Disclaimer: Since its development in 1983, the animated series Dungeons and Dragons has belonged to the following at some point: Marvel Productions, TSR, Inc., Wizards of the Coast, Saban Entertainment, (according to rumor) Disney, and possibly even others. I guess my point is, it does not (nor has it ever) belonged to me. Oh, well! This story, however, does! I hope you enjoy it!
Rating: PG-13 for some language and violent elements
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LEGACYChapter 3 -- Doubleback
Bobby shielded his eyes in order to get a clearer look at the being in front of him and the children. "What did you say?" His voice came out throaty and incredulous.
The creature once known as Venger smiled gently and Bobby recognized him as looking the way he had the last time he and his friends had seen him. The young man recalled the final battle with the Archmage -- the journey to the abyss at Realm's Edge; the release of the Dark Lord's noble essence from the vault in which he had sealed it; the proposal offered by Dungeon Master which enabled them to choose whether or not to remain in the Realm; the final portal back to their home world. The being standing before Bobby and the four children was unmistakably the Venger he remembered, yet without the horn, fangs, wings, and sinister countenance of evil. He had a noble and regal look now, but the former Barbarian was still dubious.
Sensing this, Venger raised a reassuring hand to Bobby. "Fear not, Barbarian, for I mean you no harm," he said, his voice familiarly deep and sonorous, but lacking the evil rumble of its past. "I wish to welcome you back to the Realm. You . . . and these new Young Ones."
"You leave them out of this!" Bobby growled, his voice and his stare as hard as granite. "Reformed or not, we don't want anything from you! That includes your welcome!"
Ayesha shrank behind her uncle. Although this man addressing Bobby was not the horror she had originally expected, Bobby's reaction to him gave her little comfort. From the looks of things, Varla, John, and Toby were just as nervous, although the latter was bravely holding his own beside Bobby. Toby glared at the man, who was easily over seven feet tall, with a mixture of fright and curiosity.
Venger sighed. "Perhaps, then, you would accept it from another. One you recall with fonder memories."
Bobby sneered at Venger. "The only thing I want is--" His words halted at the sudden sound of a billowing snort above his shoulder. Bobby turned his head, expecting to see Venger's sable Nightmare, its demonic red eyes burning into his as it had many times before. What he saw instead was the body of an immaculately white mare, whose flame-colored mane and tail coruscated in the afternoon sunlight. The four suns accented something else as well. As the majestic beast turned her head downward to Bobby, his eye caught the glint of light reflecting off what looked to be polished ivory spiraling from the center of the mare's head.
Ayesha's breath was taken away as she stared at the creature from legend . . . a unicorn. But not just any unicorn.
"Uni?" Bobby breathed in disbelief. He reached out to touch the magnificent animal with trembling fingers. Uni whinnied at him in joyous recognition; not the goat-like bleat of years ago, but a majestic noise fitting her now regal appearance. Bobby suddenly became ten years old again as he whooped for joy and threw his arms about her elegant neck. "Uni! Oh, my God! I can't believe it's really you!"
Uni nuzzled into Bobby as well, nickering excitedly and making it clear that her sentiments matched his exactly.
Then, just as quickly as he had euphorically greeted his former unicorn companion, Bobby turned back to Venger. He removed his face from where it had been buried in Uni's fiery mane and stared coldly at the towering mage once more. "I asked you a question," Bobby said, with more calm than before but still dully hostile. "What do you want?"
Venger bowed his head submissively. "I fear," he said, "That we are in need of your help once more."
Bobby stepped away from Uni, although his hands continued to stroke her snout. He kept his eyes on Venger, but spoke to Ayesha and the others. "Wait here," he said steadily as he took a step toward the former Archmage.
"Uncle Bobby?" Ayesha asked as a desperate plea for him not to go anywhere.
John was more straightforward. "W-where do you think you're going!?!" he demanded nervously, applying a vice grip to Bobby's shirt as the young man tried to step away.
