Chapter 15
The Big Bad is Really, Really Big
The first Sleshta Skatz shambled through the portal, and Zim nearly shat himself upon seeing it. The beast was seven feet tall, and it was about as muscular as three Arnold Schwarzeneggers. The helmet on its head had a giant spike on top, and the rest of its body was covered in horned armor. It clutched in its hand a sword the size of Fitz, and its shield nearly covered its entire body. Under the helmet's visor the beast's eyes glowed red, and its breath smoked.
And then the next one stepped through. It looked just like the first. So did the rest of the horde as they entered this world one by one.
"We are so fucked," Bruni said.
"I hope you're not Future Booze Jesus right now," Brandon said.
"No, but I think he would agree."
Angel stepped in front of the horde. "I'm warning you only once. Go home or die."
The Sleshta Skatzes laughed, and one of them spoke in their language. It was a horrible sound, like someone chewing broken glass.
Angel stepped aside, and Illyria approached the one who seemed to be their leader. Without warning she aimed a punch at its chest. The beast brought its shield up, but Illyria's fist went through it and the armor on the other side. When she pulled her hand out of its chest, she held its many-chambered heart.
"Go!" Angel yelled. His team rushed forward to lay the Sleshta Skatzes low.
"Guys!" Zim said. "Help me move this thing!" He pushed at the Dumpster.
Brandon, Fitz and Bruni ran to his aid. They quickly moved the cumbersome hunk of metal, and Zim ducked down to grab the Rinkan Stone.
"NO!" The scream came from Ace, and everyone turned around in time to see another portal open, this one in the sky. It was as wide as the building, and a pair of feet dangled out of it. Then, with an enormous crash, the rest of the beast fell from the portal, crushing some cars and sending others flying. The newcomer looked like a Sleshta Skatz, but it was about thirty feet tall.
"Krimskep!" Ace screamed.
Krimskep turned his burning eyes on Ace, opened his mouth and fired a jet of flames. Ace was obliterated within seconds. When the fire stopped, all that remained was a pair of smoldering cowboy boots with his feet still in them.
"Maybe we should get out of here," Fitz said.
Krimskep pulled the roof off of Mullin's and used it as a backscratcher. With a sigh he dropped it back into place. This caused hunks of rubble to rain down on the inside of the bar. One particularly large piece landed on the bartender, who had been in the process of slapping a waitress's ass before the world went to hell. When they wrestled the piece of ceiling off of him later, they saw that his head had been driven down into his chest as if he were a turtle.
Spike flew through the air and landed on his ass next to Fitz. The blond vampire's face was covered with cuts and bruises. There was blood in the corner of his mouth.
"You okay?" Fitz asked.
Spike forced himself up to his feet and wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. He quickly examined the smudge and then licked it. "I'm fine. The arsehole that hit me won't be." And he jumped back into the fray.
"Maybe you should use the rock," Brandon said to Zim.
"How?" Zim asked.
"I don't know. Just hold it up, or something."
Zim sighed. "Fine."
With one hand he held the Rinkan Stone out to Krimskep, showing off the side with the weird pattern on it. The rock seemed to heat up in his hand, and he saw it start to glow.
Krimskep turned his attention on Zim. He growled something in his own language and advanced on Zim. Cars flew out of the way as he kicked them aside. Then, towering over Zim like a house, Krimskep brought his fist down, aiming for the Rinkan Stone.
