Havoc1 laughed at the enemies pathetic attempts to take his fortress. The Empire of the Dawn had sent a magicless man to lead the assault. So far the man had proved inept at everything! Havoc1 did not press the attack, but waited for the enemy to slowly kill himself with the useless battery of the fortress walls. It was all so pathetic! Skippy’s castle was not under attack. He wasn’t really surprised. After all many had reason to fear him. It was just a shame that he was left with nothing to do. Of course he did have ten thousand men at his disposal...

Blink had decided to do it. She ordered Psishot to send a mental summons to Aeka, Ryoko, and Kiyone, and then opened a portal bringing them to her. Once the girls arrived, she sent Psishot to get ShockWave. “What do you want, my queen?” asked Kiyone trying to hide the irritation she felt. She wanted to be seeing to the defenses of her kingdom. Harbringer’s army had failed but that didn’t mean another wouldn’t come. Plus with Harbringer’s lands without lord the Triad could take advantage of the vast wealth stored in Harbringer’s kingdom. But Blink was the acting King and Queen so the Triad was better off not defying her. “I want to use the Triad’s mystical talents to divine the path of fate,” she stated simply. “Really?” said Ryoko looking intrigued. “You really think we can divine into that prophecy of Gomurr’s?” asked Aeka. “With a little help from ShockWave and Gomurr’s mystical books I don’t see why you can’t succeed,” said Blink. “Besides, Clarion was our fate warrior. It’s important to see how his injury affects the outcome of the prophecy.” “Well we can try, but I’m not exactly a believer in prophecies,” said Kiyone. “I believe them,” said Ryoko. “They usually come true in some form or another.” Psishot wrinkled his nose as he entered the musty smelling library. The Great Library didn’t seem like such a great place to him. The place was always so stuffy. He also got the feeling that strange magic’s permeated the air in here. “Give me the open field any day,” he mumbled under his breath. He could sense ShockWave nearby through the magical link. “ShockWave?” he called out. “By the pool,” came her answer. Psishot headed to the middle of the room where Gomurr’s mystical pool was. All wizards were dipped in there as babies to see if they had the mystic arts. ShockWave sat at the edge of the pool, not quite touching the water. “Have you ever fallen in?” he asked with a laugh. ShockWave looked up from the book she was paging through and smiled. “Are you kidding? That water is freezing!” ‘And they stick babies in it’ thought Psishot with a shiver. He didn’t like the look of that water. “Blink wants you to come to her study. Aeka, Ryoko, and Kiyone are there. Blink wants you to help them look into the currents of fate,” he said the last words in an exaggeratedly eerie voice. ShockWave smiled. Then she quickly turned serious. “I don’t think that’s too safe,” she said. “Otherwise Gomurr might have done it.” “But that’s what Blink wants. I have to admit to being curious about the future as well,” said Psishot. “It would be nice to know...if it works anyway,” said ShockWave going over to a bookshelf and taking a book. She also grabbed a little green vial from a table. She unstoppered the vial and filled it with the mystic water, careful not to get any on her. “Lead the way,” she said. In Blink’s study, Aeka, Ryoko, and Kiyone were sitting in a circle around a small table. ShockWave came in with the book and mystic water. “I assume Psishot told you what’s going on,” said Blink. “Yes, he did. The books don’t say much about how small mystics use their powers, but it does tell us a few things about how to augment their powers.” ShockWave set the vial of water in the middle of the table and then opened the book. “It says here that if many smaller mystics work together their powers increase. Later it states that joining hands also helps increase power. I’ve also found references of how mystical objects help focus the mystic arts. I’m not sure that such a great spell is possible, but if the Triad are willing we can try.” “We understand that there are risks, but we can do it,” said Kiyone. “The circle is also a mystic figure and may help us,” said Ryoko. Blink smiled. She felt confident that this would work. ShockWave handed Blink the book. “Ok, lets try it like this. You three sit in the circle and hold hands in the middle of the table with the vial between your hands.” “You should also sprinkle the water in a circular pattern,” suggested Ryoko. It was done as she said. “Now you all have to think of the same thing. You’re goal is to discern the path of fate and future. Reach into the mystic powers inside you and channel them outward through your fingertips into the vial and then to the skies to find answers,” said ShockWave. She had watched Gomurr channel his powers in such ways before, but she didn’t know for sure if it was done for all spells. There was nothing they could do except to try it. Blink stepped back as the three girls closed their eyes and drew on their powers. At first nothing happened, but soon the air was filled with the taste of magic. The water in the vial started to glow and a green light rose through the roof. The girls brows were furrowed in concentration. Blink pulled ShockWave further away from the table. There was nothing she could do now. Blink knew that something was happening. She had no idea what, but something was. Suddenly a window flew open. Wind picked up and moved freely through the room. “Is this supposed to happen?” Blink asked ShockWave, whom she held by the arm. “Natural occurrences often accompany the usage of mystic powers,” answered the girl. In the air in front of the three girls foreheads glowing images appeared. They took on a glowing shape and Blink saw that Aeka’s was a raven, Ryoko’s a tigress, and Kiyone’s a bear. She recalled those as being the girls talismans or something. The wind suddenly grew fierce, buffeting things around the room. The drapes by the windows came off with a load tearing sound and landed on ShockWave. Small objects like papers, quills and such started flying around striking both Blink and ShockWave, although nothing touched the three channeling mystics. The three girls hair did fly about in the wind, red, brown, and black tresses mixing in the air. The room was now dark, and the air filled with violence. An object hit Blink in the head hard, cutting her and causing blood to flow. The air above the vial started to sparkle in purple hues, with glittering pink dust in it. “We have to get out of here!” yelled Blink as she ducked to avoid a flying desk. “No!” said ShockWave yelling something about the winds of magic, or something. Blink couldn’t really tell what she said, since a roaring sound filled the room. The purple air reared up and cast a questing finger toward Blink. Blink was suddenly filled with fear for this strange magic. A paperweight slapped her in the face as she opened a portal to get out. She walked through that portal dragging ShockWave, whose arm she still held, through with her.

