Chapter 23

Tree of Life

As usual the Mystery Shack group they gather everyone to the food court square, Dipper he then has his hand on werewolf Wendy's neck guiding her to the court. Gabriel, he leads two medieval zombie horses, and, in his hands, he has the reins of two others carrying Makoto/Klothod and Gretchen/Pentagram on their backs. Soo's and Sailor Saturn they guide Silent Jim/Congo who is just constantly listening to 80's TV theme songs one of the songs and he is currently listening to the "Growing Pains" theme song.

Adam/Shadow Dancer along with Darrien/Crimson Talon along with Candy and Sailor Venus they are both riding golf carts and then they stop at some point and then walk back, and they come to a speed boat they were towing and then Dipper and Adam open the door to that speed boat and then both have their arm in a gesture for the occupants to come out. Both Spidrax /Michael along with Setsuna/Strife and Orion/Wrath come right down from the boat both with the mystic power dampening collars and both in handcuffs and they come down slowly and then get escorted to part of the square.

Both Usagi/Morgiana and Marmou both they have their original human eyes as both, see each other. Usagi/Morgiana she looks at Marmou/Abezethibod with her blue eyes along with Marmou the same. Wendy/ with her original human eyes she walks with Dipper, Dipper having his hand on her head. Both couples walk peacefully with each other.

Talon once again comes out prepared with his Sorcerer Robe, his book of Ebon on his right hand and on his left a wooden disc with a carving of a star with seven sides and on its center a small cross.

Dipper says, "Alright how do we fix them this time.

Crimson Talon says, "Actually it's simple but at the same time a little complicated."

"Why am I not surprised."

Talon says, "Alright, you see that public square."

Dipper looks and says, "Yeah."

"Well thankfully it and most of this mall was built with some of the same stones that came from Samarian temples, which means this mall is a place filled with great energy properties."

Talon then has the book of Ebon and he turns to one of the diagrams and it's a sketch drawing of a tree with numerous circles and symbols.

Dipper says, "What is this?"

Talon says, "This is one of many trees of life, here is one from the Samarian mystic practice, each of circle represent some of the aspects and features in life."

"What are the symbols?"

"Each of them represents elements from the land that make the tree, but are symbols of Samarian and other Astrological practices, for anyone born or have the features from the symbols they both heal and empower the person."

Talon point to the middle branches of the tree, "The two symbols together they are what help create the center of the tree, give the tree the foundation of energy.

Talon points to the middle circle with the symbols one which looks like a crosshair and another a crescent moon.

These symbols in the middle are of the moon and earth, light and material, there in the central circle to represent the center of the tree as they both are important in giving form and order but also life and hope to every other one of the branches of the tree. "

Talon continues his explanation while Dipper continues the questions.

Talon says, "Usagi and Marmou they will enter the middle as both have been born under those signs which makes it their birth symbols."

Dipper says, "What about the rest?"

Talon points to the left circle and it has two wavy lines which look like water.

Talon said, "This circle represents intellect and knowledge, to be held and poured out to spread. This will be where both Urawa and Ami will be."

He then points to another circle on the right which has a seven on the circle.

Talon says, "This circle is on feelings and love, which will be where Minako and Gabriel will be."

Talon points to a circle above the one of love which has a symbol of a sun.

Talon says, "That represents beauty and redemption, Mabel and Adam go into that one."

Talon then points to a circle above the left circle, the symbol is Mars which has a circle with an arrow pointed diagonally.

Talon says, "This one is based on war and passion, this would have been Rei Hino and Henry Conan Mill's place, but this will be where both Candy and I will be."

Dipper is a little stunned by this but then nods as he thinks about it, and it makes sense.

Dipper says, "Continue."

Talon points to another circle which is to the right and diagonal, it has the symbol of Jupiter the number 4.

Talon says, "This circle represents strength, benevolence and kindness, this is where both Makoto and Orion will be."

Talon then points to a circle to the left and diagonal which has the symbol of Saturn which is a cross and at the bottom connected is a c shape. But next to it is what looks like some sort of lion.

Talon says, "This circle represents death and this lion like creature is the gatekeeper between both life and death, but also the ruling judge of souls to go where they are meant to go. Hotaru and Henry Leoric will go there."

Talon then points to another circle which is at the very bottom and there is just what looks like a tic tac toe board.

