Author's Notes: Sorry for the long delay yet again, everyone! I have, at long last, completed my latest of chapters, covering more of the battle! I am not quite sure if I have added too much action in this one, so I'll leave that up to the reader. Without any further ado to the story, please enjoy!
Chapter 16: Orlando's Surprise
"Oof!"
Eddy flew to the side once more, slamming into the rails, which replied with an echoing clang.
The smallest of the Eds didn't have nearly enough time to move again. Jib seemed to have grabbed him again, as Eddy was quickly up (literally), and tossed clear across the area, crashing into the rail on the other side of the roof.
"Well, now I know why he was kept in that off-limits room." Eddy thought. He peered back up and still spotted nobody.
"Ok, Eddy." Eddy reminded himself. "It's nothing new. It's just like old times when I battled other guys… only I'm on a roof… and fighting hand-to-hand with thin air. How stupid is this?"
Eddy was slammed across the face, not hard enough to send him airborne, but enough to inform him that Jib was very serious at this point.
"This is cheating, Jib!" Eddy pointed at a random direction thin air.
He realized he had pointed in the complete incorrect direction. From behind him, he was suddenly lifted up into the air.
"HELP ME!"
"Easy, easy goes!" Bloo shouted, still in Orlando's voice.
Bloo and Eduardo jr were still trying to maintain balance as they stood on top of the trash can and skateboard, all of the while doing everything that they could to hide it all under the trench coat.
"I'll give you easy!" Terrance shouted, going in for the punch.
Bloo tried to dodge the blow by leaning backwards, only to discover just how far he was able to bend. Though he lost his balance and fell over, Eduardo jr kept him held up. As the result, Bloo's head did a 135 backward, but without the rest of his body flinching a bit as Terrance's fist passed overhead.
"How did you do that?" Terrance asked.
"Amazing flexibility." Orlando replied. "I'm just awesome like that."
"Awful is more like it." Eduardo jr stated.
"Say one more thing, dork-asaur, and I'll-" Bloo stated, but was interrupted by Terrance.
"And who are you calling a dork-asaur?" Terrance asked.
"Defense, I need defense." Bloo whispered.
Eduardo jr held out his two arms, very small ones that made the sleeves, up to the elbows, protrude, and the rest of the sleeve limp. What was meant to be a punch resulted in a quiet little slap made by the swinging of the empty sleeve. Terrance replied with an "Ohh!" as his face was smacked by the sleeve.
"A wise guy, huh?" Terrance asked.
"Not good." Bloo said, realizing that the attack had no effect.
Terrance grabbed Orlando by the collar of the overcoat.
"Evasion tactics, man, evasion!" Bloo shouted.
"Will you shut up already?" Terrance asked.
Eduardo jr made a sudden tilt to the left, causing Bloo to shout. Terrance, who was still gripping onto them, felt himself being taken along with them. They rolled on the ground a little bit, until coming to a stop against the wall.
"Dude, what the-" Terrance asked. His response was being thrown to the ground.
Double D now stood in front of the front porch, and Mac remained blocking the door. Masque was now stationed in the front area of the property, near the gate.
Both of them stood there, poised at one another.
"I have heard of your techniques before." Masque said. "Each and every one of them."
Double D didn't respond to Masque's comment, being too curious to do anything other then listen.
"I know that your able to manipulate fire spells by altering words or phrases." Masque said. "So I have formed some of my own spells."
Double D was unable to determine what kind of spell he had, so he instantly placed both of his hands outwards. "Whatever action he does, I'll have to counter it with a shield."
As opposed to the usual fighting style, Masque held both of his fists at his sides. Both the eyeholes of the mask and his fists were glowing red, sparks appearing at his feet.
"What kind of power is this?" Double D asked.
Masque was now facing directly at Double D.
"Blaze-Double!"
Double D watched as his entire body began to glow red. Masque was surrounded by fire, making him look like a human inferno. He suddenly growled and rushed toward Double D.
Double D immediately held both of his hands outward, directed toward Masque's figure.
"Flame Shield!"
Double D's fire spell appeared directly before him. He awaited the impact that Masque conjured up. …and he awaited further and further.
Double D reopened his eyes. With a single wave, the shield vanished into the air. He looked back upon where Masque stood.
Though to his sheer surprise, as opposed to simply spotting Masque, he saw a couple dozen new figures. All of them were completely red and glowing. They all looked exactly like Masque, standing in the exact same idled position. Double D lowered his hands in shock.
"…what is this?" he asked.
Each and everyone of the clones laughed evilly, in the exact same tone. The confused fire-caster stood completely still all of the while, as Mac, who was at this point, at the end of the porch, standing with an agape mouth.
"…this is a new kind of spell." Edd thought. "It seems to give him the ability to create clones of himself! But are they all him, or is only one of them the true Masque?"
