Team Legacy: Shadows Of The Past

by Rhonda Petrie

The gang heads out to D.C. on a secret mission, but along the way, they must deal with an old foe of Zira's and stop an old employer of Rhonda's from pursuing her. Zira must also deal with some dark memories of her childhood that continue to haunt her.

10. Brave Souls Roam and Fight

Author's Notes:

In this chapter, Rhonda unleashes her anger on Luella but then James intervenes and stops her in the nick of time. Overcome with pure rage and consumed by her raw emotions, the young Englishwoman runs out on her older friend and retreats to the edge of the promontory where she is later met by him. While standing on the promontory at sunset, they soon meet up with the elderly woman who reveals herself to be a coloratura opera singer as well as a film and theater star; she also admits to being a avid participant in the New Age movement that specializes in the healing properties of certain crystals. But she also divulges some important information about Zalira and Mr. Piano and of her relationship with her adult daughter Luella.

Meanwhile, the gang soon run into the homicidal English girl they have encountered at Outback Steakhouse and she ends up holding Simba hostage after participating in a electrifying brawl with the heroes, prompting them to engage in negotiations in order to provide her an item that would satisfy her demands; it also turns out that this young lady was hired by Zalira to put a hit on Luella so she could successfully consummate her relationship with Payton without any interference. In their efforts to find something that would impress the evil little girl, the heroes stumble upon a whole heap of drug paraphernalia that ends up having Luella apprehended by Elliot and Olivia for a drug bust.

Also, this chapter hosts the most controversial rape scene yet, with Payton being gang raped by many of Zalira's cult members and eventually by Zalira herself before he is rescued by Suzanne Carmichael and Tess McNeal; he also becomes married to Zalira with the supervision of a reverend using some ancient old customs pertaining to the cult.

But then Payton faces the biggest tragedy of his life when he finds out that he has lost his long lost mother. And Cliff and Buddy get a surprising blast from the past when their old social worker dating from their first days on Earth after their initial exile suddenly drops by in the animal shelter they're imprisoned in and takes them to a reunion taking place in the orphanage they grew up in.

And here's the translation I forgot to provide in the previous chapter:

На что Вы уставились?:

What are you staring at?

Il Mitchell del nome. Lavoravo per il dorso di Polizia russo in 1980, prima che l'unione sovietica ha sciolto. Poi questo Zalira di femmina ha assunto come uno dei suoi assassini e mi ha avuto ammazza qualunque nemico ha voluto dei morti. La ragione perché la chiamo una femmina è che un giorno ho fottuto su su uno dei miei successi, e ho finito su ferendo il bersaglio inteso invece di uccidere lui e facendo saltare certo il luogo nel processo. Ho finito su con una gamba rotta e certo una concussione di testa. Porto tuttavia la cicatrice da quell'incidente:

The name's Mitchell. I worked for the Russian police back in 1980, before the USSR dissolved. Then this Zalira female took one of his killers and I had wanted to kill every enemy of the dead. The reason why the name is a girl that one day I screwed up on one of my successes, and I ended up hurting the intended target instead of killing him and blowing up some place in the process. I ended up with a broken leg and a concussion of some head. However, the scar from the incident port...

Lo Zalira era orinato ed oltre a licenziare me, ha usato anche uno dei suoi oggetti di vudù che è consistito in una statua di Pikachu e poi ero maledetto diventando un Pikachu. Ero anche maledetto con un impulso per uccidere o sparare qualcuno quando prendo arrabbiato. Così, ciò è la mia storia che indovino:

The Zalira was pissed and beyond to dismiss me, he also used one of his properties voodoo that consisted of a statue of Pikachu and then I was cursed to become a Pikachu. I was also cursed with an impulse to kill or shoot someone when I get angry. So, this is my story I guess.

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Chapter 9 – Brave Souls Roam and Fight With Bleeding Hearts And Indomitable Spirits Purify Themselves

"I'll vanquish you once and for all!" yelled Rhonda, enraged as she bit and nipped on Luella's arm, causing her to scream in horror and agony. James Peterson sped into the room and then pulled Rhonda away from Luella just in the nick of time. Luella was trembling with fear and fright. When pushed over the edge, Rhonda can be very vicious and nasty, if she chose to do so.

"Rhonda, this is not like you! What happened?" James Peterson reprimanded her. "She called me a midget!" Rhonda hissed. "Don't end up like Marie Frances, please Rhonda," James implored her. "You don't believe me? I can't believe you James!" Rhonda snarled, who was even more upset and then she jumped from his arms and then ran outside to the promontory. James then sighed and then murmured an apology to Luella before heading out the door.

Rhonda then was standing over a cliff at the promontory, humming a sad song as she witnessed the sun sink into the sky. "My soul is frail, I have nothing to keep. Nothing but my pride; nothing but my dignity. How can I bear this pain and sorrow anymore, why should I look forward to a new tomorrow? I cry out in despair and my brave soul weeps lamentably. I search for a place where brave souls roam and fight with bleeding hearts and indomitable spirits purify themselves. I search for a place where I can die in peace and where I can raise my face to the heavens and see God. My soul weeps heavy, bittersweet tears for the one love I hold dear, that one love I will forever keep in my heart. As I am a human, I seek to redeem myself and garner salvation. I seek transformation to an angel. I seek to see all of the beautiful things in life for myself," Rhonda sung.

"Hey, kid," called out James Peterson. Rhonda then spun around to see him. "Did you hear me mumble?" she asked him. "Yeah, that's an interesting song you got there, Rhonda. Listen. I've felt really guilty of what happened inside the bedroom. If there is anything I could make it up to you…" James started to say. "It's all right, James. I'm sorry too. I just got fed up with her, that's all. She toyed with my feelings and wounded my pride, and I had to do something," Rhonda attempted to explain.

Just then an ocean breeze blew in and Rhonda and James Peterson stared at the ocean view that was quickly growing dark. Leaves floated around and buzzed by, and their hairs whipped and flapped in the air. Rhonda knew that she wasn't really that alone in the world. Here she was on top of the cliff with the son of the Queen of Hell by her side at sunset.

Just then the old lady came by. "Oh, are you two here to see the sunset? I adore sunsets. That's one of the reasons why life is so precious. With all of the pressures in this modern war-on-terrorism world, this is priceless," she remarked. The elderly lady then stood next to James and then took a glimpse at him before turning her face back towards the sunset. "Aren't you Lena Rosenberg's son?" she interrogated. "Yeah. How did you know?" replied James Peterson while cocking his head to face her.

"A woman ought to know her own son. Just like a grandmother ought to know her own grandchild. Luella is a huge disappointment to me. I'm just glad I don't live in her home. It's a pig sty. If I could get to Payton I would. I wouldn't want that Zalira woman violating my own grandson. By the way, I told your teammates my name already. I haven't told you two though," said the elderly lady while concentrating at the dimming orange-yellowish-reddish sun.

"Just like a stepmother has to care for someone else's child, regardless of whether or not it really is her child," piped in Rhonda. The aged woman looked at her in a funny way. "I admire your perspective on things, Rhonda. You're an excellent team leader, and you're also a very brilliant young woman. America needs people like you more than ever. I could care less if you are his stepmother. That won't bother me. I don't think Luella would have a problem with it. She doesn't care about him anyhow. Initially, Payton was better off with his father than his mother, but I don't think he should remain in his custody. After all, he may be in danger," the old lady spoke out.

"But I think Mr. Piano has big plans for America too," Rhonda replied. "Of course. He wants to control the country his way," the elderly woman agreed. Then she fell silent. She remembered something. "My God, Mr. Piano also is the representative for the U.N. If he gets too much political power, he can actually usurp the director and take over and use the organization to interfere in other countries' affairs."

"Mr. Piano also committed some jobbery by allying himself with some communist dictators. They pay him a grand amount of money just for spying on the United States and its ally countries. My name is Maura McEnglish, and I was an opera coloratura soprano singer and a theatre and film actress. I'm also a New Ager who always wears sapphire crystal star earrings and also an amethyst amulet around my neck. I have some crystals that might be able to heal Payton just in case," she exclaimed in realization.

"Wait a minute. Do you remember if he has brought in nuclear weapons?" Rhonda persisted. Maura McEnglish gasped in terror and was ruffled. "Well! Let me tell you something. I heard that Zalira stole those nuclear weapons and stored them somewhere in The Kingdom. We better get going too in the morning. Your friends may need help," she scoffed.

Then she waltzed past James and Rhonda and then as she ambled towards the back door, she added, "And by the way, there's some chicken pot pie for dinner." That night, when the cottage was dark, everyone feasted on their pies dipped in chicken noodle soup. Detective Stabler slurped some noodles before hiccupping. Detective Benson fiddled with her food. "This is definitely some good stuff. The best chicken pot pie I've ever tasted," Kitty Champagne complimented Maura McEnglish. Courage nodded with his mouth full of food. "Yep, yep, yep," squeaked Ducky. "More please!" begged Judith Beasley.