Havoc1 cursed his folly as the fortress’ left wall collapsed to a black cloud of magic. He had been too overconfident. The human general had just been a facade, a distraction to hide the power of someone else. The witch Nytshade was there! She had been secretly working some dark spell all this time and now his lands were doomed. He called out a warning to Psishot through the magic mind-link, but he knew there’d be no saving him. It was too late. The black cloud was death. It killed all it touched. Havoc’s men fell over in agony. In just a few seconds their bodies turned black and then disintegrated. “Damn!” he swore out loud. “You’re day will come, Nytshade!” he yelled as loud as he could as the cloud reached for him. The cloud dropped him in a second. He watched his limbs go black. Breathing the black stench burned his lungs, but could not be avoided. He watched in a haze of agony as his fingers started to rot and fall off. The decay moved up his arms and the pain was unbearable. He opened his mouth to utter a final curse, but his eyes and jaw disintegrated before he got a chance. His heart shriveled up and died a moment later. All that remained was a blackened skeleton. A few hours later Nytshade stood by that skeleton. She knew who it was. Her black robes caressed the blackened bones as she walked over him and knelt at his side. Nytshade had suffered quite a beating for failing the Emperor Doom before. She would not fail again. Havoc’s skull detached easily from the rest of his body. She held it up examining it’s ebony beauty. A wicked smile curved her lips. With Darque Foenix still recovering she was Doom’s supreme commander. But Doom didn’t realize something. His torture of her had reawakened something in her. It was like the memory of a past life, unreal and distant. But she’d find someway to get her vengeance for those memories. She was a soulless monster now, and would remain so. But it was not always like this. “I was good once dear Havoc,” she whispered to the empty skull. When she finally got the chance to reveal the crimes against her, all hell would pay... It was just a shame her condition allowed her to do nothing personally.....

Psishot’s head rang with Havoc1’s mental scream. He managed to make out thoughts warning him that his fortress had fallen.... and that Nytshade roamed the night again. Psishot tried to pick out coherent thoughts from Havoc1, but all he got was something about a black cloud before he fell over in agony. Some foul magic had gotten to Havoc, Psishot could feel it. The pain was horrible. Psishot could see his hands, withering... Everything hurt. His eyes started to sting and his jaw immobilized from the pain. He couldn’t even scream as he thrashed around on the floor of the Palace. He was dimly aware that he had to sever his tie to Havoc or die with him. Tears rolled unbidden from his eyes as he struggled and then finally broke free. He lay for a few moments on the cold marble floor, his breath coming out in gasps. After what felt like forever he forced himself to sit up and look down at his withered hands. But when he saw them, they were whole. The images were just imprints of Havoc’s suffering. After a few moments of sitting there recovering, Psishot started to take mental stock of himself and the others linked to him. The scan showed that none of Havoc’s distress got through to the others. He was getting weird pictures and activity from his link to Aeka, Ryoko, and Kiyone, but he assumed that it was due to the magic they were tapping into. Psishot suddenly realized something was wrong. Someone was missing from the link. Gomurr! he realized suddenly. The old mystic was no longer linked to him. He couldn’t trace him at all. He had a bad feeling about all this. A portal suddenly opened in front of him and Blink came out, pulling ShockWave with her. As soon as she was out, ShockWave yanked her arm free. “Blink! You shouldn’t have done that! The prophecy!” Blink looked confused. “We were in danger! I never heard of any prophecy saying it’s ok for me to get crushed by flying objects!” “Gomurr’s prophecy says in effect that the Chosen One is embraced by the magic wind. Those may not be the exact words, but that is the effect!” ‘What?!” exclaimed Blink. “I thought Clarion was the Fate Warrior or whatever!” “I found a prophecy that makes me think the Fate Warrior is a brown haired girl. It’s a prophecy claiming our doom and I hoped it wouldn’t come to pass, but if the Fate Warrior prophecy is not fulfilled then chances are the other one will be.” Psishot listened, confused. Blink sighed. “Ok let me see if I get this. You wanted me to remain in a potentially dangerous situation because I might be some prophesized Warrior and a dooming prophecy might come true if I didn’t? There are quite a few brown haired girls here, Kiyone being one of them. All these maybes only tell me I did the right thing.” ShockWave was silent for a moment. “I have reasons for thinking it to be you, Blink. I’ve thought it over quite a bit. You wanted a glimpse into your fate today, and I fear we got more than we bargained for.” “Excuse me,” said Psishot. “I have no idea what you two are talking about, but you should know something. Havoc1 is dead. Nytshade got him. I’ve also lost the link to Gomurr.” “Warn the others through your link,” said Blink. “What are we going to do about Gomurr? Or Kiyone, Aeka, and Ryoko for that matter?” asked ShockWave. “We need to check and see if the magic has abated before going back to the Triad,” said Blink. “Gomurr... We’ll have to find out what happened to the old guy.”