All of the clones suddenly rushed toward Edd. Double D was surprised to see them attack so early and without warning. He raised both arms outward.
"Firehand!"
Double D's hands lit aflame. He turned them both to fists, and pushed outward. As he punched, his fist became engulfed within a fireball. The strike hit one of the many clones. The clone quickly gave a grunt, followed by an explosion. It's body almost instantly turned to sparks and vanished into the air upon impact.
He turned back and saw the legions of enemies that were still waiting.
"Ok…" Double D thought. "1 vs. 23. I suppose I'll have to defy probabilities."
"Had enough, Terry?" Orlando asked, while towering above the fallen bully.
Terrance was breathing heavily at this point.
"Awesome!" Eduardo jr said. "I think we actually beat him!"
Bloo gave back a satisfied smile. "Told ya it would work."
Orlando approached Terrance, who was still on the ground at that point. He came to a stop only a few inches of Terrance's fallen body.
"At this rate, we'll save the house in time for breakfast!" Bloo said.
"Good, I'm starving." Eduardo jr stated.
To their surprise, Terrance quickly grabbed the bottom edge of the coat and gave a tug. Eduardo instantly lost his balance, causing Bloo to do the same. The skateboard almost immediately slid away from beneath them, causing Orlando to fly backward. Bloo struck the ground first, flattening the top hat on impact. Eduardo and the supporting trash can struck at the same time, producing an odd metallic noise. The skateboard's wheels were still rolling, luckily staying affixed to the odd contraption that was Orlando Bloo.
"Seriously, what the heck are you?" Terrance asked.
"I'm your worst nightmare, punk." Bloo replied, still staying in his Orlando guise.
"Can we please ditch Orlando and just get on with it?" Eduardo jr pleaded.
"No, Orlando must finish the fight!" Bloo shouted.
"If you are so interested in fighting, you'll quit talking to your stomach and fight already!" Terrance shouted back. Terrance got back to his feet almost immediately.
Orlando, however, seemed to have a much more difficult time getting back on his, ahem, wheels. After a few kicks from Eduardo jr, he pushed the board on the ground in an upright position and jumped with the can still attached to his feet. Up rose Orlando, from the base to the top of his head, bending as he slowly leaned up in an awkwardly elastic way.
"You're a freak." Terrance commented upon seeing Orlando prop himself up.
"You'll pay for that!" Bloo shouted back.
Eduardo jr kicked the bottom of the board, sending them flying right toward Terrace. Terrance quickly dodged to his left, as Orlando quickly skidded by. Eduardo jr lifted one of his arms outward, reaching for Terrance's shirt. After getting a firm grip, Orlando made a quick turn, holding onto Terrance like one would try to pivot on a light post. Terrance also spun, making a full 180.
Orlando released Terrance at the end of the U turn. Directed by the slippery skateboard, he then made another quick spin before coming to a stop a few feet away from Terrance with his back turned.
Terrance seized the opportunity to attack and ran directly toward Orlando. He help out a fist, and made a clean strike at his back. Eduardo jr, being in the torso area of "Orlando" gave a gasp. Bloo also have a gasp, though his was quieter, since he wasn't directly hit. Orlando did, however, skid forward. Bloo looked forward, starring at the oncoming brick wall of the house.
"Eduardo jr, heads up!" Bloo shouted.
"You're the head, you head's up!" Eduardo jr shouted.
BANG!
Both of them gave loud grunts as they came into contact against the wall going about a solid 8 miles an hour. Orlando quickly fell downward, giving them another impact, resulting in two more grunts and a loud band.
Bloo was breathing heavily at this point, his hat was ripped and flatter, tilted to one side. His faux moustache was at an odd angle, though luckily, Terrance didn't notice.
"Man, I don't know how much more we can take." Eduardo jr thought. He looked down on himself, spotting his brand new bruises and damages. He noticed that the can they were using for support was also dented, and below that, the skateboard was cracked.
"…look, it's obvious we can't beat him like this." Eduardo jr said. Bloo was only able to respond with exhausted breaths.
"…as much as you like this plan…" Eduardo jr said, taking a breath before speaking again. "…we have to divide and conquer… we can't beat him like this."
Bloo gave a weakened chuckle. "Alright, I gotcha. You gave me a new plan, Eduardo jr."
"Uh oh." Eduardo jr replied.
"No no, I really think this will work." Bloo said. "Trust me."
"What is it?" Eduardo jr asked.
"HOLD STILL!" Terrance shouted. Bloo looked up and spotted Terrance standing above them holding a fist overhead.
"Never mind, fill me in later!" Eduardo jr said.
Orlando rolled to the left just before Terrance was able to succeed with the punch. Instead, he accomplished punching the gravel below.
"OW!" Terrance shouted, waving his now-injured hand.