"Don't worry," Bobby said as he got John to release his shirt, "You'll be safe with her." He locked eyes with Uni. "Watch them," he instructed her before turning again to the children. "I'll be back. I promise." He passed his gaze over all of them, careful to make reassuring eye contact with each. He then walked straight ahead, passing Venger without acknowledging him, and onward toward a corner of rocks. Venger gave Uni and the children a gracious nod before following along behind Bobby. The two vanished behind the jutting boulders.
Uni lowered her head and gently nuzzled Varla in the arm. The girl reached up and cradled the unicorn's nose against her body. Toby reached forward and placed a hand on John's shoulder. The younger boy was too scared to brush it away. Ayesha's trembling fingers found Uni's body and she stroked the animal's velvet coat for comfort. A few worried tears slipped out of her eyes.
Mom, Dad, where are you?
* * *
Sheila's face was etched with fear. She had sunk down into the grass beside Teri as the girl breathlessly explained what had happened in the park. "How can you be sure?" was all that Sheila could manage after Teri had finished.
Teri seemed almost reluctant to answer that. She swallowed hard before saying, "I dreamt it . . . last night."
Sheila's eyes widened in terror. She grabbed the girl around the shoulders and seized her into a fierce hug. Both women were shaking. "Why didn't you tell us?" Sheila whispered into Teri's ear.
"I-I wasn't sure," Teri replied tearfully as she eased away from the girl who had become like a sister to her. "Bobby tried to convince me . . . oh, God, Bobby!" Teri began to tremble again. "I tried to help them! I swear to you I tried!" Hank placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, drawing his wife into his body with his other arm.
"Oh, Hank," Sheila sobbed, "That place has our little girl!"
Hank kissed the top of her head reassuringly. "We'll get her back. She'll be okay as long as Bobby's with her. But we'll get them both back, I promise you, Sheila."
"There's more," Teri said gravely.
Eric ran his hand through his hair. "What could be worse than Bobby and Ayesha stuck back in the damn Realm?"
The way Teri looked at him made his blood run cold, and he was immediately sorry that he asked. She swallowed. "Your son is with them."
"What?" Eric said, his voice scarcely a breath.
"And your daughter and your nephew," she said to Presto and Diana in turn. Diana reached out to grip Presto's shoulders; partly to support her friend and partly to keep her own knees from buckling.
"I saw it all in my dream," Teri continued remorsefully. "I'm so sorry."
After several stupefied moments, Eric got up and whirled around, kicking hard into the ground and scattering the gravel beneath his feet with an infuriated scream.
"Eric!" Diana cried as she got up as well, grabbing him by the shoulders to try and calm him. His eyes blazed at her. "That won't help," she said gently.
"No," Eric conceded breathlessly, "But I know what will." He reached into his inside breast pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
"Who are you calling, Eric? The Marines?" Presto asked, trying to remain calm. The others gathered around them.
"Better," Eric responded, "I'm calling Franklin, my driver. We're all going to that park right now!"
* * *
Bobby turned and faced Venger wordlessly when he felt that he was far enough away from the others. "Perhaps, Barbarian," Venger offered as he continued walking, "We should hold our discussion in the presence of your young comrades. This concerns them as well."
Bobby's raised finger stopped Venger from advancing, as well as any other words the mage had planned on saying. "No, no," Bobby warned, "This does not concern them! This has nothing to do with them! Because you're sending them back right now!"
"I fear that is impossible," Venger replied flatly. "But I believe you know that, don't you, Barbarian?"
Bobby pointed in the direction of the kids. "They are children for God's sake!" he growled.
Venger nodded resolutely. "As were you, my son. Younger in your case, if I recall."
"This is different," Bobby protested, "This is my niece! Hank and Sheila's daughter! Remember them, Venger? Eric's kid is out there, too! And Presto's! And Diana's nephew! These are our children!"
