Niles, Duke, and the Lake Beast.
Having had a wild adventure with his friends, Niles decided to take a break and take a trip to the Magic Railroad with Matilda, his girlfriend. They decided on taking a lakeside holiday on Duke's line. They arrived at the station, buzzing with excitement. "Finally", said Niles, "A few days of rest and relaxation. No more monsters or adventures". "Better chose your words carefully", advised Matilda, "You know how the Gods like it when mortals tempt fate". Niles shuddered at the thought as Duke pulled into the station. He and Matilda climbed into one of Duke's coaches and rode off.
They looked out the coach windows as the train raced past a forest at the base of several mountains. "Look", said Matilda excitedly. Duke rounded a bend, and there was their destination, a massive lake. Duke stopped at a station outside of an old, ruined castle. "What's the story with that?", asked Niles. "I heard that the castle was once a mighty stronghold for the king who lived there", said Duke, "But one day, the king had insulted the spirits of the woods. They called upon the goddess, Amphitrite, to punish the king for his arrogance. She sent a massive lake monster t ravage the castle, where it ate the king and his minions. They say that the lake monster still lives in the lake to this day". "OK", said Niles, "I'll keep an eye out...so I know when it's time to run away". Matilda gave him a stern look. Niles sighed and followed his lover to the lake house.
They unpacked and sat down for a picnic on the shoreline. Niles couldn't get Duke's story out of his head. "Something wrong?", asked Matilda. "The brochure said nothing about a lake monster", sighed Niles as he ate a roast beef sandwich. "It's literally the first thing they mention", said Matilda as she took the brochure out of the picnic basket. Suddenly, they heard a splash! Then, a massive reptilian head emerged from the lake, slamming his clawed hand onto the shore! Niles grabbed Matilda and they hid inside of their lakeside cabin as the beast thundered past them! "Let's go after it", said Matilda. "That thing was like 20 meters tall", said Niles, "How can anyone fight something like that?" "With this hunting rifle", smiled Matilda as she held up a gun. "That'll work", said Niles.
Meanwhile, Duke was getting water in his tank when the lake beast smashed through the forest! It knocked over some trees as it continued on its way. "We have to warn the people in the castle", cried Niles as he Matilda ran over. "Hop in", said Duke's driver, "We can catch up to it in no time". Niles climb in top of Duke's cab as he took off.
The lake beast came into view as Duke sped around a bend. "OK", said Niles as he looked into his binoculars, "He's nearing the castle as we speak. Duke, if I were you , I'd pick up the pace!" "Right", said Duke. As he increased speed, Matilda fired at the creature with her rifle! The beast look over at Duke and roared! "We have his attention", said Niles, "Back to the lake!" "Right", said Duke as he sped in reverse, with the lake beast in hot pursuit!
The chase lead them near the wharf. The lake beast smashed through some sheds and cranes as Duke slammed to halt in front of some buffers near the edge of the water! Below them, a barge filled with fish was floating idly as the lake beast advanced toward our heroes. Thinking fast, Niles grabbed the rifle and fired a few shots! The lake beast roared and attacked, but Niles dodged the beast's charge and watched it fall into the water below! But then, the creature smashed the fish barge, sending fish flying at Niles! But before the beast could attack further, Harold the Helicopter flew in and fired his machine guns at the lake beast! The creature was then ensnared in a net that Harold dropped on it, before soldiers came in and sprayed knock-out gas at the creature! The lake monster then fell over, unconscious. "Thank goodness you steered the beast away", said the captain of the soldiers, "There's no telling what would have happened if it had made it to the castle". "We were only trying to help", smiled Matilda. She then recoiled at the smell of fish on Niles. "That wouldn't suit his grace", said Duke. Niles simply shrugged and smiled. "At least now we can get back to our vacation", he laughed.
The End