CHAPTER TEN
"Chaos Ensues"
Along the southern-most coast of the Dark Hemisphere, a fortress seemed to appear almost over-night. A huge tower, with incredible walls and gates, its creator has named it the Dark Tower. Its creator - Master Chaos - stepped through the dark corridor, towards his gathering room.
He approached a long table and observed the men and women he summoned to the Dark Tower. They all sat and stared at him. Master Chaos pulled down his hood, revealing his face and shaved bald-head to them for the first time. His skin was a sickly shade of pale, his face looking in its mid-twenties, though he was a good thirty. His eyes were a strange, yellow color that seemed to intimidate his guests.
"I'm sure you've heard the good news," he told them. "Razor Tongue and his Trolls have seized control of Darksmoke. It seems the Goblins I loaned to them did some good after all. Now, with Stratos, Randor, Stephen and Johanna have all been taken out, it is time to reveal ourselves. But, I suppose some introductions would be appreciated, hm?"
He turned to a tall, well-toned female. Her hair was a deep brown, cropped short. "This is Tough-Stuff. A woman raised by the Goblins. She possess exceptional strength and agility."
Tough-Stuff nodded, then Chaos turned to two large men. One was pure muscle and looked stronger than anyone else on Eternia. Beside him was a man in a huge iron, robotic suit that was exactly the same size. "This well-muscled man here is Smasher. His brother is Basher, who has very little muscle mass, but has built this robotic suit to equal out with his twin."
It then that a Trollian dressed all in black was pointed out. "Exile," Chaos announced. "A Trollian forced off his home planet because of the destruction he caused when he studied the dark arts. Luckily, I have offered him refuge here."
A man that seemed to be made entirely of glass was called to attention. "This is Glass. Like his namesake, he is able to turn himself and others into glass. It can then be smashed and reconstructed at will.
"Bombshell," said Master Chaos, sending a nod to a young blond woman, "can cause kinetic energy to gather and explode. Not to mention men's hearts."
A skeleton-like robot beeped from Chaos' side. "Ah, yes," he said, waving his hand, "and this is Sensor. My robotic slave."
Finally, Master Choas introduced his last warrior. A man covered in black armor, but with flame symbols all over it. "Blaze. Master of fire. He also serves as our weapons smith."
Master Choas leaned back then, and sighed. "Now that introductions have been made, let's get started shall we?"
***
Talon landed in the courtyard, a little surprised to see Stinger landing as well. He hadn't expected her to be here - nor had did he see her on his way south from the Mystic Mountains. But, still, there was a part of him that enjoyed surprises like this.
"Talon," she greeted with a smile "Good to see you again."
"You as well," he returned. "I did not see you when journeyed here."
"No, you didn't. I've been here, training with the others. I'm a warrior with these people, remember?"
"Oh yes," Talon replied, "I had forgotten."
"Yeah, well . . . what are you here for?"
He pulled out a scroll. "New treaty negotiations. I was hoping to cut one of the supply lines from Eternos to Avion."
"Why?"
"It is tedious. There is no point in having three supply lines."
She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever."
Talon grunted and then started towards the Palace, his eyes glancing at Tail and Poet, who seemed to be in the midst of a deep conversation. He noticed that Tail's tail was inadvertently making a gesture that meant she had more interest in Poet than just friendship.
". . . so, the magician gave me this powers. I was a little freaked out, in any case. But after a while, I got used to it and really started to enjoy them."
Tail smiled seductively and ran her finger across his arm. "That's really great. Me? I was just born this way. But ever since I was a little kitten, I've always wanted to play in the . . . big leagues."
Poet eyed her, realizing the impression she was given off. "The big leagues, huh? Well, it looks like we've both made it there."
"Yeah," she replied, her voice becoming a little more sultry. Tail moved closer. "Looks like."
"I . . ."
Suddenly all the hair on Tail's back stood up straight and she almost jumped out her seat. "What in the name of the Ancients?!" she shouted.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"I don't know! Some sort of magnetic surge! It's creating a lot of static electricity, though. Look at me!"
Poet repressed a smile as Tail's fur began to stick straight on end. The moment of fun was gone, but the sight of her looking like a big fuzz-ball was quite humorous.
***
"Talon, I'm not sure about this," Adam admitted. Teela was sitting next to him in the throne room, eyes a little worried. This was something she was concerned about. It was no secret that Talon was more than a little against Avion's constant trades with Eternos.
"Oh?"
"Yes, I - "
"KING ADAM!" shouted Man-At-Arms as he ran. "Excuse the intrusion, but we've got a problem!"
"What is it?" Adam asked, jumping to his feet.
"Energy surge - completely off the scale! It's developing right above Eternos!"
"Where? SHOW ME!"
Man-At-Arms marched out right onto a balcony, Adam, Teela, and Talon in tow. The four of them assembled and watched as strange lights began to form in the sky.
"Machinesmith, gather the others in the courtyard and prepare for anything."
"Right sir," Man-At-Arms replied.
"I'll go too," Talon decided.
***
"What is this?" asked Addison as he walked to the window, eyes gazing upon the lights in the sky. "I'm assembling the royal guard."