Skippy could feel her coming. The dark mistress, his evil lover. He wondered fleetingly if he had been wrong, if he really was as untouchable as he thought. But the thought vanished from mind and memory as if it had never occurred. He went to his study, to wait for her as usual. The study was connected to his bedroom by a small doorway. That’s where these meetings with her usually ended. He wasn’t sure why he wanted her when he could have any woman he wanted. Maybe it was the fact that she was forbidden, the enemy. But she had bewitched him and now she was the only one he wanted. He would do whatever she asked for the final reward, tell her anything she wanted to know. He was the traitor. He was dimly aware of it. It didn’t seem to matter much to him anymore. She was all that mattered. He did regret on turning against his friends, pretending to be one of them. But it was what she wanted, and he could not deny her. At least alone he did not have to carry on the torturous charade that made him look happy and carefree. Alone he’d settle into the dark slump she had pulled him into, the insane melancholy. It was strange, but he felt better that way. If he was empty it couldn’t hurt. But this time he was magically linked to another by his mind. He had to carry out his charade mentally when he made reports. He was deluding Psishot and himself. Those were the thoughts in his mind as he settled into his chair. When the air smelled of musk and darkness he knew she was there. The first time she came he had no idea how she had gotten there. She told him that there were secret tunnels and passages hidden all over his fortress and its foundations. She said that she knew of them because she had known the previous owner. Skippy had found that strange indeed. His kingdom had belonged to the Lovely Lady, the love of Gregor who forged the alliance with the Empire of the Dawn. The Lovely Lady was said to have died in this fortress before the pact had been sealed. That resulted in the abandonment of the fortress by the kingdoms later rulers. Skippy had restored the site because he once thought he felt a wonderful presence inside. If he had known what would eventually happen to him he would not have been so eager. “How did you get here so fast?” he whispered. “I just got word dat you killed Havoc1 a few minutes ago.” “In the darkness of night I can ride on hell’s chariot, my darling” whispered her seductive voice. She stood in the darkest corner of the room. “I have come for you my darling,” she said, her words seeming to caress his ears. “To kill me, no?” “You know better than that,” she said stepping towards him. “I have come to end you’re suffering. You hate being the traitor, don’t lie. In reward for your service I’ll let you die now and not at the hands of your comrades.” “How generous, cherie,” he said sarcastically. “You gonna hurt me before de end anyway,” he added. She gave him a ghoulish, yet sad smile. “I’m afraid I do need to sacrifice you to the hellspawn demons of the night to pay for the powers they have given me,” she said as she drew a curved blade from her belt. “But I will be as quick as I can dearest, for I also owe you in a way. You my dear heart-throb, have come the closest to my soulless heart than anyone else. You also helped me get some revenge.” The last word was hissed out, ending what had come closest to a sentimental moment for Nytshade in decades. “Well then I shall feel no pain if I have managed to content you my love,” says Skippy. For a moment Nytshade pauses, surprised. Her spell around him made her irresistible to him, but his voice was filled with a love that no spell could create. As she draws a blood red pentagram on the floor and gets ready to sacrifice him, the soulless creature feels a flutter inside and realizes that if she still retained her soul she would cry for this man. Even though she has no soul now, she feels something for him. Skippy with his love has done more than anyone else to separate the bond formed between her and the Empire of the Dawn a long time ago. Her face is blank, empty of its usual glee as she performs the sacrifice ceremony offering his organs to the nights demons and fiends.

When Blink vanished from the study, taking ShockWave with her, the magic flowing from the vial of mystic water lost it’s objective. It was the magic wind of the prophecy and it had indeed come for Blink. It came due to the intervention of the Triad, the three girls left in the room, and the man who had invoked the prophecy in hopes of saving them all. A man who vanished when Blink ran from her fate. Gomurr had to pay the price of the invocation spells he had found in ShockWave’s library. And now the Triad would pay a price as well. Because of the invocation the wind needed a vessel for it’s magic. Because the Triad was playing with the fates they were the only available targets for the potent force of magic. The purple and pink sparkle surrounded the three girls in a whirlwind. Their lips moved in a silent chant, unaware of what went on around them. Magic is not a thing of conscience, but it does have an inherent awareness. Especially if that magic is a mystical force. So this particular magic became aware that with the loss of the Fate Warrior it must take the next best host. Kiyone was the girl that came closest to the prowess of the Fate Warrior. But the magic could also take advantage of her companions. Energy was passed from Aeka and Ryoko into Kiyone. The other two girls talents and mystic powers were transferred to the best possible host to make her better, stronger, more suitable. Aeka and Ryoko collapsed on the table as the magic force curled around Kiyone. It fed itself into her, giving her it’s power, the power of fate. But Kiyone was not born to harness that power. She was not the prophesized one. Her mouth and eyes opened, and she uttered a scream. Not a scream to be heard by normal ears, but a scream that chilled all those of mystic talent and potential. ShockWave, for all her studies into mysticism could not feel it. Blink the true chosen one, the Fate Warrior, felt it, for fate was of mystical nature. As Nytshade cut open Skippy she felt it too, but could not give in to the pain it brought her for one error and the demons would consume her as well. Psishot, even though he was linked to Kiyone’s mind, could not feel it, for the mental scream released from Skippy as he died eclipsed what he might have felt from Kiyone. Gomurr the only other who might feel the disturbance could not do so in the realm he was now ensnared in. Suddenly it was over, the transfer complete. Kiyone was no longer completely herself. She was the power of the prophecy made life. But her first thought was that it may not be enough. For now the dark prophecy ShockWave had found, and by a stroke of great luck correctly interpreted, was gaining power. It could now be the new fate of the Fate Warrior, her doom and that of all she loved. Kiyone’s dark eyes closed heavily. She could feel some of the currents of fate, and things did not look good....

Psishot suddenly cried out, grabbed Blink and ShockWave’s hands and started running down the halls. ShockWave hit a table and fell as he rounded the corner, but he kept running still holding on to Blink. He ran right to Blink’s study and threw the doors open. The room was in chaos. Nothing was in order, with papers, maps, and furniture strewn everywhere. Aeka and Ryoko were collapsed on the small round table. Kiyone was sitting with a dreamy far off look in her eyes. “I can’t read anything from any of them! And Skippy jut died! No mental warning, nothing! Just dead in a haze of pain and confusion!” Psishot was yelling. The sudden loss of contact with Skippy, Aeka, Ryoko, and Kiyone had him practically hysterical. It was too much, and his, mind was overloading. “Calm down,” whispered Blink. “I’m still going to need you.” ShockWave ran up behind them and peered into the room. “Are they okay?” she asked. Blink went over to check if Aeka and Ryoko were still alive. “They are breathing shallowly,” se reported. “Can’t you read anything from Kiyone?” asked Blink, looking at the wide-eyed girl. “I am no longer Kiyone,” said the brown haired girl whom they had known as Kiyone. “I can only read a haze from her. It’s like I’m being blocked,” said Psishot. “What’s wrong with Aeka and Ryoko, Kiyone?” asked ShockWave sounding worried. “I am Kasumi, the vessel of the fates in absence of the Fate Warrior. Aeka and Ryoko were taken into me, to make me better.” “Are they still alive?” “They are not alive in the same manner as they once were. They are but empty husks that have served their purpose.” ShockWave let out a sob at her words and went to her friends bodies. “Isn’t there a way I can heal them, make them whole?” Kasumi gave her a sad look. “You can’t restore what was taken from them.” “Why did this happen to them?” asked Blink, sounding hostile. “Because you were afraid of your birthright, of your destiny. You fled, so the fates had to chose another and make her more worthy.” Blink grimaced. “Do not blame yourself. You were tampered with by another. He is the one responsible for this.” “Who?” asked Blink. “Darque Foenix set a block in your heart. The Emperor reads prophecies too. Doom knew there was a chance you could grow to be the Fate Warrior. That was why he had Foenix seduce you. He placed the block in your heart and then let you go, wanting you no longer.” “How do you know this?” asked Psishot. Kasumi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Prophecies are not set, as many think. They can be changed if one is careful. Prophecies are warnings of possible roads down the paths of fate. Sadly, the Fate Warrior’s road has taken a bad turn. The Prophecy of Ñ is now close at hand. Unless the road can be made to turn again it will come to pass.” “I never heard of that prophecy,” said Blink, and Psishot nodded. “I do. I found it a while back,” said ShockWave. “The prophecy tells that the Fate Warrior is captured and about to be put to death. If she dies all our hope of winning dies as well.” “I don’t believe in those things!” exclaimed Blink. “It doesn’t matter if you believe or not. If you are captured and put to death by the enemy then with you Blink, will die all hope of your friends living and dying happily.” “Why?” “Because only you have the power and skill to kill Emperor Doom in battle. If he does not die he will rule all, and all shall suffer.”

