Sinbad went topside, and covered his eyes when he saw the bright sun. He
managed to make it to the side of the ship, and Dermott flew down and
perched near him. The brown bird wondered what was wrong with the captain.
Sinbad looked at the bird and reached out to pet it. Dermott squawked,
somehow Dermott knew that wasn't really Sinbad. The rest of the crew
wondered why Dermott was acting up and went over to investigate.
"Dumb animals!" Sinbad hissed.
"Where to captain," Mustapha asked as he approached Sinbad.
"Why are you asking me?" Sinbad asked confused.
"I don't know, maybe it's cause you're the captain!" Mustapha answered
sarcastically.
"I am? I guess the Queen decided to make me that for today."
"Queen? Sinbad are you feeling all right?" Mustapha questioned with a
strange look on his face, "Maybe you should let Firouz look at you."
"Firouz? That butcher? What is wrong with you?" Sinbad exclaimed.
Dermott swooped down and perched near Mustapha. He looked at the bird and
the two had the same thought.
"You're not Sinbad!" Mustapha concluded.
Maeve rode through the green hillsides with Talos, letting the black steed run freely, as the wind pushed past her body. She forgot where she was for a moment, until the horse threw her off. Maeve hit the ground rather hard. She looked up and saw the horse about to trample her. She quickly backed away and tried to talk to the animal. *What's wrong? * Maeve asked him. * You are NOT my Master! * Talos hissed and ran off. "What kind of world is this?" Maeve got up and dusted the dirt off her clothes. She hard a stir in the bushes nearby and went closer to investigate. She saw a pair of eyes, small eyes, innocent eyes. "Well what do we have here? You can come out, I won't hurt you," Maeve cooed the little one out. The child hiding in the bushes screamed and ran away, still screaming. Maeve was took back by this strange reaction to her. True, she wasn't very good with children, but still she didn't think she would have this kind of affect on them, and she hoped she didn't scare the child off too much. She started to search for a village where there would be people that could tell her what was going on here. Doubar was freeing the people enslaved at the camp, for he couldn't stand this injustice. The people were quite happy and quickly ran away before he could change his mind. He didn't know why they were all afraid of him. His men wanted to stop him from letting all his cargo go, but they didn't dare test his temper. "Where's my daughter?" a woman asked him as he freed her. "I don't know, maybe she's still here," he answered her. "No! You gave her to the Queen! You gave my child to be a blood sacrifice!" she screamed. "I did no such thing! I just got here!" Doubar answered, outraged. "You monster!" she leaped out to attack him, but he caught her arms and pushed her back. "I just freed you from slavery, the least you could do is show some appreciation!" "Yes show some appreciation," a voice said from behind. The woman screamed and quickly ran away. Doubar turned around to see who was behind him. To his shock, facing him was his own face, but older, and with a scar, but before Doubar could say anything he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, and all went dark. Firouz followed his double around the dark laboratory, trying to decipher what was going on. His double was rambling on and on about something and scribbling in a dark leather book covered with blood. His pencil was a sharpened human bone that was dipped in blood. Firouz almost threw up from the sight and smell. He knocked over a vial when trying to back away and his double looked up. "What do we have here? More mice in the maze?" he asked as he got up to investigate. Firouz quietly moved around and hid behind the giant tank that held a squid, a very unfriendly squid. Firouz was occupied in looking at its rather huge eye, and didn't notice when it started for the side of the tank. The squid tried to attack him and pushed itself up on the tank, scaring Firouz. He fell back and knocked over some more things. "I smell a mouse, waiting to be in my next experiment!" he smiled evilly. Firouz grabbed a vial of some substance and kept moving. His double walked to the squid tank. "Did you see something Inky?" The squid pointed his tentacles in the direction Firouz went in. Firouz quietly kept moving but then suddenly all the lights in the laboratory went on. Firouz was blinded for a second and covered his eyes. "My, my we have a large mouse today!" his double said. Firouz moved his arms away from his face and saw his double. The two stood there staring at each other for a second. "This is not possible. You are me, but I'm me too!" his double said. "Point of fact, it is said that there is always a double of you when you are born," Firouz explained. "Are you a scientist?" "I would like to think so." "Really? Well then you must have quite an intellect, perhaps almost enough to challenge mine!" "I can do more than that. I've seen your rather dismal inventions here, and your minuscule pets. Testing on animals doesn't further science that much, for people and animals have different anatomy and systems." "True, but it's always fun!" "You're a madman!" "Some would say so!" his double answered, "I am the Alchemist of the Queen! And the Queen is quite insane herself! Come, come, there is much I must do, and I don't have time to entertain you!" "I know where the door is." "You're not leaving that way" he approached Firouz. Firouz started running around. "Did you know if I slice the giant vein in your neck, your heart will act as a pump and pump all the blood out of your body? Isn't that efficient?" he said as he chased him. "Point of fact, NO!" Firouz jumped onto the table and threw the vial at his double. The vial smashed and all the liquid inside splattered all over his face. His double laughed. "Nice try! But that was just yeast with water!" "I know, but this is vinegar!" Firouz threw the bottle of vinegar at his double. The vinegar bubbled on contact with his skin, and he screamed out in horrible pain. Firouz quickly ran out of that dark laboratory, but then ran back to grab the black leather book, and then ran out again. Sinbad, walking with an oddly dressed Rumina, kept his distance from her. But for some reason part of him did trust her, and he didn't know why. "We're almost there!" she said. "Almost where?" he asked. "Home, there my teacher will explain it all to you" "Who is your teacher?" "AHHH! NO! STOP IT!" Rumina screams out as she ran towards the tree. Sinbad looked at what she was running to. She ran to a tree, where there was an old orange cat up on the branch. And below was Rongar fighting with what appeared to be himself. "Rongar? Rongar?" Sinbad said as he approached them. The two were fighting in hand to hand combat now because all their dirks were gone. Sinbad saw Rumina climb up and cradle the cat in her arms. Once she got to the ground she quickly ran into the house nearby. "Hey!" Sinbad yelled as he chased after Rumina, but then stopped to help Rongar. "Rongar?" Sinbad asked as he watched the two fight each other. Rongar looked at him and motioned for him to help. "So the Queen sent her pet to make sure I did my job did she?" the other Rongar said. "OK, you're the bad one then" Sinbad said as he jumped in to help his friend Rongar. Maeve walked and saw a small village. She walked into it, and people quickly ran away from her and shut their doors. Maeve wondered why the people were acting like that. She saw the small child from before and reached out to her. The little girl screamed and ran away. "Wait! I don't want to hurt you! I just want to ask you something!" Maeve said as she chased after the child. She ran after her until she came to a small hut, where the child's mother grabbed her