"So, tell me. How you'd do these days?" started Detective Benson. "Well, I'm well off, more or less. My retirement funds support me handsomely. In my New London home by the ocean front, I would eat home cooked meals like this. I'm just so glad you guys came," Maura McEnglish said with an answer. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Littlefoot came to get it and opened it. It was Mariska Hamilton. "May I come in?" she enquired. "Oh yes! Please, come in!" Maura McEnglish welcomed her.

...

Mariska then got into the cottage and was surprised by the amount of people that were eating. Benny Crawford gave her a thumbs up with her mouth full. Just then, a reflection of a black haired girl grinning sinisterly and laughing silently while making a throat slitting gesture appeared on the window. Mariska then stopped and listened for any subtle sound. There was none, for there was silence. "What is it?" whispered Marie, while Kitty shushed her and also attempted to listen carefully. Rhonda was slurping from a dog bowl filled with water and cocked her ears in order to detect any noise. "Well I'm not going to stand there and miss all the action," Simba protested.

"Simba, I want you to stay close to me. Do you understand?" Sarabi told him. "All right, all right," Simba yielded reluctantly. Just then the little girl invaded the cottage through a window and then wielded a knife. "Hey, kid. Buzz off!" snarled Mercy Hillary as she confronted her. "Yeah. We're having a peaceful dinner and you're not going to ruin it!" added Benny Crawford and then she threw her plate at the girl.

The little girl then charged at the gang. Sarabi, Mufasa, Nia Vidal, Gale Gaynor, Mike Costello, Gia Carmine, and Liane Kazan stood up and then guarded the rest of their teammates and blocked the girl's path in order to hold her off. Judith Beasley then retreated to the dark hallway in fright and screamed as she went. Maura McEnglish followed her, not willing to let her out of her sight. Nia took out a shotgun and then shot at the little girl, who then took out two machine guns and fired. Gia then jumped, spun in midair and threw three electric blades. This knocked the little girl from where she was standing but she managed to rebound on another wall and then did a slow motion somersault while slinging three fireballs with a slingshot. Cera then made a huge leap and then bashed the fireballs away with her horns and then bombarded the couch and wall in the process.

The meteors then were shooting straight at the young girl and then she deflected them by using wind gusts and now it was coming back to the heroes. Maggie Sinclair and Kitty Champagne smashed into each other and generated supersonic high-energy waves from their bodies, causing the house to be swept in an uproar. The little girl then encased herself in hardening molten rock and then once she was shrouded in hardening magma, she then rapidly exploded in a huge blast of energy. Laura Perkins then desperately created an ice barricade to shield herself and her teammates from the upcoming attack. Gale Gaynor then turned to Nia Vidal in concern.

"Nia, what should I do?" she questioned her. "Just do what you have to do. Unleash your true power," Nia advised her. "Kiss my ass!" boomed Alexis Carrington and then she took out a bazooka and then shot out a missile. The missile shattered the fragile and thick ice barrier and then narrowly hit the girl before she dodged it by jumping out of the way.

James Peterson then tackled the girl to the ground and then grabbed both of her hands and attempted to wrestle with her. The little girl then flipped over her back and then he bashed into a wall headfirst. Then she proceeded to have a fast paced karate sparring match with Vincent Marvin. Just then a vine wrapped around a leg and then the 11-year-old girl slipped from the ground and then banged on the table with a thud. Aunt Voula then handcuffed her and then Alexis Carrington proceeded to have her chained to a table leg with an ankle bracelet locked to her left ankle. Kovu then hoisted himself on the table and then sat down in front of the little girl. She was very upset and sneered with contempt. Judith then arrived with Maura McEnglish by her side.

"Okay, what is your purpose of breaking into the house packed with people in the dead of night?" Detective Stabler interrogated her. "My name is Mary Bellum and I'm in allegiance with Zalira," answered the little girl. "So you're on her side?" inquired Detective Benson. "Yep, I was here to do a hit on the boy's mother," explained Mary Bellum with her cold, shallow, icy eyes still intent on the detectives' face. "Payton's mother? Is that who you were trying to kill?" interrupted Aunt Voula. "Aunt Voula, quiet," hissed Claire Arnold. "Where you're from, kid?" Laverne made an inquiry of her. "I'm from Scotswood, a town in England. I was born in 1957," replied Mary. "Do you know if Zalira has done anything to Payton yet?" interrogated Klaus von Bugler.

Mary Bellum then looked at him. "Who are you?" she asked him. "I'm Klaus von Bugler, sweetheart," he told her gently and with a smile. "Klaus has asked you a question. Have you any new knowledge of Zalira's plans for Payton?" Charmaine Feathers reminded her sharply. "I'll say that she is obsessed with him. She sees his mother as a threat to get what she wants: to consummate relations with him. So she hired me to do the killing for her. End of story," riposted Mary crisply.

"Excuse me?" sputtered out Jeanette Paris. "That's exactly what I said. She wants to bang him and in order to do so without interference I must get rid of his mother. I could also kill him if she asked me to, but even if she doesn't, I would do it anyway," reiterated Mary. "That's the sickest thing I've ever heard!" objected Mary Kay Beaumont. A devilish chuckle erupted from the young English girl as she mocked the heroes with her casually insensitive laughter.

Kovu was greatly disturbed and then he turned to Kiara. "Kiara, we have to save both Winda and Payton," he informed her. Kiara nodded in agreement and seriousness. Mary Kate Leningrad flinched and chattered on her teeth. Simba then essayed to pounce on her and Mary Bellum merely clasped on his throat and began to choke him. Simba gagged hoarsely. Mary then viewed the heroes and then stared at them in a cold and unfeeling way. Her eyes were motionless, lifeless, and dead. "If you let me off these chains, I will spare this cub's life," she offered.

"Oh hell no!" protested Ryan Sinclair and then Maura McEnglish glared at the boy while clearing her throat. She then turned towards Mary Bellum, unmoved, unfazed, and unruffled. "May we make a proposition?" she asked the young maiden. "Why not? I'll accept a trade. And it better be good," Mary retorted hostilely and coolly. "What is your favorite thing in the whole wide world?" was Judith's question. Mary Bellum then considered for a moment while bowing her head wordlessly and soundlessly and flicking a switchblade in and out while she thought out her options.

Fievel then skittered into the hallway and then raced to Luella's bedroom door and inched himself under it. Luella then started from her alcohol-induced sleep and then screeched to see a mouse just in front of her door. "Get away! Get away! Get away!" she exclaimed fretfully. "Luella, do you have anything in your room or in this house that might be of value to Mary Bellum? She is threatening to execute Simba unless we do something," Fievel enquired her while detailing on their precarious situation. Luella hiccupped and threw down her beer. "Why should I care?" she demanded, exasperated.

"I don't have time for this!" yelled Fievel and then poked his head under the door. "Sarabi! Mufasa! Zazu! Get into Luella's room right now!" he shouted while squeaking from the pressure of the door. Sarabi and Mufasa then ran down the door while barely avoiding decapitating Fievel's head by accident and then immediately were rummaging through the drawers, walking closets and piles and piles of clothes in order to find something that might please the child serial killer.

Detectives Stabler and Benson, Minnie Rogers, Clifford Montgomery, Abraham Hershel, Courage, Sawyer, Ally, Cora, Cadha, Ella Dupre, Celine Demount, Katie Winslow, Alex Fay, Jean Simon, James Peterson, Joey Falcon, Gia Carmine, Anthony LaPage, Nia Vidal, Liane Kazan, Mike Costello, Margaret Kinsey, Barbara Hershel, John Milton, Kate Seymour, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Spike, Ruby, Petrie, Maura McEnglish, Kovu, Nala, Kiara, Ryan Sinclair, Michelle Hawkin, May, Paul Swimmerton, and Mariska Hamilton materialized to help in too.

"Oh fuck! Look at this mess! I've been raising my daughter for 30 years and what does she do to repay me? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Goddamn it!" Maura McEnglish raged at Mariska in frustration as she tore through Luella's clothes. In one of Luella's jeans, Cadha manages to find a $5 tip and then stores it in her breast pocket. Luella was bewildered, perplexed, and horrified that unannounced strangers were now invading her room as if she were a murder suspect. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM! GET OUT!" she hissed after watching the wild and desperate scavenging for 4 minutes.

"NO!" refused James Peterson and then he slapped a dirty, smudged, smelly T-shirt on her face. May then took a glimpse at him, surprised and shocked. "Please do not let me fuck up and act like my mother," James mumbled under his breath while reciting "Shepherd's Prayer", a prayer made famous by the astronaut Alan Shepherd. Cadha, who was excited by the game, then threw a large teddy bear at Luella. Littlefoot and Cera then tossed two scrapbooks into her face. Ryan Sinclair and Michelle Hawkin then dumped more clothes onto Luella's bed. Courage then knocked Luella's trophies, books, clothes, and toys to the floor while searching through the shelves. Cora couldn't resist the temptation of igniting the cigarettes on the ashtray on fire. "HEY! Put out that fire right now!" Kate Seymour ordered while pointing at her.