Tangerine was running. She was running through a swampy marsh. Her castle had fallen and her guards refused to let her stay and die fighting. The took her and ran. So far no one pursued her. She thought that strange. Her guards did as well, so they picked up the pace. They took her through the swamp that lay between her kingdom and Deadpool’s. The swamp would go on for days before they reached Belasco, though. Tangerine felt despair claw at her chest. She had lost her kingdom. She had lost everything.

Deadpool had given up finding traces of Nytshade once Psishot relayed that she had taken Havoc1. He was now in Darque Foenix’s lands, searching for news on the bastards recovery. Deadpool gave him that wound, and hoped for a chance to give him death next. No one on the streets dared speak Darque Foenix’s name. They feared their overlord like no other people he had encountered. Patrols of heavily armed brutes patroled the streets, to take away any who acted against the lords wishes. There was a weekly execution of those taken away done weekly in the town square. Attendance was mandatory. The brutes broke into homes taking the sick or invalid who didn’t attend, as well as any valuables that caught their eye. Deadpool had to resist the urge to gut the scum that patrolled the streets. It would be a quick path to the discovery he must avoid. Deadpool was staying at the Inn of a man named Drakeson. A man who had put him up before on missions like this one. Today Deadpool was going to sniff around the palace. Maybe threaten to torture a servant or two to see what information he could gather. The palace was an ugly gray color, surrounded by dead or dying trees. Servants rushed in and out always with a look of fear on their faces. Guards looked down from the towers watching for anything suspicious. Deadpool mixed in with the crowd of anxious people coming and going from the palace, as he slowly made his way around to the back, where the kitchen was. There was a bare-branched tree just outside the servants entrance to the kitchen. Deadpool leaned casually against the tree. Shortly, a kitchen boy scuttled out to get more wood for the kitchen fires. “Hey there kid,” said Deadpool. They boy jumped. He hadn’t noticed Deadpool. “What do you want of me?” he asked sounding wary. “Well you know, you’re head would adorn the door to my humble abode quite nicely, since you’re offering. But I’m a nice guy. I’ll cut you a little deal here. You tell me what I wanna know and maybe you can keep all your body parts, eh?” “I’m not afraid of you. The palace guards would kill you.” “Well that’s only if the shmucks wanted to bother over an urchin like you. But either way I can take on the copper and hour mercs that prance these walls.” Deadpool reached behind him and pulled out the sword he had hidden in the back of his shirt. His eyes glinted like one who was well practiced with the use of such a blade. The kid swallowed, visibly. “W-what do you want to know?” “I wanna know a lil something about the dark master of this gloomy palace. Y’see the way I heard it, he was injured and still laid up. I’m just wondering how my ol’ buddy is doing.” “If you are the masters friend why don’t you go ask HIM?” “I could hardly do that! I mean I don’t own anything nice enough to come calling on his mightiness!” Deadpool said mockingly. The boy bent over to gather wood. When he looked back up, the glint in his eyes was different. “You are part of the rebellion,” he stated simply. “Was it that obvious? You realize of ‘course that you have’ta die now.” “Wait a minute! Not all of us serve Darque Foenix willingly you know. He’s been so weak the past few days, that some of us have been thinking of killing him. The only problem are the guards. Maybe you could help us?” Deadpool narrowed his eyes. “That’s your problem kid. I don’t stick my neck out for peons.” Deadpool turned so as to leave. He was getting a bad feeling in his gut. “But this is your chance to kill him! His death would mean a victory for your side, Deadpool!” Deadpool turned and put the tip of his sword under the boys chin. “Smooth, but no dice. I ain’t some moron you know, Foenix.” “Depends on who we ask,” laughed the boy. Deadpool had never told the lad his name, plus no kitchen boy was ever so involved in politics. Deadpool had known then that Foenix must have possessed the boy. “My guards spotted you making your way back here Deadpool. You die today I’m afraid.” “I can cut through the wastes of flesh you call guards,” said Deadpool turning. The boy suddenly fell over. “But you can’t get past me,” came Darque Foenix’s voice. Deadpool looked up. Up on the tower wall stood Darque Foenix, looking as hale and healthy as ever. “Damn,” muttered Deadpool under his breath. “Bring it on!” he yelled up. Foenix laughed and launched himself from the walls. Deadpool held his sword out ready for a fight. Foenix was trying to rip the sword from his hands with telekinetic magic, but Deadpool held on with a grip stronger than steel. “I can’t attack your mind for some reason, Deadpool, but I have other uses for my magic.” A branch ripped off the dead tree behind Deadpool and flew at him. Deadpool rolled away from the hurled object and launched a stone at Foenix with his foot. The stone fell harmlessly of the magical shield surrounding Foenix. “That’s right, I forgot that wusses like you used shields,” mocked Deadpool. “The mockery of a deadman means nothing,” said Foenix scornfully. “I don’t feel dead, but you the aparent king of the undead should know right? I mean, have you looked in a mirror lately? I’ve seen swine prettier than you!” Foenix pulled a boulder out of the ground at sent it flying at the taunting man. While his magic was diverted to moving a thing of that size, Deadpool pulled a knife out of his boot and hurled it a Darque Foenix. The knife went through the weakened shield and hit Foenix in the shoulder. The distraction of pain caused the boulder to miss. “Oooh! From the thunk that made I’d say that hit the bone!” Deadpool charged at Foenix with his sword raised to strike. Foenix flung out his hand, sending Deadpool flying into the tree. With a grimace he pulled the knife out of his shoulder. “Your life’s blood will pay for the injuries you have caused me,” he said, dark eyes glowing with power. “That’s a relief! I’m all outta gold pieces ya know!” Foenix hurled the knife at Deadpool, using his telekinetics to make it move as fast as lightning. But Deadpool was fast as well. He dove out of the way, and the knife imbedded itself in the tree with a loud thunk. “I hope you still got gold, cuz that’s one knife I’m never getting back again,” said Deadpool, looking at the knife that was imbedded all the way to the hilt. “The time for playing is over,” said Darque Foenix. “Yer right,” said Deadpool pulling out the mini crossbow, and firing(remember that’s what keeps Foenix out of his mind). The dart was so fast it caught Foenix by surprise and hit him right in the heart. Foenix looked down at the dart. “I can feel the magic in the dart! It’s the little toy that keeps me out of your friends minds!” “It’s the toy that killed you, and the secret you take to the grave,” said Deadpool leaping at the slumped Darque Foenix with his sword. Foenix pulled the knife from the tree and it hit Deadpool square in the back. The impact sent Deadpool flying farther than he intended and he flew over his target and slammed into the palace wall. Darque Foenix coughed blood and turned. “You’re toy hit me in the heart, Deadpool. Too bad I no longer have a heart. Now you die and I live.” Deadpool spit blood and got up. His leg was broken and his back was killing him. “Why aren’t you dead you bastard? Those darts were poisoned as well.” Foenix smiled broadly. “The emperor and dear Nytshade gave me a great gift, Deadpool. I don’t kill easy. And all I had to do was donate my heart to the devil.” Darque Foenix drew a knife from his belt and stabbed Deadpool in the chest, while telekinetically keeping him motionless. He yanked the knife down, exposing Deadpool from chest to guts. “Now your heart can help in Nytshade’s demon ceremonies,” laughed Foenix. “I-don’t-think-so,” rasped Deadpool, barely getting the words out. He struggled against Foenix’s magic hold and manage to draw out a dart and stab his heart with it, shredding the vital organ. “It’s...no...good...to..you...now!” managed Deadpool getting out a laugh. “Be seeing ya,” he whispered as he died. Foenix let out a scream in frustration. “Damn merc!” he muttered.

