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Linz The old man started to approach Brad and he winced, but as he touched him with the crystal, nothing happened. "What? Why isn't it working? You're in good with that mage aren't you?" "Who?" Brad asked confused. "You know, the girl Wax was with? The sorceress..." "Linz?" Babs asked. "Yeah! That's the one!" the old man shrieked. "Do you have any trinkets she may have given you?" "Not that I can think of..." he replied solomnly. Thinking of the little tiny monkey pendant he carried with him, it couldn't possibly be charmed...could it? "We're waiting for you two," said Wax, still as Linz. "You shouldn't need us...unless" Jess said. She had glanced at that book, she had seen the spell that was refrerred to, the only exception was if all of a soul's allies were against them they would be killed, but to extract and evil spirit, only 3 or more were needed. Unfortunately, Wax knew this as well. As he tried to figure what to do, Linz caught him off gaurd and took control long enough to say "No! Stop! Don't listen-" Before he grabbed her away and slaped her across the mouth. "Look, I can get you into a body, and you can free Mel and we'll be even, all right?" Linz bargained. "No! I still need you for something more!" "Look, what's so great about me? I'm only a mage in training!" |
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Nikki_Lynn ...The old man smiled maliciously. "We'll just have to do this the old fashioned way, then," he said. Brad's eyes widened in fear. The old man picked up a glimmering silver blade, and walked towards him.... "You'll cooperate," said Wax, "Or Brad and Babs die right now." He waved his arm, and a vision appeared before Linz. She saw Babs and Brad chained up, saw the old man moving closer to Brad with a very wicked looking knife. "If you promise to behave," snarled Wax, "I'll tell Vorlen to leave them alone...for now." Linz stared at the image...felt her stomach tying itself in knots. She knew she should fight Wax...She couldn't let him win. But her friends... "Alright," she cried, "Call him off!" "You'll behave?" said Wax. "Yes," Linz whispered, her head bowed. Wax stared into the magical window. "Vorlen!" he yelled. The old man turned, "Leave them...for now." "Master?" he questioned. "You heard me," said Wax. The old man set down the knife, disappointed. Wax waved his arm and the image vanished. He turned to Linz. "Now, my dear," he said, "You are going to do exactly what I tell you to..." "Linz?" asked Jessie. "Yes," Linz said quietly, "For real this time...but I'm afraid I have some bad news..." |
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Babs Brad and Babs watched as the old man teetered back and forth in what could only be called a pace. "'Leave them alone,' he says, 'Don't hurt them,' he says. I want to inflict PAIN, and I want to inflict it NOW!" "Inflict it on yourself," Babs muttered. "What did you say! The old man demanded, picking the crystal rod up again. "Ah-ah! Your 'master' said no-no," Babs taunted with a boldness she didn't feel. In truth, she was terrified that he would merely brush her with the crystal; which would surely be all that was needed to bring her to her knees--metaphorically speaking, of course. "What my master says holds little weight in the heat of passion..." Babs wanted to jerk away from the crystal that he was inching ever so much closer, but she forced herself to remain cool and calm. "Now tell me, what was that you said?" "I merely said inflict the pain on yourself!" Gods! but he was pushy. "Ah, but you see, I am a sadist, not a masochist. I like to see others scream and writhe in pain, begging for mercy. Much like you were just doing." Babs ground her teeth. Had she begged for mercy? She hated to think so, but the pain was so tremendous, she could hardly remember anything else. "But you are right, my master *did* say not to harm you anymore...for now." He grinned wickedly. "But...oh wait..." he said in a obviously fake innocent tone. He then faked a sneeze, causing himself to fall forward and hit Babs with the crystal again. She screamed this time, she was sure of that, but as to whether or not it was for mercy, she didn't know, for she soon blacked out to escape the pain... |
