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Falco and Skeksis, force Poor Marzipan to fight for her life and integrety in this story |
| [Introduction]
Marzipan had a dream, Perhaps you won't be suprised when I tell you what she had for supper. A tripple decker cheeseburger with extra onions Criss cut fries with her 'special' homemade ketchup And to drink some whole milk placed in her special saucer. So anyway onto the dream, Marzipan dreamt she was in a dark spooky forest, the skies were filled with the wings of thousands of falcons! Marzipan ran for her life but tripped on a root. When she looked up she saw thousands of cats, all black as jet with yellow eyes, they sprouted wings to do battle with the falcons, on a rocky ledge, there was an enormous bird with bright blue eyes staring at her...What did he want? |
| Marzipan woke up shouting "No! No! It can't be!" "Did you have a bad dream?" Ichabod asked as he nudged her with his forearm "Yes." Marzipan said defeatly "I told you." Ichabod said wagging his finger and clucking his tongue "Eating all that junk food was bound to give you nightmares of the worst sort." "Hey!" Marzi said gently punching him in the arm "You seem to enjoy my cooking just as much as I do, maybe even more so!" Ichabod chuckled amicably "All right, all right maybe I do...But I never eat nearly as much as you do." "Hypotheticly you could." Marzi said "Your Elf Metabalism allows you to eat massive amounts of food and never gain a pound!" "Yes but if I did that, that would be showing off and a lot of people would hate me." Ichabod said "Now let's go to sleep." Later that morning, Marzipan was hanging laundry on the clothesline outside, her stomach still feeling the effects of her gluttonous supper. "Hmmm." She said as she hung a white bedsheet up "Maybe Ichabod is right. Maybe I do eat to much." "But your round physique sets off your buxom charms..." A sly voice said behind her Marzipan yowled and turned around...It was HIM! And now she was all alone...Jonathan and Pamela had gone off on an errand...Ichabod was off planting flowers around the Civic Center with Bob, Jim and Bill...And OH GOD! Even James wasn't available to help her, He had to leave Planet Alderbaren yesterday and go back to Planet Earth to take care of some important buissness "I warn you!" Marzi said baring her claws "I'll scream if you dare touch me." "Listen." Falco said "I don't want to harm you I only want to talk...I know a lot about you Marzipan Cheshire...I ask you, Have you ever found your Heartsong?" "My Heartsong?" Marzipan asked quietly "Why you ask?" "I'm curious." Falco said "Didn't your Mother say "You're not a Real Cat untill you've found your Heartsong?" |
| "Maybe she did, maybe she didn't" Marzipan said. "However, I've already found the love of my life, so fly away now." |
| Falco took hold of Marzipan's ears, she tried to resist, but she had left her collar o the kitchen table "I want to help you." Falco said his voice had a mezmerizing affect on Marzipan now that he had hold of her ears "Have you found your heartsong?" "No..."Marzipan said compelled to obey "I have found my true love but I have not found my heartsong." "I can help you find it." Falco said "But first you must trust me." "How can you help me?" The Cat asked "My People are the Greatest of Singers." Falco said "Under my Tutalage...You can find your Heartsong." Meanwhile a Male Gollila and a Female Ourangutan strode by..."Hey!" The Gorilla said "Who are you and what are you doing to Marzipan?" Falco stopped and stared at the Big Ape Did this Mammal know who he was...He did't seem to. "Just playing a little game." He said realesing her ears "Go along Dear, make yourself lunch...Do remember not to make yourself sick" |
| However, Falco soon felt himseld cartwheeling through the air, but it wasn't of his own free-will, and he caught sight of Ichabod watching him from the window. I'll get you, he thought. **** Ichabod was puzzled as he watched the vanishing bird corkscrew through the air. He then saw the gorilla with a satisfied smirk on his face. "What's the deal with that bird Fred?" he asked. "That buzzard was messing with your girlfriend," Fred said with a grin. "So I tossed a slightly rotten apple at him. I used to pitch a little baseball in college before my rotator cuff got torn you should know." |
| "I don't know what to say but...Thank you!" Ichabod said "Don't mention it." Fred said giving Ichabod a clap on the back "Us Mammals got to watch out for each other...Oh and by the way...From now on call me Kong that what I like to be called." "Ok...Kong." Ichabod said "Whose the Redhead?" "This little woman is Marie." Kong said holdong the Ourangutan close "I met her at the Planet Black Beauty Mating Festival." Ichabod was about to see what Marzipa was doing...Kong put a hand on his shoulder "I thought you were planting flowers at the Civic Center." Kong said "Why you back so soon?" "Had to get Marzi's special lunch." Ichabod said "But I came through the front door and Marzi was in the Backyard, if I had come from the back I would have seen what happened Marie spoke up for the first time "You might want to check on Poor Marzipole." She said in New York accent "She looked a little...dazed." Ichabod agreed and ran into the house and headed straight for the kitchen Marzipan was spreading cream cheese on a slice of bread and got out a cucumber and tomato and began to cut them, She was in a dream world, Falco's voice had clouded her brain, this was not love it was dark magic of the most wicked kind...His voice echoed in her mind and made her unable to think of anythig else. "Marzi!" Ichabod called "Marzi are you OK?" "I'm OK True Love." Marzipan said faintly "What happened?" Ichabod said "I must know!" "Falco said make myself lunch and not get sick..." With that she reached for the unsliced half of cucumber (Instead of the already made sandwich and took a bite out of it! "Marzipan!" Ichabod exclaimed "What is going on?!" He suspected Falco had used some black magic on her so he did the first thing he could think of he took her by the shoulders ad shook her so violetly she became dizzy That seemed to wear off the magic "Whoa..." Marzipan said dizzy She looked at the cucumber in her hand "What am I doing with this? I thought I was going to make Meatloaf Sandwiches for lunch...." |
| "Let's just say that our one neighbor took a shot at some sort of tresspasser," Ichabod said. "I didn't get a good look at the guy, but I think it was a bird." |
| Marzipan looked at the cucumber in her hand again, She knew who it was, and she knew know that he had put a spell on her. "I don't feel well." She said she went into the den and collapsed on the sofa. Meanwhile Bob, Jim and Bill were still planting flowers at the civic center "Where is he?" Bill asked "He should be back by now!" Bill turned to his Catfish half brother "Bob." He said "Go to Ichabod's house ad see if he's alright." Bob saluted and headed off Meanwhile Ichabod was trying to get Marzipan to talk to him about her experiance and failing miserably He tried to soothe her by offering her, her favorite brand of Meat Ice Cream but it didn't work Marzipan refused to talk about it, Falco had psychicly implanted the idea in head that she was not a real cat until she had found her heartsong...She was deeply disturbed at the thought this may be true "Tell you what." Ichabod said "I won't ask you just yet, How about we go to Carl's Jr and get Famous Stars?" |
| "I don't know," Marzipan said. "I just don't feel so good right now." Suddenly, Ichabod felt a vibration in his pocket. Darn phone, he thought as he pulled the device out. "Who is it?" "It's me, James," said a familiar voice. "Hey neighbor," Ichabod exclaimed. "I haven't heard from you in a while." "Yeah well I need to get in touch with your father," James said. "I have a case that seems to be up his alley." "Well, I think he's at work. Oh, and I need some help myself. Falco was here, and he put Marzipan under some sort of spell." "Try kissing her on the cheeks, that might work." |
