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I'd add in the argument that ensued afterwards on how the others were scared of the explosions, but that'd just get messy and it wouldn't be much fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by gdn001
Then again, >er had an entire issue dedicated to him while GDN was just a side character.
Thaaauu the.. Tut tyte.. Bleuff?? This.. I am.. Just so AMAZED..! :boo: I can't even describe the level of awesome ness WAOW it's amazing how great you displayed >er's (or my if you want) personality, it's spot on! :p Of course all of the issues are just as great if not greater than this; i only like to see my own face sometimes... xD Thanks mate, i love this
I like the "no pain" thing you added too C:
I always imagined he could only feel pain through the doll. Also that they would use it to stop him.
I said one month, but instead it turned into two. HOWEVER, it took me so long this time because, well... this is perhaps the LONGEST issue thus far (and probably for the rest of the story), which has literally three different stories going on at once. All of them focus on our teams of three (and team of four), as they struggle with the life-endangering perils of RockSauron's domain. Also, when I got stumped on some parts of this issue, I got the next one started and is now almost complete, so it shouldn't take too long for the next one to come out. I understand that some of you guys might be thinking that I'm incredibly lazy (I mean, it's just typing, no?), and to a point I am. But keep in mind that I'm trying my hardest to translate this story I got conjured up in my head into a cohesive, text-based format that hopefully doesn't sound too cheesy. It's more difficult than you think.
But enough of the soap opera. Enjoy this long-awaited Issue 18.
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Worlds Apart: Issue 18 (Endgame)
Characters: Oswald (Ozzy), iTriangle (Ali), Blazen (Blaze), TheZimInvader (Zim), Ninjaferret22 (Zilly), Outlaw-Jack (Jack), Spider-Jew (Spidey), Darkiesoul (Darkie), eagerneph (Eager W/B)
Settings: inside the upper keep of Rock's castle; inside the First Room; inside the inner catacombs; inside the Peanut Mines; on the other side of Mount Peanut
Plot: Group ESZ (Eager W/Spidey/Zim) fight Eager B, Group ADZ (Ali/Darkie/Zilly) fight the Ghost of the Spam Can/ SLS10 and free the slaves, Group BJO (Blaze/Jack/Ozzy) fight RockSauron, 1st issue with all 10 main characters, 2nd major turning-point in story
______(Mount Peanut, now even gloomier)______
*Panel moves to inside a room, decorated in Gothic decor*
*Group ESZ (Eager W/Spidey/Zim) are seen entering through a door, looking very wary and brandishing their weapons*
Eager W: (cautious) This should be the place.
Zim: (worried) Looks eerie.
Spidey: (commenting) Nice cobwebs.
*Group walks around, keeping close together as they scan the room*
*Group stops upon a self-made altar, complete with an elaborate stained-glass window and red candles*
*Eager B's coffin is seen in front of it, wide-open to reveal its emptiness*
Eager W: And there goes my plans on taking him out quietly...
*Evil cackling is suddenly heard, though the source is unknown as the group looks around*
*Trio huddle together, as the cackling slows down*
Voice: (teasing) Oh brother... where art thou?
Eager W: (demanding) You know what I'm here for, hermano. Now show yourself!
Voice: (condescending) My, my. Didn't you shave at ALL in my absence?
Eager W: (annoyed) I wouldn't hold myself so high, test-tube baby...
Voice: (sinister) Oooh, harsh. Just imagine what dad would think...
Eager W: (mad) He was never your father! He was MINE!!
Voice: It's too bad he left so early... he could have taught you some manners.
*Eager W clutches his fists, grits his teeth in frustration*
Voice: (delighted) Oh! And you've brought such colorful guests! How delightful!
Zim: (annoyed) You're sure bragging a lot for being a loser.
Voice: (mean, at Zim) Oh, I remember you. You nursed those boo-boos I gave your little “cat” friend... how sweet.
*Zim is also angered by this voice, now clutching her staff hard*
Voice: (curious, at Spidey) You're new. How brilliantly RED you are...
Spidey: (oblivious) Why thank you!
Voice: It makes me so... THIRSTY...
*Spidey shudders a little, backing up a bit*
Voice: But, all things will come in due time... soon enough.
*Voice cackles even more, frustrating Zim to the point that she walks out into the open*
Eager W: (alert) Get back here!
Zim: (frustrated) If you're so confident with yourself, then why not come out and show us...
*Spidey notices a quick shadow in the darkness of the ceiling, coming in fast on Zim*
Shadow: (excited) If you INSIST!!
Spidey: (shouting) *shooting out hand* WATCH OUT!!!
*Spidey shoots a web at Zim, catching her by surprise as he pulls her in*
Zim: (surprised) Whoa!!
*Eager B slams into the floor, impaling his rapier into the ground and landing on one knee*
*Spidey catches Zim and holds her, much to her refusal as she tries wriggling away*
Spidey: (remarking) That was close!
Zim: (annoyed) Let go!
Eager B: Charming. Your defiant persona has spread, brother...
*Eager W growls in response, Spidey lets go of Zim's arms*
*Eager B stands up, his cat eyes gleaming with delight*
Eager B: (mean) How pathetic. The town drunk, a costumed freak, and a little girl think they can take ME on?
*Trio is angered by this insult, brandishing their weapons*
Eager W: (angry) *drawing out cards* There can only be one Eager Neph now...
Eager B: (cunning) *charging dark powers* Then pray that my blade gets to you before the drink... lest I dare to die at such unworthy hands.
Eager W: It's three against one, Count! You're not getting out of this alive!
Eager B: (excited) Then if I must die, I shall take you THREE WITH ME!! EN GUARDE!!
______FIGHT!! (An epic duel between Eager B and Eager W, with Spidey and Zim intervening at various points)______
*Panel flashes to group ADZ (Ali/Darkie/Zilly), still huddled together since last issue as Ali scans the room with her flashlight*
Zilly: (scared) I n-never b-b-been a f-fan of the d-d-dark...
Darkie: (confused) Wait. Can't you see in the dark easily though? I thought you-
*Darkie realizes what she's saying, immediately stopping herself*
Darkie: (realizing) That's right, you're a ferret- nevermind.
*A tell-tale CLINK! is heard in the distance, immediately spooking the trio and prompting Ali to shine her light in that direction*
*Light lands on a tin can, covered in various rage faces and other crap*
Ali: (relieved) Oh. It's just a can...
*Moaning is then heard, spooking the trio again as feet come into the flashlight's beam*
*Ali moves her flashlight, shining it on SLS10, who now appears in a zombie-like state (hollowed-out eyes, gaping mouth)*
SLS: (brain-dead) Uuuuggggghhhhh...
Zilly: (worried) Dear Comph...
Darkie: (concerned) He's nearly dead...
Ali: (unsure) Uh... s-sir? A-are you-
SLS: (moaning) Heeelllllppp mmmeeeee....
*Tin can begins to tremble, then cave begins to tremble*
*Suddenly, spiritual forces are sucked from SLS into the can, illuminating the room and unleashing eerie sounds and screams*
SLS: (wailing) Aaaaauuuuggghhh!!!
*Jolts of spiritual energy erupt spontaneously from the can, striking various parts of the cave*
*One jolt strikes Ali's Pip-Boy directly, blowing her and the others back*
Ali: (surprised) Aaahh!
*Ali lands hard on her back, as the other two land on their sides*
*Both quickly get up, running over to Ali's aid*
Darkie & Zilly: (alert, calling out) Ali!
*Ali sits herself up, then is quickly supported by Darkie and Zilly*
Ali: (sore) Oww...
*Ali looks at her Pip-Boy, now realizing that it short-circuited and is malfunctioning*
Ali: (sad) Aww man...
Zilly: (alert) Uh oh.
*SLS's body collapses to the ground, now lifeless and decayed*
*Tin can suddenly erupts in a beam of spiritual energy, startling the group as they huddle once more*
Darkie: (scared) W-what's h-happening?!
Ali: (horrified) I don't know... and I really don't wanna find out...
*Beam warps, contorting and starting to take shape*
*A pair of arms form, followed by a chest and then a ghastly knight helmet*
*Various phrases (such as ROTFLOL, U MAD?, OMGWTFBBQ, etc.) appear all over its body, coupled with etchings of rage faces*
*Arms wave out, as the Ghost of the Spam Can (Spam) takes its true form and illuminates the room in a purple glow*
Spam: (exclaiming) YAAAAAYYZZ!!
*Spam lowers its arms, now staring directly at the trio who are shaking in fear*
*Awkward silence*
Ali: (scared) Eh-heh... hi?
*Spam suddenly spazzes out, conjuring up a storm of spam*
Spam: (random) TRIE MAI NUUU SHARK LEVELZ!!!11!
_____FIGHT!! (Ali, Darkie and Zilly fight the Ghost of the Spam Can, with Kappa coming in later on)______
*A large ghost shark comes barreling towards the trio, freaking them out as they all scatter*
*Shark slams into the wall, blowing up and dropping some stalactites*
Darkie: (confused) What was that?!
Ali: (confused) How should I know?!
Spam: *visor glowing* LAZORZZZZZ!!
*Spam suddenly opens its visor wide and shoots out a laser, chasing Zilly across the room*
Zilly: (frightened) Oh geez!
*Ali and Darkie dodge as the laser sweeps by, only coming to a stop as Zilly bolts off at a sharp angle towards Spam*
*Zilly leaps into the air, popping out her claws and daggers as she aims straight for Spam*
*Zilly phases right through its chest, as Spam catches her inside of him*
Zilly: (startled) Wha...
Spam: OMG ELECTRICZ!!
*Zilly is suddenly electrocuted, becoming briefly illuminated as thousand of volts coarse through her body*
Zilly: (screaming) NYYYAAAAAHHH!!
*Zilly is suddenly expelled from Spam, crashing head-first into a stalagmite and collapsing to the floor*
*Zilly's fur is singed, as she just lays there unable to move
Zilly: (exhausted) Uggghh...
*Panel flashes to gorup BJO (Blaze/Jack/Ozzy), as RockSauron stares them down*
*Group is seen rather tense, as they're huddled together and aiming their weapon(s) at him*
*Rock raises his free hand, causing a single peanut to rise*
*Blaze is a bit bewildered by this, now smiling a bit*
Blaze: (disbelief) You're kidding me, right? A peanut?
Jack: (alert) Don't be fooled, boy...
Blaze: (hysterical) Hah! Peanuts! His “evil” power! What a joke!
*Rock's eyes glow with hatred, as his gauntlet glows with even more energy*
*Blaze can't hold in his laughter, causing him to drop his sword and grasp his stomach*
Blaze: (laughing) Oh-hah-haah!! I can't believe it! PEANUTS!!
*Blaze laughs hard, making Ozzy laugh nervously*
Ozzy: (unsure) Heh... heh-heh...
Jack: (annoyed) *face-palm* Jesus...
*Millions of peanuts arise behind Rock, forming several feet high and towering over everyone in the room*
*Ozzy's face turns to complete shock, stopping him as Blaze's laughter begins to wear off*
Blaze: (realizing) Hah-haah! Hah... hah-hah...
*Blaze suddenly realizes the wave of peanuts, paralyzing him with fear*
Blaze: (horrified) Eep.
______FIGHT!! (Blaze, Jack and Ozzy fight a hopeless battle against RockSauron)______
*Rock points at Blaze, causing the peanuts to swarm and fly directly at Blaze*
Rock: (malevolent) SUFFER!!
Jack: (shouting) Watch out!!
*Jack and Ozzy dive in opposite directions, as the river of peanuts crashes into Blaze at full speed*
Blaze: (screaming) Aaaauuuggghh!!!
*Peanuts carry Blaze into the cave ceiling, pounding him hard and splashing off of him*
*Peanuts recede, causing Blaze to fall and land hard on the ground*
*Blaze just lays there, exhausted and struggling to move*
*Rock waves his hand towards the other two, causing the swarm of peanuts to stream towards them*
Jack: (shouting) RUN!! RUN!!
*Jack and Ozzy immediately get up and sprint, running away from the swarm of peanuts*
*Ozzy quickly shape-shifts into a shadow, slithering under Jack's feet and getting away*
Jack: (annoyed) Oh come on! That ain't fair!
*Jack quickly dives to the side, whipping out one of his guns as the swarm rushes by*
*Jack rolls and stops on one knee, aiming from a kneeling position*
*Rock quickly whips his Ma'Ca'Ra at Jack, knocking off his focus as it strikes the ground right next to him*
*Rock then sweeps his Ma'Ca'Ra at Jack, slamming him and sending him into the wall*
*Jack drops to the ground, rather annoyed as he begins to push himself back up*
Jack: (mad) Why you...
*Panel focuses on Ozzy, as his shadow-form slithers towards Rock*
*Rock takes notice and points his free-hand at Ozzy, causing the swarm to head straight toward him*
*Ozzy slithers out of the way, as the peanuts tunnel into the ground*
*Ozzy slithers in the other direction, as the peanuts tunnel back up from the ground and nearly hit him*
*Ozzy shape-shifs back to normal, then quickly shifts into a rocket and aims straight for Rock's chest*
Ozzy: (shouting) Rraaaaahh!!
*Rock swings the Ma'Ca'Ra at Ozzy, wrapping him in the sword-chain and stopping his charge*
*Panel flashes back to Blaze, as he struggles to push himself back up*
*Jack is seen coming up from the side, launching himself towards Rock (offscreen)*
Jack: (shouting) YEEEHAA-
*Ozzy suddenly launches into the panel, still in rocket-form as he nails Jack and take the both of them out of view*
*Panel flashes back to group ESZ, with Eager W and Eager B seen flying across from each other*
*Eager W sends a barrage of cards at Eager B, making the vampire quickly dodge*
*W brings the cards back towards B, making the vampire dodge again in mid-air*
Eager B: (teasing) Hah! Surely you can do better than that, brother!
Eager W: (mad) Don't tempt me...
*Eager W sends several cards at Eager B at once, encasing him in a swirling sphere of cards*
*Eager W brings his hands closer together, shrinking the size of the sphere*
*Suddenly, a burst of dark magic blasts out from within the cards, singeing them and blasting them away*
*Eager B is seen smiling at Eager W, his eyes glowing a bit*
Eager B: (sinister) That's more like it.
*Eager B charges at Eager W with his rapier forward, while W brings up his cards to form a shield*
*A web suddenly snags B by his outstretched arm, catching him by surprise as he's dragged down*
*B uses his momentum to re-aim himself at Spidey, whose now tugging the web towards him*
Eager B: (excited) You dare interfere?!
Spidey: (surprised) Whoa!
*Spidey quickly jumps out of the way, as Eager B cuts through the web and lands on the ground*
*Footsteps are heard offscreen, catching B's attention*
Eager B: (confused) Huh?
Zim: (offscreen, shouting) HYAAAH!!
*Zim tees Eager B with her cane, sending back up into the air*
*Eager B quickly recovers, now glaring down at Zim and charging an energy blast*
Eager B: (annoyed) Juvenile scoundrel!
*Eager B blasts at Zim, Zim dives out of the way*
*Eager B quickly looks back up, only to be slammed by Eager W shoulder-first*
*Eager B tumbles backwards, stopping himself before he hits the wall*
Eager W: (seething) Picking on minors is even low for you, amigo...
Eager B: (angry) Fighting dirty, are we?
*Eager B propels himself forward, charging yet again with his rapier*
*Panel flashes back to group ADZ, with Ali and Darkie standing off against Spam*
Spam: (crazy) OMGWTFBBQLOLZ?!!
*Spam shouts a bunch of nonsense words at Darkie, Darkie dodges these words as they materialize at her*
*Spam then conjures up a huge “Trollface”, hurling it straight at Ali*
Darkie: (shouting, at Ali) WATCH OUT!!
*Ali sees the face coming, taking out her Wrench and blocking the face*
*Face pushes hard against Ali's wrench, as she struggles to hold it back*
Ali: (struggling) Nnngh... come on...
*Electricity stems off of the face, unknowingly recharging Ali's Pip-Boy*
*Ali turns frustrated, suddenly activating her V.A.T.S. as the Pip-Boy reactivates*
Ali: (mad) Back... OFF!!
*Ali suddenly swings her Wrench forward, turning the “Trollface” into a “FFFFUUUUU-” face and hurling it straight towards Spam*
*Spam is knocked in the head by the face, making him lean unnaturally far back (to the point he hits his butt with his head)*
*Ali looks on, with Darkie coming to Zilly's aid in the background*
*Spam slowly leans back up, his hue turning a bolder purple*
*Spam summons up a swarm of ghost missiles, each with a different Rage face on it*
Spam: (screaming) NUN SHAOL PAAAAAHS!!
*Ali's face turns worried, with Zilly and Darkie also looking up in fear*
Ali: (worried) I think we've only made it angry...
*Panel flashes back to group BJO, focusing on Blaze as he hides behind a stalagmite*
Jack/Ozzy: (screaming, offscreen) AAAAAAAHH!!
*Jack and Ozzy, now quite beaten-up, are seen running in the background from the peanut swarm in a panic*
*Both round on the other side of the stalagmite, causing the swarm to take it out as it passes by*
*Rock spots Blaze, focusing on his injured shoulder*
Rock: (evil) DIE.
*Rock redirects the peanut swarm away from the other two, who slow down as they see the swarm head for Blaze*
Jack: (confused) What in tarnation is he-
Ozzy: (calling out) Blaze!! Look out!
*Blaze glances up, seeing the peanut swarm come at him fast*
Blaze: (struggling) Nnngh... BUZZ O-
*Blaze spews a large breath of flame, holding the peanuts back and scorching some of them*
*Rock loses focus for a moment, as though he just got a headache, and drops his peanuts*
Rock: (stunned) Ugh...
*Jack and Ozzy look on in shock, unsure of what to do*
Jack: (surprised) Sweet Jesus.
Ozzy: (shocked) Did he just-
*Rock swings his Ma'Ca'Ra at the other two, making both dodge as it slams into the ground*
*Rock becomes even more angry, summoning even more peanuts from the surrounding pools*
Rock: (mad) YOU WORM...
*Rock directs the re-stocked swarm towards Blaze, this time intentionally aiming for Blaze's wounded shoulder*
Blaze: (mad) NO!!
*Blaze turns himself into a fireball, scorching even more peanuts as they incinerate before they touch him*
*Rock is yet again stunned, this time taking a step back and clutching his helm*
Rock: (confused) Gah... what is... this...
*Jack looks on at the ordeal, while he and Ozzy push themselves back up*
*Jack whips out one of his revolvers, aiming for Rock's head*
*Rock notices Jack, but struggles to do something as Jack fires off a round*
*Rock raises his gauntlet to block the blow, but the bullet tears into his hand*
*Black ooze dribbles out of the wound, irritating Rock even more*
Rock: (infuriated) NO...
Jack: (excited) That's it!!
*Jack turns to Ozzy, as he dodges a blow from Rock's Ma'Ca'Ra*
Jack: (determined) Keep 'em occupied, boy.
Ozzy: (startled) What?! Are you mad?!!
Jack: Maybe! But this might work!
*Jack runs over to Blaze, while Ozzy looks around to try and distract Rock even more*
*Ozzy notices an peanut, one that's not caught in Rock's magic*
*Ozzy runs over to it, while Rock tries refocusing on Blaze*
Rock: YOU SHALL DIE FIR-
*Ozzy stomps on the peanut, making Rock flinch in pain*
Rock: (stunned) GAHH!!
*Rock sweeps his Ma'Ca'Ra at Ozzy yet again, Ozzy shape-shifts into a shadow and dodges*
*Jack slides over to Blaze, whose still on fire*
Jack: (asking) How long can yah keep it up?
Blaze: (mad) I ain't lettin' this nutcase get tha bettah o' me...
Jack: (focused) Good. Keep burnin' them peanuts. I got some target practice to do...
*Jack runs over to Rock's blind spot, as Rock is focused on Ozzy*
*Jack fires off some rounds into Rock's back, irritating him and causing more black ooze to pour out*
Rock: (infuriated) NNGH!! YOU!!
*Rock spins around, sweeping the peanut swarm at Jack who dodges*
*Blaze takes this opportunity and throws a fireball, nailing a part of the peanut swarm*
*Rock cringes even more, even dropping to one knee*
*Jack fires off more shots, putting holes in Rock's arm*
Rock: (roaring) RRRRRAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!
*Panel flashes back to Group ESZ, with the center of the screen appearing empty*
*A black blur and white blur pass each other, clashing as they do*
*The blurs pass by each other more and more, filling the panel with blurs and clashing*
*Both stop for a moment, struggling as both Eagers try pushing their blades towards each other*
*Both continue flying as blazing speeds, consuming the room in even more blurry effect*
*Panel moves to the ground, as Zim and Spidey are seen cheering Eager W on*
Zim: (shouting out) You can do it, Eager!
Spidey: (excited) Woo!! Go Eager!
*Both blurs come very close to the ground, heading straight for Zim and Spidey*
Zim: (surprised) Uh oh.
Spidey: (shocked) Watch out!!
*Both Zim and Spidey dive out of the way, as the blurs pass by and swoop back up towards the ceiling*
*Blurs split as they near the ceiling, only to circle back and lock blades*
*Panel zoom in on Eager W and Eager B, as W's dagger is locked with B's blade*
Eager B: (mad) You call that a blade, brother?
Eager W: (mad) Overcompensating for something, I see!
Eager B: Such NERVE for the town drunkard! You really think that you will best ME?!
Eager W: (infuriated) If I can create you, I CAN DESTROY YOU TOO!!
*Eager W shoves Eager B away, making some distance and stunning B briefly*
*Eager W charges towards B with his dagger forward, aiming straight for his heart*
Eager: (shouting) YAAAAAAAHH!!
*Eager B regains his senses and quickly dodges, charging a dark magic attack in his free-hand*
*Eager W turns around to charge again, but is struck by Eager B's magic attack and is sent reeling backwards*
*W hits the wall hard, stunning him briefly as B charges rapier-first at him*
Eager B: (shouting) THIS ENDS NOW!!
*W regains his senses, now seeing B charging straight at him*
*W drops, dodging B as he sinks his sword deep into the wall*
*B begins tugging at it, but finds that the rapier is stuck good*
*W comes up behind B, spreading his entire deck of cards and preparing to strike*
*B still tries tugging at his rapier, only noticing at the last second that W is preparing to strike*
*W sends all of his cards at him in a volley, while tries flying away*
*One of the cards clips B's right wing, crippling his flight*
Eager B: (in pain) Aaauuggh!!
*B quickly loses altitude, plummeting towards the ground*
*W watches him plummet easing his cards back into a deck and slowly descending*
*Panel moves to Spidey and Zim, watching as B falls*
*Both head towards B's crash site, as W descends towards them*
*B hits the floor hard, landing on his stomach*
*W, Spidey and Zim group up in front of him, with W and Zim pointing weapons at him and Spidey raising his fists in defense*
*B slowly looks up, his eyes now glowing a little brighter*
Eager W: (serious) No. Now, it ends...
*W looks at his dagger, then looks at B's chest*
Eager W: Any last words... brother.
*B gets to his knees, his eyes now glowing slightly red*
Eager B: (sinister) You fool...
*B reaches down and pulls out a glowing red peanut, quickly getting up and raising it high*
Eager B: PERISH!!
*Trio reacts to his dramatic rise, scrambling backwards away from him*
Eager W: (shocked) Look out!
*B strikes the peanut on the ground, plunging the entire room into darkness*
*Panel flashes to group ADZ, though no one is seen initially*
*Suddenly, Zilly slides into view, knocked unconscious as she slams into a stalagmite*
*Darkie and Ali slide in quickly after, though they're still conscious and in pain*
*All 3 are dirtied up and beaten, as various scratches and bruises are seen on them*
Darkie: (wincing) *holding head* Owwww, that really hurt.
Ali: (cringing) *grasping knee* Agh!
*Ali warily looks up at Spam, who now creeps closer with his hands glowing with lightning-like energies*
Spam: (menacing) MWEH-HEH-HEEEHH...
*Ali darts her eyes around, trying to think of something as she panics*
Ali: (scared) Kappa!! Where are you?!
*Some quiet shivers catch Ali's attention, as she looks to a remote part of the cave*
*A faint silhouette of Kappa is seen, scared witless and trying to stay hidden*
Ali: (pleading) Please Kappa! We need you!
*Kappa nods her head in denial, fading even more*
Kappa: (frightened, in Ali's head) I'm too scared...
*Ali looks back at Spam, now even closer and glowing even brighter*
Ali: (desperate) We can't hurt him! Everything we do phases right through!
Kappa: (in Ali's head) No! I just can't do it!
Ali: (terrified) If you don't do anything... we die.
*Ali looks over at Darkie and Zilly, with Darkie returning a look of fear*
Darkie: (terrified) Ali... I'm scared...
*Ali looks back at Spam, as he raises his hands and prepares to strike*
Ali: (screaming) KAPPA, PLEASE!!
Spam: (crazy) ME GUSTA!!
*Kappa suddenly turns visible and closes her eyes, charging headlong towards Spam*
Kappa: (shouting) Leave them alone!!
*Spam looks up, making a “!” appear over his head as Kappa rams into his chest head-first*
*Spam is sent reeling back into the wall, slamming hard and looking disoriented*
*Kappa floats there amazed, trembling a little from the sudden charge*
Kappa: (surprised) I... I did that.
Ali: (relieved) Thank you.
Kappa: (amazed) I actually did it! I-
*Kappa is suddenly struck with a strong lightning blast, rocketing her backwards and making her vanish once more*
*A thud is heard behind the group, as Kappa reappears and appears unconscious as well*
*Panel shifts over to group ESZ, as the room still appears pitch black*
*A light turns out, revealing it to be a flashlight that Zim appears to be holding*
Zim: (worried) Are you guys okay?
*Spidey and W appear walking towards Zim, though now acting very cautious*
Spidey: (worried) Yep. We're fine.
Eager W: (cautious) But I lost track of the Count. He could be anywhere...
*B's eyes are seen flashing in the darkness, appearing bright red as they look directly at Zim*
Zim: (cautious) We have to stay together. Spider-Jew, could you-
*B suddenly dashes towards Zim and tackles her, taking out their light source and darkening the scene again*
Zim: (screaming) AAAAHH!!
Eager W & Spidey: (shocked) ZIIIM!!
*Darkness still envelops the panel, as rustling could be heard*
Zim: (terrified) Help! Let me go!
Eager B: (sly) Calm down, darling. Hassling only makes for a stressful environment.
*B's eyes flash on once more, illuminating Zim's face as B starts to hypnotize her*
*Zim tries shutting her eyes tight, but dark magic pries them open and holds her head still*
Zim: (struggling) N-no... NO-
Eager B: (sinister) Besides, you serve ME now...
