Wizards: Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 2: Years Later….

Tuesday, September 30th 1997, Sixteen Years Later….

A lone Ford Maverick was parked along a peaceful country road.

Its occupants were a 21-year-old brunette man and a beautiful 21-year-old blonde woman with a swollen belly that were enjoying the scenery.

The woman said, "it's so beautiful, isn't it?"

Her boyfriend looked at her lovingly and said, "it sure is Elsa, but not nearly as beautiful as you."

Elsa smiled lovingly and said, "oh Albert, you always know what to say to make me love you even more."

Albert smiled at his beloved Elsa.

He thought how lucky he was to have her.

He remembered meeting her for the first time in Secondary School back in 1990, when they were both 14-years-old.

They had both fallen in love at first sight.

They had also quickly bonded over their love for Domino's Pizza and Dungeons & Dragons, their two most favorite things in the whole wide world.

Other than each other, of course.

And from that love they shared for one another, came the baby that Elsa was now carrying.

Albert then gently put his hand on her stomach, remembering that in 5 months, their little boy or girl would come into the world.

Albert brought his gaze to Elsa's eyes, "remember how your dad reacted when we told him you were pregnant?"

Elsa giggled as she remembered what happened.

When they had told Stefan, Elsa's father, of her pregnancy, his reaction was not what they had planned.

Stefan had grabbed a wiffle bat and had chased Albert around the house with it!

Albert had jumped through a window to escape.

However, Stefan wasn't giving up so easily, and he had chased Albert all the way to the park and up a tree.

The Police were called, and they restrained Stefan until he had calmed down.

Although Elsa was upset that he had tried to attack Albert, she fully understood his reasons for attempting to attack him.

No-one usually took the news of their daughter being pregnant that well.

Especially considering what happened to Elsa's aunt Helga….

Ever since her suicide, Stefan had always feared that if he had a daughter, then she would suffer the same fate as Helga had.

Elsa and Albert had done everything they could to ease his worries.

Now, although Stefan had calmed down, he still felt uncertain.

However, he wasn't alone.

Elsa's older brother Günter had threatened Albert with castration if he had left Elsa.

Albert had promised to stay with Elsa while humorously shielding his balls in worry.

However, there was a member of Elsa's family who he still didn't know the reaction of.

He already knew his best friend's reaction, it was a member whom they all hated with every fiber of their being.

Albert asked, "may I ask how your Nazi worshipping great granny reacted?"

Elsa groaned and said, "she was furious, given the circumstances and such."

Albert then asked, "and may I ask what are the circumstances?"

Elsa said, "guess…."

Albert just sighed, "what did she say this time?"

Elsa groaned, "you don't wanna know. Practically every word was offensive."

Albert then asked, "is it true that she was kicked out of every retirement home in West Berlin?"

Elsa nodded and said, "I'm surprised she isn't banned in Berlin!"

Albert nodded in agreement.

After a few moments of silence, Albert said, "why don't we turn on the radio and listen to some music?"

Elsa smiled and said, "that actually would be nice."

Albert then turned on the radio and searched through the radio stations for a suitable song.

He soon came across a song that had been released three months earlier by the British rock band, The Verve.

The song was; Bitter Sweet Symphony.

The opening music began playing, then the lyrics started playing….

"'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life. Tryna make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die, I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down, you know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah."

Albert and Elda smiled as they nodded their heads to the beat.

….

Friday, October 3rd 1997….

The Beer Hall in Berlin was, as usual, full of people. People were busy drinking alcoholic beverages, eating German sausages, playing darts or relaxing with their friends. The Beer Hall had a television which was showing a news report about the situation in the Middle East, between the Western Powers and the Communist Powers.

The news footage showed Soviet ZiL 130s and Kurganmashzavod BMP-2 D's going down a mountain road.

A female news reporter was giving the report of the situation that was going on as she said, "this film, shot secretly by a British television crew on Tuesday, shows one of the Soviet convoys on the move in North Iran. The convoys were first spotted by United States satellites on Monday,moving across three of the mountain passes leading from the Soviet Union."

The footage then cut back to the female news reporter, a woman in her mid thirties who was continuing the report.

She said, "the Soviet Foreign Minister has defended the incursions and has accused the United States of deliberately prompting last week's coup in Iran."

Albert and Elsa were in the Beer Hall listening to the report, with them were Elsa's father Stefan and her older brother Karl.

