Last time Bloom and Stella helped Sasami search for a husband. They decided to give Stella's cousin Roderick a chance. Stella's other cousins; Beauregard, Lucinda and Amanda, offered to give Bloom and co. a lift to planet Caladan where Roderick is at presently. On with the show!
Chapter 4: No Need For Evil Plans
The hazing that Malaketh spoke of consisted of three parts. First off, Icy, Darcy and Stormy had to each stand on one foot, hold a large weight in their outstretched hands, balance a book on their heads and recite the alphabet backwards. That last part isn't as easy as most would think. If they got it wrong, if they lost their balance or dropped a weight, they had to start over. Icy, Darcy and Stormy managed to complete this part in just over an hour.
The second level of hazing was simpler but less pleasant, they were each tied to a wheel and spun around until they threw up, or at least dry heaved. Icy and Stormy threw up within five minutes. Darcy however had a much stronger constitution; she was spun for seventeen minutes before she lost her lunch.
The final phase of the hazing was again simple, but the most unpleasant by far; they were each tied to a chair and had several large buckets of ice water dumped on their heads. After each bucket was dumped, they had to yell at the top of their lungs, "Thank you sir! May I have another one?" Then they'd get another bucket poured on them. Icy didn't mind the cold, but having over fifty buckets of water poured on her head really pushed her nerves to their limits.
"I'm impressed," said Salamei once they were finished with Icy, "Fifty-eight buckets of ice water and still no sign of hypothermia. You're something else." "Now you know where my name comes from," said Icy as she put on dry clothing. Stormy and Darcy were in worse shape; Stormy lasted only 19 buckets before her internal body heat began to drop to dangerous levels, while Darcy lasted 23 before hypothermia began to set in.
"Are you still sure this is a good idea?" asked Stormy as she drank a large mug of hot coffee. "It's just harmless hazing," said Darcy, "We came through in top form." "Damn right you did," said one of the male Shadow Riders. He had dark green hair and dark orange eyes, "I only lasted 12 buckets before turning blue. I'm Trabon, I specialize in weather control spells." "No kidding," said a much happier looking Stormy, "So do I."
"Now that you three have finished initiation," said Malaketh after Icy, Darcy and Stormy had dried and warmed up again, "You can be informed of our plot to rule all." "I'm curious to know what that plan is," said Icy, "How are you, I mean, we gonna rule the universe?"
"Here's how," said Malaketh as he rang a bell. In came the butler Parker, he was pushing a metal cart that had two glowing stones on it. Each stone was roughly the size of a small human fist. One was colored blue, the other silver. "What are they?" asked Darcy.
"These stones are part of a set of thirteen," said Salamei, "They were created several thousand years ago by a long extinct civilization from another galaxy. They used the stones as a means of controlling their empire that spanned millions of star systems. When the civilization collapsed, the stones were scattered onto thirteen planets in this galaxy."
"When all thirteen Stones of Power are brought together," said Malaketh, "And a complicated ritual is performed, the stones imbued whoever performs the ritual with ultimate power: Power to create, power to destroy, power to give life and power to take it away. With that power the galaxy will be forced to submit to The Shadow Riders. And with this galaxy under our control, we can conquer the rest of the universe."
"Sweet!" said Darcy, "Where do we fit in this grand scheme of yours?" "And where are the other eleven stones?" asked Icy. "As we speak," said Malaketh, "My brother, Xallos, is locating the bronze colored stone on planet Antos V. The next one, the indigo stone, we know where it is to within fifteen meters. It is currently serving as a bookend in the Alfea Library."
"Those f#ck$ng pixies have a Stone of Power!" exclaimed Stormy, "And they use it as a bookend?" "To those who don't know what they are," said Salamei, "Or how to use them, the Stones of Power are just stones."
"So you want us to go to Alfea," said Icy, "Break into the library, take the stone and leave." "While blasting anyone who gets in our way," added Darcy. "Precisely," said Malaketh, "Just make sure you don't let anyone know you're working for us now. If the Galaxy Police get any evidence that The Shadow Riders still exist, it's over." "Right," said Icy, "Go in, grab stone, get out, don't get caught or spill any beans. No problem."
"There's just one more thing," said Salamei as Parker brought in a silver tray that had three black rings on it. Each ring had the crest of The Shadow Riders engraved onto it. "Everyone gets one of these when they join The Shadow Riders," said Trabon as she displayed his ring on his left hand. Icy saw that Malaketh and Salamei also had a ring.
"Each of you take one," said Malaketh, "They are yours." "These rings will boost your powers to new levels," said Salamei. "Sweet!" said Stormy as she grabbed one of the rings and put it on her left hand. Darcy took another and put it on. Icy took the last one and placed it on her hand.
"Now you truly are Shadow Riders," said Malaketh, "You'll also need this," he handed the witches each a bag full of metal pellets, "These are collapsed biots. Just throw them and a robot will grow out of each pellet. They make excellent minions. Now go forth and bring me the third Stone of Power!"
The end of chapter 4. Next time Stella introduced Sasami to her cousin Roderick. Will they like each other? You'll have to read it to know. Please review and I'll see you next time!