*Zim cannot look away, as she slowly falls under B's trance*
Zim: (hypnotized) As is your bidding, Count Eager...
Eager B: (evil) PERFECT.
*Panel moves back to Spidey and W, as they fumble around to look for Zim's dropped flashlight*
Spidey: (whining) Oww! That's my foot!
Eager W: (annoying, hush) Callete! He can see in the dark!
*W grabs the flashlight and pulls it back up, illuminating him and Spidey once more*
Spidey: (scared) “He” got Zim! She's-
Eager W: (serious) Zim isn't dead. My brother may be outnumbered, but he doesn't kill immediately.
Spidey: Whaddya think he did to her?
*Zim's cane appears behind them from out of the dark, thought they don't seem to notice*
Eager W: (thinking) She's not being held down, since we'd hear her. But she's not magically trapped, for she'd be glowing.
*Zim rises with her staff, her face appearing grim and her eyes shaded by her hat as she prepares to strike*
Eager W: And knowing that she isn't dead, that only leads to her being-
*Both Spidey and W cringe up, suddenly realizing their situation*
Eager W: (surprised) Hypnotized.
Spidey: (terrified) She's right behind us, isn't she.
*Zim swipes down and hits W's arm, knocking the flashlight out of his hand and darkening the panel once more*
*Panel moves back to group ADZ, as Ali and Darkie are seen staring at Spam (4th wall) in terror*
*Spam's aura looms over them, as their bodies are lightened up by his energies*
Darkie: (terrified) This is the end...
Ali: (sad) I'm so sorry, Oz...
*Panel moves to view of Spam's helmet, as his hands are seen raised high above his head and prepared to strike*
Spam: (screaming) SACKS!! Y U NO-
*The cave wall behind him suddenly crumbles, lighting up the room with a distant red glow*
*Spam stops his attack, flinching as though something spooked him*
Spam: (scared) DIE?
*A strong force suddenly sucks Spam backwards, as he reaches for the ground and holds on for dear life*
Spam: (screaming) NUUUUUUUU!!!!!!
*Ali and Darkie look on in shock, as Zilly slowly returns to consciousness*
Zilly: (weary) Huh... wha?
*Spam's helmet is sucked off of his body, revealing SLS's ghostly head*
SLS: (screaming) NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
*Ali and Darkie help Zilly sit up, as all three watch Spam get sucked backwards*
*A shadow of a can is seen on the cave wall, as SLS's shadow is seen leading to it*
SLS: AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!
*SLS is finally sucked from the cave, disappearing from view as his shadow is seen being sucked in*
*SLS's silhouette appears on the wall, depicted wailing as he's finally sucked-in completely*
*Room falls silent, as the group is left to themselves once more*
______(End of Fight)______
Darkie: (startled) … We're still alive.
Ali: (confused) What just happened?
Voice: (offscreen, booming) FOOLS!!
*Voice causes the cave to tremble, also making the group flinch*
Voice: WHO DARES TO DISTURB ME IN MY DOMAIN?!!
*Group is unsure of what to do, as a figure's shadow is seen heading towards them*
Voice: WHO DARED TO RELEASE THE GHOST OF THE SPAM CAN WITHOUT MY APPROVAL?!!
Ali: (calling out, unsure) Wait! Were you the one who recaptured him?
Voice: (mad, booming) SILENCE!!
*Cave trembles once more, Group falls into fear*
Voice: I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNDERGROUND DOMAIN!!!
*Shadow decreases in size as it heads towards them, looking more like a sackperson*
Voice: I AM THE KEEPER OF SPIRITS MOST FOUL, INCLUDING THE GHOST OF THE SPAM CAN!!!
*Shadow fades away as the figure walks into the room, still indistinguishable*
Voice: AND NOW YOU HAVE UNLEASHED A FURY MOST FOUL, THAT NOT EVEN THE MOLECULES CAN SAVE YOU NO-
*Figure comes into view, revealing to be Ungreth cloaked in red robes and bearing a human-like face with a beard*
*Ungreth is now seen smiling to himself and waving his hands, laughing a little*
Ungreth: (cool) Nah, I'm just kidding. It's all cool.
*Group now looks very confused, unsure of what to say as they just stare at Ungreth*
Ungreth: (curious) I take it that you guys are part of that group Rock keeps rambling on about?
*Group slowly nods in agreement, still confused*
Ungreth: (teasing) About time you guys got here. I haven't seen any action in AGES.
*Ungreth snickers to himself more, then calms back down*
Ungreth: (honest) But really, thanks for coming. 'Bout time someone put Rock in his place.
Ali: (confused) Who...
Darkie: (confused) Are...
Zilly: (confused) You?
Ungreth: (cool) Cute turn-taking. I go by Ungreth. I watch whatever Rocky's too lazy to keep track of.
Ali: Like...?
Ungreth: (teasing) You guys don't talk much, huh? (informative) The less important stuff, like his Peanut Mines, the Barracks, his slaves-
Zilly: (shocked) Slaves?!
*Ungreth stops, giving the group a worried look*
Ungreth: (concerned) Are you guys okay?
Darkie: (thinking) Yeah. It's just that... uh...
Ali: (informative) We split up into three groups and spread throughout the castle. Three were going after the Count, three were going after Rock-
Zilly: (informative) And us four were gonna free the slaves!
Ungreth: (confused) Four?
*Ali realizes his question, looking back and spotting Kappa, whose lying on the ground unconscious*
*Other also look in her direction, looking at Kappa and growing worried*
Ali: (realizing) Kappa...
Ungreth: (worried) Oh no.
*All four head over to Kappa, Ungreth kneels down and checks her vitals*
Ali: (explaining) She got struck by one of Spam's lightning strikes*
Ungreth: (annoyed) Rock's an idiot for letting that thing out, not to mention sacrificing his butler for the job.
Darkie: (startled) “Sacrifice”?
Ungreth: (focusing) Hold on, lemme check something.
*Ungreth pats one of the stalagmites, causing all of the stalagmites and stalactites to dissolve and reveal glowing crystals*
*Group is amazed by the array of colors, as they pulsate with spiritual energy*
Zilly: (amazed) Wow...
Ali: (amazed) Hiding in plain sight...
Ungreth: (explaining) These things help the ghosts materialize. Now lemme see what I can do...
Darkie: (worried) Will she be okay?
Ungreth: Yeah, she'll be fine. Now get going. There's a lot of slaves to free up.
Ali: (suspicious) Wait. You're just gonna let us go, just like that?
Ungreth: (cool) Sure. Besides, those brats are ALWAYS whining*
*Ungreth turns towards them momentarily, making mocking impressions of the slaves*
Ungreth: (mocking) Always saying “STOP WHIPPING MEEEEE, UNGRETH” or “IT'S TOO HOOOOOT, UNGRETH” or “UNGRETH, THAT'S MY SPLEEEEN.” Whiners.
*Group is unsettled by his statement, stepping back a little*
Darkie: (unsure, curious) Don't we need a key or something?
Ungreth: (realizing) Oh yeah.
*Ungreth tosses Zilly a hotel-style key card, confusing the group even more*
Ali: (confused) A key card?
Ungreth: (stating) The castle might be Dark Ages, but that doesn't mean we operate in them. No go on, you don't have much time.
*Cave suddenly quakes, startling the group*
Ungreth: Aaaaand judging by THAT, you have even less time now.
Darkie: (scared) What's happening?
Ungreth: (annoyed) Geez, it's like twenty questions with you guys. Rock decided to make his stand at the bottom of the castle. The Count, at the top.
*Group realizes statement, now moving towards their exit*
Zilly: (shocked) The others...
Ungreth: So if I were you, I'd get moving before either end gives out. So go now... before I regret it.
*Trio nods and runs off, heading down the newly-opened passage*
Ungreth: (mumbling, to self) Come on, work with me here...
*Panel flashes to group BJO, as a swarm of peanuts is seen colliding with a column of fire*
*Another swarm comes in, but is also halted by a column of fire*
*Panel zooms out, showing Blaze holding back the swarm with his good arm and seen completely on fire*
Blaze: (shouting) Come on, yah wee lassie!!
*Ozzy comes running into view, dodging a swipe from Rock's Ma'Ca'Ra*
Rock: (roaring) RRRRAAAAAGGGGHHH!!!
*Panel zooms out, showing Rock still on one knee and grasping his helmet*
*Ozzy makes a lap around him, causing Rock to spin around and trying to hit Ozzy*
Rock: (seething) YOU LITTLE GNAT-
*Rounds are shot into the back of Rock's head, making the Dark Lord flinch and grasp the area*
Rock: (in pain) AAAAAUUUGGHH!!
*Panel moves to Jack, firing off more shots at Rock*
Rock: (mad, offscreen) NOOOOO!!!
Jack: (shouting) Buncha whinin' fer a demigod, “Rocky Road”!
*Ozzy appears next to Jack, bent over and winded*
Ozzy: (panting) How much *pant* longer.
Jack: (concerned) I dunno. I've fired off fifty rounds so far and he ain't slowin' down.
Ozzy: Gee, *pant* that's helpful.
Blaze: (shouting, offscreen) Will yah hurry up already?!
*Panel focuses on Blaze, holding back a massive peanut swarm with his flames*
Blaze: (annoyed) Ah can't keep doin' this forevah, yah know!
*Panel moves back to Jack & Ozzy, with Jack calling back*
Jack: (shouting back) Just hang one fer a bit longer!
Ozzy: (worried) I hope the others are okay.
Jack: (worried) Hah! Knowin' this here predicament, I wouldn't be too worried...
*Panel flashes back to group ESZ, as wrestling is heard in the darkness*
Eager W: (shouting) Zim! You're following a false allusion!
*THWACK!*
Spidey: (whining) OWWW!! THAT'S ME!!
Eager W: He is your ENEMY!! SNAP OUT OF IT!
*SMACK!*
Spidey: (shouting) YEEOWW!! AGAIN?!!
Eager W: Everything probably seems cloudy right now, senorita! But head towards my voice! HEAD TOWARDS MY-
*SMASH!*
Eager W: (screaming) AYYYEEEE!! MY FOOT!!
Spidey: (annoyed) Okay, now I'm annoyed!
*More hassling is heard, but then settles down to rustling*
*W grabs the flashlight and brings it back into view, shining it on Spidey as he's got Zim in a choke-hold*
Spidey: (panicking, struggling) Any cures, doc?!
Eager W: (thinking) Lemme think, lemme think- (realizing) Fire!
*Zim slowly starts to slip out of Spidey's hold, much to his dismay*
Spidey: I don't think we have time to strike a match, compadre!
*W smashes the flashlight's head, exposing the heated light bulb from within and dropping the visibility*
Eager W: (serious) Then THIS will have to do!
*W presses the hot bulb on Zim's cheek, causing her to cry out in pain as the bulb hisses on contact*
Zim: (crying) AAAAUUGGHH!!!
*Spidey lets go of Zim, causing her to fall on the ground and briefly out of view*
*W pulls out his cards, their glow lighting up the area and revealing Zim to be crying softly*
Eager W: (concerned) You okay?
Zim: (sad) It was so dark... so desolate...
*Card moves under Zim's chin and lifts her head up, making her face W*
Eager W: (stating) You were hypnotized. But you're okay now.
*Zim notices something behind W, suddenly looking shocked and pointing out*
Zim: (shouting) Behind you!!
*W turns around, only to have B lunge at him in an attempt to bite him*
Eager B: (mad) DIIIIEEEE!!!
*B tackles W and they both tumble out of view, causing W's cards to drop*
*Zim scrambles to her feet, picking up the flashlight as she huddles close to Spidey*
*Loud thrashing is heard, as an exchange of hissing and shouting fills the darkness*
*B's eyes flash briefly, illuminating his face as he attempts to bite W's neck*
*W's hand is seen rising up, wielding his dagger*
*Fight continues in darkness, as clawing and pounding is heard on the floor*
*Suddenly, a loud SHANK! is heard, followed by a high pitch cry of agony*
*Total silence*
*Darkness dissipates, the room now returning to normal*
*Panel focuses around Zim's & Spidey's feet, as Zim's cane and W's card are seen lying on the floor along with the broken part of the flashlight*
*Panel moves up to their faces, both in utter shock*
*Zim drops the flashlight, unsure of what to say*
Zim: (scared) … E-eager?
*Panel moves to view of both W & B, with W's dagger planted deep into B's chest*
*W is seen panting, as his clothes are slightly torn from his confrontation and he kneeling on top of B*
*B is lying dead, his mouth open and his eyes motionless*
*W calms down, his face turning to shock*
Eager: (startled) It is done. Eager II... is no more.
______(End of Fight)______
*Panel moves to group ADZ, focusing on a control panel that resembles a hotel room door handle (it actually IS a door handle)*
*Ali's hand comes into view, slipping the key card into the control panel*
*Ali's hand turns the handle, setting an alarm off*
*Next 3-4 panels show various cells unlocking, setting off more alarms and causing red lights to flash*
*Various slaves (including UltimateClay, Snrm, and BlackKnight22) are seen escaping from their cells, heading towards the mines*
*Trio is seen hustling various slaves, pulling them from out of their cells*
Zilly: (happy) Go on! You're free!
Ali: (worried) We don't have much time! Get going!
Darkie: (frustrated) *shoving slave* MOVE!!
*One slave, Joey, a Derp, is seen crawling out of his cave, acting like Gollum from Lord of The Rings*
*Joey nervously looks up at Zilly, unsure of what to say*
Zilly: (encouraging) It's okay, little guy. You're free now.
*Joey is unsure of what to say, looking up through his buggy eyes*
Joey: (belching) DEEEEEERRRRRPPP!!
*Zilly is startled by his response, unsure of what to do as Joey runs off*
*Joey pauses for a moment on top of a mound, looking back at the trio*
Joey: (testimonial) THAAAANK. YOOOU.
*Joey lurches out of site, disappearing into the mines*
*Trio looks on, proud of what they've done*
Zilly: (confused) You're welcome?
Voice: (shouting, offscreen) OVER HERE!!
*Trio suddenly turns back, noticing shadows of Peanut Minions heading their way*
Voice: (roaring, out of view) SEIZE THEM!!
Ungreth: (shouting, out of view) HEY!! Hands off the robes, jerks!
Darkie: (exhausted) I thought we were passed this already...
Ali: (scared) Apparently not...
*Kappa suddenly appears, materializing as she soars towards them*
Kappa: (urgent) They're coming! RUN!
Zilly: (happy) Kappa!
Ali: (happy) You're okay!
Darkie: (skeptical) You ARE Kappa, right?
*Kappa urges them along, literally pushing them to get going*
Kappa: (serious) Yes, I see that- NOW GET GOING!! They're right behind us!
*Group heads towards the mine, running as they try keeping ahead of the incoming troops*
*Panel flashes back to group BJO, as Blaze is seen holding up a large shield of fire*
*Thousand of peanuts are seen swarming around it, trying to penetrate his defences*
*Ozzy is seen holding onto Rock's Ma'Ca'Ra, trying to keep it in place*
*Jack is seen firing off his revolvers as fast as he can at Rock, not even caring to aim as shots are placed in various places*
Jack: (desperate) Come on!! FALL!!
*All three are seen struggling, as sweat drops down on their faces*
*Rock is still kneeling on one knee, holding up his hand in protection*
*Rock slowly looks up, his eyes now glowing with extreme hatred*
*Rock looks over at Blaze, as he's now looking very exhausted*
Blaze: (shouting) This isn't workin', Jack!
*Rock looks over at Ozzy, who also looks very exhausted*
Ozzy: (struggling) I can't hold him for much longer!
*Rock looks over at Jack, who also looks very exhausted as his shots begin to slow down*
Jack: (worried) Ohh man...
*Rock is fueled by their desperation, filling himself with extreme hatred for all three of them*
*Rock slowly rises to his feet, his hand still shielding his face*
*Trio looks on in sheer terror, as the room begins to darken*
Jack: (panicking) No-no-no-no-
*Suddenly, Rock waves his arms out and sends out a dark shockwave, knocking all three back*
Rock: (roaring) ENOUGH!!
*Rock focuses on Blaze, whose currently dazed by the blast*
Rock: (mad) If you will not DIE-
*Rock suddenly sends swarms of peanuts erupting from the various pools around him, pummeling Blaze under an apocalypse of peanuts*
Rock: THEN SUFFER!!!
Blaze: (crying out) GAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
*Peanuts subside, revealing Blaze's injured shoulder to be torn open*
*Blaze grasps the spot, himself immobile from the sheer amount of pain*
*Rock then focuses on Ozzy, who struggles to push himself back up*
*Rock hits Ozzy with a shadowy blast, sending Ozzy flying back and embedding him into the cave wall*
Ozzy: (in pain) AAAUUUGGGHH!!
*Rock then focuses on Jack, whose slowly rising up and aiming his revolver at Rock, though his hand is shaky*
Rock: YOU.
*Jack suddenly freezes in shock, as various voices are heard slowly growing louder in his head*
Jack: (terrified) No...
Rock: I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN-
*Suddenly, thousands of voices scream and wail in agony inside Jack's head, causing hims to drop to the ground in pain*
Rock: YOUR SINS.
Jack: (screaming) DAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
*Jack clutches his head in agony, as the voices only grow more numerous and louder*
Jack: AAAAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!
*Rock refocuses on Ozzy, whose too weak to move from his position in the wall*
Ozzy: (weak) Ugghh...
*Ozzy warily looks up, watching Rock head towards him*
Ozzy: (terrified) No...
Rock: (evil) Heh. How PATHETIC.
*Panel flashes back to group ESZ, as Eager W is seen picking up his cards*
*Spidey and Zim are seen moving Eager B's body toward the coffin, with Zim holding onto her staff*
*Zim tries opening the coffin, but finds the lid to be heavy*
*Frustrated, Zim drops her part of Eager B and jams her staff under the lid, prying at it like a crowbar*
Zim: (frustrated) Come on...
*Zim pries the lid open, letting out a plume of dust and causing herself to cough*
*Zim fans the dust away, but something in the coffin catches her attention*
Zim: (surprised) No way...
Spidey: (confused) What is it?
*W looks up, reorganizing his cards back into a deck*
Eager W: (unamused) Wha... what is it?
Zim: Check it out. It's-
*Suddenly, the room trembles, accompanied by the sounds of crumbling and cracking*
*Group freezes in fear, too scared to move*
Spidey: (scared) What was that?
Eager W: (shocked) That wasn't an earthquake, amigo...
*The room suddenly shifts, nearly knocking the group off their feet*
Zim: (scared) W-what's happening?
Eager W: (alert) Structural collapse! This room's going overboard!
*Spidey drops B's body and heads towards the door along with W, Zim hurriedly takes off her backpack and reaches into the coffin*
*Both men arrive at the door, but stop to see Zim still at the coffin finishing her business*
Spidey: (shouting) Come on! We have to go!
Zim: (shouting back) I know! I'm coming!
*Zim hurries over to the guys, but another large shift freezes her in her tracks*
*Suddenly, a large rift appears in the middle of the room, splitting between Zim and the other two*
Eager: (urging) GO!!
*Zim tries to get going, but the room shakes and knocks her off her feet*
*Her side begins to separate, slowly tipping away from Spidey & Eager*
Spidey: (calling out) You're gonna have to jump! I'll catch you!
Zim: (panicking) You tried KILLING ME last time you grabbed me!
Spidey: (shocked) What?! You were hypnotized!!
Zim: NOT THAT!!
*Zim is unsure of what to do, as the gap grows wider and wider*
Spidey: (serious) Just trust me, okay?! YOU HAVE TO JUMP!!
*Zim is still uncertain, as her side is about to reach its tipping point*
Spidey: (shouting) JUUUUMP!!
*Zim springs up and makes a large leap, extending her staff so she can hook the edge*
*Zim swings her staff to get a grip, but misses the edge*
Zim: (screaming) NOOOO-
*Spidey realizes this, now diving out and grabbing onto Zim*
Zim: (startled) Ah!
Spidey: (relieved) Gotcha!
*Spidey gets a good hold on Zim, then shoots his web at the door*
*Both swing out below where Eager is standing, but appear to be fine*
Zim: (rattled) … Thank you.
Spidey: (chipper) Just your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Jew on duty!
*Spidey pulls them up towards Eager, who grabs onto Zim's staff as she raises it towards him*
*Eager helps haul both of them up, Zim climbs up and lays on the ground while Spidey springs to his feet*
Spidey: (excited) Yes! Saved another one!
*Spidey looks over at Zim, who looks up at him with a scared look*
Spidey: (concerned) Zim?
Eager: (concerned) We need to get going. If this is what WE went through, I can't imagine the Hell the others are in.
*Zim silently gets up and walks through the door, avoiding looking at Spidey*
*Spidey looks on sad, as Eager follows after Zim*
Spidey: (sad) What did I do wrong...
*Panel moves to group ADZ, as the group is seen running through one of the mining tunnels*
Zilly: (alert) We're running out of space!
Ali: (exhausted) And *pant* out of *wheeze* breath!
*Kappa looks ahead, spotting some mine carts on a track*
Kappa: (urgent) Over there!
*Group looks over at the mine carts, looking unsure*
Darkie: (skeptical) You're crazy.
Zilly: (curious) I know I've seen this before...
Kappa: (shouting) NO TIME!!
*Kappa shoves all three of them, making them stumble and trip into one of the mine carts*
Ali: (surprised) Whoa!
Darkie: (surprised) Hey!
Zilly: (surprised) Nyah!
*Kappa releases the brake and pushes the cart, hopping in as they begin rolling down the tracks*
*Peanut Minions arrive at the scene, but their cart is already roaring down the rails*
Minion: (roaring) AFTER THEM!!
*Several minions (ironically wielding scimitars) pile into the cart, releasing the brake and chasing after the other cart*
*Panel moves to a straight section of track, as group ADZ's cart careens on by*
Group: (shouting) Whooaaaaahh!!
*Panel zooms in on the group, as Darkie looks back*
Darkie: (relieved) I think we lost them.
*Zilly pulls up a brown fedora, eyes light-up with excitement*
Zilly: (happy) Hey! A hat!
*Cart bumps over something, causing the cart to jolt and the group to jump up a little*
*Hat falls out of Zilly's hands and lands on top of Ali's head, much to her surprise*
Zilly: It fits!
*Evil cackling is heard behind them, causing Ali & Kappa to look back and spot the other cart full of Peanut Minions*
Kappa: (scared) Girls... I think we have company!
Ali: (focused) Shift forward!
*Group shifts their weight forward, causing them to go faster*
*Panel moves back to Peanut Minions, watching the other cart speed away*
Random Minion: (shouting) FORWARD!!
*Minions also shift forward, now making ground as they being to close the distance*
*Panel shifts to a very twisted piece of track, as both carts are seen racing around and heading deeper into the lava-filled mine*
*Group ADZ looks down at the lava, now a little scared*
Darkie: (confused) What's the lava for?
Kappa: (blunt) Mount Peanut IS an active volcano, you know.
Zilly: (worried) Does it help with the mining?
Kappa: Hard-
*Cart suddenly drops on a steep section of track, racing downwards remarkably fast*
Kappa: (screaming) -LYYYYYYY!!!
*Cart slams back onto the tracks, rattling the group*
*Ali looks back, seeing the other cart close also fall down*
Minions: (screaming) AAAAAHHH!!!
*Their cart also lands back on the tracks, but one of them is thrown out by the impact*
Ali: (worried) They're closing in!
*Both carts race around a bend, disappearing into a dark cave*
*Panel flashes back to group ESZ, showing the group traveling through a dark hallway*
*Zim is seen well ahead, holding a lamp in front of her to help illuminate the darkness*
*Spidey and Eager are a bit behind, with Eager using a card as a light source*
Spidey: (sad) Why does everyone hate me? I don't understand...
Eager: (honest) I don't understand it, either. I wasn't dragged along until they arrived in Peanut Butte and caused a scene.
Spidey: Back over in Metropolis, I was a hero! And over in DC, too!
Eager: (curious) DC? Sounds prestigious, amigo.
Spidey: (honest) It was. Got hired up by the SIA and everything.
*Eager stops Spidey, his face turning serious*
Eager: (suspicious) National security?
Spidey: Yeah, I mean... what else?
Eager: (serious) Tell me what you remember, recently.
Spidey: (thinking) Well... I remember shaking the President's hand...
Eager: That was recent?
Spidey: (confused) Yeah, didn't you hear about that? So anyway, I was escorted into SIA Headquarters, and into a room. They locked the door for some reason, and it was pretty dark in there...
Eager: Sounds more like an interrogation than initiation.
Spidey: (explaining) Nah, they didn't ask any questions. But I remember asking something like “Where are we?” or something. Some guy with silver hair and these weird eyes was talking to me, and then another agent knocked me out-
Eager: (confused) Whoa-whoa-whoa. Knocked-out?
Spidey: (happy) Yeah! That guy had a really strong punch!
Eager: (confused) … Continue.
Spidey: And when I woke up, I was in the middle of the forest! I saw you guys heading towards this really spooky castle so I decided to help out!
*Eager just stares at Spidey for a moment, unsure of what to say*
Eager: (serious) There's something wrong with your mentes, hermano.
*Eager walks ahead, catching up with Zim and leaving Spidey to himself*
Spidey: (sad) *Sigh*, Not you too...
*Panel flashes back to group BJO, focusing on Ozzy as Rock's shadow looms over him*
*Rock grabs Ozzy, his gauntlet squeezing Ozzy's body*
Rock: (sinister) You're like a little WORM...
*Rock holds Ozzy in front of his face, staring at him through his blood-red eyes*
Rock: A little, wriggling, PATHETIC WORM...
*Rock hurls Ozzy at the wall once more, making him smash through a stalactite*
Ozzy: (in pain) AAAUUUGGHH!!
*Ozzy lands in one of the glowing peanut pools, bobbing on the surface*
Rock: (offscreen) Thinking that burrowing into MY domain would provide answers...
*Rock kicks Ozzy out of the pool, making Ozzy fly out and tumble on the ground*
Ozzy: (griping) NNGGGHH!!
*Ozzy tries pushing himself up, his arms incredibly shaky*
Rock: (mad) Only to be picked off by ME!!
*Rock's stomps on top of Ozzy, his foot easily crushing the sackboy*
Ozzy: (crying out) GAAAAHHH!!!
Rock: (evil) And to think I feared YOU...
*Rock presses his foot harder on Ozzy, crushing him even more*
Rock: When there was nothing to fear in the first place.
