SMST: Journey to Mystery! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "SM", "R1/2", "ST" and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: This chapter takes place between "Saw II" and "Saw III", and after the first "Hostel" film.
Part 10
When there was an opportunity to practice his craft elsewhere, the retired mechanical engineer John Kramer—called simply "Jigsaw" by his detractors—took that chance…though he never though he'd end up in Europe doing so. While he didn't agree with these European businessmen's…reason for using his craft for their activities, John was glad to be able to perfect his craft nevertheless.
"Jigsaw, come and take a look at this," says the young, psychotic Amanda Young, who thought of herself as Jigsaw's apprentice.
Jigsaw turns from his monitors.
"I told you not to call me that, Amanda," John says, as he gets up from his worktable.
"I know, I know," Amanda says. "Take a look at this."
John looks at the monitor, where the newest arrival to the hostel—the one given to John and Amanda by the European businessmen—had just arrived.
"So, you checked her in?"
"Yes," Amanda says. "I used the voice synthesizers and everything."
John then looked at the monitors closely, as he see the new arrival bring out some sort of box.
"I thought I told you to make sure that no one had stuff on them, when you bring them in."
"I did! I don't know how-"
Just then, the young woman tosses the box into the air. Its surface seemed to rotate and reconfigure…
"My god," John says, as he steps back.
"What is it?"
"That is a…'Lemarchand's Box'. I recognize it from various books I read on intricate circuitry of the 18th century."
"Really?"
"Yes. How do you think I'm able to pull off these elaborate traps?"
"Oh. Well, this box sounds French."
"Indeed. Philip Lemarchand was a French toymaker who went mad with grief, and created music boxes that are said to cause the demise of the unsuspecting victim."
"Huh, no THAT sounds familiar…"
John gives Amanda "the Look".
"Er, sorry…"
"But why does she have a box-"
SKREEEE!
The monitor that allows John and Amanda to observe the young woman's actions suddenly go out.
"Hey!" Amanda says, as she bops the monitor's screen.
"I better check on this person," John says, as he gets his cloak ready. "You make sure that the other 'guests' are secured."
Amanda nods her head.
Meanwhile, Leviathan (who was really Usagi Tsukino) waits for her royal court to present themselves-
"So," says a voice from the mist. It was deep and rich…and seemingly chilled the soul.
"The Prodigal Queen has returned to the fold…"
Leviathan sees Cenobites enter the room, led by her regent: "Pinhead".
"Hello, Elliot," Leviathan says, with a nod.
"Hello, my Queen," Pinhead says, as he nods his head likewise. Pinhead was dressed in black like a high priest. He wore a tight, leather shirt (with a high collar) that had six ovals cut in the outfit (that revealed peeled strips of bluish flesh). He wore a leather hakama and thick boots. Finally, his head was adorned with thin nails that adorned his entire head, all the while having the decorum of a proper British officer.
"And I have repeatedly requested that I am to be referred to as 'Pinhead'."
"Of course," Leviathan says. "And I see that you are still recruiting."
"I continue to follow the path of our religion, even if our dark god has fallen."
"Then how shall I prove my worth in your eyes?"
"You must go through the Rite of Purification," Pinhead says, as a large box juts into the room from below. "If you are found worthy, your flesh shall be spared…and you shall continue to lead us. If not, your flesh shall be cast off, and that which makes Leviathan pure will live on."
The box opens up, revealing an assortment of blades, needles and the like, like some sort of sophisticated "iron maiden".
"Very well," Leviathan says, as she steps into the box. She then turns to face the assembled cenobites.
"Proceed."
Pinhead nods his head, just before the box closes.
DOOM!
Nothing could be heard for the longest of times….
SKREEEE!
The box begins shake, as a blender-like sound could be heard. The box begins to reconfigure an eight-sided figure, while the wrenching sound continues.
And then, there was silence.
"Behold!" Pinhead says, as the box opens up. "Our Lord has returned-"
"Thank you for that wonderful, and therapeutic experience," Leviathan says, as she steps out. Her entire body was now marked in the style and script of the Cenobites.
"Impossible!" Pinhead says, as he raised his hooked knife.
"NOT impossible," Leviathan says, as six mechanical spider limbs sprout out of her back. "I passed your test, and proved that I am your goddess, your lord…and your master. KNEEL BEFORE LEVIATHAN."
The room shook at the authority of Leviathan's voice, prompting many of the Cenobites to kneel, including a reluctant Pinhead.
"What is your bidding…my mistress?" Pinhead says.
"Rise, my Dark Prince of Pain."
Pinhead does has he is told.
"There are mortals—dozens in fact—who seek pleasure and pain, and there are those who take pleasure from administrating pain. I want you to show them the TRUE meaning of pain."
Pinhead smiles.
"Of course, my goddess. But, tell me…why allow it? Surely that which makes you the fabled 'Moon Princess' would prevent such a matter from taking place."
"You are correct. However, there is but one innocent amongst these people. That person alone shall be allowed to leave this place without knowing the truth of the matter. But, there are two here—two who manage this place—that I want alive and unharmed, and I want you to bring them to ME."
"Yes, my goddess."
Pinhead then turns around to face his sect.
"Arise, my children," says the Cenobite. "The Earth has provided us a plentiful bounty this day…to harvest."
Tbc.