The wind whistled past her loudly, swishing in circles and tossing her hair about. The thermals up here were fun to watch - occasionally the bird inspired hero would soar by and catch one... how they seemed to dance.. All around her she could just begin to peek at the tops of the other skyscrapers as the sun set, setting the world into a wonderous orange hue.
She came here from time to time.. to get away from people, to think, to feel.. she wondered if the people below her suspected it was raining..
"You crushed his spirit in ways I could never have hoped to." No matter what anyone said, that demon was right. It had been her fault.. And then she wasn't even there to say good bye.. She caused it, and then couldn't even help undo it.
Now there's all this talk of his soul being reachable.. and 4 different people are all planning to "visit" him. Had she spoken up, it mighta been 5.. but her own insecurities again stepped in the way. Again.. a missed chance.
Nothing was making sense anymore.. with a sigh she stood up, enjoyed the wind across her face for a moment more before spreading her arms and taking the dive.. oh how it felt like flying..
The stranger stepped off onto the road leading to the farm, looked around, and nodded approvingly. From a black salesmans briefcase, a Bible was drawn and flipped open, its pages mirror-bright. The stranger considered himself in the reflection of the Word, adjusting his hat on his head to a rakish angle, and set foot toward the house before him.
The doorbell sang a jaunty tune, to tell those inside of the strangers arrival. He stood at the door, playing his fingers over the doorframe, as if to search for meaning lying within the patterns of the wood itself.
Shortly, the door creaked open, and Roy stand within the frame thus questioned. Hello, there. Cn I help ya with somin? He looked tired, worried.
Good morning to ya, Roy. Wanted to stop in and see how you were doing. Beautiful farm youve got here. Couple spots I can probably help ya out with though, and it looks like y been having some rough times. One farmer to another, yknow. Cn I come in?
The stranger stepped inside. Roy followed. Don remember seein you round these parts before..
The stranger nodded. Im a friend. Not from these parts, though. Down the road a ways. He swung the briefcase over and let it land on the table with the thump of tooled leather on wood. On the case was affixed a patch, on the verge of falling off. It flipped up with the movement, revealing engraved on the side of the suitcase a wavy line symbol of a river, before a curved and horned stylized shape a bird or flower perhaps, or the swing of a scythe, a babys cradle or a demons head. Then the patch flipped down to cover the glimpse, bearing in front of it an image of a half moon. Talk to me, Roy. Hows your farm been doin?
You some kind of salesman, then? Aint the best time..
Hell, Roy, I aint gonna try and sell ya anythin you dont already have. The stranger fixed his eyes on the table and ran his fingers over its surface, stopping and caressing a knot in the wood measuringly. Had some trouble lately, have you?
..Yeah.. M son.. es hurt bad.
The stranger tilted his head at the table. Yeah, so I see. He frowned. Roy, a mans farm, its more than your castle. Its your skin and bones. Y need to clear up some of those stumps and pests and things, or the tomatoes are gonna go bad. And then theyll get right confused when you complain about it.
Roy blinked. The hell?
The stranger raised his hands. Roy, Roy, Dyou know where your farm is? I mean really, really know where it is? Cause everyone, theyre gonna start wonderin.
O course I know where th farm is..
No, Roy, do y really- know where yer farm is? Look, you need to come take a look around my back forty, and I walked here t see you. I know y want to make sure the farm is safe, but itll keep for a little while. Hows about it?
The pickup truck bounced over the ruts in the road as the road became more and more forlorn, until one final bend and they were there. Everywhere was dust, dried grasses, dead trees in the distance. A giant smiling clowns face, the doorway to a funhouse, hung faded and broken by age and abandonment, smiling eyes looking regretfully out over the landscape. A merry-go-round slowly collected rust, wind-blown dust slowly building a new hill to bury it. A roller coaster stood ahead, slowly rusting into a hulk. The ticket booths closed sign hung from one nail, paint faded and chipped into obscurity, wood weathered and twisted.
Here we are, Roy. This is my place. My humble home. Youre welcome here anytime.
What th hell is this place?
This is my home. I watch the place. Keep it clean. Its my job.
I thought you said you were a farmer?
I am a farmer, Roy. This is my soil. You put the seeds in the ground, you get tomatoes. People come to you for the tomatoes to make them feel better. I put the pain in the ground, I get tears. People come for the tears to make them feel better. Same thing, really.
Place aught be condemned.
Roy, if nobody kept this place up, no-one would ever be able to get the kind of tears I make. They couldnt even say what they needed. Its in the dictionary. It is- the dictionary.
Yr insane..
The stranger sighed, delaying his departure from the truck. Roy.. Theres some people. Theyre gonna try and take your farm away, Roy. He sighed, pausing. Theyre not even gonna try and yank it away from you while you fight it. Theyre gonna try and get you to throw it away like it was trash. Theyre gonna tell you it isnt real.
Every night, I go to bed, I go to the place those people are from. The stranger frowned. Im telling you, that place is horrible. Nothin makes sense. Bad things happen there. Anyhow, theyre gonna tell you they need you there. Theyre gonna say its a bad place. Roy, y got a good farm. Youre a good man. Youve earned this. If you want, you can do a world of good here. Make the world a better place.
Then, theyre gonna tell ya youre foolin yourself bein here. Well, ya kinda are, right now. So Im tryin to help ya figure out about your farm. He stepped down from the truck, hand leaning on the open doorframe. The table, it told me Little Roy had an accident on your farm. Yknow what? Hes a part o yer farm too. Farms a part of you. Your hands too stiff, shake it out and it feels better.
Roy frowned, watching the stranger warily. So, what, now yr tryin to tell me I cn just snap m fingers like that an heal m boy up right well jus like that?
The stranger slammed the door of the truck. Naw, Ray. Im telling you that when the time comes, y wont have to. He stepped back from the truck. Just sleep on it. Youve got my number.
The truck backed hastily out of the Winter Thorn Garden and trundled away down the road, leaving a cloud of yellow dust in its wake, and the dark stranger the World Unseen, the Duality of Night watched it roll away, sighed to himself, and stepped inside the funhouse.
A no attack "Group-Friendly" Defender is like a "Team Friendly" basketball player who won't dribble, run, or shoot, under any circumstances. "I'm a PASSER."
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
Roy opened one eye and looked at the same beautiful face he had woken up to everyday for the past twenty years.
"Mornin', babe."
A slender woman with laugh-lines on her face and a nest of strawberry blond hair smiled at him. Her sapphire eyes looked into his own. She gently kissed him on the cheek and stroked his face.
Roy put a big arm around her and pulled her close, answering her kiss on the cheek with another on the lips.
"Nuh-uh," she said, pushing him away and climbing over him to get out of bed. "Don't you remember what today is?"
Roy thought for a moment. He was having trouble focusing on which day of the week it was, let alone whether it was some special day -- an anniversary or something. Then the memory came to him.
"Oh! L'il Ben's comin' home from college t'day!"
Roy took his shirt off and laid it across the back of the tractor seat. Even though it was May, the noonday sun still was enough to cause him to break a sweat. His muscles rippled as he fought with the steering wheel of the old dependable machine. The big red tractor swung and dragged the heavy plow behind it, laying furrows as its white wheels churned in the fertile soil.
Hey, Pop! came a shout from beside him.
Dont sneak up on me like that, son, Roy chided Ben. This things dangerous.
I know that, Pop. Remember? I used to drive it all the time before I left for school.
Roy smiled down at his boy. Wanna drive it tday?
Nah, Pop. I just came out here to tell you some ladys here to see you.
See me?
Yeah, Pop. Probably a tourist. Real pretty. She could be a movie star.
Roy looked across the field to where his truck was parked beside the house. A motorcycle was sitting near it, with a woman astride it who, even from this distance, did indeed have the presence of a movie star. When Roy looked her way, she waved at him.
Who is she, Pop?
I dunno, son.
