!TILL THE END OF THE WORLD!
To Martin C. Murphy: I dedicate the final tome of an epic series
PART 1
THE PHANTOM PLOT
The road down was dark and twisting, as it had always been before. The prisoners were walking slowly, their eyes darting to the sides as if looking for someone to save them. But their leader was the only one who was with them. He was the only one capable of any feeling of kindness or remorse or of comfort. Where they were going, these traits were null and void to all who dwelled there. "Keep up the pace." The man said as he held his torch aloft, letting all who dared come across them feel the burning light of truth. They quickened their pace a fraction and stumbled onwards.
They saw the black iron gates rise before them as the man led the few men to their destination. One of them squirmed and tried to turn around. "It is too late, Hubert." The high, cold voice rang out from beyond the gates. "You are mine. And I do not take to weakness kindly. Kind is a feeling I do not know." A huge black mass with white pupil-less eyes and no mouth was waiting behind the black gates with five of his men behind him, new chains of fire held in their steely grips. The man with the torch strode forward and placed a large, thin black key that looked as if it was a new sort of weapon into the padlock of the gate. He let the light slip forward a few inches and the giant black mass cringed in pain and retreated a few.
"Is someone afraid of the light?" the man chuckled as he withdrew his key and gave another flick of his torch.
"Devlin, you know full well of my powers. I should warn you not to test me. I am sure you know of what I can do." The Phantom Blot retorted. He glided forward a bit and wrenched the gates open. Heat instantly flooded the small walk way. The demons hurried forward and clasped the fiery bonds on the victims' wrists. They wailed in pain and were dragged off to their eternal punishment. The Phantom Blot gave a piercing look at the Angel of Death, whom was trying to find the key he had pocketed a few moments ago. Devlin withdrew the vicious key and placed it in the lock. The Phantom Blot shoved his hand in front of it.
"How are things going for the losing side?" the Blot asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I don't know. Why don't you just look around?" Devlin gave a huge laugh and shoved the key into the lock. "You never learn do you? You are filth. Your end has already been seen. And I assume that Morcius was just a … bad employee." Devlin gave another huge laugh and took back his key as the lock snapped shut. He never saw the tiny black speck clinging to the handle. As he turned to go, the Phantom reared and grabbed Devlin around his mantle.
"Listen very closely, I am not one to be tested!" the Blot shouted. "You can sit in your seat of power for as long as you want, but I will never rest until you finally see things my way!" He shoved Devlin back and turned around. He glided down his short path and gave a look back at the angel who was returning up to the heavens. The Phantom Blot chuckled and glided back along. His lieutenant was standing at attention a little ways down.
"Micro is in place." The Blot whispered. "Keep your eye on him."
"Will do." The lieutenant answered. The Phantom glided along to where the prisoners were walking along in a line. The Blot searched them and put his hand on the shoulder of the old turtle.
"I'll take him." The Blot said as he pulled the turtle free from the others. The turtle's face was pale and his face was dripping with sweat. "Hello, Hubert."
"Please, show mercy!" Hubert exclaimed as he threw himself at the Blot's feet.
"Mercy is not in my vocabulary." The Phantom replied. "But I will show some leniency." The Phantom waved his hand and the fiery restraints vanished. The turtle gave a small yelp and rubbed his wrists. "I understand that you were able to create a…time stop machine."
"Yes, I was." Hubert added with a small bow. He broke into a small smile. It quickly vanished when the Phantom raised his hand.
"I have a proposition for you." The Blot said as he withdrew from himself a sack that clanked and rattled. "How long will it take you to build a better one?"
"Not long." Hubert stated. "I have all eternity!"
"That's a good turtle." The Phantom Blot said as he gave the sack to the old turtle, who opened it and set to work immediately. "I want it to be able to stop EVERYTHING! Understand?"
"Committed to memory." Hubert retorted as he began hooking a large tube into something that resembled a cork.
"My captain will look over you from now on." The Blot said as his captain appeared. He led Hubert off to his quarters and the Blot turned to his lieutenant.
"Come." The Phantom replied and they swiftly glided along.
"You need him for it?" his lieutenant asked with a hint of annoyance. "Why him?"
"His time stop is vital to our plan." The Phantom Blot replied.
"I meant Micro."