Barbara Hershel then opened up one of the drawers and was horrified to discover $150,000 in cash all piled up. Buried under the cash were a needle and a small Ziploc bag containing black powder. Kovu also dug out more bags of powder and needles from the closet, and Kiara and Nala did the same. Katie Winslow, Gia Carmine, and Nia Vidal shook down three pairs of blue jeans and more needles slid out. Maura McEnglish then peeked inside the closet and was terrified and aghast to discover 300 pounds of marijuana, 5,000 pounds of cocaine, 150 pounds of meth, 4,000 pounds of LSD, ecstasy, and 1700 bottles of cold medicines.

She felt faint, and she was about to collapse under her legs. Minnie Rogers uncovered empty beer bottles that contained messages. Just then, decomposing bodies of kittens and puppies dropped to the floor, provoking Alex Fay to give out a terrifying screech. Courage made the loudest scream he had ever made in his life. Detectives Stabler and Benson were disgusted and repulsed, not to mention dismayed.

"No, no, no! Don't tell me I just saw that!" mouthed Sawyer in disbelief. Liane Kazan was brought down to tears by the heartbreaking, dismal and tragic sight. Ally prayed for their souls. Celine Demount was wailing on Abraham's shoulder while Ruby hugged her. Everyone was saddened by the presence of the dead bodies. "This is not fair! This is not fair!" Cera spoke out angrily. "Me no like this. Me thinks the animals should have proper burial," agreed Petrie. "But where can we bury them?" pointed out Ducky. Courage's heart broke at the sight of the dead animals and he wept over them with tears running down his face. Abraham Hershel then placed his hand over his shoulder and then Courage turned his head to view him.

"It's a part of life, young man. It's part of life. But there is absolutely no excuse for lives cut so short," he informed him soberly and solemnly. Courage then wiped the tears from his eyes and sniffled. "This universe revolves around a simple circle of life. We are born, live for a certain amount of years, and eventually we die. There is a lot of unfairness in this world. You just have to deal with it, and if you can, change it for the better. You just simply have to make the best of your life," Abraham Hershel explained to the dog. Courage then gave him a strong and serious nod.

"Luella, do you really think that having two dead animals in this house is acceptable?" scolded Jean Simon. "You both sober up and take responsibility for your actions or you'll go to prison for life," added Alex Fay. "I think I found something," Zazu announced to the gang and then everyone rushed over to the night table where Zazu was resting and they were astounded by what they saw. It was a gassy, watery, yet icy, hydrate methane-like ghost egg that burned in both fire and ice and glowed and radiated with mortal and ghost aura energy. "Zazu, you're a genius!" Mufasa declared while chuckling. "I am?" sputtered out Zazu, who was clearly shocked for he didn't expected to receive that comment.

"That should be valuable to Mary Bellum. She will certainly hand over Simba with this item," replied Sarabi. "I've never seen anything like this," responded Katie Winslow in awe. "None of us have, Katie," retorted Celine Demount. "First of all, we'll call the authorities over to the house, leave all of the drugs sitting on the sofa, have the detectives arrest Luella on the spot, and then we can knock her out and make our getaway," suggested Joey Falcon. "Yeah, but who's going to knock her out?" inquired Anthony LaPage.

Just then, a tranquilizer dart stuck in Luella's neck and then she swooned on her bed head first and then was laid sprawled unconscious on her chest on top of her bed. Everyone then switched their focus to Maura McEnglish and was startled to see she held a tranquilizer gun in her hands. Spike then mumbled in garbled words in awe. "You own a tranquilizer gun?" enquired Ruby, curious. "Yeah, this is also payback for all of the bullshit she put me through all these years," answered Maura McEnglish while cocking her gun.

Detective Stabler then handcuffed the drugged Luella while Detective Benson read her rights. "C'mon, let's gather up all this dope and dump it on the sofa," urged Ella Dupre. "I'm right behind you, Ella," returned Celine loyally but then added after a moment of thought, "I'll return to the rest of the group and I won't even touch those drugs. They're disgusting if you ask me." "Do what you want, Celine. We're not going to use those drugs, I promise you," Ella reassured her.

Celine shrugged and then tentatively picked up the dead animals with latex gloves and while wearing a mask over her mouth and then made away with them. The group then accumulated all of the drugs they could find and they moved them from the room cluster by cluster. May and Paul Swimmerton even helped James Peterson and the dinosaurs carry some of the pounds of cannabis from the room. When they got back to their friends, four newcomers had already come to the scene. They were Jonathan Brandy, Joshua Pierce, Nellie L. Mooney, and Katherine Quinn.

"Whoa. Looks like we got some more backup," joked Paul Swimmerton. "Here. We got a rare ghost egg. Give us Simba back, and we'll be on our way," May snapped a little impatiently and then she handed over the ghost egg to Mary Bellum. Mary Bellum studied its components and composition and was greatly interested. With a smirk and radar sharp, intense, meticulous eyes, she then accepted the egg and then shoved Simba into May's arms. Simba then coughed hard and then scrambled in her arms before cuddling up to her chest.

"What took you guys so long?" he asked May demandingly. "Well, some things just take time, but I'm just glad we got you back," said May with an answer and then she tickled his nose. Mary Bellum then took a glimpse at the drugs and then looked back at the team once more. "Why you'd put the drugs on the sofa?" she questioned. "The authorities will come up to get them sooner or later once we contact them…" started Tina Swallow but then Jonathan Brandy cut her off by saying, "Which we already did." Tina cleared her throat and disregarded the interruption. "And then the detectives will escort Luella out of the house and take her to a nearby jail," she continued.

"Good work, Team Legacy. You helped us make a very successful drug bust and make a necessary arrest. Looks like now your leader will have sufficient grounds to have Payton adopted," Detective Benson praised the heroes as she and Detective Stabler wheeled a dazed Luella out of the house. Maura McEnglish just glowered at them and growled in displeasure.

"Don't blame yourself, Ms. McEnglish. I'm very sure you tried your best. Luella must've been a very bad seed from the very beginning," Detective Stabler assured her. "I'm sure my mother will be proud of all of us," chimed James Peterson confidentially. "Yeah. After all, who gets to make a great drug bust?" agreed May. "Well, maybe Luella was just manipulated by negative factors. Maybe someone brainwashed her," suggested Fievel. "Perhaps you're right kid. Perhaps you're right," considered Detective Stabler as he clicked his tongue and made a gun gesture at him before he and Detective Benson departed from the cottage for good. Mary Bellum then sprinted through a window and then sprang away from the house while making her quick getaway and stealing away with the ghost egg.

"Just to warn you guys, we have to get the ghost egg back in case Zalira has evil intentions with it," informed Sawyer admonishingly. "That could be possible," muttered Abraham while scratching his chin. Jean Simon nodded in agreement. "Okay. We have to get out of here before we're all accidentally arrested because of the drugs," Nellie L. Mooney egged them on.

...

Just then, Mitchell leapt into the house and there was a white Skycycle standing before the doorway. Katherine Quinn gasped in amazement. "Who are you?" she interrogated him. "Mitchell the Pikachu. Ah hey… It's that Japanese Chin again. And you know what? I just found an antidote for the spell you're under," remarked Mitchell while making a gentlemanly bow and then noticed Rhonda. "Well, I'm very, very, very proud of you guys. You did the right thing by alerting the authorities about this. Judge Trudy would definitely like to know about this," Rhonda told them with a pleased smile.

"I also took some photographs of the penthouse, the hospital, Winda, the Demurs' apartment, the wreckage of Outback Steakhouse, Mary Bellum firing at us, Holly Camden and Osama Berlin, and now the drugs in this cottage. I'm also collecting evidence as well," added Abraham Hershel while grinning. "Thank you, Mitchell. But let's see if I can transform myself back into a Firebird," Rhonda acquiesced and then she immersed herself with electricity and attempted to revert back into her Firebird form but then something was wrong. She was stuck in this form!

"Uh oh. Houston we have a problem," Rhonda announced. "I figured. Yubaba's magic must be pretty strong for you, and I suspect you are particularly susceptible to all forms of magic. So take this antidote right now and in exactly 72 hours you will be restored to your original form. But you will always keep this Japanese Chin form, because it is permanent. It does come with a couple of modifications, though," retorted Mitchell and then he tossed the burgundy potion to Rhonda and then she popped the cap and then jugged it down her throat. She then burped while covering her mouth in an attempt to be polite.

"It is 11:26 P.M. right now, and in three days you will morph back into a Firebird at the same time you drank the potion. Page or call me when it happens," Mitchell told her. Just then he stood still and twitched his ears and then when he turned around to face the horizon he was dumbfounded to discover that Holly Camden was approaching the cottage on a jet fighter.

"Gash! Holly Camden's coming! She might try to put the blame on us! We must flee immediately on my Skycycle," Mitchell warned everyone. Judith then scrambled for the Skycycle and then jumped into the driver's seat. Everyone rushed to the aircraft and then got into their seats. Mitchell then sat next to Judith Beasley, for he was skeptical that a 10-year-old girl can actually pilot a Skycycle. "Hey, aren't you that Canadian girl who was at Outback Steakhouse?" Victor enquired Nellie L. Mooney. "Yes I was. I was also watching Mary Bellum. We really should be careful with her," answered Nellie L. Mooney.