In the time Terrance spent, growling about his arm, Orlando jumped back upward again, and faced Terrance.
Eduardo jr reached up and quickly fixed the moustache and hat.
"Now now, let's not act like sissies." Orlando said. "Let's fight like gentlemen."
Terrance looked back and Orlando and growled. "I'll have you know, I'm the least gentle man you'll meet."
"Then I guess a fair fight is out of the question then? We can resort to cheating if we need to?" Bloo asked.
"Whatever, Orlando." Terrance said. "I don't care. All I know is that you are going down!"
With his uninjured arm, Terrance rushed toward Orlando with a battle cry.
"We need to get some distance from Terrance first!" Bloo said.
"Gotcha!" Eduardo jr said. He moved forth, making a swift movement. Terrance missed Orlando as he rushed by. The tall, overcoat figure rushed away from Terrance, headed to the other side of the yard.
"Running away from the fight?" Terrance asked. "You coward!"
"I don't understand." Eduardo jr said. "What are we doing?"
"We said we need to split up, right?" Bloo asked. "Well, that's what we're going to do."
"But why run first?" Eduardo jr asked.
"Be quiet and drive already. Trust me!" Bloo shouted.
"You are as confident as much as you are conceited, eh?" Eduardo jr asked. "Alright, alright. But this better work."
"Have some trust in me, will ya?" Bloo asked.
Orlando reached the other side of the yard after a few seconds. He turned around, making another 180, before coming to a screeching halt.
"What the heck are you doing over there?" Terrance asked.
"C'mon, Terry!" Bloo taunted. "If you are so high and mighty, then come and get me!"
Terrance growled, narrowing his eyes and clutching his unharmed fist. Then, with a swift move, he rushed as fast as he could run, screaming a loud battle cry as he raced toward Orlando.
"This is crazy!" Eduardo jr shouted. "We have to move!"
"No, you have to stay still!" Eduardo jr shouted. "I, on the other hand…"
Terrance was very close now, only a few feet away from Orlando.
"Alright, here I go!" Bloo shouted.
"What do you mean?" Eduardo jr asked.
To Eduardo jr's surprise, Bloo jumped from his spot, flying from the top of the overcoat at the same time that Terrance threw his punch. Instead of hitting what was Orlando's head, he punched nothing but the air, as Bloo flew and landed aside the now-decapitated Orlando.
Terrance gasped. "What the heck!"
He looked at the headless Orlando figure, and then down to Bloo, who was still wearing the moustache and hat.
"Holy crud, I punched his head off!" Terrance exclaimed.
Eduardo jr groaned. "What an idiot!"
"Not exactly, my gullible friend." Bloo said, keeping his Orlando accent intact all the while. "I have the ability to break my head off freely."
"You, you…" Terrance said, completely still. "You're a freak!"
Bloo walked toward Orlando's body. "Well, I guess I'm the freak that beat you!"
He placed his mouth toward a ripped part of the trench coat where Eduardo jr and Bloo could see one another.
"I'm sorry about this." Bloo said.
Eduardo jr gulped. "About what?"
Bloo, with a quick an sudden smack, sent the headless body of Orlando flying, going too fast on the skateboard to stop. Eduardo jr let out a terrified scream as he was sent flying into Terrance.
Terrance didn't even get the chance to be thrown backward. Instead, he was lifted upward, trapped on Orlando's body as he skidded away. Both Terrance and Eduardo jr screamed as they continued down the yard at an unstoppable pace.
"BLOOOO!" Eduardo jr shouted in both fear and frustration as they skidded away.
Bloo gave a victorious pose. "Looks like my work here is done."
Vivian looked back at the creature that was towering overhead. It still head Goo in it's possession, who was still calling for help, more desperately then ever.
Vivian knew right about then that she had formed a plan.
"Alright, hold on Goo!" Vivian shouted. "Help is on-"
"….aaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAA!"
Vivian looked to her right, spotting Terrance and the decapitated Orlando headed directly for her.
"What the-"
Vivian was quickly hit, being picked up by the on-coming speeding group. Vivian was now trapped in the rushing mess.
All three of them gave a loud scream for help, headed toward the woods. Beyond some patches of tree, there was a lake.
They were going too fast to jump free, and gave collective screams before all crashing into the lake.
The confused cannonball monster wondered where it's enemy had suddenly gone too, but only for a moment. It found the opportunity to reach that house, not that Vivian wasn't there to stand in it's way.
The monster began to move forward, slowly getting closer and closer to Foster's Home, carrying the helpless Goo above itself, as it marched forth.
Bloo stood firm in front of the back door. "Now that Terrance is out of the way, I'd just love to see Masque even try to get in this house."
He promptly removed his hat and fake moustache, placing both on the ground.
"I should go and tell Mac!"
Bloo began to triumphantly walk from the door and toward the front yard.