Get me her phone number.
Roy climbed down from the tractor, grabbing his shirt and pulling it on as he approached her. Closer up she was even more star-like, with a head full of lustrous red hair that shined like spun glass in the sunlight. She sat on the bike a vintage Indian and waited for him until he was near. Then she pulled off her sunglasses, revealing sparkling green eyes whose gaze locked his on them.
'Lo, Roy.
Do I know ya? he asked.
Ye canna remember me, Roy?
He looked at her carefully, then said, Lady, if Idve met ya bfore, I woulda rmembered ya.
Ye wound me, Roy, she said, smiling. I came here lookin fer ye, an ye greet me in such a manner.
A creak of a spring signaled the front door of the house opening. Roy cast a glance that way, and saw Becky standing on the porch, watching. He suddenly knew how the bug under the magnifying glass felt.
Look, Miss
Love.
Roy blushed slightly at the name and hoped Becky didnt hear it.
Look Miss Love, I
Call me Maggie, Roy.
Uh
Okay. Look Maggie
My wife
that is
The red-head looked at Roys wife.
Who is she?
The question took Roy by surprise. Who was she to ask who his wife was?
Rebecca. My wife.
The stranger grinned. Her hairs not quite red an not quite blonde. Whove ye been dreamin o Roy?
Roy looked to Rebecca for support, but his vision blurred. He staggered backward, sticking out a hand to brace himself against his truck.
Pop! came a shout from behind, and when Roy turned to look for his son, the whole world seemed to fold on itself.
There was
a dream? A preacher. Then coolness brought him back around.
The cold cloth lifted from his face and he could see Beckys concerned frown for a moment before she flipped the cloth over and placed it back over his eyes and forehead.
Who was she? Becky asked.
D..dunno
Roy closed his eyes and heard the strange womans voice in his mind.
Whove ye been dreamin o Roy?
She woke with the alarm blaring in her ear, cursing under her breath as she reached to turn it off.
The dream was fresh in her mind. She knew she would remember every detail vividly.
She hadn't gotten very far. Not yet. But she would.
Tonight again, she would travel to him. As she would every night until she was able to convince him to come back.
It wouldn't be easy. She knew that now.
Why would he leave what he had there? It was real to him now.
A lovely wife. A son. A farm. Happiness and love.
And come back to what?
Her thoughts were interrputed when a strong arm slid across her chest.
She turned to her love and smiled.
The night, and the dreams would come soon enough.
But, for now, it was time to greet the day.
((This post was co-written -- actually mostly written -- by Warcabbit. Thanks Warcabbit!))
It's a day like all the others, a good day. And out of the rising sun comes the noise of a small-block V8, unmuffled and howling. There's a road past a farm, and something's coming up it. Something large and spitting fire.
It resolves, eventually, into a full-blown monster truck, painted in green with black flames on it. And then it pulls to a stop next to the farm mailbox, and sits there, idling to itself. The engine cuts off, and a woman gets out. Good definition of woman. Curves in all the right places. Good definition of amazon, too, muscles in all the right places. She's wearing a mechanic's coverall and a baseball cap, little grease-stained, dyed to match the truck. And she sits on the tire next to the mailbox and waits.
"Mornin, Roy. Brought ya th' paper."
Roy looks at the woman. He doesn't know which to admire more, the woman or the truck. The size of both is impressive.
"Hiya, Miz..." he says. She looks vaguely familiar, but he can't quite place her. "Can I help ya?"
"Ya gots no idea who I am, huh?" She watches Roy for a while. "Well, can't say as how I'm surprised, neither." There's something in red on the truck. Almost inappropriate elizabethian handwriting along the bed. Says 'Shamrock II.' "Didn't figure you would, since you retired, Roy. Ya remember retirin? Or is this all ya remembers? Ain't a bad place. Ain't bad at all. But ya know, I made a trip out here for yas, and I don't know how much time I got. I ain't gonna try ta bring ya back... but ya gotta know where yas is."
Roy shakes his head. It seems to him like this has happened before, someone coming to see him, expecting him to know them. "Look, lady, I don't know who ya are, an' I'm a long way from retirin'. If yer lookin' ta buy out th' farm 'r somethin', yer barkin' up th' wrong tree. It ain't fer sale."
There's a wicked glint in the girl's eye, as she responds to Roy. "Sure and all, Roy, I got no problem with this farm, Roy. Ya just gotta have some sense knocked through yer thick head afore ya settle down."
Now, everyone knows Shammy's a literal type of gal. And if you want to knock sense into someone's head... Well, she takes her hat off, wipes her brow, and then tries to grab Roy by the back of the head and, you know, generally decide to see what's harder. Her skull or his.
Most of the time, she'd be pretty sure she'd be standing after. Roy, though, he got stubborn built into his bones, too.
Shammy's speed takes Roy by surprise. From somewhere comes the sound of a Chevy straight 6 throwing a rod through the block. Then he realizes that sound is echoing through his skull.
When his vision clears, he looks up from the ground to see the woman standing over him. Instinctively, he grabs for her ankle.
The woman has her ankle grabbed. The woman has her ankle pulled. And the woman doesn't really seem to object to it, as she goes down.
In retrospect, Roy's probably going to mark that up as something not to do again. There's now a hefty Shammy a'sittn on his chest. Well, kneeling. Well, on his solar plexus. Partially.
She smiles down at the Roy-In-Pain. "Remember me now, tough guy? Or am I gonna haveta try ta jog yer memory more? These boots were made fer joggin, ya know."
All of the air escapes Roy's lungs as he realizes he was being outfought. He tries the one tactic he thinks a woman might understand.
"Please lady," he says, gasping, "If my wife sees ya on me like this, she might get th' wrong impression..."
"Ya knows, yer right." The wench... face it, she's built like a beergarden waitress. The kind that hauls the kegs up on one shoulder... stands up, and pulls Roy up after. "Damn, man. Wheres yer fight? Ya can't be givin up that easy, can yas? Still, an' all..." She kicks a tire of her truck, thinking a bit. Hasn't let go of Roy yet. "Yah. Yer right." And with that, she pulls Roy in for a kiss. And lights on fire.
Roy screams. For a moment everything goes white. Then red. Then red and white as the ground suddenly shoots away from him. He's looking down at the top of the woman's truck and she's looking up at him. He raises a gleaming, red, titanium fist above his head and swings down at her.
It only takes HEROID two hits to floor Shammy. One's where he hits her, and one's where she hits the ground. Well. The tire, any rate. Those things got some give to them... but not much. Enough, at least that she gets back to her feet, smiling, if wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. And still on fire. Oddly, her boots aren't Docs anymore. They're older, with the tops folded down. "Looks like I found sumpin yer willin ta fight fer. Yer a selfless man, Roy. A simple man. Uncomplicated, like. But ya got ta know whut's goin on, or it just ain't right. Do yas remember yet, or are ya working that hard at fergettin?" She doesn't make a move to restart the fight. But the door of her truck now bears a signature on a white panel. "ASCENDANT."
Roy sees the word on the truck. His mind reels. He recognizes the woman. He now knows for sure who he is.
"Shammy... I... I'm sorry. I didn't recognize ya. I... I know who I am now. But where am I? I mean... who's strong enough ta do this ta Ascendant?"
"Whut?" A pause. Shamrock II looks at where Roy's look...ing "It's th' back of yer own darn head, ya fool." She scrubs the white patch off the side of her truck. "Yer in... Yer in Dreamland, I guess, Roy. It ain't that it ain't real, it's just that yer in control of alla it. I think. Or sumpin. There's this Moon idjit who told us bout it." She leans against the truck, and thinks for a bit. "I ain't tellin ya ta come back ta us, Roy. Ain't my place. You done earned a retirement, way I see it. But I figger... ya oughta know afore ya make it. If ya wanna come back... I dunno. There's smart people. They kin do it fer yas."