Albert said, "jeez. The situation just keeps getting worse and worse."

Elsa said, "how can such violent acts go on in the world…."

Stefan then added, "at least that witch who calls herself your great grandmother isn't here!"

Both Elsa and Karl agreed with Stefan.

If their great grandmother, Ida, was here, then she would go off on one of her rants about how life was better when Hitler was in charge.

Albert then wondered, "Elsa, how old is your great grandmother?"

Elsa replied, "96."

Albert then asked, "well how that old bat hasn't gone and died yet?"

Karl said, "I think she's too damned stubborn to die."

Stefan added, "indeed. Hatred can be a powerful thing for people like her."

Albert then said, "or maybe as well as a Nazi worshipping fundamentalist, she's also a practitioner of witchcraft and has used black magic to prolong her life?"

Elda said, "I honestly would not be surprised if that were the case."

Thee group then to listen the news again as the female reporter said, "last night, the Soviet Foregin Minister released a speech of how his country wants to help the Western World free itself from the shackles of corruption and capitalism."

A man in the Beer Hall shouted, "that's fucking bullshit."

The female reporter then announced, "we've been given a copy of the Soviet Foregin Ministers and are going to show it to our viewers."

Karl whispered to the others, "this is going to "great."

The footage of the Soviet Foreign Minister began to play. It showed him, a man in his late forties walking onto a podium and looking in front of a camera.

He then began to speak, "good evening, my fellow citizens of the USSR, and to our friends in the Western World. It has come to our attention that many of you believe that we Communists are trying to enforce some idea where you are oppressed", the Soviet Foreign Minister then took a breath before he continued his speech, "well, I would like to inform you comrades that the whole thing is nonsense. We, the people of the Soviet Union, do not seek to oppress you. We seek to liberate you from the corrupt governments who oppress you. We seek to create a utopian society where men and women are all equal and treated fairly."

Albert muttered, "but with that kind of society, no-one has any individual rights or truly personal belongings."

The Soviet Foreign Minister continued, "we of the Soviet Union wish to do away with the unequal and heavy burdens of Capitalism, and to usher in the equal and gentle power of Communism!"

The man in the Beer Hall shouted, "unequal, unequal are they fucking kidding me. What about freedom of speech or private property?"

Karl muttered, "I don't think they care about any of that."

Elsa agreed with her brother as she said, "give me the monarchy anyway."

Albert and Stefan nodded in agreement.

They could see that this Soviet Union was made up of psychos.

Albert then said, "why can't they accept that communist societies cannot survive?"

The others all shrugged.

….

Sunday, October 5th, 1997….

Mila was busily preparing the house for the arrival Klaus' brother Ralf, his wife Helga and their son Bruno. They are coming over to the Wagner House for the traditional Sunday Roast.

As she entered the dining room, she saw her daughter Anna. Anna was sitting in one of the chairs with her headphones on and reading a gossip magazine.

She smiled as she said, "hello sweetie."

Anna looked up at her mother.

She then quickly took off her headphones, "oh hi mom".

Mila then looked at her daughter and asked, "why, if I may ask, aren't you preparing for your aunt, uncle and cousins visit?"

Anna shrugged and said, "I was gonna do it in a minute."

Mila then gave Anna a stern look and said, "I would rather you do it now!"

Anna sighed and said, "alright, alright."

As Anna went off to get ready, Albert walked into the dining room. He was wearing a buttoned up shirt and a fresh pair of jeans.

Klaus and Mila both wanted their children to look their best when their relatives arrived.

Mila then decided to ask Albert, "say Albert, didn't you say that you're going to inform Ralf, Helga and Bruno about Elsa's pregnancy?"

Albert nodded and said, "hopefully I can tell them tonight over dinner."

Just then, they heard a knock at the door. Both Albert and Mila looked at the clock on the wall, it said 5 o'clock.

Mila just gave an amused grin, "and as usual, they're early."

Albert chuckled and said to Mila, "let's go greet them."

Both Mila and Albert opened the front door.

Standing outside was a man in his early forties with black hair.

A woman the same age with red hair and a 12 year old boy with black hair.

These were Ralf, Helga, and their son Bruno.

Albert gave an internal groan when he saw Bruno.

The reason being?

Bruno was a spoiled brat.

His parents, however, were kind, honest and hardworking people.