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Linz "What kind of bad news, Linz?" Sue asked, quietly. Linz pointed to the mirror, and out stepped Wax, in Wayne's body, carrying Mel. "Ta da!" Wax said smiling. "Did you all miss me?" "Does a toe miss a hangnail?" Greg asked with his sarcastic tone. Wax placed Mel on the bed next to Linz, and then he went over to the other side to help Linz up. "Don't touch me!" Linz said. Wax just smiled. "Oh yes! My part of the deal..." Wax trailed off, grabbed the box and handed it to Wayne. "Destroy it!" he ordered firmly. Wayne took out the picture and tore it into fourths. The instant he finished tearing the last piece, Mel woke up. "What happened? Where am I?" she said. Linz reached over and hugged her. "It's going to be ok..." she whispered, because she had a plan... "How could you do that?" he asked. "Very simply, I just wished it worked on you as well..." "But what will your master say when he learns she blacked out?" "Oh Shit! I hadn't thought of that..." The old man suddenly became very worried, and started milling about the room... |
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Nikki_Lynn "Alrighty, my dear," said Wax, "I kept my end of the bargin...Your little friend is alive and well. Now it's your turn." He grinned evilly, as he circled her. Linz sighed. Her hands went to the pendant that hung around her neck. "Linz, no!" said Jessie, "You can't! If you give him that pendant, he'll be unstoppable!" "I have no choice," said Linz, removing the pendant, and reluctantly handing it to Wax. "Well, first thing's first," said Wax, "It's time for you to die, my dear brother." "What?" screamed Linz, "You said you'd let us go!" "No, no, no, my sweet little magelet, you misunderstood" Wax cooed, "I said I'd let you go...I never said anything about you being alive when I released you." "I knew you couldn't be trusted," Linz fumed. Wax laughed evilly, as he place the pendant about his own neck. The air in the room began to hum with energy. Wax stood with his arms spread, absorbing the power that radiated from the wall, from the ceiling, from the very air itself. Linz could actually feel his magic becoming stronger and stronger. "Now, you have a choice," said Wax, "Would you like to die quickly and painlessly? Or would you like to die slowly?" "Can't I just die of old age...say in about 50 or 60 years from now?" asked Nikki_Lynn. Wax laughed histerically. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Nikki_Lynn, saw a small blue light. She turned her head to get a better look. D'Shen hovered near the mirror, it's surface in a liquidous state. While Wax was busy laughing, Nikki_Lynn nudged Linz's arm. "I think it's time we beat a hasty retreat," said Nikki_Lynn. "Take the others," said Linz, "D'Shen and Vree might be able to lead you out of the mist. Jess, Mel, and I will keep Wax busy." "But how will you get out?" Greg whispered, overhearing their conversation. "We'll think of something," said Jessie, joining the conversation. "I think I have a plan," said Linz, "Go now, while you still can!" Nikki_Lynn herded everyone into the mirror. She and Greg were the last ones. As they were about to enter the mirror, Wax recovered from his fit of laughter. "Just where do you think you're going?" he thundered. A ball of energy formed in front of him. He released it directly at Greg, who was frozen on the spot. Just as the ball was inches from Greg, a tiny flame jumped from Greg's shoulder, into the path of Wax's shot. The energy ball vanished, and the flame flickered and fell to the floor. Vree. Nikki_Lynn, D'Shen riding on her shoulder, disappeared partially through the mirror, calling at Greg to hurry. Greg was about to turn and run, but at the last second, he dove to the floor and grabbed the little creature. Taking a final split second to glare at Wax, he, too, disappeared through the mirror, cradling Vree in his palm... The blue mist coiled around the group. "Is he alright?" Greg asked, gently stroking Vree's back. Emile stood nearby, studying the creature. "He's hurt pretty bad," said Emile, "I can't do anything for him...Not in here, anyway. If I can get him home, maybe...But I just don't know..." Vree stirred slightly, coiling up in Greg's hand, the normally bright glow from his skin slowly fading... |