"If ya don't, if ya wanna stay here, an' be a farmer till ya ferget ya exist... it's cool. An' I'll get in my truck, an' drive away till I wake up."
"So, what's it gonna be, boy... yes, or no?"
Oddly enough, at that phrase, the radio on the truck crackles on, and begins to play a play-by-play of a baseball game. "HOLY COW! I think he's gonna make it!"
"It's on in the house too," a voice says from behind him.
A hand is placed on Roy's shoulder. He turns his head to look into Becky's green eyes. She's smiling a smile that beckons him back to the house. His mind clears. The confusion of moments ago is gone. The farm needs him. He needs the farm.
Roy turns back to the woman with the monster truck, smiles apologetically, then follows Becky through the yard.
Behind him, the green suited woman fades out of existance.
In Skyway, in a small apartment by Hyde Park, Shamrock II bolts upright in the tub she sleeps in. Ignites briefly, then wills it out. "Aw, man! I think it worked!" She dives for a small notebook. "Gotta write it down! Gotta write it down!"
Down the street, a welded tube-frame chassis sits. Near it are the panels for a pickup truck. They're rusty, but one day...
Kid 'Borg sat and tossed stones across the river in Gemini Park. A few adults stood up on the hill, discussing the merits of actually killing bad guys instead of merely tagging them for transport to the Zig. Kid 'Borg knew what he thought about it. He felt the same way his Pop did. Let the courts decide.
That's what his Pop had taught him.
His Pop had also taught him that superheroing was dangerous work. That's why he stayed near the grown ups and didn't stray very far from the park unless Dr. Wisteria was with him.
Granma and Granpa had already gone back to Georgia. He would have to go back there too next week. There was going to be a memorial service for Pop.
He didn't understand why.
Granma said he wasn't dead, he was only sleeping.
Across the river, a blue-skinned girl was singing some really weird song. He didn't like it. He thought about throwing a rock and hitting her. Pop wouldn't like that though, so he didn't.
When Pop wakes up, he thought, I hope he'll let me hang around with him more.
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
Roy opened one eye and looked at the same beautiful face he had woken up to everyday for the past twenty years.
"Mornin', babe."
A slender woman with laugh-lines on her face and a nest of strawberry blond hair smiled at him. Her green eyes looked into his own. She gently kissed him on the cheek and stroked his face.
Roy put a big arm around her and pulled her close, answering her kiss on the cheek with another on the lips.
"Nuh-uh," she said, pushing him away and climbing over him to get out of bed. "Don't you remember what today is?"
Roy felt like he should know, but was coming up short.
Uh
he said.
Becky smiled. My cousin from Ireland is coming to visit.
Wha
? Roy was completely thrown by this bit of news. Yer cousin from Ireland?
Becky nodded and set about getting dressed.
Roy thought hard. But
Lil Bens supposed ta
Supposed to be keeping a 3.2 GPA, so hes going to have to stay and make up some credit hours if hes going to stay in the Honors program.
Oh.
Roy rolled out of bed and onto the front porch, fully clothed. He could remember Beckys cousin now. Margaret. Margaret Love. He had met her before
Where? Had she visited before?
Then he remembered sitting in a park, knocking back a few beers with her. And Becky. He was pretty sure Becky was there too, somewhere.
The screen door opened and Becky came out of the house with a tray holding a pitcher of tea and three glasses filled with ice.
Here she comes now, Becky said, indicating the plume of dust that was rising over the treeline as it rose from the dirt road leading to the farm.
At first sight, Roy thought the 1946 Indian Chief was being driven by some person with their hair set aflame. But when the bike pulled up and came to rest directly in front of the rocker on which he sat, he could see the fire was only the sun catching the lustrousness of the riders wind-tossed red hair.
Hello, Maggie, Becky said.
The woman with the flaming red hair got off the bike, stepped up on the porch, and said, Lo Roy.
Hiya, Maggie, Roy said.
Hello, Maggie, Becky said.
Howve ye been, Roy? Maggie asked.
Hello, Maggie, Becky said.
Roy looked at Maggie, then turned to where Becky was standing behind him.
Aint ya gonna say hi ta yer cousin, Maggie?
I dinna have a cousin here, Roy.
Roy stood up, put his thumbs in his belt-loops and said, Lissen if yve some sorta family feudin goin on, ya better get over it quick, r ya can turn around an leave. Yer not gonna insult my wife.
Yer wife? Im sorry, Roy. I dinna even see er. Maggie looked behind Roy and said, Lo
cousin.
Hello, Maggie, Becky said, then smiled, and started pouring up the tea.
Maggie sat down in the cane-back rocker beside Roy, and took his hand.
Maggie
I
uh
Becky
Roy, shes not real, darlin.
Roy jerked his hand away.
All right! That tears it! Yer getting outta here now!
Maggie simply smiled then threw her arms around Roy and kissed him.
Roy pushed her away, then turned to his wife.
Becky
she
I
she
I didnt want
I
Becky was simply pouring the last glass of tea oblivious to the fact that her cousin from Ireland had just kissed her husband full on the lips.
He turned back to Maggie only to see her mounting her bike and kicking the starter.
Ill come back an see ye Roy. I promise! Then she roared away.
Becky was sitting in the cane-back rocker, sipping on her glass of tea.
Lil Ben should be here pretty soon, she said.
Roy, shes not real, darlin
((A Heroid and Hero79 production))
Walk In
Dr. Ron Stephens took a moment to survey the flaming wreckage of his car from a distance. He couldnt remember how it happened, or how he managed to get out in time. In fact, Ron couldnt remember exactly where he was headed. All of which he attributed to shock, he felt awful. His arms and legs ached. His right eye hurt and its vision was impaired. Ron looked at his hands, burnt and bleeding, and decided he was glad his adrenalin was still up.
This is going to hurt later.
He stopped to check his pockets, finding his wallet and pocket watch. Ron pulled the watch out to check the time.
3:14
*whirr click*
Thats a funny noise for a watch to make.
Then it died. Ron put it away. In the distance he saw a farm. Maybe someone friendly would be home and he could use their phone. Perhaps they had a first aid kit, if he was lucky. Ron made his way until he saw a man in the field. He kept a respectable space away and called out to him.
Begging your pardon sir, but I was just in an accident and I was wondering if I could use your phone.
The man looked up, then stood. The knees of his jeans were the color of the tilled soil he stood on. His blue work shirt was blotched with sweat. In his hand he held a bean sprout. He looked worriedly at the bean sprout, then smiled at Ron.
"Sure, pal, come on up to th' house." He pulled something off of the root of the beansprout, then mashed whatever it was between his fingers. "Gotta figger out what t' do 'bout that b'fore it's a whole infestation."
Then he led Ron to the house. An attractive woman with strawberry blond hair and sapphire blue eyes greeted them on the porch.
"Hello," she said, looking at the stains on her husband's shirt. "I'll bring you a glass of tea, Roy."
"Thanks, hon," Roy said. When the woman disappeared into the house, he told Ron, "Becky's a real sweet gal, I'm real happy with her."
Ron paused, something about this man seemed familiar, and something about what Roy just said didnt sound right. It was like he was trying to convince himself.
Names Ron Stephens, pleased to make your acquaintance. Ron said, tipping his hat slightly. He took a moment to adjust a button on his tweed suit.
Roy Kirby, looks like ya got banged up real good there. Roy offered his hand.
My apologies, Ron said holding up his right hand, I think I mightve sprained something. He looked at his hands again, somehow they didnt seem as bad as before, must be the shock.
None taken, pal. Lemme ask the wife about the phone. Roy made his way into the kitchen.
Honey?
Becky was still pouring the glass of tea.
Nevermind. Just gunna get the phone fer our guest. Roy picked up the phone and brought it outside to Ron, offering it to him.
Thanks kindly, sir. They way it came out almost sounded like sai. Ron picked up the receiver and then realized he didnt know who he was calling. Without thinking, he pressed seven numbers.