One moment Belasco was on the castle turrets commanding the next defensive move in the attack on Deadpool’s fortress, the next he was in the demon realm. “What the &%#*’s going on here?” he yelled. The demon realm was a dark dangerous place. Right off Belasco could tell that the demon’s were in action. The witch Nytshade must have used her black arts to incite the demon world to her side. Damn, demonic powers would make her hard to beat. Belasco was certain he could kill her, but the others would be in danger. She had to be doing some sort of sacrifice rituals. That would grant her power to travel quickly at night, enter the demon realm, and in combination with her own dark mystic magic’s any number of evil spells could be formed. Belasco took cover behind a wall of fire. His welcome in this realm would depend on how much she had already given to the demons. He could always take back the realm and hold it against her, but it was simpler just to kill her. There was a price to pay for dealing with demons. In battle he could exploit that. But was this the reason the demon world had taken him from the fortress? It didn’t seem too likely. Usually he wouldn’t sense these disturbances until things were worse. “Hello brother, hiding from your pets behind hellfire?” came a familiar voice. “Deadpool!” said Belasco, turning to see his brother warming himself on a burst of flame. “In the flesh! Well... if that bastard Foenix hadn’t killed me I’d still have my beautiful flesh.” “So you are dead again?” “Yup!” Deadpool and Belasco’s parents were part demons. Belasco had come out pure demon, while Deadpool was human. But Deadpool still had an advantage over normal people. In death he would revert to the demon world. His brother was very powerful in the demon world. “There is a price for resurrecting you,” warned Belasco. “I know, but I figered since we were bro’s and all...” “You know I can’t break the rules. I’d lose my powers if I even tried. And then we’d both be stuck here!” Deadpool sighed. “I’ll pay any price, just as long as I can go back and kill Darque Foenix.” Belasco called up a demon mirror. It would reflect the price to be paid. “Last time the price was your handsome face made disfigured. But this time it will cost you Foenix’s life. You cannot kill him, nor impulse any kind of event that will kill him.” “What?!” said Deadpool grabbing the mirror. “That can’t be right! Isn’t there some sort of loophole or something that will let me knife him?” Belasco sighed impatiently. “No, I checked.” Deadpool shoved the mirror at him. “Check again, it can’t be right, Doesn’t karma demand revenge or something?” Belasco vanished the mirror. “All it says is you can’t kill him or create some sort of accident that will kill him. You can’t order anyone else to do the deed and you can’t go near him with the intent of killing him. If you follow the rules, you can live again and even have the face you lost before back. If you don’t, if you even try to bend the rules, your face will go back the way it was and your body will start to decompose, never to resurrect again.” “Man this sucks! That price is way steep!” “I can’t change it though.” Deadpool was silent, thinking. “Fine. Work the magic ,whatever. I’m going back.” Belasco pulled a fire blade out of nothing. “Aww man! That cutting with the hellknife thing is so stone ages!” “Hold out your hand.” “Y’know one of these days you’re gonna feel what it’s like to have a %^&*@$# fire sword up your rear!” yelled Deadpool as Belasco cut off his finger with the blade. Deadpool let out a falsetto scream as he vanished from the demon realm, laughing. His self-healing magic would grow the finger back as usual. Belasco opened his demon cabinet and put his finger on the shelf with the other’s Deadpool had given over the years. The finger sealed the deal. ‘Now to get out of here,’ thought Belasco. He opened a portal to the mortal realm and stepped through.