*Rock lets his foot off of Ozzy, Ozzy lies there motionless*
*Suddenly, Ozzy cringes, starting his transformation into Saeed*
Ozzy: (screaming) NOOOO!!!
*Rock is amused by this, taking a cautionary step back*
Rock: (amused) What is this...
*Ozzy's skin turns black, his eyes turn a piercing yellow*
*Ozzy's hair grows wild, his clothes tearing even more*
*Ozzy stops squirming, his transformation to Saeed complete*
*Saeed stands up, now glaring at Rock with extreme hatred*
Saeed: (mad) YOU.
*Rock applauds Saeed, seeming rather happy*
Rock: (delighted) How delightful. There IS a demon inside you.
*Saeed's arm shifts into a jagged blade, then he launches himself at Rock*
Saeed: (roaring) RRAAAAAHHH!!!
*Saeed slams Rock, sending the Dark Lord flying back into the wall*
*Rock lands back on his feet, seemingly reignited with energy*
Rock: (excited) HAH!! Such spirit for a doomed soul!
Saeed: (seething) THE BOY IS A VESSEL. THE BODY-
*Saeed erupts in fury, with long, jagged spikes jutting out of his body*
Saeed: (roaring) IS MINE!!!
*Saeed charges once more, this time aiming his arm-spike at Rock's chest*
Saeed: (roaring) RRAAAAAHHH!!
Rock: (sinister) Let's put you in your place...
*Panel flashes back to group ADZ, as their cart and the Minions come roaring out of the cave they entered earlier*
*Carts are now nearly side-by-side, with the Minions closing in*
*Minions come up to the other cart, wielding their weapons and smiling menacingly*
*Group ADZ notices this, frantically looking for a way out*
*Group spots a switch coming up, Ali leans over the side to grab it*
*Ali grabs the switch, but it breaks off and does nothing*
*Ali just looks at the handle, now broken off*
Ali: (disappointed) Aww man.
Kappa: (worried) That was a crane lever.
*One Minion strikes at the cart, hitting the side of the cart and startling the group*
Ali: (annoyed) Back off!
*Ali swings the broken handle at the Minion, smacking him in the head and causing him to fall out of the cart*
*Minion falls into the lava below, screaming all the way down*
*Both groups look on, both now terrified*
*Minions eye the other cart, now even more angry*
Darkie: (nervous) We need to think of something else...
*Kappa looks ahead, spotting a transfer switch hanging over the rails*
Kappa: (excited) There!
Zilly: (confused) What?
Kappa: Up there! A transfer switch!
Ali: (confused) Where?
Kappa: (frustrated) Up there!
*Minions just look on, confused at their argument*
Darkie: (unaware) Wait, where?
Kappa: I SAID up THERE!
*Other three look ahead, spotting the switch*
Ali: (realizing) Oh! There!
*Group also realizes how low the switch is, which is at level with their heads*
Ali: (shocked) DUCK!!
*Group ducks inside the cart, confusing the Minions and making them look ahead*
Random Minion: (shocked) DUCK!!
*Most Minions duck, except for one who eagerly look around for one*
Random Minion: (excited) WHERE?!
*Minion is clothes-lined by the switch, the force yanking him out of the cart*
*Switch switches the tracks up ahead, leading the two carts away from a boarded-up cave*
*Panel flashes back to gorup ESZ, as the trio has entered back into the lobby*
Eager: (cautious) The sooner we're on the ground, the better.
*Another quake shakes the lobby, stopping the group temporarily*
Spidey: (shocked) This whole place is falling apart!
Zim: (focused) Then we'll have to move quickly.
*Zim hops onto the stair rail, then slides all the way down to the floor below*
*Zim hops off, then looks back up at the other two*
Zim: (calling out) Come on!
Eager: (annoyed) Pfft. Youth...
*Eager tries taking a step, but the step collapses under his foot*
Eager: (surprised) Op-
*Eager tumbles all the way down, tearing down the stairs with him*
Eager: (screaming) AYYYEEEEE!!
*Eager lands on his face at the bottom, right in front of Zim's feet*
*Panel moves back up to Spidey, now looking nervous*
Spidey: (scared) Oooh... maybe I should swing.
*Spidey slings his web at the ceiling, then jumps over the railing to swing down*
*Room trembles again, making parts of the ceiling crumble, along with the part Spidey's web was on*
Spidey: (surprised) Oh snap!
*Spidey plummets to the floor, tumbling over himself as he lands*
*Spidey shoots right back up to his feet, while Eager pushes himself back up*
Spidey: (stating) Now THAT was unexpected.
*Faint screams are heard, catching the group's attention*
*Screams draw the group towards the hole Jack made earlier, Zim leans in to get a better hear-in*
Zim: (alert) Those sound like the boys.
Spidey: (shocked) We have to help them!
*Eager almost immediately walks away, heading for the exit*
Eager: (careless) Screw that! I wanna live!
*Other two look back at Eager, as he continues towards the exit out the front*
Spidey: (confused) Hey! Where are you going?
Zim: (annoyed) You're just gonna walk out on us like that?
Eager: (serious) My job was to kill my brother, NOT to save your culos!
Zim: After the situation they dragged you out of in Peanut Butte, THIS is how you repay them?
Eager: (mad) GO AHEAD!! KILL YOURSELVES!! But I don't have a death wish!
*Eager marches toward the door, Zim looks on angered and Spidey worried*
Spidey: (worried) What now?
Zim: Forget him. It seems like killing-off his brother didn't solve anything.
*Zim hops down through the hole, with Spidey following close behind*
*Eager pauses in front of the entrance, thinking hard as his hand is trying to reach for the door*
*Eager glances back at the hole, as various parts of the castle fall around it*
*Eager looks back at the door, noticing the large cracks present in the masonry around it*
*Eager sighs, quickly turning around and heading for the hole*
Eager: (annoyed) I'm gonna hate myself so much for this...
*Eager dives into the hole, just as the room around it begins to really fall apart*
*Panel flashes to group BJO, as Rock slams against the wall as though thrown*
*Rock sits for a moment, looking rather annoyed*
Rock: (angry) Hmph. Pitiful...
*Panel moves around, revealing Saeed to be staring down Rock and roaring*
Rock: (to self) Such a potential foe, and still so weak.
Saeed: (roaring) FACE ME!! I CRAVE FOR MORE!!
*Rock stands back up, then drops his Ma'Ca'Ra*
*Rock throws his arms wide open, appearing vulnerable*
Rock: (stating) I gave you a chance, Oswald...
*Saeed charges wildly at Rock, Rock stands his ground*
Rock: (sinister) But NOW...
*Saeed dives at Rock with his spike arm forward, Rock jukes him out*
*Rock then swipes his right hand at him, snatching Saeed out of the air*
Rock: (evil) Your time is up.
*Rock brings Saeed close to his face, watching as the shapeshifter goes wild as he struggles in his clutch*
*Rock squeezes down and crushes Saeed's body, making the demon scream in pain and revert back to Ozzy*
Saeed/Ozzy: (crying, shifting) AAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!
*Ozzy's head bobs down, himself incredibly weak and defeated*
Rock: Pathetic.
*Rock uses his free hand to charge an ancient necromantic spell, the magic glowing a shadowy black*
Rock: (stating) How disappointing it must be... leading your friends to their doom...
*Panel flashes back to group ADZ, as they continue their struggle with the other cart*
*Group is seen in desperation, as they narrowly dodge various swipes and slashes from the Minions' blades*
Darkie: (panicking) Any ideas?!
Zilly: (desperate) My blades can't reach them!
*One Minion pulls out a halberd, easily reaching over to the other cart as he prepares to sweep with it*
Kappa: (terrified) Oh my...
Ali: (shouting) WATCH OUT!!
*Minion makes a sweep at the cart, but the group ducks down and dodges*
*Minion makes more and more sweeps over the cart, but the group keeps ducking*
*Frustrated, Minion swings his halberd overhead, struggling to hold it as it begins to swing downwards at the group's heads*
Darkie: (screaming) OH COMPH!!
*Ali sees the motion, sticking up her Wrench to stop the blow*
*Ali struggles to hold them back, the Minions cackling as the blade inches closer to her face*
Ali: (struggling) Oh, come on...
*Ali turns more and more frustrated, unknowingly activating her V.A.T.S. once more*
Ali: (angry) I'm not going out like this...
*Ali begins pushing the blade back, much to the Minions' surprise*
Ali: (determined) NOT TODAY!!
*Carts come upon two narrow tunnels, with Ali still pushing the blade back*
*Carts blaze into the tunnels, with the halberd hitting the divide and snapping off the head of the weapon*
*Carts shoot out of the tunnels, the Minion still holding his broken halberd*
*Minions realize their situation, freezing in fear as they warily look at Ali*
*Ali stares back at them, the group looking shocked as she wields her Wrench menacingly*
*Ali slams the Wrench on the Minions' cart, smashing the axles and causing the cart itself to tumble violently off the tracks*
*Minions' cart tumbles downwards into the lava, with the last of the Minions screaming all the way down*
*Group looks on, though Ali's V.A.T.S. Don't wear off*
Zilly: (scared) Goodbye...
Darkie: (relieved) And good riddance!
*Group's cart comes upon the tunnel they passed through earlier, catching their attention*
*Cart passes through the tunnel, continuing to speed down the tracks*
Zilly: (confused) Wha?
Darkie: (confused) Didn't we already pass through that earlier?
Kappa: (stating) This track goes in circles.
*Ali suddenly remembers something, turning her attention towards Kappa*
Ali: (thinking) Kappa, where does that boarded-up tunnel lead?
Kappa: (nervous) It leads to the dungeons far below, b-but I don't think-
*Ali slams the track switch as they pass under it, causing the rails to shift towards the boarded-up tunnel*
Kappa: (frightened) W-what are you d-doing?!
Ali: (focused) Hold on, ladies! We've got three more people to save!
*Group grasps the edges of the cart tight, as their cart plows through the boards*
*Track ends under the cart, sending the cart flying into a deep, dark chasm leading to far below*
Kappa: (explaining) It was never finiiiiiiished!!
Ali, Darkie & Zilly: (screaming) AAAAAAAHHH!!!
*Panel flashes back to group ESZ, showing the entry spot in the dungeon*
*Zim and Spidey touch down on the ground, slowly standing back up*
*Zim pulls out a flashlight and turns it on, trying to track Group BJO's trail*
Zim: (thinking) If I were an Evil Peanut Lord of Darkness, where would I hide...
Spidey: (scared) *Gulp*, Behind those guys...
*Zim shines her light towards where Spidey is looking, shining it on the monsters the other group encountered earlier*
*One large Demon is seen in the front, towering over the others and looking down on Zim & Spidey menacingly*
*Demon smiles grimly at the two, scaring them and causing them to back up*
Zim: (scared) Heh. Didn't see this one coming.
Voice: (faint, offscreen) Fly fly fly flyyyy-
*Eager suddenly falls in behind them, face-planting and startling everyone*
*Eager quickly stands back up, though now a little dizzy and covered in dust*
*Monsters look on in awe, almost humbled by his appearance*
Demon: (mumbling) The Count...
*Trio looks on confused, with Eager brushing off himself*
Eager: (confused) Que?
Demon: (humbled) Eager...
*Demon motions for the other to kneel, all monsters kneel before the trio in homage*
*An imp pops up behind Demon, screaming nonsense*
Imp: (screaming LIES!! LIIIEEESS!! HE IS BUT A IMPO-
*Demon punches Imp, silencing him as they still kneel*
*Group is unsure of what to do, just standing in shock*
Zim: (shocked) Welcome back, Eager.
Eager: (shocked) Welcome back indeed.
*Panel moves back to Group ADZ, as the cart is still seen plummeting in the dark chasm*
*Cart suddenly slams down on some tracks, continuing downhill*
*Group is seen surprised, unsure of what to say*
Darkie: (surprised) Well... that was convenient.
*Ali looks ahead, turning shocked as she sees the end of the tracks quickly approaching*
*Zilly also spots the end of the tracks, looking relieved*
Zilly: (happy) Oh look, the end.
*Zilly suddenly realizes their speed, also turning shocked*
Zilly: (shocked) Oh Comph! The end!
*Ali immediately grabs for the manual brakes on the cart, pulling it hard*
*Brake lever sheers off, due to her V.A.T.S., causing the group to freeze in fear*
Kappa: (shocked) Is that the brake lever?
Darkie: (aghast) Ah crap.
*Ali panics, frantically looking around and trying to think of something*
*Ali suddenly hops over the front of the cart, much to their terror*
Darkie, Kappa & Zilly: (screaming) ALI!!!
*Ali holds onto the cart and plants her feet on the wheels, starting to slow the cart down*
*Ali struggles to hold, as her V.A.T.S. is the only thing keeping her on the wheels*
*Cart is still coming in fast, as the end of the tracks is seen right up ahead*
*Ali grits her teeth and forces her feet down on the wheels, smashing the wheels and causing the cart to grind on the rails*
*Cart slows down drastically, as they go from a speedy pace to a slowing crawl*
*Cart grinds to a halt, right before Ali touches the wall*
*Ali lets go, worn-out as she slumps against the wall*
Darkie, Kappa & Zilly: (relieved) Whew!
*Other 3 hop out of the cart, checking themselves as they stand freely*
*V.A.T.S. wear off, causing Ali's eye to jut open and causing her to leap off of the tracks*
*Ali shuffles her feet frantically, as her shoes have become severely hot from the friction*
Ali: (in pain) Owwwwwwww!!!
*Other 3 spring into action, as Darkie takes off her jacket and begins beating Ali's feet with it while Zilly tries fanning her down and Kappa trying to blow on the feet*
Ali: Water! Water! Water! Water!
*Panel flashes back to Group BJO, as Rock's spell has reached full power*
*Rock raises Ozzy up, still holding him as he moves his other hand back for the finishing blow*
Rock: (stating) Even as I reign terror over all of sack kind...
*Ozzy warily looks up, unable to do anything as he is barely conscious*
Rock: They will call me a hero, for the deed I've done.
Random Voice: (offscreen) Let Oswald go.
*Rock turns around, the voice interrupting his train of thought and catching his attention*
*Suddenly, a brilliantly bright beam of light magic blasts out from offscreen, tearing through Rock's chest*
*Rock immediately loses his spell, as the beam tears the life out of him*
Rock: (screaming) AAAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!
*Ozzy struggles to look on, as the bright magic illuminates the room with blinding light*
*Beam dissipates, leaving a gaping hole in his chest*
*Rock's eyes go dark, as his very life force dies off*
*Rock's body drops to its knees, still having a vice-like grip on Ozzy*
*Rock falls forward, his body suddenly tumbling into the void below*
*Ozzy gets his arms free and grasps the edge, though Rock's grip still holds him*
*Ozzy struggles to hang on, as Rock's hand slowly slips off him*
*Hand completely slips off, dropping Rock's body into the pitch-black void below*
*Ozzy climbs back up, rolling over the edge and lying on his back in exhaustion*
*Jack's screams calm down, as he also lies there in exhaustion*
*Blaze calms down as well, though now gritting his teeth and grunting as he's still in incredible pain*
*Ozzy looks over to the far wall, noticing an odd figure in the distance*
*Figure is unrecognizable, but is seen breathing hard from the spell it casted*
*Ozzy tries looking at it closer, reaching out a hand towards it*
*Figure notices Ozzy, its breathing calming down and looking at him*
*Figure is seen to be wearing a ponytail, indicating that it's a girl*
*Dungeon doors open offscreen, catching the Figure's attention and causing her to bolt off*
*Ozzy still stares on, unsure of what he's seen*
______(End of Fight)______
*Grop ADZ barges into the room, as Ali heads right for Ozzy with Kappa close behind*
*Zilly heads over to Jack, while Darkie heads over to Blaze*
Ali: (alert) Oz!!
*Ali slides to her knees and hugs Ozzy, tears trickling down as she is grief-stricken*
Ali: (crying) Dear Comph, I thought you were dead!
*Ozzy still stares at where the Figure was, his face frozen in wonder*
*Group ESZ walk in, with the monsters stopping at the doorway*
*Zim and Eager head over to Blaze, while Spidey heads over to Jack*
*Panel focuses on Jack, as he sits up and clutches his forehead in pain*
Zilly: (concerned) Are you okay, Jack?
Jack: (terrified) Those screams... those horrible screams...
*Panel moves over to Blaze, as Zim is seen addressing his hurt shoulder*
Zim: (focused) You guys got torn up...
*Zim touches Blaze's shoulder, causing Blaze to flinch in pain and swat Zim's hands away*
Blaze: (mad) ACH!! QUIT IT!!
Zim: (annoyed) Stop that. You'll make it worse.
*Eager takes out his flask and opens Blaze's mouth, pouring him some tequila*
Eager: (blunt) Anesthetic. Comprende?
Darkie: (skeptical) Really? Booze.
*Panel moves over to Ozzy, as Ali now has him resting on her lap while Kappa floats near*
Kappa: (concerned) You three had it rough.
Ali: (concerned) What happened?
Ozzy: (faint) Rock is... dead.
*Both girls are surprised, looking at each other as though uncertain*
Ali: (nervous) How?
Ozzy: A bright... light... killed him.
Ali: *at Kappa* That could be either Blaze or Jack's muzzle flash.
Kappa: (nervous) Well... ask!
Ali: *at Ozzy* Was it Blaze? Was it Jack?... was it you?
Ozzy: (stronger) It was... someone else.
*Both are unsure of what to say, as the room suddenly quakes again*
Ali: (confused) I thought their thrashing was causing the quakes?
Kappa: (scared) They've slammed into the walls so many times that the structural integrity of the castle is-
Ali: (frustrated) English, please.
Kappa: Eep- Rock's magic is gone so there's nothing holding it up?
Ali: (scared) Oh. We gotta go.
*Ali helps Ozzy up to his feet, wrapping his arm around her shoulders*
*Zim is seen addressing Blaze's shoulder, as Blaze tries really hard to hold in his pain*
Zim: (commenting) Geez, is this thing ever gonna heal?
Ali: You can play doctor later, Zim! This place is crashing down!
*Zim is a little annoyed by the comment, but stops what she's doing and hauls Blaze to his feet with Eager's help*
Demon: (stating) There is a secret passage we can lead you to.
*Jack suddenly realizes the monsters at the door, startling him as he whips out one of his guns*
Jack: (terrified) What're THEY doin' here?!
Spidey: (reasoning) Whoa-whoa-whoa- calm down. They're our friends!
Jack: (annoyed) Pfft, try sayin' that when they nearly tore yer head o-
Ali: (urgent) Can it, Jack! If they know the way out, we're following.
Zilly: (calm) I'll help you up.
*Zilly helps Jack up, Jack tucks his gun away but still scowls as the monsters*
Jack: (mumbling) Buncha lousy, no-good- I ain't trustin' them.
Demon: (roaring) THIS WAY!!
*Group leaves the chamber and follows Demon, as the chamber itself begins collapsing in on itself*
*Panel moves to outside the castle, as the large domain is seen collapsing in on itself and sinking into the lava*
*Panel moves to a nearby cave opening, as the monsters and group are seen emerging out of it*
*Everyone turns around and looks at the castle, as what's left of the intimidating complex sinks into the bowels of Mount Peanut*
*Zim walks Blaze over to a rock, setting him down as she finishes up her work*
*Zilly helps Jack sit on the ground, the outlaw still suffering from a major headache*
*Monsters approach Eager in homage, Eager looks at them unamused*
Demon: (curious) Your home is destroyed, Count. But we may rebuild it.
Eager: (bored) Eh. Go ahead. Throw on some flying buttresses or whatever that Gothic crap is.
Orc: (curious) Where do you want your quart-
*Demon slaps Orc across the face, silencing him*
Eager: Hah, I ain't gonna stay in it. Build it for yourselves, go terrorize the neighbors or something- I don't care.
*Monsters are unsure of what to do, but leave anyway and re-enter the cave*
*Spidey & Darkie dust themselves off, Darkie checks on her DS*
Spidey: (concerned) Are you-
Darkie: (cold) Swell.
Spidey: (confuesd) Do you-
Darkie: Nope.
*Ali sets Ozzy on a stump, sitting next to him as he slowly recovers*
Ali: (concerned) So Rock really is dead.
Ozzy: (thinking) Yes- a-at least I think. I saw him fall into-
Kappa: (correcting) Rock doesn't die. But it may take him time to return back to the mortal realm.
Ali: (thinking) So at least he's physically dead.
Kappa: Correct.
Ozzy: That seems right. His body fell into oblivion.
Ali: (curious) What do you remember?
Ozzy: Well, we had a good strategy going, and we were hurting Rock, but... he grew angry. First he struck Blaze down, then Jack dropped to the ground in some spasm and started screaming. I...
Ali: Go on?
Ozzy: (reluctant) I... was crushed. After that, I remember being clenched in his hand, and he was ready to kill me.
Ali: (concerned) You don't remember the in-between.
Ozzy: Not really...
Ali: Nothing at all?
Ozzy: (hesitant) … I saw some things... but they were clouded. But it was Rock... and I was knocking him around.
*Ozzy pauses, looking at Ali with a worried look*
Ozzy: (scared) But I wasn't in control. I was completely removed physically.
*Ozzy's face turns sad, tears trickling down*
Ozzy: (horrified) It was that monster again. IT took over... and I couldn't do anything to stop this time.
*Ozzy buries his face into his hands as he cries, while Ali scoots closer and hugs him*
Ali: (stating) But it help defeat Rock. If he didn't intervene, all of us would've died.
*Ali presses her cheek against his, comforting him a little*
Ali: (optimistic) And now that Rock is gone, maybe this multi-dimensional problem will end.
*Ozzy looks up at Ali, who smiles back at him*
Ali: (happy) You'll always be a hero in my eyes, Oz.
*Ozzy smiles a little, making Ali hug him a little tighter*
*Ali notices Kappa, who has floated away a little and looks sad*
Ali: (concerned) I should go talk with her.
Ozzy: (understanding) Of course.
*Kappa floats near Blaze & Zim, Blaze moving his shoulder a little*
Zim: (explaining) Don't sleep on your side, it'll agitate it. And remember to stretch.
Blaze: (teasing) Yeah, yeah, Doctor Zim...
*Ali heads over to Kappa, catching Zim's & Blaze's attention*
Ali: (concerned) Are you okay?
*Kappa sniffs, then looks at Ali through teary blotches*
Kappa: (sad) Yeah, *sniff*, I'll be fine.
Ali: (sad) Oh... I'm sorry we couldn't find your body.
Kappa: I understand. *Sniff*, It was just a body...
*Zim overhears them, immediately thinking of something and reaching for her backpack*
Zim: (stating, at Kappa) ACTUALLY, I gotcha something, Kappa.
*Ali & Kappa look over at Zim, mildly surprised as Zim digs through her backpack*
*Zim grabs something and sets the backpack on the ground, using both hands to pull out Kappa's physical body*
Zim: (proud) Ta-da!
*Both Ali & Kappa look on in shock, while Blaze is slightly disgusted*
Blaze: (disgusted) Ach. A corpse?
*Kappa suddenly freezes, her body trembling violently*
Ali: (confused) Kappa?
Zim: (worried) Eh... are you okay?
*Kappa is suddenly sucked back into her own body, Kappa's body springs back to life as she takes a huge breath*
*Kappa immediately sits up, coughing out dust as she gets used to her body*
*Ali & Zim help her to her feet, while Blaze looks on completely confused*
Kappa: (surprised) I'm... I'm alive.
*Kappa is suddenly filled with joy, dancing giddily and squealing like a school girl*
Kappa: (excited) I'm alive! I'm alive! I'm aliiiiiive!
*Kappa grabs both Ali & Zim in a hug, twirling them around*
*Rest of group notices, walking over to have a look at the commotion*
Kappa: (overjoyed) Ohhhh it feels great!
*Kappa sets both of them down, then grabs onto the box on her head*
Kappa: (relieved) Now I can take this dreaded thing off.
*Kappa pulls the box off of her head, revealing her face with long-lashed eyes and ponytailed white hair matching her dress*
*Kappa kisses Zim on the cheek, making Zim blush a little*
Kappa: (happy) Thank you, Zim.
Zim: (surprised) You're welcome, Kappa.
Darkie: (curious) I'm still confused. How DID Ungreth revive you?
Zilly: (curious) Yeah. We saw you knocked out, then you came flying out of the cavern.
Kappa: (shy) Heh-heh, well... he did “something”.
*Kappa winks at the girls, giving them a subtle hint*
*Kappa then heads off towards Peanut Butte, waving back at the group*
*Group waves back at Kappa, rather happy for her*
Jack: (happy) Happy trails!
Zilly: (happy) See yah later!
Ali: (happy) Have a happy life!
Kappa: (calling back) Good luck, you guys! You're gonna need it!
*Group watches Kappa disappear over the ridge, calming back down*
*Jack clutches his forehead once more, still having a headache*
Jack: (cringing) Oww, that hurt.
*Group laughs, but is suddenly interrupted by a loud BOOM! in the distance*
*Group freezes in fear, with only Ozzy turning around to have a look*
Ozzy: (scared) Uhh... Ali?
Ali: (scared) Y-yeah?
Ozzy: You know how you said that the multi-dimensional thing was done?
Ali: Uh-huh.
Ozzy: Well... look.
*Group turns around in Ozzy's direction, their faces turning to pure shock*
*Panel zooms out, revealing a colossal aurora towering over them and easily dwarfing Mount Peanut*
Ali: (terrified) Dear Comph...
((End of Issue 14))
That's right, I cannot die!
Also, how did UltimateClay go from being a turtle enemy in one of the earlier chapters to one of my slaves?
Also, your story has a grievous error in that I was defeated.
Also, I like your story.
PLOT TWIST: CLAY WAS WORKING WITH RAWK THE ENTIRE TIME TO BEGIN WW3Quote:
Originally Posted by RockSauron
It took time, but it is done. That feeling you get when you finally finish something, except it's not finished yet. :p
Because I'm not good with coming up with a speech or something, and because this isn't the end of the whole story, I'm just going for the basic: Good work! :D
Keep on writing.
And keep one reading, TEOE is getting a new act soon.
Also your story needs more GDN. That guy was smexy. :3
Except it might as well be, considering that the most awesome character, myself, is no more. How can this story be worthwhile if I'm not even in it?Quote:
Originally Posted by gdn001
I got carried away reading my own story. :p
Just because Clay was mentioned before doesn't mean that'll be the only time. For all we know, while the group was in Threadopolis, you might've had a craving for turtle soup and thus captured Clay for your own devious hunger pangs. Besides, having Clay as NOT your slave didn't seem right.Quote:
Originally Posted by RockSauron
And... accept it. At least you got your revenge on Jack.
