The 13th Hero
By H.R.C. Stanley
Inspired by Fantasia Crisis by Lord Akiyama
Chapter Four
"These fools are already moving," the Jabberwock said. "The Thirteenth have left Wasteland."
Grimhilde and Claude stepped fourth to look upon the orb. "He's right, they're now putting themselves to work as it appears," Claude said. "But where might they be going?"
"It seems they're travelling to a forest, my dear Claude," Grimhilde answered. "This orb serves as a fine substitute for that mirror slave I've lost long ago."
"This orb of witchcraft that you own piques me, you majesty," he said. "It reveals to us the group, but it doesn't show me their location."
"The forest they're arriving upon is known as Epping Forest," she said. "Somewhere in the
"Is Oswald setting forth his efforts to strike?" he asked.
"Slowly, yet surely," she responded. "Only we know what they plan first can we make such an assessment."
"Very well," Claude said. "Should we consult Chernabog himself and warn about this group and their probable uniting with the Twelve? After all, he too is aided by many fine warriors, servants, and minions."
"We could if we find out his location," Grimhilde said. "Besides, there's one who personally prefers to not be among our such ranks."
"Really? Who might that be?" he asked.
"Hades, Lord of the Dead and the Underworld," she said.
"What?" he said, appalled to hear her answer. "That fire-headed demon? He's joining our adversaries?"
"Who said he was joining them?" Grimhilde said. "I spoke to the god some time ago and he confirmed that he placed himself in a position he calls 'wild card'."
"Wild card?" he said, still in doubt. "Does he not wish to take over and rule all of Greece?"
"Hades' very smart, my dear Claude," Grimhile said. "He's under the belief that all deals have their downsides. Suppose he did joined us, and Yen Sid and the Twelve succeed in defeating Chernabog. His joining would end up gravely affecting his status far more than it already is."
"So being a 'wild card' means he wouldn't work with us, nor our enemies as well," Claude said. "Maybe that demon's plotting to overthrow us all."
"Perhaps so," Grimhilde said, "but he should be the least of our concerns for now. If you wish to feel comfort despite such an issue, he's being monitored without him knowing. We'll know if he acts suspiciously."
"But if he wishes to be neutral," he asked, "wouldn't that mean his minion creatures are neutral as well?"
"Most likely," she said. "But we should let it pass, what he does or has in mind mean nothing to me at all for now. However, I'm still concerned by this group in Epping Forest. I believe they're planning to meet the wizard Dallben. He's the protector of the oracular pig, Hen Wen, and ally to the Fair Folk of Prydain."
"Oh, is he now?" he asked. "Well what's your suggestion then?"
"We need to send forth some opposing forces," she said. "I've many suggestions. Who would you recommend?"
Claude pondered for but a moment. "How about those hunters, the ones called McLeach, Gaston, Clayton, and LeFou?"
Grimhilde smiled, a rare occasion. "I adore your mind, my dear Claude," she said. "They should do nicely considering how not one of those thirteen fools possess any firearms." She turned to the Jabberwock. "Summon the hunters and send them to Epping Forest. Once they're ready, escort them to my court."
"Ah, Little John! Praise the Lord you've returned!" the badger wearing a monk's robe called out in excitement. "Where have you been, old friend? Have you found good ol' Robin Hood anywhere yet?"
"Pleasure to meet you again, Friar Tuck," Little John said, grabbing hold of the friar's hand and shaking it. "Although I haven't found the lad yet, but I've meet some new friends. We've just made ourselves a group called the Thirteenth, and here's our leader, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
"Oswald? The Oswald?" Friar Tuck clarified as he gazed down at the rabbit. "Aren't you one of Yen Sid's apprentices?"
"Yes, I am," Oswald said. "But how've you heard about Master Yen Sid?"
"Heard about him? I know about him. Said to be one of the wisest men in the whole wide world, is he not?" Friar Tuck said, before turning to see the other people. "And who are these other nice vistors?"
"The two big cats there are Bagheera and Sarabi," Oswald introduced, "the boy's name's Taran, that knight in golder armour's Phoebus, those four guys are Li Shang, Chien-Po, Yao and Ling, that gorilla's name's Kala, this lad's Milo Thatch, that big alien there goes by the name Gantu, Captain Gantu, and the bear's Kenai."
"Well hello, visitors, and welcome to Epping Forest," Friar Tuck said, acknowledging the vast forest. "So what brings you here?"
"We're looking for a man named Dallben, this boy Taran knows about him and even lived with him." Little John said, as he grabbed hold of the boy's shoulder.
"Dallben? As in Caer Dallben?" Friar Tuck said, as his eyes widened once more. "Oh yes, he lives not far from here, but why do you wish to see him?"