Belasco landed in a swamp. “Damnit! This is not my day,” he sighed. ‘I wonder if this has to do with Nytshade messing with the demons,’ he thought. The swamp was dark. Night was falling. The putrescent smell of rotting leaves, water, animals, and other organisms wafted up from the gray muck. He raised his leg to slush out of the dirty water, but there was no where dry to stand. The muck smelled worse if you moved it around. Belasco tried to open a portal back to the demon world, but nothing happened. He sighed. “This is just wonderful!” Psishot’s head was spinning. He was getting all kinds of crazy mental feedback from not only Kasumi, but Deadpool and Belasco as well. Then he got a message from Tangerine that said she had lost her kingdom and was fleeing trough the swamps towards Belasco’s fortress(that he was defending for his brother). After all that was happening in just a few hours, Psishot was starting to think that it was a bad idea to magically link to the others. He ran a quick scan to check up on progress. GlitterGirl was bored, but reporting an okay. Siryn was reporting that she had taken Jubilee’s kingdom and now held it against the enemy. Havok had now successfully sacked twelve major cities, and although his force was being pursued it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle. Silver was still facing siege and terribly worried. There are so few now, Psishot couldn’t help thinking. Two dead, and three with some weird interference blocking mental contact. He turned his attention back to Blink who was saying that they needed to find what happened to Gomurr. ShockWave was agreeing. “Where was Gomurr last?” asked Blink, turning to him. “He was still in ShockWave’s kingdom.” Blink nodded. “I think it would be wise to send both you and ShockWave there. If Gomurr can be found he can resume safeguarding that region and then you, Psishot should probably take charge of the Triad’s kingdom. It’s best if Kasumi remains here.” “Excuse me my queen,” came SuperGrover’s voice. SuperGrover had suddenly appeared in the doorway looking out of breath. “What’s happened?” “An army approaches this castle, m’lady.” “Are the preparations for battle finished, SuperGrover?” “Yes they are. All the troops and supplies are inside. Everyone is equipped and ready to follow your command.” Blink smiled. “You’ve done very well, SuperGrover.” She turned to Psishot and ShockWave. “This means I will not be able to expend my magic to open a portal for you in your search for Gomurr. All powers must turn towards our defense. You should leave immediently and avoid running in to the enemy.” Psishot nodded solemnly. “We will do our best my queen.” “I can go have horses and packs made ready for them,” said SuperGrover. He was rewarded with another smile from Blink before he rushed off. Tangerine stumbled and fell into the filthy waters of the swamp. She shivered at the repulsiveness of the dark water and quickly got up. Flies and mosquitoes quickly resumed devouring her flesh. Lord, she hated this! She took a deep breath and continued on behind her loyal soldiers. It was dark now, but there was no spot in the swamp where they could stop for the night. She didn’t want to stop either. The sooner they got out of this horrible place the better, she thought. Some trees with gray bark and no leaves grew in the swamp. Their branches constantly grabbed at her , and the cobwebs strung from their branches stuck to her face. She hated running in this muck. The guards slowed a bit, and helped her over a tough spot. The three guards that were with her were all good men, strong and brave. Her whole kingdom had been filled with men like these. All her people were extremely loyal and caring. She had lost them though... And now she was fleeing from death instead of dying with them. Se felt so bad... “They would hav’ waned ya ta live ta avenge ‘em,” said one of the guards who seemed to have picked up on her mood. She nodded sadly, realizing he was right. Suddenly the night darkened greatly. Instead of the gray haziness of night they were surrounded in pitch black. “The time for running is over Tangerine,” came a laughing female voice. Suddenly there was a loud crack like lightning. The guard at Tangerine’s side fell down dead. “Nytshade,” hissed Tan. “Yes, my dear. And now like your other two friends, your time has come to die.”

Their horses galloped across the dark plain, churning up the ground as they quickly fled the Black Hellfire Empire on their mission to search out and find Gomurr. Suddenly Psishot’s horse careened out of control, because he had released the reins. ShockWave slowed her horse as he regained control of his. “What is it?” she asked as loud as she dared. They were miles from the approaching army, but caution was still required. “Tangerine is going to face off against Nytshade.” “Tell Blink to get her out of there! Surely she could spare a little magic to save her!” “No,” he said, looking sad. “Tangerine wants to fight her. She says she knows she can at the very least injure her. Either way, she wants vengeance for her lost kingdom.” “Then we can do nothing?” “Nothing,” he said. Their horses took off at a mad gallop again. ShockWave was worried over what Gomurr’ disappearance meant for her kingdom. Not to mention that the old wizard was her friend and mentor.