Paragon Taxi Service.
Yeah, uh, my car was totaled and I
Name?
Ron Stephens.
We have a fix on your car, are you within the vicinity?
Close, Im at a farm just down a ways. Cant miss it.
Alright Dr. Stephens, well send someone for you in just a few minutes.
Thank
Thank you for using Paragon Taxi Service. Have a nice day.
*click*
Ron handed the phone back to Roy.
Much obliged, Roy. Ron paused, Say you look familiar somehow.
Yeah, I get that a lot. Roy shrugged.
I reckon you just have one of those faces.
Spose I do, Roy laughed. Where ya headed?
To the City, Ive been away too long. People need me. Know what I mean?
Nah, I
I think you do, Ron smiled as the taxi pulled up. A gorgeous yellow-and-black checkered cab, the kind you dont see anymore. Thanks for the help, thanks for everything, Roy.
Ron tipped his hat once more and made his way to the taxi, they were gone in the blink of an eye.
Take care
Becky stepped out onto the porch, I brought your tea, dear.
I've been away too long. People need me. Know what I mean?
Issue 23: All your base are belong to us?
Somnium eo ire itum
Tess chanted quietly in the darkness of the bedroom she shared with Sasha. Her sister would not home again this night, so Tess knew she would not be interrupted.
Ever since she had heard that the Destroyer had been defeated and that Roy was caught in dream, she knew she had to try and reach him if for nothing else but to ensure that her friend was all right, that he was safe.
She imagined others would feel the need to try as well. He had many who cared for him, many who might be familiar with the Dreamways. Tess herself was not, but she had spent the better part of the day at Tabitha Fabishs in Talos Island, researching a spell that might aid her in this endeavour. She felt confident that she could succeed in making the journey.
She closed her eyes and regulated her breaths. She felt her heartbeat slow within her breast. The darkness grew and silence reigned.
__________________________________________________ ___
She rode the courser over the grassy hills and meadows. The land here was flat and offered little protection from the blazing sun, but Tess didnt notice.
It had been so long since she had ridden horseback. She had almost forgotten how wondrous it felt, almost like flying in its own right. She felt the horses powerful muscles working under her as they pressed onward; her long coppery red tresses flowing behind her in the wind like a fiery banner. She smiled broadly, urging her mount onward.
Creating the last hill, she saw it - his home. She wasnt certain how she knew that
she just
did. She adjusted the leather satchel strapped over her shoulder, and urged the horse down the hill.
__________________________________________________ ___
As she entered the property, she reined the courser in and came to a stop at the edge of a ploughed field. Not far off, she could see a man driving a motorized vehicle of some kind, turning the earth as he went. She squinted a bit and shaded her eyes with her hand. A smile crept across her lips.
Roy. Alive and well
or so it seemed.
She felt the young mans presence before she heard the gravel crunch under his shoes. She turned slowly to meet his gaze. He was still young, perhaps not more than twenty summers, and he looked very much like his father; not just in appearance, but also in the way he carried himself. He approached Tess and her horse with a small amount of caution.
Somethin I kin I help ya with, mam? he asked.
His voice held an air of trepidation, almost as if she were not the first stranger to set foot on this property in recent days. She could sense such thoughts floating to the surface of his mind as well, without the need to intrude further. Tess graced him with a warm, genuine smile.
Aye, good sir. I am
traveling through these lands and I did notice thy farmstead. T hath been a long and arduous journey. Prithee, might I be so privileg'd as to speak to the landowner here?
The young man regarded her with no small amount of confusion, no doubt trying to work his mind around her rather unusual speech pattern. She was used to such a reaction by now. However, much to his credit, he masked it well, not wishing to seem impolite.
Um
thatd be my pa. Hes out there on the tractor. He motioned his hand at the vehicle in the field.
You, uh
you want I should fetch im for ya?
Tess smiled at the youth again, noting a slight flush coming to his cheeks that was not caused by the sun.
If thou wouldst be so kind, sir. I would be most appreciative.
Ben Jr. nodded to her and trotted off into the field, flagging his father down.
__________________________________________________ ___
Roy noticed his son running out to him, waving his hand. He reached down and killed the engine, pulling out a handkerchief and mopping his brow.
What is it, son? You wanna turn at drivin this thing? He joked with a half-cocked grin.
Nah, Pop. Theres someone here ta see ya. A lady. Talks kinda funny-like, but shes real pretty.
Roy glanced over at the house and saw the red-haired woman standing near a horse at the edge of the field. She waved at him when their eyes met.
Another redhead?
Weird. Why would he think that?
He climbed off the tractor and they made their way back to her.
Ben, why dontcha see ta the ladys horse? He looks real tired.
The boy nodded rapidly and held his hand out for the reins. Tess complied with another kind smile. Bens cheeks flushed a bit again and he led the horse away with a lopsided grin of his own. Tess turned back to Roy, her gray eyes sparkling.
The woman had a calm, graceful beauty about her. Her voice was soft and those eyes...they were captivating. It was almost like they were looking deeper into him. Roy found he had a hard time looking away, and flushed just a bit at the thought of that.
Gramercy, sir. Tis most kind of thee. I fear I have ridden him far too hard this day. My name is Tessa Reynault. Tis a pleasure to meet thee.
Tess held out her hand with an almost regal air. Roy wiped his hand off with the handkerchief and shook hers firmly, but gently.
The pleasures mine, mam. Th names Ben Kirby, but most folks round here just call me 'Roy'. He smiled broadly.
She smiled brightly back at him. Why did she seem so familiar?
Roy scratched the back of his head. So, uh, what brings ya out ta these parts anyway?
I am merely traveling through, on my way back home to see some friends.
Oh yeah? Wherere ya headed, if ya dont mind me askin?
Paragon City. Tess said, matter-of-factly.
Roy blinked. Paragon City? Jeez, lady, thats a heckuva trip ta make on horseback.
Tess nodded. Aye, I know. Howeer
I cannot drive a car and I cannot afford passage aboard an airplane. She spoke those words almost as if they were foreign to her.
Roy nodded back, understanding.
Well, ya oughta let him rest fer a spell then. Um
why dontcha come on inside and Beckyll make ya a glass o' iced tea r somethin. Shes real good at doin that shes a real special gal.
Tess noted that Roy sounded almost as if he were trying to convince himself of that fact moreso than her.
Thourt most gracious, Mister Kirby. I would be glad for the rest myself.
Er
sure
an' its Roy, mam. Mister Kirby was my pa. He winked at her and led her up the porch and into the house.
Certes
Roy. And thou canst call me Tess
all my friends do so. She gave him a meaningful look, but it seemed lost on him. Roy simply nodded as he held the door open for her.
Becky! We got a visiter! Roy bellowed as he closed the screen door behind them.
A slender woman with golden hair stepped out from the kitchen, flour dusting her hands and apron.
Oh? Well, just sit down anywhere. Ill fetch you both something to drink. She smiled graciously and walked back to the kitchen.
Roy motioned for Tess to sit down on the sofa, waiting until she did so before taking a seat himself.
So
Paragon, huh? Ive heard its a real nice place. Been meanin ta take th family up there sometime on vacation. Y know
ta see some real superheroes n all. Farmwork just seems ta always get in th way, though.
Tess nodded. Aye, tis a most wondrous city indeed. In fact, many of the friends I have there art heroes in their own right.
Yeah? Ya say yer from there? Yer accent sounds kinda foreign, no offense ocourse. Its pretty n all, but I cant place it.
Aye, tis...foreign indeed. And nay, I am not from Paragon originally, although I do call t home now. Tess politely left it at that.
Just then, Roys wife re-entered the living room, carrying a tray with two glasses of tea on it. She set it down on the coffee table, giving Tess a warm smile. She then gave Roy a quick peck on the crown of his head and left them to their business. Tess removed the satchel from her shoulder and set it in her lap. She unbuckled the straps as she spoke.