Judith then activated the Skycycle and then the plane took off in a speed of light. Soon the airplane was going at 200-1000 miles per hour, and the young girl was screaming with fear. "HELP!" she cried fearfully. "Don't panic, kid. Just use the controls properly and you'll be fine. Manipulate the speed to safe levels – we don't want anyone flying overboard. This is a very powerful vehicle after all and I've flown this thing for years," Mitchell instructed her.

Holly Camden then was in hot pursuit of the gang and was picking up speed. The Skycycle's speed was automatically increased and soon the crew was getting away from the New Yorker Senator. "This thing operates on voice command, so whatever you say it will do as you say," added Mitchell as he supervised Judith carefully. "Go faster," she commanded and then the Skycycle went even faster. It went so rapidly that it was now traveling at light speed. Holly Camden surely cannot keep up with them now! But then she pushed a button and then sent out a missile. The missile then struck the Skycycle and then smoke was drifting from the engine.

"Judith! Mitchell! We might be going down! Hilary just hit us with a missile!" yelled James as he observed the smoke materializing in the air. The Skycycle then was spiraling in midair and began to do a nosedive. Mariska Hamilton was petrified. For her, history was now repeating itself. When she was a young girl, her family used to travel all over, but then on a return flight from Houston, the airplane hit a strong turbulence and many people were injured, including her stepmother Elena. Only one person on that flight perished.

Mariska then surveyed the situation and held on to her seat. Judith was trying in vain to bring the airplane back up to its original altitude, and Mitchell was trying as best as he could to assist her. Rhonda was very concerned. If something was not done soon, everyone on board could crash into the Atlantic Ocean and drown. She then got into a hole on the back wall of the Skycycle and traveled to the engine. Once she was inside the engine, Rhonda connected and tapped a bundle of electric wires to her body and then began to charge up her electric power.

C'mon, Rhonda. C'mon, kiddo. You can do this, you can do this. Rhonda thought to herself as she struggled to revive her electrical powers that were being suppressed by the magic spell Yubaba had unwittingly cast on her. She then strained and grunted as nothing occurred. Now Rhonda was getting frustrated by this setback. "Why, won't, my, stupid, powers, come, back?" she spat as she banged her head against the engine beat by beat. Rhonda tried harder and harder to jump start the engine electrically, but it was no use. As the minutes ticked by, she knew that precious time was slipping away.

Thanks to Yubaba, this will be the end of her. She will be one of many people who had died long before their time. No sparks had erupted. Nothing was working as far as she knew. All of her screaming, crying, grunting, screeching, yelling, and shouts of frustration would not be enough to bring her powers. At last, Rhonda plopped down hard on the floor and sat there in astonishment and disbelief while retaining her gaping expression. "My God. Yubaba had finally done it. She finally took away my powers. Now my friends are certainly doomed. They will die a scary and frightening death by drowning right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully something will happen and I can die first," she gasped in grim realization and in a dejected matter. Keep on trying, kid! Don't give up! Try something else, something that you can do, suggested a thought.

This jolted Rhonda out of her melancholy. "Who said that? Show yourself right now!" she screamed demandingly. I'm Serling. I'm from another plane of existence. What is your name? The voice introduced itself. "Rhonda. My name is Rhonda," Rhonda said in reply. Ahh, Rhonda. What a beauteous name. I suggest you think of something quick, before you and your friends kick the naval bucket, continued Serling. "Well, there is something I could do. Maybe I could kick myself to a good mood," was Rhonda's rejoinder. Ahhhh, you're a very quick lady. A feisty one, aren't you? Well do something fast! countered Serling.

Just then Rhonda's right foot flicked the lever down and then the young teenager got electrocuted. And at that moment she was at last connected to the electricity. The Skycycle rose in the air and then glided across the sky. "YES!" yelled Mitchell. "All right! You go girl!" cheered Mariska Hamilton while clapping her hands. "She did it!" chirped Judith while waving her hands enthusiastically. "I'm really impressed. Who's going to get payback by hitting Hilary now?" commented Minnie Rogers.

"YEAH! That bitch is going down!" roared Hugo and then he got to the cockpit. He then saw a button that read, "Fireworks" and then slammed his fist on it. Millions of crackling firecrackers shot into the air and then assailed Holly's jetfighter. She then fired her machine guns at the gang in return. "Oh no you don't!" Rhonda growled determinedly and then her fire force field shielded the Skycycle, consequently deflecting the bullets and causing the bullets to blast at the Senator instead. "Man gotta love America. You can kill off some villains, do your work, marry whoever you want, and compete in a dogfight with a Democratic candidate," mused Joey Falcon while snickering.

"Shoot some rockets!" rasped Laverne. "Aye, aye, Captain Laverne!" responded Hugo jokingly as he pushed another button labeled, "Rockets" and a dozen cluster of rockets zapped out and then Holly Camden's plane was soon bombarded severely and gravely. Her jetfighter was now falling apart and if she doesn't reach dry land soon, the plane would combust into flames and she would end up going down into the sea.

But she had a plan and a smirk emerged on her face. Behind her were plenty of caged falcons, albatrosses, and seagulls. Holly opened up the latch on top of the jetfighter and then released the birds one by one. Soon the birds were menacing towards the Skycycle while gliding carefully, silently and with stealth. "Attack the plane!" ordered Holly and then the birds began their assault, banging, screeching, clawing, scratching, pecking, jabbing, head butting, and body slamming on the exterior. Everyone was blinded. "I got an idea, everyone," declared Laverne and then she whistled for Gale Gaynor. Gale then came to her. "Okay, Gale. Listen up. Hit the button that says "Pepper Spray" and that will surely repel the birds. We'll also blast out tomatoes for good measure," Laverne instructed her.

Gale then approached the cockpit and then scanned her eyes around for the button. Finally she found the button that said, "Pepper Spray" and then tapped on it. Suddenly, a cloud of pepper spray seeped from the Skycycle and then hovered around it. The birds were excited and terrified and swarm around the aerial vehicle. A dozen auto cannons emerged from the Skycycle and then shot out tomatoes repetitively in a counterclockwise matter, knocking out some of the birds into the water and inflicting many others with a sloppy, soupy, red mess. Finally they flew away from the Skycycle in flocks of a dozen and went on to search for new ground. Holly Camden was furious. "DRAT!" she hissed and then frantically punched random buttons in a desperate attempt to defeat the crew. Homing missiles were launched and then crashed into the engine.

The Skycycle was now crippled as sparks flew by and smoke began to float out and a small ember was born. "Now we're talking!" Holly shouted in triumph and then she pushed a button that contained a really powerful weapon, "CRV7". The missile then flew out of the jetfighter and then tore into the Skycycle. The aircraft was now on fire! Marie Peters guarded Judith while Helen tried to calm everyone down.

"What was that?" screamed Aunt Voula who was now quickly panicking. "This is the second crash we had in this mission!" muttered Celine Demount while rubbing her temples in distress. Sawyer then boldly pushed her way through and then grabbed hold of the steering wheel and swerved to the east. The gang was now far from land and far from the U.S. mainland. "Sawyer! What do you think you're doing?" demanded Kitty Champagne. "I'm trying to steer us out of danger, you fucking goddamn bitch!" swore Sawyer.

Kitty Champagne lunged for the steering wheel and soon she and Sawyer were tussling for it as the Skycycle took sharp turns, circled around, did midair flips, performed spins and twirls, and also made a burst in speed and choked up to a stop. The Skycycle stopped dead in its tracks and was now descending to the ground. "Me try! Me try!" insisted Petrie and then he got on Sawyer's nose and essayed to control the falling airplane. "Get off my face, you birdbrain!" crowed Sawyer angrily.

"Petrie, get off!" grunted Cera and then she swiped Petrie off Sawyer's nose, causing him to squish on the side window. "That's it! I'm sick of you two fighting! Let me drive!" Maggie Sinclair spoke and then she shoved the two ladies out of the way and then adjusted the Skycycle to a steady course. "Watch out for that tree!" warned James Titan. Maggie Sinclair caught sight of the tree and then leaped over it just in the nick of time. "Cliché," she mumbled coolly and calmly.

The Skycycle then zoomed past a tree and stripped it of its evergreen leaves. Then an eagle was fluttering at the Skycycle and was intent on ripping it to shreds. Maggie Sinclair steered it to the right and then the Skycycle bashed through a bunch of trees before finally landing in a dark, crowded forest. The eagle then soared away without further incident. "What are we to do now?" retorted Aunt Voula. "This really sucks. We lost to a fucking Senator who's running for president," complained Abraham bitterly. "Where are we going to stay?" Kovu asked Sarabi. "Don't fret, dear. We'll find a place," Sarabi assured him. "Well! I must say I'm impressed by your leadership," Katie Winslow complimented her. "They don't call me a go-getter for nothing," uttered Maggie Sinclair while examining her nails.