Tangerine stood face to face with Nytshade. The darkness had lifted just enough for her to see dimly. “I challenge you to a magic free duel, witch.” Nytshade laughed. “Smart little girl. My magic’s are far superior to yours. But that does not mean I’ll accept.” “I hear you like to play with your prey, but you don’t have to accept.” Nytshade smiled wryly. “Your right child. I do like to have a little fun. Fine.” Nytshade drew a curved blade and lunged. Tan had been ready for her and leapt out of the way. She drew a short sword and took on the fighters stance. Nytshade suddenly let out a burst of dark power that struck down the other two soldiers who had been with her. “Oops!” she said with a laugh. “Damn you!” yelled Tangerine. “I’ve always been damned Tangerine, darling,” said Nytshade with a sneer. Tangerine leapt at her with the blade. Nytshade blocked the strike, and the air erupted with the sound of metal against metal as they went into a furry of blows. Strike, parry, strike, parry. Tangerine faked a swing to the left, and grazed Nytshade’s ribs. First blood. Nytshade was in better shape than Tangerine had expected though. But Tangerine was good with the blade. She trained the courts advocates, and had even practiced with the then princess Blink, who was a master with the blade. The next time Tan tried a move, Nytshade avoided it, and her counterstrike cut into Tan’s cheek. Tangerine pushed forward, causing for Nytshade to step back. She pushed forward recklessly, allowing more minor cuts to cover her arms and ribs. But it all paid off when Nytshade tripped and fell over a root sticking out in the murky swamp water. Tangerine held her blade to the woman’s throat, feeling loathing toward the evil creature that had killed her friends. Nytshade could see the hate in the other girl’s eyes. “Kill me,” she rasped, deflating. Tangerine paused, surprised. “You may as well. I’ve been dead all this time anyway.” A tear rolled down Nytshade’s cheek. “I’ll tell you my story if you promise me a painless death.” Tangerine considered. She wanted to make this vile creature suffer, but she realized that if she did she would become just like her. “You will have a painless death,” she said gruffly. She made no move to lower her blade, and Nytshade did not try to get up. “If you remember the history of the Black Hellfire Empire’s survival, you’ll remember the story of Gregor and his beloved Jon, who fought to keep Emperor Doom from destroying them and their Empire.” She paused, taking a shaky breath. “Back then the Empire was simply known as the Hellfire, the fire that burnt the world into pureness. But the war was going badly. Doom was determined to have the whole world as his. Gregor fought hard, but was slowly losing. His lover Jon had great mystic power. This enabled her to destroy Doom’s main palace. Doom was impressed with her power, and requested an audience with Gregor and Jon in her castle, to discuss peace. He would settle for all the world but their empire if Jon would join him. She was appalled. She did not want to join Doom, for she heard what he did to women. Plus, she loved Gregor terribly.” Nytshade took a deep breath, it almost sounded like a sigh. “But there was one thing Gregor loved more than Jon, and that was his empire. He made a deal with Doom, and sold Jon’s soul to the underworld, or the black arts, or whatever word you wish to use to designate it. She lost her soul because her lover betrayed her, and was forever bound to serve Doom. She was rarely called Jon after that. People began calling her Nytshade, for she was only a dark shadow of what she had been. Without her soul she became evil, and couldn’t flee from Doom to go off on her own. But she got revenge on Gregor, oh yes. She used her dark arts to banish his spirit from his body.” Nytshade’s tone was now dark and filled with hate. “I couldn’t kill him a part of the deal, but I did banish him. He has been reborn though. You know him even. He was reborn and named Clarion.” Tangerine gasped. Nytshade smiled. “Yes, your noble king is the bastard who made me what I am. He is responsible for your friends deaths. He stole my soul!” The story Nytshade told caused Tangerine to feel pity for her, and anger towards the crippled Clarion. “You better kill me now,” whispered Nytshade in a low harsh voice. Tan’s head was spinning. She didn’t know if she could kill her now. “I killed your friends!” Nytshade yelled. “I have Havoc1’s and Nem’s ground up bones in a pouch at my waist! If you don’t kill me now I will kill you!” Tears ran down Tangerine’s face. Lord, she couldn’t think strait. She wanted to kill her, but like this it would be murder. Could she lose her soul to become a murderer? Nytshade screamed, and hurled a bolt of black lightning at Tangerine’s chest. With a strangled cry Tan fell back. “I should have known it would be ruined! Nothing works out for me!” screamed Jon into the night. “You were supposed to kill me so I could be with Skippy, and then avenge me to Clarion.” She bit back a sob. “The fates conspire against me!” She shook her fist at the air. “I wish I could kill myself,” she whispered. “You will die tonight,” said Belasco, leaping down from the branch of a tree. With one clean swipe, he took her head off. He had been watching ever since Nytshade began her tale, but hadn’t been able to move quickly enough to save Tan. He walked over to his Headmistress’ body, and knelt next to her. Her chest still rose and fell with a few labored breath’s, but he knew there was nothing he could do for her. “B-Belasco,” she said, reaching to take his hand. “I-I can’t d-die without confessing s-something.” She worked hard to get the words out. “I w-want you to know that I l-loved G-Gomurr. C-can you tell him for me? P-please?” A tear ran down Belasco’s cheek. “I’ll tell him. I promise.” He kissed her forehead, and with a final sigh, she died.

A day had passed since Tangerine’s death. Psishot had informed Blink of her death, and that he and ShockWave should arrive at her kingdom by nightfall. Meanwhile, the siege of the Black Hellfire palace had begun. Doom himself was leading the army against them. He charged the gates, and assaulted the walls. Each time Blink barely managed to keep the palace intact. SuperGrover would lead the sally(horse units) out of the palace to push the enemy back, and Blink would open portals to push the enemy back through. She also opened portals to bring more troops from other parts of the kingdom right into the palace. That reinforcing was so exhausting that she could only banish small groups of the enemy at a time. Doom had a large force arrayed against them, and their numbers increased daily. Emperor Doom was powerful, but Blink was determined to win. Doom didn’t know that behind his back, Havok and Siryn were wreaking mass destruction in the territories he pulled his troops from. As long as Blink could hold out, they would destroy and conquer more and more of his terrain. The ultimate victory would be hers, she swore it.

The had arrived! Psishot and ShockWave looked down the hill into the valley of her kingdom. A wave of hope buoyed ShockWave’s spirits. Everything they could see below appeared normal. The terrain was yet to feel the affects of the devastating war. ShockWave turned to him with her first smile in days. The sight of her joy made him realize how much he was coming to love her. She was fierce and determined, and at the moment she shone like a ray of hope and happiness for the future. “Come on, we have to find Gomurr,” she said excitedly. The servants reported on how one day while Gomurr was in the library, there had been a loud boom that shook the castle. When the entered the library, everything looked normal enough, but the mystic had vanished. A purplish dust covered the table and chair by where he had been sitting. In their fear, the servants had thankfully kept from touching anything. ShockWave carefully sifted through the books that lay across the surface of the small table. She gave a small sigh. “What is it?” asked Psishot who stood beside her. He had gathered up a vial of the purple dust for further investigation later. “Gomurr did invoke the prophecy as I thought. Invocation always demands a high price. I hope he did not pay it with his life.” She sat down with a sigh. “Or maybe it would be better if he had.” “Why do you say that?” “Well because if he’s not dead, then he’s caught in some strange world he may not be able to escape from. But if he does make it back he will learn that Tangerine is dead, and the news will break his heart.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “He never got to tell her how much he loved her. I teased him about it...” She sobbed. “I can’t imagine anything worse than having someone die before you could tell them you loved them. It’s going to hurt him so much he may as well be dead.” Psishot hugged her. “Don’t say that! He loved a great woman who died to defend what she believed in. She died out of love, for our empire and all of us. She also took Nytshade with her, and discovered a horrible secret.” Psishot had told ShockWave what Tangerine had been communicating to him about Jon and her great betrayal before she was killed. He hadn’t passed the news on to Blink, unsure of what to do about Clarion. Crippling might just be punishment enough for him...maybe. “Knowing how bravely she died could just cause greater hurt. I wish he could have told her, and maybe found happiness with her.” “I do to.” Psishot thought about telling ShockWave about the feelings he was developing for her. In these times she could die just as easily as anyone else. Could he bear it if he shared the same fate as Gomurr? Yet he knew not what to say. Words seemed to meaningless to convey what he was feeling. His dilemma was solved when she suddenly kissed him, ever so softly.