Thank yah. I'll keep reading as long as you keep writing. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by gdn001
You already got your appearance- and it was a good one- so keep wishin'.
But... you are in it. There's still, like, several dozen others who haven't even appeared yet. And YOU were a major villain. So no complaints from you, mister.Quote:
Originally Posted by RockSauron
I wanna defeat Rock with an armada of tanks.
I told myself I was gonna get the next issue out before school starts. Well, school starts tomorrow... yep. This one isn't as action-packed as the others are, but focuses more on the emotional side of Worlds Apart- and a bit of a hint of what the tone might be in the future.
ALSO, if anyone is curious about some future stuff, other side stories, plans, etc., gimme a PM or ask me a question on here and I'll be more than glad to answer/provide some content. I realize that at this pace, this story might not be finished before LBPC gives out, so I am also in the progress of setting up a site for the story to be stored on, plus some additional insight on what went behind them. I DO plan on making some concept art of different scenes soon, so if you guys wanna suggest any scenes/moments/specific stuff, lemme know.
But, for now, enjoy Issue 19.
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Worlds Apart: Issue 19 (Westward)
Characters: Oswald (Ozzy), iTriangle (Ali), Blazen (Blaze), TheZimInvader (Zim), Ninjaferre22 (Zilly), Outlaw-Jack (Jack), Spider-Jew (Spidey), Darkiesoul (Darkie), eagerneph (Eager)
Setting(s): initially in the Tall Trees Wilderness; the Wild West, particularly in and around Iron Horse Ranch
Plot: Group travels to the Wild West, Jack finds his love interest and his past problems again
______(in the woods, with the group outside of the enormous aurora)______
*Group stares up at the aurora, lost for words at its enormity*
Zilly: (shocked) Oh my...
Zim: (worried) Ali, exactly how big is this thing?
Ali: (scared) I don't know...
*Ali begins calculating on her Pip-Boy, while the others assess the situation*
Eager: (unsure) Ay, caramba...
Spidey: (optimistic) Oh, it ain't THAT bad...
Darkie: (blunt) Oh, like you really expect us to charge through this thing without even knowing what it is...
*Jack's scowl settles into more of a startled look, Ozzy takes notice*
Ozzy: (curious, at Jack) Something up?
Jack: (unsure) Somethin' just ain't right 'bout this thing...
Ozzy: Ominous, maybe?
Jack: (clarifying) Nah, not that. It just feels... familiar...
*Ali finishes her calculations, looking up rather shocked*
Ali: (wide-eyed) This one is the largest yet... by 50 square miles.
Zim: I guess that takes out the question of just walking around it.
Blaze: (clueless) Eh, who knows? Maybe tha aurora's just big.
Zim: (annoyed) Oh, then perhaps you can test out that theory by going in first.
Blaze: (startled) Uh-uh. Nooooo way. Ain't happenin'.
*Others notice argument, also voicing their objections*
Spidey: (worried) It really can't be that bad... right?
Darkie: (obnoxious) Like you really expect ME to go into anything first.
Zilly: (nervous) We don't even know what's in there...
Ali: (objecting) OHHH NO. Don't you even THINK of making me go first.
*Others look back at Jack (still startled) and Ozzy (now also startled), unsure of what to say*
Ali: (quick) So, whose it gonna be?
Ozzy: (surprised) Wait, what?
Zim: (nervous) None of us are going first. Gotta be one of you two.
Ozzy: W-well, I-
Jack: (wary) I'll go last an' cover the rear. Since Rock's dead, we don't know who might still be lurkin' 'round these parts...
Ozzy: (annoyed) And what gives you the authority to make THAT decision?
*Jack casually shows one of his revolvers to Ozzy, answering his question*
Ozzy: (put-off) Stitch.
Jack: (casual) *tucks gun away* Best to have some protection coverin' yer behinds.
Zim: (sympathetic) Sorry, Oz.
Ozzy: (reluctant) Ohh... alright.
*Ozzy steps forward, heading towards the aurora barrier*
*Ali comes up from behind Oz, touching his shoulder and grabbing his attention*
Ali: (reassuring) I'll go in right after you do. Okay?
Ozzy: (a little relieved) Okay... thanks.
*Ali backs away, Oz stares warily at the glowing aurora*
*Oz takes a deep breath, and darts in*
*Oz appears inside the Old West, now wearing a cattle rustler outfit*
*Aurora puts Oz on top of a large cliff, with only a few feet between the entry and a long drop*
*Oz skids to a halt, nearly inches away from a steep slope*
Ozzy: (startled) Whoa!
*Ozzy huddles down, peering over the sheer drop and looking at the various sharp flora below*
Ozzy: (remarking) Wow. That was close.
Ali: (shouting, outside of aurora) Here I come!
Ozzy: (realizing) Ali!
*Ali barges through, appearing in a blacksmith's outfit*
*Ozzy grabs Ali, stopping her mere inches from the sheer slope*
Ozzy: (shouting) WAIT!
Ali: (surprised) Aah! What are you-
*Ali realizes the sheer drop, now starting to panic a little*
Ali: (panicking) Ooooh my Comph!!
*Ali grabs hold of Ozzy, scared witless*
Ozzy: (commenting) We ought to be more careful with these kind of things.
Ali: (shaken, but settling down) Woooow that was close.
Blaze: (calling out, outside of aurora) Comin' through!
Ali: (realizing) Oh shoot.
*Blaze charges through, appearing as a gold miner*
*Blaze runs into Ali and Ozzy, nearly sending them over the edge*
Blaze: (startled) Aye!
Ali: (panicking again, screaming) Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-BLAZE STOP!!!
*Ali & Ozzy hold Blaze back, as Blaze slowly grasps the situation*
Blaze: (confused) Huh... what's goin' on-
Ali: (mad) Yah big ope!! You nearly rammed us off a cliff!
*Blaze realizes the sheer drop, quickly backing off of Ali & Ozzy*
Blaze: (shocked) Oh wow. This is new...
Ozzy: (reassessing) Well, that's at least a third of us.
Zim: (calling out, outside of aurora) Heads up!
Blaze: (realizing) Ah crape.
*Zim barges through, dressed as a journalist*
*Blaze grabs Zim's backpack, stopping her abruptly in her tracks*
Blaze: (shouting) Whoa there, lass!
Zim: (shocked) Urk!
*Zim falls on the ground, reeling from the sudden stop*
Zim: (irked) What was that for?!
Ozzy: (scared) Uhh... look to your right.
*Zim turns her head to the right, now noticing their location*
Zim: (shocked) Oh geez.
Blaze: (stating) Nearly fell off mahself.
Ali: (realizing) *looking at wrist* Aww, I don't have my Pip-Boy.
Ozzy: (observing) If this is the pattern so far, that means the next one coming through is-
*Zilly suddenly bursts through the aurora, appearing as a Native American and soaring over the others*
Zilly: (excited) Wheeee!!
Group: (screaming) ZILLY!!!
*Ozzy and Blaze grab Zilly's tail, making her slam into the slope right beneath their feet*
Zilly: (startled) Nyaaah!
*Blaze and Ozzy struggle to keep hold of Zilly's tail, as she hangs over the edge and is now panicking*
Zilly: (horrified) HOOOOOLY CRAFT.
Blaze: (struggling) Quit squirmin', yah big ol' ferret!
Ali: (observing) Take out Jack, and next is-
*Spidey bursts through the aurora, appearing in a sheriff's outfit and also soaring over the others*
Spidey: (excited) Woohoo!-
*Zim immediately sticks her cane out, hooking Spidey's neck and clothes-lining him*
Spidey: (choking) ACH!!
*Spidey also falls to the ground, reeling as Blaze & Ozzy haul Zilly back up*
Ali: (reassuring self) Yep. Spidey.
*Darkie walks through the aurora, dressed as a tracker*
*Group awkwardly stares at Darkie, who also stares back awkwardly*
Darkie: (unamused) Yeah, I decided to walk.
*Eager appears through the aurora, dressed as a bandito and initially flying*
*His wings disappear, causing him to land on top of Spidey's back (whose still laying down)*
Spidey: (screaming) GAAAAAAHH!!
Eager: (startled) Whoops. Sorry amigo.
Zim: (casual) Welcome to the party.
Ozzy: (stating) Yeeahh, this is awkward.
Zilly: (commenting) It's awfully crowded up here.
Blaze: (nauseous) Aye, waaay to crowded for mah likin'...
Darkie: (blunt) I have nooo idea what's going on here.
Ali: (thinking) That's everyone except for-
Jack: (shouting, outside of aurora) Gang way!
Group: (panicking) NO!! WAIT!!
*Jack barges through the aurora (though unseen due to the crowding), ramming the group off the cliff and down the slope*
*Various group members scream, as they all (minus Jack) begin to tumble down the steep slope*
*Panel moves back to Jack, but only shows his lower half (boots and legs); his clothes are restored to a Confederate gray and look new*
Jack: (startled) Oh!... ooooooh...
*Panel moves back to others, still tumbling down the slope and some into the sharp shrubs and cacti*
*Jack begins to slide down upright, though the panel still only focuses on his lower half*
*Panel flashes back to group, now lying at the bottom of the slope in pain*
Ali: (hurt) Owww...
Spidey: (complaining) My back...
*Panel moves back to Jack, now also revealing his torso but cutting out his arms and head; his jacket is unbuttoned, revealing a white shirt underneath his bandolier and strap*
*Panel moves back to the others, focusing on Zim as she and the other struggle to recover*
*Jack slides in behind her, his head still unseen and his hands blocked by Zim's body*
Zim: (angry) Thanks a lot, you jerk...
Jack: (sorry) Ah geez. I had no idea that would happen.
*Panel focuses more on Zim, with Jack's shadow looming over her and her back still turned to him*
Zim: (annoyed) Well, maybe next time you can be a bit more considerate.
*Jack offers his hand, restored to his original skin color and rather lively*
Jack: (curious) Need a hand?
Zim: (mad) Hmph! After that stunt you just pulled, you really think I'll-
*Zim turns around, now looking at Jack and rather shocked*
*Zim just stares for a moment, unsure of what to say*
Zim: … (shocked) J-Jack?
*Panel moves to Jack, now showing his face and his outstretched hand along with the rest of his torso*
*Jack's face appears fully restored and appearing much younger, around his mid 20's*
*His beard is replaced by a trimmed goatee, and his glowing eyes are replaced by cartoon eyes*
*His hat appears fully restored as well, with the sun shining behind it*
Jack: … (confused) Yes?
*Panel focuses back on Zim, still shocked*
Jack: (teasing) Whaaat? The same ol' smelly, gun-totin' outlaw y'all learned to love and hate?
*Zim slowly grabs Jack's hand, Jack hauls her back up to her feet*
*Panel zooms out, with the others also getting back up and rather mad*
Ali: (mad) Of all the things you could do, you just deliberately ram us off some cliff side like some, some... BILLY GOAT!!
Jack: (curious) *brushing off Zim* Y'all right?
Zim: (unsure) Uh huh.
Ali: (infuriated) I swear, you can be such an irritating piece of stitch sometimes, you know that?! If that wasn't an accident, I'd be wringing your neck right now like some-
*Ali suddenly notices Jack's changes, her temper now dropped to a surprise*
Ali: (shocked) What the... Jack?
*Jack turns to the others, his whole body now in view*
Jack: (defensive) Maybe if someone came back out and warned me 'bout the sitiation, I wouldn't have charged in head-long.
*Jack notices the others' faces, all in some sort of shock or disbelief*
Jack: (confused) What? Did I say something?
*Others just keep staring, irritating Jack a little*
Jack: (annoyed) Seriously. Y'all are startin' to annoy me.
Zim: (uncertain) Uhh... Jack?
Jack: (irritated) Yeah, yeah, we already clarified that. Now will someone PLEASE explain to me what's goin' on?
*Zim moves one of Jack's hands in front of his view, the cowboy rather confused*
Zim: (simple) Look.
*Jack briefly stares at his hand, then looks down at Zim*
Jack: (stating) Honestly, Zim, I dunno what yer so spooked at-
*Jack suddenly realizes something, quickly turning his head back and staring at his hands*
*Jack stares for a while, slowly realizing his transformation*
*Jack feels his face as well, still realizing*
*He closes his eyes tight as they water, his mouth begins to quiver*
*Suddenly, Jack whips out both of his revolvers and shoots wildly into the air, crying out for joy*
Jack: (hollering) YEEEEEEEHHAAAAAWWWW!!!
*Jack quickly turns to Zim, grabbing her by the shoulders and startling her*
Jack: (excited) You know what this means?!
Zim: (shocked) N-no?! What?!
*Jack hugs Zim tight, twirling her around*
Jack: (proclaiming) I'm back!! I'm finally back!
Ozzy: (confused) Erm... back where?
*Jack sets Zim back down, turns to the others*
Jack: (explaining) Why, we're in the Old West!
*Others look at themselves, noticing the period-appropriate clothes*
Zilly: (realizing) Ohh, NOW I see.
Jack: (joyous) *leaping for joy and clicking heels* I'm back!! I'm back home! YEEHAW!!
*Jack begins to dance around, with the others regrouping and assessing the situation*
Spidey: (sad) *looking at wrists* Ahh! My web shooters!
Darkie: (stating) *pulling up a bear trap* Guess that explains this.
*Blaze and Zilly are seen looking at weapons, still looking normal*
Zilly: (optimistic) Well, at least one of us knows where we are.
Blaze: (confused) An' ah guess some o' these things are older than tha realm itself.
Ali: (clarifying) That makes sense. The Old West occurred from the 1860s to the 1910s.
Ozzy: (thinking) Wait. Doesn't that make Jack...
*Jack suddenly stops in place, his face now wide in realization*
*Jack suddenly snags his hat and throws it at the ground, now frustrated*
Jack: (frustrated) DANGIT!!
Ali: (curious) What's wrong?
Jack: (annoyed) *arms crossed* I'm back alright... back to bein' an outlaw.
Zilly: (worried) Oh. Oops.
Jack: An' if I'm still in my ol' rebel clothes, that means that everyone I killed is back as well.
*Fear washes over the group, as the sudden realization settles in*
Ozzy: (scared) Oh boy.
*Group looks back up at cliff side, just as the aurora blips out*
Blaze: (worried) An' there goes tha exit.
Jack: (focusing) *putting hat back on* Well, I guess y'all just have to be careful 'round here, then.
Darkie: (serious) But you just said you're back to being an outlaw. Aren't there some people who want to, I dunno- KILL YOU?
Jack: (stating) I got some friends. And knowin' them, they probably high-tailed back to their respective hideouts.
*Jack starts heading out, with the group staying in place*
*Jack takes a few steps before noticing this, looking back as he does*
Jack: (confused) Well, y'all comin' or not?
Ali: (scared) I dunno how we feel about you being an... outlaw, again.
Eager: (blunt) You'll get us all killed, vaquero.
Jack: (reassuring) *Sigh*, These people ain't gonna harm you guys. They'd only want me... I hope.
*Group is still unsure, looking at each other nervously*
Jack: (honest) I'd never let any of 'em hurt y'all. If I killed 'em before, I can kill 'em again.
*Group glares at Jack for his statement, making Jack realize what he said*
Jack: (sincere) Please, just trust me. I'm the only one who has any idea where we are anywho, and you DON'T wanna git lost in these parts.
*Group thinks over statement, reluctantly agreeing*
Ali: (worried) I... I guess so.
Jack: (calm) Good. *takes out map* Now, let's see where this is...
*Jack looks at his map, as the panel moves back to the group*
Ali: (unsure) What should we do?
Jack: (mumbling, in background) Hmm... this looks like Sidewinder Gulch...
Darkie: (serious) I still don't trust him.
Zim: (defensive) That man saved my life. I know he wouldn't wanna see any of us get hurt.
Zilly: (stating) Mine too...
Ozzy: (annoyed) Oh, but he'll gladly try and kill me off. TWICE. What a hero.
Jack: (still mumbling, in background) And that there's Old Bend... and New Bend.
Blaze: (arguing) An' all o' tha others he killed outside o' this realm.
Eager: (angry) And the others he killed INSIDE this realm...
Jack: (still mumbling) Oh! There's Devil's Bluff...
Zim: (stating) Look. The point is, he's not the same guy he was before.
*Group gives Zim a serious look, making Zim rethink her statement*
Zim: (restating) Okay. Maybe not a different person altogether, but he at least has feelings now besides bouts of homicidal fury and rage.
Ozzy: (thinking) True. And if we upset him...
Ali: (worried) Or anger him to the point that-
*Group realizes situation, faces rather frightened*
Jack: (still mumbling) And that's the Rio del Rio.
Ali: (stating) We're sticking with him. For now.
Others (except Darkie): (unanimous) Agreed.
Jack: (calling out) I got our bearings. Let's head out!
*Group nervously nods in agreement, then start to follow Jack out into the Old West*
*Panel moves to much later, with the group still trekking out in the desert landscape*
*Some are seen a bit exhausted, sweating a bit*
*Jack appears fine, rather comfortable under the heat*
Ali: (exhausted) Dear Comph... it's hot.
Jack: (boasting) Are you kiddin'? Territories west of here git smolderin'. This is nuthin'.
*Ozzy's sweat drops to the desert floor, hissing as it hits*
Ozzy: (terrified) Exactly HOW hot is it out here?
*Jack wets his finger and sticks it up in the air, his saliva instantly drying*
Jack: (stating) Quite. At least fer you city folk.
Zim: (correcting) Technically, most of us are wanderers, so...
*Jack notices something in the distance, halting the group*
Blaze: (alert) What is it?
Darkie: (hopeful) Please tell me it's some sort of oasis or something.
Jack: (cautious) You wish...
*Group creeps slowly ahead, heading towards a small, abandoned ranch house with some palm trees (one is sagging low)*
Zilly: (scared) Who lives here?
Jack: (calm) One of my close friends.
Spidey: (curious) Oh! Who's that?
Jack: Mad Manuel.
*Some (Ali, Blaze, Zim & Ozzy) are startled, looking rather worried*
Ozzy: (scared) You mean that nutcase with the giant shotgun you told me about?
Jack: Yep. That one.
Ali: (scared) The only guy who was as ruthless as Jack. At least, that's what the stories said...
Jack: (serious) And you'd be right.
*Jack stops the group, now a few yards outside of the house's front porch*
Jack: (quiet) Stay here. I'll go get 'im.
Eager: (annoyed) He better not shoot at us, gringo.
Jack: (reassuring) Oh-ho, trust me... (peeved) he won't.
*Jack continues walking forward, while the group watches from a distance*
*Jack stops for a moment a few feet in front of the patio, looking rather hesitant*
*Jack blows a puff of air, and takes a deliberate step*
*Suddenly, a snare snags his foot, the rope jutting up from its sandy disguise*
*The sagging palm is now swinging up, the rope quickly tightening*
Jack: (irked) It just has to be this one...
*Rope sweeps Jack off his feet, swinging him upwards and over the palm as it now swings backwards*
Jack: (screaming) DAAAAAAAAAHHH!!
*Jack is slammed into the ground face-first, the group cringing in response*
Jack: (pain) Oof!!
Group: (cringing) Oooooh...
*Palm now swings in other direction, yanking Jack off the ground again*
*Rope swings Jack over the palm again, only this time he slams into the tile roof*
Jack: (suffering) DAAAAAAHHH!!!
Group: (sorry) Ouch.
*Palm straightens out, rope drags Jack off the roof and leaves his dangling around the trunk of the palm tree*
*Jack is seen rather dazed, only having minor bruises as he hangs upside-down by his ankle*
Jack: (grimacing) That jerk...
*The door suddenly slams open, with Mad Manuel (Manny) holding his giant shotgun and looking rather P-O'd*
*Manny glares at his surroundings, his attention quickly directed at the group*
*Group jumps a little, with the bandito staring angrily at them through dark cartoon eyes*
Jack: (calling out, in Spanish) Por aquí, usted idiota.
*Manny darts his gaze over to Jack, now walking over to confront him face-to-face*
Manny: (growling) Tienes algunas pelotas por llamarme a cabo, gringo.
Jack: (mocking)Interesante. Y pensar que iba a estallar de todos modos los de descanso.
Manny: (mad) *aiming shotgun* ¿Estás tratando de asustarme, chico? Debido a que no está funcionando.
Jack: (stating) Bueno, seguro que trabajó por primera vez.
*Manny backs off a little, unsure of what to say*
Manny: (confused) ¿Qué?
Jack: (blunt, back in English) And I thought Jed was the stupid one. I swear, my right-hand man is some sort of idiot-
Manny: (excited) Dulce Jesús, it IS you!!
*Manny shoots at the rope, cutting down Jack though he lands on his head*
*Manny heaves Jack back up, and both bro-hug*
Manny: I thought you were already dead!
Jack: (correcting) We ALL were, amigo.
Manny: (stating) I know! Hence why I'm surprised those urbanitas haven't killed you off yet.
*Manny looks back at the group, the group still unsure of what to do*
Manny: (frank) Really?
Jack: (honest) Well... that's all I could git.
Manny: (joking) I'm so sorry, amigo...
Jack: (joking) You just gotta deal with the cards yer dealt, I suppose...
Blaze: (mad) I heard that!!
Jack: (curious) Now, could we possibly-
Manny: (happy) Of course! Mi casa es tu casa.
*Jack and Manny head towards the front door, Jack motions for the others to follow*
Manny: (welcoming) Si, vamos! Vamos! Bienvenidos.
*Others are unsure of what just happen, but follow anyways*
*Panel moves to inside the house, with the group getting comfortable while Jack and Manny catch up*
Manny: (explaining) Amigo, once you were dead, the whole posse went muy loco.
Jack: (confused) I thought you would've assumed control? Y'know, bein' my second-hand and all...
Manny: I did, ese... then I got killed!
*Both laugh at the remark, the panel now focusing on the others*
*Some are doing their own things (Blaze taking a nap, Zilly checking out various spices, Eager taking a drink), the others are seen talking*
Darkie: (suspicious) This just doesn't feel right... dealing with outlaws and banditos...
Ali: (honest) Given our situation, we really don't have a choice.
Ozzy: (worried) I know Jack means well, but... his former posse?
Spidey: (optimistic) Who knows? We might just have a little adventure!
*Other 3 stare at Spidey, unamused*
Ali: (blunt) Scram.
Spidey: (spooked) Okay.
*Spidey leaves, now looking around the house*
Zim: (thinking) But these are his friends we're talking about. I'm sure they wouldn't wanna get on his bad side.
*Panel flashes back to Jack and Manny, still talking about the posse*
Manny: (explaining) Next thing I know, I'm back from the grave! And so was everyone else!
Jack: (surprised) Even the rest of the posse?
Manny: (sorry) Si, but they've already kicked the bucket again. I guess they caused a slew of trouble after we were gone. Everyone was after them.
Jack: (annoyed) Buncha lousy... (honest) who can blame them? It's not like WE made the sitiation any better.
Manny: (joking) I know. Why'd you think they took us out FIRST?
*Both laugh again, the focus redirected to the other group*
Darkie: (reasoning) Still, we can't trust them so haphazardly. Remember, this WAS when Jack went “crazy”.
Zim: (stating) But what “was” was. This is now. And I'm certain that he's not gonna put us in harm's way.
Ozzy: I'm still not liking this idea, though. Following him around to wherever it is in this realm...
Ali: (honest) Well, a lot of us can't use our respective items, including my Pip-Boy with a GPS. So we might as well follow the guy who used to live here.
*Panel moves back to Jack and Manny, still talking*
Manny: (explaining) Ol' Nick got lynched, and Jed, well... guess.
Jack: (thinking) Don't tell me...
*Manny imitates an explosion, moving his hands to motion a mushroom cloud*
Manny: (joking) BOOOOOOM!!
Jack: (laughing) I KNEW IT!!
*Both laugh, but Manny quickly settles down and turns serious*
Manny: (serious) But you and your friends aren't safe here, amigo.
*Jack is taken a little by surprise, quickly calming down and being hush*
Jack: (quiet) I already understood that. These kids will die if I leave 'em alone out there, though.
*Panel moves back to the other group, still talking*
Darkie: (skeptical) You can't be completely certain. He's back home. It could change him mentally.
Zim: (honest) In this desperate situation with little to no options, I'd rather take a risk to live than accept a fact and die.
*Group is a bit appalled by her statement, taking a moment to let it sink in*
*Zilly is seen with a bottle of hot sauce in the background, looking rather thirsty as she contemplates drinking it*
Zim: Hey, I'm being honest.
Ali: (shocked) I think that settles it, then.
Ozzy: (agreeing) Agreed.
Darkie: (reluctant) Fine...
*Panel moves back to Jack and Manny, still looking serious*
Manny: It won't make much of a difference whether or not you leave them if you're dead. Those sheriffs you killed are mounting a huge campaign to find you, Jack. The sheriff of Wyatt Springs is leading the charge.
Jack: (startled) Wyatt Springs?... ah crap. That's the first town that went under.
Manny: And it was your hometown, wasn't it amigo?
Jack: (worried) At the time it was. Just great. That eliminates any chance of me and my group findin' a place to sleep in overnight... (curious) unless you-
*Manny aims his shotgun at Jack, silencing him*
Manny: (serious) No way, ese. I wanna live.
Jack: (depressed) Well, at least yer honest.
Manny: (sly) *lowering shotgun* But... a little birdie told me about someone who might have... extra lodging.
Jack: (confused, intrigued) And who exactly would that be?
Manny: (teasing) Well.. you know... tu amor.
*Jack's eyes grow wide, his face in utter shock*
Jack: (startled) You mean that-
*Manny smiles and gives a wink, confirming Jack's suspicions*
Jack: (excited) Bless the Lord! She's-
Manny: (alert) Wait a minute, amigo. That ain't all of it.
*Jack looks at Manny, calming down and looking suspicious*
Jack: (worried) … Go on.
Manny: (worried) Eh... well...
*Manny starts whispering into Jack's “ear”, as Jack reacts to his talking*
Jack: (angry) Buncha lousy- (confused) Huh?... (calm) Well, I'd be pretty- (shocked) Oh... (terrified) OH. (confused) I know she ain't the kindest of folk, but- (shocked) Dear Lord.
*Jack looks back at the others, with Zilly now panicking as she tries fanning out the spiciness from the hot sauce she drank, Eager half-way drunk, and the others doing their own thing*
Jack: (concerned) Well, that puts about half of us in danger.
Manny: (stern) If you and yer friends wanna last the night, you best set things right with that senorita. Lest you want yer head mounted on 'er wall, ese.