"You will not question my authority!" the Blot raged and he turned on his soldier. "He is vital as well!"
"Understood." The demon answered, reeling away from his leader's rage.
"Good. But it does not make up for your unfaithfulness to me." The Phantom said, his hand morphing slightly.
"No! Master I was only…" the lieutenant tried to explain but he was too late. His head rolled off with one swipe of the Phantom's sword.
"You were expendable." The Blot wagered and he continued onwards, relaying his plan through his head. He closed his pupil-less eyes and concentrated.
Micro was still sitting close on the key. He was singing a small tune to himself. One with lots of unicorns and candy. "Micro, you know your plan." The Blot relayed silently to his small charge.
"Oh, hi boss!" Micro replied a little loudly. Devlin looked around, but did not see anyone. "You, like, never call me. How are you?"
"Enough of this Micro!"
"I'm fine. Oh my gosh, have you seen the size of this key? It's huge! I mean, I could build a mansion on this thing!"
"Just stick to the plan!"
"Why do you have to be so bossy? Can't you just lay off a little? You are hurting my feelings?"
"There is no love in me to give!"
"Now that's just plain pessimistic."
"Shut up and get off at your stop!" The Phantom Blot opened his eyes and shook his head. Micro was a dud of a demon. But, he was the only one who could slip under the radar. He was so preoccupied with Micro that he did not notice the stealthy exploits of the man in the iron mask.
(1)
Micro slipped off the key lazily. He slowly made his way across the pearly white floors and stooped by a small pot. He sat there and pulled out his comic book. He liked Demon Boy. It was a nice comic. Well thought out. He sat there and went through issues 1 to 56 as the Angels flew past him, not noticing the small speck enjoying himself in the safety of a pot. After a while, Micro put his comic books away and began to bob over to where he saw the least concentration of angels. He scaled a column easily and sat at his small perch for the rest of the day. Still no one saw the little speck looking down at the goings on.
It was long before he slipped down off of it and began to bob along again. He knew his mission and he was dedicated to it. He searched each plaza and street. He never found it. It was only after that, that Micro found it. A giant, blazing palace stood on a hill, overlooking of the pearly white city. "That is it!" the Phantom Blot conveyed to Micro.
"You are talking to me again! Yeah! Oh my gosh, I just read issue 56 of demon boy. It was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome." Micro began to say back before the Blot cut him off.
"Shut it! Now, just go in and find the globe. It will be off his main chamber." The Phantom snapped back before leaving the conversation.
"He's just in a grouchy mood." Micro reassured himself. He began to bob over to the giant gates and slipped through them. He made his way up the giant steps and passed under the great, golden doors that barred his passage further. Micro began bobbing down the long hallway ahead before going under some more gates. He was now outside, in a lovely pavilion. White columns supported a ledge running around the area. In the back were three large chairs. Something was sitting in the middle one.
He was massive, easily the tallest thing Micro had ever seen. And the Phantom Blot was close to 11 feet. It had a kind and gentle face, with what seemed like golden smoke for a beard. He wore long white robes and his feet were covered with golden sandals. His head was bowed in concentration.
Micro quietly bobbed over to his left and saw it. A large, golden globe was suspended over a dish in the next room. This room was even larger than the one Micro had just left. Micro bobbed over to it and climbed onto the dish. He then lifted himself up and caught the globe in its revolution. He then quickly swooped onto it and bean to cover part of it. He blended in just as the Blot had intended. And thus began the reign of Micro on the globe. For whatever happened on the globe, happened on the Earth.
(1)
The demons were pleased. It had been many years since Micro absorbed himself onto the globe and things were starting to turn in their favor a little. The PB Organization had been restarted, with even more evil villains in admission. The Phantom Blot was pleased. He sat, looking over the endless desert with his new lieutenant. "This is perfection itself." The Blot said to his commander. "Everything is going to turn out in my favor."
"Yes, sir." The demon said is approval. The Blot turned to him.
"You are certain that the stone is here?" the Blot asked. The soldier stopped.
"This is where our source told us it was, my lord." The lieutenant backed up a ways. "It was found in Rosetta I believe."
"So you believe is how I act." The Blot said quietly. It was then that he began moving out of the desert.
"My lord, where are you…"
"It is not here." The Phantom said. "It is somewhere else."