Marzipan giggled as Ichabod kissed her cheeks. "Feeling better?" She smiled. "I guess so." But she knew in the back of her mind that something was not quite right. "I have to go back to the Civic Center and finish helping Bob and Jim and Bill plant flowers." Marzipan felt a moment of panic and clutched his arm. "Don't leave me!" "Why don't you come with me?" Ichabod asked. |
| Marzipan came with Ichabod Meanwhile Falco hid in the forest, he pressed a button on his wrstwatch "Uncle." He said "It is done! I have planted the suggestion in The Cat's mind, in a matter of time she will come with me willigly!" "I'd apprciate if you hurry it up." Skeksis said "You know we're in a hurry." "Uncle." Skeksis said exsaperated "These things do take time." "I'm giving you a week." Skeksis said "No more, than that." Meanwhile at the Civic Center, Marzipan and Ichabod came across Bill and Jim planting purple pansies in front of town hall |
| "Where have you been?" Bill asked. "You were taking a long time so I sent Bob after you." "Well, he must of gone a different route," Icabod said as he picked up a trowle. "In any case, there was an intruder at my place. Thankfully my one neighbor scared him off." "Great, more trouble," Jim said, as he started to pull on a stuborn weed root. |
Bob walked all the way to Ichabod's house without seeing anyone. I wonder where they went? he thought. He walked around the cottage, studying the ground, and noticed signs of a struggle. Oh no! They've been kidnapped! Bob ran back toward the Civic Center to tell Jim about it. He was running so fast he didn't see a vine across the path. He tripped over the vine and went stumbling down a ravine and into a muddy creek. Splash! He dragged himself out, soaking wet, and covered with mud. Dammit! He continued on, but not running, because he had twisted his ankle and had to limp. |
| Bob found that Ichabod and Marzipan were at The Civic Center after everything was Explained Bob fert rather embaressed and started planting White Daisies Meanwhile Falcp had briefly returned to Planet Ava and his home castle "I want to see her." He said "Who?" Skeksis asked "HER!" Falco said firmly "Oh Her." Skeksis said dismissivly "She's in the guest room sleeping." Falco entered the Guest room to find his Lovely Dragon Rose indeed asleep on the Sofa. He took her hand in his and gently rubbed it to bring her back to conciousness |
| "Five more minutes mom," she muttered. "Um, you're at least twenty years old," Falco said. "I don't think you have to worry about that." |
Rose opened her eyes. "Oh! It's you, darling. Did you have a good trip?" "No. Whenever I go to earth there are always problems. Either that place is jinxed or I am." "It's not you, baby," Rose said. She was always very encouraging. Life in Falco's castle was pretty sweet. Rose didn't want to screw it up by getting on his bad side. |
| Falco kissed Rose and ran his scaly hand over her scaly head "I love you Rose." He said "I know you do." Rose said Meanwhile Marzipan was lookig at her4 reflection in a pool of water, big salty tears ran down her little kitty nose and into the water "Poor Marzipan." Ichabod said "What should I do?" "Well." Jim began to say trying to be helpful "You could treat her to her favorite goods so she does not have to cook tonight." Bill was eating and Apple "Yeah." The Bull said "You could ask her what she wants." Ichabod gingerly placed his arm over Marzi's shoulder and asked her "I dunno." Marzi said "Feel kind of like having a cheeseburger..." "Why don't we go to that diner on the edge of the universe." Ichabod said cheerfully "Just a nice casual supper." |
| "The Diner on the Edge of the Universe?" Bill wondered "Isn't that like a gajillion light years away?" Jim rubbed a bright red apple on his sleeve and bit into it. "Oh it's not that faraway if you take the Space Shuttle." He said with a mouthful of Apple "I went there with Jordan last Halloween." Bob rubbed his chin deep in thought "I've been thinking." He said "OMG!" Bill said sarcasticly "Bob's been thinking! Someone call Eyewittness news!" "Oh shut up Thunder Butt." Bob said as he took a green apple out of his lunch box and bit into it...He chewed for a few miniutes before gulping down the fruit and turning to his comrades. "Remember the Night before the Fight of Planet Alderbaren I had a huge craving for Apple Pie?" "Yeah I remember." Bill said as he threw away the Apple Core and pulled out a Can of Soda "I remember Craving that food because I was afraid I had this feeling...I think Marzi is having similer feelings." |
| "And what feeling is that?" Bill asked. "I don't know," Bob said. "It's not like we know a whole lot about her before Ichabod rescued her from those pirates." |
"You know something?" Bill said. "What?" Bob replied. "Sometimes you don't make much sense. I get the feeling you are just talking to be talking." "Really? To me it always seems like I'm making perfectly good sense. Maybe you just don't understand me." "Maybe there is nothing much to understand." "Guys!" Jim said, "We're not going to have another one of those brotherly squabbles are we?" |
| Bob and Bill looked at each other and sighed "You're right Jim." Bill said "But still I don't get what Bob is saying." Bob took a deep breath and said "What I'm getting at here is that like me Marzipan has some psychic powers...I know that night before the Battle I craved apple pie because I had this feeling of that something bad was going to happen...In a way I was preparing for the possibility of death." "You think Marzipan thinks she is going to die?" Jim asked concerned "Well This Asshole Bird has made several attempts to kidnap her..." Bob took the apple core and threw it in a nearby thrash can "I think whatever that Bird did to her mind left her creeped out to say the least. Meanwhile Falco emerged from the guest room looking most refreshed after his conversation of Rose "Uncle I'm hungry." Falco said "After all the hard work I did today I feel I deserve a treat." "You barely did anything." Skeksis said "On the contrary I planted the idea in her head that she needs my guidance...I want a pickled eel with Sourberry wine to wash it down...and have the servant prepare some Breadfruit and have it taken to Rose's room, she told me she is quite famished." |
| "You can have spoiled harring for all I care," Skeksis said angrliey. "If the King finds out what we are doing, it will be your head, on a platter." "I understand clearly," Falco said as he walked away. |
"There goes the world's most arrogant nephew," Skeksis muttered. "He must take after me." Falco walked out on one of the many balconies of Skeksis's palace. This one overlooked a little garden where there was a bench next to a fountain. Sitting on the bench was a familiar figure. Falco cupped his hands to his mouth and yelled, "Hey! Ricardo! Is that you?" The Avan sitting on the bench looked up and grinned. "Aye! It's me! Is that you?" They both laughed. Falco hurried down to the garden to meet his old friend. Ricardo was dressed in red from head to toe except for his white leather boots and white cap. "What brings you to the palace?" Falco said. "Your uncle Skeksis. He wants me to go back to earth with you." Falco frowned. "I can handle things there. Did he tell you to keep an eye on me?" "Not exactly. He just thought you might want some help. Is there a problem?" "The problem is he thinks I can't handle it. He never trusts me to do anything right!" Ricardo smiled. "Don't get angry, bud. I don't think it's like that. Don't you enjoy my company?" |
