New Mars (2 of 2)

Potesta, encasing herself in a black aura: "I will use my Order Alliance ability to restore the natural order of things, accelerating the decay process of those corpses." 

Potesta walks to the ridgeline facing the undead army, her black aura expanding out around her several meters across.

Acies powers up, glowing red, wielding two swords in a wide arc around him: "Speed."

Acies, walking up to Potesta's right: "Lord, hear my prayer. The souls of your children have been ripped from your loving embrace. Please lend me your strength so I can return them to you."

Acies request for a miracle is granted, his speed accelerating to the point where he is no longer visible, becoming a whirling, spherical blur of red tinged light. While the radius of Acies circle is less than Potesta's, he zigzags across a central point, covering equal ground.

Sloth: "What a drag, but it seems unavoidable. I'll establish a time acceleration bubble around myself, aging anything it touches by eons. Sigh—this is going to use up all the energy I stored up while asleep."

Parvul, sarcastically: "Storing up energy, huh? You had me fooled. All this time I thought you were just goofing off as usual while we did all the work taking out the bad guys." 

Sloth glows purple, walking over some distance to the left of Potesta, leaving a gap in between them. His purple time acceleration bubble expands till it matches the width of her black one. 

Parvul: "Our turn nanobots—time to for you to disassemble anything you come into contact with."

Parvul glows metallic silver as she walks over, filling in the gap between Potesta and Sloth, cloaked in an expanding cloud of nanobots equivalent in circumference to her friends' spheres of influence.

Terridus, glowing pink: "I call upon wind and fire—firenado!"

A whirling maelstrom of pink tinged red fire erupts around Terridus, its heat lifting her up into its core. Astonishingly, she is completely unharmed by the flames. Although it's polar opposite in nature, the firenado resembles a water spout, with flames substituting for water.

Terridus, determined: "I will draw in and incinerate all enemies in my path."

Terridus takes her position to Acies' left. In the distance a multitude of bright lights and booming explosions spring up across the landscape at the base of the defender's fortress, signaling the start of the defenders' counteroffensive.

As the five friends move forward over the ridge, the undead army takes note of their arrival on the scene and begins streaming toward them. Long range enemy weapon fire bombards them, only to be nullified at the boundary of their Alliance powers. The friends continue moving forward toward the defenders' fortress and the approaching enemy front. Within moments the tidal wave of enemy hordes makes physical contact with the friends' spheres of influence. Though operating by different mechanisms, the net effect for those undead encountering Potesta, Sloth, and Parvul's Alliance powers is the same—whether by restoration of normal cellular aging, senescent decomposition with the passing of accelerated time, or deconstruction of molecular bonds—dissolution into dust. In contrast, Acies acts as a human meat grinder, mincing the undead raining down on him, shrugging their remains aside like rain from a windshield wiper. While not predisposed to ostentation, Terridus' firenado is by far the most flamboyant tactic, with its swirling flames hungrily sucking in the undead, instantly incinerating them—no dust, but only a sharp, sizzling snap exuding an ephemeral puff of smoke. Even so, as an undead army under the control of someone else, they are unfazed, continuing their relentless march to oblivion.

Hiro, Artifice, and Pericula walk hand in hand, unseen, weaving their way through the undead army, which continues to stream in the direction of their friends.

Artifice: "We've been walking through the undead army for a while now, but I still don't sense anyone except for the New Mars residents inside the fortress."

Hiro: "Could the person controlling the zombies be inside the fortress?"

Artifice: "The Militant Faith has countermeasures against other factions, so it's unlikely an enemy within their midst would go undetected."

Pericula, tugging on Hiro's hand: "Hiro, that bad lady is making us lost. We should go this way instead of listening to her."

Hiro: "Pericula, Artifice is just trying to help. What makes you think that direction will be any better?"

Pericula: "It's just a feeling I have."

Artifice: "We're just wandering around aimlessly at this point anyway, so we may as well follow her."