child and tried to get back in. "WAIT!" Maeve yelled out. The woman froze and slowly turned around. Maeve was huffing and puffing for air. "What's going on here? Why is everyone afraid of me?" "Please do not take my child!" the woman pleaded on her knees. "I don't want your child! I just want some answers," Maeve said. "You are Queen, this land is yours. Do with it what you will" "I'm not your Queen. I may resemble her in some way, but I'm not her." "Please don't do this to us!" "I want to know what's going on, and somebody here is going to tell me!" Maeve's temper flared. Sinbad and Rongar were tying up Rongar's double against the tree. The two men made several strong knots and walked towards the house. "Good to see you Rongar!" Sinbad said as he patted him on the back. Rongar smiled and motioned that he was glad to see him as well. The two entered the house and saw that it was empty, no furniture, just one window, and a fireplace. "That's strange. I swore I saw her run in here," Sinbad said as he looked around the barren room. Rongar saw that the fireplace had wood and ashes, but strangely it was wet and cold. He looked up and saw there was no chimney opening either. He motioned for Sinbad. "What is it Rongar?" Sinbad asked. Rongar showed him there was no chimney opening. "This fireplace really isn't here," Sinbad said, "There must be a secret room behind it!" Sinbad walked towards the fireplace and pushed it, and with Rongar's help, the fireplace began to move. The two got up and went to see what was behind the fireplace. Inside the castle, the Queen was looking at the map of the lands she had conquered. She heard a neigh of a horse outside and looked out her window. It was Talos, her trusty steed. "Who let you out?" The Queen asked. But then there was a loud crash. She turned around and saw her guards were thrown across like toys. She saw a large man enter the room. He threw a large object on her table. It was a head, a human head. The blood was spilling over her map. "Is there a point to this?" she asked annoyed. "Next time send the message in person!" "You didn't like my message?" "No, it was your messenger" and with that he grabbed Maeve and pulled her close for an embrace. "Next time I'll send you a younger, female, virgin messenger," Maeve smiled. "I'd rather have you," he said as he kissed her roughly. The Queen pushed him off and broke away from his strong arms. "Eyolf, you can't just barge in here whenever you feel like it, and you can't be spilling blood on my map either!" "My how I love your red hair, it brings out the fire in you!" he said as he reached to touch her. "Stop it you barbarian!" she hissed as her hair turned into a golden blonde
"You like the animal in me?" "When was the last time you had a bath? Where are your Viking forces?" "Waiting in the harbor for the next country to destroy." "Eyolf the Destroyer. Your name suits you well." The Queen said as she walked closer to him, and held his face in her hands. "How may I service you my Queen?" Eyolf asked as he kissed her hands. "My Queen!" Captain Doubar yelled as he ran in. "Don't you ever knock!" The Queen yelled out in anger. "My apologies, but look at what I found!" the Pirate Doubar presented his double. "Another slave?" the queen asked. "No, a double of me!" "A double?" she asked. "Yes he was trying to free the cargo before it was time." He replied. "Did they get far?" "No, we caught them and brought them here to the castle." "Put him in the dungeon with the others, I'll deal with him later," The Queen commanded "As you wish," Captain Doubar walked off with his double. "Now where were we?" The Queen smiled as she undid the clasp to her cloak, letting it fall to the floor, revealing her pale soft flesh. Sinbad and Rongar made their way down the dark cavern and found Rumina with her cat at the end, near a small fire. Shelves of books carved into the cave, small wooden chairs and tables, a cauldron, and small wooden utensils surrounded her. In the corner was a small thin blanket for her to sleep on. Sinbad and Rongar felt something inside them break as they saw her. "You were right master, they came like you said" Rumina said. The car meowed and purred in her arms. "Now will you tell us what's going on?" Sinbad asked. "Yes, all your questions will be answered, by my teacher and father, Turok." "Turok?" Sinbad said in shock, "Where is he?" "Right here," she showed him the orange cat. "Your father, and teacher, Turok is this cat?" "Yes, the Queen turned him into a cat as she discovered her powers. My father will explain the rest." "He can talk?" "Through me he can," Rumina closed her eyes and went into a trance like state. Her voice changed as it sounded like Turok's. "Sinbad, you were brought here because your friend Maeve found the other half of the crystal. The crystal holds great power inside it. The Dark Lord forged it, and he used it for evil purposes. So, the other white mages and I tried to destroy the crystal but we could not, for it was made by black magic and only black magic can destroy it. With our combined forces we could only split the crystal. We threw the halves into different worlds, hoping they would never meet. We imprisoned the dark lord and goodness reigned over. But then a misguided warrior and student of the dark lord found half the crystal and will try to free him. You must stop this at all costs." "Wait, wait a minute," Sinbad said. "This is not your world. You were drawn here because the two halves found two sides of the coin." "What?" "The crystals were being used at the same time, by two different people, yet the same, two sides of the coin." "That doesn't make any sense. What are you talking about? You make less sense than Dim-Dim at times." "You know that monster!" Turok yelled. Maeve walked out of the village and headed towards the dark tall castle that she could see in the distance. Nobody was any help. All they kept saying was that the Queen would get them. She sighed and walked on. Some of the villagers were getting a bit grabby, so she zapped them with a few fireballs. She didn't know that one of her fireballs would set the whole village on fire, but she was glad that she remembered a small rain spell to stop the fire from spreading. Either way the villagers were glad to see her leave. Firouz was running through the forest when he bumped into Sinbad and Rongar. "Sinbad! Am I glad to see you! You'll never believe where I've been!" Firouz said. "I think we have an idea. Come on we have something to take care of," Sinbad said as he walked on. The three headed in the direction of the castle. Maeve walked to the castle gates. The guards quickly opened the door and let her in without saying a word. Maeve looked at them perplexed but walked into the massive castle. She walked down the hall and saw the many hideous things that decorated the walls. There were skulls and human bones strewn from the ceilings. She saw the tall windows covered in black velvet curtains. She looked up at the large tapestry hung on the wall, it was Dim- Dim, dressed oddly, in black. She reached out to touch it, when another body pushed itself onto hers, forcing her to the ground. She hit the cold floor hard and looked up at who it was. She found herself staring at blue eyes that contrasted harshly with the dark background. "I see you're done with the Viking." "Sinbad?" Maeve asked astonished. "I see you still remember my name. I can smell the barbarian on you!" "What are you talking about? And get off me!" "I saw him enter the room. I knew what was going to happen. Did you like it?" "I don't have time for this." Maeve punched him in the stomach, and pushed him over onto his back and straddled him. She pushed his shoulders back down. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I have something to do right now."