Thou didst mention thou didst wish to see heroes. T doth so happen that I have some pictures of my friends with me
mayhap thou wouldst like to see them? She pulled out a manila envelope and opened it, looking at him expectantly.
Yeah? Sure, why not. Roy hunched over the table, setting down his glass, his eyes and thoughts betraying not a small hint of idol worship.
Tess removed a sheaf of photographs from the envelope and placed them, one at a time, in front of him on the table.
This is Sir Parzifal. He is a knight, of all things. A very noble and gracious man.
She watched Roy, hoping to see some recognition. He picked up the picture, studying it for a moment.
I know this guy
dont I? How
how could I know im, though?
She hated spying on his thoughts so much, her trusted friend, but she had to be sure
had to know if it was working or not.
Roy just nodded and laid the photo back on the table. Tess placed another on top of it.
And this is Ireland Love. Her friends call her Maggie She is most belovd by the community.
Roys eyes widened.
Now her Ive seen...
Havent I?
She
wuz just here
I think.
no way Id ferget a face like that.
Could I?
Tess regarded him curiously. Could it be that Maggie was trying to reach him as well? It would truly make sense if she had. She made a mental note to ask her as soon as she could.
Aye? Here, thou dost say? At thy farm? What a curious coincidence. Well, I suppose tis not outside the realm of possibility. She doth travel quite extensively, after all.
Roy just nodded, feeling numb. He didnt put the photo down on the table, however. Tess continued to place more pictures down, naming each one: Soviet Shadow, Comrade Smersh, Nimue, Krickette, Shinsektor, Baron Vladimire, Scape Kid, Kelp Plankton, Sidney Brewster, Shae Firewarder, Steel Butterfly
all names he should know, all close friends of his - each time, studying his mind, hoping to see a spark kindled. Roy grew noticeably paler with each photo. He began to sweat a bit and wiped his brow, never taking his eyes off the images before him.
And this is
Fire.Hawk, known as Julia to her friends
Tess carefully laid the picture of the blond woman on top of the pile.
Roy swallowed hard. He wiped his mouth with his hand, picking up her picture and looking intently at it. His hand shook noticeably. He felt his heart skip a beat, but couldnt for the life of him figure out why that was.
Tess just watched silently.
Julia?
I
I know her too. Jeez. Whats goin on here? Why m I feelin this way?
After a few moments, Tess laid her final photograph on the table, her calm eyes never leaving his face. Roy shifted his eyes nervously from the picture in his hand to the one Tess had just put down.
Julias picture fluttered to the floor.
Roy just stared, unblinking, at the red and white armored man in the picture on the table.
Tess spoke quietly.
And this is HEROID
coincidentally enow also calld Roy by his friends.
She waited a moment before continuing, but his mind was a complete blank, shocked.
He is one of my most dear and trustd friends. A kinder, gentler man thou shalt neer find, despite his size and strength
Tess eyes became wistful as she continued to speak.
Sadly, he is
trappd. Imprisond in a cell of his own devising, but unknowing of his own plight. He doth believe his life is well and normal, but
tis naught but an illusion
Roy finally blinked and forced himself to speak.
Wh
what? Trapped? Illusion?
Aye. He is a prisoner of his own mind. We, his family, his
loved ones, we fear for him, howeer. We miss him terribly and wish to see him return to us.
Tess eyes bore into his as she spoke. It felt like she was trying to tell him more than she was saying, but
he felt so confused suddenly nothing made sense.
He remembered the red-haired beauty on the motorcycle
what was her name again? Maggie?
Then he remembered the brash girl in the monster truck
and that guy whose car broke down. They all felt...familiar...to him.
And now
this woman. He really did feel like he knew her from somewhere also, but
why was she staring? It was intent, but
gentle, desperate, even. As if she were searching for something inside him. Tess just sat there, patiently, her gaze still focused on him.
It was almost like he heard her voice in his head
Roy.
He leapt to his feet, startled. His foot struck the leg of the table, causing the pictures to scatter across its top. The half-full glasses tottered in place, ice clinking. He put his hand to his temple and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to stop his mind from racing. Finally, he managed to speak
Look, lady
Tess
Im
not feelin so well all of a sudden. Mebbe Ive been out in the sun too long r somethin
I think
I better lie down fer a spell.
Tess cast her eyes down at the floor and nodded slightly.
Certes. I
I should be on my way anyway, methinks. I am sorry if I disturbd thee somehow. She began to gather the photos up as she spoke, arranging them in a neat pile on the table, with HEROID's on top.
Roy waved his hand. Naw
naw, not that tall. I
appreshyate ya showin em ta me
really.
Tess buckled her satchel and stood up, purposely leaving the pictures behind.
Gramercy for thy hospitality, Roy. I am most grateful.
Roy nodded, and slowly walked her out the door, calling to his son to bring Tess horse around again.
Suddenly, a realization hit him. Hey! Dont ferget yer pitchers. He began to re-enter the house, meaning to retrieve them for her but Tess gently put her hand on his arm, staying him. He turned to see her soft smile once more.
Nay, tis all right. Theyrt merely
copies. I had sevral made. Thou may keep them.
Roy just nodded silently and let the screen door swing closed.
Outside, Tess swung herself back into the saddle and looked down upon Roy one last time. Her eyes speaking more than any words ever could.
Roy felt that feeling of familiarity coming back.
Mayhap, one day, I shall see thee again, Roy. In Paragon.
Roy scratched the back of his head again.
Dunno
mebbe. Theres a lot here I gotta tend to though. I got the farm, n my son jest came back from college n all. Dunno when Id have the time.
Tess smiled softly, if not a bit sadly, and reached into her pocket, pulling something out and handing it to him. He took it in his hand without looking at it.
Something to remember me by, then. Fare well, my friend. Thou shalt eer be in my prayers. I look forward to thy return.
Why would she say somethin like that ta someone she jest met?
She turned the horse to leave, but paused just then, glancing back at him over her shoulder. Did she hear that? Did he speak out loud by accident?
"Remember, Roy...there is no place like home."
With that, she waved, and spurred the horse on, riding off in a cloud of dust. Roy stood there, dumbstruck, watching her until he couldnt even see the cloud any more. Only then did he open his hand and looked at what she had given him.
It was a silver cross on a silver chain.
There is no place like home.
Shae had stopped by Steel Butterfly's workshop to pick up something she needed for a spell. When Steel Butterfly told her what she needed to finish the robot repairs and get it running, and who would likely have it, Shae had called in a friend who knew the inside of Crey's computers better than Crey did themselves. Together they had hacked into the Crey inventory database and found the location of the last piece Steel Butterfly had needed...the one physical component that had been missing.
A power source. One developed from Doc Werner's research. Crey had all of his notes on HEROID's original powersource as well, and had started to synthesize them. One of those powersources...well...maybe just one...was going to be coming home with Steel Butterfly.
Then they had parted ways.
Shae had taken the pebble that she had retrieved from Dream; She was heading off somewhere private to cast a spell. Before her courage failed her, she had said.
Steel Butterfly had headed off to raid a lab.
-------------
Much later she had returned to the workshop, exhausted, battered and bruised...but triumphant and holding two of the powersources.
One, she installed immediately in the red and white robot shell. She closed the panel carefully and waited...and then sighed. She kept expecting him to move, and he didn't. She felt the weight of the day's battles suddenly descend on her, and she stumbled up the stairs and fell into the hammock. She was asleep before her eyes closed.
-------------------------
Steel Butterfly stumbled down the stairs rubbing the sleep from her eyes...she'd been asleep...an hour? Not enough to recharge...but she'd had a dream...that she could barely recall, and now she needed to check on HEROID again...she couldn't really remember why. The dream was fading fast.
She opened the panel to check the powersource, and then ran her hand over the red and white metal, tracing the signatures and running her fingers over the little gold phoenix.