Hiro: "Alright then, Pericula. Lead on."

Artifice, several minutes later: "There's something large moving up ahead of us. Let's get a closer look."

Hiro, after approaching more closely: "It looks like a giant zombie caterpillar with a saddle on its back, and someone is riding it!"

The caterpillar rider gestures, and a portion of the undead soldier horde waiting in attendance shuffle off in response.

Artifice: "Whoever it is appears to be directing the undead."

Pericula, sticking out her invisible tongue: "See I told you so. I'm smarter than you. Blaaahhhh."

Artifice, ignoring her taunt: "It's odd though, I still don't detect a human presence."

Pericula: "You're just making excuses cause you lost."

Artifice, a blue aura flashing briefly: "I've reach out to the others letting them know we've located the puppet master, so they'll be making their way toward us. Let's stay hidden and monitor the situation until they arrive."

Pericula takes a step, but her cloak is ripped off of her, snagged on some metal jutting from the ground.

Pericula, now visible, panicking: "Oh no, my cloak!"

Pericula flails out, trying to grasp back her invisible cloak. When she does latch onto it, success turns into failure at the sound of tearing fabric.

Pericula, freaking out loudly: "Oh no Hiro, I messed up. What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?"

Hiro: "Shhusssh. Don't make so much noise, he'll hear you. It'll be ok. We can share my cloak before he notices ..."

The enemy, turning in their direction, rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. What have we here? A young sweet little mouse appearing out of nowhere? Who were you talking to just now? I can't believe you made it here all by yourself."

Pericula falls to her knees and begins bawling uncontrollably: "I'm so sorry Hiro, it's all my fault."

Looking at the undead general, they see a rotund, medium statured man in an earth tones plaid suit with a bright red carnation pinned to his lapel. His hair is a curly orange, adorning only the sides and back, but not top of his head. 

Once again, the enemy rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. It's rude not to answer me. Priscilla, share some of your silk with her."

In response, the giant zombie caterpillar turns its head toward Pericula, clicks its mandibles, and fires a burst of white thread at her. Hiro leaps out from under his cloak, instantly becoming visible. He magically calls forth a shield, and intercepts the creature's silk attack before it hits Pericula. 

Hiro, defiantly to the enemy: "Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

Enemy rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. Glad that you asked. I am Fraus, soon to be ruler of this wretched place. But of course, it is only a stepping stone onto bigger and better things. Now that I've answered your questions, you can answer my questions. Who are you and why are you here?"

Hiro: "I'm Hiro and we're here to rescue my friend's sister."

Artifice, still invisible, whispers: "Way to keep him guessing Hiro."

Chastised, Hiro's face becomes flushed.

Fraus rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. We, huh? So those are your meddling friends out there stirring up trouble with my undead army. Well, no matter. This planet is a fertile ground of undead, I will just raise more. First things first—time for you to die. Don't fret though, you'll be joining the ranks of my army after your death."

Fraus signals, and the surrounding undead take note of Hiro and Pericula to move in closer, surrounding them.

Artifice, in an urgent, but subdued voice: "My Alliance abilities don't work against enemies who aren't alive. I thought it required a living entity to raise up the undead, but we don't have time now to figure out why I can't sense Fraus. I'll do what I can to defend us, but our friends won't be here in time to save us, so you'll have to come up with a plan fast."

Hiro, sitting down and closing his eyes: "I have an idea. You just need to buy us a little time."

Artifice, thinking: "I'm nowhere close to Acies' Militant Faith abilities, but I'll take whatever boost I can get."

Artifice, aloud: "Reflex."

Artifice maintains her invisibility, and although she does not glow with the red aura of a Militant Faith member, she exhibits exceptional athleticism, decapitating the encroaching undead using a sickle in each hand. Even so, there are clearly too many of them. 

Fraus rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. Even though I can't see them directly, I deduce one of your friends must still be invisible, and is defending surprisingly well. No matter, they'll be overwhelmed soon enough. I'll just sit back and enjoy the show." 