"Of this, I am very much aware," Venger confirmed, "Which is exactly why they were chosen. They carry the essences of the Realm's former champions. It is their destiny. A legacy."
"Like hell it is!" Bobby snarled. "Their destiny is back home! Because that's where we chose to go after we beat you! That was our decision! That doesn't mean that you and Dungeon Master can swoop down and take our families instead! You want a 'champion' to do your dirty work? Fine! I'll stay! But Send - Them - Back! They're too young for this!"
"There lies great strength in innocence," Venger told him. "Purity of heart carries with it a power beyond mortal understanding."
"And thanks to you, we lost our innocence here, Venger," Bobby spat. "We had to learn about death, and suffering, and being forced to do things we never asked for!"
"On the contrary, Barbarian," the towering man said, "You and your friends wielded a power that was stronger than most. Your need to do what was righteous never died, nor did your desire to return home -- no matter how many obstacles were placed in your way, no matter how often your efforts met with failure. It is because of that that you were victorious. And it is because of that that you and these children have been summoned again."
Bobby scowled at the former Dark Lord briefly before shaking his head in frustration. "Your father. He's the one I wanna see. I want to talk to Dungeon Master."
"As I have said," Venger reminded him, "I am the Dungeon Master now. The former Dungeon Master is now on another celestial plane."
"You mean he's dead," Bobby ventured.
Venger shook his head solemnly. "My words mean what they say, Barbarian. He is in another stratum of the cosmos. And for the past two hundred years I have been Dungeon Master of the Realm."
"That's impossible," Bobby scoffed, "We left this place over sixteen years ago. You expect me to believe that two hundred years have passed here?"
"No, Barbarian," Venger replied, "A slightly greater amount of time than that has passed. It has only been two hundred years since I have assumed the title of Dungeon Master. You should be most familiar with the fact that time passes much more rapidly here than it does in your home world. Did you not return there to the same day as your departure?"
"Yeah," Bobby admitted, "It was night, though. Hours later. The park was closed and Hank's and Diana's cars were the only ones left in the lot." Bobby remembered the earful that he and his sister had received upon finally returning home. The sound of their parents scolding them had to have been the sweetest sound they had ever heard. Bobby recalled how his mother had checked his temperature when the boy graciously, even eagerly, accepted his punishment.
Still angered intensely, Bobby thought about the children who were with him. If he had anything to do with it, they were going to get home! And if following the directions of their new "Dungeon Master" was the only way . . . then so be it.
"Well then, Venger, or Dungeon Master, or whatever the hell your name is now, I just have one more question," Bobby said, "If you needed your 'Young Ones' back so bad, why didn't you just take the originals? I mean the genuine articles are all together at a reunion celebration right now. Why take their kids? Or are we not innocent enough for you any more?"
Venger raised an amused eyebrow. "You do not give yourself due credit," he replied. "The reason you were chosen in the first place was because you all had a stronger power than most, as I have said. Your power, and that of your friends, has remained strong through all these long years. You come from a world devoid of magic and yet you have seen things that people of your home world would never believe. You maintain your innocence because you maintain your ability to believe."
That hadn't answered his question. "Okay, former Captain Hook-Head," Bobby conceded with an exasperated sigh, "Before we take the guided tour through Neverland, I want you to know that if anything happens to these kids, your 'noble essence' isn't going to be the only thing paying a visit to that sarcophagus at Realm's Edge! You got that?"
Venger regarded Bobby with a single nod. "Are we ready, then?"
Bobby turned around to see the four children and Uni standing several feet away. He sighed heavily at the notion that they hadn't listened to his instructions to remain behind, but, he supposed, This does concern them after all.
Ayesha stepped forward and took his hand. "I'm not afraid, Uncle Bobby," she whispered. Bobby looked down at her. She had Hank's wisdom and Sheila's quiet strength. The young man smiled grimly in spite of himself. Even though he was the one who had now, apparently, taken the Ranger's place as leader, he knew that it was Ayesha that was going to get him through this. He squeezed her hand.