"Yes, yes, freeing your precious teacher. That doesn't mean you can command me and expect me to look the other way when other men enter your chamber!" and with that he pushed her back onto her back and got on top of her. "Are you completely crazy?" she exclaimed. "Yes, mad indeed, madly in need of you!" he quickly and roughly kissed her.
Maeve resisted, as his stubble scraped across her skin. She knew that this was not Sinbad, at least her Sinbad. His kiss was too rough, too harsh, unlike the gentle kiss she remembered. Finally, using her magic she managed to make him float up enough for her to get up. "Stay!" Maeve commanded as she ran off. A few moments later, Sinbad fell hard onto the ground. "So you want to play now?" Sinbad said as he got up and started to chase after her. Sinbad, Rongar and Firouz managed to enter the castle without being detected. They quickly hid behind the curtains as they heard voices. "Be careful with that! It took forever to precisely collaborate the position of the ruby!" the Mad Scientist yelled. "Stop yelling or I'll drop it!" another voice answered "Savage brute!" "I don't know why this thing needs a ruby that big! What a waste!" "The ruby is what makes this ruby beamer so deadly. Why am I wasting my time explaining it to you? Come, come be careful now. The Queen demands tribute" The two walked down the hallway and Sinbad, Rongar and Firouz look out at who it was. It was the Mad Scientist Firouz, and the Pirate Doubar. Maeve entered the Queen's strategic room, and found several maps scattered along the floor. She saw some blood and several old books. She picked one up and opened it. "Black magic!" she said as she dropped the book. She looked on the table and saw astrological charts. She looked at the dates and started flipping through them. The book that she dropped flipped itself to a page and Maeve stopped to see what was written on it. She quickly dropped everything and ran out of the room. She had to stop what was going to happen. The Queen was in the dungeon, the sacrifices were chained to the ground and the tiles formed some kind of picture much like the ones in the astrological charts. The planets and stars surrounded the Queen who was standing in the middle on the black sun. She took out a dagger and placed it upon the altar behind her. She looked at the young children before her, and smiled. Their blood would free her Master. The Mad Scientist walked in with the Pirate Doubar and his creation. "What is this?" the Queen asked as she approached the two. "My newest creation!" the Mad Scientist replied. "Is this why you took the largest ruby in my treasure?" "Yes my Queen." Suddenly there was a loud crash, and they all looked to see where it came from. The Queen raised her hand and a skull appeared. Its mouth opened and she saw Sinbad fighting with her guards. "What is he doing now?" the Queen questioned as she stormed off. Sinbad, Firouz and Rongar managed to sneak down into the Dungeon. They saw the Queen pass by as they hid. She walked up the stone stairs and into the hallway and found her guards lying on the ground. "Useless men! What are you here for? Find him!" she ordered. She started to go back down into the dungeon when she saw him. She saw him walking down the hallway, searching for something. "What have you been doing?" she yelled at him. "Looking for you. I'm tired of this game!" he walked closer to her. "I don't have time for this!" "You can make time!" he grabbed her arm and stopped her, "I can smell that barbarian all over you!" "You're jealous of Eyolf aren't you? Don't worry, you're still my favorite!" And with that she kissed him, pulling at his clothes while his hands did the same. She waved her hand and they misted into her bedchamber. Doubar was in a nearby cell when he heard Sinbad, "Little brother? Where are you?" Doubar called out. "Right here," Sinbad reached into the cell, "We're getting you out of here!" "Next time you tie a man to a tree you better make sure he's dead!" The three turn around and saw that it was Rongar, or that the Assassin Rongar. Rongar stepped forward, motioning that he would take care of it, while the others freed Doubar. They were like mirror images, both already knowing what the other one will do, blocking their punches and throws, deflecting fists and elbows. "You are no match for me!" the assassin yelled. Rongar smiled and threw him to the ground. Firouz unlocked the door and Doubar got out. The Assassin charged, and Rongar picked him up and threw him into the cell. Firouz locked it and they waved good bye as they left. "This isn't the end!" he yelled out. The crew walked further and saw the rows and rows of people chained to the ground. "We have to free them!" Doubar said. "We will!" Sinbad answers. Dermott walked into the Dungeon, "Is there a reason why you are playing with the sacrifices?" he asked. The crew looked up confused and off guard. "You scientist!" he approached Firouz, "You have enough test subjects already! Now set up your ruby thing already!" and with that he shoved Firouz aside. "You Assassin! Where is the cat?" Rongar couldn't respond. "Cat got your tongue? Go now before my sister's rage returns!" He pushed past Rongar. "And you, Pirate. Go toy with your double instead of these sacrifices." He pushed him aside, "And you, my sister's whore, there are no virgins here for you. Go back to that gang of thieves of yours. We do not need the likes of you here at this most hollow ceremony!" The crew scattered as they were playing along; they gave each other glances and went on their way. In the Queen's chamber, the Queen put her clothes back on while a naked Sinbad lay there on her bed with no shame. "Why are you leaving?" Sinbad asked. "It's almost time, besides we can do more later," she walked off and disappeared. "It would have been nice if you waited for me," Sinbad said as he got up. Maeve was walking towards the dungeon when she ran into Sinbad, "Sinbad! Sinbad is that you?" she backed off "Maeve? Is that really you?" he looked into her eyes "It's me Sinbad!" Sinbad looked into her eyes and saw the warmth and tenderness inside her, "Maeve, it is you!" he quickly took her into his arms And then quickly as they had found each other they let go as they realized they were getting too close. "Sinbad, we have to stop them. They're going to release this great evil!" "I kind of figured something like that was going to happen. Look there's some huge muscle guy down there that's not making it easy for us. Plus there's all our doubles running around making it difficult" "And speaking of doubles there's yours now!" Maeve saw Sinbad's double. "Distract him!" Sinbad ran back down. Maeve looked at him run off and then back at the other Sinbad who looked very disheveled. She saw that he was heading for the stairs down to the dungeon. She had to stop him. "Am I late?" he asked. "No, you're early actually" she placed her hands on his shoulders to push him back slightly. "You want more don't you?" he pulled her waist closer to him and nuzzled her neck "Sinbad, stop," she tried to pull herself away from him, but he wouldn't let go. "Oh Maeve, don't deny me again. It drives me crazy!" he began to nibble on her neck "Sinbad, please." Sinbad stopped. The Queen never begged. "You are not the Queen!" "I am Maeve." "Get out of my way wench!" he charged at her. "Back off sea dog!" Maeve formed a fireball and threw it at him. This Sinbad had been used to this already, as the Queen had done this time to time in her fits of anger. He drew his sword out and knocked her fireball back at her. Maeve ducked and the fireball hit the wall instead. "Is that all?" Sinbad smiled as he approached her. Maeve another fireball at him, and he deflected it back to her. She backed up and threw another one at him. He ducked and lunged at her. He grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. "You're not my Queen, but you are beautiful" he