Hiro, thinking: "We can't defeat this enemy on our own. If I can reach out to Gaia through our connection, she can help us win. Now ... focus."

Hiro opens his eyes, finding himself standing next to a waterfall surrounded by vegetation. 

Hiro: "Gaia! Gaia!"

Gaia, who appears to have been standing unnoticed off to Hiro's side the entire time, with a slight smile: "No need to shout Hiro, I'm right here." 

Hiro, momentarily startled: "Oh, you're here, thank goodness. We need your help. We're on New Mars and we're surrounded by an undead army. Artifice is holding them off, but they're about to overwhelm us."

Gaia: "A sentient planet would have the ability to retrieve all non-living matter, including the undead, back into itself. However, I sense only scant life on New Mars. As such, planet-wide sentience hasn't developed."

Hiro: "But, there must be something we can do."

Gaia: "There may be a way to kick start the planet's attainment of consciousness, although it's dangerous. You would act as a conduit to funnel universal life force into the planet—the strain upon your mind and body would be immense."

Hiro: "We don't have a good alternative, so I need to try."

Gaia, resigned: "Very well then, prepare yourself."

Gaia places one hand atop Hiro's head, lifting her other hand skyward, reaching out to other sentient worlds.

Gaia: "Hear me my brethren. Adherents of the Path of the Shield are in peril on the planet they call New Mars. I beseech you to bestow a portion of your life force to awaken this planet's consciousness—we will give rise to a new one among us, so that it may put an end to the evil that threatens them."

In response to Gaia's request, an invisible web of universal interconnectedness flares brightly as the network of sentient planets transfers a portion of their essence to her. The air above Gaia's extended hand flashes and appears to bend as physical space is warped by the focusing of so much enormous raw power. Hiro's spiritual form is transformed into pure light by the incoming energy. Back on New Mars, Hiro's physical body starts to slowly sink into the ground, leaving only his head exposed. Hiro starts to shudder as his unblinking eyes reflect rapidly changing mathematical formulas.

Artifice, breathing heavily as she continues to defend against the undead: "Pericula, what's happening to Hiro? Is he ok? Pericula? Where did you go?" 

Underneath them, the ground starts to rumble with a deep sundering sound. Around them, the planet's natural lighting shifts to a brighter hue. As one, the undead army begins a decaying descent, subsumed into the soil.

Fraus rubs his hands together, jumps up momentarily, clicking his heels: "keh, keh, keh. What's happening to my undead army? What have you meddling children done? It's not fair. It's not fair. It's not fair ..."

As his zombie caterpillar steed melts into the ground, Fraus meets the same fate as his undead army when he comes into contact with the ground. Hiro's eyes close and his body is gently pushed upward and released from the earth. Artifice, discarding her cloak, sports a multitude of cuts and abrasions as she spins around sprinting exhaustedly to Hiro's side. Confirming that he is still breathing, a relieved sigh escapes her lips. She looks up to see five dust clouds moving rapidly in their direction. Almost upon them, the dust clouds stop abruptly, revealing themselves to be her friends.

Artifice, smiling relieved: "I'm so glad you're all here. What took you so long?"

Sloth: "Once the undead army disintegrated, we were able to put all of our energy into getting here as rapidly as possible."

Terridus, distraught: "Oh no, what happened to Hiro? Is he ok?

Artifice: "He's fine, just exhausted."

Parvul, glaring at Hiro: "Hmmmpfff. Insensitive dummy, making us worry as usual."

Acies: "We couldn't have kept fighting off that undead army indefinitely. So how did you defeat them?"

Artifice: "Suffice to say that we found the ring leader, who called himself Fraus. He dissolved into the ground with the rest of his army. We have Hiro to thank for that, although we'll have to ask him for the details."

On cue, Hiro stirs and open his eyes: "Gaia helped me awaken New Mars' consciousness. The planet saved us by retrieving all non-living matter back into itself."