Jack: (worried) Ngh... I really have no choice.
*Both stand up, then shake hands*
Jack: (optimistic) Good luck, Manuel.
Manny: (wise) Heh. If anyone needs luck, it's you, Jack.
*Both quickly bro-hug, then something catches Manny's attention*
Manny: (annoyed) Estás rodeado de idiotas, usted sabe que.
Jack: (annoyed) Oh come on, they ain't THAT stu-
*Jack also takes notice, as everyone else is restraining Zilly while Ali pours tequila into her (Zilly's) mouth*
*Group looks at the duo rather oddly, as the last drop of tequila drops onto Zilly's tongue*
Jack: (embarrassed) You do know that tequila has a spicy after-taste...
*After-taste kicks in, making Zilly freak out even more*
Zilly: (screaming) NYYYAAAAAAAHHHH!!
*Both Manny and Jack look at each other, as the others restrain Zilly even more*
Jack: (annoyed) They're accident-prone.
Manny: (skeptical) Yeah. Right.
*Panel flashes to outside of Manny's hideout, as the group is seen leaving*
Manny: (calling out) Adiós, mis estúpidos!
Eager: (annoyed) Hey!
Manny: Que te jodan!
*Manny slams the door close, leaving the group to themselves again*
Zim: (curious, at Jack) Where to now?
Jack: (informative) To the I.H. Corral.
Ali: (curious) “I.H.”? What's that stand for?
Jack: Iron Horse. It's got one of them railroad stops. Last time I remember, the place ran a lil' B-n'-B fer travelers.
Blaze: (curious) So, do yah know tha owner?
*Jack stops walking for a sec, keeping his back to the group*
Jack: (somber) Did. I don't know now...
*Group is worried by his comment, as they keep walking along*
Darkie: (skeptical) You're unsure about this person, and you're still heading over there.
Ali: (worried) You don't forget about people you knew that easily, Jack.
Jack: Well, if they've changed... you sorta do. (stating) Which reminds me- boys, stay back when we git there.
Ozzy: (confused) But why would we need to do that if we're-
Jack: (bereft) Just trust me, okay? It's fer yer own safety.
Zilly: (concerned) For someone who used to live here, you seem to be quite confused yourself.
*Jack looks back at the group, his eyes longing*
*Jack quick-draws one of his guns at the group, making them flinch as it appears very shiny and he very serious*
Jack: (serious) Follow.
*Jack tucks his gun away and continues, the group hesitantly following*
Jack: (to self, sad) *Sigh*, Nuthin' makes sense anymore...
*Panel flashes ahead to a top of a small prairie hill, where the group is seen just cresting it*
*Group appears rather tired (except Jack), stopping to take a break*
Spidey: (optimistic) Well, *pant* that *pant* was good *pant* exercise.
Ali: (exhausted) *Pant* Dear Comph, *wheeze* whatever happened *pant* to horses?
Ozzy: (tired) You saw what happened earlier.
*Panel flashes to a moment before, with the group on a dusty trail*
*A covered wagon is seen coming up, grabbing their attention*
*Two sackpeople are seen riding, both looking rather bored*
Darkie: (relieved) Finally! (calling out) Hey! Fellas!
*Riders look over, immediately noticing Jack and panicking*
*Both dive off of the wagon, tumbling in the dirt and kicking up dust*
Darkie: (confused) Can we... hitch...
*Both sackpeople bolt in opposite directions, disappearing into the distances*
*Horses pick up speed, now galloping uncontrollably and passing the group*
Darkie: (defeated) A...
*Group watches the wagon pass by, leaving them in a cloud of dust*
Darkie: (sad) Ride.
*Darkie glares at Jack, whose not really paying attention*
*Jack looks over at Darkie, noticing her glare*
Jack: (casual) Eh. Must've saw a cougar or somethin'.
*Panel flashes back to current time, the group still trying to catch their breaths*
Ali: (realizing) Oh. Well then.
Zim: (exhausted) How much *pant* longer...
Blaze: (tired) Aye, *wheeze* this heat is killin' meh.
Darkie: (annoyed) Coming *pant* from the human *gasp* candle.
*Jack walks ahead slightly, focused on something in the distance*
Jack: (alert) We're here.
*Group looks in his direction, something also grabs their attention*
______(Iron Horse Ranch, a large homestead looking like MacFarlane's Ranch)______
*A large white home is seen, standing two stories tall with a large patio and Victorian finishes*
*A large gray barn is seen in the center, with a black roof, an adjacent corral, and a mustang painted on the side of it*
*A small town is also seen, situated in a row complete with a general store and bank*
*Three separate corrals are seen, filling the spaces between the town, barn and home*
*Workers are seen, doing various jobs (repairing buildings, hauling items, corralling) around the homestead*
Zilly: (excited) Yaaaay!!
*Group is reignited with energy (except Jack), eagerly running down to the homestead*
*Jack sighs, then walks after them*
*Group slows down at bottom of the hill, reaching the start of the ranch*
Darkie: (calling out) Hey! We-
Ali: (boasting) Hold up there, sister. I'M from the Midwest. Let ME handle this...
*Ali clears her throat, putting on a large smile while Darkie looks on rather annoyed*
Ali: (happy) Howdy-do, fellas!
*Some workers pay attention, looking a little confused at first*
Ali: (showing-off) Hope y'all don't mind. We just moseyed on in from yonder and are hopin' if we could rest 'ere fer the night?
*Workers' eyes widen, their faces turning to pure shock*
Ali: (worried) Erm... you all still vacant?
*Workers suddenly stop what they're doing and scurry off, hiding in various places*
Ali: (confused) Uh... was it something I said?
Zim: (sarcastic) Well, seems like THAT went well...
*Ali looks to her side, now noticing Jack standing there*
Ali: (annoyed) Nope. Just Jack.
*Jack sighs, then takes out his various weapons and begins handing them to the others*
Jack: (reluctant) Hold these.
*Ozzy and Zim are handed his revolvers, Ali receives his sword, and Zilly gets his satchel of dynamite*
Eager: (skeptical) Are you sure you should be handing weapons to kids, gringo?
Jack: (realizing) Oh yeah. One last thing.
*Jack begins tracing a line in the sand with his foot, drawing it in front of the group*
Jack: (serious) Boys, do NOT step over this here line.
Blaze: (obnoxious) An' if we do?
Jack: Yer dead.
*Guys are a little shocked by his statement, taking a step back*
Spidey: (scared) Yep, that seemed like a pretty valid reason.
*Jack turns his attention to the house, taking a big breath and marching forward*
*More workers flee as he heads towards the house, while others watch him from various hiding places*
*A figure is seen moving slowly within the house, disappearing from a window as Jack approaches*
*Jack takes notice and slows down a little, now looking a little worried*
*Jack arrives on the patio, instinctively taking off his hat and holding it in his hands*
*He looks at the floor, noticing the “GIT OUT” mat*
Jack: (reluctant) *Sigh*, Here we go.
*Jack sighs once more, stands up straight and prepares to knock on the door*
*Suddenly, the door shears off its hinges and flies into Jack's face, taking him with it as it sends him off the patio*
Jack: (panicking) DAAAAAAAHH!!
*Jack is slammed on the ground, the door shattering over him as he lays dazed*
*Group is seen in background panicking, trying to do something with his weapons*
*Spurs are heard offscreen, causing Jack to panic as he sweeps the door fragments off of him and tries getting back up*
*A large, single-barreled shotgun is aimed into his face, making him freeze in fear*
Jack: (sheepish) Eh-heh. Howdy.
*Panel moves to opposite view, revealing a pair of black spurred boots and a black dress*
*Panel moves up, revealing more of the dress and a skull brooch and also revealing more details on the shotgun*
*Panel moves all the way up, revealing the gunman to be Annabelle (Anna), her face partially covered by her shadow and a black Cork Hat*
Anna: (angry) Whaddy'all want...
Jack: (jittery) Heh. W-well, I was just inqwirin' if-
Anna: (mad) Cuz whatever it is, I ain't got it, so SCRAM.
Jack: (reasoning) B-but someone t-told me that you were doin'-
Anna: (seething) You ain't one of them Teller Boys, ARE YAH?!
Jack: (desperate) Please! Just listen! We need somewhere to stay fer-
Anna: (mad) I swear, if you are, I'll BLOW YER HEAD CLEAN OFF!!
Jack: (pleading) Who the devil's name are them Teller Boys?! I don't know-
Anna: (roaring) YOU BEST TELL ME WHO YOU ARE NOW!! I'LL GIVE YAH TO THE COUNT OF THREE!!
Jack: (panicking) J-just gimme a moment to explain-
*Anna shoves the gun at Jack's forehead, making him panic*
Anna: ONE!!
Jack: Oh come on!! I didn't even say-
*Anna cocks back the hammer of the gun, making Jack panic even more*
Anna: TWO!!!
Jack: Calm down, fer-
Anna: (roaring) TELL ME NOW!!! TH-
Jack: (screaming) JESUS CHRIST!! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YER YAMMERIN' ABOUT, AND I CAN'T FOCUS WITH YER GUN JAMMED IN MY FACE!!
*Anna stops for a moment, the scene dropping quiet as she comes to a slow realization*
*Anna calms down, slowly moving her shotgun away from Jack*
Anna: (shocked) Oh.
*Anna sets the gun down on the ground, then takes off her hat*
Anna: Oh I am so sorry.
*Anna helps Jack back up, brushing him off*
Anna: (explaining) I've just been under... so much stress, lately.
Jack: (shaken) It happens to all of us at some point.
Anna: (happy) *sticking out hand* Name's Annabelle Pickott. Or Anne, for short. I own the place.
*Jack looks confused, unsure of what to make of her greeting*
Jack: (skeptical) Erm...
*Jack shakes hands with her, trying to put on a smile*
Jack: (happy) The name's Jack-
*Jack catches himself, realizing what he just said*
Jack: (lying) Jack Black.
Anna: (curious) Jack Black, huh?
*Jack looks on worried, as Anna eyes him a little*
Anna: (happy) Well then, pleasure to meet yah, Mr. Black, though initially it wasn't that pleasurable.
Jack: (honest) Tell me about it. I doggone near soiled myself.
*Both laugh a little, then Anna notices the others*
*Others are seen unsuccessfully aiming their weapons at her (except Ozzy, who has is lowered), their hands shaky and holding the weapons awkwardly as they are quite scared*
Anna: (curious) I'm guessin' these are the others?
Jack: (embarrassed) *Face-palm* Ugh, guys...
Anna: They got names, I reckon?
*Jack looks them over, pointing out each one*
Jack: (reluctant) Uhh... them two holdin' the guns are Ozzy and Zim, the one with the sword is Ali, that ferret with the dy- I mean satchel, is Zilly, the redhead is Blaze, the redskin is Spidey, four-eyes is Darkie-
Darkie: (interrupting) Hey!
Jack: (continuing) And the Mexican is Eager.
Anna: Hum. Interestin'.
*Anna looks at Zim, noticing that her hands are very shaky while she aims the gun awkwardly*
Anna: (casual) *Sigh*, Honey, that ain't how you hold a gun.
*Anna walks over to Zim and gets behind her, placing her hands on Zim's arms*
Anna: (teaching) Straighten yer back a bit, and tighten that hold.
Zim: (worried, unsure) O-okay...
*Others calm down a little, looking on as Anna teaches Zim*
*Jack is a bit impressed, smiling a little as he looks on*
Anna: Now push with one arm, and pull with the other...
*Zim follows instructions, pulling with one arm and pushing with the other*
Zim: (curious) Okaaay...
Anna: (happy) See? Now yer sight's nice and steady.
Zim: (remarking) Yeah. It is.
*Anna suddenly swings Zim around, making her aim for the weather vane on top of the barn*
Anna: (quick) Close one eye, take a deep breath, aaaand-
*Anna pulls the trigger for Zim, nailing the weather vane and making it spin*
*Gunshot makes the group jolt a little, even Jack, as the sound rips through the area*
*Sound dissipates, leaving Zim standing there surprised and Anna proud*
Anna: (happy) And that there is how you shoot a gun.
Zim: (surprised) Wow.
*Jack just stands there in utter shock, unsure of what to say*
Jack: (shocked) Since when did you get THAT good?
Anna: (commenting) An ol' friend of mine taught me. A shame he ain't here now...
Jack: (curious) Is he off workin' in town or somthin'?
Anna: … (sad) I haven't seen him since I was revived.
*Jack is a little confused, but then realizes what she said*
Anna: (calm) Let's take y'all inside. I reckon you came on by tryin' to find some rooms fer the night?
*Group is unsure of what to say, though Jack seems to be thinking of something else*
Anna: (calling out) Paul! Mutton! Jeb!
*Three various workers run up (Paul being black and fit, Mutton being fat and white, and Jed being white and old), looking rather worried than focused*
Anna: (casual) Git these here guests assitiated inside the main house, will yah?
Mutton: (panicking, hush) Missus Pickott, these folks ain't safe company to be havin' 'round here!
Paul: (suspicious, quiet) That rebel-lookin' boy ain't what he appears to be, Missus. That there's an outlaw.
Jeb: (paranoid, whispering) An' I say- I say we give 'm th'ol' boot-n'-nanny befer 'ee goes-a-conjurin' up some trouble fer th'rest of us!
Anna: (serious) You three are gunna help these here folks rest.
Mutton: (shocked) B-but Ma'am!
*Anna pulls all three of them in tight, talking to them face-to-faces*
Anna: (annoyed) If them myths were true, then he would've shot you three already. So he ain't the guy.
*Anna looks back, as the group gathers on the porch and ease up*
Anna: (commenting) And judgin' what I'd just done with one of 'em, they're more harmless than fish strung up on a line.
*Anna pushes all three of them towards the group, as the trio assumes their duties and caters to the group*
Anna: (realizing) Oh shoot! I got guests fer once!
*Anna runs around to the back of the house, heading into the kitchen*
Anna: (to self) Don't wanna be even more rude!
*Panel moves to Main Group, now situated in the living room*
*Dirt is seen dusting off of them, as they unwittingly (some take notice, though) dirty-up Anna's furniture*
*Blaze is seen already taking a nap, snoring loudly as he lays over Ali's shoulder*
*Spidey is also seen sitting next to them, still awkwardly optimistic*
Spidey: (chipper) Aww, he's sleeping.
Ali: (annoyed) I know...
*Zilly is seen trying to get comfortable, fidgeting around in her seat next to Darkie*
Darkie: (curious) You okay there, Zilly?
Zilly: (focusing) Need... to get... comfortable...
*Zilly's claws pop out, causing her to shred one of the settee's arms by accident*
Darkie: (teasing) Nice.
Zilly: (embarrassed) Oops.
*Jack is seen looking anxious as he sits in a wooden chair, while Eager is next to him slouching over a footrest and hung-over*
Eager: (tired) Aye... mi cabeza...
*Zim and Ozzy are seen looking at photographs, depicting Anna and her loved ones*
Ozzy: (concerned) Do you have any idea who she is?
Zim: (stating) Nope. As far as I'm concerned, she's just a resident of this realm.
*Both look at a family photo, depicting Anna, her father and brother posed in formal positions*
Zim: (curious) Charming.
Ozzy: (worried) Jack told me his story. All of it.
Zim: (confused) Huh? Since when did he do that?
Ozzy: (explaining) It was back in Peanut Butte. Something was up with Jack, so I kept him company and, after a while, he started talking. You've heard the stories, right?
Zim: (commenting) Yeah. But they were tall tales.
Ozzy: And how he was a crazy, bloodthirsty outlaw who terrorized the West?
Zim: (confused) Yeah, but I don't see-
Ozzy: (serious) There's a reason behind that.
*Ozzy makes a gesture towards another photo, this one depicting only Anna in a formal dress*
Zim: Her? But what makes her so import-
*A photo grabs Zim's attention, making her a little surprised*
*The photo is Jack and Anna, both looking rather happy as Anna has her arms around Jack whose sitting down*
Zim: (surprised) His girlfriend.
Ozzy: (correcting) His wife-to-be... until she went under.
Zim: (realizing) Which made Jack-
*Doors to the kitchen swing wide open, startling Ozzy and Zim as they turn around and act like nothing happened*
*Anna appears through the doors, holding a fresh apple pie and wearing an apron*
Anna: (teasing) Betchya y'all are hungry, huh?
*Group eyes the pie with ravenous hunger (except Jack), the smell even snapping Blaze awake and Eager out of his hang-over*
Anna: (scared) That you are.
*Anna cautiously walks over to a small table, the group watching her closely*
*Anna drops the pie quickly and backs away, while everyone else (except Jack) immediately goes for the pie*
Group: (starving, crazy) FOOD!!
*Group piles-up as they go for the pie, with everyone pushing and shoving each other*
*Anna watches on with a worried look, but notices Jack still sitting down*
Anna: (curious, at Jack) Hey “Grey Gads”!
*Jack is startled at the comment, but quickly settles down when he notices it's Anna*
Anna: Ain'tchya hungry? Seems like the rest of 'em ain't eaten fer days.
Jack: (nervous) Heh-heh. You wouldn't be far from the truth...
*Commotion stops, catching Anna's attention as she looks back and sees the entire pie gone*
Anna: (confused) Hope they didn't eat the tin as well...
*Both look over at the rest of the group, now occupied with their own slices of pie*
*Blaze and Zilly are seen gnawing on the pie tin, growling as they try tugging it away from each other*
*Both Anna and Jack look on a bit shocked, unsure of what to make of the situation*
*Both quickly forget about it, as Anna grabs Jack by the hand and urges him out of the chair*
Anna: (optimistic) Come on. I'll whip up somethin' fer yah, Mr. Black.
Jack: Really, I'm fine, Ms. Pickott.
Anna: (teasing) Ohh, don't be 'fraid. Besides, there ain't no guns in the kitchen.
Jack: (to self, hush) As far as yer concerned...
*Anna guides Jack into the kitchen, then closes the door so as not to draw the others' attention*
Anna: (curious) *taking hat off* So, what brings yer posse out 'ere to the Iron Horse?
Jack: (calm) Well, some folk told us that this here property welcomed passerby.
Anna: *setting hat down* So long as they ain't BOYS, I bet?
*Jack is unsure about the question, so he shrugs*
Anna: (annoyed) Hmph. Figures.
*Anna gets a kettle and fills it with coffee grounds and water, then sets it on the stove*
Anna: Them fellers' been callin' me crazy since they've accepted the fact.
Jack: (curious) What fact?
*Anna gets the stove going, then turns around and looks at Jack*
Anna: (stating) I ain't available.
*Jack is a little shocked at the statement, but quickly puts it behind him*
Jack: (curious, nervous) Well, that don't explain yer trigger finger, Missus.
Anna: (shy) Oh. That? My husband taught me.
Jack: (shocked) HUSBAND?!!
*Jack immediately covers his mouth, looking as surprised as Anna*
Jack: (embarrassed) Who's the lucky man?
Anna: (shocked) You ain't heard of 'em?
Jack: (stating) We are travelin', so I guess not.
Anna: (awestruck) Why, the sharpest shot this side of the Mississippi!
*Jack still looks confused, making Anna worried*
Anna: (stating) Johnathan Russell Wescott.
*Jack is even more shocked at this, but holds himself back from saying anything*
Anna: (reminiscing) That six-shootin' son-of-a-gun's been my love life fer quite some time now...
*Anna suddenly looks sad, now leaning over a table*
Anna: (sad) Shame he can't be here.
Jack: (worried) Oh... why's that?
Anna: (annoyed) Buncha folk are callin' him an outlaw. Even his own friends.
*Jack is unsure of what to say, realizing what happened to her before*
Anna: As far as I'm concerned, he wouldn't harm a fly... unless he was shootin' its wings off fer some new stunt.
Jack: (teasing, nervous) The boy sounds crazy.
Anna: (teasing) He is! Only HE'D be dumb enough to put an apple on his head and shoot it off too!
*Both laugh at the comment, but Anna returns to her somberness*
Anna: (sad) Who am I kiddin'. I haven't even seen him since the Second Comin'.
Jack: (confused) Now what is it with this “Second Comin'” thing?
*Anna just stares at him, making a face of disapproval*
Anna: (annoyed) You got wool in yer eyes or somethin'? Look around. We're back from the dead.
*Anna turns sad once more, now laying her head on the table and crossing her arms*
Anna: (sad) At least most of us...
*Panel moves into a flashback, depicting the present-day site of Iron Horse (a long-deteriorated ruin)*
Anna: (narrating) Nearly every person in Midwest was done near wiped out by a slew of violent shootin's.
*An aurora suddenly erupts from the ground, quickly expanding over the site*
Anna: (narrating) So God gave us a recompense.
*Panel now appears in the Old West on the same spot, with Anna lying on the ground where she died*
Anna: (narrating) We were reborn.
*Anna slowly opens her eyes, then sits up, looking drowsy*
Anna: (narrating) We were alive.
*Anna feels something on her chest, reaching down her shirt to get it*
*Anna touches the object, now looking surprised*
Anna: (narrating) We were given a second chance.
*Anna looks back at her ranch, the entire property burnt to a char*
Anna: (narrating) Of course, Second Comin's mean that whatever was left was left in its current position.
*Anna looks around, now noticing a small jewelry box on the ground*
Anna: (narrating) Even what was dropped.
*Anna reaches over and grabs the box, her hands a little shaky*
Anna: (narrating) I died before I knew it.
*Anna opens the box, her eyes now welling up with tears*
*Panel moves to reveal a ring in the box, with a note saying “I Love You So Much” tied to it*
Anna: (narrating) John was gonna propose.
*Panel flashes to current times, with Jack looking sad and Anna on the verge of crying*
Anna: (sappy) I've waited fer so long, but fate denied me my chance.
Jack: (sad) I'm so sorry.
Anna: (sad) The constant proddin' from them other boys in town didn't help either.
*Panel goes back into the flashback, now depicting the Iron Horse in reconstruction*
*A bunch of rowdy cowboys are seen descending upon the ranch, pointing and focusing on Anna*
Anna: (narrating) When word came 'round that John was gone, them boys got the idea that I was free range.
*Workers break away from their jobs and face the cowboys head-on, getting into a gritty fight*
Anna: (narrating) Of course, my men have been workin' since Daddy was in charge, so they were gunna protect me with their lives.
*One cowboy slips through the brawling, making a b-line for Anna who tries running away*
Anna: (narrating) Though, one of them slipped through...
*Cowboy grabs Anna by the arm, Anna screams and tries wriggling away from his grasp*
Anna: (narrating) And he had the nerve to GRAB me.
*Anna suddenly turns mad, throwing an elbow into the cowboy's face and dropping him*
*Anna notices a shotgun on the ground nearby, running straight for it*
*Cowboy now looks angry, getting back up and chasing after her*
*Anna sees him running, making her run even faster*
Anna: (narrating) I was so scared that I... I-
*Anna dives for the shotgun, grabbing it just as the cowboy dives for her*
*Anna turns around on the ground and pulls the trigger, nearly hitting the cowboy with her gun*
*Cowboy just lands short of her, but glances back up with a look of fear*
Anna: (narrating) Dear Lord, I nearly shot 'im.
*Cowboy quickly gets up and runs away, Anna just looks on in shock*
Anna: (narrating) I tried takin' his fate into my hands... and it was terrifyin'.
*Other cowboys slowly back away, their arms raised in surrender*
*Anna looks at them, with a look of fear in her eyes as she pushes herself back up*
*Anna just stares at them for a moment, unsure of what to do*
Anna: (narrating) And only then did I realize... I was so scared. John was gone...
*Suddenly, Anna turns angry, shooting her shotgun in the air and causing the cowboys to scramble*
Anna: (screaming) GIT OOUUUTT!!
*Cowboys disappear in a cloud of dust, workers are still staring at Anna in shock*
*Anna drops to her knees, dropping the gun and covering her eyes as she cries*
Anna: (narrating) I felt so vulnerable on the inside, but I couldn't let them know...
*Panel flashes back to current times, with Jack now holding his hat*
Anna: (sad) So I swore on my life, 'til the day I died, I'd wait... 'til John came home.
*Loud whistling from the kettle finally grabs Anna's attention, causing her to jump up from her seat*
Anna: (realizing) Oh shoot!
*Anna runs over and turns off the stove, kettle settles down*
Anna: (startled) I'm sorry 'bout that, Mr. Black.
Jack: (calm) I don't mind none.
*Anna takes the kettle over to a tin cup, then tries pouring*
*Nothing comes out of the kettle, annoying Anna*
Anna: (annoyed) Darn. All dried-up.
*Panel moves back into the living room, where some of the group is just finishing their pie*
*Zilly is seen licking the empty pie dish clean, while Blaze holds his bitten hand*
Blaze: (irritated) Don't bite tha hand that feeds yah...
Zilly: (teasing) *licking dish* Okay, mom.
*Anna & Jack come back out from the kitchen, grabbing some of the group's attention*
Anna: (stating) Well, them rooms ain't gonna be ready 'til 'bout sundown, so why don't y'all go mosey on 'round the property?
Zim: (confused) Wait. What makes you think we're staying?
Anna: (teasing) Well, after seeing y'all scarf down that there pie like a buncha buzzards, I sorta took a hint.
*Group is still a bit unsure, making Anna worried*
Anna: (confused) You do plan on spendin' a night, right? *gesturing at Jack* 'Cuz that's what this fine feller told me when y'all-
Jack: (intervening, worried) Of course we do! Right guys?
Spidey: (confused) Huh? But we-
Jack: (desperate) At least one night. Just one?
*Group is unsure of what to say, but some nod in approval*
Anna: Well then, if y'all want somethin' to do, there's always some lil' jobs to do here and there.
Zilly: (curious) Ooh. Like what?
Anna: (thinking) Typical stuff. Repair work on the barn and stables, smithin' new tools and horseshoes, horse-breakin'-
Darkie: (startled) Horse-breaking?
Anna: (explaining) Yeah. Breakin' in the fresh mustangs?
Darkie: (embarrassed) Oh, THAT kind of breaking.
Anna: (optimistic) So y'all git along now. I'll be makin' dinner.
Blaze: (curious) Do yah need any help?
*Anna pauses in front of the door, looking down*
Anna: (strict) I prefer to work alone.
*Anna enters the kitchen and closes the door shut*
*Some of the group get up and head out, leaving Ozzy, Ali, Zim and Jack in the room*
Ali: (curious) You comin', Oz?
Ozzy: (calm) I'll meet up with you later. Me and Zim have to do something.
Ali: (mildly surprised) Oh... okay.
*Ali exits the room, leaving the three to themselves*
*Jack looks on at the kitchen door, now feeling sad*
Ozzy: (concerned) Jack?