"Good idea," said Amelia.
"Yeah, I'm coming with you," followed Joshua.
"No, Josh. Stay here with the girls."
"Addison, we can take care of ourselves," Amelia argued. "Joshua, go with - "
"GUYS!" yelped Emily. "Shut up and look!"
The lights began to swirl and twist, taking shapes. And, then, an image appeared. A tall man, draped in a black cloak stood. A hologram, obviously, but just as imposing.
"Greetings Eternia! I am Master Chaos!" he shouted. "If you haven't figured it out yet, I am the one behind the assassinations of Randor, Stephan, Johanna, and Stratos, as well as the takeover of Dark Smoke, the attempted assassination of Buzz-Off and the one that unleashed the Energy Beast.
"I thought it would be prudent if I made myself known. For I will be the conqueror of all Eternia within a matter of days. There is noting you can do to stop me. Absolutely nothing. BEHOLD MY POWER!"
The hologram disappeared. All of Eternia held its breath as new objects appeared in the sky. Comets. They shot down, smashing into Eternos. Adam held onto the balcony tightly as the comets unleashed explosions that ripped throughout the civilian area.
Then came a second barrage -this one struck the Palace. Adam grabbed Teela as flames roared before them. The two went crashing to the ground. It was then that Teela glanced up at one of the towers as a comet exploded upon it.
"Adam!" she shouted. "The children were in there!"
"Come on!" yelled Adam, pulling his wife by the wrist.
But then, lighting shot from the sky, striking across all of Eternos with a viciousness and ferocity never before seen. The throne room was one of its targets. Teela was thrown across the room as the lighting began to shatter the very floor.
The ground shook as lighting and comets both shattered the foundations of the Palace. Adam was thrown high into the air, flames engulfing the entire room.
"Teela!" he yelled out. "TEELA!"
"I wouldn't worry about her for much longer," a voice cackled from the flames. Master Chaos stepped past them and right up to Adam. "It's your turn to die."
Master Chaos' staff snapped forward and Adam found himself pinned to the floor. The staff, Adam noticed, was long and purple with a small crow statue on the top. A flash from his nightmare ran across his mind, but suddenly disappeared, as Chaos grew closer.
"I'm going to enjoy this . . ."
***
"Guys, are you okay?" asked Addison as he and his siblings all pulled themselves from the debris. Emily wiped some of the dirt from his face and then helped Amelia to her feet.
"I'm okay," she answered.
"As am I," replied Amelia.
Joshua made his way over to the trio. "I'm a little bruised. How about you?"
"I'm fine. Luckily, I rolled at that last minute," Addison breathed. A large part of him suddenly realized how close they were to dying and he wanted to hug his brother and sisters. But first thing was first . . .
"What was that?" asked Emily, the comets and the lightning strikes growing fainter outside.
"FAITH AND BEAGORA!" a strange, Irish voice shouted from behind. "You mean you can't friggin' tell!?"
The foursome spun and turned to the Treeperchaun named Tullamore standing there, holding a long, wooden staff.
"Tullamore?" asked Amelia. "From Skytree?"
"Aye, yes! Now, come! You're under attack and there's only one way to save all this from going up in smoke!"
"What are you talking about?" asked Addison. "We have to get out there and help!"
"Nay, nay, little friends! The only way to stop Master Choas and his little cronies is to come with me! Skytree can fix you up real quick and you can return to beat the snot outta old stinky pants, bad-guy!"
Emily nodded. "I say we go," she said, stepping up.
"Skytree is supposed to wise, isn't he?" asked Amelia. "Maybe he can help us."
"I'm going," Joshua decided. "Just as long as we can get there and back fast."
Reluctantly, Addison resigned himself to this and nodded. "Okay. Then let's go and hurry."
"Yes yes!" yelped Tullamore, tapping his staff against the debris-filled floor. "Come, come, come quick! Come, come, lickty-split!"
With that, the five of them disappeared.
***
As fires raged all across Eternos, Horn managed to get himself off the ground. "Is everyone okay?" he asked.
The rest of the group began to stand and gather. Man-At-Arms looked them all over, realizing that they were still alive, if not a bit shaken and bruised up.
"Let's start with rescue operations," Man-At-Arms ordered. "We need get the injured to safety and prepare for - "
Suddenly, just then, there was a wild explosion - knocking everyone backwards. Flames and debris were sent flying in directions. The Heroic Warriors, though, pulled themselves together . . . just in time to see their attackers.
Flame, Glass, Exile, Sensor, Basher, Smasher, Tough-Stuff, and Bombshell all stood there, ready for a big fight.
"Who the hell are you?" asked Poet as he stood with the others.
Flame smiled. "We're nothing you've ever faced before in your life," he said with cocky grin. "We're your Vile Enemies."
And with that, the battle was joined.
***
And somewhere, deep in the heart of Eternos - with Trap Jaw unconscious at his feet, Tri-Klops stood with an eerie smile on his face. His visor turned from one eye to another and he spoke.
"I told you. I warned you. They came from the east. This is only the beginning of the darkness to come."