kissed her roughly. The Queen watched the Mad Scientist's demonstration of his ruby beamer. He had grabbed a prisoner and shot a beam at his heart. He screamed out in pain, and in a matter of seconds, he exploded. The Queen smiled. "Well done, this will not drain me of my powers then. You may have more rubies then." "Thank you my Queen, and-" "Yes, you can have more test subjects." "Thank you!" The Queen walked back to the altar and picked up the dagger. Her brother was at her side, and Sinbad was walking up to her. "Took you long enough," Dermott sneered. "Some of us had to walk," Sinbad answered. "Stop bickering. The stars are aligned. We must start now." The Queen ordered. The two men looked at her, as she stepped onto the edge of the black circle. She started chanting something in a strange language. The circle started moving, and swirling down, into an abyss. "Bring me the first one!" she commanded. Dermott grabbed the first small child and threw her to the ground. "In the year of our dark lord, I call upon the dark forces to free our Master from his prison. When the blood of innocence is spilled, then our Dark Master will return to us. Give me the child!" Maeve commanded. "No!" Sinbad yelled out. Everyone looked at him. "Let me do it. After all he is my Master as well," Sinbad said. "Very well, he is your father by blood," Maeve got up and handed him the dagger. Sinbad took the dagger and looked at the child, staring up at him, wondering. He raised the dagger, about to strike. He closed his eyes, and in a quick motion turned and sliced Dermott, a clean cut across his arm. He fell back in pain. "You are not Sinbad!" the Queen charged at him in anger. "I am, just not yours!" he threw the dagger into the swirling abyss. "You will die for this!" she shot a lightening bolt at him, and he ducked for cover. "You're not the first to say that!" he got up and ran. The rest of his crew jumped in and started freeing the sacrifices. They all started running. The guards came and attacked the crew. The Mad Scientist showed up rolling his Ruby Beamer and getting it ready. Rongar threw one of his dirks and it hit the Mad Scientist in the arm. "You will pay for this!" he aimed it at Rongar and fired it. Rongar jumped out of its path and it hit Firouz instead. It hit Firouz on his medallion. Firouz felt a warm feeling and looked down. He moved slightly and the medallion reflected the beam back, hitting the Mad Scientist. "NO! My greatest invention!" He yelled in pain as he exploded. Doubar, smashing skulls together saw the other Sinbad run in. "Sinbad?" Maeve ran in seconds after him. "Maeve?" And then Rumina ran in, carrying a cat in her arms. "Rumina?" Rongar and Firouz let everyone out, and they ran out of the castle. "So peasant witch, you finally dare to challenge me?" the Queen said. "White magic always prevails!" Rumina yelled back. The cat meowed something at Rumina. * Believe in yourself. * "I will father!" Rumina answered. Rumina formed a blue orb in her hands, and the Queen laughed as she formed a much larger more powerful green one. The two started battling with their magic. Sinbad was fighting with Maeve. Their swords clashed and he knocked her to the ground. He raises his sword to strike, but is blocked by another sword. He looks up and sees his double. "Not bad, but I'm better!" Sinbad said as he started to fight with his double. "You're not that good, but then again you are me!" Doubar, Rongar and Firouz were fighting the guards off, when the Pirate Doubar emerged. "You! You who would sell children in to slavery! I've got a bone to pick with you!" "Really? Well look I brought a friend!" The assassin appears as well. Rongar and Doubar split up and charged at their doubles. The Queen had a clear advantage over Rumina and laughed as Rumina fell to the ground. "Give up peasant!" the Queen yelled. "No, never!" Rumina yelled back Sinbad, who was fighting with his double, took his sword and threw it at the Queen. It hit her on her arm and nailed it to the wall behind her. "Sea Dog!" the Queen shot out a bolt of lightning at Sinbad. It hit the other Sinbad, sending him slamming onto the stone wall. "NO! My love!" His body fell to the ground, lifeless. Sinbad helped Rumina up. "You will all die! DIE!" The queen screamed out as she ripped the sword out, "Die for what you have done to my love!" Doubar finally grabbed his Pirate double and threw him into the swirling abyss. Maeve saw Rumina holding a cat and goes over to her. "What are you doing here?" Maeve asked "You, but you're there, but-" Rumina looked at the Queen and then back. Dermott ran over to the Queen. "They have freed all the sacrifices. We must flee sister!" "No! Our Dark Lord will be freed! Master Dim-Dim will reign once again! And I shall have blood!" The Queen sent out another bolt of lightning at Sinbad, this time Maeve jumps in front and shields him from the attack. "What is this?" Maeve looked up and saw that it worked. She took a good look at her double.
"Black is not my color," Maeve said as she walked closer to her. "Neither is white," the Queen answered back. "Let's see just what you've got," Maeve said "I see my peasant self has packed on a few pounds" The Queen hissed. The two circled each other and raised their hands, each forming their own orbs of magic. But then, the crystals they were both carrying, flew out and joined. There was a great burst of light, and when the light faded, they saw the crystal joined together. It floated in the air between the two women. They both wanted to get it, but neither wanted to back down either. "Sinbad!" Maeve called out. "Brother!" the queen called. "Get that crystal!" The two women started their magical fight. The room shook as they attacked each other. Sinbad and Dermott both tried to get the crystal, which was floating high in the air. The cat Rumina was holding jumped from her arms and ran towards the crystal. "Come back father!" she chased after it. *You have much power * the queen said to Maeve through her mind. *You're not so bad yourself * Maeve answered. *But I'm better wench! * *Think again! * *I will not be defeated by a peasant! * *There's always a first! Witch! * Turok, the cat, jumped onto Sinbad's shoulder and leaped into the air, grabbing the crystal in his mouth. At that moment everything froze. Their bodies froze, but their minds were spinning, their thoughts were jumbled and lost. Images, a flood of images of people, places, of feelings. Maeve stood in the green highlands of her home looking out. At least she thought it was. She saw her village burning, her brother running beside her. She saw through the mist a dark figure. It was dark matter engulfing the two. "I have saved both of you from your death. In that you owe me both your souls. Now I can take it from you both now, or you may study under me and learn the dark arts." "Why would we want to do that?" the younger Maeve asked. "You have great power inside you, you must harvest it to truly use it. You can seek those that did this to your village, that destroyed all that you loved. And you have great strength, and power inside you as well. You need someone to guide you, to show you what your path will be. I can show you how, but it is your choice to follow me or not." "Revenge is not the way," her brother answered. "Remember that girl? The one that you supposedly loved? You know the barbarians took her, in more ways than one, and after that they sold her. She's a slave now, shipped off somewhere to Gaul." "NO!" "Yes. You are young, but under my guidance you will grow in strength and punish those who did this to her. And you young one, I know what happened in that burning barn, before your brother came in. I know. I will teach you to use your powers, and no one will ever do that to you again." "When do we start?" she answered back Maeve looked and saw the dark matter's face. She gasped. It was Dim-Dim, or what appeared to be him.