| Falco said to Ricardo "Look. I don't need your help, I never have and I never will I can do this on my own." "Really?" Ricardo asked "OK. If You insist." Meanwhile Rose heard a knock on the door, she opened to find Skeksis' servant "Here is the Lady's food...Skeksis hopes it is to her liking" It was nothing but Bread and Water. Rose sighed Falco was nice enough but Skeksis was quite cruel to her. Meanwhile at the Diner on the Edge of the Universe the two heroes had finished their supper and were ready to go home, Along the way they saw an old friend of theres Belladonna Starchild the White Dragoness... sitting by herself eating a slice of Apple Pie looking very glum. "Belladonna!" Ichabod exclaimed "I haven't seen you in a long time!" |
| "Ever get one of those day?" Bella asked. "Where everything just goes wrong?" "I think I've had a few of those," Ichabod said. "Why do you ask?" "Let's just say I've had a bad week." |
"Tell me all about it," Ichabod said. "Why?" Belladonna said. "Uh... because it will make you feel better to tell someone about it?" "That sounds like a human idea. Among dragons we say, 'Keep it quiet. Never reveal your pain. A crying dragon is a weak dragon.'" "Oh. Well, you don't have to tell me about it, but I'm just saying I will listen if you want to talk." |
| Belladonna sighed with displeasure and looked at her half eaten slice of Pie. "I lost my Lover." She said "You mean that Turtle?" Ichabod asked "Yeah...Donny..." Belladonna said sniffling "He had to go back to his home universe for reasons to complex to eborate on..." "We get the idea." Marzipan said flatly "Anyway." Belladonna said "I'm gravid with our Dragon/tURTLE Hybrid." |
| At this, Ichabod fainted. Marzipan looked at him in concern. "Why'd he do that?" she asked. "He's not the only one that fainted," Bella said sniffing. "Donny did the same when he heard the news." |
Marzipan patted Ichabod's cheek until he opened his eyes again. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to overreact like that." "It's alright," Belle said. "I'm still getting used to the idea myself. It's unlikely the poor little thing will be able to fly if he has a heavy shell. I don't know how I will deal with a kid who can't fly." "Maybe he won't have a shell," Marzipan said. "He might be like a naked turtle." Ichabod fainted again. |
| After they got Ichabod awake agai they took the Space Shuttle back to Planet Alderbaren. Marzipan said she felt better after that supper she went to bed feeling very full That night Falco made his move, at the first stroke of midnight, He entered Ichabod and Marzipan's bedroom through a vortex of black magic. As soon as he was in he whispered softly "Marzipan...Marzipan Dear." Marzi stirred "Hmm? Who said that?" "I am your angel of music Marzipan I have come to guide you." "Oh...All right." Marzi said completly under his spell With that Falco picked her up like a groom carries a bride and disapeired in the vortex of dark magic. Ichabod was so sound asleep he didn't even notice Marzi leiving the bed It wasn't until breakfasttime when he went down to the kitchen expecting to be served a large breakfast did he realize she was gone! |
| Where did she go? he wondered. Then he heard something break upstairs. Grabbing his service pistol, he went to check it out. ***** A few rooms later, he saw a set of arms and legs sticking out of the bathtub. "Excuse me," said a familiar voice. "But, could you help me up? I'm kind of stuck." "James? How'd you get here? I thought you were off world," Ichabod said as he placed the pistol on the counter. "Well, when someone uses a stolen vortex gun, you get lucky if you end up some place friendly," James said. "Now get me out of here young man. I'm sure my tail went in your drain." |
"I think Marzipan has been kidnapped," Ichabod said as he helped James out of the tub. James looked mournfully at his tail. "If I keep losing tail hairs I'm going to end up looking like a rat." "Did you hear me? I think Marzi's been kidnapped!" "I heard you. OK, obviously that's our top priority now. Let's get on it." "I haven't had breakfast yet." "Me, neither. We'll need some food in our stomach and we need to put some thought into this." "Yes, Ichabod," said, "but I have a pretty good idea who might have kidnapped her... Falco!" |
| Marzipan did not realize she had been kidnapped for the most part she was half asleep through her magical journey through time and space. Falco came to the fortress of his Uncle inside Crystal Mountain, as soon as he got there he put the Cat on a nearby sofa. "The first thing we do prior to your singing lessons is put you on a diet!" Falco exclaimed as he stretched his back...he didn't count on her being so heavy. Skeksis entered looking most pleased with this new development "Ah so you have done as I have commanded." Skeksis said sneering He looked over the sleeping cat from head to toe "She could stand to lose some wait though." "Yes." Falco said "I thought so too." |
| Meanwhile, back at Ichabod's place. "The first thing we need before we go after Falco and his employeer, is information," James said. "Thankfully, I have contacts to some people who owe me favors on the Avian homeworld." "What sort of people?" Ichabod asked. "Chief of Security or some such thing, right?" "No, but there is a smuggler who owes me." "What did he smuggle? Jewels? Weapons?" "No, living flesh, women, sex slaves, that sort of stuff. I let him go in exchange for his boss, and one of his major clients. After all,take out those who want the item, demand deminishes. Then, there is a thief who could help us out." "And what did this theif do that made you let him go?" Ichabod asked with a groan, unable to believe that his neighbor would willingly let criminals go. "She was the only witness to the murder of a security guard at a place she was robbing," James said with a chuckle. "Her testamony got a crooked politician locked up for life." |
| Meanwhile on Crystal Mountain Falco was bringing a dish of Avian Ra'K Berry Soup to Marzipan when he bumped into Rose "Rose!" Falco exclaimed "What are you doing here?" "I got tired of bread and water so I came to look for good food." |
| "By the way, what you got there?" "Um, it's food for one of my uncle's guests." "And what is so special about this guest that she is getting this stuff?" "How did you know that the guest is a she?" "I have a nose, and her scent is on you." |
"Don't get the wrong idea," Falco said. "What's the wrong idea?" Rose asked. "That you have a girl locked up in your room and you are taking her a bowl of Ra'K Berry Soup while I eat bread and water?" "Um, no, that's the right idea, but it was Uncle Skeksis that put you on bread and water." "Don't shift the blame to your uncle. Who is this girlfriend of yours that rates Ra'K Berry Soup?" |
| "She is not my girlfriend!" Falco said exasperated "She is here for my singing lessons!" "Your a singing instructor?" Rose asked "When did that happen?" "Any Ave can teach a Humanimal how to sing." Falco said "It's all a matter of luck." Rose looked unhappy "How about I make you the best Munguon Berry Soup I can create." Falco said "After I bring the pupil her food." Marzipan stirred from her sleep, she smelled good things to eat |
| "Alright," Rose said. "You can give her this, and give her, her lessons. However, if there is any Hanky-Panky going on, I'll have to choose between frying you, or baking you." |