"Let's just get out of the Skycycle. It's a useless piece of junk anyway," replied Littlefoot. "Littlefoot's right. We need to get going before it gets dark," agreed Ducky. Lois Whitley then strolled over to the engine and then lifted up the lid. There was Rhonda, who was completely fried and dazed and she giggled wildly. "Good work, kid. You tried your best. We're proud of you. I rather be stuck in here rather than die in the middle of the ocean," Lois Whitley praised her.

She then picked up Rhonda and then cradled her in her arms as she walked away from the plane. "If it weren't for Rhonda, we would all be lying in our watery graves right now. She's the one person we should really thank, besides Maggie," James told Kitty while she nodded as she listened. "Look over there!" bellowed Johnny Fiddler. "Who? What? Where? Ohhh… That's a lovely town," exclaimed Maura McEnglish. "Sweet. We'll be buying food pretty soon," commented Jonathan Brandy.

"Yeah, man. If it weren't for that enchanted dog, we'll be shark bait," added Joshua Pierce. "Thanks for saving me guys," Simba spoke up. "My little boy is safe once more," Sarabi crooned as she nuzzled her son's warm, lush neck. "Who wants McDonald's?" announced Aunt Voula. "Ugh… Voula!" snapped Paul Swimmerton. "Shut up and be quiet people! We need to find shelter first!" snarled Ally. "I wonder if there is a waffle house," commented Kiara. Mufasa threw back his head and roared out a belly laugh. "Kiara…" he started while continuing to chuckle

...

Meanwhile in the halfway house, Reline sunk her claw deep into a tree stump in the middle of the first floor and then dragged it down while gritting her teeth in rage. Her breathing quickened and her pupils dilated and with a grunt she thrust her claw into the stump once more and tore it down. The lions were roughhousing and prancing around in agitation. Two hours earlier, Zalira had administered some testosterone/adrenaline pills to them and they rendered them aggressive, restless, excited, and agitated. It dilated their pupils, increased their vision and sense of hearing, and advanced their heart rate and breathing rate.

The lions were thrashing and snarling angrily and there were sounds of growling, howling, and roaring. Newman attempted to get on top of Taska and he pushed him away and he tried to do the same to Reline, and she also turned him away. Saska, another one of the lionesses, yowled at Newman and then jumped over him to get his attention.

Zalira then stepped down the stairs while holding Payton by the scruff of the neck. "I WANT SILENCE!" she commanded as she continued to go down the stairs and then was met with strict formation and with everyone standing up straight. Zalira then stopped where she was and then set Payton down. Payton then tried to flee but Saska blocked him and with her low growling beckoned him to stay with Zalira. "You may go back to your formation, Saska," Zalira informed her and then Saska obeyed her and went back to her spot. "As everyone knows, whenever we receive a new cub into our home, we must initiate it into our group with a little formal ceremony."

"And since this is Mr. German-Zion's son, we must give him special attention. But now we have a double ceremony, where Payton joins our group and where I marry him," Zalira announced to everyone. Payton drew back in fear, but Zalira bent her head down and licked his mane. "I'll deal with you privately," she whispered to him.

Then she faced her pride once again. "The ceremony may begin," she declared. "No," Payton whispered as he once again leaned back in apprehension. Zalira then grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and then carried him to the tree stump. Once Payton was placed on the tree stump, Saska then smeared fresh rat blood on his forehead. Reline then rubbed buttermilk all over his body. Then Newman and Taska feathered and tarred him. The lions then began circling around him as each of them roared alternately. Drums, cellos, strings, and flutes began to play as Zalira chanted some incantations in Swahili and French. Then her eyes went blank and she turned to face the lions with a switch in hand. Zalira then twirled the switch and slapped it on her wrist. The lions then swarmed upon the young lion cub with their fangs and claws bare.

Payton screeched loudly and was petrified with fear. They tore at his fur and tugged on his ears. One of them went for his throat. They also whipped him with cat o' nine tails and yanked his neck with a noose, causing Payton to gag. Then Saska tackled him and began to ravish him. Then a crack from the cat 'o nine tail made a cut on the side of Payton's neck. Zalira then arrived with a worm dangling in her left paw and then stuffed it in his mouth. "Eat up, Payton," said Zalira while chuckling with pleasure. Wait until the marriage ceremony comes in. She then poured glasses of wine down into his throat and then fed him more worms and pig's bloody meat. Then Reline dumped vanilla ice cream on his face and Payton licked it off. Once Saska was done, everyone took turns having a go at it.

Zalira then did her part by trouncing him repeatedly with the switch. Payton then began to weep as pain surged throughout his body. "Coward! You're nothing but a coward! No wonder your father never approved of you and had to put up with you for 7 years! Take it like a man!" Zalira rebuked and criticized him and was scornful at his tears. "You're nothing but a cruel, sadistic monster!" decried a voice and then Zalira spun around with a sneering expression and then was startled to discover that Suzanne Carmichael and Tess McNeal were standing right near the stairs on the second floor and were not chained to a bedpost.

"How… How could you escape the chambers?" she stammered while standing there rattled. "Well, it's simple. Tess is a ghost after all, and she easily slipped out of the chains and also helped me out of them too. We subdued the guards and managed to come here. They did try to stop us, but Tess fooled them and I finished them off," Suzanne explained.

Zalira exploded. "Fooled by an old woman and her slut sidekick! Lions, get them!" she thundered. "I'm not the one who's a whore, it's YOU who's the slut here, Ms. Demur!" contended Tess McNeal, offended. Zalira was further enraged and then charged at Payton and right before their eyes began to flog him with her paws and slashed and scratched him. She beat and flogged him with a rod and bruised him in the process.

Then Zalira began to neck him and was lying with him. She was being consumed by his overpowering scent. She had finally fell prey to her lust, and Zalira began to excessively rub herself against Payton's body. Just then, Suzanne pushed Zalira off Payton while Tess McNeal scooped him up in her arms. Saska then body slammed her to the ground and Newman snatched Payton and brought him back to Zalira. Two more lions then handcuffed Suzanne Carmichael and Tess McNeal together so that they won't escape.

Taska then made a loud, clear whistle and then a middle-aged lion appeared. He was dark golden in color and he also had cloudy, misty, intense, grave, solemn amber eyes. This lion had a rugged, sagacious and rough oval-shaped face and wrinkles under his eyes and he also had medium thin cheekbones. His nose was rectangular-shaped and medium-sized. His fur was fine yet coarse and brittle as a horse's hairbrush. His shoulders were short and straight and his back arched nearly 90 degrees. He also had huge, wide paws and graceful, powerful, strong and tall legs.

The lion also had wide, open ears and were crooked. In the dark halfway house his fur looked almost brown but in the bright light they were actually dark golden. He presented a majestic and authoritarian-like visage and his presence caused those who dared lay eyes on him to be respectful and humble, even repent in front of him.

His name was Reverend Zachariah, and he was a minister who originally practiced Santeria and therefore was experienced with contacting spirits from different parts of the universe and even different planes of existence and even in a variety of different universes. He was the Newfoundlars' main spiritual leader and the one person who can make contact with Sonon. "Are you ready to marry, Zalira?" he interrogated Zalira. Zalira then whizzed around to face him. "Oh Father Zachariah! Yes, I am ready," she answered while bowing to him. "All right. This marriage ceremony won't take long. It will be in French," Reverend Zachariah decided. "I object!" cried Tess McNeal.

Reverend Zachariah then switched his focus to her and then smiled. "Le bon jour, la madame. Comment réussissez-vous?" he greeted her. Tess McNeal was incredulous. "Comment avez-vous su que je peux parler le français?" she inquired. "Je sais une Française quand je l'un vois, mon cher," was Reverend Zachariah's answer. Tess McNeal blushed, but kept her composure. She was not about to be swayed by this charismatic priest. "Vous êtes un homme sale, établissant des mariages entre un enfant qui n'a pas frappé même la puberté pourtant et une lionne adulte," Tess McNeal argued.

"Que peux-je dire? Ceci est tout pour le bon de Sonon," Reverend Zachariah replied to her with a sigh and while shrugging. "For the good of Sonon, huh?" Tess McNeal repeated while scoffing. Reverend Zachariah then showered Zalira and Payton with blossom, rose, buttercup, dandelion and daisy petals and cologne. With a rod he said a prayer for each of them and then kissed both of them on the forehead. Reverend Zachariah then took out an old, worn, torn book of prayers from his overflowing cardinal robe and then began to read.

"Do you take Payton Jonathan Gilbert German-Zion to be your lawful, civil mate?" he enquired Zalira. "By the solemn hand of Sonon, I do," Zalira replied. "Do you take Zalira Shelly Doris Kristy Demur to be your lawful, civil mate?" Reverend Zachariah focused his direction to Payton. Payton was sweaty and nervous. He didn't know what to do. He then turned to Suzanne with fearful tears pouring down his face as he quake. "It's your choice, Payton. Tess and I cannot stop you now," she mouthed silently yet sadly.