Maeve rode through the green hillsides with Talos, letting the black steed run freely, as the wind pushed past her body. She forgot where she was for a moment, until the horse threw her off. Maeve hit the ground rather hard. She looked up and saw the horse about to trample her. She quickly backed away and tried to talk to the animal. *What's wrong? * Maeve asked him. * You are NOT my Master! * Talos hissed and ran off. "What kind of world is this?" Maeve got up and dusted the dirt off her clothes. She hard a stir in the bushes nearby and went closer to investigate. She saw a pair of eyes, small eyes, innocent eyes. "Well what do we have here? You can come out, I won't hurt you," Maeve cooed the little one out. The child hiding in the bushes screamed and ran away, still screaming. Maeve was took back by this strange reaction to her. True, she wasn't very good with children, but still she didn't think she would have this kind of affect on them, and she hoped she didn't scare the child off too much. She started to search for a village where there would be people that could tell her what was going on here. Doubar was freeing the people enslaved at the camp, for he couldn't stand this injustice. The people were quite happy and quickly ran away before he could change his mind. He didn't know why they were all afraid of him. His men wanted to stop him from letting all his cargo go, but they didn't dare test his temper. "Where's my daughter?" a woman asked him as he freed her. "I don't know, maybe she's still here," he answered her. "No! You gave her to the Queen! You gave my child to be a blood sacrifice!" she screamed. "I did no such thing! I just got here!" Doubar answered, outraged. "You monster!" she leaped out to attack him, but he caught her arms and pushed her back. "I just freed you from slavery, the least you could do is show some appreciation!" "Yes show some appreciation," a voice said from behind. The woman screamed and quickly ran away. Doubar turned around to see who was behind him. To his shock, facing him was his own face, but older, and with a scar, but before Doubar could say anything he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head, and all went dark. Firouz followed his double around the dark laboratory, trying to decipher what was going on. His double was rambling on and on about something and scribbling in a dark leather book covered with blood. His pencil was a sharpened human bone that was dipped in blood. Firouz almost threw up from the sight and smell. He knocked over a vial when trying to back away and his double looked up. "What do we have here? More mice in the maze?" he asked as he got up to investigate. Firouz quietly moved around and hid behind the giant tank that held a squid, a very unfriendly squid. Firouz was occupied in looking at its rather huge eye, and didn't notice when it started for the side of the tank. The squid tried to attack him and pushed itself up on the tank, scaring Firouz. He fell back and knocked over some more things. "I smell a mouse, waiting to be in my next experiment!" he smiled evilly. Firouz grabbed a vial of some substance and kept moving. His double walked to the squid tank. "Did you see something Inky?" The squid pointed his tentacles in the direction Firouz went in. Firouz quietly kept moving but then suddenly all the lights in the laboratory went on. Firouz was blinded for a second and covered his eyes. "My, my we have a large mouse today!" his double said. Firouz moved his arms away from his face and saw his double. The two stood there staring at each other for a second. "This is not possible. You are me, but I'm me too!" his double said. "Point of fact, it is said that there is always a double of you when you are born," Firouz explained. "Are you a scientist?" "I would like to think so." "Really? Well then you must have quite an intellect, perhaps almost enough to challenge mine!" "I can do more than that. I've seen your rather dismal inventions here, and your minuscule pets. Testing on animals doesn't further science that much, for people and animals have different anatomy and systems." "True, but it's always fun!" "You're a madman!" "Some would say so!" his double answered, "I am the Alchemist of the Queen! And the Queen is quite insane herself! Come, come, there is much I must do, and I don't have time to entertain you!" "I know where the door is." "You're not leaving that way" he approached Firouz. Firouz started running around. "Did you know if I slice the giant vein in your neck, your heart will act as a pump and pump all the blood out of your body? Isn't that efficient?" he said as he chased him. "Point of fact, NO!" Firouz jumped onto the table and threw the vial at his double. The vial smashed and all the liquid inside splattered all over his face. His double laughed. "Nice try! But that was just yeast with water!" "I know, but this is vinegar!" Firouz threw the bottle of vinegar at his double. The vinegar bubbled on contact with his skin, and he screamed out in horrible pain. Firouz quickly ran out of that dark laboratory, but then ran back to grab the black leather book, and then ran out again. Sinbad, walking with an oddly dressed Rumina, kept his distance from her. But for some reason part of him did trust her, and he didn't know why. "We're almost there!" she said. "Almost where?" he asked. "Home, there my teacher will explain it all to you" "Who is your teacher?" "AHHH! NO! STOP IT!" Rumina screams out as she ran towards the tree. Sinbad looked at what she was running to. She ran to a tree, where there was an old orange cat up on the branch. And below was Rongar fighting with what appeared to be himself. "Rongar? Rongar?" Sinbad said as he approached them. The two were fighting in hand to hand combat now because all their dirks were gone. Sinbad saw Rumina climb up and cradle the cat in her arms. Once she got to the ground she quickly ran into the house nearby. "Hey!" Sinbad yelled as he chased after Rumina, but then stopped to help Rongar. "Rongar?" Sinbad asked as he watched the two fight each other. Rongar looked at him and motioned for him to help. "So the Queen sent her pet to make sure I did my job did she?" the other Rongar said. "OK, you're the bad one then" Sinbad said as he jumped in to help his friend Rongar. Maeve walked and saw a small village. She walked into it, and people quickly ran away from her and shut their doors. Maeve wondered why the people were acting like that. She saw the small child from before and reached out to her. The little girl screamed and ran away. "Wait! I don't want to hurt you! I just want to ask you something!" Maeve said as she chased after the child. She ran after her until she came to a small hut, where the child's mother grabbed her child and tried to get back in. "WAIT!" Maeve yelled out. The woman froze and slowly turned around. Maeve was huffing and puffing for air. "What's going on here? Why is everyone afraid of me?" "Please do not take my child!" the woman pleaded on her knees. "I don't want your child! I just want some answers," Maeve said. "You are Queen, this land is yours. Do with it what you will" "I'm not your Queen. I may resemble her in some way, but I'm not her." "Please don't do this to us!" "I want to know what's going on, and somebody here is going to tell me!" Maeve's temper flared. Sinbad and Rongar were tying up Rongar's double against the tree. The two men made several strong knots and walked