| "Oh My Love I would never cheat on you!" Falco said feeling a little hurt she would even think that of him. "When an Ave mates he mates for life!" He gave Rose a little peck on the cheek...Rose blushed "I guess." She said "But I have trouble believing that you have to understand Falco I was abducted from my home when I was 13 to be a sex slave! It was a miracle that I was able to leave with my virginity still intact." Falco thought about that for a moment and shuddered "I'm aware of the hard, hard life you lived." He said "But from what I understand this Cat-Girl has had an equally hard life as a slave...so try to go easy on her OK?" Falco entered the den where Marzipan was coming out of her dreary sleep...Rose peeked from behind the kitchen doorway to make sure what Falco said was true. "Marzipan." Falco said softly "I brought you food." "Thank you Falco." Marzipan said still somewhat in a trance...she began to lap up the soup like a cat laps up milk from a saucer "I have come to give you the tools you need to find your Heartsong and become a real Cat." Falco said "And make you the envy of all other Cats for years to come!" Meanwhile at Ichabod's house Bob, Bill and Jim were listening to James make contacts with one of his 'contacts.' James pulled up a video phone and dialed a certain number...What popped up on screen was not a Male Ave but a Female Red Squirrel Humanimal. "You're not Moro Milano." James said quickly "Oh I know." The Squirrel said "I'm Lucy Briggins... The King and Queen forced him to hire me as his secretary after the new King and Queen found out he was sex trafficking." "The new policy towards Humanimals?" James asked "Yes." Lucy said "But I have a feeling you want to talk to Mr. Milano...He is right over there!" A Black as night Ave sat in a chair drinking some imported Nutbrown Beer "Hello James." He said not looking at the camera "What do you want?" |
| "Information," James said with a low growl, which startled Moro, causing him to spill his drink. "What do you want to know?" Moro asked nervously. "I'm sending you an image of a young woman. She was kidnapped and taken to your world. I even have a name as to one suspect, Falco." "What do you want me to find out?" "If she's alive, and why was she taken from her home." "What's in it for me?" "I have evidance pertaining to a kidnapping you were involved in a year ago. If the girl is alive and well when we get to her, that evidance will vanish. Otherwise you'll be spending twenty years preforming manual labor on some remote mining colony." |
Moro Milano frowned. "I'll call you back as soon as I have something." "You've got 6 hours," James said. "What?! I'm not Speedy Alkaseltzer." "I know who you are," James said, "and I know I need that info fast. Get on it." Moro slammed the phone shut. "Damn arrogant wolf! He always did think he could push me around." "So you aren't going to do it?" Lucy Briggins asked. Moro growled. "I have to do it. James knows too many of my secrets.. See you later. I've got some business to take care of." |
| Meanwhile Falco was beginning Marzipan's singing lessons "First off all." Falco said "Do you have any of your own compositions?" "Um Yeah Sure." Marzipan said grabbing a nearby mandolin "I got this one..." She played a tune and sang "Come on everybody now, can't you hear the wind blow? We don't like Duke Vortex making peoples heads explode..." "Well..." Falco said "that was cruel and unusual punishment." Marzipan's ears drooped hearing this "Let's start with that song you sang at the Animal Opera." Falco said He sat down at the piano and started to play a tune and Marzipan began to sing. "Think of me Think of me fondly when we've said Good bye Think of me, once in while Please Promise me you'll try." |
"Wait," Marzipan said. "What makes you an authority on giving singing lessons?" "Me? I sung opera for 3 years in the official palace opera house. All Avans have to know how to sing and dance. It's in our culture." Marzipan crossed her arms. "So sing something for me then." Falco shrugged and lifted his arms out like a great singer and opened his beak wide and screeched: Oh, Ava how I love thee A land so brave and free From coast to coast you are lovely From sea to shining sea... Marzipan stopped him. "That's the Avan anthem, isn't it? Every Avan knows that. Is that all you know how to sing?" |
| Falco gave a smirk and sang a strange beguiling tune "Sing Once again for me A strange duet My Power over you Grows stronger yet..." As Falco sang his song Marzi felt paralyzed with strange mixture of emotions she felt fear, happiness, sorrow and regret all at once. Meanwhile Ichabod and his friends were having Lunch at the Black and White...a restaurant owned a by a Panda |
| However, the meal James had ordered was making Bill nervouse, Staek Tartur. "You do realize that I'm right here." the young bull said. "You were not on the case I was just on," the old wolf said. "Besides, you don't get sent through a vortex and not feel hungry." |
"It's not cannibalism if you are not eating your own species," Jim said. Bill stared at him. "Who said anything about cannibalism? What if James ordered fried squirrel? Would you be OK with that?" Jim looked at the forkful of boiled walnuts he was about to eat and sat it back down on this plate. "Do we have to talk about this while we're eating?" Poobah, the Panda who owned the Black and White, walked over. "How is everything today? Are you boys enjoying your meal?" "Trying to," Jim said. "Bill is making it difficult." "How's that hay?" Poobah said. "Dry and crunchy," Bill said. "Just the way I like it." "Are you being sarcastic? It's hard to get moist green hay in the middle of winter, you know?" "I'm not sarcastic! I was raised on dried hay. I love the stuff!" Poobah grinned. "All right then! Everybody's happy!" |
| Bill heard a beeping sound "What was that?" "Oh Just my Phone Watch." James said as he pressed the big red button Moro Milano was calling back "James it's me." Moro said "Your Kitty-Cat-Girl is alive!" "Where is she being held?" James asked "Crystal Mountain." Moro said with a sigh "What kind of place is that?" Bill asked interrupting "It is the stronghold of the Lombardi Family." Moro said "A Mountain made of pure magic crystal...Inside Crystal Mountain the Lombardi's can use their psychic powers to bend reality to their will...It will take a zany scheme of some sort to get your Kitty Cat out of that place." Meanwhile inside Crystal Mountain Marzipan was being shown her bedroom...It was formally Falco's music room but was currently being used as a guest bedroom...Though there was still a large pipe organ in the room. Marzipan's bed looked like an oversize Cat Basket...Complete with a green blanket and white pillow. "This is where you sleep." Falco said "All by myself?" Marzi mewed nervously "You have a problem with that?" Falco asked "Well yes." Marzi said "Ever since I got Catnapped when I was eight years old and forced to work as a slave for some pirates I've developed two main phobias being alone and the dark, and being alone in the dark. That's Why I chose to stay with Ichabod after all the other slaves he rescued went off to find jobs!" Falco felt a wave of pity come over him he wished he did not have to kidnap this poor little creature "I think I have something that can help you...Two things actually...I visited Planet Mizzer your homeworld once and I found some things that might interest you." He pulled a red rubber ball out of his backpack and through it to her, instantly she recognized the scent "My Catnip Ball!" She exclaimed "I thought you would recognize the toy." Falco said "Do you recognize this?" Marzi gasped "My Mother's music box?" It was a Gold Box with the Image of two cats, a male and a female dancing |
| "But how'd you get them?" Marzipan asked. "I thought the place was destroyed when the pirates invaded my world." |
| Ichabod found himself eating corned beef and cabbage prepared by his Father,,,Without Marzipan Supper felt unbearably lonely. |
| "Son, I know what you're going through," Johnathan said. "More than a few people have used your mother to try and get me." "No offence dad, but you and mom were criminals, and could do whatever," Ichabod said with a sigh. "Me, I'm an officer of the law. I can't just go rouge." "Well, me and your mother might be out of the game, but we still have contacts." |