When they saw their nephew and sister in-law, they both gave a smile.

Ralf said, "Mila! Albert! Good to see you both!"

Albert stepped forward and gave his uncle a hug, "uncle Ralf, aunt Helga it's so good to see you."

Helga smiled at her nephew, "same here Albert"

Albert then shifted towards his cousin, and he then gave him a frown.

He then said, "hello Bruno!"

Bruno gave him a very naughty smile and said, "hello cousin."

Albert forced a smile.

Just as they were about to enter the house, Ralf said to his son, "now Bruno, I want you to behave yourself tonight, or else no dessert for you."

Bruno said innocently, "of course. I'll behave, dad."

However, just telling by his innocent tone of voice, Albert knew that his younger cousin was going to get up to his usual mischief.

He would have to keep an eye on him tonight.

The family then followed their relatives in the dining room. Klaus then walked in from the kitchen. He was surprised when he saw that his brother and his family had arrived early.

He exclaimed, "ah! Welcome everyone, welcome!"

Ralf walked up to his brother and hugged him as he said, "ah, Klaus, it's so good to see your face."

Klaus smiled and returned his brother's gesture as he said, "same Ralf, my dear brother."

….

Fifteen minutes later….

The entire family was sitting at the table eating dinner. At the same time, they were engaging in conversation about anything interesting.

Helga was talking to Mila about her world famous book series, The Age of Myth.

Helga asked, "is it true, Mila, that 20th Century Fox purchased the television rights to your books?"

Mila nodded and said, "I'm so excited to see my works brought to the small screen! I made sure to study the contract, though. I don't want them to change most of what I wrote."

Ralf then asked, "but why only allow them to be adapted as a television series and not a movie?"

Mila explained, "while a television series has a lower budget most of the time, you can fit a lot more content into it."

Helga, however, wondered one thing and asked, "may I ask Mila, where on Earth did you come up with the ideas for your wonderful book series?"

Mila chuckled a bit nervously and said, "uh, heh, the ideas just came to me."

However, unbeknownst to Ralf, Helga and Bruno, the Wagner's secretly winked at each other. Mila got her stories from another source, a rather large source.

A source that indeed had to be seen to be believed.

Ralf then said, "you know who my favorite character in the whole book series is, Mila?"

Mila curiously asked, "no, who, Ralf?"

Ralf answered, "the Great Dragon!"

Albert smiled earnestly as Klaus and Mila glanced at their son with a smile.

Mila said, "oh, that's Albert's favorite character too."

Bruno, however, rudely said, "pah, all the Great Dragon does all day is sleep, play with his gold and eat virgin girls."

Albert said, incredulously, "uh…. Did you even read the books? The Great Dragon does absolutely none of that. Especially the last two things."

Bruno just spoke in his usual rude way, "it's a shame he is fake, otherwise I'd slay him with my big shining sword."

Helga scolded, "Bruno! Shame on you."

Bruno just shrugged at his mother and said, "what? The Great Dragon is fake, he can't do anything to me."

Albert thought, 'oh if you only knew….'

Bruno continued with his rude behavior as he said, "besides even if he was real, he's too old, fat and stupid to try and catch me."

Ralf said, "Bruno, that's enough."

Albert then said, "if the Great Dragon was here, then he'd fry you to a crisp Bruno and we'll all have some peace and quiet."

Bruno just blew a raspberry.

Ralf gave his naughty son a smack to the back of the head which made him shut up.

Ralf was surely beginning to regret spoiling him. But he decided to leave it at that and continue with the conversation.

He then asked, "Mila, may I ask, have they started casting yet?"

Mila replied, "they have Ralf."

Helga then asked, "may I ask who's going to star in it and who is producing the show by the way?"

Mila said, "Lucas and Speilberg. Ya know, those men behind Indiana Jones and Star Wars? They're producing it. The casting is still in the works, though. Sean Connery is set to play the Great Dragon though."

Helga gave a grin and said, "so it looks like 007 is about to play another Dragon?"

Mila giggled and said, "yes, the irony isn't lost on me."

The two families continued to eat their food and have their conversation.

….

Twenty minutes later….

Dinner was finished and they were preparing for dessert.

Just before Klaus was going inside to get the dessert he had bought earlier that day, Albert stood up.

He said, "everyone, I've got an important announcement to make."

The entire family looked at Albert to hear him make the announcement.