"Do you now for certain?" the soldier said as he sped up to meet his angry master.
"Because it was you that informed me." The Phantom replied. "I don't trust you enough. Move out." The Blot disappeared and the soldier was left in the middle of a desert. He made to disappear when he saw the man in the iron mask.
(1)
The small platoon of men was driving along in their squad car. The orders had been given. They were to drive in an intercept the meeting. Their only concern was just who they were supposed to be intercepting. "Okay men, we are near the drop off point." Their commander said. Even this big, burly man looked white to his marrow. "Prepare for the drop. On my count. Three. Two. One." The truck shook. Those that had stood up were suddenly jostled around the cramped quarters. Some riffles fell lose and the shakes became more intense.
"What in the name of all that's good was that?" one of the soldiers cried. They looked around the small, steel cabin. No windows allowed a look at what was attacking the car.
"I'll check on Jenkins." The commander said. "You lily-livered nuts stay here." The commander got up and shoved his way past most of them now sitting recruits. One of them was sitting at the far corner, hurriedly praying on his rosary beads. He made to put them away as the commanding eagle passed by. "I wouldn't stop just yet." The eagle said to the young cat. He promptly returned to his saving prayers. The commander entered the driver's cockpit. "What's the problem, Jenkins?"
There was no one to give a reply. The cockpit was empty, wind billowing in through the gaping hole that was once the entire front of the car. The commander looked around and took some careful steps out into the open desert. Nothing was in the sky and there were no sounds but his own deep breathing.
He walked a few more inches from the car and looked at the blank horizon. He kept looking, not noticing the small amount of sand that moved to his left. In an instant, he was taken up by the billowing black cloud. It then reared itself towards the metal car. It rammed it head on, flipping it onto its side. It rose up and promptly swallowed the car and passengers in one swift stroke. It then seeped beneath the sand and disappearing as quickly as it had struck. Only one cat remained, rosary beads clutched in his shaking hands.
(1)
The memo came in a week later. The convoy had been savagely attacked by a black cloud is what the cat had told the operator. It had clearly been terrorists using a cover of black smoke. The cat had been promptly admitted to a psych institute until he would make a full recovery. "We lost a lot of good men out there, Blared." The officer said as he stared at the immortal bat that was looking out the window of his apartment. The vast desert was but a line on the now empty horizon. "Care to give an explanation?"
Blared looked away and closed his eyes. He raised one claw and pointed one finger down onto the map he had in front of him. It shifted slightly and Blared exhaled.
"It did not occur." Blared said in a mixture of sadness and happiness. "I am sorry your men wasted their lives for something that did not happen."
"You really sound like it." The officer said sarcastically. Blared spun around. His face was heavy from the long years of suffering he had felt. Separated from his siblings by the long and troublesome task that had been given him long ago. All mortal friends passed onto the great beyond.
"I do feel badly of this loss, but I cannot bring them back as you so wish." Blared retorted. "Just because someone is immortal does not mean that they don't have flaws."
"Like your filth of a brother Ye?"
"Shut up about him!" Blared roared. He threw the map on the floor. "I know he may be cold and bitter on the inside, but there is still good in him. It is what he was made for. Give him some time."
"We've given enough time to you." The officer said. He pressed a small button. A few armed men entered. Blared stared around at the men. "Either we get some results or you get it, get it?" Blared was furious at the very least.
"You dare even think of opposing me?" Blared asked. "I have done all I can to help you thrive. To keep on living! Aren't you grateful for that?"
"Oh, we are. But given circumstances, the rest are not." The officer said, raising his own gun. "Now, what is it that's been going on?"
"I am not permitted to tell you. I am and will only give that info to those I can trust! You, I hardly think I can give you my name."
"And yet we all know it." The officer added. Blared's eyes grew wide. "Vampires just, shouldn't be, should they?" They opened fire. Blared flew backwards out the window. He never opened his wings for flight. He never even opened his eyes to see the bullets hit himself.
(1)
It was clear and sunny in Britain as an old man made his way down the street. He gave glances to his sides. He opened the door of the museum and moved upwards. He knew his destination. It was early. Almost no one was there. "Check the area." The man crooned as he released a small black plume into the air. It instantly began to curve and dip around the entrances. The man turned the bend and pushed open the double doors. It was sitting in the very center of the room in the giant glass case. The Rosetta Stone. The man morphed back to his true form and made for the slab of stone.