towards the house. "Good to see you Rongar!" Sinbad said as he patted him on the back. Rongar smiled and motioned that he was glad to see him as well. The two entered the house and saw that it was empty, no furniture, just one window, and a fireplace. "That's strange. I swore I saw her run in here," Sinbad said as he looked around the barren room. Rongar saw that the fireplace had wood and ashes, but strangely it was wet and cold. He looked up and saw there was no chimney opening either. He motioned for Sinbad. "What is it Rongar?" Sinbad asked. Rongar showed him there was no chimney opening. "This fireplace really isn't here," Sinbad said, "There must be a secret room behind it!" Sinbad walked towards the fireplace and pushed it, and with Rongar's help, the fireplace began to move. The two got up and went to see what was behind the fireplace. Inside the castle, the Queen was looking at the map of the lands she had conquered. She heard a neigh of a horse outside and looked out her window. It was Talos, her trusty steed. "Who let you out?" The Queen asked. But then there was a loud crash. She turned around and saw her guards were thrown across like toys. She saw a large man enter the room. He threw a large object on her table. It was a head, a human head. The blood was spilling over her map. "Is there a point to this?" she asked annoyed. "Next time send the message in person!" "You didn't like my message?" "No, it was your messenger" and with that he grabbed Maeve and pulled her close for an embrace. "Next time I'll send you a younger, female, virgin messenger," Maeve smiled. "I'd rather have you," he said as he kissed her roughly. The Queen pushed him off and broke away from his strong arms. "Eyolf, you can't just barge in here whenever you feel like it, and you can't be spilling blood on my map either!" "My how I love your red hair, it brings out the fire in you!" he said as he reached to touch her. "Stop it you barbarian!" she hissed as her hair turned into a golden blonde
"You like the animal in me?" "When was the last time you had a bath? Where are your Viking forces?" "Waiting in the harbor for the next country to destroy." "Eyolf the Destroyer. Your name suits you well." The Queen said as she walked closer to him, and held his face in her hands. "How may I service you my Queen?" Eyolf asked as he kissed her hands. "My Queen!" Captain Doubar yelled as he ran in. "Don't you ever knock!" The Queen yelled out in anger. "My apologies, but look at what I found!" the Pirate Doubar presented his double. "Another slave?" the queen asked. "No, a double of me!" "A double?" she asked. "Yes he was trying to free the cargo before it was time." He replied. "Did they get far?" "No, we caught them and brought them here to the castle." "Put him in the dungeon with the others, I'll deal with him later," The Queen commanded "As you wish," Captain Doubar walked off with his double. "Now where were we?" The Queen smiled as she undid the clasp to her cloak, letting it fall to the floor, revealing her pale soft flesh. Sinbad and Rongar made their way down the dark cavern and found Rumina with her cat at the end, near a small fire. Shelves of books carved into the cave, small wooden chairs and tables, a cauldron, and small wooden utensils surrounded her. In the corner was a small thin blanket for her to sleep on. Sinbad and Rongar felt something inside them break as they saw her. "You were right master, they came like you said" Rumina said. The car meowed and purred in her arms. "Now will you tell us what's going on?" Sinbad asked. "Yes, all your questions will be answered, by my teacher and father, Turok." "Turok?" Sinbad said in shock, "Where is he?" "Right here," she showed him the orange cat. "Your father, and teacher, Turok is this cat?" "Yes, the Queen turned him into a cat as she discovered her powers. My father will explain the rest." "He can talk?" "Through me he can," Rumina closed her eyes and went into a trance like state. Her voice changed as it sounded like Turok's. "Sinbad, you were brought here because your friend Maeve found the other half of the crystal. The crystal holds great power inside it. The Dark Lord forged it, and he used it for evil purposes. So, the other white mages and I tried to destroy the crystal but we could not, for it was made by black magic and only black magic can destroy it. With our combined forces we could only split the crystal. We threw the halves into different worlds, hoping they would never meet. We imprisoned the dark lord and goodness reigned over. But then a misguided warrior and student of the dark lord found half the crystal and will try to free him. You must stop this at all costs." "Wait, wait a minute," Sinbad said. "This is not your world. You were drawn here because the two halves found two sides of the coin." "What?" "The crystals were being used at the same time, by two different people, yet the same, two sides of the coin." "That doesn't make any sense. What are you talking about? You make less sense than Dim-Dim at times." "You know that monster!" Turok yelled. Maeve walked out of the village and headed towards the dark tall castle that she could see in the distance. Nobody was any help. All they kept saying was that the Queen would get them. She sighed and walked on. Some of the villagers were getting a bit grabby, so she zapped them with a few fireballs. She didn't know that one of her fireballs would set the whole village on fire, but she was glad that she remembered a small rain spell to stop the fire from spreading. Either way the villagers were glad to see her leave. Firouz was running through the forest when he bumped into Sinbad and Rongar. "Sinbad! Am I glad to see you! You'll never believe where I've been!" Firouz said. "I think we have an idea. Come on we have something to take care of," Sinbad said as he walked on. The three headed in the direction of the castle. Maeve walked to the castle gates. The guards quickly opened the door and let her in without saying a word. Maeve looked at them perplexed but walked into the massive castle. She walked down the hall and saw the many hideous things that decorated the walls. There were skulls and human bones strewn from the ceilings. She saw the tall windows covered in black velvet curtains. She looked up at the large tapestry hung on the wall, it was Dim- Dim, dressed oddly, in black. She reached out to touch it, when another body pushed itself onto hers, forcing her to the ground. She hit the cold floor hard and looked up at who it was. She found herself staring at blue eyes that contrasted harshly with the dark background. "I see you're done with the Viking." "Sinbad?" Maeve asked astonished. "I see you still remember my name. I can smell the barbarian on you!" "What are you talking about? And get off me!" "I saw him enter the room. I knew what was going to happen. Did you like it?" "I don't have time for this." Maeve punched him in the stomach, and pushed him over onto his back and straddled him. She pushed his shoulders back down. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I have something to do right now."
"Yes, yes, freeing your precious teacher. That doesn't mean you can command me and expect me to look the other way when other men enter your chamber!" and with that he pushed her back onto her back and got on top of her. "Are you completely crazy?" she exclaimed. "Yes, mad indeed, madly in need of you!" he quickly and roughly kissed her.
