Return Visit Chapter the Second 'Beyond the Gates' or 'I Wanna Go Home!'
I shall dispense w/ disclaimers for each and every chapter as they are so time consuming and repetetive if that's OK w/ our readers and followers, of course? Great. BTW, I am Story Teller Guy who assists our teller of tales and sagas. First, let me reassure you that although the 'Time Shuffler' (Thanks to the lovely Andre Norton for her creation) manipulates time and space, nobody has assisted him by blasting another 'rift' inb the membrane of the Space/Time Continuum.
Now as to when and where we are- the place is the ice world of 'Gysymeo' but as we are in 'Before Rathelon' 0173, we are outside of time and space near 'Warriors' Gate' and the esteemed 'Time Shuffler' himself has just announced his presence to the Lupin III gang of Jigen, Goemon, Rebecca, Lupin himself and Fujiko and their new companion, the 'Boss Lady' Grand Imperial Marshall of the 3WA and UG Kei O'Halloran.
"Look here, my good fellow. We have all had a chance to explore this cold dank cavern a bit and there are no clues that point to any 'Templar Treasure Trove' so if you would please return us all to our various times and places-" began Goemon before a loud and boisterous laugh rang out, startling everyone including the 'Boss'!
"And there ain't no Elf gals in sight either! Say! I don't recall that it's winter anywheres in 'Elfland', do you doggie?" grumbled a big tall galloot which I now saw to be Junpei the elf hunting strong man. Behind him was 'Mi-Ke', a gigantic enchanted cat tank. Seated on the war machine were red-headed Ari, Ritsuke the gun toting schoolgirl and a tall chap in an 'Uncle Sam' costume of red/white/blue. The tall skinny dude was cradling a small brown puppy in his hands.
"Hey look, Fujicakes- they got a pet 'Maromi' (The anime dog character from 'Paranoia Agent') same as you got!" chuckled Jigen. The doggie leaped from the guy's arms and landed squarely in front of Jigen. "I am NOT a 'Maromi' toy nor am I really a canine animal, sir. I am 'Celsia', queen sorceress of 'Elfland' and I am stuck in this ridiculous form until these 3 idiots have managed to find the rest of the spell fragments I need to send them back home to Japan on this planet. ('Uncle Sam' harumphed and coughed) Oh and this gentleman is my world's prime minister, 'Mr Lucifer'." explained the puppy doggie.
"You're a real sorceress, doggie? Great! Because I wanna go back home to my palace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and make it just before Midnight of the year 2019, OK? Not to worry. I own most of the world and you will be richly rewarded." yelped the blonde bombshell who either is or was my wife Rebecca.
"Are you nuts, Honey? 'Celsia' is a sorceress and a queen of her own world but she's not a 'time lady' from 'Gallifrey'." chortled Ari, brushing dog hairs off her red pantsuit. Rebecca glared icy cold daggers at me from her flashing Kelly green eyes. "This is YOUR fault, Lupin! Every time we meet up w/ this stupid bird-brained tro-con broad, something bad always happens to me!" whined my wife or ex-wife I can never remember which she is to me.
"Stupid bird-brained broad! May I remind all of you clowns that I outrank everyone in this cave no matter what time era we happen to be in, dammit!" snarled 'Reds' angrily, dashing her half full glass to the ground. "What a waste of good booze, man." sighed Jigen.
"If I may interject here- are you fools not aware that I am pointing a Mark XII disruptor blaster at you? I know the treasure horde is here inside this cavern but I am not sure 'when' it was placed in here. I must apologize though to the Elf Hunters and to the Art Thieves Gang and the blonde beauty over there for bringing you through the 'Gates' when I extracted Miss O'Halloran from her shuttlecraft. Incidentally, my dear, your shuttle found its way safely back to your starship's docking bays. Funny but I was sure I grabbed 'Snow White' when I grabbed you? No matter. She must be elsewhere in this cavern. Rest assured though that she is still in BR 0173 time era. Shall we go, ladies and gentlemen and puppy dog?" commanded the 'Time Shuffler' who was a small man indeed but w/ that Mark XII pointing at us, he seemed to be a hundred feet tall to us!
"That's all I kin stands, I cain't stands no more!" yelled Junpei, a pop-topped container of green spinach in his fist which he proceeded to swallow Popeye-style before he began retching and choking. Popeye never seemed to chew so Junpei tried swallowing it whole! Suddenly, the circus strong man lowered his shoulders and ran full tilt at old 'TS' who merely sighed and stepped to one side which allowed Junpei to crash shoulders first into the cavern wall!
"Enough foolishness!" roared 'TS' and at the same time firing his weapon at the tank! The energy blast sheared off a front headlamp which Ritsuke's booted feet had been resting upon! "Holy Fried Chicken! That was a bit too close for comfot, Miss Ari!" yelled the startled schoolgirl who raised her own 'Thompson 45' and prepared to fire. Ari calmly shook her head and the schoolgirl lowered her weapon.
"Keep your weapons, my friends. You may soon need to use them at dangers other than myself. The Marshall no doubt recalls her last search for the 'Templar' treasure- and the safeguards my ancestours left behind." chuckled 'TS'.
"Boss Lady? What the Hell are you doing on 'Gysymeo'? I just left you at Garner's office on 'Shimougou'!" shouted 'Neko Olson' who had just walked through the cavern wall and into the cavern room. "What the Sam Hill's that doing here? OK Berringer! Outta the tank, man or I fire dammit!" she screeched, leveling her Mark XII disruptor ion cannon at the startled Elf Hunters and poor 'Mi-Ke'!
END of Chapter the Second. Chapter the Third to follow soon entitled 'Here We Go Again!' or 'Templar Trivia'. Please feel free to suggest or comment or review. Even flames are welcome and sorry for the long delay dear friends.- Story Teller Guy.