Artifice: "That confirms my suspicion. When I tried to sense Fraus' presence earlier something was off—it was like he wasn't really there. I wasn't able to sense Fraus,  because he was never really alive."

Terridus: "He must have been some type of magical golem. A golem isn't really alive, so this planet would have returned Fraus to the soil too."

Artifice: "It still doesn't make sense though. Didn't Master Laetus teach us that only living beings have the ability to cast resurrection spells?"

Terridus: "That's right. A golem isn't capable of resurrecting the undead, so a living person must have cast the resurrection spell. That same person could have used magic creating the golem to act as a decoy.

Acies: "I don't see Pericula. Where is she? Is she ok?"

Potesta, looking over at a rock outcropping: "Pericula, why don't you come out from behind those rocks over there and join us?"

Pericula, emerging, grudgingly compliant: "No fair. How did you know I was there?"

Potesta: "I sensed someone over there, and since members of our group are the only ones in close proximity, it just stood to reason."

Potesta and Artifice glance at each other, nod slightly, then walk to either side of Pericula.

Pericula: "Wait, what's going on? Hey, don't touch me. Keep your hands off."

They each grab hold of one of her shoulders. Artifice glows blue, extending a psychic thread into Pericula, which encounters a lidded glass jar containing a blue light. The thread divides with one end wrapping around the jar to hold it in place, while the other encircles the lid, twisting it open.

Artifice, commanding: "Reveal your true self."

The image of the unkempt little girl waivers, replaced by the image of a young woman wearing a billowing neck to floor, sparkling red paisley dress, her purple hair pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. Her torn teddy bear replaced by a metal capped, black wooden wand.

Pericula, doubling over with wild laughter: "So you geniuses finally figured it out, sure took you long enough. It was sooo obvious that silly golem didn't resurrect those Militant Faith corpses. And all those times I had to tell you I suffered from seizures, trying to hide the fits I was having suppressing my laughter."

Parvul, to Artifice: "Why weren't you able to detect her deception Artifice?"

Artifice: "She was doubly disguised, casting an illusion spell using her own magic, and I suspect someone extremely skilled within the Psychic Alliance created a psychic shield that hid her true self. She maintained physical distance from me since contact would have jeopardized her psychic disguise."

Hiro, to Pericula: "I can't understand this needless death and destruction. What could possibly motivate you to do all this?"

Pericula: "I'll answer your question, but first have your lackeys release me."

Potesta and Artifice glare at Pericula, and then over at Hiro, who sheepishly shrugs in response.

Pericula, released from their grip, hugs herself in pleasure: "What a thrill those near-death experiences were. My blood was surging, I felt so alive!"

Terridus: "But when we were in that ocean, you could have been killed too!"

Pericula, excitedly: "Of course, that's why it was sooo much fun!"

A maniacal, rapturous expression sweeps over Pericula, her arms out stretched and her head tilted back, as she breaks into song: 

"I need the charge, kick, rush

Buzz, bang, flush, flash, flutter

Quiver, shiver, shudder

Tingle, tremble, tremor

Wave, shake, convulsion, quake

Flutter, flush, twitter, twitch

Sensation, exhilaration

On the precipice of

Dangerous, deadly, doom"

Pericula concludes with an ostentatious bow.

Parvul, unimpressed: "So what do we do with her now?"

Pericula: "Do? Who says you can do anything with me? Have you noticed the paisley pattern on my dress? This dress is a forbidden, legendary Chaos item given to me by the Nihilist himself. He suggested I wear it to power up and have some fun. After all, there is a close connection between chaos and magic, so why not, right? Behold."

The monotone paisley pattern on Pericula's dress takes on vibrant colors and begins swirling. The ground underneath their feet shudders and overhead clouds speed by. A low moan emanates from the core of the planet.

Hiro: "Stop it, New Mars is alive now. You're hurting the planet."