Venger's palm began to glow with a hazy red light. Bobby couldn't help but stiffen a bit; a practiced habit, since Venger's magic used to hold such destructive properties. He released Ayesha's hand and stepped forward, shooting a brief glance over to Toby. An understanding passed between the two young men and Toby nodded. If, somehow, this was a trick after all, Venger's final revenge, Bobby wanted to know that someone would get the others out. Bobby squeezed his eyes shut as the new Dungeon Master released the energy toward him.
Following a light tingling sensation that swept across his entire body, Bobby could sense the feeling of rough wood materializing in his hand. He felt an almost comforting sensation, like a child with a security blanket, at the appearance of his old club in his palm. Looking down at his clothes, he saw that he was now in his former barbarian garments, although modified slightly to accommodate for his larger stature. He still wore a breechcloth of animal hides, but the bottoms extended a bit further down his leg, giving them the appearance of wooly boxers. His pelted boots remained unchanged, as did the open vest of crisscrossed straps made from thick studded leather. The viking hat worn by the young boy, however, had been replaced by a metal headdress, similar to the one Diana had worn but made of a heavier, silver-studded alloy.
The club in his hand took on a humming glow as he lifted it to look at it. The glowing intensified as Bobby gripped it tighter, a look of familiarity and sorrow on his face, and it died as he lowered it. Ayesha couldn't believe her eyes. The club reacted as though her uncle had spent a good part of his life wielding the weapon.
The Dungeon Master then turned to the remaining four children. Toby took a step forward to stand next to Bobby. "So what's the deal?" he asked tentatively, "What do we have to do to get back home?"
It was Varla, however, who spoke. "We have to stop the new threat to the Realm. A new evil force that has been created by the One that is as old as time itself." The girl gasped at her own words and the others looked at her in fearful wonder. "D-did I say that?" she stammered.
Venger smiled knowingly at her. "Indeed you did, my child," he said, "Although I must confess that I somewhat aided the ability that is already innate within you by projecting my thoughts to you. Your powers will take a bit longer to develop on their own."
"What's he talking about?" John asked, turning to Varla.
The girl shrugged, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "Everybody's always told me that I've been a little bit psychic," she replied. "Sometimes I get a feeling when something's gonna happen." Ayesha thought back to the park when Varla seemed to sense Maggie's presence before the woman even showed up.
"Do you bend spoons, too?" John snorted.
"Jo-ohn," Toby and Bobby groaned in unison.
"It is a rare thing when one from your world is touched with magic," Venger continued to Varla. "Your father knew this as well."
Varla paled slightly at the mention of Presto. This creature knew him, too. Things were starting to become frighteningly real. "H-he's not my real father," Varla admitted.
"Nevertheless," Venger said, "People of power tend to find each other. Whether the relation is by blood or not. The Wizard can teach you many things," he added with a smile. Varla didn't ask him what he meant by that. He again raised a glowing hand. "So I think, for you . . . ."
A soft light surrounded Varla. When it faded, she was dressed in pretty, yet primitive, peasant clothing adorned with many colored scarves. One scarf surrounded her head like a bandana, with ends that trailed down her back. She had the overall look of a gypsy maiden.
"Wow, look at you!" Ayesha said, cheerfully admiring the girl's new look.
"Yeah," John added, "In a couple years we might just see you on TV selling psychic advice for $2.95 a minute!"
Varla scowled briefly at him before looking at the object that had appeared in her hand. It had the appearance of a crooked twig. "What's this?" she asked.
"Your Weapon of Power, Mystic," Venger replied. "Like the young Magician before you, as well as your Illusionist namesake, you have a natural ability that needs only to be tapped. This magic wand will enable your powers to grow far greater than they ever would in your home world. With practice, you may one day come to master it."