Payton then turned back to the reverend once more. "B-B-B-By th-th-th-th-the solemn hand of So-o-o-onon, I-I-I-I-I d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-do," the young boy sputtered as he rattled on as if he were on a jackhammer. "Oh God," Suzanne sighed while slapping her hand on her face. Reverend Zachariah then took out two diamond crystal amulets and then blessed Payton with one and placed it around the neck and he also repeated this procedure with Zalira. Then, he clasped the two amulets together with his hands and also laid Payton's right hand with Zalira's left hand.

"In the name of Sonon, I proclaim you husband and wife of the Kingdom of Aquarius," Reverend Zachariah announced. The lions then cheered wildly and were screaming with joy and began to clap and rejoice at the new union. "Praise be with Sonon!" rejoiced Saska enthusiastically. Then she turned her head to Payton and sneered at him. "I envy you," she leered. She then walked off.

Tess McNeal then shook herself free of the handcuffs and with a key also freed Suzanne of them and pulled Taska over and leaned over to his ear. "Who's that girl that just spoke to Payton?" she whispered. "Oh, her! She's Saska. She's only 16-years-old and she also dropped out of high school in order to join this cult. Saska is a street wise, tough, belligerent, energetic, sexy, sultry, and brilliant young girl. She's just somewhat lazy when it comes to her studies. But she catches on stuff pretty quickly. A very quirky girl if you ask me," chattered Taska. "Hmm. I see," remarked Tess McNeal.

Suzanne Carmichael then walked over to Zalira. "Excuse me, Zalira. May we have a word with Payton?" she questioned her. "Why not? As long as he doesn't run away from here in the first few hours after our marriage has commenced," Zalira sassed her. Suzanne huffed and then grabbed Payton's hand and then she and Tess McNeal took him upstairs. "Oh, and by the way, you just got in the cult!" bellowed Newman as he watched the trio go across the hallway.

"I can't believe it, Suzanne. I'm… married," gaped Payton. "Don't worry, Pay. Tess and I will help you walk through it. You definitely need a break after all of the hell they put you through," Suzanne reassured him gently. Payton then began to cry as he was sobbing between breaths. The elderly actress then wiped away his tears with the caress of her finger. "Listen to me, Payton. Going into a marriage is a huge transition to go through, especially if you're very young. There are kids older than you, especially 12, who are married. There are also concepts of teenage marriages."

"And most of them enter these marriages thinking it is all fun and games. It's not. If you don't do your part in the marriage, eventually your spouse will file for divorce and your marriage will collapse. Now quit crying, Payton. You can cry in front of Tess and I and even when you're alone, but not in front of Zalira and her goons. She expects you to act like a man, so you might as well try to act like a man. I'll bust Zalira's ass sooner or later. I'll report this to the police and I'll tell them everything that has happened here."

"I'm just glad I got Zalira off you before she could do further abuse on you. When we get to the room, I'm going to have another talk with you on what I might allow you to do and what I'm NOT going to allow you to do, such as rolling in the hay with Zalira for instance," she informed him. "This kid needs a psychiatrist," Tess McNeal suggested. "Of course! I'm going to phone one in the morning. His problems are very serious to warrant such a visit," Suzanne agreed heartily. The trio then arrived in the chambers and soon ambled inside and closed the door.

...

That very night, Zalira was shaky and sweating in her office. She couldn't believe she had just jumped into the marriage. She then got on her knees and clasped her hands together in prayer. "Oh, Lord Sonon, hear your servant's cry. It is she who begs your counsel this night," Zalira prayed.

At that moment light shone down in her office and then a ghostly figure appeared. He had the head of a jackal and the face of a wolf but had the body of a lion. He also had the gigantic wings, (which were on his back), and tail feathers of a quetzal. It was Sonon, and he was blue and white. His crest was of that a blue jay. His bold, fierce eyes were that of a barn owl and his snout was smooth, short, and pointy. His sharp canine jaws were that of a mountain lion.

Sonon stood at an imposing 7 feet and had a formidable stature. His arms were powerful sledgehammers that can crush any living being in sight and his feet were as powerful as a T-rex's. His ears were also as tall as a jackrabbit's. Sonon also wore a blue and black royal cape and also a black and white royal crown. He also held a golden yellow scepter that was carved into a form of a Thunderbird.

Zalira then crouched down in submission and waited for Sonon's command. "Arise, Servant Zalira. I congratulate you on your marriage to Payton," was Sonon's first command and Zalira stood up on her feet. Sonon snapped his fingers and then a group of nobles formed a high chair and then he sat on them. "So what is your question, Lady Zalira?"

"Ever since I was a cub, I always had feelings for people younger than me, and tonight on the 25th day of April I am wedded to a young prepubescent boy named Payton. What is your desire and wish, so I may carry it out as best as I can?" Zalira explained to him. "Hmm… Well, you know… Hasn't it been 10 years since you last had a child?" Sonon interrogated her. "Yes it has been 10 years since Winda was born," confirmed Zalira.

"Very well then! I believe it is good timing. You have married young Payton as soon as possible within my 50 day deadline, and now I'll give you a year deadline, so you'll have plenty of time. I shall give you 2.5 billion bullion of gold if you produce a child with Payton; I could care less about the gender. If a child is born within this year and it is Payton's child, I will pay you in full. But if 2009 comes around and if you're not pregnant and no child surfaces, you will spend the maximum of 5 years or more in my prison castle deep in the land of the abyss, Prison of Clientele. AS A SLAVE!" Sonon instructed her.

Zalira immediately cowered in his wrath and as an act of deference she crouched on her chest once more and laid her head on the ground in submission. "Yes, master," she complied, with her eyes still looking at him. "I practically raised you from the time you were a cub. YOU were willing to follow all of my orders, because of the belief that you are the Indigo Princess that is destined to change the world."

"You are a very special creature, Zalira. Society has cast you out because of your imperfections and I took you in as my own daughter. You were rash, audacious, bold, brazen, spoiled… and I took care of that. Over the years, you have grown to be a really mature woman who knows what her needs are. We need Payton too. He could be one of the important factors for one of our future master plans. That goes for that little Finn as well. Let me say one thing to you. You are a woman, and as a woman you should use your feminine wiles to charm men and lure them into your ultimate trap."

"Use what you know on Payton. Charm him, protect him, spoil him, love him… and in time he may fall in love with you. Once that happens, make your next move. Don't rush things, Zali. Just let things run their course and just take your time. But don't screw this up! I need new blood this year and all of my old blood has all grown up. Tomorrow, set up a lunch date with him and in few hours attempt to seduce him. After all, he is your new husband now," elaborated Sonon. Then he tapped her head with the scepter and blessed her. The light shrouded him and then he disappeared in no time.

Zalira could barely contain her excitement. It was her very first lunch date with Payton! She paced around in her office and then bounded onto her dog bed and curled up inside it. Zalira's tail then flicked back and forth slowly and faintly and with a smile on her face she finally fell asleep while dreaming about her intimate moment with Payton.

...

Meanwhile, in an animal shelter 20 miles away, Cliff and Buddy were incarcerated in a 5-feet-wide cell while roosted on a glued cinnamon broomstick along with some stray dogs. A social worker walked by and then dumped a newspaper into their cell. Halfheartedly, Buddy swooped down and then grabbed the newspaper with her talons and returned to the broomstick. She then opened up the newspaper and her heart stopped at the following headline and its succeeding subtitle:

April 26, 2008

The Foster Report

Multi-Millionaire Corporate Boss Businesswoman Zalira Demur Weds 7-year-old Son Of Gilbert German-Zion

Written by: April Beaucroft

Late last night at a halfway house known as "The Kingdom of Aquarius", Zalira Demur married Payton Jonathan Gilbert German-Zion, 7, of Washington, D.C., Virginia in a private ceremony held by notable Santeria minister Reverend Zachariah. Not much is known at this point, except for the fact that Payton was taken to Zalira's apartment just days ago and then was stolen away to the halfway house in the dead of night. As of right now, the only facts that are known about Payton's life is that he was born three months after 9/11 and the date of birth is registered as 12/23/01.

His late mother, Luella Josephine Kathy Hahn, was a resident at Providence, Rhode Island and was also one of Mr. German-Zion's numerous secretaries. She was also one of his many lovers and from this relationship came Payton. Payton was born 8 months prematurely just as America was still reeling from a tragic national event. He was stricken with lung infections, kidney failure, and a heart murmur. Payton even had a brain tumor when he was a year old and as a result underwent surgery.

After a series of illnesses that included influenza, bouts of pneumonia, sinus infections, whooping cough, and a cut on a knee that got infected, his grandmother, the famous coloratura opera singer and theatre/film actress Maura McEnglish, took him to a doctor's visit out of concern for his health and at the tender age of 4, Payton was diagnosed with the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus. Ms. McEnglish was apparently devastated and confronted her daughter Luella about her son's illness and Luella then revealed to her mother that she too was stricken with AIDS that she had been living with for the last 4 years.

Ms. McEnglish even informed Mr. German-Zion about Payton's current health status and he reluctantly confessed to her that he had been dealing with the disease for the last 10-20 years, which is pretty amazing considering the current life expectancies for people sick with AIDS. Almost all of his secretaries have since been long deceased from complications of the HIV virus.

