Chapter 6 – The Court Of Miracles

It was then that Drew and Brady soon reached the tunnels as Brady peered inside and noticed that it was dark.

"Looks like it's going to be pretty difficult to navigate through here. We might need some light to guide us. I think I have a lighter in my pocket somewhere…"

Brady then started digging in his pocket in search of his lighter. But just then Drew and Brady looked up to see a yellow dragon/Chihuahua-like experiment with a big and wide head and long antennae flying around like an electric current. He then grinned widely as he zapped right into the tunnels while muttering in alien.

Brady and Drew then glanced at each other as Brady said, "Or… we can follow him."

The two then entered the tunnels as they followed the electric experiment.

Some time later, Brady, Drew and their alien companion were wading through the river moving through the tunnels as Drew noticed a lot of skeletons and rats lying and skittering about.

"Ugh, look at this place! It smells just awful," Brady grimaced.

"Yeah, it really does," Drew retorted sardonically.

"I honestly wonder why they call this the Court of Miracles. They should call this the Court of Ankle Deep Sewage…" Brady commented dryly.

He then paused with a smile as he looked around. "Still it makes you want to be able to go out more often, right Drew?"

"No, I just want to find Natalie, rescue her and go back home and watch my stories," Drew stammered.

"Um, Drew, don't you find it strange that we haven't run into anything at this point?" Brady queried.

"Like what?" Drew asked.

"Like a booby trap. Or some guards. Maybe some hostile alien experiments hiding here in the tunnels… Maybe some rabid predators…" Brady answered as they kept on venturing deep into the tunnels when suddenly the area went dark.

"Or maybe an ambush."

Just then the lights went on as Drew, Brady and the experiment were soon surrounded by a bunch of experiments and also many other white-skinned gypsies. Rory then emerged out of the shadows with a smirk.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

"Trespassers!" a dark-skinned man with dark hair yelled.

"Spies!" a auburn curly haired woman shot back at Drew and Brady as she pointed a gun at them.

"We're not spies!" Brady yelled as he was then gagged and tied up.

"You must listen…!" Drew protested as he was then gagged and tied up too.

"Don't interrupt! You two must be so clever to be able to find our secret abode," Rory said as he lit up another torch in his hand. "Unfortunately you may not live to tell the tale."

Rory then began dancing around with the torches swishing and swinging in his hands as the gypsies began chanting.

Maybe you've heard of a terrible place

Where the scoundrels of Salem collect in a lair

Maybe you've heard of that mythical place called the Court of Miracles…

"And hello you're there!" Rory exclaimed while grinning at a bounded Drew and Brady.

An elderly experiment wobbled through with crutches as the light green koala-like experiment popped in with a fake eye that bounced and slinked out like a spring. Rory then arranged for Drew and Brady to be carried off as a wave of gypsies soon hauled them off.

Where the lame can walk

And the blind can see

But the dead don't talk

So you won't be able to reveal what you've found

Drew and Brady are carried off to the executioner's stage as they had a noose tied around their neck and an executioner prepared to dispose of them. Rory then leaped from person to person as he landed on the stage.

We have a method of spies and intruders

Rather like hornets protecting their hive

Here in the Court of Miracles

Where it's a miracle if you get out alive

Rory then looked over at Drew and Brady. "And lookit here! We have two in one for a double special! Two of Randy's very own spies!"

The crowd then started to jeer, boo and hiss in response as they throw tomatoes, apples and bananas at the pair.

"And our guests today are none other than the former captain of the esteemed Salem Police Force and his loyal henchman!" Rory continued as he imitated Drew's walk and also mimicked drawing out a gun and firing.

Rory then started dancing around dressed as Randy as he bopped Drew and Brady on the heads with the gavel. He then skipped over to a lever as he then changed to an executioner.

Justice is swift here in the Court of Miracles

I am the lawyer and judge all in one

We would like to get this trial over quickly

Because it's the sentence that's really fun

"Any last words?" Rory queried as he held up his ear and Drew and Brady began muffling and pleading in desperation.

"That's what they all say," Rory sighed while shaking his head and cracking out his knuckles.

He then changed back into a judge.

Now that we've seen all of the evidence

"I object!" a Rory-like puppet popped out in objection.

"Overruled!" Rory yelled.

"I object!" the puppet continued to scream as Rory then slammed a hat down on him and it glared at him. "Silence!"

"Dang!"

Rory then walked over to Drew and Brady somewhat sympathetically as he put his hands on their shoulders.

We find you totally innocent, which is the worst crime of all.

He then rushed over to the lever and grabbed it as he was about to pull it.

So now you are going to hang!

"Wait! Stop!" a female voice cried out as Natalie and Yaarp rushed over to Drew and Brady and freed them.

"These men aren't spies! They're our friends!"

"Why didn't you say so, dude?" Rory laughed.

"We did say so!" Brady and Drew shot back angrily.

"Brady was the one that saved that old man's family back at Salem River!" Natalie explained as she pointed at Brady. She then gestured over at Drew as she added, "And Drew helped me escape from the cathedral."

"Listen up, everyone!" Brady proclaimed in a loud voice. "You are all in danger! Randy knows exactly where you're hiding and he's going to attack at dawn with a thousand men!"

The gypsies then gasped in horror as they exchanged fearful glances.

"Then let's not waste any time! We must get out of here immediately!" Natalie yelled.

The gypsies then started scrambling and dispersed in different directions. Natalie then walked over to Brady and Drew as Yaarp, the electrical experiment, and the dark purple four armed experiment accompanied her.

"You took a huge risk coming here to warn us. It may not seem like it but we owe you both our thanks."

"Don't thank me," Brady chuckled as he gave Drew a noogie. "This was all Drew. I never would have found this place without him."

"Nor would I," a deep male voice proclaimed and everyone turned around to see Randy standing above them with hundreds of officers storming through the place with guns clicking.

The cops then captured several of the gypsies and their experiment companions as many of them were handcuffed and in some cases stuffed into cages. Yaarp was even grabbed as he was trapped in a cage.

"After 20 years, this place is finally mine," Randy chuckled evilly as he slowly walked over to Drew. "My dear Drew, I knew someday you would be of great use to me."

Drew then gaped in horror as Randy passed by him. "What?"

"What are you talking about, Randy?" Natalie scoffed.

"Why, Drew led me right to you, of course," Randy answered with a smug smirk.

"You're lying," Natalie sneered.

"And look who else I've caught in my net," Randy declared as he eyed Brady coldly. "Captain Black, back from the dead. Another miracle I'll bet."

Randy then leaned in towards his face with a sneer.

"I shall remedy that."

He then turned towards the congregation. "There will be a little bonfire in the square and you're all invited. Take them away!"

Brady then growled as he and Natalie were led away. Drew then threw himself on Randy as he got on his knees.

"No, please no master!" he cried as Randy looked at him and turned away. "Take him away to the bell tower. And make sure he stays there."

Drew then hung his head and sobbed as two cops grabbed him and hauled him away.