I feel like such a donkey! Forgive me my viewers, I forgot to thoroughly thank you all. Thank you to all who have followed this story and added it to his or her favorites as well as to the alerts! Even to those who just glance in silently here and then, I do notice you ;) These all are real confidence boosters. And thank you so much for the reviews guys, it really matters to me and heavily. These reviews both encourage me and give me my satisfaction in helping me know that I'm doing something right. I'd also like to personally thank Seri Raven, Mystic-Galaxy, and Prophet21 you guys are my cheerleaders! God Bless you all!
The plane was decreasing in altitude as it began to land on the rolling plains of Northern Ireland. Everyone was still sleeping and even though it has been a fairly traumatic time Sahara had a smile on her lips as she dreamt of her happy childhood memories, few as they may be. In her subconscious she grabbed Abe's hand which was the equivalent to hugging her beloved stuffed lion she had and lost so long ago. Resulting in the physical contact Abe awoke from his slumber looking down at her grasp. He carelessly got up waking Sahara; she looked after him with a frown.
Stretching from her tight position she prowled off the couch and made her way to the window. Her breath was taken away at the beautiful sight of the rising sun bathing the entire landscape in a gold wash. She looked over to her left to see that both Liz and Hellboy were still asleep. Not willing to wake them she tipped toed to the cock pit.
Within the hour they all prepared themselves for the mission that consisted of their own search party. Liz woke right up sparing no time to tend to her needs but only to Hellboy's. Supporting him they all exited the aircraft and started their journey.
"It should be here some place." Abe said as he held the map, "The entrance should be…here."
They stop at a simple rocky clearing. The walk was quick and the terrain was easy but that was it, there was nothing, not a damn thing.
Abe, "I don't understand."
Johann, "Perhaps there is a mistake on ze map."
Hellboy moaned as he put a hand on his chest. Sahara moved to his side, rubbing his back in a loving gesture.
"Hallo there!"
A clinking sound was heard as half of a goblin attached to a wooden cart appeared out of nowhere. His head and chest were littered with little red crabs clinging to his skin….Uh ouch!
"I bid you welcome strangers, how can I be of assistance?"
Liz, "We seek safe passage to Bethmoora."
The goblin seemed to chuckle, "Now what does a nice girl like you want in the Night Lands?"
Liz, "We are looking for Prince Nuada."
Goblin, "Ughh him I know. Trade me something and I'll take ya to him."
Liz, "Here I have a shiny belt."
Goblin, "But I have no pants."
Desperate she pulled out her binoculars, "Look a wonderful set of magic eyes."
Shaking his head, "I-I already have binoculars. But…" He noticed the spearhead under Hellboy's wrappings.
"I see something special, something shiny underneath the bandages. I want that!"
Liz, "No you can't take it out, not without killing him."
The goblin pondered, "Uh maybe I know someone who can! Would you trade me that?"
Liz, "…Alright."
Goblin, "Very well!"
He pulled out a whistle and blew it twice, the sound almost resembled a seagull's call. Suddenly the rock clearing began to move. One boulder looked like a giant fist rising and crumbling. The arm rose above ground and went back down as what appeared to be the head began to wiggle and move; a giant awaking from under his bed covers. Rising his midsection up slowly you could see the rock man clearly and the large door that gaped through his stomach as he settled. The crew walked forward.
"Keep going, keep going!" The goblin shouted from behind.
Entering in, the entire inside was ruinous and rocky. The 'door' avalanched in on itself purposely, startling Sahara a bit. Dust and skeletons lined the way and as they walked to the edge. And there it was: The entire city of Bethmoora.
Liz, "Oh my gosh."
The path gave away to a shear space of a large expanse that was molded into abandoned structures. Goblin, "You should've seen this city when it was alive."
Abe, "What happened to it?"
Goblin, "Curse, as soon as the Golden Army was stored here the plague of silence and death befell us. World left us behind."
Sahara, "Ho-how tragic…"
She was starting to get chocked up at the thought of an entire world being wiped out due to one single decision.
Being lead down and around the goblin lead them to a red inscribed structure with a similar shaped opening as they had previously entered.
Goblin, "Long time I alone dwelled in the dust."
Approaching the door he said, "Alright little girl the two of you come inside the rest of you wait out here."