However, as he walked, he noticed a curious shadow forming in front of him. Bloo came to a stop to see the sun was blocked out by something large. The shadow was perfectly circular, making it such an odd shade.
Bloo's eyes slowly widened. "Uh oh…"
He turned around slowly, and spotted what he had hopes that he would not have seen.
Before him, approaching the house at a slow, yet sure pace, was the Cannonball Extremosaurus monster. It still held Goo in it's arm. It seemed that, at around that time, Goo had worn herself out and passed out while in the monster's arms.
"Oh no…" Bloo said nervously, peering up at the monster, which was coming closer per second, only about half a football field's length away from the house and closing. "Oh no!"
Outside of the house, the echoes of everyone's combined screams seemed to have finally been enough.
Frankie gave a growl. She slowly got out of bed, rubbing her eyes as she did.
"Oh man…" She said. In a slow, half-awake speed, she walked away from her bed and toward the window. "Who the heck do they think they are, screaming so early in the morning."
Wilt, who was still standing outside of her door with the others, whispered: "She's up."
Frankie raised an eyebrow, looking at the door. She remained in place for a few more seconds.
"I guess I'm so tired that I'm hearing things." she concluded.
Frankie walked toward her window. After a few more instants, she reached the window.
They all better have a good reason for waking me up so early in the morning.
She reached the curtain edges, and pulled them open with a swift movement. What awaited her would fully wake her up.
To the left, in the front lawn, blasts of fire flashed as Double D and Masque shouted incoherent spells at one another. To the right, there was the towering monster, gradually headed right toward the house. Scattered screams could be heard in any direction she turned.
Almost instantly, she backed away from the window. "Oh my gosh! What's happening?" she shouted.
"Good question." Wilt whispered to the others.
Frankie gasped. "I have to warn someone!"
She raced towards her door. As she did, Wilt, Eduardo, and Coco ran out of the way. The door burst open, letting Frankie rush out of the door. She sprinted down the hallways without even noticing either of them.
Waiting until she was out of sight, Wilt silently motioned for the others to follow her.
She ran all the way to Mr. Herriman's office, not even bothering to knock. The door burst open, revealing a horrified 22 year old red-head.
"Herriman!" she called out.
But there was no-one in the office. Usually, the old man would be at his desk, or resting in a nearby bed. However, Mr. Herriman was nowhere to be found.
"Oh my gosh!" Frankie exclaimed. "What in the world is going on here!"
She walked toward the window, and peered out, looking for any sign of Herriman.
"As you can see, your plan has already failed." all of the Masque clones said.
"What are you talking about?" Double D asked.
"Look around you, you sock-hat fool!" the Masques shouted.
Double D looked to and fro. He could see the enormous Extremosaurus monster, which was at that point, dangerously close to the house. Vivian was nowhere in sight, but Goo was held captive, and seemed to be out cold. Screams came from random directions, and when he looked out one of the windows, he could see Frankie, who had just spotted everything.
"Oh no!" Double D shouted.
"It will only be a minute before my monstrous minion reaches the house." the clones all said at the same time. "As soon as it does, it wouldn't be long until the entire building falls to the ground, taking everyone inside down with it. …and now, it seems my number one target has just been made aware of my plans. She should consider herself lucky, considering she is the only one who will live to tell the tale."
Frankie could hear every word as she watched, and covered her mouth as she whimpered.
"Why her?" Double D asked. "WHY?"
"If I were you, I would be less concerned. It's only about 40 more seconds until my monster arrives." Masque said.
Double D growled. "If I stay here, the monster will destroy the house… but if I leave to deal with the monster, Masque will be able to kidnap Frankie and escape. What do I do?"
"Don't worry about it!" Mac shouted. "I'll take care of the Extremosaurus! You make sure Masque's plans don't succeed!"
Frankie's eyes began to water. "Mac…"
She watched as Mac took a Sprint from the porch, running away from the yard and headed directly for the monster.
Double D sighed. "Can an 8 year really take on a monster when a Shadow Siren couldn't?"
"Double D!" all of the Masques shouted.
Both Double D and Frankie turned their attention toward the series of Masques. "You best keep yourself focused! I want a good, final battle out of you before you die!"
Frankie looked as though she was ready to cry.
"I won't let you win!" Double D shouted. "I won't permit you to do anymore damage here!"
"Excuse me?" Masque asked. "You won't permit me?"
"That is correct." Double D stated.
"Well then!" Masque shouted. "This is our final battle! If you win, I'll stop all of this! If you don't, I'll destroy everything and take Frankie!"
"There is no 'if', because I won't lose." Double D said.
All of the Masques grinned. "Then let's begin, the battle for Foster's fate!"
Author's Notes: And that concludes this chapter. In the next chapter, I will have more action and, to keep you all in suspense, I will have a pretty big surprise in store. Until then, please review!