"Try it, Varla!" Ayesha coaxed.
Varla mulled the stick over in her hand. It certainly didn't look like much. In fact, it looked way too delicate to hold any great power. She hesitantly pointed it at a nearby rock and the stick began to glow. As the rock levitated slightly into the air, Varla gave a shuddering gasp, causing it to fall to the earth once more. "Confidence in one's own abilities has much to do with it," Venger told her. "Practice. It will come."
"So what's this 'threat' that we have to fight in order to get home?" Toby asked.
"All things will be explained in due time," the new Dungeon Master assured him. "First, you must be properly equipped. However, if you are eager to be a 'Fighter' . . . ."
The luminescence surrounded Toby next. When it died the young man was dressed head to foot in indigo leather. His pants were tucked into high boots of the same color and his tunic was dotted with metallic studs like Bobby's. His arms were bare except for a set of metal armbands that started at his wrists and ended just before his elbows. His hands were each wrapped with a cestus, a network of leather straps lightly laden with metal. Wreathed at his side was a black whip with weighted balls on the end.
"Purple," John mused as he studied the older teen's clothing with a taunting smirk, "Snazzy."
Toby raised an eyebrow at him as though the boy's comment wasn't worth a reaction. He then turned his attention back toward the whip. "Let me guess," he said, removing it from his belt, "This is my weapon!"
He uncoiled the lash and motioned for everyone to stand back. When they did, he wound back and released the whip with a snap, the resounding crack echoing forcefully throughout the canyon around them. "Sweet!" the young man breathed, like a kid at Christmas.
"That is not all it does, Fighter," Venger announced casting his eyes upward to where a thick tree branch was jutting out of the canyon wall high above their heads.
Toby looked from it back to his weapon. "Isn't that a little out of range?" he asked.
A corner of Venger's mouth curved upward and he motioned back to the branch with an encouraging tilt of his head.
"Okay," Toby shrugged as he wound back to take aim at the branch. As he released the whip, the weapon seemed to extend far beyond its natural length until it reached its target, then wrapped around the branch and pulled Toby off the ground toward it. "Whoa!" the young man yelped as he was unexpectedly yanked off his feet. The next place he found himself was atop the branch, his whip wound once again at his side. "That - was - awesome!" the boy laughed. "It's like a grappling hook, too!" He looked around. "Now how do I get down?"
"The same way you got up," Venger's voice carried up to him.
Toby released his weapon from his hip once again to see that it had grown much shorter; perfect for the short distance between him and the perch on which he sat. As the whip surrounded the branch, it grew in length, enabling Toby to lower himself gently to the ground.
"That was pretty good," John said amusedly, "But shouldn't you be wearing khakis and a fedora hat for that kind of work?" He snorted at his own joke.
"Jo-ohn," came an aggravated groan from the others.
"These weapons that you are receiving will obey your mental commands," the Dungeon Master informed them as Toby returned his whip to his belt. "They are in tune with your minds and can do your bidding and react to your emotional needs -- provided you have the strength of will to control them."
"So what do I get?" John asked impatiently.
Venger scrutinized the boy momentarily before raising his hand again. When the glow surrounding John subsided, he was dressed in beige tights tucked into simple leather boots. Over his upper body was a red short-sleeved tabard -- a heavy, loose, jacket-like overshirt blazoned with what Bobby noticed to be a familiar coat of arms -- a golden shield with the head of a griffin. Around his waist was a loose belt with an empty sheath. John put his hand to it. "Um, isn't this where my magical flaming sword makes its appearance?"
Venger grinned knowingly. "That scabbard holds a weapon that is not for you, Squire," he said, "But it will make itself available when it is needed." Bobby couldn't help but smirk. The new Dungeon Master was just as cryptic as the old one had ever been.
"You've gotta be kidding!" John wailed. "You mean I don't get a weapon?"
