, you want funny? I'll give her funny!!!!" Wister cried. He begin to tear off Lizina's clothes off, Lizina covered her curvaceous body and looked ashamed. Androcles couldn't believe that this jerk was doing this to poor Lizina. The others of False Indigo were laughing but it was nervous kind and they looked uncomfortable. Turms could feel his heart pumping and felt his blood boiling. It was just like they did to poor Lizina! "Oh gracious!" Maud cried, Nikita was shocked by this. "Please, stop!" She begged. "This isn't funny anymore, Wister!" Turms cried. "It's funny to me, look at her body--This is what I call a flooz! I mean, look at the jiggle physics on her melon chest there! Big and beautiful but that's what I call a--" ranted Wister. Just then, there was a big bang that startled everyone! Wister glared at Turms, "Turms!!! What did you do?" Wister cried. Turms put a finger to his lips, "Wait for it..." He said. There was an eerie silence and then the Pretas appeared. "AAAAAHHHHHH, THE PRETAS!!!! THE PRETAS!!!!" cried one of the members of False Indigo. "RUN!!!!" cried the second.
False Indigo were running and were expecting to see Androcles and the others running too but were shocked to see them still standing from afar. That's when it came down on Wister: "THEY'RE ATTACKING US?! NOOOOOOO!!!!!" screamed Wister. He looked over to see Androcles and the others, "HELP US....HELP USSSSSSS!" begged Wister. The Pretas were advancing on them as they screeched, "AUUGGHHHH!" The horror of them were completely destroyed. It was shocking for the rest of Androcles and the others seeing False Indigo being crumbled by the Pretas in the most grisly manner. Once it was over, and the Pretas was gone, everyone just sat there as they try to process what just happened. "Oh goodness, I can't believe you did that Turms." Lizina said, breaking the silence. Turms sighed and dropped the gun he shot to summon the Pretas, "I can't believe it either, but I had to do something. I didn't want Wister to go further at...You know." He said. "Right." Lizina said with a nod. "Nice thinking." Androcles remarked. Turms smiled, "Thanks." He said. "Thanks Turms." Lizina said, she was about to hug him but Turms gently pushed her away. "Whoa, whoa. Don't hug me all exposed. Oooh, look what I got--A shirt, pants...undies...and a...bra?" He said, handing her clothes. Lizina giggled, "Thank you." She relied and was about to unfold her clothes but noticed Androcles and the others as she then said, "Excuse me." She covered her naked body with a sheet and took her clothes to change with some privacy.
Later; The others return to Acrasia with Lizina and Turms, where the witch started her annoying sweet talk again. "Ah, you have the young lady here! And she has a friend. How sweet." prattled Acrasia. "Hello, it's nice to meet you Acrasia." Lizina replied with genuine goodness. "As well as you." Acrasia said, too sugary in her tone. "Oh brother." Hijiro muttered. Acrasia turned to them, for a moment the others thought she heard them. Androcles then ask, "So, do you want us to find more members?" Acrasia shook her head, "No, I believe you got the team but before I show you where Xian is; I need something from all of you." She said. Androcles and the gang looked at one another, then back at her. "Well, what is it?" Maud asked. "Figure it out." said Acrasia with each emphasizing word and then she begins to laugh hysterically. "What's so funny? Stop laughing like a lunatic you stupid hag!" Androcles cried. His gang were in shock, "Uh oh." Hijiro muttered. Androcles continued as Acrasia looked at him in shock, "You always nag at us, startle us, and insult me for no reason. You and your idiotic magic! You're immature and that's why nobody wants to be around you!" Acrasia then vanished but the others could see that she had tears in her eyes. "Androcles!" Hijiro shouted, Androcles glared at his friend. "What?" He demanded. Hijiro was lost for words, "Nothing." He said softly and sadly. "Come on, let's go." Androcles said. Just before they left; Androcles could hear someone crying and turned to see Acrasia in her bedroom with her face in her hands. Androcles looked at her with sympathy and stepped into the room. "Are you OK?" asked Androcles. Acrasia sniffled, "I'm just being an idiot." She said through her sobbing. Androcles felt bad so he sat in a chair and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I just....I didn't form a team because you want me to but I'm doing it to atone for my sins that I cause to one girl."