As for how Mr. German-Zion contracted the ailment in the first place, he was first exposed to it back in the winter of 1988, when he received a contaminated blood transfusion after he got into a really horrific car crash in which he sustained broken ribs, a fractured arm, a dislocated shoulder, and a split right shin. His left eye was punctured and bloody and he nearly lost his vision in that eye and now the left eye is weaker than that of the right eye. His liver was also lacerated and he also received a liver transplant just before he had a transfusion. His left leg was shattered and had to be amputated, and believe or not he has a prosthetic leg.

Apparently as he was going down a winding, isolated road in Dover to visit his mother, a drunk driver slammed into him and his car plunged into the icy cold, murky, deep canal. His disease is now reported to be in its last stages and his doctor informs The Foster Report that in his last checkup a year ago that he has given his patient only 5 more years to live and he estimates that the year 2012 may be his last.

As Luella has never expressed a desire to rear her HIV-positive son, her mother Maura, (who had been caring for her grandson for the first 5 years of his life), had supervised his treatment and raised him for a year before his father came by for a visit, picked up Payton, and never returned to drop him off at his grandmother's house. Later that year a local court ruled that the custody rights of Payton should be handed over to Gilbert German-Zion because, "Ms. Maura McEnglish was deemed unfit and unable to care for him."

The elder German-Zion has since resided with his young son in a penthouse that he and his future daughter-in-law Zalira co-owned together, despite of the rancorous breakup of their romantic relationship that resulted in Zalira having to raise their daughter Winda Sophia-Marie Demur alone.

The staff at The Foster Report wishes to thank Miss April Beaucroft for her contributions to this article.

Luella Josephine Kathy Hahn, daughter of Maura Velma Ann Hahn Sawyer McEnglish, former secretary of Lord Gilbert German-Zion, former model for L'Oreal Paris, television personality, and infamous nightclub singer of early 90's New York scene, dead at the age of 33

Written by: April Beaucroft

Luella Josephine Kathy Hahn, the daughter of the celebrated Australian opera singer Maura Velma Ann Hahn Sawyer McEnglish and Lewis Francis Hahn, the influential newspaper magnate and founder of The Foster Report, has died at the age of 33 at 9:30 P.M. last night while being interrogated by New York detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson for alleged charges of possession and trafficking of drugs. According to Mr. Elliot Stabler, who was present at the scene, this is what happened.

"Detective Benson and I were down at the police station questioning the person in question about the presence of the drugs in her mother's house. Luella was very defensive and told us that she bought those drugs from some guy she met down the street that operated the crack house because she needed some drugs. Ms. Benson inquired her about the cash that was found at the scene and Luella swore at her in response and refused to disclose any further.

After 3 grueling hours in the police station, Luella broke down and then finally revealed that she was borrowing large sums of money from her childhood friend, (who also turned out to be a drug dealer), and never paid him back. She also elaborated on the fact that she had been helping him selling drugs and transporting and trafficking them from all over the country and to and from Colombia and Hawaii."

"She also went on to explain that she had pulled out life insurance on her own mother and had been planning to gun her down on her birthday. To make matters worse, she had withdrew $200,000,000 from her mother's account and also defaced her car many times. Luella also set her mother's house on fire 5 years ago and also attempted to blow up the house with a bunch of dynamite while her mother was entertaining guests in the kitchen.

Because of her rebellious, cantankerous and malicious nature, Luella's relationship with Maura had been estranged for many years and they hardly spoke to each other in months. Luella also hinted that she had a journal hidden somewhere in the house but refused to indulge on its location. She then excused herself to go to the bathroom and then left the interrogation room."

"An hour and a half past before Detective Benson and I went to the bathroom to check up on her. After Detective Benson rapped on the bathroom door three times to no avail, I kicked down the door and the two of us stumbled onto a grisly scene: Luella's head was blown off completely clean and was nothing but a bloody, squishy mash. Blood had spilled on the floor, and near her was a needle lying on the floor with a bit of heroin liquid left. Next to her mangled corpse was a .50 semi-automatic revolver. Also next to the needle was a bag of black powder and then Detective Stabler spotted a note stuck on the toilet and trotted to the toilet and ripped the note off and read it.

The note read, 'If you are reading this note, I am already dead, you (blank)ing bastards. This life has been nothing but hell, and so therefore I decided to end my life here and now. If you find Payton, tell him that I have never given a rat's tail about him and that he is the weakest, cowardly, stupidest, disgraceful, disgusting rodent I have ever given life to. His father must be ashamed to have such a boy walking around with those pathetic eyes and that ridiculous voice of his! I hope in 3 years Payton dies and that 15-year-old bitch never gets to adopt him! I also hope that when Gilbert dies that he is disowned in his will. He doesn't even deserve to be my son, much less be called a German-Zion or a Hahn!

Signed, Luella.'

Hence, Ms. Benson and I have reason to believe that this case is a possible suicide by combination of drugs and firearms."

Born on November 11th, 1975 in Austin, Texas, Luella was known as a feisty and spirited tomboy and a notorious troublemaker as a child. She was more interested in exploring, hunting, shooting, riding horse back and wrestling with boys than attending school. She also frequented bars and saloons and drank beer with men, often without her mother's permission and knowledge. Maura tried her best to raise Luella to be a proper and elegant young lady, but it was not successful.

Luella was far too independent, far too wild, and far too much to handle. For example, when Maura was on one of her extensive tours in Australia, Luella, who was only 10, arrived wearing a light blue bikini and with her belly button showing. The tabloids had a field day with the incident and it was all over the Australian press, making Maura mortified and abashed. As her daughter's antics grew more and more frequent and more brazen and kooky, her attempts to discipline her got more and more futile.

Finally when she was 18, Maura finally kicked her out of the house and she packed her bags and relocated to New York, where she became a sensation. Luella earned her living by performing gigs at nightclubs and became infamous for her obscene and crazy performances. She had flashed more than once and often appeared on stage intoxicated. Some of the guests solicited her, and even paid her to sleep with them. But eventually her employer had enough of her eccentric behavior and had her fired. Luella then searched for more jobs and then came across a Hollywood producer that wanted her to star in a talk show.

So "The Luella Hahn Show" went on air in Detroit and for 5 incredible seasons Luella berated, criticized, teased, mocked, swore, taunted and made guests break down in tears as one of trash television's most profitable, bankable, and popular assets. But halfway through the sixth season, Luella was involved in a succession of scandals involving sex and drugs and even at one point she abducted a kindergartner at knife-point and held her hostage in front of the Foster Report INC building, where her father was the boss, and it took the FBI, the SWAT team, and even the DEA to negotiate for the little girl's release and bring her back home to her mother. Luella was arrested on charges for kidnapping and holding a minor against his/her will and battery and was convicted of those charges and sent to a correctional facility for 6-12 months and house arrest for 6 more months and probation for 10 years.

Luella then did her time and then went back to production, but because of the colossal impact the scandal had made, the ratings declined drastically and by the fall season it was cancelled. After the failure of her show, Luella continued to operate in the drug underworld and traffic and sell drugs to other drug dealers for profit. She also turned to robbery, burglary, arson, conning, and even murder.

One night Luella broke into Mr. German-Zion's mansion and cracked his safe. She was stuffing millions of dollars into a croaker sack when Gilbert German-Zion happened to go downstairs for a cup of water and caught her in the act. In order to avoid being arrested, going through another trial and possibly being locked away for life Luella agreed to be employed in his services as his secretary.

For the next several months, she slaved her days away editing, writing down, keeping, recording, and storing away records, finances and notes for Mr. German-Zion. Luella also called him by his nickname, "Mr. Piano." In addition to her secretarial work, she also swept and cleaned the store and held the fort while Mr. German-Zion was frequently away on business.

In no time he fell in love with her vivacious personality and her seductive sensuality. Luella fell for his charming, elegant, charismatic, and professional temperament. But he also had his shortcomings. Gilbert German-Zion was often foul-tempered, abrasive, abusive, and rough with her and he would treat her cruelly and harshly. Luella was bold, daring, impulsive, with a bad temper, loud, outspoken, callous, insensitive, and mean-spirited.

The two often clashed on financial and social matters. He was disgusted with her slovenly and boorish deposition and was even horrified with her coarse and dirty language. But what the both of them shared in common was that they had loose and casual views on morality and slept together on a daily basis. It was during her employment that Luella had fallen prey to the HIV virus as a result of her carnal relations with Mr. German-Zion. Eventually Luella was impregnated by Mr. German-Zion and gave birth to Payton.

It is said that the unusual stress that 9/11 brought on her caused Payton's early birth. After she recovered from the ordeal of Payton's birth, Luella walked out on Mr. Piano and abandoned her infant son with him. After that she became a model and a spokeswoman for L'Oreal Paris for a brief time and also made millions and billions of dollars. And the rest is history…

Funeral arrangements are not immediately made. A memorial service will be held at 7:00 P.M. tonight at Saint Anthony's Church, located at 549 Plainfield Street. Luella is survived by her mother Maura McEnglish, 75, her son Payton German-Zion, 7, his half sister Winda Demur, 10, and his wife Zalira Demur. Condolences go out to her immediate family and friends.