*Jack looks over at the kids, his face looking desperate*
Zim: (stating) We need to talk.
*Panel flashes over to the barn, still well under reconstruction*
*Zilly and Spidey are seen atop the roof, working with the other workers*
Zilly: (calling down) We need some nails up here!
Worker: (calling back) Alrighty, wildcat!
Zilly: I'm a ferret, thank you!
*Ozzy, Zim & Jack are seen walking around the barn, all looking concerned*
Ozzy: (concerned) Is this the same Annabelle you told me about?
Jack: (sad) Yeah. It's the same one.
Zim: (concerned) You just can't drag us around this realm without telling us first. It's not safe.
Jack: I know, but it's... sigh, I dunno.
Ozzy: Does she even know it's you?
Jack: I was hopin' she'd take notice...
Zim: It's been a while, Jack. She might have forgot.
*Jack stops for a moment, causing the other two to stop*
Jack: (realizing) Forgot...
Zim: (honest) People do forget. Even with loved ones.
Jack: (doubtful) No... it's not that simple.
*Panel moves over to Zilly & Spidey, working away on the roof*
Zilly: (curious) Hand me some nails, would yah?
Spidey: (happy) Sure thing!
*Panel moves back to Ozzy, Ali & Jack, still talking*
Jack: (explaining) When you love someone so much, they don't-
*Jack suddenly notices Zilly & Spidey on the roof, immediately grabbing his attention*
Jack: (alert) Oh God.
Zim: (confused) What?
*Other two look up to where he's looking at, now even more confused*
Ozzy: (confused) Zilly and Spidey are on the roof?
*Jack immediately heads for the barn, grabbing a wheelbarrow on his way*
Zim: Is there something wrong with the barn?
Ozzy: (thinking) Well... when Jack was telling his story to me, he did mention that he-
*Ozzy suddenly realizes something, also bolting for the barn*
Zim: (alert) What's going on?
Ozzy: (calling out, at Zilly & Spidey) HEY!! Get down from there!
Zim: *following Ozzy* Wait up!
*Panel moves back to Zilly & Spidey, working away on the roof*
*Zilly is seen about to nail in a nail, placing her thumb on top a-la 'Homer Simpson'-style*
Zilly: (focusing) Just line it up, aaaaand...
*Zilly suddenly falls through the roof, startling Spidey*
Spidey: (shocked) Whoa!
Zilly: (screaming) NYYYAAAAAA-
*Panel moves into the barn, showing Zilly falling*
Zilly: -AAAAAAAAAHHH!!
*Jack suddenly barges through the barn doors, pushing the wheelbarrow quickly*
*Jack catches Zilly in the wheelbarrow, but keeps moving forward*
Zilly: (shocked) Nyah!
*Jack barges through the other side of the barn, startling some of the workers*
*Jack skids to a halt, letting go of the wheelbarrow and catching his breath*
Jack: (worn-out) *pant* Whew! *pant* Nearly forgot. *pant*
*Ozzy & Zim arrive on the scene, stopping as they see that Zilly is okay*
*Ozzy & Zim breathe a sigh of relief, as Zilly slowly climbs out of the wheelbarrow*
Zilly: (shaken) T-that... w-was t-t-terrif-fying.
*Other workers look at the group, immediately noticing Jack*
*Paul is seen among them, scowling at Jack and approaching him*
Paul: (angry) Good job... outlaw.
Jack: (worried) Them days are over, Paul.
*Paul gets right up in Jack's face, intimidating him*
Paul: (mad) Oh? And we y'all are supposed to BUY into that crap, boy?
Jack: (nervous) Please, just-
Paul: You messed some stitch up last time you came moseyin' 'round these parts. An' God smite me if anyone feels sorry fer yer blood-stained hide.
*Other workers start to get angry, grabbing various tools and looking menacing*
Paul: Now, I'll let you off fer now. But if I even catch a GLANCE of one of them guns near the Missus...
*Paul brings his fist close to Jack's cheek, then points two fingers like a gun*
Paul: Bang. Nighty-night, outlaw.
*Paul spits in Jack's face, then kicks some dust at him and walks away*
*Jack holds in his anger, subsiding to sadness as the other workers return to work*
*Ozzy & Zim approach Jack, with Zim touching his shoulder*
Zim: (concerned) You alright?
Jack: (sad) *Sigh*, Yeah, yeah...
Zim: They seem to remember you.
Jack: Paul got his from point blank. The others burned in town.
Ozzy: (confused) Wait. Where's Spider-Jew?
*Spidey suddenly falls through the hole in the ceiling as well, flailing all the way down*
Spidey: (screaming) AAAAUUUGGGHH!!
*Spidey face-plants, briefly catching the trio's attention*
*Trio returns to what their doing, leaving Spidey to just lay there*
Zim: (calm) Let's talk somewhere else.
Jack: Alright...
*Panel moves over to a corral, showing Ali, Darkie and Mutton leaning on the fence watching something*
*Trio walks into view, talking over things*
Jack: (sad) … And that's really the last time we talked.
Ali: (happy) Heya Oz!
Ozzy: (calm) Hey Ali.
*Other three also join in watching, as Blaze passes by on top of a bucking bronco*
Blaze: (excited, struggling) YAAAAHHAAAAHH!!
Ozzy: (curious) What's this?
Mutton: (teasing) Lil' greenhorn over there's tryin' tah break in one of them wild horses.
Zim: (curious) Any progress so far?
*Blaze is suddenly bucked off, landing on his back*
Blaze: (bruised) Oof!
Darkie: (teasing) Nope.
Zim: (annoyed) Ugh. Blaze is gonna mess-up that shoulder all over again.
*Mutton suddenly notices Jack, getting a wicked look on his face*
Mutton: (teasing) Hey outlaw!
Jack: (annoyed) What.
Mutton: See that there horse that bucked off yer friend there?
Jack: What about it.
Mutton: (mean) Betchya yah can't break 'im.
Jack: Mutton, you ain't foolin' me into-
Mutton: (annoying) 'Less yer a CHICKEN!
*Mutton starts flapping his arms and scratching his feet at Jack, irritating him*
Mutton: (childish) BWAK! BUK-BUK-BUK-BUGAWK!!
Ali: (annoyed) Mutton, please-
Mutton: (teasing) What? He ain't gunna do it, so he's gotta be a chicken!
*Mutton continues his charade, starting to really irritate Jack*
Ozzy: (concerned) Just ignore him, Jack. Ignore...
*Jack suddenly hops over the fence, heading straight for the bronco*
Zim: (worried) Ah geez.
Darkie: (amused) Oh. Here we go.
Mutton: (menacingly) Heh-heh...
Ali: (calling out) Be careful!
*Jack stops by Blaze, hauling him back up to his feet*
Blaze: (annoyed) Ah don't need yah help!
Jack: (focused) Move.
*Jack shoves Blaze towards the fence, causing Blaze to tumble towards and over it*
*Jack slows near the horse, the horse eyes him with disgust*
Jack: Mustang...
*Jack moves a hand out to his side, the horse watches it*
Jack: Angry mustang...
*Jack inches closer to the horse, the horse still eyes him but stands still*
*Suddenly, Jack dives on top of the horse, causing the horse to go crazy and start bucking violently*
*Horse starts bucking all over the corral, with Jack keeping his balance*
*Others cheer him on, as the bronco nears them*
Ali: (cheering) You can do it, Jack!
Ozzy: (worried) Watch that kick!
Mutton: (laughing) Woo-ee! He's floppin' like a ragdoll!
Zim: (worried) Just hold on!
Darkie: (impressed) Man, this is just stupid.
*Jack grows frustrated, as the horse isn't letting up at all*
Jack: (annoyed) C'mon now...
*Horse bucks into the fence, kicking out some of the boards close to the others*
Jack: (angry) You need to calm down, mister!
*Jack grabs onto the horse's mane, tugging it down and causing both of them to fall over*
*Horse lands with a THUD!, kicking up dust and clouding them from view*
*Others cough and try fanning the dust away, suddenly realizing what just happened*
Ali: (worried) Jaack!!
*Others hop over the fence into the corral, heading towards where Jack fell*
*Dust clears, showing Jack kneeling next to the horse's head, both of them worn out*
Zim: (curious) Are you hurt?
Mutton: (mean) Yeah, hurt REAL bad?
*Others eye Mutton, Mutton shrugs*
Mutton: (simple) He deserves everything and more.
Jack: (calm) I'm fine. *looking at mustang* He's broke.
*Jack gets up and takes off his hat, wiping the sweat off his forehead*
Jack: Git some water fer 'im.
*Jack wanders off, heading for the corral door*
Ali: (curious) Where yah headin'?
Jack: (exhausted) I'm a bit thirsty myself...
*Ozzy & Zim look worried, catching up to Jack*
Zim: (stern) Now don't you even think about going-
Jack: I know. There's a well over yonder.
*Comment stops Zim, calming her and Ozzy down*
Jack: (reminding) Come on, now, let's keep talkin'...
*Panel refocuses on Ali, Darkie & Mutton briefly, watching Jack walk away*
Ali: (worried) See you guys at supper, then.
*Trio looks down at the horse, still clearly worn out*
Mutton: (disbelief) How the Sam hill...
Darkie: (stating) I'll go fetch some water.
Ali: (adding) I'll come along.
*Ali & Darkie walk off, leaving Mutton to himself*
Mutton: (confused) That there outlaw...
*Panel moves into the kitchen, showing Annabelle working away on dinner*
*Various dishes are seen, with some prepared while others are still cooking on the stove and in the oven*
Anna: (thinking) Now let's see here...
*Anna walks over to the oven, pulling out some bread and poking it with a fork*
*Bread deflates, much to Anna's disappointment*
Anna: (disappointed) Darn.
*Anna puts the bread back in the oven, then pulls out a pie*
*Anna sniffs it, liking the smell*
Anna: (happy) That's done.
*Anna takes the pie over to an open window, setting it down in the opening*
Anna: (thinking) Now what's left...
*Anna notices something outside, grabbing her attention*
*Jack, Ozzy & Zim are seen next to a well, with Jack dunking his head into a bucket of water*
*Jed is also seen near the well, but all he's doing is hurling non-stop insults and threats at Jack*
Anna: (intrigued) Hmm...
*Panel moves outside to the well, with Jeb rambling on and the other three ignoring him*
Jeb: (hurtful) Yer pres'nce- I say yer pres'nce, ri't 'ere an' now 's SO NAUSEATIN', th't I say- I say th't it ahta 'e a SIN t' ev'n BE yous's!
Zim: (disturbed) I don't feel comfortable talking with him around.
Ozzy: (scared) He smells funny.
Jack: (stating) He's nearly deaf and mostly blind. He ain't gonna budge.
*Panel moves back to Anna, now looking rather sorry*
*Anna thinks for a little bit, glancing back at the trio from time to time*
Anna: (calling out) Hey! “Grey Gads”!
*Jack looks back at Anna, with the other two taking notice while Jeb rambles on*
Jeb: (ramlbing on) An' I say- I say, 'f I ev'r- I say 'f I EV'R, catch you o' 'ne 'f yer fr'nds a-conj'r'n- I say A-CONJ'R'N up tr'uble, I swear y'all b' str'ng up SO F'ST, th't-
Anna: Looks like you ain't got much to do. Mind lendin' a hand in the kitchen?
Jack: (mumbling) Uhh...
*Jack looks over at Ozzy & Zim, giving him disapproving looks and nodding no*
Jack: (calling back) Sure!! Mind if these two come with?
Anna: (calling back) By all means!
*Ozzy & Zim face-palm, Jack dries off his face on his sleeve*
Ozzy: (serious) Jack, what are you doing?
Jack: (stating) I'm givin' the Missus some much needed assistance.
Zim: (stern) You're reliving your memories. And for all we know, this could lead up to the same tragedy that happened before.
Jack: That ain't gunna happen.
Ozzy: Why are you so certain...
Jack: (serious) Because I'M STILL HERE.
*Jack's tone scares Ozzy & Zim a little, as Jack heads off to the kitchen*
*Panel moves to inside the kitchen, moments later as Anna has dinner nearly ready*
*Ozzy is seen watching the oven, while Zim is stirring a pot of stew*
*Anna watches Jack cut up some vegetables, surprised by his speed*
Anna: (impressed) Gee, you must have lightnin' fingers!
Jack: (commenting) Learned from my ma. She always was quick with her hands.
*Jack quickly scoops up the veggies on his knife and tosses them over his shoulder, landing in the stew Zim's stirring and startling her*
Jack: (joking) Whether it was cuttin' up food or smackin' me with a twig.
*Both laugh at the comment, then Anna looks over at Zim*
Anna: (curious) How's the stew lookin', sweetheart?
Zim: (unsure) Iii think I've done enough stirring.
Anna: (happy) Great! All that's left is the bread, then.
*Anna heads over to Ozzy, with Jack following*
Anna: (curious) Is the bread done yet?
Ozzy: (clueless) Uhh... I don't even know...
*Anna rolls her eyes, then opens the oven*
Anna: (stating) Honey, you gotta look inside if you wanna check on it.
Ozzy: (embarrassed) Oh. Right.
*Anna pokes the bread with a fork, the bread holds up*
Anna: (happy) Done!
*Anna is about to reach in, Jack realizes that she doesn't have gloves on and panics*
Jack: (alert) U-uh... m-ma'am?!
Anna: Yes, hon?
*Jack suddenly bumps next to Anna, grabbing the scolding-hot tray with his bare hands*
Anna: (startled) Whoa!
Jack: (shouting) I got it!!
*Jack takes out the tray and closes the oven with his foot, the tray hissing as it burns his hands*
Jack: (cringing) Nnnngghh.
Anna: (flustered) Well now, Mr. Black. If y'all wanted to grab it, you should've asked.
Jack: Rrrrrggghhiknow.
*Anna just rolls her eyes and giggles, then grabs some oven mitts*
Anna: (commenting) Heh. You really do remind me of John. Reserved, helpful, gutsy...
*Anna grabs the tray out of Jack's hands, Jack is seen making really goofy faces to hold in his pain*
Anna: (teasing) Incredibly goofy...
Jack: (struggling) Mmmmph.
*Anna sets the tray down on the counter, then turns back to Jack*
Anna: (sincere) But... kind.
Jack: Thank yah. Ma'am.
*Jack suddenly bolts out of the kitchen and dives through a window, startling the other three*
*Other three walk over to the broken window, watching Jack as he makes a mad dash for the well*
Jack: (screaming) DAAAAAAAAHHH!!!
Zim: (stating) That was unexpected.
Anna: (frustrated) Ugh. Now what's HIS problem?
*Ozzy notices the oven mitts, looking at Anna and pointing at them*
*Anna notices Ozzy, looking at her oven mitts and realizing*
Anna: (realizing) Oooooh.
*Panel moves over to the well, with Jack dunking his hands into a bucket of water*
*Jeb is still rambling on, completely oblivious to everything around him*
Jeb: (insulting) … an' I say- I say t'r-'n-fe'th'r yah 'n fr'nt o' th'whol' TOWN, yah lilly-liv'r'd, cod-suck'n, hors'-coll'r'n', yell'r-bell'ed, two-t'me-d'ubl'-cross'n-no-good-nuth'n-t'r-heel'd, cow-punch'n'-stick-'n-th'-mud th't I've ev'r be'n 'nfortun't' 'n'ugh to c'me 'cross!
*Other three come into view, with Anna heading over to Jeb*
Anna: (insisting) Jebediah, I think that's enough flattery fer one day.
Jeb: (clueless) Wha? Wha's th's?
Anna: Y'all just git along now.
*Jeb slowly walks away, still oblivious to everything around him*
Anna: (embarrassed) Ol' Jeb sometimes speaks his mind a bit more than I'd like.
Jack: (calm) Nah, it's fine. No-one was really listenin'.
*Anna looks at Jack for a while, looking a little shy*
Anna: (shy) Soo... I overheard that y'all might be takin' off a bit early, skip on over to the next town.
Jack: (confused) Huh? Who said that?
Anna: Just other people in yer group. And it looks like some of the workers have taken a grudge 'gainst y'all, which I dunno why-
Zim: (explaining) Well, we don't wanna be a hindrance to you guys, so maybe it's best that we-
Jack: (interrupting) Nah. I think we'll stay the night.
Ozzy: (confused) Huh? But Jack, they'll-
Anna: (relieved) Well, that's good to hear. Gits a bit boring with no-one 'round, hah hah.
*Ozzy & Zim eye Jack, Jack takes notice and shrugs*
Anna: (explaining) Well, with that incident over with, dinner's 'bout done, so I'll have everythin' set up in the main house in a couple of minutes. Y'all go out and tell everyone while I git ready.
*Anna heads back to the main house, Jack sighs as Ozzy & Zim approach him*
Zim: (serious) What are you doing?
Jack: (stating) We need somewhere to sleep tonight. Y'all will die out in the open.
Ozzy: (scared) Judging from the looks and threats those workers gave you, we might be in for it if we stay.
Jack: (annoyed) I've told y'all before, they're after me, not you guys.
Zim: We can't be so certain about that. They could just as easily go after the rest of us if they felt like it-
Jack: (pleading) Please. Just stay one night. Just one.
*Ozzy & Zim calm down, rather sorry as Jack looks sad*
Jack: (sad) Annabelle doesn't even recognize me anymore. And if she did... how could she stand to be around me? After all I've done? Everyone's probably gave 'er an earful of all the Hell I've raised. Sadly, it's best that she don't know who I am.
Ozzy: (confused) But... everyone else knows. Even that near-deaf guy!
Jack: (serious) They know the outlaw. They don't know ME...
*Jack sighs, turning sad again and looking at the main house*
Jack: (sad) Just one night, and then we'll leave.
Zim: (concerned) Jack, you can't go chasing after your girlfriend. You need to move on.
Jack: I know... I just wanted to see her... one last time.
*Ozzy & Zim are unsure of what to say, as Jack keeps looking on at the house*
Ozzy: (reluctant) ... I guess we can stay one night.
*Jack doesn't respond, but sighs*
Zim: (worried) Okay... see you at dinner.
*Ozzy & Zim leave Jack to himself, heading out to tell the others*
Jack: (mumbling, to self) If only, if only...
*Panel flashes to much later, the ranch now at night*
*Group is seen with Anna, holding a lamp as she guides them to their respective lodging*
Zilly: (commenting) That meal was great, Ms. Pickott.
Anna: (flattered) Oh, it's just a little home-cookin' I picked up from Pa, that's all.
Blaze: (pleased) *patting stomach* Aye! Ah can sit on this for a week!
Darkie: (happy) I haven't eaten like that in a looong time.
*Anna stops at one cabin, turning to the others as she opens the door*
Anna: (informative) Sorry y'all, but ladies n' fellas sleep separate. As a precaution.
Ali: (teasing) *nudging Blaze* Good, maybe now I'll be able to sleep for once.
Blaze: (annoyed) Hah hah. Very funny.
Anna: Yer room is right over here, so if yah just follow me...
*Anna leads the guys over to their cabin, guys say good night to the girls*
Spidey: (happy) Good night, ladies.
Zim: (calm) Good night, fellas.
Darkie: (teasing) Have fun trying to SLEEP tonight.
Eager: (tired) Yeah. Whatever.
Ali: (calling out) Good night, Oz.
Ozzy: (shy) Uhh... good night, Ali.
*Guys and Anna head over to the other cabin, as the girls close their door for the night*
Anna: (stating) Now, you fellas best behave yerselves, lest the night watch files a complaint next mornin'.
*Anna stops at the cabin door, turning around and opening it*
Anna: And as another precaution, I've got yer guns and weapons stored in the main house. Can't let those things git in the wrong hands.
Jack: (worried) Heh. Yeah.
*Guys look inside, spotting four beds and a hammock*
Ozzy: (impressed) Looks cozy.
Blaze: (excited) My hammock!
*Blaze charges in and dives onto the hammock, only to have it tip and hurl him to the floor*
Blaze: (surprised) Oi!!
Eager: (teasing) Nice one, amigo.
*Others head in and find beds, leaving Anna and Jack to themselves*
Anna: (shy) Well, hope y'all find yerselves comfortable here.
Jack: (calm) Yeah, this will do fine.
*Both look at each other for a moment, both looking shy*
Anna: … good night, Mr. Black.
Jack: Good night, Ms. Pickott.
*Anna slowly walks away, looking back a little bit before heading off to the main house*
*Jack watches her go, looking sad again*
Jack: (sad) … Annabelle.
*Jack slowly closes the door, getting one more glance at the main house before shutting it*
((End of Issue 19))
A soft spot, have you? :p Well, I guess that the gang has to take a break from getting all broken up... So anyways...
Concept art as of drawings'n stuff? I didn't know you also drew. I would like to see some scenes come to image, if you don't mind. :) (Will send a PM)Quote:
Originally Posted by OutlawJack
Boop.
Now I told myself I was gonna finish this, come Hell or high water. Well, 3 years later and I'm starting this up again. Personal things, school life and work are all excuses I'd like to use but truth be told... it was a major writing block... and my own insecurities. When I started this one, those 3 years ago, things changed. And, hopefully as you read this issue, you'll see that the story too is also changing. Now with this major hurdle done and over with, I can finally get to the chapters I've been wanting to start... and that you might have some interest in reading. Oh, and btw, once I get payed again, I'm getting a tablet. For realsies.
So yay, art! In the Creative Writing thread! :p
Enjoy Issue 20.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worlds Apart: Issue 20 (Best in The West)
Characters: Oswald (Ozzy), iTriangle (Ali), Blazen (Blaze), TheZimInvader (Zim), Ninjaferret22 (Zilly), Outlaw-Jack (Jack), Spider-Jew (Spidey), Darkiesoul (Darkie), eagerneph (Eager)
Setting: The Wild West, around Iron Horse Ranch and Wyatt Springs; briefly in the Tall Trees wilderness
Plot: Jack redeems himself of his past problems, end of Part II and beginning of Part III of Worlds Apart
______(blacked-out panel)______
*Faint crying is heard, but nothing is seen*
Voice: (sad) Oh God. Not again...
*Annabelle is slowly revealed in the center of the panel, lying on her side away from the viewer and dead*
Voice: (sad) No...
Voice: (scared) Jack... please...
Voice: I... I...
Voice: (worried) We're not safe here.
Voice: (reasoning) We're so sorry, Jack...
Voice: (angry) No...
*A faint, orange glow appears in the background, casting a shadow over Anna's back*
Voice: (scared) J-jack, j-just l-listen to m-me...
Voice: NO...
Voice: (frightened) P-please, j-just for a-
Voice: (seething) YOU AIN'T SORRY...
Voice: (startled) Ah think w-we gotta g-get g-going-
Voice: (scared) Jack, what are you doing...
Voice: (mad) NO-ONE'S SORRY...
Voice: (hyperventilating) Ohcomphohcomphohcomph-
Voice: (terrified) Y-you g-gotta be r-r-reasonable here!
Voice: (panicking) P-put the gun down!
Voice: (rage) NOOO!!!!
*A loud gunshot erupts in the panel, causing the orange glow to erupt in a wall of flames*
Voice: (agony) AAAAUUUGGGGHHH!!!
Voice: (screaming) DEAR SPAFF!!
Voice: (shouting) RUN!!!
*More gunshots roar throughout the panel, as the fire intensifies and more screams are heard*
Voice: (raging) I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!!! YOU HEAR ME?!!! ALL OF YOOOUUU!!!
*Panel flashes to inside the boy's cabin at the Iron Horse Ranch, focusing on Jack's bed*
*Jack shoots up from his sleep, shocked and in a cold sweat*
*Jack's heart is racing and his eyes wide, as he struggles to calm himself down from the nightmare*
*Jack clenches his chest, slowing his breathing as he looks around from his bed*
*The others are still fast asleep, though Blaze is dangling off of one side of the hammock*
*Jack sighs, clenching his forehead as he ravels from his panic*
Jack: (mumbling, to self) Good Lord...
*Faint noises are heard outside, grabbing Jack's attention*
Jack: (suspicious) What the...
*Jack hops out of bed, appearing to be in a union suit as he slips on his boots*
*Panel moves to outside the cabin, the entire ranch visible under a full moon*
*Jack creeps out the front door, making sure not to make any noise*
*Jack takes a moment to look around, seeing if anyone noticed*
*Sound comes in clearer, revealing to be guitar strums*
*Jack creeps forward slowly, heading towards the sounds*
*Panel moves to a nearby tree on a small hill, revealing Annabelle to be sitting against it with an old Spanish guitar*
*Jack stops at a fence (background) below and behind the tree, leaning in and listening*
*Anna strums a chord, and begins singing*
Spoiler - Contains Adele. Meant to be read along with music. ;)
*Jack and Anna just lay in their spots, quietly thinking for a moment*
Anna: (sad) Maybe some things... just ain't meant to be...
*Anna gets up and wipes her face with her sleeve, then walks back home and out of frame*
*Jack is left alone, now on the verge of shedding tears*
*Panel flashes to the next day, at the break of dawn*
*Both boys' and girls' cabins are in view, with Ozzy walking out of his*
*Ozzy yawns and stretches, just as Zim is seen walking out*
Zim: (calm) Mornin' Oz.
Ozzy: (drowsy) Heya Zim.
Zim: Anything from Jack?
Ozzy: I think he's still asleep-
*A fireball blasts through the boys' window, startling both Ozzy and Zim*
Spidey: (startled, inside) Agh!
Eager: (grouchy, inside) Ayy, estupido gaucho.
Blaze: (stuffy, inside) Eh-heh. Sorry.
*Jack walks out the front door, already fully dressed and looking sad*
Ozzy: (curious) You OK, Jack?
*Jack slowly looks up at both of them, not saying a word*
Zim: (concerned) What's wrong?
*Jack tips his hat down at them, then continues on his way towards Anna's house*
* Ozzy and Zim grow worried, as Ali walks on out*
Ali: (happy) Mornin' guys!
*Ali looks at them, now herself confused*
Ali: (confused) What?
*Panel flashes forward to in front of Anna's house, the entire group present and mingling*
*Jack and Anna are seen on the porch, while the rest are at the front steps*
Anna: (surprised) Why, I don't see why y'all gotta leave so early? Ain't even had breakfast yet...
Jack: (calm) Them coaches runnin' out east got tight schedules. Guess even the managers are making' full use of this Second Comin'.
Anna: (taken-back) Well, can't blame 'em for that.
Zilly: (curious) Ready to go?
Jack: I oughta think so.
*Group gathers up stuff, start heading on out*
Anna: (flustered) Now just hold on a second!
*Jack turns around surprised, rest of group is also surprised or startled*
Anna: Y'all didn't even say goodbye.