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Babs "He has to live!" Greg protested vehemently, still cradling the limp form of Vree in the palm of his hands. For some reason, he had a strong sense of attachment to this tiny creature. Emile frowned sympatheticly at Greg. Truth was, even if Emile *did* get him back to his house, he wasn't sure that he could do much to help him. "What do we do now?" Colin broke the silence while gawking at the mist floating above him, as though something of interest might catch his eye up there. He seemed almost oblivious to the mourning Greg. Greg cast a hurtful glare at him. Ryan, feeling mischievous (and wanting to draw Colin's attention to what was going on around him) stuck his foot out so that as Colin, still looking ever-upwards, walked backwards, he tripped over Ryan's foot and fell flat on his butt. Ryan automatically took note of whatever Colin had been looking at above them and whistled innocently. "Hey!" Colin shouted. "Guys!" Sue said. "Focus? Please?" The two grown men looked at each other guiltily, then looked at the ground ashamedly. "Now, what *do* we do now?" Holly asked. She threw and appologetic look at Greg, for ignoring his pain, but there *were* more pressing matters at hand. Like getting everyone out of this situation alive. Everyone looked at each other, expecting someone to come up with some brilliant plan. Nikki_Lynn felt hard-pressed to think of something brilliant, some wonderful means of escape, as she had in other situations, but the harder she pressed herself, the harder it was to think. "Linz said that they had a plan. Maybe we should just wait for her to carry it through," Greg suggested. Nikki_Lynn looked at him and shrugged. She then looked at Sue and Holly and the look the three of them shared said the same thing: "No way are we just going to sit here and let our fate lie in the hands of someone else." Besides, what if Linz's plan fell through? Then all would be lost. But no brilliant plans were coming, and time was ticking... "What are you so happy about," Linz snapped angrily. If Wax was grinning, that did not bode well for her or the Brady Bunch. "They are in my little world, now. They actually just made my work easier for me. Or should I say...*you* made my work easier for me?" He said pointedly towards Linz. Linz tamped down a growl that rose in her throat. Wax had a way of just ticking her off that made her want to jump at him and...well..do some serious bodily harm, to put it mildly. "Now for you three..." Wax had a grin that could be likened to that of a sleek panther going in for the kill. It sent unwanted shivers down the spines of the three girls. |
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Nikki_Lynn Meanwhile... "You've really gotten yourself into a mess," said Brad, "I mean, when Wax finds out what you did...disobeying him and all...man, are you gonna get it." Brad hoped that he was reading the situation right. Hoped that Volen was as subserviant to Wax as he seemed. Hoped he feared Wax's temper enough... Vorlen tried to stifle a gasp, and then moved back towards Babs, examining her limp body. He lifted her head, hoping to rouse her, but she remained unconcious. "Of course...We might be able to help you," Brad said, innocently. Vorlen glared at him. "You think you stand a chance against my Master?" he laughed, "I doubt it." But Brad noticed a tremor in the old man's voice. He had been right! Vorlen really was terrified of Wax...and now that he had gone against his wishes... Brad was fairly sure that Wax didn't care at all what happened to them...Vorlen, on the other hand, was a coward at heart...dreading his master's punishment for disobedience... "Do you really think you'll be any better off than me and my friends now?" Brad tried again, "I mean, face it. Wax told you sepcifiacally not to hurt either of us...He's not going to be happy..." Vorlen seemed to be utterly at a loss. Indecision showed in his face. "You...you'd protect me...if I helped you?" he asked nervously. Brad smiled. Now he was getting somewhere. "Of course," said Brad, "You'd be prefectly safe." He hoped he wasn't lying... "What on earth is that?" asked Holly, astounded. Headed straight towards them was a massive creature...almost cat-like in appearance. It's footsteps sent vibrations shivering across the ground. "I don't know," said Nikki_Lynn, "But it looked like something Wax would dream up..." She stood up, the entire group preparing to run. Just then, they heard a familiar voice. "Hey guys! I think I found a way out," called Brad, sitting atop the creature. With him were Vorlen, and a semi-concious Babs. "Brad?!" Ryan yelled, utterly amazed, "Wha..." "It's a long story," said Brad, as the cat-creature halted in front of the group, "I'll explain on the way. Climb on!" The cat knelt down, allowing the Brady Bunch to climb aboard, and then set off into the mist. Greg still cradled Vree, looking at his dying form sadly, tenderly stroking the scaled back, hoping he'd make it. The tiny creature, with obvious effort, raised its head to look