With that the goblin, Liz, and Hellboy entered into the red ruin. Within Sahara could see rows of glowing jars, red and gold tinged. Her curiosity peeked but she dare not invade.
Looking over to Abe she moved to him and put her hand on his arm.
"You have barely said anything in these last couple days. Are you alright?"
He looked down then to her, "No, I am becoming sick with fretting over Princess Nuala. I tirelessly pray that Prince Nuada will let her free from him. I fear that I'll never see her again."
Sahara, "You really care for her don't you?"
Abe, "More than anything I've ever cared for in my life. It's quite startling actually."
Sahara, "…quite…"
Looking on she could see a giant winged figure standing over the trio that was inside. She would normally be more curious and focused in trying to decipher what was going on but her heart broke even further, if that was possible, at the solidifying of Abe's love for Princess Nuala. Sighing she glanced over at Johann giving him a smile making sure that he was ok. Looking back her mind then spiraled downward into a series of 'what will happens' after Abe and Nuala are reunited, if they were reunited.
Would they get together? Would she stay with them? Where will I go now? Will I have to live in a cave for the rest of my life? Will I ever see these people again? Will they marry? I'm going to grow old and die alone aren't I God?
Thousands of these questions flitted through her mind and instantly her eyes grew weary and a headache began to form. Then shocking her out her her tormented haze something wonderful happened! Hellboy stood to his feet and ripped of his bandages.
Sahara, "Look guys!"
He began to exit the red structure with that cocky walk as Sahara flung herself on him.
"I thought you were a goner!" She punched him on the arm, "Don't do that again!"
Hellboy, "Ow hey I just healed here, no need to add on more bruises."
Johann, "I'm very glad zat you are as good as new again Age-, Hellboy."
Abe, "Red I'm so sorry I-"
Hellboy, "Save it Blue, it wasn't your fault anyway."
Goblin, "Again so very touching but we must go now! If we are to meet Nuada."
Leading the way they winded around and down to the very bottom of the city. Entering through a tunnel they came into a large clearing split six ways. In the middle was an egg like structure that gave off the six pathways as if it was an arena. In between each path way were large metal eggs that sat there void.
Goblin, "Here we are and there they are. Seventy times Seventy soldiers."
Entering further you could see that the sloping walls held the golden eggs as far as the eye could see.
"Sometimes I wish I never created them. Bim-bam went the hammers! Whoosh went the furnaces! One of them fires took my legs off."
Walking an inch or two further he said, "This is as far as I can go. I, heh-heh, I am not very good with the steps."
They walked past him.
"But if you're here to stop him, the prince, I wish you luck then. The Golden Army must not awaken! Undo what we did."
Liz whispered, "We will."
He nodded in reply. They turned to climb the staircase of a thousand stairs, but, Sahara turned back and kissed the Goblin on the cheek.
"Thank you so much for what you've done."
Goblin, "Aw, Go way outta that my dear, God Bless ya."
She smiled, "God Bless ya."
She then turned and ran up the steps to join her team.
Eventually they all reached the top and sadly it wasn't as glorious as that famous scene in "Rocky". Entering in they saw blue-gray pillars with gorgeous carvings inscribed on them topped with gold chapiters. The floor was a dusty bronze and the ceiling was in the dark but had red throughout, getting brighter as it went up. In the center back of the room was a cog of gears jutting from the floor. Atop was a flat where you could stand on and peer out through the doorway on guard.
"You're here. So I assume you brought the remaining piece." Nuada spoke as he stepped forward with his sister.
Johann, "No we didn't but ve should discuss-"
Nuada, "I wasn't addressing you, Tin Man." He stretched out his hand, "Abraham."
He stepped forward through his team.
Hellboy, "Abraham?"
Nuada, "My sister's wealth."
Hellboy, "Abe!"
Nuada, " As I promised, so."
Sahara, "Abe…"
He held up the crown piece.
Hellboy, "What the hell are you doing!?"
He turned to him, "You'd do the exact same for Liz."
Sahara thought, 'Oh give me a break!'
Then turning back he threw the crown piece to Nuada.
Johann, "Agent Sapien No!