Marzipan held the gold music box and turned it over. There was an inscription on the bottom. May love forever sing in our hearts. A tear fell from Marzipan's eye. "I'm sorry," Falco said. "I diodn't intend to make you sad." "It's alright," Marzi said. "It's a good sadness, remembering the joy my parents had. After I was catnapped I thought I would never know happiness again." "Would you like to chase your catnip ball around the room?" Marzipan wiped away her tear and sighed. "Falco, I'm a little too old to enjoy that kind of play anymore, don't you think?" "I don't know. Maybe trying to have fun would make you happy." At the Crane residence Ichabod was listening to his mom and pop make some phone calls. They did have a lot of contacts. Ichabod would have never guessed they knew Two-face Johnson, Max the Gorilla, Jacky Boom Boom, or Little Bill From Milwaukee. Zheesh! How did he ever end up in law enforcement with parents like these? Or maybe that's the reason, he thought. Teenage rebellion. They were pro-crime so he had to be anti-crime. Well, whatever the reason at least he was on the right side of the law. |
| Jonathan Crane sat down on sofa next to his son "I think I have an answer to your problem." He said "Lazarus can find her." "Who is Lazarus?" Ichabod asked "He is a Hound Humanimal." Jonathan said "One of those Hairless Breeds from South America...anyway there is no better nose than his, he'll find her!" Meanwhile Inside Crystal Mountain Marzipan lay snug in her bed listening to her music box and cuddling her ball....but she could not sleep |
| The place was nice. However, there were things she didn't quite like, such as the diet. She wanted more than just fish for meat. Also, there was one more thing that was missing: Ichabod. |
At that moment Ichabod was packing his backpack with essential supplies, then kissing his mom and dad good-bye. "Be careful, son," Jonathan said. "Don't worry, Dad. This may be the most imporatant thing I have done so far. When I return, Marzipan will be with me." His Mom started crying because it was all just so sweet and beautiful. "C'mon, boy!" Ichabod said to Lazarus the Hound. "Don't call me Boy," Lazurus said. "I'm 33 years old." "Is that dog years or human years?" "Uh... dog years. But I still don't like the Boy thing. Call me Laz if you have to use short words all the time. And remember, I'm the one who is finding the way. If I say turn left then you don't say no I think we should go right. Understand?" "I got it, Laz. Lead on, Hairless Hound." |
Marzipan heard whispering on the other side of the wall...She pressed her ear against wall to listen "Disgraceful!" It was Skeksis voice "Shame on you Falco...How could you defile yourself with an Uplifted Animal?!" (Marzi did not know Rose as the Dragon had kept herself hidden from the cat) "Is it my fault the only woman who could love me was not a member of my own race?!" Falco asked angerly |
| The other guy must be crazy, Marzipan thought. I like Ichabod, not Falco. Then Marzipan heard something move behind her. Turning her head, she saw a dragon emerging from a hidden door. "Well, that's where that door lead," the dragon said. "Now to find the kitchen and get some real food." |
"Who are you?" Marzipan said. "Oh, hi! I'm Rose the Dragon, Falco's special companion. You must be the new singing student." "Is that what I am?" Marzipan said. "And what's a special companion?" "It's like a wife, but in Ava things are different so don't try to make it into too much of an earth thing with a ring and all that." "If you're hungry then you can have the rest of my soup. I don't want it." "No offense, dear," Rose said, "but I don't eat anybody's leftovers. If I can just get into the kitchen I'll be fine." |
| Marzipan was curious...She wondered who this Dragon was and why she was here. She did something she had not done in a while, she used her invisibility magic! It is like like when a chameleon changes color to evade predators, but this magic Marzipan imagined herself blending in with the shadows and the flooring in order to make herself invisible! Rose made her way to the kitchen , not knowing Marzi was following behind her! Rose took a sigh of relief when she finally found the fridge. "Now..." She said "Let's see what goodies Skeksis is hiding from me." She opened the fridge and her eyes brightened with delight "A Salikisquash Cake!" She exclaimed pulling out a cake that was striped orange and black like a tiger "I had only tasted Salikisquash once." She said "And it tasted like salted liquorice...now let's see what an entire cake make from it tastes like! She licked some of the black and orange frosting from the cake...She fainted in a swoon and began withering around, Falco came in as he heard a clamor in the kitchen, without being seen Marzi made her way to her bedroom |
| "Now this is a problem," Falco said as he tried to pick Rose up. "I best get you back to your room before Uncle sees you." |
Falco picked up Rose's arms and began dragging her down the hall. Marzipan returned to visibility and said, "May I help?" Falco dropped Rose's arms and put his hand to his chest. "Whoa! Don't scare me like that! Where did you come from?" "Earth." Marzi said. "No, no, I mean why are you here in the kitchen? Have you been talking to Rose?" "A little bit." "Well, don't believe a thing she says," Falco said. "You grab her feet. We don't have far to go with her. I warned her about eating unauthorized foods. Nobody ever listens to me." |
| After Marzipan helped Rose get back into her room. Falco rubbed his beak and thought "Perhaps it is too dangerous to feed earthlings Ava Food...Perhaps I should mail order some Earth Food to feed my guests." Marzipan was secretly relived when she heard this. "Tell me." Falco said "What do Earth Cats like to eat?" "Well..."Marzipan said "I don't know if I can speak for all Earth Cats...But I like to drink milk, and...I like tuna fish sandwiches for breakfast." "What is in a tuna-fish sandwich?" Falco asked "Well..." Marzi said "You take some canned Tuna fish..throw in a small bucket of mayo..." "Mayo?" Falco asked "As in Mayonnaise? Isn't that made from bird eggs?" Marzipan suddenly remembered what Zander had told her about Ave diets and realized most of her food contained bird in one form or another. Falco look at the confused look on her face and felt another wave of sadness run through him. "Tell you what." He said "Even though it is against my own moral judgement...I'll see what I can do about getting products containing bird eggs." |
| Meanwhile, James was busy checking out his sources. Be it threats, bribes, blackmail, or using favors, he was going to do what he could to help Ichabod find Marzipan. |
Meanwhile, Ichabod and Lazarus were headed for the Spaceport. "But how can you be sure she's not on earth?" Ichabod said. Lazarus rolled his eyes. "You keep forgetting I'm the world's greatest tracker. You have to trust my nose." "But you couldn't possibly smell anything across space!" "It's a psychic nose. Anyway, what we're following is her trail and her trail leads to the Spaceport. Understand?" "Oh. So when we get there we just have to find out what ship she left on." "It's not quite that easy," Lazarus said. "If she was catnapped, then the catnapper might have his own ship and there will be no record of her." Ichabod snapped his fingers. "Of course he does! Because it was Falco!" "I know you believe that," Lazarus said, "But let's just make sure my nose agrees, OK?" "I'm going to call James. He can get us off Earth." Ichabod flipped open his cell. |
| Bill and Jim appeared "Forget about that." Bill said "We'll take you aboard the Fellowship!" "Really?" Ichabod asked "We'll use the old spaceship?" |
| "I just hope the old thing works," Jim said. "We haven't used her in a while." |