"Indeed you do, Squire," Venger replied. "It is around your neck."
John looked down to see a golden medallion about his neck, crested with the same griffin-faced image as the one on his tabard. "What does this thing do?" the boy asked disappointedly.
In an instant, Venger's eyes blazed crimson, reminiscent of the evil being he had once been. His hands began to glow with violent energy. Bobby sprang forward, club raised, but not in enough time to prevent the explosion of power from cascading toward John. The boy squeezed his eyes shut and emitted a petrified wail as the light struck him.
Or, rather, the energy field that was now surrounding him. The boy peeked one eye open to see the electric current crackling and dissipating from the invisible shield, generated by the medallion, that had saved his life. John was speechless and could only utter a high pitched whimper that was a mixture of fear and awe.
Venger's face softened after the demonstration had ceased. He turned to the others only to find Bobby's brandished weapon mere inches from his face. "Don't . . . do that again!" the Barbarian warned the former Dark Lord.
Venger gave a nod of compliance and finally turned to Ayesha. The girl swallowed hard in nervous anticipation of what was now in store for her. "There is great power in you," Venger told her. "You hold the noble spirits of three of the Realm's former champions -- not only the Ranger and the Thief, but the Barbarian as well. You may not sense it yet, but you have the potential to be a formidable warrior."
"Um," Ayesha politely stopped him, "I don't know if being a warrior is . . . quite . . . ."
"I understand," Venger smiled. "In addition to the wisdom of your father and the strength of your uncle, you have your mother's gentle spirit. You will find that you have more power than you realize. But if the ferocity of a warrior is not for you, then, perhaps . . . ."
The halo of light surrounded Ayesha and, as it dissipated, left her wearing a form-fitting bodysuit of mail, knee-high red boots and a matching cloak draped across her shoulders. Across her brow was a silvery headdress, accented by a red stone in the center with strips of metal extending down either side of her face and curving slightly along her jaw line. On her arms were matching metal wristlets and at her waist, a belt holding the bladeless hilt of a sword.
". . . a Paladin," Venger concluded with a satisfied smile.
The girl removed the hilt from its clasp at her waist and held it out in front of her. "What does it do?" she asked cautiously.
"What you command it to do," was Venger's cryptic reply.
Ayesha concentrated on the handle in her grip and a blade of what looked to be pure golden energy blazed forth from its center. To look at it, Bobby thought that it resembled a broadsword version of what Hank's arrows used to look like. Ayesha gasped as she gazed at it. Then, just as Hank had seemed to instantly know how to use his bow, his daughter pointed the blade at some nearby rocks and willed out a humming discharge that sent the nearest boulder shattering to pieces. She gasped a second time as the sword evaporated into nothingness and became dormant once again.
"Something's wrong here," John huffed, "Even this chick gets to have a weapon that kicks butt and I have to be a Squire!"
"Looks like, for once, someone else is large and in charge, eh, Squire Johnny Montgomery?" Toby teased.
"The only thing large around here is that guy," John mumbled, indicating Venger, "And the way this stupid overshirt fits!" The boy pulled and fidgeted with his tunic as he glared at Ayesha. "And I think she got the flaming sword I was supposed to have! (There's no way I'm gonna be her squire!)" he added under his breath, narrowing his eyes at the Paladin.
"All of your weapons possess great strength," Venger said addressing all of them. "You will discover that they have many uses, limited only by your own will and heart."
Uni, who had remained off to the side until now, finally approached and nuzzled Bobby. He stroked her face and neck affectionately. She whinnied again, a noise that was more like a song than the bray of a horse, and looked at the new Dungeon Master. He grinned knowingly. "It seems that my steed requests to journey with you on your quest." He nodded approvingly at her. "As you wish," he said to the unicorn.