at him. "Don't worry," Greg whispered, close to tears, "I'll take care of you...You'll be alright." Emile heard the words, but decided to leave Greg alone with his thoughts for the time being... He stood a a distance from the girls, as if debating the best tactic to use. Suddenly he turned and released a bolt of energy in their direction. "Mel!" cried Jessie, "You can block it! Just imagine a barriar between you and Wax!" Mel threw up her hands, covering her eyes as the energy streaked towards her. Linz turned away, dreading the immenint impact...but it never came. She turned back, saw the light of the energy hovering in mid air, inches from Mel's hands. "What?" screamed Wax, "But how?" Jessie grinned. She knew full well what had happened. She glanced at Linz, sudden realization showing on Linz's face... |
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Linz ...Mel was still protected by the magical deal. Wax had promised no harm to her, so that's what happened. Linz whispered in Mel's ear. Mel thrust her hands in front of her and the glowing ball went back and hit Wax in a rather sensitive area... "A magik potion for Vree" But what if it was another trap? |
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Babs Greg grabbed the bottle and studied it, and the note, not sure what he expected to discover. "What's that?" Emile asked. "Dunno. It just appeared in front of me." Greg handed Emile the note. "Think it could be a trap?" "I must think everything is a trap, which is why I'm still alive." "Well, could you figure out what's in the bottle?" Emile nodded. He took the bottle a murmured a few words, casting a lore spell to find out the powers the potion contained. The contents glowed a dull and peaceful blue, then a green spark ignited in the center, and stayed frozen there. Green, signifying healing. The blue around the green, meaning the spell was of good, not evil, origin. Emile nodded to Greg. "It's safe." Greg's face was awashed by relief. He took the vial back and uncorked it. Slowly, he poured the contents into Vree's mouth. Vree twitched. He began to glow brighter. His tiny eyes blinked, and all at once, he was up and flying around Greg's head, only to land on Greg's shoulder and nuzzle him under his chin. It was a beautiful moment... |
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Nikki_Lynn "There!" shouted Vorlen, pointing into the distance. The Brady Bunch gazed in the direction he was pointing. The blue mist converged in a floating whirlpool, swirling in mid air. "That's the way out," said Vorlen, turning to Brad, "You promised, remember? You said you'd take me with you and protect me from Wax." "And I'll keep my word," said Brad, "Just get us outta here!" Vorlen urged the cat-like creature towards the whirlpool. It stopped a few feet away, and the Brady Bunch slid to the ground. "Into the vortex," said Vorlen, "It will take us back to where you started from." Sue stared into the vortex. "I'll go first," she volunteered. She took a deep breath and stepped through, disappearing instantly. The rest of the group followed suit. When they reappeared, they were greeted by a very stunned Mon, NE, and Kathleen. Mon cried out in surprise as Dan, Ben, and Chris appeared as well. "How'd you guys get here? How did we get here?" NE managed to ask... "Well, Wax," she said, "What were you saying about finishing us off?" She bent down and snatched the pendant from around his neck. "You won't be needing this anymore." Wax glared at her, and struggled to his feet. "You haven't won yet..." he hissed, "I still have control of the mirror...Your friends will never get out alive..." "That's what you think," said Jessie, "Just ask Vorlen..." She grinned, knowingly. Thank goodness for Vree and D'Shen keeping her up-to-date. Wax stared into the mirror. The image shifted to show the mist. "Vorlen!" he yelled. The image changed to a view of the tower, then to the room Vorlen, Brad, and Babs had previously occupied, "No!!!" "Yes!" said Jessie, "They're long gone!" Wax slumped to the floor, defeated. "How?" he whispered to himself, "How could they have beaten me?" Suddenly, his lips curled into an evil grin. He laughed. "You may have foiled my plan...but you forget," said Wax, "I'm still in Wayne's body...I will be linked permanently to my dear sweet brother no matter what now..." |