"I believe he knows about the-" Oswald was interrupted the ear-stabbing sound of a distant gunblast, stunning the heroes and frightening Friar Tuck as he ended up hiding behind a tree. Everyone turned their heads to see where the fire occured, eventually they saw where it originated. There stood three men with three guns, the first was a elderly man wearing an overcoat and a hat, the second was a muscular brute wearing a red shirt, the third was brawny and clad in yellow uniform, and the fourth was a very short lad with a big nose and goofy grin on his face.
"Who are you?" Phoebus shouted to the mysterious men, "Why are you here?"
"We were about to ask the same." The first hunter responded as he grinned. The three cocked and reloaded their weapons. "We might apologise, but none of you shall be going anywhere," The second hunter threatened. Behind them, three hyenas emerged from the shadows, prepared to strike.
The heroic men pulled out their blades and postioned to fight back. The hunters aimed and open fire as the warriors dodged and attempted to deflect and ricochet the fast-paced bullets. Bagheera, Sarabi, Kala, and Kenai spotted the hyenas dashing towards them, so they posed to fight off the attacks of the scavengers.
Gantu looked to the skies to see beasts circling and soaring down to the preoccupied fighters below, including himself, as he took out his plasma rifles and aimed at the fearsome dragons. Once managed to dodge his fires and targeted a certain human it recognised. Taran, hearing a banshee shriek, turned his head to see one of the Gwythaints, jumped away to avoid an ambush, and handled its next attacks with his sword.
"I can only imagine what Esmarelda and Quasimodo might think when I tell them about this," Phoebus said, duelling the macho threat, with sword against gun. Milo struggled against a gwythaints as it lunged down at him.
"You and I may be married, but however that doesn't mean we're experts at the subject," Milo said, slashing the dragon's right wing with his spear.
Ortensia and Oswald pulled out their remote controls as he threw a paintbrush to Andre to use, standing against the short man holding his wide-barrelled rifle. "What are you gonna do with those?" the short man chuckled wackily. "Are you gonna paint at me?"
Andre looked back at Oswald and smiled sneakily before turning back at the open-grinned man, then proceeded to point the brush at him. Green goo launched out and nearly stained the chap. The short man stepped and tripped back with a shockful yelp before he could gain the chance to shoot them.
"Looks like you nearly got thinned!" Andre teased at the short bloke. Oswald and Ortensia then stepped into the action.
"And here's a deal shocker for you," Oswald said before unleashing sparks out of his remote at the backside of the little coward.
Li Shang and his companions fought the other two, as Kenai, Kala and the two cats fought off the hyenas. As Kala beated off one, she spotted one of the human hunters and turned to shock as she recognised him. That very brawny hunter inevitably eyed her.
"Helo there," the brawny man said, eying the now-intimidated ape. "So we meet again, but don't worry William Cecil Clayton shall take care of you, just I tried to do with your 'son'."
"Cla- Clayton?" Kala realised.
"Once we're done with you," Clayton said, grinning sadistically as he aimed his rifle at the defenceless ape, "we'll be carrying your heads to the Queen Grimhilde."
"Queen Grimhilde?" Oswald realised with shock turning his head to see that hunter threatening Kala. "You work for Queen Grimhilde?"
"Clayton, you idiot!" the first hunter accused. "Now you gave away who we work for!"
"Besides, we're outnumbered anyway, let's make a run for it," the red-shirted man said, realising that his bullets have ran out. "Including you little man, LeFou."
"Good idea, boss," LeFou complimented before fleeing.
The four made a dash off into the distance, as the hyenas saw them fleeing, made a scram and followed. The Gwythaints eventually soared off to the skies.
"Well, that battle didn't take very long," Phoebus mumbled. "And that was our first."
"I imagine there'll be more to come if we don't keep moving," Oswald said, still catching his breath. "But at least we now know who they're working for."
"Yeah, let's find Dallben," Taran said with mild enthusiasm.
"Wait, where's Friar Tuck?" Little John brought up as he quickly scanned around to see where his friend ran off to.
"Hey Tuck mate," Little John called out, "where are you?"
"Over here," Friar Tuck answered, peeking a part of his head out of the tree he hid in. "Are they gone?"
"Oh yeah, those thugs fled faster than a flock of chickens," Little John chuckled with delight.
"Now now, John," Friar Tuck replied, "one of our friend's a rooster, you know."
"True that," Little John mumbled.
"Anywhere, can you get us to Dallben?" Taran pleaded.
"Bless my soul, of course, follow me." Friar Tuck said with a heartful smile as he began to prance off,
To be continued...