Blink was exhausted and frustrated. “Men have gotten through the defense on several points and are making holes in the foundations of the defensive walls,” reported SuperGrover in an equally exhausted tone. “They seem to be creating niches to fill with pitch and fires. If they manage to do so the heat and strain could crack the stone of our walls and cause them to collapse.” She gave SuperGrover a tired smile. “This could be the end, my friend. I will try to stop them, but if I can’t we will make their victory cost them dearly.” SuperGrover smiled at her courage and determination. He loved her so much! She knew it, but could not return his feelings. He knew this, yet loved her anyway. He would gladly die for her, even without her love. Blink closed her weary eyes and started opening portals to suck up the fires and hurl them away. She managed to cast away six of the seven blazes before she collapsed of exhaustion. The remaining fire was small and ill constructed. It still managed to weaken the walls, but they did not collapse. Servants carried Blink to her quarters, leaving SuperGrover to see to the defense of the castle.

Psishot awoke suddenly with a realization brought to him in a dream. The purple powder from the study was like that which flew about during the Triad’s conversion into the entity known as Kasumi. This could mean that Gomurr was caught in the currents of fate. If Kasumi was a creature of fate, maybe she could bring him back! He tried to make mental contact with Kasumi, but failed. Her mind was to much of a mess for him to understand and get into. He would have to go to her. He reached for SuperGrover’s mind. The blue wizard was tired, but determined to hold of Doom’s attacks. At Psishot’s mental urging, he sent a servant to ask Kasumi if his theory on the mystic’s whereabouts was even posible. A few excruciating minutes brought him an affirmative answer. ‘She says she needs you to bring her the powder for her to try to pull Gomurr back into our world. Until you can bring it, she will try to locate him in the currents of fate,’ came SuperGrover’s tired mental voice. ‘But be careful. The palace is under siege and I don’t know how to get you in,’ warned his friend. ‘Maybe if you come close enough Blink can open a portal for you when she is recovered. But you better move quickly.’ Psishot sent out his thanks and broke contact. He got up and dressed quickly. He was sitting on the bed putting his boots on when ShockWave awoke and asked him what he was doing. He quickly explained his plan to her. “You had better not have been trying to go without me,” she said when he finished. She scrambled out of the bed and pulled her clothes on quickly. “I want to spend every second I can with you,” she said kissing him. His heart soared at her loving admission. He hadn’t wanted to take her with him, but he knew he did want her by his side always.’Besides, there was no way he could talk her out of going now’, he thought, amused.

Their horses galloped quickly out of town and up the hills bordering her kingdom as the sun rose in the sky. She used her energy magic to give the horses more speed and endurance. If she did this right, they would return to the area near the Black Hellfire Empire’s palace by nightfall. Psishot was suddenly glad she had been so determined to come. He never could have made this speed without her. They rode hard for hours, her energy giving the horses strength to keep up the arduous pace. The sky overhead darkened with the promise of a good rainstorm as the terrain flashed away around them. Suddenly Psishot sensed other minds in the mountain pass up ahead. He reined his horse in to a sudden stop, kicking up clods of dirt and grass. ShockWave reined her horse in a moment later and trotted it up beside him. “What’s going on?” she asked with a hint of worry in her voice. He swore under his breath. “A group of about two hundred men are coming through the pass to scout out the area, and your kingdom for conquest.” Anger flashed in her eyes. The horse spun about sensing her mood. “Can we get past them?” she asked biting her lip. He knew she hated the thought of leaving these men to run rampant in her kingdom, but was willing to do so to succeed in their mission. “They’ve already spotted us,” he said. They could see the men coming through the pass and drawing their swords at the sight of them. “Then we kill them,” she said fiercely. She released the reins of her horse, and carefully stood in the saddle. “Hold of a psi attack. I’m going to try blasting them to kingdom come,” she said. She raise her hands above her head, building up a flow of energy between her fingers. His horse snorted and reared away at the electrical build up in the air, forcing him to move back several feet. Rain started to fall as the buildup got more and more intense. The two hundred some men charged toward them. She stood there, hands raised to the skies, eyes rolled back, trying to bring the energy level up higher and higher. Some miracle kept her horse from bolting, or even moving as lightning started pouring down from the skies, striking her upreached hands and adding to the energy she was manipulating. He worried that she wouldn’t be able to handle so much energy when suddenly she let the blast lose on the approaching wave of men. A loud explosion filled the air, making his ears ring. His horse collapse, eyes rolled to the back of it’s head. He barely leapt free in time to avoid being crushed under the animals weight. When his vision finally cleared he could see Shock Wave laying on the ground, dead horse beside her. He rushed to her side, and thanked the lords that she was still breathing. He picked her up carefully. The odor of charred flesh filled the air. Her potent blast had knocked down all of the approaching enemy. But then, to Psishot’s horror, those farthest from the blast started picking themselves and their weapons up. ShockWave had managed to destroy all but fifty of the enemy. As soon as those men had time to clear their heads they would attack. Psishot knew he had to protect his love, and get her out of there. He might be able to kill the remaining men, but no matter what she had to be safe. He reached out with his little used to power to animate objects, and brought a nearby dead tree to life. At his command in bent down and allowed him to place his love within the protection of it’s branches. Then he sent the tree slowly creaking it’s way back to her kingdom. He knew it would never get far, but should at least manage to get her to safety before he either overpowered the enemy or they killed him. As soon as the animated tree made it’s way over the rise of the hill behind him, he turned to the enemy, lashing out with psychic attacks. But the effort of bringing the tree to life, and the effects of the blast he had been so close to weakened him and allowed the enemy to over power him. One man managed to get behind him and deliver a nasty blow to his head that sent him reeling into unconsciousness.