Talon says, "This is enigma, questions, unexplainable, strange and color. Both Silent Jim and Greta along with Soos go there."

Candy says, "Greta belongs there?"

Talon says, "Yeah, after all even what seems bizarre to most people has their place in this world."

Soos says, "You mean I actually have a circle of my own."

"Of course."

"Cool, do I have superpowers."

"No Soo's, but you do have good fortune attached."

"Well, it's not superpowers but it'll do."

Gabriel says, "Can we please finish please.

Talon says, "Alright, alright hold your horses I'm getting there."

Talon points to two more circles that are up top and are parallel from each other.

Talon points to the one on the left which has the symbol of what looks like lightning bolts.

Talon says, "This symbol is that of freedom, to go beyond space and realms but it is also represents defense for the universe. This is where Michael and Setsuna will go.

Talon then points to the circle to the right, and it has what looks like a big eye.

Talon says, "This symbol is oversight of all of the universe and the very eye that has seen the creation of man. This one also represents constant search of knowledge, truth and ideas, and the reasoning and logic throughout life. This is where both you Dipper and Wendy will go."

Dipper says, "How do you know this will work."

Talon then nods his head and says, "I don't but this is our only chance."

"You sure know a heck of a lot about this stuff."

"Well, not all of it but enough."

"Your much to modest."

Talon gives a smirk from his bandaged face.

Talon says, "Nothing much gets past you Dipper."

Sailor Venus in impatience says, "Hey, are you two done, because we really want to get this show on the road."

Dipper says, "Sorry Minako, alright everyone follows Talon's instructions and take your places.

On the public square everyone gathers in their places, the ones mangled get escorted and don't struggle as there is no point, other's unmanacled like Usagi and Mamou they walk peacefully to the center. Same with Dipper and Wendy on their circle. Candy goes to his circle but before Talon joins her, he then goes to Usagi and then from the right pocket of his robe he then hands her a crescent wand. Usagi looks at it looks at Talon wondering why he's giving her wand back.

Talon says, "As soon as I'm done reciting the spell, the silver crystal on that wand will glow, you have to point it up."

Usagi says, "Silver crystal, how do you know about that and its power."

"Long story and no time to tell it, look this is our only chance to save everyone here are you ready."

Usagi, she nods, and Talon give her a nod to indicate he is too. Talon then takes his place and then he takes out from his robe's left pocket the wooden disc with his left hand he raises up and then recites in the Samarian language.

Talon says, "May the planet of earth ground me and give me it's strength."

With his right hand he then come to his left shoulder which has an arm sheath for his knife, he then unfastens the leather straps and then pulls it out. The knife is drawn, and, on its edges, there are ancient Greek symbols that recite the phrase of the god Hermes. Talon he has the knife in a thrusting position and then he moves the knife to the left to write in the air the Samarian symbols of each of the elements Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire.

Then he talks in the Samarian language which translates.

"Gods and former rulers of each of the planets, I beseech you to lend me your power, give each of your children the strength to overcome the corruption that has taken hold of their hearts, they are all most worthy and need your help."

Suddenly the drawn tree of life then glows in a blue light and each of the people on that tree they float up in the air and then suddenly the light it then comes down hard on each of them and covers them. Each of them screams from the amount of power they are all receiving as it's a little painful but then feels exhilarating and cool as if what is every is flowing thought them is giving each part of their body strength but also cleansing whatever has corrupted them inside and out.

Suddenly the silver crystal it lights up.

Talon says, "Now Usagi!"

Usagi, she takes up her crescent wand and points it in the air.

As the crystal from the wand glows, Usagi says out loud, "Moon Crystal Power."

Then is suddenly shoots out light toward the sky but as she has done that suddenly there is a big ray of gentle sunlight that hits the circle that Usagi and Mamou are on but then it grows bigger and bigger. Covering the whole perimeter with each of the people in the circle and then suddenly there is a black out.

There is one of the cameras in the mall that have been reactivated and is watching the ritual, the signal of the camera goes straight to where Combs and the rest are watching the big screen and then Combs presses a button on his armchair to turn it off and then the lights automatically come on and then he turns around in his chair. And he then looks and sees there is a great amount of tension and frustration going on.

Gideon gets up and says, "I can't believe this each and every scheme we've all devised they have actually survived."

Hardware says in his usual robotic tone, "Statistically every one of them should be dead, however the fact they all won is an anomaly."