"Roy...Where-ever you are...you have a place to come back to...if you want it...I know it isn't a human body...but it's the best I could do...."
She sighed and rubbed her eyes. Trying to remember the dream.
Shae Firewarder
Meanwhile...
In a deserted spot somewhere...
Shae finished drawing the last rune, and took a deep breath. She looked over the spell diagram and then stepped carefully to the center of it before her courage failed. She set the pebble in the center, where the being summoned would be most protected, and then stepped back to her place.
She felt exposed. The one she summoned would be more protected than she, here, but that was the way a djinn of her kind summoned...or rather invited.
Shae began the spell, carefully enunciating the words, inviting the one who had been the Gem entity, who had been the pebble in the protected center of the diagram, to come and speak with her here...
Shae Firewarder
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
Roy opened one eye to see sparkling green eyes looking at him from a movie-stars face framed by a head of scarlet hair.
Theyre comin fer ye, Roy.
Maggie?
An when they come fer ye, darlin, ye better go
Wha
?
There was a sudden, violent shaking.
"Wake up. Whos Maggie?"
Roy opened one eye and looked at the same beautiful face he had woken up to everyday for the past twenty years. Only this time that face was a little bit angry.
Shae pronounced the last line of the spell, and listened to it resonate. Then the air seemed to shimmer in the center of the circle. She heard a rumbling like the sound of a thunderstorm aproaching, and the air grew heavy with static electricity. A large glowing green figure appeared in the center of the protective runes.
Shae bowed to the figure and said carefully, "I greet you."
The Lord of Destruction and Chaos returned her greeting calmly, "Greetings, Djinn."
Shae began to relax slightly. Although it wasn't comfortable being only a few feet away from a being that felt magically very similar to a large and very powerful thunderstorm, he seemed benign at the moment,"I hope my request did not inconvenience you,"
"Inconvenience is not a concern for this one." He continued, "Your suplications shall be heard. You are favored among the Lords."
Shae Firewarder blinked. She did not think she had asked for anything yet...
He continued, "You would know the location of my former host's mortal remains."
Shae Firewarder answered, "I would. I would have his human body returned to him if it is possible to do so." Shae could feel the energies barely contained within him shift as he considered her request.
Eventually, the storm energies subsided and the being answered her, "The human entity... Roy.... must find his magic. He believes it dead. He has ceased believing in anything he cannot touch."
Shae Firewarder murmered," Ah," and considered his answer carefully.
"When he finds his magic, he will find his mortal body. Albeit, it was grievously wounded."
"A sniper shot can do that..." Shae said, regretting once more that she had left the sniper alive. She sighed, and then said, "Is it healed enough to survive now? "
"It has been months, perhaps years in the other place.Time is not a concern of this one anymore. Perhaps it will survive. The robot form is stronger..."
Shae commented, "The robot form was made to be stronger than a human body, physically."
"He will survive indefinitely in the robot form. As a human, he has no such promise."
"Usually, I am more concerned with the soul, however." Shae said.
The figure said consideringly, "The soul..."
Shae Firewarder continued, "Destroying the body...that was meant to weaken him...was it not?"
"Yes." he answered then seemed to change the subject slightly,"I gave him over to the Dream Bringer. It seems that other mortals have interfered with the Dream Bringer's plan for him. I only instructed that he should be made happy."
"I had heard that he was in Dream...but I did not expect him to stay. Happiness..." She paused, thinking.
"Yes. I fear he would not be happy, given the choice. It is no wonder Lord Strife smiled upon him."
"It is something that cannot be imposed on another I believe," Shae said.
"Yes, quite," he agreed. Then he looked at her seriously, " Know you this also, Shae Firewarder... Many there are among the Lords who resent the... ...alterations I forced to their plan."
Shae Firewarder nodded, " I expected that even the small distractions that I managed would displease someone powerful. "
"Yes. It seems that the leanings of the Lords may soon veer away from giving favor to the champions of this world. The balance of Order and Chaos has not been served by the actions of mortals, no matter how well-meaning." His eyes seemed to bore a hole in Shae as he warned her," If you cast your lot with them, Shae Firewarder, you may well lose favor also."
"I can only do what I must," she said," I act according to my nature. Whether that wins me favor, or disfavor, only time will tell. I thank you for your warning.""
The Lord of Chaos and Destruction nodded, "Know one thing more, Shae Firewarder...I have not forgotten all that I learned from sharing Roy Kirby's sentience. I have not forgotten the meaning of the word... Friend."
" If you consider me such, then I am honored," she bowed her head.
He looked at her for a long moment, " There is one more favor I may grant you..."
"A favor?" She looked up at him.
"Step closer Shae Firewarder..."
Shae Firewarder looked at him...then stepped slowly closer, careful not to smudge the protective runes. She felt very nervous, being this close to a being of chaos, however well intentioned it might be.
"This is not done as an act of the Lord of Chaos Destroyer... This is an ability I became aware of when I was called HEROID..." The Lord transmuted the toxins that he had seen in Shae's system to harmless minerals that her body could dispose of, "If I had known of this ability sooner...the mortal body of Roy Kirby need never have left this realm." Shae Firewarder felt a slight change, as the being pronounced, "You shall again attain balance, Shae Firewarder."
Shae Firewarder felt something shift inside her, and suddenly felt more...grounded. Something that had been slightly askew had been shifted back into place. She asked, "What was that?"
"There were... toxins in you system. You have enemies, Shae Firewarder. And some of them still find favor in the Infinite."
Shae felt her magic shift slightly as her body adjusted to the change in her.
The Lord of Chaos and Destruction smiled almost imperceptibly.
Shae said humbly, "I thank you again."
"You have the pebble?"
Shae Firewarder looks down at the ground at the center of the spell circle, " I used it as the link to send the invitation. "
"And it is now no longer?"
Shae Firewarder smiled, "It was at the center of the circle, therefore if it exists, you may be standing on it."
He lifted a foot and looked down, "Ah."
"It is yours to do as you wish," Shae said, "I was pleased to be it's carrier for a short while."
He reached down, picked it up. examined it. "Such a small thing... Well...I have no use for it. See to it that it remains safe, for you may need to call upon me again... ...or I, you."
He looked at her again, "Farewell, Shae Firewarder," Then he said softly," I shall miss the mortals."
Shae Firewarder: "Farewell Lord"
The Lord of Chaos and Destruction faded to a subtle green glow...and then vanished, leaving a green pebble where he had stood.
Shae Firewarder picked up the pebble and tucked it carefully away
Shae Firewarder
Otra vez, Julia. Stern, critical hazel eyes watched a younger, blonde woman attempt once again to go into trance. Repita la lección del Agua.
Julia Latham, daughter of one of the more influential men in the city of Paragon, closed her eyes and tried to remember the ancient lesson. Water is the depth of our knowledge, the spring that gives us life, our beginning of existence. But we must beware to not let the waves of life to close over our heads, to not dive so deep that we can never resurface, to learn to swim strongly to not drown in the storms of life. She opened her eyes hopefully, looking upon an olive-complexioned face that split into a pleased smile.
Bien, bien. ¿Ahora, qué de la Tierra? Reanna Michaels ruffled Julias hair happily, pleased that the Avatars she served had chosen a good friend and student to be her new Guardian. Her first had been lost long ago, and while she was sure no other Dreamer had ever been so blessed twice, she wasnt going to argue.
Um
Julias comm interrupted the lesson, as both started with surprise.
Si? We are needed, amiga? She got up immediately, without waiting for an answer, and allowed her astral self free rein to seek out Hades Moon. As Julia nodded, she shook herself back to the waking world.
It is time.
((The following post contains dialogue and ideas created by the players of Fire.Hawk, Cygnata, Hades Moon, Blood-Raven, Shamrock II, and Steel Butterfly. Much thanks to these players.