"Finally!" the Phantom Blot cried. "I was right. It was not in the desert." The Blot looked it over before finally agreeing on taking it out. He slipped a tentacle under the small gap between the glasses. It slowly writhed upwards, finally clutching its prize. He started to absorb it when he noticed something different in the room. He turned his head to see what it was. The Nightmare was not back, so no danger was apparent. Yet, he felt as if something was not as it had been. He scanned the room. There was nothing but scrolls and giant balls around the room. What had it been?
"Focus." The Phantom told himself. He continued to grip the stone when he finally noticed what he never had. A crystal ball was spiraling through the air at him. It hit him full in the face, forcing him back and making him relinquish what he had tried to get. Crystal floated up and pointed a small laser at the Blot. He rolled sideways, missing the small explosion that had followed.
"You don't think we had known about your little plan?" Crystal taunted. She aimed again at the Phantom.
"I don't doubt it." The Blot said. "Blared is remarkably smart. But I never thought he would have been this smart as to put a spy in here."
"Don't insult my brother!" Crystal shouted.
"Oh, that's right. He bit it didn't he?" the Phantom taunted.
"Shut up!" Crystal shouted. She aimed another blast at him. It was at this time that the Nightmare joined the equation. Crystal reared and was instantly swept into a battle with the black cloud. The Phantom Blot straightened and slipped his hand under the glass pane this time. He soaked up the stone and gave a small laugh. It was then that Crystal hit home.
The blast shattered the glass, triggering the alarm. The Blot shook his head and recalled the Nightmare. The guards were sprinting into the room, but none of them were in time to see the black shadow hiding behind a cabinet. Crystal was sitting lopsided on a small holder. She gave a look at the shadow leaving the museum.
"He didn't." Crystal said silently to herself. She looked back at the glass box. It was shattered but the stone slab was still sitting on its holder, however sloppy it looked. "He didn't." Crystal breathed again. They had thwarted him again.
The Phantom Blot was returning to his chambers. He gripped he wall to support himself. It was then that he removed the Rosetta Stone from himself. The copy had been successfully placed in the real one's stead. He gave a small giggle to himself. He had gotten the upper hand.
(1)
It was a giant, circular room. Black flame torches lit the walls of the otherwise gloomy room. Around the table were six, high stone chairs around the circular table in the center. Red and black designs were revolving around the room. He had long since abandoned his earth residence. He had kept it as a nice way to stay on Earth and yet now he knew it would not be safe. He and his followers would meet in secret. "Welcome, my faithful." The Phantom Blot said commandingly. "It is good to see you all answering the call."
"I came as fast as I could go my lord." Magicia said with a small bow. She was sitting directly opposite Pete.
"You knew we would join you of course?" Maria duck asked for herself and Jonathan. The Blot gave a small chuckle and gave a sweep over the PB Organization. Mortimer was sitting straight backed and proud as always.
"Such pride for someone of your age." The Blot retorted. Mortimer snapped to and gave a look down the table.
"Yes, and yet my fall has already happened." Mortimer responded. The Blot gave a small nod and looked them over.
"As you all know, I have called you all together for one thing. And that is to relish in my victory." The Phantom raised his hand. "As we speak, Hubert is putting the finishing touches on the time stop. We will have free reign over the globe, and the heavens! Their defenses will be completely down. And then we will strike. I will have the Nightmare bring up the rear of the attack. All troops will be deployed to the upper battlefield."
"And this will work?" Mr. Duck asked. "Are we certain of a victory?"
"I have one of the Terms of Power." The Phantom Blot said. All was silent. "I in fact took it from a British museum a few days ago. Now, all that remains is the Gateway and the Water of course. I will retrieve the water in due course. For now, we must put efforts into finding the elusive Gateway."
"You have our allegiance and our word." Pete said as they got up and left. The Blot watched them go. When he was sure they had left him, he turned to his soldier.
"Tell Hubert to wait a bit on his time stop. I want a few more days before I can have my victory."
"As you wish." The soldier said before departing. The Phantom Blot sat there and he started to think to himself of the possibility of a final victory at last. Then, he began to laugh. And he gave a tremendous laugh so to shake the very room, his head bent back in glee, his new teeth shining in the black glow.