He caught it with a sinister glee. Placing to the crown it finally became whole. Crowning himself he declared,
"I am Prince Nuada, Silver Lance, Leader of the Golden Army!"
Hellboy, Liz, Sahara were reading their weapons at this point.
"Is there anyone here who would dispute my right?"
Suddenly the gears underneath him turned, the factory coming to life. A sound rumbled throughout the place. Turning behind them thousands of red lights gleamed at them from outside. The Golden Army was coming to life…
In shear terror they were making their way up the pass and into the chamber.
Nuada, "Kill them."
Abe, "But…"
Nuala whispered the same thing she had to Abe regarding the crown piece in her native tongue, "Don't do it."
Abe, "He lied to us!"
Hellboy, "Abe old buddy if we ever get out of this, we gotta talk."
The army crept closer to have one sneak behind Hellboy holding his sworded hand poised to strike over his head. Maneuvering out of the way he walked through them all and began firing. Bang! a head blew off and Bang! goes an arm. Running he did a home plate slide as he shot his gun upward. Stopping with his foot on a pillar he reloaded. Looking to the side he got up and flew on top of one landing on its shoulders. Coming to the lip in its back he pulled it back and shot its head causing it to be a crumbling mound.
"Whoa!" Sahara yelled. She had her African Katanas ready, already feeling boxed in.
Hellboy pounced on another, opening its jaw back and shouting, "Open wide!" As he blew it to pieces with a bullet.
Johann, Abe, Liz, and Sahara were all standing back to back gazing up at the monstrous army. Johann looked down to his chest and turned the gear. Rapidly his ectoplasm began to escape. Shoving his way through his compadres a lone golden solider stood there as if to challenge Johann; it's metal claws slammed together in an attempt to catch the ectoplasm. Realizing that he caught nothing he looked on in confusion, gazing at his hands in disbelief that this spiraling matter isn't able to be held. It kept grabbing at the ectoplasm not realizing that Johann was possessing him, with a scream his red interworking turned blue. A nearby soldier put its hand on his shoulder symbolizing the 'are you alright pal?' gesture. With a german yell Johann, now within his new body, jabbed at the solider and punched it clean in the face sending it back into a pillar physically discombobulated.
Sahara saw three soldiers ganging up on her and with a roar she began to slice through their hips with her African katanas. She was surprised to find how easy it was to severe each soldier as they jerked to one side and slid onto the floor. Meanwhile Johann was single handedly ripping apart the army with effortless strength.
"Ay, throw me a bone here!" Hellboy shouted at him.
Johann ripped an entire arm of one of the soldiers and tossed it to him. Realizing his miscalculation in how big the arm was he grimaced as he caught the giant piece of metal forcing him to slide back. Recovering he flipped it over and charged with a warrior's yell.
Taking a look around the room Sahara saw that the boys were easily massacring the army but if you were to look toward the entrance, an endless hoard was bursting to get in.
Abe held a defensive stance in front of Liz as they watched Johann dismantle another soldier by throwing him upon a turning gear and grinding him to nothing. Sahara was nearby him continuing to slice away at the hips of her foes. Turning around she saw Johann beginning to walk toward Hellboy as a soldier was creeping up on his backside.
"Johann look-"
Too late the soldier had thrust his sworded hand through the middle causing oil to spill out. It thrust its arm upward and ripped its way up to the top breaking Johann's metal body in two. His ectoplasm poured out finding its way back to the suit. Sahara rushed to him as he reentered the suit, grasping his shoulder in concern. Giving their attention back to the army, to their horror, they were rebuilding themselves…
One took an arm out of his chest, one readjusted the gear in his back, another was mending the split within his body. Hundreds of pieces were forming together on their own and racing back to their owners. Crawling gears and metal pieces picked up a head as its owner grabbed it placing it back on his shoulders.
Hellboy, "Ohhh crap."
Johann, "Vell I'm out of ideas."
Closing in on the team, their backs were literally against the wall until,
"I got one. I challenge, Prince Nuada, to a right to command, this army!" Hellboy yelled.
The entire army threw their arms up and gave a ritualistic moan. They turned to him expectantly.
Nuada, "You challenge me? Who are you to challenge me you are nobody! You are not royalty."
Nuala ripping away from her brother's grasp, "Yes, yes, he is Anung Un Rama son of the Fallen One, he has the right! Challenge must be answered!"