Klaus, Mila and Anna knew what Albert was going to say, but Ralf, Helga and Bruno did not.

Albert took a deep breath before saying, "I'm overjoyed to announce that Elsa is pregnant with our child."

Helga squealed in joy as Ralf and said, "congratulations."

Bruno however decided to ask a very nasty question, "so is Elsa going to get an abortion then?"

The whole room grew dead quiet.

Helga suddenly slapped Bruno!

Albert internally cheered for his aunt.

Bruno looked at his mother shocked and asked, "what did I do?"

Helga hissed, "you know very well what you did!"

Bruno then asked, "what, I just asked Albert if Elsa was getting an abortion."

Helga slapped Bruno again.

Klaus then told his son angrily, "that's it Bruno, no dessert for you tonight."

Bruno then tried to beg, "but dad-"

Klaus cut him off, "no 'but dad' me, young man."

Bruno then began to cry pathetically, "I never get to have any fun, it's all your fault Albert!"

Albert yelled, "you asked if the woman I loved was going to get rid of our unborn baby!"

Bruno then cried, "well she and her family are Nazi worshippers!"

Albert growled, "that's only her great grandma, and everyone hates her! Her grandma actually helped sneak Jews out of Germany during World War Two!"

Both Ralf and Helga looked amazed at what Elsa's grandmother did. Someone who smuggled Jews out of Germany during World War 2 was a noble and heroic person, however, such a thing was also dangerous, as it was during Hitler's regime, and if that person was caught, harsh punishments were dished out.

Ralf then asked, "Elsa's grandmother helped smuggle Jews out of the country during the war?"

Albert then answered proudly, "she did, along with Elsa's grandfather."

Helga said, impressed, "they were both certainly brave and noble people, but also reckless."

Albert looked at his aunt, confused, and asked, "reckless, Aunt Helga?"

Helga nodded and said, "to defy Hitler back than was a very risky move for anyone; especially if you were in the heart of Nazi Germany."

Ralf then added, "and not to mention what would have happened if they had been caught."

Albert knew what they meant and said, "well they were both some of the lucky ones."

Ralf agreed with his nephew and saif, "that they were. You also mentioned that Elsa's great grandmother was friends with many key Nazi figures?"

Albert nodded and said, "that's right and believe it or not, she once invited Oskar Dirlewangler around to their house for dinner."

Helga and Ralf gasped in pure shock at that particular bit of information.

They both knew full well who Oskar Dirlewanger was.

His infamous Dirlewanger brigade was the most feared unit in all of the Germany army during World War 2. The unit itself was made of criminals, murderers and rapists. But to learn that someone willingly invited that vile monster around to their house for dinner, well, clearly that person either had no knowledge of Dirlewanger's actions, or just didn't care.

Albert then continued, "and Elsa's great grandmother once said that Oskar Dirlewanger was the most noble, most pure hearted Nazi off all."

Ralf said, "which basically translates to; one of the most evil, vile and disgusting of the Nazi's."

Albert said, "right on the money, Uncle Ralf."

Helga then asked, "why the hell does Elsa's great grandmother worship Hitler and the Nazis so much?"

Albert said, "I'm not sure. According to Elsa's grandmother, she was greatly interested in Nazi propaganda when it first came out. However, as time went on, she became a zealot supporter to the point where would report you to the Gestapo for anything negative said about Hitler."

Ralf said, "jeez, that is one nasty woman."

Albert and his family all nodded in agreement.

Helga asked, "how the hell is that old bitch still alive anyway?"

Albert said, "I'm willing to bet dark magic, or she lives this long out of pure spite."

Anna then said, "will that nasty old just do us all a favor and die!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Klaus then said, "well, I'd say it's about time I bring out dessert."

Klaus then made his way to the kitchen and came out with dessert a few moments later.

It was a delicious looking chocolate cake with vanilla frosting on top. Everyone looked at the cake hungrily, all of them eagerly waiting to take a slice. Even Bruno wanted a slice, however, both Ralf and Helga looked at him, and he knew what their answer would be.

Albert smirked slightly when no-one was looking, happy that his bratty cousin was getting what he deserved.

Bruno, seeing his parents' reactions, just sulked grumpily.

Albert, however, was glad that his cousin was getting what he deserved.

It made him smile all throughout the entire course.

….

Reviews:

Bailey Radcliff: glad you liked the first chapter.

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