Maeve resisted, as his stubble scraped across her skin. She knew that this was not Sinbad, at least her Sinbad. His kiss was too rough, too harsh, unlike the gentle kiss she remembered. Finally, using her magic she managed to make him float up enough for her to get up. "Stay!" Maeve commanded as she ran off. A few moments later, Sinbad fell hard onto the ground. "So you want to play now?" Sinbad said as he got up and started to chase after her. Sinbad, Rongar and Firouz managed to enter the castle without being detected. They quickly hid behind the curtains as they heard voices. "Be careful with that! It took forever to precisely collaborate the position of the ruby!" the Mad Scientist yelled. "Stop yelling or I'll drop it!" another voice answered "Savage brute!" "I don't know why this thing needs a ruby that big! What a waste!" "The ruby is what makes this ruby beamer so deadly. Why am I wasting my time explaining it to you? Come, come be careful now. The Queen demands tribute" The two walked down the hallway and Sinbad, Rongar and Firouz look out at who it was. It was the Mad Scientist Firouz, and the Pirate Doubar. Maeve entered the Queen's strategic room, and found several maps scattered along the floor. She saw some blood and several old books. She picked one up and opened it. "Black magic!" she said as she dropped the book. She looked on the table and saw astrological charts. She looked at the dates and started flipping through them. The book that she dropped flipped itself to a page and Maeve stopped to see what was written on it. She quickly dropped everything and ran out of the room. She had to stop what was going to happen. The Queen was in the dungeon, the sacrifices were chained to the ground and the tiles formed some kind of picture much like the ones in the astrological charts. The planets and stars surrounded the Queen who was standing in the middle on the black sun. She took out a dagger and placed it upon the altar behind her. She looked at the young children before her, and smiled. Their blood would free her Master. The Mad Scientist walked in with the Pirate Doubar and his creation. "What is this?" the Queen asked as she approached the two. "My newest creation!" the Mad Scientist replied. "Is this why you took the largest ruby in my treasure?" "Yes my Queen." Suddenly there was a loud crash, and they all looked to see where it came from. The Queen raised her hand and a skull appeared. Its mouth opened and she saw Sinbad fighting with her guards. "What is he doing now?" the Queen questioned as she stormed off. Sinbad, Firouz and Rongar managed to sneak down into the Dungeon. They saw the Queen pass by as they hid. She walked up the stone stairs and into the hallway and found her guards lying on the ground. "Useless men! What are you here for? Find him!" she ordered. She started to go back down into the dungeon when she saw him. She saw him walking down the hallway, searching for something. "What have you been doing?" she yelled at him. "Looking for you. I'm tired of this game!" he walked closer to her. "I don't have time for this!" "You can make time!" he grabbed her arm and stopped her, "I can smell that barbarian all over you!" "You're jealous of Eyolf aren't you? Don't worry, you're still my favorite!" And with that she kissed him, pulling at his clothes while his hands did the same. She waved her hand and they misted into her bedchamber. Doubar was in a nearby cell when he heard Sinbad, "Little brother? Where are you?" Doubar called out. "Right here," Sinbad reached into the cell, "We're getting you out of here!" "Next time you tie a man to a tree you better make sure he's dead!" The three turn around and saw that it was Rongar, or that the Assassin Rongar. Rongar stepped forward, motioning that he would take care of it, while the others freed Doubar. They were like mirror images, both already knowing what the other one will do, blocking their punches and throws, deflecting fists and elbows. "You are no match for me!" the assassin yelled. Rongar smiled and threw him to the ground. Firouz unlocked the door and Doubar got out. The Assassin charged, and Rongar picked him up and threw him into the cell. Firouz locked it and they waved good bye as they left. "This isn't the end!" he yelled out. The crew walked further and saw the rows and rows of people chained to the ground. "We have to free them!" Doubar said. "We will!" Sinbad answers. Dermott walked into the Dungeon, "Is there a reason why you are playing with the sacrifices?" he asked. The crew looked up confused and off guard. "You scientist!" he approached Firouz, "You have enough test subjects already! Now set up your ruby thing already!" and with that he shoved Firouz aside. "You Assassin! Where is the cat?" Rongar couldn't respond. "Cat got your tongue? Go now before my sister's rage returns!" He pushed past Rongar. "And you, Pirate. Go toy with your double instead of these sacrifices." He pushed him aside, "And you, my sister's whore, there are no virgins here for you. Go back to that gang of thieves of yours. We do not need the likes of you here at this most hollow ceremony!" The crew scattered as they were playing along; they gave each other glances and went on their way. In the Queen's chamber, the Queen put her clothes back on while a naked Sinbad lay there on her bed with no shame. "Why are you leaving?" Sinbad asked. "It's almost time, besides we can do more later," she walked off and disappeared. "It would have been nice if you waited for me," Sinbad said as he got up. Maeve was walking towards the dungeon when she ran into Sinbad, "Sinbad! Sinbad is that you?" she backed off "Maeve? Is that really you?" he looked into her eyes "It's me Sinbad!" Sinbad looked into her eyes and saw the warmth and tenderness inside her, "Maeve, it is you!" he quickly took her into his arms And then quickly as they had found each other they let go as they realized they were getting too close. "Sinbad, we have to stop them. They're going to release this great evil!" "I kind of figured something like that was going to happen. Look there's some huge muscle guy down there that's not making it easy for us. Plus there's all our doubles running around making it difficult" "And speaking of doubles there's yours now!" Maeve saw Sinbad's double. "Distract him!" Sinbad ran back down. Maeve looked at him run off and then back at the other Sinbad who looked very disheveled. She saw that he was heading for the stairs down to the dungeon. She had to stop him. "Am I late?" he asked. "No, you're early actually" she placed her hands on his shoulders to push him back slightly. "You want more don't you?" he pulled her waist closer to him and nuzzled her neck "Sinbad, stop," she tried to pull herself away from him, but he wouldn't let go. "Oh Maeve, don't deny me again. It drives me crazy!" he began to nibble on her neck "Sinbad, please." Sinbad stopped. The Queen never begged. "You are not the Queen!" "I am Maeve." "Get out of my way wench!" he charged at her. "Back off sea dog!" Maeve formed a fireball and threw it at him. This Sinbad had been used to this already, as the Queen had done this time to time in her fits of anger. He drew his sword out and knocked her fireball back at her. Maeve ducked and the fireball hit the wall instead. "Is that all?" Sinbad smiled as he approached her. Maeve another fireball at him, and he deflected it back to her. She backed up and threw another one at him. He ducked and lunged at her. He grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. "You're not my Queen, but you are beautiful" he kissed her roughly. The Queen watched the Mad Scientist's demonstration of his ruby beamer. He had grabbed a prisoner and shot a beam at his heart. He screamed out in