(1)
The demons were standing in a neat line, waiting for a command to move out. It was then that they got the news. The invasion was being delayed. They skulked around for a few moments before they saw him coming down the path. It was a tall man with a long flowing green cloak. The thing that caught the most attention was the iron mask he wore over his head.
It was buckled tight against the sides of his face; two grim looking horns were sticking out of the top. He wore tight iron gloves over his bony hands and his iron boots added to his menacing appearance. Some soldiers immediately backed up while others fled all together. Only one brave officer remained at the front of the gates. The man stopped in front of the tall black gates and gave a long, shuttering breath.
"Le roi de la terre souhaite converser avec ceux fidèles au ciel." The man said in his chilling tone. The officer nodded and opened the gate. The masked man stepped inside, and in a wish of his cloak, he had walked up and down the line of soldiers. He turned to the officer and gave a few mumbled words. The only phrase that could be heard was, "…our meeting in Cairo has not yet been kept." The officer at once started to tremble. The ironclad man went on and the officer grew wearier.
"I shall fetch him at once." The officer said. He began to walk when the iron glove closed on his shoulder. The man bent forward and whispered something in the officer's ear. "I shall get both of them. Sorry my master." The officer took off without a second glance backwards. The troops were left in an awkward silence with the man in the iron mask. Then, the man moved to the gate and flung it open.
"I have a job for you." The man said. He gestured for them to walk forward. No one dared make a step. "That was an order." The man withdrew two, gruesome looking swords from his belt and waved them threateningly. Everyone filed out as fast as their legs could carry them. It was then that the officer returned with the two people that had been sent for. One was a mangy looking dog. The other was a small, quivering eagle. The man looked over the dog first. "I have no doubt that you will join me, Berscout."
"I will do so. It's better then what this freak is doing." Berscout retorted. "He didn't even let me join his organization thingy. And after all the help I gave him in that Revolution. I didn't even know he was what he is! I mean…"
"That will do." The man moved on to the bird. It was clearly scared of where it was. It gave a small look at the man in the mask and gave a small faint. The man raised his swords and brought them down on the poor eagle. It instantly vanished from existence. "I can't have Greggory ruining my plans." Was the only explanation given. "He cannot give me away." And with that final word, he turned and walked out of the gate, Berscout following his new master.
(1)
The Phantom Blot made his way forward. The land was slightly damp but nothing else. The area had been abandoned after the curse had been lifted. He had known they would. He climbed the small hill and walked out. He stopped. "It cannot be!" the Blot shrieked. He glided forward and was horrorstruck. The entire lake had been drained. The Water was gone. He gazed down on it for a few more seconds before noticing the small movement behind him. He turned and lashed out with his black tentacle. It knocked Harry down off his branch he had been preoccupying a moment before. "Spying?"
"Not so well." Harry answered, getting to his feet. "Would have been better if I hadn't had to itch."
"I can tell." The Phantom replied. He drew his swords as Harry grabbed his…he wasn't exactly a fighter. "No weapon?"
"I wasn't exactly supposed to fight you. Just spy." Harry admitted meekly.
"Such a shame for you then." The Blot said with a deep happiness in his voice. He thrust at Harry but missed. Harry was already up the tree. The Blot followed. It was not long before he caught up to Harry and raised his dual blades.
"Now, can't we handle this, like civilized men?" Harry asked, eyeing the fall below.
"No. We can't." the Blot reasoned. He lifted the swords and brought them down hard. Only a small stub was left of the branch that had once held Harry.
(1)
The time had come at last! The soldiers were prepared. Though the mysterious loss of men was noticed, it was no a severe hindrance. The Nightmare had been sent ahead to cordon off the battle area. The Phantom Blot stood atop his fiery fortress with the whimpering Hubert behind him, bent over his large machine. "I have waited and planned of this day for all eternity. And now it becomes a very true reality." The Blot dictated. " And you get the very high honor of making this come true. You should be very happy." The Blot gave Hubert a giant smile, though it was twisted and full of menace. Hubert gave a small whimper. "Hubert, activate the time stop, and send me into a glorious victory!"
Hubert flicked the switch and time stopped.
The army raced forward towards the battlefield.
The Phantom Blot gave a giant laugh.
The end had finally come.