Another Front Part 8 - Tales of the Parodyverse

    D’ur Acell awoke with a splitting headache. He was disoriented and his vision was blurry, and the taste in his mouth left something to be desired.

    So it was understandable that it took a few moments for him to realize he still existed.

    “Wha’ happened?” he said as he woozily sat up.

    It took him a moment to focus on the face in front of him. “Gary?” he asked?

    The Ausgardian goat before him snorted in his face.

    “Gah!” he cried as he scrambled back, struggling to fire up his Power Bracelet.

    “Be still D’ur,” said Gamma Ray Gary as he walked up beside the animal. He gently scratched the creature behind its ears. “He means you no harm.”

    “Then why was he in my face?” D’ur eased himself to his feet. “Waking up to a goat in your noodle isn’t the most pleasant way to start your day.” D’ur looked at Gary’s face. “No offense.”

    “He is not a goat,” Gary corrected him. “He is a mjerino sheep. A ram.”

    D’ur looked at Gary with a disgusted look on his face. ‘What, you checked?”

    “He told me,” Gary said with a shrug.

    “You can talk to animals?” D’ur could do that himself, but only with the aid of his Power Bracelet. And not with guinea pigs.

    “Not all. But this fellow and I share a certain lineage,” Gary explained. “His name is Brjuce.”

    “So how come we’re alive? I thought our little stunt against Lord War was strictly a suicide run.”

    “When the blast we generated hit Lord War, I used Ljouis to redirect as much of the energy away from us as possible. That, combined with the energy shield you projected to protect us, was enough to save us,” Gary summarized, patting the indestructible weapon strapped to his thigh.

    “So you’re saying we got lucky?”

    “Yes.”

    “Just checking. D’ur rubbed his Power Bracelet, then realized it was out of power. “How long was I out?”

    “We were both unconscious for weeks. I only woke a few days ago. We were very worried about you,” said the Equinite.

    “So where are we?” asked D’ur as he finally stopped to take in his surroundings.

    Gary laughed. D’ur had never heard the Equinite laugh before; he rather liked the sound.

    “We are on a planet the natives call ‘Owna’,” Gary explained with a wry grin. “I believe you’ve been here a time or two.”

    “Owna!” Gary could hear the excitement in Dur’s voice as he saw the joy on his face. “How did we get here?”

    Gary indicated the ram at his side, as well as a second of the animals by a wooden chariot. “Brjuce and Bjarry picked us up. They arrived just as your force shield failed. We would not be alive were it not for their intervention.” Gary patted the animal again.

    “Hey, considering the strain I put the Bracelet under you should be happy it held out that long,” D’ur huffed defensively.

    “Peace, D’ur. I meant no slight. We would not have survived had you not shielded us as you did.” Gary’s eyes narrowed. “I hope Lord War did not prove to be as lucky.”

    “Yeah, that guy was a character all right. So where are the Smurfii?” asked D’ur.

    “They are occupied at the moment, though they have been checking on you regularly, using their power to heal you. Much has happened while we slept.” Gary filled in D’ur on the Parody Master’s battle with the Lair Legion, and how he had bested them as well as the Hooded Hood. The whole galaxy had witnessed it.

    “The Lair Legion lost?” D’ur seemed confused by the concept. “I didn’t think they could do that.”

    “You joined the Yellow Flashlight Corps because of them, did you not?” asked Gary gently. Realizing one’s heroes were only mortal could be a harsh blow.

    “Yeah. After the Transworld Challenge I thought they were unstoppable. If they can’t stop the Parody Master, I’m not sure if even the Yellow Flashlight Corps can. We only reformed a brief time ago and we’re pretty inexperienced.” D’ur’s shoulders drooped. “Just like me. I almost got us killed on Maxel.”

    Gary laid a comforting hand on D’ur’s shoulder. “It is true that you did act rashly at times. But were it not for you, we would not be standing here this day.” Gary playfully shook his friend. “Besides, I would have gotten us killed long before any error you committed had you not pulled me through.”

    “I didn’t do anything. You’re a seasoned warrior, one of the most powerful beings I’ve ever encountered. You would’ve toughed it out.”

    “Do not sell your contributions short my friend. In my grief I let rage overtake me, sullying my motives and consequently robbing me of my power. I owe you a great debt. You need but ask, and if it is within my power I will grant it.”

    D’ur considered this. “Can I have a pony? I figure if anyone would know one, “ D’ur gestured at Gary’s horse-like face, “it’d be you.”

    Gary laughed again. “I will see what I can do.”

    “I’d like to see what you can do too.”

    Gary and D’ur whirled around to see an earthling clad in a red and yellow bodysuit, yellow multiversal energy crackling around his form as he descended to the ground.

    “Amazing Guy!” D’ur exclaimed, rushing forward to clasp hands with the Protector of the Universe.

    “Good to see you D’ur,” AG greeted the young Flashlight. “And you must be Gamma Ray Gary.” He extended his hand to the Equinite. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

    Gary shook hands with Amazing Guy, a custom Donar had taught him. “I cannot say the same I fear.”

    “Amazing Guy is the one who restarted the Corps!” D’ur exclaimed. “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”

    “A story for another day D’ur,” AG smiled. Then his face grew grim. “We have work to do.”

    “The Lair Legion has fallen, and we must take up their standard,” Gary assumed, all trace of his previous mirth gone.

    “I wouldn’t go with fallen. More like preparing for Round Two.” AG explained to the pair how the battle with the Parody Master had really gone.

    “My brother Donar, how does he fare?” Gary checked.

    “He’s been knocked for a loop, and considering the power he packs it takes a pretty big loop to knock him down. His wife is pretty worried,” said Amazing Guy. “We could use a couple of pinch-hitters like you two.”

    “I have to get orders from the Smurfii…” Dur said hesitantly. He didn’t want to sound like a coward.

    “Talked to the little guys before I found you. While the rest of the Corps is tied up, they said I could have you at my disposal D’ur.” AG smiled again. “It’ll be good to work together again.”

    “Let us not tarry then,” commanded Gary as he took up Ljouis. “I will transport us there anon!”

    “Whoa, save your strength. You’re going to need it. Queen Annj assures me that Brjuce and Bjarry will get us there in time,” said Amazing Guy.

    “She was the one who sent them to save us in the first place,” D’ur realized. “Gary thought it had been Donar.”

    “Annj is connected to all Ausgardians, even you Gary. She knew of your plight and sent aid,” AG confirmed. “Now we need yours.”

    “You have it. Let us depart and defeat the Parody Master once and for all!” Gary proclaimed.

    “For revenge?” D’ur checked.

    “No, my friend. It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. Let us shoulder that duty with pride as we embark on what may be our final battle.” Gary looked at his companions. “The Parody Master sent a god of War to stop us, and he failed.”

    “We will show him war.”

End.

Post By Hatman Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 10:41:38 pm EST	Subject Another Front Part 8

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