Pericula: "How wonderful, perhaps I can use my Unwilling Resurrection spell again without this silly planet interfering this time."

Acies dashes to subdue her, but is rebuffed by an invisible barrier.

Pericula: "Feel free to keep trying, but none of your attacks will work against me. Let's see if you have any strength left to resist another undead army."

Pericula glows pink, chanting the Unwilling Resurrection spell.

Terridus, to Hiro: "Hiro, hold my hand."

Hiro, swallowing: "Um, Terridus, now's not really the time ..."

Parvul: "You oaf, she's not hitting on you. Just do it." 

Hiro, abashed, holding Terridus' hand: "Oh, ok."

Terridus is engulfed in her pink Magic Alliance aura.

Terridus: "Hiro, do you think you can do it with me like when you did it with Potesta?"

Hiro, blushing: "B... b... but nothing of the sort ever happened."

This time Terridus turns bright red.

Parvul, smacking Hiro on the back of the head: "Pervert. Get your mind out of the gutter. She wants to combine her Alliance ability with yours."

Hiro, suddenly serious: "Yes, of course, understood."

Hiro closes his eyes, envisioning his Chaos power as a swirling mass of multi-colored, luminescent string. A pink thread reaches out from Hiro, tentatively touches the pink aura that is Terridus, then wraps around her in an embrace.

Terridus: "Aaaaaahhhh."

Potesta: "Terridus, what's wrong, are you alright?"

Parvul, scowling: "Don't worry, I'd say she's more than alright."

Acies, looking around: "Guys, whatever you're going to do, you better hurry. Zombie soldiers are rising up once again."

Terridus: "Hiro, I'll counter Pericula's magic while you try to counter her Chaos item.

Hiro: "Right, I'm on it."

As Terridus begins chanting, oversized pink mallets appear above every undead sprouting from the ground, thumping them back down with finality.

Parvul: "That's awesome Terridus."

Terridus, proudly: "I call it my whack-a-mole spell."

Pericula, frustrated : "How can you be stronger than me? It's impossible!"

Terridus, defiant: "I don't care if it's impossible. I won't let you hurt my friends."

Pericula, spitefully: "Then I'll just use my Chaos item to destroy the entire planet."

Hiro and friends struggle to stay on their feet as New Mars' shuddering increases.

Artifice: "Hiro, you've got this right?"

Hiro, concentrating: "Just a little bit more."

Pericula's dress appears to be stretching away from her in several places, attempting to separate from her. She resists, grabbing at it, trying to pull it back into place. 

Pericula, addressing her dress: "No. Stop. What is this? Where do you think you're going? You're under my control, you can't leave. Hey, obey me!"

Hiro extends his hand out, dissipating any remaining control Pericula has—the dress melts off Pericula, shoots through the air, painting itself onto Hiro. Pericula is left looking ridiculous in bra and panties, raging at her situation. Hiro looks even more ridiculous, his clothes supplanted by the Chaos dress.

Acies, laughing: "Ha, I'd say I was surprised, but this isn't the first time I've seen you wearing a dress." 

Artifice, interest piqued: "So Hiro is a cross dresser? You'll have to tell us about that."

Parvul: "I knew you were a perv Hiro, but now I know what a kinky perv you really are."

Potesta, serious, to Hiro: "How did you that?"

Hiro, embarrassed: "Well, I just reached out and started chatting with it is all. It said it was created for use by Chaos Alliance members, and only allowed Pericula to use it since it thought the Chaos Alliance was eradicated. It um, thinks I'm a Chaos Alliance member so I invited it to join me, and it agreed."

In the background, Pericula attempts to slink away.

Sloth, waking up briefly, flashing a purple aura: "Where do you think you're going. Gravity field."

Pericula's weight is magnified several-fold, pinning her to the ground.

Artifice: "Aren't you going to try and save her Hiro? After all, it's what you do."

Hiro: "It's just ... she's hurt so many people. She seems to truly enjoy inflicting harm on others. Maybe if she shared her back-story I would have more empathy for her.