Nuada, "Very well then."
Hellboy gave a nod as Abe, Liz and Sahara grabbed him. Johann joining, they all spoke at once expressing their concern.
Hellboy, "Guys, guys!"
Liz, "Don't do this Red."
He put his fingers under her chin, "Don't worry Babe" He turned to Abe, "I'm not going to kill him Abe, but I am going to kick his ass!"
He walked forward eyeing Nuada as the army cleared a way. Nuala eyed him removing his gloves as he moved his way down the gears. Jumping up on one of the large spinning flat ones they stared each other down. Nuada reached for a sword from his back showcasing it in front of him he roughly threw it at Hellboy who caught it with his stone hand. In the momentum he rolled his shoulder up and slipped the sword into his left hand. Rolling his stone wrist he brought it to his face and blew the dust off of his stone fingers mockingly.
Barreling forward at a lightening's notice the prince gave a tremendous back flip over the gears. Landing in the runner's position Hellboy gave a huff at him possibly showing that he was impressed. Nuada removed his staff from his back and pointed it at Hellboy. Hellboy gave a wiggle of the sword in his hand feeling the weight and sturdiness. He then charged for the prince.
Again they engaged in a high speed sword fight. They spun around each other and viciously slashed at one another. Hellboy threw his rock fist at the prince who blocked it with his spear. He then gave another tremendous backflip over Hellboy as Hellboy gave a late swipe at where the prince was standing just seconds before. Touching down the prince jumped again into an airborne summersault. Whipping around, both Hellboy and the prince clashed weapons. Hellboy pushed him back and they took up their fighting once more. Using his rock hand again to block another blow Nuada jumped around him again. Hellboy swiped under him and he jumped back and forth missing each swipe. Nuada then gave a low summersault under an uppercut jab. Breaking apart, Nuada held a strike pose to only clutch his right arm that bled out from a slice given by Hellboy. Looking to Nuala her right arm began to bleed as well.
Staring back at him Hellboy slashed at his face and the prince recoiled back. They fought while on the run, Hellboy being the one to chase down the prince. More great action fighting pursued; flips and turns, jumps and spins. A really neat move had happened as the prince brought his spear to Hellboy's sword. In a blocked blow he spun his weapon and himself around Hellboy in a turntable style maneuver. Sword fighting again the prince kept away from Hellboy as he did a series of flips back toward the gears. Chasing after him Nuada gave a sideways spin to land atop the flat gear a little gracelessly. Hellboy then leapt after him into the air and with a grunt landed on the extreme edge of the golden gear.
Trying to regain his balance the prince extended his spear trying to push him off and down into the molten inner workings that powered the Golden Army. He swiped at the spear with his rock arm and Nuada gave another spin along with his spear as keep away. Hellboy slashed his way to the top of the flat gears, continuing the fight. Amidst the battle Hellboy grabbed the prince's spear having him flip over and kick him clear in the face. He was sent rolling down the gears and Nuada continued to jab at him. Sliding down, Hellboy was now dangling on the edge of the larger gear struggling for his life.
As the gears turned he was reaching the point in where the other gear's teeth met with the others. Pulling his foot up in a desperate attempt to get out of this predicament, he almost went into the grinding. Getting to his feet Nuada gave a jab at him that much resembled the one where he got him in the heart however Hellboy turned to his side in time and the spear went through his coat. Moving back the prince hacked at him causing him to duck under the grinding section of the gears. From within, the prince kept at it and Hellboy had to use his feet to fend him off. Snaking his way out the two fought again only this time Helboy didn't have a weapon to strike back with.
Striking him in the face Hellboy froze in delirium which gave another chance for the prince to strike him again which sent him into the side gears that aided as steps. With a short turn Hellboy disappeared into the inner workings.
Liz gasped, "Red."
Coming up on the other side of the sideways gears he shouted, "Hey!"
He sat up on the turning steps and glared at the prince, whipping himself around he rode them down to the flat gears and said, "Nice ride eh?"