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Kathleen As Kathleen and the other people were wandering around inside on the mirror, they could see out and into other peoples' rooms, what they were and sorts. Then, Dan exclamied, "Oh, what time is it? Does anyone have the time?" Chris looked down at his watch and replied, "It's around 5:00pm, why?" Dan gasped out, "I missing Neighbours. I really wanted to see this episode too." Kathleen shock her head, "Stop your whining Dan. It's not the end of the world for you. You can watch it some other time." Ben said, "Yeah, you can do that Dan. I'm getting hungry, by the way." Everyone nodded in agreement, hoping something would appear since it was a magic mirror, but nothing did. Then, Kathleen noticed through one the mirror openings, she saw a television, "Oh my God, "she exclamied. Dan asked, "What?! What is wrong?" Kathleen smiled happily, "Nothing is wrong. The X-Games are on the TV, I love watching the snowboarding and rollerblading and skateboarding events." Chris asked, "What channel on they are on?" Kathleen replied, "Oh, it's on ESPN and ESPN2." All of sudden the mist in the mirror darnkened... |
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Nikki_Lynn "What's going on?" said Brad. "We're in the transitional barrier between the mirror and the real world," said Vorlen, "We can't stay here long. The mist will trap us if we linger." "So let's get out of here!" said Kathleen. "This way," said Vorlen, "Hurry!" The group followed the old man. He led then to what appeared to be another mirror. On the other side was the house belonging to Dan, Ben, and Chris. "Though the mirror," said Vorlen. "Come on," said Wayne, "Let's go!" They headed off one by one, through the liquidous surface of the mirror, and found themselves in the living room of the house. "I hope Linz, Mel, and Jessie are alright," said Mon. Linz, Mel, and Jessie advanced on Wax. Suddenly he laughed. "What's so funny?" asked Linz... |
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Linz and Kathleen "Don't you get it?!?" Wax laughed, "It's all to easy for me! I sucked enough from your pendant to drain it of at least 3 days of energy!" He mumbled some words that Linz could make out. She winced and waited for the inevitable. Wax snapped his fingers, and Jess, Linz, Wayne, and Brad all passed out at the exact moment. "What did you do to them?" Mel asked in horror. "Just a little sleeping spell, nothing too serious...Just enough to give me some time to finish up!" And as they stepped through, Wayne and Brad passed out. "Brad! Wayne! you ok?" Sue said, runnning over to inspect, but Wayne didn't have a pulse... |
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Jessie The mind is never quiet when consciousness seeps from it. Linz found herself back where she had been before. In that room in her imagination where the deal had been made. Looking around at the world outside from behind it, seeing the way where Wax had stood here within her mind before still seemed warped and darker. Eyes widening as she realized what that could mean to her, if she figured out how to use it... Wayne was in Wax's body. That meant unconscious, he found himself wavering. His soul's instinct to be within his own body, not within this one... Brad felt the way the cords twined around his mind. The red light like that ruby tying his own soul up in knots... Jessie felt existance slip away. Found herself in darkness. But darkness didn't scare her. Her thoughts were what kept her going, and they were alive, alive with the communion with Vree, from D'Shen, from her other friends. Their life's fires as strong as Vree's magical one. And so as she collapsed, she grinned. Because without her body to be with, she only had to be with them. And that gave her strength. Which meant the shadow in the corner, jaws snapping quietly, uncurled from under the table in the room where Wax stood above the two unconscious bodies. Jostumal...but not just. Hackles raising as Wax filled his view. And the laptop on the table above, mostly closed and ignored, continued to beep softly... |
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Nikki_Lynn Mel backed away from Wax slightly. "What are you planning to do?" she said, through clenched teeth. "Well, my dear," said Wax, "You're about to find out." "It's Wax," said Holly, "It's gotta be Wax who's doing this." "Is he..." "No," replied Holly, "He's alive...but I don't know what's happened. Help me move him over to the sofa." Ryan moved in and lifted Wayne from the floor. He carefully carried him the the sofa and laid him down. "What do we do?" asked Mon. "I don't think there's much we can do," said Nikki_Lynn, "Just wait...and hope that Linz and Mel and Jessie can beat Wax." |