Bobby had a hard time imagining Uni as the steed of the creature that used to be Venger, but somewhere deep inside he knew that if Uni could find it in her heart to forgive the former Dark Lord, then he could, too . . . with the proper effort. He turned from her to the towering mage and said, "And what might that quest be?"
"Very well," Venger announced with some authority, "If you are ready, my Young Ones, I shall charge you with your task . . . ."
* * *
Eric stared at the Dungeons and Dragons ride for what felt like a very long time. Never in a million years did he think he would be here again. As a teenager, for what felt like years, he had wanted nothing more than to get out of that crazy place, and now here he was, impatiently waiting for Hank and Sheila to return so he could get the hell back in. He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Hey," Diana said, almost hesitantly, "Are you having second thoughts?"
He turned and glared at her. She had to be kidding! But he couldn't fault her for asking. He was, after all, the one who had been the most verbal about his desire to go home the last time. Eric shook his head. "The only thing I'm thinking about is how, when we get there, I'm gonna throttle that riddle-blabbing pipsqueak who calls himself Dun--"
"Eric!"
Eric turned around in shock to face his son's nanny. "Cass?"
The woman's smile spread from ear to ear, her blue eyes twinkling. "Well, I'll be!" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me you were planning on coming?! John will be thrilled! What a surprise!"
"Where is he?" Eric asked, trying to hide his desperation. "He's here, right? Tell me he's here!"
"Of course he's here," Cassie answered, developing some confusion on her face as she looked from Eric to Diana and back again. "He was meeting some teammates from hockey. I let him go because he didn't want his nanny tagging along while he was with his friends. We arranged to meet here to check in." She smiled again. "He'll be so happy to see you! He'll probably ditch his friends!"
"Have you seen him since around 2:00?" Eric asked. That was the time Teri had arrived outside the restaurant.
"No," Cassie replied, "Why?"
Eric didn't answer her. He turned and faced the ride again.
Sheila had called her parents' answering machine, leaving a message that she, Hank, Ayesha, Bobby, and Teri had gone to the park for the day and may not be back until late. It seemed as good an excuse as any and her parents would most likely believe it. After all, Sheila wasn't supposed to know about their surprise and they would probably think that Bobby was just keeping her occupied until they got back with Aunt Margie.
Sheila, Hank, and Teri then made their way back to where Diana and Eric were waiting, leaving Presto at the pay phone trying to get in touch with Maggie.
"Come on, come on," he repeated into the receiver as the line continued to ring. He was startled by the sudden sensation of a hand playfully covering his eyes. He whirled around to see his smiling wife standing behind him. His face fell. He had been praying to find her at home. If she was here at the park, it was probably because Varla had wanted to come . . . and Teri's story had to be true.
Maggie immediately reacted to his grim expression. "What is it, Presto?"
Presto swallowed hard. He didn't know how to tell her this. Sure, he had told her everything, just as he informed Eric that he had. And she said she believed him. But now he was forced to wonder if she may have merely been humoring him. At his hesitation, Maggie prodded him again, "Pres, tell me!"
He moved his mouth, but could force no sound out.
"Preston!" This made him meet her gaze fully. She only called him that when she meant business. "For God's sake, you're scaring me!"
Presto sighed and took her by the shoulders to ease her down onto a nearby bench. "Maggie," he began, "Remember those stories I told you -- about my past . . . ."
Diana looked across the park to where Presto and his wife sat. The woman seemed engrossed in what Presto was saying to her, then fell into his arms, clutching him tightly. He had told her.
Presto pulled away from her and took her hands, gripping them firmly with every word he said. He then planted a kiss on her forehead and got up off the bench to make his way toward the others. When he reached them, Maggie was half a step behind him. "Then I'm going with you," she insisted.
Presto didn't have to tell her "no." She knew when he looked at her. He gently placed a hand to her stomach and the two fell again into a troubled embrace. Maggie pulled away with tears in her eyes. "Be careful," she whispered.
"Are we ready, then?" Hank asked them once they had all regrouped at the ride. "Diana, are you going to call your brother?"