The two stared at each other again and they sprung back into action. Hellboy began blocking the spear's blows with his rock arm almost loosing his balance between two gears. Spinning to the side the prince followed and whipped Hellboy's back sending him into the turning steps. Climbing it he leaped over the prince and ran causing him to take pursuit. Leaping onto the uppermost flat gear Hellboy turned to block an airborne strike. Jabbing at him again Hellboy was cornered on a wall of gears, spinning away he moved to the right and fell down onto the edge again hanging on as it went under a giant metal hinge. Awaiting his return Nuada posed with a strike, but, Hellboy didn't show. Stepping around the gear he stood with his back facing away from the escape artist known as Hellboy who rode upon a vertical gear tat rotated contrary to the flat one they were on. Jumping up silently behind him the prince whipped around in time to have Hellboy grasp his throat.
"Yay!" Sahara shout with a little hop as she saw this.
He threw him down and off the gears pinning him to the floor with his own spear.
Nuada, "Kill me, you must for I will not stop, I can not."
Hellboy, "Sorry pal I win, you live."
He moved the spear to the other side of his face and removed the crown from his head. Looking at it then to him he turned and walked to his team. Unbeknownst to them all Nuada pulled a hidden knife from his side, getting up he was about to stab Hellboy from behind. Their faces warned him and he turned around to see the prince poised to strike but blood suddenly gushed out from his heart. He stopped and grasped it shakily.
Nuada, "Nuala."
He turned to her and saw that she too had a knife and had stabbed her own heart. Pulling it out she fell to the ground having sacrificed her very life to save them all, to save humanity.
Abe watched on in shear horror.
The prince began to fall forward but Hellboy was there to catch him. Sahara's eyes grew wide with shock. The pain and sadness growing within the room she saw that Abe found his way to the top of the gears where Nuala lay and reaching her side, he cradled her in his arms. Even though she could tell that he was expressing his love to her the tears came down at the sight of the excruciating pain that he must be feeling right now.
The prince began to walk away from Hellboy looking only at his twin to say his final words, "Nuala my sister."
He fell to his knees turning to stone, crumbling at the ground's contact. Liz, Johann, and Sahara stepped forward in awe, looking to her left Sahara saw that Nuala too had turned to stone, one arm grasping Abe, body frozen in stone forever.
Holding up the crown Hellboy said, "All that power.."
Liz, "Don't even think about it."
She took into her hands and melted it with her fire.
The Golden Army began to shut down one by one, the glowing red fading, the gears stopping, all going dark in finality.
Abe rejoined them and they swarmed him.
"Abe are you going to be ok?" Sahara asked.
He didn't answer, he was non-responsive to everyone. And as he passed through them all Sahara saw the tears coming out from his eyes!
The walk back to the surface was a quiet and solemn one. Everyone seemed done and tired of all this, all in unison inwardly thinking about leaving the Bureau for good. Sahara's eyes occasionally flickered to Abe, "He must be a wreck inside" she kept thinking. Even though she hated the romantic feelings he had for Nuala she never wanted it to end this way. Reaching the surface the avalanched rock opening crumbled away to let them exit. Stepping out into the bright light of Ireland's sunny day they saw Manning barking orders to his prowling agents.
Manning, "You. You took that plane without an authorization young man!" He scolded him as if Hellboy was a kid.
Hellboy, "Ay Manning, here to help. As always." He said while removing his holster and giving to Manning.
Manning, "What's going on? What's going on?"
Hellboy, "I quit."
He turned and walked off.
Manning chuckled, "What are you serious?"
Liz was next, "Looks that way doesn't it?" As she handed in her holster too.
Manning, "What's wrong with you? You can't all just quit."
Abe came up and gave in his, holding his face sternly he said, "Watch us."
Something quite unheard of before in his tone of voice, arousing Sahara's attention.
She came up toManning and said, "And I double quit!" giving him a jazz hand type of hand gesture.
Walking off Hellboy came back,"On second thought." He took his gun, "I think I'll keep this."
Manning, "Come on. Come on! Johann they can't do this, stop them."
He put his hand on his shoulder and said a very lewd line that held a tinge of german to it.
He too walked off to follow behind Sahara then Abe then Liz and Hellboy all ignoring Manning's calls. Sahara's worry grew more as she caught negative vibes coming off in waves from Abe. A dark atmosphere clung to his body and something very uncharacteristic had got a hold of his personality; something was definitely wrong…