The door of the Fellowship was rusted shut so they had to find a hammer and chisel and pry it open. It made a horrible creak as it swung out. "I don't know about this," Ichabod said. "This thing is essentially a junk heap, isn't it?" Jim laughed. "Don't let looks deceive you. I won the Junior Moon Race twice in this ship. She can really kick ass." "But was it all rusty and overgrown with vines then?" "No!" Jim said. "She was shiny and new and I used to wax her every Saturday. She was a beauty. It's sad how she got all rusty like this. Must be acid rain." "Is this the start button?" Bill asked. "Don't touch that!" Jim yelled, slapping Bill's hand away from a big red button. "That's for the ejector seat." Bill frowned. "A spaceship with an ejector seat? Wouldn't that be dangerous out in space?" "It only works when you're in the atmosphere. Listen everybody, please don't touch anything if you don't know what it does. This is not a toy. Now, who is ready to blast off into space?" |
| Bob meanwhile was looking at a broken vortex gun, he studied it analyzed its neutron powers and took a screwdriver and started tinkering with it. "What are you doing now?" James asked "I'm trying to restore this vortex gun's memory so I can get it to remember Marzipan and Falco's path through the forth dimension He finished tinkering with it, and aimed the vortex gun at a Vegetable Sandwich, Ichabod had brought with him "Let's test this." He said as he shot the sandwich The sandwich vanished in a puff of rainbow colored smog "You should not have done that..." James said "Who knows what happened to edible food that goes through the forth dimension. Meanwhile Falco was tuning his pipe organ while Marzipan sat on a couch looking bored "I sure could go for a vegetable sandwich.." She said, the instant she said they, sandwich Bob shot appeared in her lap "Oh look!" She exclaimed "Here is one right in my lap!" "Where did that come from?" Falco asked confused, Marzipan bit into it, and suddenly she started chasing her tail saying "I has a tail!" |
| "Oh great," Falco muttered. "She's either lost her memory, which might be okay, or she's crazy, which is bad. Either way, I'm going to get into trouble." |
"Do you has a tail?" Marzi[pan said. Her eyes were big as saucers. "No more of that sandwich for you," Falco said, and snatched it away from her. Back on Earth, Bob put the smoking Vortex Gun back into it's holster. "Well, it seems to be working. Did the computer record where that beam went?" "Coordinates right here!" Jim said. He was sitting in the navigator's seat staring at a big round monitor. "It went to Planet Ava!" "That settles it," Ichabod said. "If it's Ava then it has to be Falco. Let's saddle up and blast off!" "Everybody strap in!" Jim yelled. "We've got some flying to do." |
| Marzipan had briefly gone back to kittenhood, in no time she was playing with her ball saying "Ball! Ball! I got the ball!" Falco pleaded with his uncle to help find a cure Skeksis said he would but it would cost him a severe pang. Meanwhile, The Good Ship Fellowship reached Ava and parked in front of Crystal Mountain. "We need to get in here somehow..." Ichabod said "But there doesn't seem to be an opening anywhere..." "Maybe this will help!" Bill said, He got down on all fours, lowered his horned head and charged, he didn't break the wall open but he did get a severe bump on his head Meanwhile Skeksis was looking through his magic books looking a cure, Falco made took a shower and after his shower, made himself a sooting cup of Giga Root Tea. Marzipan was still playing with her ball, at one point while Falco was still wearing a bathrobe, the ball went between his legs, and therefore Marzipan went between his legs, her fluffy tail brushing up against his crotch. Needless to say, Falco was flustered for the rest of the morning, he was left giggling "Oooh..Fluffy Cat Fur!" Meanwhile Ichabod had a burst of inspiration, he thought 'If I tough a certain rock on the mountain, a door will just open up for me!' |
| Meanwhile, James was at the ship, searching through his kit. "Crowbar?" Check. "Combat Knife?" Check. "Riot Gun?" Check. "C-4?" Check. "A Good Book To Read?" Triple Check. "A Lovely Girl's Phone Number?" Quadruple Check. "Looks like I have everything I need. Now to break in." |
All this time Lazarus had been strangely quiet. Now he was roaming around the outside of the Crystal Mountain, sniffiing and snorting and scratching his head. "By Jove!" he said. "I think I see how to enter this seemingly impregnable fortress of rock!" "I hope so," Bill said, "Because I have a headache." "I think there is an entrance right here that opens when a certain sound is heard," Lazarus said. "Unfortunately it's a note that is so high only an Avan could produce it." "I hear those Avan bird people are great singers," Ichabod said. "But I've sung a few songs myself. I'll give it a try." Ichabod sung the highest note he could. "Nope," Lazarus said, "That's not nearly high enough." "Hmmm," James said. "Let me ask you something, Ichy. Are you willing to experience a little pain if it means getting into Crystal Mountain?" "Sure!" Ichabod said. "I'd go through anything to find Marzipan." "Then close your eyes and sing that note again." When Ichabod did that, James pulled back his foot and kicked Ichabod in the balls. Ichabod's high note soared into the stratosphere and he tumbled over clutching his groin. "Ouch!" Bill said. "That was brutal." But a section of the wall began to slowly grind open revealing a doorway. "It worked!" Jim said. "Let's go in." "Uh... I think we'll have to wait until Ichabod recovers." |
| Skeksis got Marzipan a magic potion that restored her to her senses, she was knocked out cold after she took it. Falco gingerly picked her up and put her in bed knowing that when she woke up she would feel like she had a a hangover. Meanwhile on the Fellowship, Bob used his Healer's Pen to Heal Ichabod's balls back to normal, Ichabod was back to normal but he felt dizzy and disoriented "Did anyone get the licence number of that truck?" Ichabod asked clutching his head. Bob gave Ichabod a Giga Root to chew on which restored him to his senses |
| "You can worry about delivery trucks later," James said. "Providing we live to see tomorrow." |
Jim and Bill came running up to the Fellowship. "We explored that entrance you opened. It runs for about 100 meters and then there is a big iron door blocking the tunnel. That door looks pretty solid." "That's why I brought the crowbar," James said, "...and the dynamite." Bill whistled. "Oooo, dynamite! That might make a dent in it." "Yeah," Jim said, "and the noise will bring all the guards running." "If there are any guards." "There are always guards," Jim said. "How ya feeling, Ichabod?" "Better," Ichabod groaned. |
| As the heroes entered Crystal Mountain they were being observed, not by video cameras but by massive crystal spiders! The Crystal Spiders and Crystal Birds were the creations of Skeksis, like the Golems of Jewish Folklore they were meant to protect Crystal Mountain from any intruders. However because they're life force was tied to the Psychic Energy of Crystal Mountain it meant they could not function outside it. Our hearty adventurers however took no notice of the oddly spider shaped rocks clinging to the walls, they merely wondered how they were going to get through the door. Meanwhile Marzipan had woken up with the biggest headache she could imagine possible, Falco's soft footsteps seemed like the loudest things ever! Falco knelt down beside her and handed her a piece of fruit. "Here." He said "This will relieve your hangover." "What is it?" Marzipan asked looking at the fruit, it looked like an Apple but was bright blue "You'll see." Falco said Marzipan bit into the fruit, it certainly tasted like an apple, but was much juicier and far more refreshing, she would learn that is was a hybrid creation, an Earth Fuji Apple crossed with a Native Avian Fruit. |
| "It certanially is tasty," she said. "But, it's not what I want." "And just what do you want?" Falco asked. "I want my Ichabod." |