The staff at The Foster Report would wish to thank Miss April Beaucroft for her contribution to this article.

Buddy was stunned and speechless, and then turned to Cliff with her hair standing. "We got to tell everybody, Cliff. We got to tell everyone that Luella's dead," she told him. "And what about Payton?" Cliff asked her. "He'll be upset, I know it," crowed Buddy in a whisper. Just then a woman stormed into the animal shelter and then conversed with the director. Cliff and Buddy peered in to take a closer look at her. The woman was 5 feet, skinny hourglass figure, with well built and muscular long legs, short, strong, firm arms and hands, with neatly trimmed acrylics on her fingers, and had a short but wide shoulder length. She had fair, white skin and had small, thin cheekbones and also thin, bold eyebrows. Her nose was narrow, short, and pointy like a spear and her lips would convert into a solemn frown.

Her chestnut brown eyes would light up but dim once more. Her hair was short yet bushy and cropped at the ears and reached all the way to her neck. The woman wore a blue vest with a white tank top underneath and black dressy pants and high heeled blue slippers. She also wore a police cap that she got from her former days as a police lieutenant. The woman also spoke with a Boston accent. Slinging on her right arm was a cashmere purse and sticking out of it was the barrel of a gun.

Chills ran down Cliff's back. He knew that this woman was known for shooting down any animal that went rabid. The woman continued to discuss with the director about her occupation as a social worker for orphaned, abused and neglected children and animals. Finally the director relented and then pointed in the fingerbirds' direction. The woman then began to approach them. "Oh my God! It's Lieutenant Primestone! How did she find us?" whispered Buddy, astonished. "Trust me, Budd. She'll find anybody," Cliff returned loyally. Lieutenant Primestone then took out the key and inserted it into the lock.

The cell door swung open and then Lieutenant Primestone lifted up Buddy gently and let her perch on her hand. "Hello there, Buddy. My! Look at you! You've grown into a beautiful young lady. The last time I saw you two you were fingerlings. And well…! Cliff, you have grown up to be as handsome as your father. Probably more handsome than your brother ever will be," cooed Lieutenant Primestone as she caressed Buddy's neck.

"Okay, okay. Timeout! How did you find us?" retorted Cliff. "Well, the welfare agency has been keeping track of you all this time and they find that you have been raised in excellent conditions by a young girl. And when I found out that Mrs. Demur was running this suspicious animal shelter, I radioed my boss that I was going to come here as soon as possible. In fact, I'm taking you back to the orphanage where you spent your first days here on Earth for a reunion party. All of your friends have returned for this occasion, and I'm taking you there. It's been 14 long years," Lieutenant Primestone informed them.

"REALLY? Cake and ice cream!" screamed Buddy joyfully. She LOVED parties and Lieutenant Primestone knew that for a fact. After all, not only has she been their social worker and court appointed guardian ever since they were tiny fingerlings who had just been banished from their homeland crash landing on an alien pod, but she has been working on her job for the last 30 years.

Besides the Martin-Foster children, she has also worked with other countless cases, and some of them were more tragic than Cliff and Buddy's case and some of them didn't turn up so well. But of all of the cases she has handled, Cliff and Buddy remained her more personal and her first and main top priority. After all, she was practically their surrogate mother! Lieutenant Primestone then grabbed Cliff by the arm and then she whisked the two stepsiblings out of the animal shelter. Soon they approached a 1985 black and red Mustang and then Lieutenant Primestone got into the driver's seat and closed and locked the door. She then triggered the engine and then slammed her feet into the brakes and the 1985 Mustang sped off into the busy highway.

"Do you remember where the orphanage is?" Lieutenant Primestone quizzed them. "Umm… Is it in Boston?" guessed Buddy. "Hmm… Nope. Guess again," rejected Lieutenant Primestone. "Wait a minute, wait a minute… (Gasp) I got it! We're heading to Annapolis!" cried Cliff. "Of course! How did you know, Cliff?" chirped Lieutenant Primestone. "Wasn't it two blocks away from The Key School? We used to play with the preschoolers and the kindergartners," pointed out Cliff. "Why, yes of course. The orphanage's name was also called Saint Christine's Home for Orphaned Children," added Lieutenant Primestone. "Hey, Cliff. Remember Nat? She had a huge crush on you. She used to pull pranks on you all the time," recalled Buddy. "Yeah, what a she-devil," mulled Cliff in a detesting matter.

"Don't you think Suzanne and Tess would be worried about us when they find out we're gone?" Buddy enquired Cliff, concerned. "Yeah, they'll know sooner or later," was Cliff's answer while nodding his head. Buddy then began to feel sleepy. She then nodded her head and then slumped on her side and fell asleep. Cliff closed his eyes shut and then hung his head. Then his head fell on Buddy's body. The two fingerbirds drifted away to slumberland as Lieutenant Primestone continued their drive to Annapolis.

...

Meanwhile, Suzanne, Tess McNeal, and Payton were watching television and Pasion was on, even though neither of them really understood Spanish. Just then the programming was interrupted and then Todd Foster materialized in his news studio. "We have very sad news to report. Luella Josephine Kathy Hahn, who was an eccentric television show host in a very quirky talk show, a nightclub singer, a secretary for the wealthy and rich Gilbert German-Zion, and also a model for L'Oreal Paris, has passed away late last night in a Providence, Rhode Island police station while in the custody of Detectives Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson. My sources have informed me that the detectives will not be prosecuted for her death, although there is an open possibility for the family of the deceased to file a lawsuit."

"Also that same night, her son Payton German-Zion has wedded multi-millionaire corporate boss businesswoman Zalira Demur in a private ceremony. It's unfortunate that his own mother didn't survive long enough to witness her son's marriage. Luella is also the daughter of renowned opera star Maura McEnglish. The mother of the deceased nor the son can be reached for comment at this time. In other news…" he announced grimly. Payton then began to sob and laid his head on Suzanne's arm. "Why? Why?" he wailed. Suzanne was breaking down into tears too. So was Tess McNeal. The young boy then threw himself on her chest and continued to weep.

Just then, Zalira burst into the room and then sneered in anger when she spotted Payton crying. "I demand you stop crying this instant!" she commanded. Payton then swallowed his tears and then glared at his new wife. "Now, Payton. How's a dinner date sound?" Zalira offered. "You inconsiderate witch. Payton has just found out that his mother has passed," Tess McNeal reproached her. "Well, why not? But I'm checking up on you two just to make sure no hanky panky is going on," Suzanne relented. Then she glanced at Zalira. "Let me talk to Payton for a moment," Suzanne replied in a solemn tone. She and Payton got off the bed and then trudged to the bathroom and closed the door.

Payton then sat on top of the toilet lid while Suzanne sat on the floor. Payton was still quivering and sniffling from the news of his mother's passing. "Payton, I'm terribly sorry about what happened to your mother. Whatever happened has already happened. You can't change it. Especially if her death occurred as a result of suicide. If she did kill herself, it was her own choosing," Suzanne tried to explain.

"But why would she kill herself?" Payton questioned her. "You see, your mother didn't like the way her life turned out. Especially when she slept with Mr. Piano, your father, and got pregnant with you. And when you were born, the situation got too much for her and she left you with your father. When you needed an adult female to take care of you the most, your mother was unable to provide that. She's probably still a child herself, for all I know."

"But we're really not here to discuss your mother's death. We're here to discuss your date with Zalira. To be honest, I don't completely approve of this marriage. Second of all, this is statutory rape. I think it's wrong for a woman – or lioness – to take advantage of a young boy, especially if she's out lusting for him. Tell you what. Tess and I will take turns supervising you. We're going to sit outside of the office and check inside for any misbehavior. Understand?" Suzanne continued. "Yes, ma'am," answered Payton. "Good. Just remember, if she acts inappropriately, fight back. Just say no," the veteran actress advised him. Payton then nodded and then headed for the door. As he pushed it open and was about to exit, Suzanne added, "And we'll discuss more about your mother later."

Payton then got out of the bathroom and then trotted up to Zalira. "Okay, kid. Let's go. I'll let the dress code slide by this time, but next time it must be formal," she informed him and then the two got out of the room and traveled to the office. The date was about to begin.

Author's Notes:

Le bon jour, la madame. Comment réussissez-vous:

Good day, madame. How do you do?

Comment avez-vous su que je peux parler le français? Je sais une Française quand je l'un vois, mon cher:

How did you know that I can speak French?

I know a Frenchwoman when I see one, my dear.

Vous êtes un homme sale, établissant des mariages entre un enfant qui n'a pas frappé même la puberté pourtant et une lionne adulte:

You're a dirty man laying marriages between a child who has not even hit puberty yet and a lioness adult.

Que peux-je dire? Ceci est tout pour le bon de Sonon:

What can I say? This is all for the good of Sonon