Socrates slams his hand on the table, "We should have done all this my way, conquer most parts of America and Canada with my armies, I wouldn't hesitate to order a public execution where their bodies would be feasted upon my rats."

Rumple says, "Says the big cheese or should I say rat."

Socrates says, "If that's your idea of an insult it sucks."

Rumple gets up and talks in a threatening manner to Socrates.

"How dare a lower lifeform like you talks to me, in fact all of you."

Dhramatrax says, "Rumple, we're not on your home turf, out here you only rule two things Jack and Shit, and Jack isn't in the room so all you have is you since you're a piece of shit."

Rumple tries to conjure up a spell but then he is suddenly blasted from his chair.

Dhramathrax, he looks at his own hand as he put it up ready to use his black magic but sees there there is no charge. Everyone in the room sees Combs has some big arm canon on his left arm which is aimed at Rumple. Rumple is motionless on the ground for a moment but then stirs as he sees only part of his outfit was burned from that blast.

Combs says, "I had one specific rule that even a fourth grader wouldn't dare disobey, no fighting in the meeting room."

Rumple says, "That was a stun blast you just hit me with."

"Yes, but the next one won't be so you better throw your ego in the trash can where it belongs and sit down so we can conclude, and you have five seconds to do so."

Rumple immediately stands up and takes his seat, Combs then points the arm cannon in the middle of the room, and everyone sees it.

Combs says, "And that goes for the rest of you, now back to business."

Combs puts the arm canon down and then he looks at everyone and says, "Yes, I know everything looks bad, but the game is far from over, are the forces I've requested from all of you ready."

"Everyone they just press a button on the table and there is a display on the table of each of the members names and there is a red light displayed which signals yes."

Combs says, "Good, however none of you will lead them."

Everyone is puzzled by this, and Gideon says, "What do you mean?"

"There are two generals I'm assigning for the task."

Dhramathrax says, "But I thought we we're all going to bust their heads in!"

Socrates says, "Or bury them in an anthill for the fire ants to feast."

Combs stands up and says, "I know, but you have all kept your end of the deal for me and you will all be rewarded, so that is all for now, you can all go home and watch the finale on your screens."

Rumple then gets up and says, "I still don't understand."

Combs looks at him with the cold eye and says, "I said that will be all, until the next meeting gentlemen."

Everyone then gets up from the meeting table slowly and leaves the room but Dhramathrax, Gideon and Hardware all talk with one another.

Dhramathrax says, "I don't get it, we all bring the toys, and we don't get to play."

Gideon, he says, "I smell oil in the room."

"What do you mean by that."

"It's an oil tycoon term, which means someone has a bigger claim than us, that Combs is up to something as many card games as I played in the Casino, I know Combs has a system, I just can't damn figure out what the hell it is."

Hardware says, "There is some sort of logic he operates on, but my data analysis on it is incomplete."

Dhramathrax says, "Aren't we going to do anything about it."

Gideon says, "No, I don't dare."

"What are you turning yellow."

"No Dhramathrax, as much as you make me nervous, Combs actually scares me."

He then turns to all three.

"But don't worry when the time comes, we'll all have our chance.

Combs quietly comes back to his hidden fortress, and he then goes down a flight of stairs, and on this floor, there are two presences that are about 7 feet. Both they just come in and walk calmly, both are in the shadows, but one is a male who has what looks like a Viking helmet with two bull horns that are horizontal from the mouth and another which is a Valkyrian helmet which has two blades on the sides that are shaped like wings.

The male Viking says, "Is it time."

Combs says, "Yes, my friend I think we have let Dipper and the rest of the mortal win long enough."

Male Viking says, "You company are all fools."

Combs says, "No, not all of them well maybe just one, however just like Dipper, Talon and the rest I wouldn't underestimate them, they're all smart and have their uses and I still need all of them for further plans, but if any of them every step out of line, I'll allow you to put them on your chopping block.

The female Valcarian says, "We have lost so many of our comrades."

"They were necessary sacrifices for I have plans for all of them in the future, but in the meantime, we have one to carry it out to the end."

Female Valcarian says, "Do we have our armies to lead."

Combs says, "Yes, you do they are all ready to do as you both command."

The Male Viking says, "At last we will finally be able to conquer this realm and the next ones."

Combs says, "That is if you win but whatever happens I wouldn't worry because the game is far from over."