| Ichabod meanwhile was trying to figure out how to get through the iron door. "We have got to find a way to break this door down!" Ichabod said "I'm trying with the crowbar!" James said Ichabod sighed and thought to himself he rested himself against the cave wall, without his knowing, a small crystal bird sneaked up behind him and bit his finger! "Ow!" Ichabod cried putting his wounded bleeding finger in his mouth As soon as he put his finger in his mouth he... vanished! "Wait, what happened where's Ichabod?" Jim asked Ichabod found himself teleported into what at first seemed to be a hall of mirrors but what actually a hall of magic crystals, all purple like Amythists and big enough that you could see yourself from head to toe. Ichabod saw Marzipan sitting on what looked like a statue of a bird made of purple crystal |
Ichabod ran through the hall of crystals. Always the image of Marzipan hung before him. Finally, Ichy stopped running because he was out of breath. "It must be some kind of illusion..." he muttered. He stood still and looked more carefully at all the crystals around him. Now he noticed that many of them contained hazy forms that he could barely make out. Maybe those were other people's illusions. A tinkling noise up above made him look up. Tiny purple crystals came drifting down like snow. He caught one of them in his hands. It sparkled. On impulse he touched his tongue to it. Instantly he was back outside the iron door with the others. "Where did you go?" Jim said. "You just vanished!" Ichabod looked at the finger the bird had bitten. There was till a bit of blood there. "Lick this," he said, holding the bloody finger up to Jim's mouth. Jim jumped back. "What the heck are you doing, Ichy? Have you flipped out?" So Ichabod had to explain about the bird bite and the Hall of Crystals and Marzipan's image and the purple snow. Jim scratched his chin. "OK, now that you've explained it, I'm willing to give it a try." "Ouch!" Bill said. "One of those little crystal birds just bit me!" "Don't lick it!" Jim said. "Wait and we'll all go together. Everybody get a little blood on a finger. Ready? 1-2-3... Now!" And they found themselves together in the Hall of Crystals. "Look!" Ichabod said. Once again he saw Marzipan sitting on a bird made of purple crystal. |
| Ichabod called out to Marzipan but she did not respond, she was still as a statue He called and he called, he even shouted himself hoarse but she would not budge. "It's like she's under a spell of something..." Jim said Then Ichabod got an idea, he started to sing a song Marzipan had taught him when They were small children "Little Lotte, let her mind wander," He sang "Little Lotte thought, Am I fonder of Dolls..." "...Or of goblins of shoes..." Marzipan and Ichabod sang together "Or of riddles of frocks..." Marzipan sang sweetly "Or of chocolates..." Ichabod sang with a chuckle Marzipan slid down from the statue and clasped Ichabod's hands in her She sang "No what I love best Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head!" "The Angel of Music sings songs in my head..." The two of them sang |
| "Gesh," James muttered. "Where's a country music station when you need it?" The others turned to glare at him. "Now that's just plain rude," Bill said. "Maybe, but I don't think this is even real." |
| "Oh it's real all right!" Marzipan said not under a spell now "It is a 100 percent real!" Come on." Ichabod said "Let's get out of the Hell Hole!" Ichabod and Marzipan walked together hand in hand, but then a hole suddenly appeared beneath their feet and they fell down it, they landed in the heart of the mountain, a strange place full of crystal shaped like strange alien beasts! Falco had seen the goings on through his crystal ball and was determined to put a stop to it. He perched on a Rock shaped like a Dragon's head and sang, without them seeing him "Insolent boy! This slave of fashion Basking in your glory! " Ichabod drew out his scythe prepared to do battle, Marzipan ran and his behind a crystal shaped like a serpent Falco continued to sing "Ignorant fool. This brave young suitor Sharing in my triumph!: |
| *Boom!* *Brawk!* "Shut up you little bird," James growled as he held onto his riot gun, which was a short-barrled shotgun. "Let us pass or I'll point this thing at your body and blow you into a hundred pieces." "There's no way you'd be able to do that with that thing," Falco squwacked. "Your projectile weapons can't do that." "Maybe, but you'll have more than one hole in your body that will need to get fixed," James chuckled as he cocked his gun. "This round is designed to deal with flying targets. It almost always hits." |
| Falco gasped, this wasn't how he wanted it to go at all! "I didn't want to do this!" He said "But you leave me no choice!" His bright blue eyes turned purple, he let out a tremendous screech! All of a sudden all the crystal animals in the chamber let out a roar or a hiss or a growl of something Then a swarm of crystal birds appeared! The crystal birds used their wings and beaks to make cuts in the skin, and make it so dark that no one could see anything! Finally Marzipan's voice high and clear above all the noise said "Falco stop!" Falco waved his hand the the birds ceased to fly. Marzipan panted for air and said "If I agree to stay with you will you stop hurting my friends?" "Yes Kitten." Falco said "That I would." "Wait Marzipan!" Ichabod said "You don't have to do this!" |
"No, Marzipan!" Ichabod yelled, but it was too late. Falco and Marzipan had vanished from the cave. Ichabod looked around at the shards of broken crystals. A purple haze hung in the air. "What just happened here?" Jim said. "I've lost Marzipan!" Ichabod wailed. James reloaded his shotgun. "Stop your crying, kid. It ain't over until it's over." "But what can we do?" "We can keep on keeping on." Ichabod clinched his fists. "You're just talking in cliches!" "Sometimes that's where the truth is, kid. What about you? Do you want to give up and go home because the bully won round one?" Ichabod stared at James. Ichabod felt his face grow grim and his jaw grow firm. "No. No, I don't want to give up. I want to keep on keeping on!" Jim let out a cheer. "We'll get her back, Ichy!" |
| Ichabod let out an exsaperated sigh. Than a whoosh of a spaceship went over his head. It was the New Fellowship and that meant only one thing "Captain Matoaka and Zander have found us!" Jim said "Maybe they can help us." Bill said Meanwhile Marzipan confronted Falco who had taken her to the music room "So I'm not really your Student am I?" She growled "I am to be your prisonor!" Falco sighed with displeasure, he took a bottle of Sourberry Wine and took a sip from it. "You have come here for a very special purpose." Falco said "I promise I will give you a beautiful voice if you will give me your magic." Marzipan gasped "My Magic?!" She yowled "Your insane I can't give you my magic!" |
| "Of course you can't give him your magic," said a somewhat familiar voice. "After all, you are to give it to me." |
"Uncle Skeksis!" Falco said. Skeksis was wearing the long purple robe with the extremely high collar. He called it his wizard robe. "All my life I have wanted magic," Skeksis said, "and now it is within my grasp." His long bony fingers closed like a claw around an apple. Marzipan shuddered. "You're both crazy. There is no way to take someone's magic!" "Isn't there?" Skeksis sneered. Falco held up his hands. "Now wait a minute, Uncle Skeksis. I thought I was to be the one to have the magic." "My plans have changed, nephew. My doctor says my condition has worsened. Then I had a brilliant dream last night in which magic cured me. My magic. The magic Marzipan will give to me." "I can give you nothing!" Marzipan wailed. "It's impossible!" Skeksis rubbed his palms together. "We shall see, my pretty. We shall see." |