pain, and in a matter of seconds, he exploded. The Queen smiled. "Well done, this will not drain me of my powers then. You may have more rubies then." "Thank you my Queen, and-" "Yes, you can have more test subjects." "Thank you!" The Queen walked back to the altar and picked up the dagger. Her brother was at her side, and Sinbad was walking up to her. "Took you long enough," Dermott sneered. "Some of us had to walk," Sinbad answered. "Stop bickering. The stars are aligned. We must start now." The Queen ordered. The two men looked at her, as she stepped onto the edge of the black circle. She started chanting something in a strange language. The circle started moving, and swirling down, into an abyss. "Bring me the first one!" she commanded. Dermott grabbed the first small child and threw her to the ground. "In the year of our dark lord, I call upon the dark forces to free our Master from his prison. When the blood of innocence is spilled, then our Dark Master will return to us. Give me the child!" Maeve commanded. "No!" Sinbad yelled out. Everyone looked at him. "Let me do it. After all he is my Master as well," Sinbad said. "Very well, he is your father by blood," Maeve got up and handed him the dagger. Sinbad took the dagger and looked at the child, staring up at him, wondering. He raised the dagger, about to strike. He closed his eyes, and in a quick motion turned and sliced Dermott, a clean cut across his arm. He fell back in pain. "You are not Sinbad!" the Queen charged at him in anger. "I am, just not yours!" he threw the dagger into the swirling abyss. "You will die for this!" she shot a lightening bolt at him, and he ducked for cover. "You're not the first to say that!" he got up and ran. The rest of his crew jumped in and started freeing the sacrifices. They all started running. The guards came and attacked the crew. The Mad Scientist showed up rolling his Ruby Beamer and getting it ready. Rongar threw one of his dirks and it hit the Mad Scientist in the arm. "You will pay for this!" he aimed it at Rongar and fired it. Rongar jumped out of its path and it hit Firouz instead. It hit Firouz on his medallion. Firouz felt a warm feeling and looked down. He moved slightly and the medallion reflected the beam back, hitting the Mad Scientist. "NO! My greatest invention!" He yelled in pain as he exploded. Doubar, smashing skulls together saw the other Sinbad run in. "Sinbad?" Maeve ran in seconds after him. "Maeve?" And then Rumina ran in, carrying a cat in her arms. "Rumina?" Rongar and Firouz let everyone out, and they ran out of the castle. "So peasant witch, you finally dare to challenge me?" the Queen said. "White magic always prevails!" Rumina yelled back. The cat meowed something at Rumina. * Believe in yourself. * "I will father!" Rumina answered. Rumina formed a blue orb in her hands, and the Queen laughed as she formed a much larger more powerful green one. The two started battling with their magic. Sinbad was fighting with Maeve. Their swords clashed and he knocked her to the ground. He raises his sword to strike, but is blocked by another sword. He looks up and sees his double. "Not bad, but I'm better!" Sinbad said as he started to fight with his double. "You're not that good, but then again you are me!" Doubar, Rongar and Firouz were fighting the guards off, when the Pirate Doubar emerged. "You! You who would sell children in to slavery! I've got a bone to pick with you!" "Really? Well look I brought a friend!" The assassin appears as well. Rongar and Doubar split up and charged at their doubles. The Queen had a clear advantage over Rumina and laughed as Rumina fell to the ground. "Give up peasant!" the Queen yelled. "No, never!" Rumina yelled back Sinbad, who was fighting with his double, took his sword and threw it at the Queen. It hit her on her arm and nailed it to the wall behind her. "Sea Dog!" the Queen shot out a bolt of lightning at Sinbad. It hit the other Sinbad, sending him slamming onto the stone wall. "NO! My love!" His body fell to the ground, lifeless. Sinbad helped Rumina up. "You will all die! DIE!" The queen screamed out as she ripped the sword out, "Die for what you have done to my love!" Doubar finally grabbed his Pirate double and threw him into the swirling abyss. Maeve saw Rumina holding a cat and goes over to her. "What are you doing here?" Maeve asked "You, but you're there, but-" Rumina looked at the Queen and then back. Dermott ran over to the Queen. "They have freed all the sacrifices. We must flee sister!" "No! Our Dark Lord will be freed! Master Dim-Dim will reign once again! And I shall have blood!" The Queen sent out another bolt of lightning at Sinbad, this time Maeve jumps in front and shields him from the attack. "What is this?" Maeve looked up and saw that it worked. She took a good look at her double.
"Black is not my color," Maeve said as she walked closer to her. "Neither is white," the Queen answered back. "Let's see just what you've got," Maeve said "I see my peasant self has packed on a few pounds" The Queen hissed. The two circled each other and raised their hands, each forming their own orbs of magic. But then, the crystals they were both carrying, flew out and joined. There was a great burst of light, and when the light faded, they saw the crystal joined together. It floated in the air between the two women. They both wanted to get it, but neither wanted to back down either. "Sinbad!" Maeve called out. "Brother!" the queen called. "Get that crystal!" The two women started their magical fight. The room shook as they attacked each other. Sinbad and Dermott both tried to get the crystal, which was floating high in the air. The cat Rumina was holding jumped from her arms and ran towards the crystal. "Come back father!" she chased after it. *You have much power * the queen said to Maeve through her mind. *You're not so bad yourself * Maeve answered. *But I'm better wench! * *Think again! * *I will not be defeated by a peasant! * *There's always a first! Witch! * Turok, the cat, jumped onto Sinbad's shoulder and leaped into the air, grabbing the crystal in his mouth. At that moment everything froze. Their bodies froze, but their minds were spinning, their thoughts were jumbled and lost. Images, a flood of images of people, places, of feelings. Maeve stood in the green highlands of her home looking out. At least she thought it was. She saw her village burning, her brother running beside her. She saw through the mist a dark figure. It was dark matter engulfing the two. "I have saved both of you from your death. In that you owe me both your souls. Now I can take it from you both now, or you may study under me and learn the dark arts." "Why would we want to do that?" the younger Maeve asked. "You have great power inside you, you must harvest it to truly use it. You can seek those that did this to your village, that destroyed all that you loved. And you have great strength, and power inside you as well. You need someone to guide you, to show you what your path will be. I can show you how, but it is your choice to follow me or not." "Revenge is not the way," her brother answered. "Remember that girl? The one that you supposedly loved? You know the barbarians took her, in more ways than one, and after that they sold her. She's a slave now, shipped off somewhere to Gaul." "NO!" "Yes. You are young, but under my guidance you will grow in strength and punish those who did this to her. And you young one, I know what happened in that burning barn, before your brother came in. I know. I will teach you to use your powers, and no one will ever do that to you again." "When do we start?" she answered back Maeve looked and saw the dark matter's face. She gasped. It was Dim-Dim, or what appeared to be him.