Yvain, Hijiro, Maud, Esfandyar, Bennu, Lizina, Nikita, and Turms peered into the room to listen as Androcles continued, "And I know, I'm trying to help you....But what do you want from me?" He slammed his hand down but he prick his finger on a knife, "Ah, oh great! Now look what I did!" He cursed himself. Blood oozed from the wound, Acrasia stopped crying and smiled, "Yes, what you did. That's what I was looking for." She said. She took a dropper and took a blood that was dripping from it. "What?" Androcles asked. But Acrasia left the room to her kettle and dropped the blood in there, "Blood, the thing that matters most....You all are different but there's one thing you all have in common--You bleed the same." She said. Once the blood was in the sparkling water, it turned the water red and made it more magical. "And now, he sees and he shall know. Come, all of you." She said, sounding genuinely kind as she motions the others to follow. "Androcles! Yvain! Hurry up, you pair of spider monkeys! I don't have all day!" She called. Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud hurried over as they saw that they were in midair by Acrasia's magic. "Oh!" Maud gasped. Acrasia laughed. "Wow." Hijiro said. Then, Acrasia pointed over to where Xian was--Androcles and the other three saw where she was directing at. "A temple?" asked Androcles. "Yes." replied Acrasia. Then, for the first time; Yvain begin to laugh with joy but then he stopped as he is shocked to realize something. He, Androcles, Hijiro, and Maud followed Acrasia back inside her house. "You never took him." Yvain said. "Never." answered Acrasia. "You would never take a child." Androcles said. Acrasia waved a hand and she was at her kettle as she said, "Children are innocent, at least most but that's a different story. I just want to recruit all of you. You are like my children, and you're innocent."
Yvain, Hijiro, Maud, Esfandyar, Bennu, Lizina, Nikita, and Turms peered into the room to listen as Androcles continued, "And I know, I'm trying to help you....But what do you want from me?" He slammed his hand down but he prick his finger on a knife, "Ah, oh great! Now look what I did!" He cursed himself. Blood oozed from the wound, Acrasia stopped crying and smiled, "Yes, what you did. That's what I was looking for." She said. She took a dropper and took a blood that was dripping from it. "What?" Androcles asked. But Acrasia left the room to her kettle and dropped the blood in there, "Blood, the thing that matters most....You all are different but there's one thing you all have in common--You bleed the same." She said. Once the blood was in the sparkling water, it turned the water red and made it more magical. "And now, he sees and he shall know. Come, all of you." She said, sounding genuinely kind as she motions the others to follow. "Androcles! Yvain! Hurry up, you pair of spider monkeys! I don't have all day!" She called. Androcles, Yvain, Hijiro, and Maud hurried over as they saw that they were in midair by Acrasia's magic. "Oh!" Maud gasped. Acrasia laughed. "Wow." Hijiro said. Then, Acrasia pointed over to where Xian was--Androcles and the other three saw where she was directing at. "A temple?" asked Androcles. "Yes." replied Acrasia. Then, for the first time; Yvain begin to laugh with joy but then he stopped as he is shocked to realize something. He, Androcles, Hijiro, and Maud followed Acrasia back inside her house. "You never took him." Yvain said. "Never." answered Acrasia. "You would never take a child." Androcles said. Acrasia waved a hand and she was at her kettle as she said, "Children are innocent, at least most but that's a different story. I just want to recruit all of you. You are like my children, and you're innocent."
In the meantime; Ariadne is looking outside of a rainstorm as she steps into the rain and she motions with her hand at the raindrops. But then, the rain drops froze. Everyone is startled by this, "What the hell? The rain stopped!" Eulalie gasped. "No, the drops did." Deirdre answered. "They're frozen in place, like time just halted." Turan said. "Like a piece of artwork." Levina replied. "I didn't know anyone can do that." Simone whispered. "Gorgeous." Margaret breathed. "Strange but a masterpiece." Bellerophon answered. "Crystallized." Minerva said. "They're diamonds." George said. Siegfried came in, "What the hell are you all looking at?" He demanded. "Look, Siegfried! There is rain! It's frozen!" cried Margaret. Siegfried looked out, he was surprised by this sight, "Incredible." He muttered to himself. Far away, Acrasia was shocked to see this as well as Androcles and the others were too. "Whoa, has the angels heard on high and made the rain stop?" Acrasia wondered. Androcles couldn't believe it, "Are you seeing this?" He asked. Yvain nodded, "Yeah. That's crazy." He noted. Ariadne was shocked; but she could see in the raindrops that there was Evander, Izzy, Jesse, and Gwendolyn. She gasped and let the water dissolved as the sun came out. She was panting and tries her best to calm down. Ariadne try to put that out of her mind, she was just seeing things and she fell asleep.
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