Also, this post is strictly from HEROID's PoV. All of the others are encouraged to post the events from their characters' PoV.
Events might be presented a tad out of sequence, but that's okay. In dreamtime, everyone's perceptions are slightly altered...))
Roy sat on the porch and waited. The woman in the dream said they were coming. Until he heard the bus stop up on the road, he had no idea who they were.
He gave the bus time to pull away, then walked to the far end of the porch and looked up the driveway which approached from the behind the house. Three travelers were walking toward the house, too distant still to see much about them.
Roy walked back across the porch, stopped at the front door, shouted, Becky! Hon, looks like we got company comin', then went back to one of the three cane-back rockers, and waited.
When the three visitors walked around the side of the house to the front porch, Roy stood. He looked down on: a man in a duster and hat, carrying a suitcase who Roy figured was a salesman or maybe a preacher; a small, young woman with brown hair, plainly dressed, who for some reason reminded Roy of a nun; and a blonde with sapphire blue eyes, not short, but not tall, leanly muscled with graceful curves, who, if she was a nun, it would be an awful shame.
Becky came out of the house with a couple of kitchen chairs, which made enough chairs for the five of them to sit down. Roy took a closer look at his guests. The preacher had been there before, he was certain, but couldn't remember when. The blonde...
A mild breeze blew across the yard, and swirled in a light gust as it went across the porch. The woman's silken hair whipped in golden strands across her face, and she brushed it back with her fingers. It was familiar to him. A memory from somewhere. A memory of shared laughs and shared glances.
Becky came out of the house carrying a tray with a pitcher of iced tea and five glasses filled with ice cubes. She set them down on a small table beside the front door.
"Mornin' Roy. How's the farm?" said the preacher/salesman.
Roy looked at the man carefully. "Ya been here b'fore. Don't quite 'member yer name..."
The man smiled, sat down his suitcase and smalltalk was begun. Roy found it quite pleasant, except that there seemed to be an underlying sense of purpose for their visit that was not being stated. Only the attractive blonde seemed uncomfortable. She and Becky kept exchanging glances, and Roy wondered if perhaps there was some sort of jealousy between them.
But that was silly. He didn't even know the woman.
And yet, he knew he did.
The question had barely formed in Roy's mind before the sound of an angry, unmuffled small-block V-8 rattled the windows. A monster-truck came roaring up. It didnt just roll up the driveway, it devoured it, churning the soft edges, turning with all four wheels. It fishtailed dangerously, and Roy was sure it was going to wipe out a section of fence, but instead, it leapt over it. The truck came to rest near the house, and Roy got the distinct impression that if the driver hadnt been holding it back, the truck would also have jumped the house.
In the bed of the truck, looking shaken, but miraculously unhurt were two more young women. They carefully climbed down as the trucks driver got out. The driver was a woman dressed in green and nearly head and shoulders taller that any of the other women. The carried a duffle bag, and a red and white football helmet.
Becky went back into the house and came back out with a couple more kitchen chairs, then took her place sitting on the edge of the porch, beside her husband.
One of the passengers from the truck had walked across the yard to where the big red and white farm tractor was parked. "Symbolism," she said and then began going over the tractor in a way that told Roy the young lady was entirely more comfortable with the machine than she was with the rest of the group she was with.
"Symbolism?" Roy said. "Ah. I had ya pegged fer a preacher. So yer from a church? Uh... we're Baptists... but uh... we don't go much... uh... But if yer tryin' ta start a Symbolism Church 'round here, good luck ta ya."
There was some chuckling among the visitors, and he was assured they were not starting a Symbolism Church, nor any other kind of church.
From there, the conversation became quite bizarre.
The nun-seeming woman began to nudge the attractive blonde, saying, Tell him how you know him. Tell him el VERDAD.
The blonde seemed to be troubled. She looked from Roy to Becky and back again, her eyes wishing to speak to them, but her lips remaining closed.
Roys growing confusion must have shown on his face.
The preacher/salesman flicked a thumb back at the tractor. They're used to seein' yer farm all wrapped up on the inside of that tractor over there.
What?
They know yer tractor, with yer farm inside it.
Yer doin crazy talk now.
Symbolism, the woman at the tractor said again.
Then suddenly, Think fast!
The tall woman in green tossed the football helmet to him. Instinctively his hands went up and he caught it. He looked at the helmet. There were signatures written on the back. Ascendant? Captain Valor?
Who
? Roy began.
Ya remember me, Roy? The green-garbed woman smiled, We're all back fer ya.
How d'ya know me? he asked her.
The other of the women who had arrived in the truck bed mimed flexing her muscles and answered. Sorry to burst your bubble and your paradise here, dear, but youre a hero...
Roy looked up from the helmet to the woman who was speaking.
She continued,
Big. Strong. The kind that hits things and they go down.
I ain't gettin' this...
The nun was nudging again, Tell him.
The blonde remained quiet, but the others began speaking of dreams and reality and taking your farm away and putting it back inside your tractor. She looked like a caged animal, and he imagined he looked pretty much the same.
The nun ceased nudging, and simply began pleading to her with her eyes. The blonde sighed.
Roy. Look at me. Her voice was solemn, warm, and full of purpose.
Roy couldnt help but look her way. Beckys attention was also on her.
The others were still speaking, trying to explain something to Roy, but only confusing him more.
The nun put up a hand. Let her speak, amigos.
Do you remember my name..?
Julia?
Yes... Julia. Where do you know me from?
I... I don't... know... he said, trying to think, I just know I know ya.
There was... a restaurant. Where we sat together and enjoyed dinner together... Do you remember?
Yer a little young fer me ta've dated... Me an' Becky've been married fer moren 19 years.
Julia looked a little hurt at that. Then she continued, You're a hero, Roy. One of the many... and one of the better of Paragon City.
Roy shook his head. I'm... confused...
Benjamin Roy Kirby. Otherwise known as Heroid. Don't you remember?
No, he don't, said the woman in green.
But for an instant, he did.
Julia? Wh
Julia smiled. For a moment the surrounding seemed unreal and the only thing real was that smile. Then Roy was fully aware of the people around him: Hades Moon, the preacher, Cygnata, the nun, and Shammy had driven up in the truck bringing Steely and Blood-Raven with her.
Where are we?
You are in Dreamtime, amigo, Cygnata informed him.
My home, Hades Moon added, At least near it.
Yer retired, Roy, Shammy told him.
Becky, for a brief time forgotten, rose up and placed a hand on her husbands shoulder.
This is your dream, said Julia, still smiling. Your imagination
What? Nah. Roy placed a hand on his own shoulder on top of Beckys. Its my dream all right. I got my farm, what more could I want?
The tall woman in green opened the duffel bag. I'll tell ya. She pulled out a pair of shoulder pads. There was writing on them, too, written in sharpie like the Ascendant and Captain Valor on the helmet. "Roy, I'm gonna tell ya this simple. An' yer gonna listen."
She looked at him with a pleading that he somehow knew was uncharacteristic of her. She didnt look like the kind of woman who would ask twice, let alone plead.
Ya got somethin more ya want. Ya got th' chance ta make a difference. Roy, yer retired on th' farm. Ya deserve th' retirement, if anyone does. But you got a choice right now.
She looked him in the eye with an expression that said, last chance. It was almost like the Invitation at the end of a Revival.
Ya kin put yer uniform on, go back out on th' field, and make a difference in not just yer life, but in th' lives of hundreds. Thousands. It ain't gonna be easy. It's gonna hurt. Yer gonna hate it. Sometimes. Blood, toil, sweat, an' tears. But ya kin do it. Thousands can't. Or ya kin retire ta th' farm, an' fade away.
One of the young women who had arrived in the truck bed spoke up. Wee the kind of people that don't get what they want Roy. We have to live with what we have.
Roy looked down, considering. Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' a farmer.
Beckys hand was kneading his shoulder gently, soothingly.