Diana shook her head. "I wouldn't know what to say to him. Let's just get there and get them out."
Once they had reached the line, Hank felt another figure ease beside him. "No, Teri," he said turning to face her, "You should stay here."
Teri looked determinedly at Hank. "I left him there once. I won't do it again." That was all she said . . . but it was all she had to say.
As the six filed into the red coaster car, Maggie stepped back to stand beside Cassie. The older woman noted the urgent worry that seemed to flood through Maggie's entire body. "Oh, don't fret, my dear," Cassie said with a slight laugh, "It's just a little ride. Nothing they can't handle." She then turned back to where the red car was entering the gaping mouth of the dragon. "When I told Eric he needed to work less, I never expected this," she mused aloud, her blue eyes twinkling with a faraway gleam. "Showing up at the park, looking for his son, and taking that ride . . . . I always knew that he was still a young one at heart!"
* * *
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Author's Notes:
On Venger -- Most D&DC fans have read Requiem, but this is to clear up any confusion for anyone who has not. The journey to "Realm's Edge," the sarcophagus in which Venger had sealed his noble spirit, his ultimate redemption, as well as the Young Ones' choice of whether to stay in the Realm or return home are all included within that script by Michael Reaves. (Mr. Reaves wrote this episode to either close out the series or introduce a new season. Unfortunately, due to ratings, neither happened and the episode was never made. As of this posting, the script is still available to read online at http://www.mindspring.com/~michaelreaves/D&Dpreface.html.) I hope to stay as close to the actual canon of the show as I can, even though I'm basing much of my storyline on an unproduced episode! But, yes! If things had finished off the way they were supposed to, Venger would have been one of the good guys! (Supposedly! *G*)
On the passage of time -- It has always been my belief that the kids would return home to the same day that they left, no matter how much time went by in the Realm. For the purposes of this story, however, I did need a little time to pass. Since the show lasted 3 seasons, I estimate that the Young Ones' time in the Realm did not exceed 3 years (Realm-time), but that only several hours had passed on Earth. Therefore, if 16 years passed here, then a few hundred years may have gone by in the Realm. If I were getting paid to do this for a living, I may sit down and map it out exactly, but as it stands right now, I claim creative license! J
On the new characters -- I don't usually have a problem with new characters created for a story as long as they are well-done and not too annoyingly perfect! There are those, I know, who don't like the addition of new characters at all. To you I say, don't worry! Although they do play a major role at times, they will not be focused on over-and-above the original Young Ones. They are, in ways, a catalyst to channel the action of their parents; an extension of the originals perhaps. Everything I have tried to do in this fic has included some reference to the original series, so hopefully, it will be seen as to how these new kids fit into that mold as well.
On the new character classes -- I, unfortunately, am not a gamer. (Not by choice, but by lack of knowing any D&D players in my area!) But, I have done quite a bit of research on the game's classes of characters (Special thanks, again, to Alavahr for all your initial advice!), so I hope not to disappoint those who know the fundamentals of the game on which this show was originally based. I did, however, need to make my own modifications due to the plans that I have for this story. For example, I realize that there is no "Squire" class, although he might belong in the "Fighter" category. The new weapons could not be too powerful, either. They have particular abilities, some being for offense while some are for defense, their fair share of weaknesses, and so on. In short, the kids must work together and rely on each others' special abilities as well as their own. (Just like those on the original show!) I admit that sometimes the creation of classes for introduced characters can be a bit on the cheesy side, and if there are any purists who feel thus, I apologize. But please remember that the cartoon did not follow the Gaming Guide to the letter either, and it is the cartoon's canon on which I am basing this story.
Okay! Enough notes! I hope you all continue to enjoy "Legacy!" Feedback is greatly appreciated, and any specific questions and/or comments can also be directed to my email address on my profile page.
Chapter 4 coming soon!