| Falco looked at Marzipan and claped her paws in his long talons "I'm so sorry Marzipan." He said "But magic must always tranferred willingly...You must give my Uncle your magic willingly if we take by force it would kill you." Marzipan gasped "No!" She said "No I won't give it to either of you!" Meanwhile Captain Matoaka had gathered her boys (And James too) The Boys told their Captain about the tramatyzing experiances at Crystal Mountain while stuffing themselves with Ice Cream Except for Ichabod he had a glass of water |
| James. however, was busy cleaning his weapons. "I'm going to stuff that bird and mount him on a plaque on my wall," he muttered. "I don't leave a job half-done." |
| After Ichabod left the room to have some 'Quiet time.' as he called, Bill, Jim and Bob sat back let their ice cream digest and talk about what happened. "Poor Ichabod." Jim said "It's really not fair how all these bad things keep happening to him." "Well it's because he's the hero of the story." Bill said "The Hero of a Sci-Fi Story always attracts bad luck like a lightning rod." "Yes." Bob said "and more importantly this story is a fairy tale haven't you ever been in a fairy tale before? The Hero has a destiny and the villain wants to stop him from completing it in another kind of story it's the other way around." |
| "I don't like these sorts of fairy tales," James said. "They make me puke." "Well what can we do James?" Bill asked. "It's not like there's another way inside the place." "That's why you make one with explosives." |
"But James," Bill said. "What if your explosives bring the whole mountain crashing down on Marzipan's head and it kills her?" "There is always some risk with explosives, but I try to do it very scientifically." "No explosives," Ichabod said. "We can always get inside by using the bites of the crystal birds. Don't try to turn my fairytale into a blood and guts adventure story." Inside Crystal Mountain, Marzipan continued with her efforts to keep the evil duo of Falco and his Uncle Skeksis at bay. They both wanted her magic. Maybe she could turn them against each other... "It's too bad your Uncle lied to you," Marzipan said. Falco looked at her. "What's that?" "You know... he said my magic was for you when all along it was for him. He just used you to get me here." Falco scratched his chin. "Well... it's not like I ever trust the old coot to completely tell the truth about anything." Uncle Skeksis harrumphed. "A coot, am I? After I get hold of this little kittycat's magic I won't be a coot anymore." Skeksis looked at Marzipan with a gleam in his eye. "Maybe she won't be so unwilling when she finds out what I am going to do to Ichabod if she doesn't give me her magic." Marzipan gasped. "Don't you harm him! He has nothing to do with this!" "Oh, but he does," Skeksis sneered. "Because if you don't give me your magic, then I am going to have Ichabod slowly torn to pieces while you watch." Marzipan put her hand over her mouth. "Oh! You are so evil! How can this be happening to me?" |
| Falco looked at Marzipan very carefully...He tried to find out what made her magic so powerful but he could not figure it out. "Uncle." Falco said "May I have a quiet word with you alone?" "What about the Cat?" Skeksis asked "She can enjoy the refreshments." Falco said he snapped his fingers and wonderous spread of alien delights appeared. Marzipan looked suspious but tried to look grateful as The Two Birds left to anouther room. Marzipan wondered if the food was drugged or poisoned she put a yellow alien fruit in her mouth, it tasted a little like a pomeganate seed...But even more extrodanary she could hear Falco and Skeksis conversation "I don't see what's so good about her." Falco said "Foolish fool!" Skeksis said "This Cat has a divine destiny, the Humanimal Prophets said she is to wed a human and bring peace to all species!" |
| Meanwhile, James was working on another plan to get in. "First off, we find a thin spot near the top, and then we fire a rocket-propreled granade. That will make a big enough hole that we can fire a grapling hook and rope through and climb up." "I told you, no explosives." "And I don't fancy the idea of letting crystal bite me." |
"Are you absolutely sure that your grenade will only blow a small hole in the roof?" "Yes, I am," James said. "I'm an explosives expert. I know what I'm doing." Everyone put their fingers in their ears as James fired his rocket-propelled grenade. It sailed up toward the top of Crystal Mountain and kept on going. "What was that?!" Ichabod said. "You missed!" "Just a little problem with this aiming thing here." "You said you were an expert!" James shrugged. "A true expert knows nothing ever works perfectly the first time. Let's try this again." The rocket sailed up and landed on the mountain followed by a large bang. "That should do it," James said. "Bring the rope." Soon the rescuers were sliding down the rope into the depths of Crystal Mountain. This time the cave they found themselves in was filled with junk - old broken furniture, boxes of musty books, discarded children's toys. "We must be in the attic," Bill said. |
| Falco and Marzipan were talking in the music room, Falco was trying to gently persuade Marzipan to give up her magic and Marzipan staunchly refusing. Suddenly his wristwatch beeped, he looked into it and saw the intruders. "Oh!" He groaned don't they ever learn?" He pressed a button on his wristwatch and all of a sudden fantastic alien beasts all made of crystal came to fight the heroes! Ichabod attempted to cut off the head of a Crystal Avian Serpent but his scythe got stuck in the neck. A Crystal Dragon breathed crystal fire at James. A Little Crystal Snake put a piece of fruit in Ichabod's hand he put it in his mouth, it tasted a little like a granny smith apple and a little like a Fuji apple. Soon he found himself teleporting into the hall of crystals "You!" Came Falco's voice "How many times must I turn you out boy before you finally get the hint?" "Let Marzipan go!" |
| Meanwhile, James was busy trying to organize the others into a fighting formation. "Come on guys," he said. "Back to back." "Where's Ichabod?" Bill asked. "He seems to have vanished." "Let's just pray he's having better luck than us," James said as more crystal creatures appeared. |
Soon the great hall was filled with the sound of shattering crystal as James and company struck blow after blow against their crystal foes. "They just keep coming!" Bill said. "Soon we will be knee deep in glass." Meanwhile Ichabod and Falco faced off. Marzipan was worried sick. "Ichabod!" she said. "Go away and be safe! Please!" "No!" Ichabod said. "I couldn't live with myself if Falco gets your magic. I have to stop him or die trying." "Then prepare to die!" Falco sneered. |
| Falco pulled out his magical lasso and tried to lasso around Ichabod's neck, but speedy Ichabod was too quick...As soon as he attempted to ensnare Ichabod the young human jumped away. "Why do you want Marzipan so much?" Ichabod asked using his scythe to deflect the lasso "Her magic is no differnt than other cats." "You don't understand Human." Falco said "Marzipan has a unique magical aura that attracts spirits." "Oh." Ichabod said sarcasticly "That's the reason? I thought you just wanted to deflower Marzipan!" Falco dropped his lasso shocked, he may be evil but he did not rape young teenagers even he had standards! "How dare you!" He growled he clacked his beak "Perhaps I should give you a taste of what I was best known for!" He then put Ichabod over his knee and gave him a good hard spanking! Meanwhile in the Attic a humongous Crystal Hydra or multi-headed dragon saw that they were losing the battle and opted to finish the fight The Hydra opened its three heads and tried to drown them in ice cream |
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