Jack: (somber) Oh, well then. Goodbye, Ms. Pickott.
Anna: (calm) Goodbye, Mr. Black.
*Group continues walking away, Anna looking on longingly*
Darkie: (worried) Where to now?
Ali: (honest) Whatever gets us out of here, I guess.
*Jack looks back at Anna, now sat in a chair on the porch*
*Anna is seen still, looking off into the distance*
*Jack stops in place, grabbing the group's attention*
Blaze: (concerned) Jack?
*Jack begins walking back to Anna, alerting Ozzy and Zim*
Zim: (shocked) Wait! Don't-
Jack: (defeated) One last time... then I'm done.
*Jack continues walking, the group looks on warily*
Darkie: (worried) Ahh stitch.
*Panel moves to Anna, lying still in her seat*
*Jack walks up to her side, his hat in his hands*
*Both are quiet for a moment, Jack fighting back tears*
*Jack reaches into his coat and pulls out his locket, now gleaming*
Jack: (sad) I'm so, so sorry.
*Jack places the locket on the railing next to Anna, then puts his hat back on and starts walking back to the group*
*Anna looks over at the locket, though doesn't turn her head*
*Her eyes widen, now turning and looking at the locket closely*
Anna: (mumbling) Wait a minute-
*Anna picks up the locket and stands, looking inside it*
*She looks up, seeing Jack halfway to the group*
*Inside of the locket is revealed, now showing a small pic of Anna and Jack together and their initials scratched into the lid*
Anna: (shouting) JOHN!!
*Jack stops in place, turning around as Anna bolts off the porch towards him*
*Anna stops right in front of Jack, tears streaming down her face*
Anna: (relieved) Dear Lord, it IS you!!
*Anna embraces Jack, hugging tightly as Jack also breaks into tears*
*Jack hugs back, both now crying over each other's shoulders*
*Group calms down, though Ozzy and Zim are still wary*
*Jack and Anna stop hugging, now holding hands and smiling*
*Anna suddenly smacks Jack in the face, his hat flying off and surprising everyone*
Anna: (mad) YOU JACKA**!!
Jack: (shocked) Owwww!!
Anna: Y'all thought after proposin' you'd just LIE to me and mosey on off?!!
Jack: (frantic) Wait, I-i can explain-
*Anna smacks him again, both their hair becoming a little frazzled*
*Some of the group is amused, watching the couple continue arguing*
Anna: You got any idea the HELL I've gone through waitin' for YOUR sorry butt to wander on back here?!
Jack: (annoyed) Jesus Christ, woman! Ah just got back here!
Anna: Didn't even have the decency to say GOODBYE, an' I had to ASK fer that!
Jack: This ain't all as simple as yer makin' it out to be-
Anna: Not even yer name, JOHNATHAN RUSSELL WESCOTT! But nooo, I was bein' nice, didn't wanna question it. Don't wanna be rude! But I should've, cuz NOW I KNOW, that-
*Jack suddenly kisses Anna, stopping the argument*
*Anna is startled, but then settles down as they kiss*
*Both stop kissing, now looking eyes*
Anna: (happy) Ohh, John...
*Both embrace once more, their heads close*
Anna: I missed you so much.
*Jack smiles, breathing a sigh of relief*
*Jack looks back at the group, noticing Ozzy and Zim looking concerned*
*Jack steps back and places his hands on Anna's shoulders, Anna now worried*
Jack: (concerned) Annabelle, there's some things I oughta tell you about, and they ain't all pretty...
*Anna looks over at the group, all of them now looking concerned*
Anna: (worried) Okay...
*Panel flashes to inside Anna's house, the group sat down and Jack explaining things*
Jack: (apologetic) So we opted to push on through and now.. we're here.
Anna: (overwhelmed) My, that's... a lot to take in.
Ali: (explaining) We've been through other dimensions and realms, but it's a first to be in a different "period" in time...
Blaze; (worries) Let alone somethin' so BIG.
Anna: Guess that explains why y'all don't really look like yer from here. An' all the freak shootin's initially.
Zim: (worried) But you see WHY we gotta get going, and why we were so reluctant to stay here...
Anna: (worried) Is it true, John? What you did?
*Jack takes off his hat, slowly nods*
Anna: Huh. Guess them rumors were true...
Jack: (sad) But now I regret everythin'. An' I know there ain't any way fer me to really legitimize any wicked deed I dun did...
Anna: (optimistic) Well, yer right here, so I guess God still sees hope fer ya yet.
*Anna smiles, causing Jack to slowly smile*
Anna: (stating) 'Course, that don't mean any folks 'round here think that.
Jack: (annoyed) Of course.
Darkie: (shocked) Whoa whoa whoa. That's IT? Just that?
Anna: Well, so far, he's ain't provin' any of them violent streaks true.
Ali: (blunt) He held me at point blank.
Eager: He also aimed a gun at me.
Darkie: And me.
Blaze: And me.
Zilly: (unsure) I think me?
Zim: Me too.
Ozzy: (unamused) I actually got shot. And blown up.
Anna: (teasing) Well, none of y'all are dead yet, are ya?
*Group pauses for a moment, letting that statement sink in*
Spidey: (oblivious) Wait, he SHOOTS at people?
Anna: (rambling) Unless one of them seance ladies laid some sorta Voodoo curse on me or somethin'. Coulda sworn...
Jack: (worried) Jesus, yer minglin' with them types again?
Anna: (stating) Them Bibles ain't the only thing in life, y'know. An' apparently yer a zombie, soo...
Jack: (stating) But then so is everyone else 'round these parts.
*Anna is about to say something, but then thinks about it*
Zim: (realizing) Wait a sec.
Anna: (confused) What's on yer mind, darlin'?
Zim: You were revived along with everyone else, good or bad.
Anna: Second Comin'. Why.
Ozzy: (realizing) ... that's mean your killer was as well.
*Jack and Anna realize the statement, but most of the group is confused*
Blaze: (stumped) Erm, what's goin' on?
Zilly: (Frank) Beats me.
Anna: (scared) Which means he's around-
Jack: (angry) And can harm you again.
*Jack gets up from his seat, pulling out his revolvers and heading for the door*
Jack: (mad) Why that no-good, low-lyin' sonofa-
Ali: (stating) Hooold up there, cowboy. We don't even know what he looks like.
*Jack stops in place, now feeling a bit stupid*
Jack: (grumbling) *tucks guns away* True...
Eager: (stating) And if it's true that you killed EVERYONE around here, someone's gonna bear a grudge. And you ain't invulnerable here.
Jack: (stubborn) Prove it.
*Darkie walks over with a piece of paper, grabbing Jack's hand*
Darkie slides the edge of it quickly across his finger, making a small paper cut*
Jack: (sarcastic) Ow.
*Pain catches up to Jack, causing him to grab his hand and wince in pain*
Jack: (whining) Aaaaagh that stings.
Darkie: (teasing) Wimp.
Eager: Now imagine a bullet.
Ozzy: (concerned) If we're all planning on making out of this alive, we gotta be careful.
*Group gives him a confused look, Jack and Anna look at him disgusted*
Ozzy: (embarassed) OK, maybe just you two.
Zim: (stating) No, wait. They could mistake us for his new "posse", like Manuel did.
Ali: (realizing) That's right...
Spidey: (frustrated) Is it just me, or is anyone else really, REALLY confused?
Blaze: (curious) Right, any plans?
Anna: (stating) I say we give all y'all his weapons and let 'im scout it out.
Zilly: (surprised) What.
Jack: (shocked) Really? I mean, did you see them yesterday?
Anna: They'll need them a LOT more than you do if the sitiation gits outta hand.
*Group nervously look at Jack, who nervously looks back*
Anna: (sure) Besides, it ain't like they'd recall yer face anyway. Heck, I didn't!
*Jack scowls at Anna, who gets offended*
Anna: (annoyed) Uh-huh. Just keep stink-eyein', Jack Black.
Jack: (dismissive) I ain't said nuthin'.
*Panel flashes to moments later, now with a covered wagon in front of Anna’s house*
*Mutton is seen on the rider’s bench, as the group shuffles into the back of the wagon*
Mutton: (nervous) You sure this is safe? Y’all are gonna paint some biiig targets on yer backs.
Anna: (reassuring) I just gotta get ‘em to the depot. Oughta go now before the posses start roamin’ around.
Mutton: Hope y’all know what yer doin’…
Anna: We’ll be fine.
*Jack comes up with Paul, both looking focused*
Paul: (serious) Y’all better take care of the missus, y’hear?
Jack: (serious) I’ll lay down my own life for her.
*Paul and Jack shake hands on it, nodding in agreement*
Anna: (concerned) You ready to go?
Jack: (worried) Ready as we’ll ever be.
*Anna and Jack board the wagon with the rest, covering the back opening with a sheet*
*Mutton gets the wagon moving, as they ride off from Iron Horse to town*
Ali: (concerned, inside wagon) Sooo, what’s gonna happen again?
*Panel moves to inside the wagon, showing the group sitting either side of the cart with Jack and Anna at the back*
Anna: (explaining) Y’all just hop on out, act “normal”, and head towards the station at the end of the main stretch. Jack and I will meet ya there.
Ozzy: (concerned) But what if someone see’s something off.
Anna: Well, if anyone notices Jack, then you won’t have to worry about that.
Jack: (disgusted) Yeesh. Sooo optimistic.
Anna: (snarky) Bah, you’ll be fine… most likely.
Zilly: (worried) And if we get lost?
Anna: (explaining) Just head for the large smoke stack looming over town. Yah can’t miss it.
Zim: (thinking) Still, just have to wonder…
*Panel moves out of wagon, showing the town of Wyatt Springs not far off in the distance*
Zim: If folks do think something’s up, how much of a chance do we have?
Anna: (thinking) Erm… well…
Jack: (blunt) Slim pickin’s.
Darkie: (annoyed) Hypocrite.
______(Wyatt Springs, a rather large boomtown in the middle of the Old West; 3 open-ended roads form an incomplete town grid, lined with buildings on most sides, forming a box of corrals in the middle; notable buildings are the train station on one road end, a bank, town hall (complete with clock tower), school house on another road end, trading post and a saloon called The Mocking Mule near where the group gets dropped off)______
*Panel flashes ahead to the open end of Wyatt Springs’ main stretch, the group’s wagon coming to a halt*
*Group climbs out of wagon, looking a little worried*
Mutton: (scared) Well… here we are.
Anna: (quiet, to Mutton) Don’t do anythin’ too brash, ya hear?
Mutton: (nervous) *sweating* Uhh… gotcha.
*Mutton takes off in a hurry, nearly hitting Spidey just as he hops off*
Spidey: (shocked) Whoa!
*Wagon kicks up a large dust cloud, disappearing in the distance quickly*
Blaze: (confused) He was off in a mighty hurry.
Anna: (nervous) And that… has me worried.
*Panel moves to behind group, showing the main road to be quite busy with all sorts of people and transport*
*Train station is seen at the end of road, a large smoke cloud looming over it*
Zilly: (excited) The station!
Ali: (determined) Right. No time to waste. See you guys there.
*Group disperses down and into the busy street, leaving Jack and Anna alone*
Jack: (sad) I’m sorry this was so brief…
Anna: (somber) It’s fine, really. If what y’all gotta do is this important, well… don’t let me stop ya.
*Jack caresses Anna’s head, both look longingly into each other’s eyes*
Anna: (sad) Though, if I gotta be honest… I don’t want ya to go.
Jack: I don’t. But I got to. For them.
*Both hug tight, both trying not to cry*
*Panel moves briefly to Ozzy, with Ali catching up to him*
*Ozzy is seen a bit confused, feeling a little uncomfortable on the crowded boards*
Ozzy: (nervous) Eghh…
Ali: (calling out) Wait up, Oz!
*Ali slows up to Ozzy’s side, though now a bit exhausted*
Ali: (winded) Whoo. *Pant* Movin’ a bit fast, aren’tchya?
Ozzy: Gosh, there’s so many people here.
Ali: This is probably the only place *pant* for dozens of miles around.
*Ali takes a deep breath, getting her breathing back down*
Ali: (relieved) Whew. So far so good, though!
Ozzy: So far… lost track of the others.
*Panel moves to Darkie, looking around at the scenery as she passes an alley*
*Someone is seen passed out in a barrel, catching Darkie’s attention*
Darkie: (amused) Geez, Eager. I get you’re addicted, but come on.
*Darkie pulls guy out of barrel, turning out to be a random cowboy*
Darkie: (shocked) Whoops Sorry.
*Darkie looks around, checking behind her first*
Darkie: (ashamed) Guess I underestimated-
*Panel zooms out a little, revealing Eager passed out in a tipped-over barrel behind Darkie*
*Darkie stares on at Eager, now scowling a little*
Darkie: (annoyed) Nevermind.
Eager: (mumbling, cheery) iAl rescate!
*Panel flashes ahead to Blaze and Zilly, with passerby eying Zilly*
Zilly: (scared) S-so much for blending in.
Blaze: (reassuring) Just keep movin’ forward. Don’t let tha rest get to ya.
Zilly: (uncertain) Well… I’ll try-
Random passerby: (mumbling) Stupid Injun.
*Blaze almost goes for the random person, but Zilly holds him back*
*Blaze calms down, though he still looks angry as they walk along*
Zilly: (concerned) Like you said, don’t let the rest get to ya.
*Panel moves to Zim, who seems to be alone in the crowds*
*Spidey pops out from behind the crowds, waving down Zim as he stands in the road*
Spidey: (happy) Hey! Zim! Wait up!
*Zim gets a worried look on her face, picking up her pace*
Zim: (mumbling, to self) No… please…
Spidey: Zim! Wait!
*Spidey’s about to start running, but is distracted by a rider that nearly hits him*
Spidey: (surprised) Wah!
Random rider: (annoyed) Git!
*Zim begins to jog, running out of the panel*
Spidey: (embarrassed) Ohh, come on Zim! Can’t ya slow down? Was it something I said?
*Panel moves to Jack and Anna walking over to the saloon, stopping by the front door*
Jack: (hush) Need to git some news about here before I go. It’ll be quick.
Anna: (concerned) Please, be careful.
*Anna heads off to the side, Jack looks both ways before entering*
*Panel moves to other side of front door, with chatter going on and piano music being played*
*Jack creeps in as quietly as he can, slowly opening the swinging doors and tip-toeing*
*Jack closes the doors behind him softly, breathing a sigh of relief*
*Chatter and music suddenly stop, replaced by bunches of *Click!*s*
*Jack freezes in place, his face suddenly awash in terror*
*Panel flips to reveal inside of saloon, revealing all the patrons angrily looking at Jack and all aiming all sorts of guns*
*Panel flips back to Jack, still frozen in place with the same face*
Jack: (terrified) Crud.
*Panel moves to an intersection in front of the train station, revealing most of the group arriving at the same time out of the crowd (Darkie dragging Eager, Zim arriving a little before Spidey)*
Spidey: (winded) Whew! You walk fast!
*Group looks around at each other, getting a little confused*
Blaze: (suspicious) Oookaaay…
Ali: (excited) Hey, look!
*Panel flips to reveal the train station, now the group within walking distance*
Ali: There’s the station!
Ozzy: (relieved) And without grabbing attention.
Darkie: (confused) Wait, where’s Jack? Or Anna, for that matter-
*An eruption of gunshots sounds off in the distance, jolting everyone (crowd included) in the panel*
Voice: (screaming, far off) DAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
*Group turns around, all looking horrified*
Zim: (scared) Oh come on…
*Panel moves to reveal the saloon erupting in gunfire, with bullets flying out of everywhere*
*Panel zooms in to side facing the road, with Anna right around the corner covering her ears*
*Jack suddenly smashes through a window in the panel, narrowly dodging a hail of fire*
Anna: (calling out) JACK!!
*Jack scrambles to his feet, bolting out of view*
Jack: (shouting) GO!!!
*Panel moves back to group, looking on as the crowd reacts in various ways to the calamity*
Zilly: (scared) W-what do we do?!
Ali: (panicking) H-he’s heading this way! We gotta move!
*Group is about to run off, but Ozzy immediately heads for Jack*
Ali: OZ! NO!!
*Group pauses in terror, watching Ozzy making his way through the crowds towards a fleeing Jack*
Blaze: (scared) Aye, yer killin’ me kid…
Zim: (scared) Now we REALLY have no choice.
Darkie: (annoyed) Ugh, FINE.
*Group makes its way after Ozzy, who’s now about half-way to Jack*
*Panel flashes to Jack, whose being constantly shot at along the storefronts*
*Jack dives behind a stack of crates in front of the trading post, covered from gunfire*
*Gunfire stops, saloon crowd starts hurling insults and threats*
Random voice: Come out and FIGHT, COWARD!!
Random voice: Git what’s comin’ to ya!!
Random voice: Lily-livered convict!!
Random voice: I hope you burn in Hell!!
Random voice: Nowhere to run, outlaw!!
Random voice: Show yerself!!
*Ozzy skids into the panel in front of the crates, arms spread as though covering someone*
Ozzy: (shouting) Back off!
*A bunch of clicking is heard, making Ozzy terrified*
*Anna suddenly skids to Ozzy’s side, wielding and aiming her shotgun to offscreen*
Anna: (serious) He means it.
*Group rushes in (Eager is stumbling around at this point), getting by Ozzy’s and Anna’s sides and holding Jack’s weapons*
Anna: We all mean it.
*Faint clapping is heard, spooking and grabbing group’s attention*
*Panel moves to crowd, showing a sketchy figure smiling and clapping behind some folks*
Figure: (sly) How noble. Guess this Second Comin’ thing does apply to everyone.
*Figure walks out from behind crowd, revealing to be a sheriff with a white hat and red shirt*
Ali: (confused) And you are-
Figure: Clayton Barnes, sheriff ‘round these parts. Annnd what yer guardin’ over there is the most wanted man on God’s green earth.
*Panel moves to group, Anna now looking shocked while the others try acting tough*
Zim: (defiant) He’s our friend! People change, you know?!
Blaze: (stubborn) Like ya said! Second Comin’! Everyone gets ah chance!
Spidey: (concerned) … are we really trying to protect a criminal?
**Click!* is heard offscreen, jolting the group*
Clayton: (calm) Now, now, you guys…
*Panel moves back to Clayton, aiming both his revolvers at group (4th wall)*
Clayton: Didn’t wanna come to this, but y’all ain’t actin’ so smart…
*Other cowboys come out from the crowd, holding various guns and rifles*
Clayton: And we ain’t the kind of folks who wallow around when it comes to… decisions.
*A total of 10 other cowboys line Clayton’s sides, all looking serious*
*Panel moves back to group, now clearly shaken*
Zilly: (scared) Y-you wouldn’t dare!... (mumbling) Would he?
Darkie: (scared) Ahh… I dunno…
Anna: (startled) You.
*Panel moves back to Clayton, his smug look now appearing a little confused*
Clayton: (curious) Come again?
*Panel flashes back to Anna, now looking a bit more angry*
Anna: It was you…
Ozzy: (confused) Wait, what’s going on?
Zim: (concerned) You know him?
Anna: (stating) … he’s the one who killed me.
*Group grows wide-eyed, as does the crowd as they look at Clayton*
*Panel moves back to Clayton, now with an eyebrow raised*
Clayton: (dismissive) I… don’t understand.
*Panel moves back to Anna, now clearly crossed*
Anna: (angry) Yer the one who killed me, all those years ago…
Jack: (quiet, behind crates) What…
*Panel moves to side, now showing both groups standing off*
Clayton: Clearly this Second Comin’ stuff is gettin’ to your head. So please, just back off and-
Anna: (mad) You snake in the grass! You cheatin’ Judas! You shot me in cold blood!
*Clayton twitches from statement, crowd begins murmuring*
Anna: Shot me in the back like the lyin’, cow-punchin’ crook you are…
*Clayton’s eyes dart around, his face struggling to keep composure*
Anna: (seething) The man whose jealousy and adultery led to murder…
Jack: (mad) And to my madness.
*Jack pushes over a stack of crates, emerging deeply mad and staring down Clayton*
Jack: Now yer back to try and kill us both… again.
Darkie: (confused) Wait, “both” of you again?
Jack: Shoulda known that tell-tale voice was yers. Shot me from behind as well…
Anna: (mad) Why, you turncoat, low-lyin’, back-stabbin’, yellowbelly SONOFA-
*Clayton’s group pulls back hammers on guns, aiming right at the other group’s heads and startling everyone*
Clayton: (dismissive) Now, now, Ms. Pickott. That ain’t vocabulary for a lady to be usin’.
Jack: (mad) Yer mad enough to do it again.
Clayton: (naughty) *smiling wide* Why, gladly.
*Main group lowers weapons, though Jack reaches over and puts his hand on the revolver Ozzy’s holding*
Clayton: I believe God had a plan for me… with you… for me. But Satan sure is a tricky one.
Jack: (mumbling) You psycho…
Clayton: (crazed) I mean, come on! This traitor? This Benedict Arnold? Are you serious? Must be the devil’s work!
Anna: (shocked) Yer insane…
Clayton: (calm) Now, I git what I did was “wrong”, but honestly? Wouldn’t you do the same? For fate?
*Clayton’s group snickers and laughs a little, Clayton recomposes himself*
Clayton: Though, I AM the law. And what I do is right, then, I suppose?
*Jack steps out in front of his group, taking along Ozzy’s gun in his left hand*
Jack: (serious) Let’s settle this. You and me. NOW.
Clayton: (curious) Rules being?
Jack: Duel. High noon. In front of town hall. You leave my guys out of it.
Clayton: Deal.
*Jack is about to turn around to his group, but Clayton fires off a round at his feet*
*Jack is immediately startled, quickly aiming his gun at Clayton*
Clayton: (sly) Oh! One caveat. You ain’t usin’ Colt and Smith.
*Jack looks at him disgusted, but also grows worried*
Jack: (reluctant) … agreed.
Clayton: Good.
*Clayton heads down the street toward town hall, look at its clock*
Clayton: 15 minutes. Best git goin’.
*Jack turns to his group, with everyone (including himself) looking worried*
Ali: (worried) No handguns?
Zilly: (confused) Huh? He said no to Colt and Smith.
Blaze: (explaining, to Zilly) Those are gun makers.
Zilly: Ohh… what?
Zim: (concerned) This is crazy. You’re gonna get killed.
Ozzy: (stating) And you’re not undead here. You actually will die.
Jack: (worried) I know. But… I might have somethin’.
*Jack looks at Anna, nudging over to the saloon*
Jack: We’re gonna need “him”.
Anna: (concerned) It’s been a while. Is he even loaded all the way?
Jack: Gotta use ‘em, regardless. Got a feelin’ Clayton’s up to somethin’.
*Anna nods, then runs over to the saloon and kneels on the boards in front of it*
*Anna starts pulling up boards, as Jack makes his way toward town hall*
Jack: (stating) Y’all best git a good seat. This is gonna git interestin’.
*Group looks on worryingly as Jack nears his position, now moving to find spots in the crowd*
*Panel moves to right above Clayton’s head, showing Jack squaring up across from him*
*Jack looks up at the clock tower, now 10 minutes before noon.
*Anna runs up to him from behind, holding a gun wrapped in a poncho*
Anna: (worried) Here.
*Anna unwraps the gun, revealing it to be a dusty Evans repeater rifle*
*Anna hands the gun to Jack, who points it at the ground as he eyes it over*
*Jack feels out the gun, lightly tossing it to get its weight*
Jack: (hush) He’s packed.
*Jack brings the gun to rest in his hands, he and Anna look at each other again*
Anna: Well, guess this might be the last one.
Jack: (worried) Might be… but we don’t know. Not yet.
*Anna grabs Jack’s face, giving him a deep kiss*
*Anna lets go, her and Jack’s eyes lock for a moment*
Anna: (hush) Good luck.
*Anna rushes off to the crowd, rejoining the group as they look on at Jack*
*Jack looks over at Clayton, whose group is now forming up around him*
Jack: (shocked) Now wait a minute-
Clayton: (sly) You said “your” guys, if I’m correct? You never said anything about mine…
*Clayton’s group (including Clayton) stare down Jack, smiling malevolently*
*Group is shocked, quickly scrambling for Jack’s weapons*
*Clayton’s group takes aim at them, stopping them in their tracks*
Clayton: (stern) Rules ARE rules, folks. Don’t break them.
*Group lowers weapons, as Clayton’s posse refocuses on Jack*
Clayton: (cocky) Well then. Any last words?
*Jack glances back at group, with them and the crowds looking on anxiously*
*Jack looks at Anna, who’s looking extremely worried*
*Jack looks back at Clayton, now looking unphased*
Jack: (curious) Well… I got a few.
*Jack clears his throat, then turns his attention to the crowd*
Jack: (announcing) Good folks of Wyatt Springs! It is my pleasure to present to you my next… and possibly my last, daring stunt.
*Panel moves over to crowds, looking on with worried looks*
Jack: This act is extremely difficult to pull off correctly. All say it’s impossible. They would be right.
*Panel moves over to group, still nervously looking on*
Jack: But if pulled out correctly, ladies and gentlemen, you shall witness the greatest dare in human history. The greatest dare since this Second Comin’…
*Panel moves to town hall clock, now a minute away from noon and closing fast*
Jack: That’s right. I, Johnathan Russell Wescott, friend, showman… outlaw, will try and defy certain death. Now, for a third time.
*Panel moves to Clayton’s group, readying themselves as Clayton looks on suspiciously*
Jack: And as this clock winds down, and the sun climbs high…
*Panel moves to Jack’s point of view of Clayton’s group, with everything now in a red filter*
*Red X’s are painted over the posse’s trigger hands and faces (22 in all), as his Dead-Eye activates*
Jack: I only ask of one small favor from the crowd, before this act is performed.
*Panel flashes to Jack’s eyes, his pupils now having a tiny red dot in them*
Jack: (focused) Don’t blink.