Pericula: "Backstory, ha! You think I'm some minor character, while you're the hero, don't you? Maybe there is no back story. Perhaps I'm like this because it's fun. Besides, I don't need to make excuses and beg for your forgiveness just for being true to myself."

Parvul, looking up: "Acies, your sister Pieta is about to arrive."

A hover craft drops out of the clouds, landing alongside them. Acies' older sister, Pieta, exits the craft in full military gear along with two of her comrades. Acies runs up to her, raising her off the ground in his fierce hug.

Acies: "Big sis! I'm so relieved you're alright."

Pieta: "Thanks to you and your friends. Ummm, I'm still on duty you know. Can you put me down now?"

Acies: "Oh, sure, sorry."

Pieta, smiling: "No need to apologize, I feel the same way. Parvul filled us in on what's transpired."

Potesta: "What should we do with Pericula? We can't take her with us."

Pieta: "In that case, I'll be more than happy to assist. Soldiers take the perp into custody."

The soldiers obey, placing handcuffs on Pericula.

Pieta: "You can release the gravity field now, those handcuffs will inhibit her magic ability, and she doesn't pose a physical threat."

The purple aura fades from Sloth, who appears to be asleep again.

Artifice: "Before you take her away, she mentioned she was working with someone in the Psychic Alliance. That could be the lead we need to eventually locate the Nihilist."

Pericula, defiant: "I won't betray my comrades."

Artifice, walking toward her, smugly: "Who said you had a choice in the matter?"

Pericula, apprehensive: "No, I don't give you permission to enter my mind. Stay away." 

Artifice smiles as she dons her blue aura, placing her hand on Pericula's forehead. A look of concentration passes across Artifice's face, followed by Pericula slumping into unconsciousness.

Artifice, seemingly disappointed: "That was easier than I expected. I'll fill all of you in when we're back on the ship."

Hiro: "Remind me not to get on her bad side. She can be really scary sometimes."

Acies vigorously nods in agreement. Pieta gestures to her subordinates, who escort Pericula into their ship.

Pieta: "The inhabitants of New Mars are truly blessed that God chose to bring you to us. I still don't know how you managed it though."

Hiro: "Well, it was a tough fight, but working together we were able to defeat Pericula."

Pieta: "You misunderstand, I'm not referring to the battle with Pericula."

Acies: "So what is it you're saying?"

Pieta: "As a former resident here little brother I thought you would have started to notice by now."

Acies looks around and stares back blankly.

Pieta, sighing: "It's almost nightfall."

Acies, lightbulb goes off: "So why isn't it freezing cold already?"

Pieta: "Exactly. During the battle, when the earth tremors began, our scientists determined that New Mars' orbit has shifted and stabilized in a way that will mitigate the planet's weather and temperature extremes. Going forward, New Mars will experience a moderate climate, transforming it into a world with great promise for an abundant future."

Hiro, eagerly: "Oh that, well New Mars is sentient now. It probably did it as an expression of love for its inhabitants."

Pieta, smiling: "Another child of God is always welcome." 

Acies: "Sorry Pieta. I know we just got here, but we need to continue on with our journey."

Pieta: "I understand. I must say I'm impressed by how much you've grown, and thankful for all the wonderful friends you've made. Promise me you won't wait for another planetary crisis before visiting again."

Acies, hugging her once more: "I promise."

Acies releases his hug and he and his friends start the trek back to their ship.

Terridus, to Hiro: "It's wonderful that you are able to control your Chaos abilities now."

Hiro: "Thanks Terridus. I feel that I've made some real progress."

Potesta: "Don't get too cocky, you've still got a long way to go—in fact, you haven't even managed to manifest a Chaos aura yet."

Parvul: "Way to put that pervert in his place Potesta."

Hiro shakes his head, frantically waving his arms in denial.

All of them snicker in response, including Sloth, who appears to be sleep walking.