*Panel zooms over to clock, ringing loudly as it hits noon*
*Panel flashes back to Jack, pulling up his rifle and firing off at lightning-fast speeds*
*Panel flashes over to side view of Clayton’s posse, with all their trigger hands/guns being shot down in a row*
*Posse is terrified, some grab their hands while others reel back a little*
*Clayton stares on in absolute shock, as his gun is seen flying out from his hand*
*Panel slows down briefly, showing Jack moving the gun’s lever as he aims slightly higher*
*Panel resumes, with Jack now pulling off headshots at the same lightning-fast pace*
*Clayton’s posse falls dead around them, as all 10 drop to the ground in extremely rapid succession*
*Jack stops for a moment, as 21 smoking casements lay at his feet*
*Clayton stares on, completely dumbfounded and lost for words*
*Clayton frantically reaches for his other gun, struggling to pull it out of the holster*
*Jack fires off his last shot, nailing Clayton right through the throat*
*Stuffing is seen flying out the back of Clayton’s neck, his body shooting up stiff*
*Clayton stares up, his face frozen as stuffing falls out from the hole in his neck*
*Clayton finally falls over dead, letting out a dying gasp as his eyes roll to the back of his head*
*Jack stands there with his gun lowered, panting with the barrel smoking and 22 casements on the ground*
*Crowds erupt into raucous cheer, tossing hats and firing guns into the air*
*Anna bolts out from the crowd, clearly excited as she runs towards Jack*
*Anna hugs onto Jack, causing him to drop his gun and spin her around*
Anna: (excited) You did it!! Good God, you did it!
*Rest of group arrives around them, as they both stop spinning and look at each other*
*Anna suddenly slaps Jack, much to the group’s amusement*
Jack: (shocked) AGH WHY?!
Anna: (mad) An’ don’t you EVER do that again, you jack***!!
*Both calm down, embracing each other in a long kiss*
*Random photographer appears in the foreground, quickly setting up in front of the group*
Photographer: (calling out) Smile for the camera!
*Group smiles, looking at the camera and posing around Jack and Anna*
*Camera flashes, consuming the entire panel with a single *FWOOSH!**
*Next panel reveals the photo, showing the entire group posed and sepia-toned*
*Panel zooms out, revealing the group to be around a train in front of the aurora’s barrier, far out from Wyatt Springs*
*Ali, Ozzy and Zilly are seen looking over the photo, as Jack and Anna are seen in the background talking*
Anna: (frustrated) Why not?!
Jack: (stating) I ain’t got no idea what’ll happen.
*Panel focuses on Anna and Jack, both a little emotional*
Jack: Fer all I know, you could turn to dust beyond the barrier. An’ I can’t marry dust.
Anna: (teasing) Hmph. Didn’t think you were so shallow…
Jack: (annoyed) Christ, woman, yer making this even more difficult than it already is.
*Both hold hands, locking eyes once more*
Anna: (concerned) You are gonna come back, right?
Jack: (stating) I swear, on my life, that I’ll return.
*Anna reaches into her blouse, pulling out a bright blue bandana*
Anna: (calm) I want you to have this.
*Anna ties the bandana around Jack’s neck, while also discreetly giving back Jack his locket*
Anna: Keep it as a reminder… of me.
*Jack notices something off, pulling up the bandana and revealing the locket*
Anna: Of us.
*Jack reaches into his coat, taking out the ring he proposed with long ago*
*Jack slips the ring onto Anna’s hand, both get a little more emotional*
Jack: (calm) And fer you… the same.
*Both hug one last time, struggling to fight back tears*
Zim: (curious, offscreen) Jack, you ready?
Jack: (calling out) Yeah. I’ll be right over.
*Both lock eyes one last time, smiling faintly and getting teary-eyed*
*Jack gives one last kiss on Anna’s cheek, then parts ways*
*Anna looks on longingly, rather uncertain*
*Panel moves over to group, poised in front of the aurora and with a horse*
*Jack walks into the panel, mounting up on the horse*
Darkie: (worried) Any idea what’s beyond here?
Jack: (calm) Dunno. Might be Sackago, might be Fargo. Could even be the Eastern Seaboard.
*Jack sits atop the saddle, his face focused on the aurora in front of him (slightly off 4th wall)*
Jack: (focused) Guess there’s only one way to find out. *spurring on horse* HYEAH!
*Horse takes off in a gallop, heading straight for the aurora*
*Jack passes right through, disappearing to the other side*
*Panel moves to behind Anna, looking on and waiving as the rest of the group follows*
*Panel moves to in front of Anna, looking on as she slowly stops waiving and lowers her hands*
*Anna is seen on the verge of tears, her mouth quivering*
*Panel moves to other side of aurora, revealing to be somewhere in the upper Midwest*
*Group is seen coming out of the aurora, now back in their normal clothes and gear*
Ali: (relieved) *looking at Pip-Boy* Well, we’re back!
Blaze: (relieved) *stretching* Ahhh, fresh air! Ah missed yah!
Darkie: (relieved) And no blistering, dry heat to boot.
*Group pauses for a moment, looking offscreen and rather wide-eyed*
Jack: (offscreen) Huh.
*Panel moves to Jack, revealing him on top of a demonic horse and back to his zombie self*
Jack: (blunt) Well ain’t that somethin’.
*Demonic horse phases through the ground, leaving Jack back on his two feet*
*Panel moves around, showing the group as they too look around*
Zilly: (confused) So where exactly are we.
Zim: (thinking) Sorta feel like I’ve been around here before.
*Spidey is seen waiving to offscreen rather cheerily, no one else notices*
Ali: (stating) *looking at Pip-Boy* It says that we’re near… (shocked) Knittburg. 20 miles off.
Blaze: (surprised) So we went in one big loop.
Eager: (stating) Well, some of you did.
Ozzy: (confused) What do we do now?
Ali: (thinking) I dunno. This aurora problem is still present, and this isn’t Rock’s work…
*Little *thck!* is heard, Jack suddenly shoots up stiff*
Darkie: (startled) Uhh, something up, Jack?
*Jack slowly falls over onto his face, revealing an elephant tranquilizer dart in his back*
*Group freezes in horror, staring at the rather large dart*
Voice: (offscreen, through speaker) Tango down.
*Suddenly, several SIA armored vehicles come crashing through the woods, surrounding the group*
*Several heavily-armed operatives pour out of the vehicles, swarming upon the group*
*Panel moves around, showing Darkie being handcuffed by an operative*
Darkie: (shocked) What the?!
Operative: (serious) You have the right to remain silent.
*Panel moves over to Blaze and Eager, with Eager in the foreground getting slammed to the ground, and Blaze getting slammed into the side of a van*
Blaze: (mad) HANDS OFF!!
*Blaze tries catching on fire, but is immediately tased in the neck and dropped*
*Panel moves over to Zilly, baring fangs and daggers out as operatives surround her*
*Catch pole comes flying out, catching Zilly by surprise and snaring her by the neck*
*Zilly struggles and flails around, as operatives close in upon her*
*Panel moves over to Ozzy and Ali, both getting apprehended and Ozzy’s face getting covered by a sack*
Ali: (crying out) Let him go!!
*Both are wrestled away from each other, as everyone is pulled over to the back of waiting vans*
*Panel moves over to Zim, struggling as they drag her over to a waiting van where others are*
*Zim spots Spidey not far off, socializing with the operatives as he heads to the front seat of a car*
*Zim is thrown into the van, her face now awash in shock*
*Panel moves to her point of view, showing Spidey climbing into the passenger’s seat of the car*
*Operative comes into view, winded up for a punch*
*Operative punches Zim right in the face, blacking out the panel*
((End of Issue 20))
Great to see this back!
Looking forward to the next chapter. :)
NOW we really get into the more nitty-gritty moments of the story, the SIA Trilogy. Since it's been a while for everyone, the SIA (Secret Intelligence Agency) is kinda like Worlds Apart's version of the CIA... and is equally, if not more so, as debatable as to whether or not it has good intentions. Established in previous issues, Spider-Jew has been a part of this agency and, until recently, was adamantly pursuing our poor kid, Oswald. And now, it seems as though it's mission-accomplished for the web-slinging spy. Though it's not all as it seems...
Oh, as for the upcoming art, turns out drawing on a tablet is a bit more complicated than simple pencil n' paper. So, I'll get some practice under my belt and build up some confidence on the table first. That way, it won't look completely horrendous once I start getting down to it. Be on the lookout for various additions in the future. ;)
Enjoy Issue 21.
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Worlds Apart: Issue 21 (Garrote)
Characters: Oswald (Ozzy), iTriangle (Ali), TheZimInvader (Zim), Spider-Jew (Spidey)
Setting: A dark interrogation room, presumably somewhere in SIA Headquarters
Plot: SIA Trilogy begins, various characters are interrogated by Silverleon
______(blacked-out panel)______
*Panel shows a blurry scene, with some object being thrown*
Figure 1: (mad) So is that it?! I’m just a “thing” in their eyes?!
Figure 2: (pleading) Please, brother! Do not let your anger get the better of you!
Figure 1: And yet here you are, again trying to control my emotions yet again!
*Figure one smashes something, causing Figure 2 to flinch*
Figure 2: (crying) PLEASE!! I beg of you! It’s for your own good...
Figure 1: THIS is for my own good?! HOW IS ANY OF THIS GOOD?!?
*Figure 2 holds its face in its hands, sobbing uncontrollably*
Figure 1: You honestly believe any GOOD can come of this?!
*Figure 2 doesn’t respond, angering Figure 1 even more*
Figure 1: WELL?!
*Figure 2 looks up at Figure 1, its eyes now illuminated in white and seen crying*
Figure 2: (sobbing) This is all my fault…
*Figure 1’s eyes also come to life, now glowing a faint blue and looking sad*
Figure 1: (shocked) … oh. I-… I didn’t mean, to…
*Figure 1 heads over to Figure 2, wrapping his arm around it and holding it close*
Figure 2: I… I’m no better than anyone else here…
Figure 1: (apologizing) No, no. Please. I… don’t know… what came over me…
*Figure one tucks his head in to Figure 2’s, hugging tighter*
Figure 1: (hopeful) But… we still got each other… and that’s more important than all this world to me…
*Panel flashes to Ozzy, now sitting up straight in a padded cell*
*Ozzy looks around, completely lost on what’s happening*
Ozzy: (confused) What the…
*A door is heard opening offscreen, grabbing Ozzy’s attention*
Voice: (offscreen) Get up.
*Panel blacks out, at first nothing happens*
*A small lighter flicks on, illuminating faintly the hand it’s being held by in the darkness*
*Lighter moves, lighting a cigarette in the darkness*
*Cigarette glows, illuminating faintly the mouth it’s in*
*Other hand moves up and lifts out cigarette briefly, mouth exhales smoke*
*Panel flips around, showing a door opening up*
*Ozzy is seen with a sack over his head, being held by a single agent*
*Agent walks Ozzy into the room, setting her down on a wooden chair currently visible due to the open door*
*Ozzy’s blindfold is taken off, revealing him to look drowsy*
*Agent leaves the room, slamming the door shut behind him and plunging the room back into darkness*
*A *Click!* is heard, turning on a table lamp and lighting up Ozzy’s face*
*Ozzy winces in response, cringing a little from the sudden light*
Voice: (curious, offscreen) You seem troubled.
Ozzy: (uncertain) Where… am I…
Voice: (offscreen) Well, that’s not quite as important as to “why” you are here…
*Panel flips around, the light revealing the figure to be Silverleon (Silver), sitting with lit cigarette in hand*
Silver: (curious) You do know why, correct?
*Panel moves back to Ozzy, who looks at Silver with a confused look*
Ozzy: I… don’t believe I do.
*Silver tosses out a couple photos on the table, showing Ali’s former shop and Bolton in ruins*
Silver: (explaining) Destruction of private and public property along with arson is cause enough to have you thrown in jail.
*Ozzy looks over the photos, growing confused*
Ozzy: (confused) But… I didn’t-
*Silver tosses out a couple of grainy photos, depicting Saeed in Bolton and over Threadopolis*
Silver: But I gotta say… this is something else.
*Ozzy’s eyes widen, speechless and rather surprised*
*Silver leans in towards Ozzy’s face, holding his cigarette between the both of them*
Silver: (curious) Look familiar?
Ozzy: But… how, I…
Silver: (sly) Perfect.
*Ozzy drifts out, suddenly falling out of his seat and onto the floor*
*Silver leans over the table, looking down at Ozzy from it*
Silver: (stating) I forgot to mention, we did need to take precautions beforehand.
*Ozzy struggles to stay conscious and move, rapidly growing tired*
Silver: This chemical agent will have you out in a couple of seconds. Even stronger than whatever we put into Jack.
Ozzy: (struggling) You…
*Ozzy goes limp, knocked out completely as Silver smirks*
*Silver returns to his seat, pressing a communicator located on his suit’s lapel*
Silver: He’s out.
*Door opens wide, as two agents (Silver39 and TehUberZac) walk in towards Ozzy*
*One slings Ozzy over his shoulder, while the other checks his pulse*
39: (unamused) Yep. Totally limp.
Zac: (mildly surprised) Wow. This guy really does weigh nothing.
Silver: (annoyed) Yes, yes, nice commentary. But that’ll be all for now.
*Silver shoos them away, annoying the agents as they head out the door*
39: (annoyed) Prick.
Silver: I heard that.
*Door slams shut, leaving Silver to himself again*
*Moments pass, as Silver sticks his cigarette into his mouth while he checks his watch*
*Door slowly opens, prompting Silver to take the cigarette out of his mouth*
*Another agent (PygmyOwl) is seen guiding Ali in, who’s hands are handcuffed behind her back*
*Ali is seen glancing around nervously, as she’s pushed on by Pygmy*
Pygmy: (hush) You’ll be fine…
*Pygmy seats Ali down, removing one cuff and reattaching it to a table leg*
*Ali places her hands on the table, now with a look of fear in her eyes*
Ali: (nervous) You sure?
*Pygmy stares at Ali for a moment, then exits the room*
*Door slams shut behind her, causing Ali to flinch from the noise*
*Panel moves to side, getting Silver, Ali and the table in view*
Silver: (stating) Before we start, I’ll remind you that your wrist gadget has been deactivated.
*Ali glances over at her Pip-Boy, noticing a small, black box taped to it*
Silver: And as long as that micro-EMP remains there, it will stay deactivated.
*Silver snuffs out his cigarette in an ash tray, then takes out and lights another*
Silver: (frank) If we’re being honest here, I wouldn’t wanna be you right now.
Ali: (scared) Wh-what did I do?
Silver: (explaining) Harboring a terrorist like Outlaw-Jack is enough for federal indictment. Heck, even the death penalty because of how dangerous he is.
Ali: B-but I-
Silver: But there’s someone else even more… dangerous.
Ali: (confused) … you mean Ozzy?
Silver: Correct. The kid. The one that can morph and change his appearance…
*Silver takes a puff, letting the smoke linger in his mouth*
Silver: (serious) The monster.
Ali: (angry) He’s NOT a monster.
Silver: Then can you explain what happened in Bolton? In Threadopolis?
*Ali is lost for words, her face now turning worried*
Ali: (struggling) But… Jack… was at fault…
Silver: Then how about the sudden reality-warping entities that have appeared throughout the clothinent?
Ali: I… we-
Silver: OR the millions of lives endangered by every event your group seems to have some involvement in?
*Ali is speechless, turning more fearful as Silver looks her in the eye*
Silver: Ms. Plaid, I do not mean to alarm you, but this is a serious matter with grave consequences. Oswald is a threat.
Ali: (lashing out) HE IS NOT!!... He’s not! I know him!
Silver: (calm) Do you?
*Ali is about to say something, but stops herself and rethinks the statement*
Silver: Do you actually who he is? Do you really know who anyone is in this group?
Ali: (sad) … j-just shut up…
Silver: (sincere) Did you even know Hector? Or even your own parents? Like actually “know” them?
*Ali grits her teeth, fighting back tears*
Silver: Speaking of Hector, he also passed through here.
*Ali clenches her fists, as they start to shake*
Silver: (laid-back) Seemed like a nice guy, typical 70-something behavior, hobbies, et cetera.
Ali: (angry) Shut UP…
Silver: (teasing) But wow, what kind of monster would ditch their orphaned grand-daughter behind? All alone, friendless…
Ali: (mad) He was TAKEN from ME…
Silver: (cruel) That’s true. Which is a shame, really. Didn’t even get to see him croak.
*Ali’s eyes lock on Silver’s smug face, as he takes another puff*
Silver: (commenting) Quite a class act, really. Took a bit of a Dickensian approach to it, why with the dysentery...
Ali: (furious) Shut up SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!
*Ali’s fist flies towards Silver’s face, only to be stopped inches short by the handcuffs.
*Ali strains to reach his face, her anger dissipating quickly*
Silver: (disapproving) Hmph. What a temper. And I thought he would’ve raised you better. Tragic.
*Ali slowly sits back down, feeling completely defeated and on the verge of crying*
Silver: (sincere) My condolences, Alicia.
*Door opens, as Pygmy walks back in to retrieve Ali*
*Pygmy unshackles her from the table, reattaching the cuff to her other hand*
*Pygmy stands Ali up, who’s now eerily silent*
Pygmy: (hush) Get it going, ma’am.
*Ali is escorted out of the room, the door gently closing behind them as Silver looks on*
*Silver takes another puff, then glances down at his watch*
Silver: (to himself) A little ahead… for the moment.
*A distant pounding is heard, catching Silver’s attention as it steadily grows louder and closer*
*Door suddenly bursts open, revealing Zim whose hands are tied behind her back and restrained*
*Nurolight (Nuro) is seen holding her, as she thrashes around in anger*
Zim: (mad) Get your paws off me!
Nuro: (fed-up) Fine!!
*Nuro shoves Zim, causing her to lose balance and fall on her face*
Nuro: (angry) I ought to beat some sense into you-
Silver: (stern) Agent, restrain yourself.
*Nuro grumbles, heading over to Zim and lifting her back onto her feet*
Zim: (angry) Can’t even finish the job…
Nuro: Save it for later. We’ll have plenty of time then…
Silver: (insisting) Please, take a seat.
*Nuro guides Zim into the chair, slipping her hands over the back and behind the stiles*
*Nuro then heads over to the door, closing it but staying in the room*
*Silver looks at Zim, whose unsurprisingly crossed*
Silver: (curious) A bit upset about getting caught, are we?
Zim: Trying a homeless teen for federal crimes can be a bit upsetting, in-case you’re wondering.
*Silver’s face turns serious, as he rubs out his cigarette in the ash tray*
Silver: (stern) You do realize this isn’t a joke.
Zim: Pfft. Like that joke of an agent you sent in? Can’t believe they fell for that…
Silver: And you’re any better?
*Zim turns even fiercer, clenching her fists*
Zim: (mad) After the two botched attempts he had at killing me, I had no reason to trust him.
*Silver raises an eyebrow, taking out another cigarette and lighting it*
Zim: (thinking) But then again, it didn’t sound like he was necessarily liking you guys either…
*Silver stops for a moment, glaring down Zim*
Silver: (serious) Working in the field of espionage isn’t all roses, “Zim”.
Zim: (teasing) Hiring a clown like Spider-Jew makes it seem like. Anyone would be qualified, by those standards.
*Silver’s face slightly angers, as he reaches over and rubs out his cigarette on Zim’s shoulder*
Zim: (in pain) Nggh…
Silver: (angry) I’m CHOOSING to keep you alive. For the time being, at least.
*Silver sits back down in his seat, looking smug yet again*
Silver: (cruel) My, oh my. Your parents would be sooo disappointed.
*Zim gets mad, gritting her teeth as Silver leans forward*
Silver: (teasing) Their young, runaway daughter turned wanted criminal? Such a shame…
Zim: (seething) Don’t you dare…
Silver: But I guess by that logic, they won’t be missing much.
*Zim suddenly spits in Silver’s face, causing him to flinch*
*Silver’s anger gets the better of him, as he suddenly smacks Zim across the face and tips her over in her seat*
*Zim hits the ground hard, wincing as Silver pulls out a rag to wipe his face*
Silver: (angry) How dare you…
Zim: (mad) You’re no different than Count Eager. A lying, deceitful gloat…
*Nuro heads over to Zim, about to lift her back up before he’s waived off by Silver*
Silver: (stern) Leave it, agent. Not yet.
*Silver walks over and squats down, getting right up to Zim’s face*
Silver: (serious) I chose to keep you alive. But now… I don’t.
*Zim’s anger is still present, but now seems a little less after Silver’s statement*
Silver: Of course, I would’ve preferred to dispose of Ozzy first, but you, little missy… just secured your spot.
*Silver looks up and nods at Nuro, who then grabs the chair and drags Zim out towards the door*
Zim: (shouting) You’re not getting away with this!!
Silver: (satisfied) I hope you enjoy this new “method” we’re going to try on you. It should be… memorable.
*Nuro and Zim leave the room, the door slamming shut loudly behind them*
*Silver returns to his seat, rubbing his temples for a moment*
Silver: (mumbling) Stupid brat.
*Silver regains composure, checking his watch yet again*
*Knocking is heard coming from the door, catching Silver’s attention*
*Door slightly opens, as Spidey pokes his head in*
Spidey: (confused) Sir?
Silver: (calm) Ah, Mr. Jew. You’re early.
*Spidey slips on in, closing the door behind him and turning on the rest of the room’s lights*
Spidey: (relieved) Oh, thank Spaff! I could’ve sworn I was late again.
Silver: Not at all, not at all. Please, take a seat.
*Spidey heads over to the table, but looks around for a chair*
Spidey: (confused) Um…
Silver: (realizing) Oh, whoops. My bad.
Spidey: (chill) No worries. I’ll make my own!
*Spidey quickly web-slings on the floor to make a makeshift stool, then promptly sits down*
Silver: (perplexed) Okay…
Spidey: (boasting) You should see me at craft shows.
Silver: (cautious) So… how are you?
Spidey: (cheery) I’m great! Never could be better!
Silver: (confused) Really?
Spidey: Positively!
*Silver thinks for a moment, putting his hand to his chin*
Silver: (curious) Mind turning around for me for a moment?
Spidey: Sure can!
*Spidey turns his back to Silver, as Silver looks closely at Spidey’s head*
Silver: (thinking) Hmm…
Spidey: (curious) Is something up?
*Panel zooms in on Spidey’s neck, revealing a slight tear and a microchip inside it*
Silver: (relieved) Ah. There it is.
*Silver reaches over and rips out the chip, causing Spidey to suddenly spasm*
Spidey: (shouting, in pain) AAAGGGHH!!
*Spidey falls forward, spazzing out a little more on the floor*
*Spidey’s body finally calms down, as he regains his self-awareness*
Spidey: (confused) Ugh… where am I…
Silver: (stating) SIA Headquarters. Welcome back, Mr. Jew.
Spidey: (relieved) Oh. That’s good.
*Spidey gets to his feet, turning around to Silver and appearing more serious*
Spidey: (confused) So what happened to me?
Silver: (explaining) The backup kicked in. You must’ve got some major head trauma earlier.
Spidey: (recalling) That duel…
*Spidey notices the web-slung stool, causing him to facepalm*
Spidey: (embarrassed) Oh geez, THAT far back?
Silver: (honest) Up to you to update the backup, not me.
Spidey: (urging) Yeah okay, what about my mission?
*Moment of silence passes, then Silver smiles*
Silver: (stating) We got them.
Spidey: (relieved) Thank Spaff. Those guys were a lot of trouble.
Silver: I know, right? Quite the violent bunch.
Spidey: (confused) Wait… did you interrogate them?
Silver: Of course. Standard protocol.
Spidey: (concerned) Who did you interrogate?
Silver: (defensive) I don’t see why that’s relevant-
Spidey: (demanding) WHO?
*Silver grimaces at Spidey, taken back by his insistence*
Silver: (serious) Oswald, Alicia, and that brat called “Zim”.
Spidey: (startled) Just the kids?!
Silver: (angry) They were the most involved-
Spidey: (serious) What about the others?
Silver: (annoyed) Ah stitch, like I’d know. That cat-thing is off to get euthanized and Jack’s hopefully dead by now-
Spidey: (shocked) WHAT?!?
Silver: (mad) They’re criminals, agent! Criminals! And very dangerous ones, at that!
Spidey: (angry) With all due respect, SIR, this isn’t due process under our laws…
Silver: The crimes committed befit the penalty of death, for ALL of them.
Spidey: Four of them are kids! KIDS!! And the rest don’t even have a criminal background… save for one.
Silver: Mr. Jew, are you questioning my authority?
Spidey: (realizing) I am n-… you know what, I AM.
*Silver clenches his fists and grits his teeth, staring down Spidey who’s having none of it*
Spidey: (serious) My job was to bring in Jack and the kid. But now that I know of this little plot you have…
Silver: (smug) … as if you have any power to stop me.
*Two agents come crashing through the door, guns drawn and aimed at Spidey*
Spidey: If you harm any of those kids or innocents, then any GOD so help me…
Silver: (grim) You’ve been suspended for the next week, starting now. Good day, Mr. Jew.
*Spidey stands up straight, staring down Silver as he backs away towards the door*
*Silver smugly waves goodbye, Spidey clenches his fists as the agents move out the doorway and out of his way*
*Spidey stops just outside the door, the lights in the interrogation room shut off*
*Door closes, plunging the room back into darkness*
((End of Issue 21))
Aaand once again, another issue! Again, sorry for not finishing the other story or getting down drawings yet; guess it just shows how lazy I still am after all these years. I had a bit of a hard time getting this one down... mainly because of the content it has. There are some quite graphic moments in this issue, hence why I threw it in spoilers, just in case. Fortunately, not only is this sorta low priority plot-wise (more so a risqué experiment if anything), but the next issue will be a bit more positive. At some point.
So, here's Issue 22.
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Hey it seems I checked out the site at the right time, it was a long read but definitely worth it (especially issue 21;)), really cool to see you're continuing this project after 3 year hiatus!
Aghhhhhh! Words! My true enemy!
Would be interesting if someone made this into a cinematic level. But I digress... :)
How goes progress on the next issue?
It's goin'. Somewhat. Working two jobs and signing up for college sure sucks any time outta ya. Majority of these past 4 weeks was occupied with "the holiday(s)" (rush), so I was pretty brain-dead for a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robo4900
Also, this is my writing process about 90% of the time:
https://media.giphy.com/media/yoJC2n...5CJW/giphy.gif
(This is the undead knucklehead writing this, after all)
But not to worry! I actually have started writing it, and once I kick me-self into gear, the next issue will be go up very soon. So, in the meantime, I guess I'll release a teaser...?
------------------------------------------
Worlds Apart: Issue 23 (Breaching)
Characters: Oswald (Ozzy), iTriangle (Ali), Blazen (Blaze), TheZimInvader (Zim), Ninjaferret22 (Zilly), Outlaw-Jack (Jack), Spider-Jew (Spidey), Darkiesoul (Darkie), eagerneph (Eager)
Setting(s): SIA Headquarters, The Admin’s Estate
Plot: Spidey __________, Group ______________, _____________________ “revealed”
______(SIA Headquarters, most likely midday)______
... to be continued.
Ah, I see.
Yeah, I can understand that...
Interesting teaser. :)
Hope things go well for you.