Look at th' helmet, Roy. Look at th' pads. Ain't nothin wrong, Roy.
Y, less wrong con being a hero, said the nun.
The preacher who had said less, and when he did made less sense than anyone else said, She isn't going to go back.
The woman in green spoke up again. This time, he could tell, would be the last she said anything more on the matter. Ain't nothin wrong at all. But I'm tellin ya
One of the women asked the preacher, She?
The world needs you, amigo. It is not yet time to lay down your load. The nun.
She isn't going to go back....Becky? One of the young women from the truck.
I'm tellin ya, Roy, ya asked what more ya could want. And I'm tellin ya... ya got th' chance ta make a difference. It's yer call.
Becky is his memories, amiga. The nun.
I dunno where yer talkin' about me goin'...
She won't go back. She's part of the whole. The preacher.
Home, Cygnata revealed.
Home. Paragon City. The City of Heroes.
Home. Paragon City. The City of Heroes.
But I dunno nobody that needs me there.
Julia asked the others to back away for a moment, and then offered Roy her hand.
He barely noticed when Beckys hand was gone from his shoulder.
I do, Julia said.
And your son
someone added.
He
hes comin home any minute. Hell drive up any time
Roy was confused, completely confused. He felt like two different people who had lived two different lives.
Not that son, Steel Butterfly said. The real one. The one wearing the armor made by the Doc.
Roy, your son is the emptiness, the hurt, Cygnata told him. You could not take him with you, and so you wait always, expecting him home. Only one moment more, only one day more... instead of going to meet him yourself
Cygnata moved closer, she almost whispered to him, One must move on, y not live in a world of memories. Even if memories are all that someone leaves you."
The house, the farmyard, the fields, everything but the tractor began a slow fade until it all seemed like he was looking at a blurry photograph.
Roy
you know who you are...
In the driveway, the fog lights and headlights of Shamrock IIs truck ignited, burning through the air. They shone on the tractor.
Take to your tractor, Roy. This time Cygnata spoke forcefully, with authority. Feel it for what it is. Resume your armor. Resume your LIFE!
Roy looked around. Hades Moon was explaining to Steel Butterfly something about how the Dream worked, how Roy was one with everything in it, or everything in it was a part of him, or something to that effect. The gist of it seemed to be that Hades Moon couldnt understand why Roy would want to give up the Dream and go back to real life.
Steel Butterflys response was, If you were talkin' about circuits or wiring I'd get it...but this dream stuff is hard for me.
But Roy got it. In his gut he understood it completely. The Dream was as real as he wanted it to be. And he could stay there forever. A tender trap.
Roy looked at Julia, and nodded. Yeah, I know who I am.
Come home with me, then.
Julia
It... hurts there. I never wanted ta be a superhero... I never wanted ta be any kinda hero.
Cygnata said, None of us did, pienso...
Or at least we don't expect it, added Blood-Raven, We are not allowed to divert from the path, even if paradise is right in front of us.
Pero, we must take what path fate shows us.
Roy thought for a moment and frowned. I... ain't got nothin' ta go back ta.
You have your amigos. Y, your son. Cygnata.
An' ya got th' future. Shammy.
I mean... Roy knew he wasnt phrasing this quite right, I ain't got nobody ta go back ta.
All the others looked at him in confusion, except Steel Butterfly. Her expression changed from confusion about the Dream, into one of revelation. Then she simply vanished.
nobody ta go back ta.
Don't you? Julias eyes were moist.
He was hurting her with his stumbling. I mean... I ain't got no BODY. My body is dead! Ya want I should go back an' be a robot? The words were harsh, but she had to understand them. Yer gonna snuggle a robot? Titanium gets cold in th winter.
In a roundabout way, Shammy answered for Julia. Aw, hell, Roy, yer a hero. That kinda thing, we can deal with, ain't no problem at all.
The buzz of speaking and activity began again. Cygnata and Hades Moon were chanting and weaving spells or something that Roy didnt quite understand. Blood-Raven was offering her assistance in housing his soul until a suitable form could be found.
Roy spoke over the din. Lemme talk ta Julia... alone.
The others acquiesced and he pulled Julia to the side.
Ya know how many times I been
dead? I been ta City Hall four times ta have myself declared alive.
Its obviously not enough to keep you down yet.
Its just that
Im afraid
if I dont go
I'm afraid when ya leave... I'll go back ta th'farm an' ferget ya.
I am, too. It's a good life you you have here. I'll... I'll understand if you're happier here. But I should tell you... it's tearing me apart not...
not?
It hurts. A lot. Not having you around.
Roy reached out and touched her hair. I miss ya too, Julia.
He looked around again, and the landscape became just a little bit sharper.
But what if thiss where Im sposed ta be? Who am I ta turn my back on it?
Julias looked down. Her hair fell like golden tears in front of her face, and he could hear the sniffle when she breathed.
Bsides, ya like bein a cape. It wuz never fer me.
Her eyes came up to look into his. Her expression was resolute. He didnt know if she was driven now by hurt or anger.
Do I? I do it cuz it's all I know. Grow up with a father like mine and try being something different. No, what I like is the people I've met in the process.
Ya could stay here with me
She shook her head. Life is about change -- experiencing new things.
The farm became even clearer now. I almost seemed real again.
Uh-oh, Blood-Raven said, Were losin im.
Cynata and Blood-Raven began to chant. A crimson raven shape curved over them, feeding energy from one to the other, strengthening their magic.
Roy looked at Julia, but no longer saw Julia.
Becky, he pleaded, Please dont go. Dont leave me. He dropped to his knees. I dunno what Id do without ya! Please dont
Get Up! Shammy shouted and slapped him across the face. Yer livin in yer own head, ya yutz! That ain't Becky. Becky's yer ideal woman, sure, but she ain't real. She ain't Julia, neither.
Yer messin with my head!
Naw. YER messin with yer OWN damn head. Ya kin have yer Becky. But all she is, is you. She ain't nothin else. Julia's real. She won't agree. She'll grow old. She'll get pissed at ya. An' that's why she matters. Don't confuse th' two. Ya got it?
The farm was fuzzing out again, and Roy was aware of the others worried faces.
This place is becoming unstable, Cygnata said, Ready the raft, Hades.
Roy, you need to ask yourself, Julia said, taking his hand, what do you want?
Julia. If I go back.... Itll be... It'll be a robot body.
It doesn't have to be. We found a way once, didn't we? Maggie did, didn't she? We can find a way again.
Roy nodded.
We need to leave this place, Cygnata urged.
Roy looked around. The landscape was crumbling like last years birthday cake.
Julia, I wann be real. Im goin, but
He turned around. He wasnt sure if anyone else saw her, but Becky stood in the doorway smiling at him.
I just wanna say goodbye
It wuz real ta me
Julia nodded and turned to join the others. In minutes Roy followed.
Somehow, Hades Moon had produced a rather large raft and everyone was gathered on it.
Lets go, Roy said as he boarded.
Roy? Hades Moon asked, You want me to bring the farm along? I don't like abandoning so many parts of yourself.
Those parts wuzn't real.
Oh, they're all real, Roy. They're part of you.
Let's... just... go.
The large raft drifted across the sea of dreams, and onto Cygnatas private island. She bid him to come ashore and wait for his spirit to be reunited with his robot body.
The wait did not last long.
I have to say, just...wow.
This was a wonderfully touching series of posts and everyone involved should be congratulated for their hard work and creativity.
Roy, this was a really amazing storyline and I'm grateful you allowed Tess to share a part in it.
Looking forward to the next one. 
((Epilogue 1 can be found here. September Writing Challenge ))
((Again, Roy, very touching.))
((Still one of my favorites.))
Issue 23: All your base are belong to us?
[i]The Lords of Order and Chaos were quite perplexed when the Ascension of the new Destroyer occured. Their expectation of receiving an amalgamation of the soul of the human and the essence of the banished Spinner of the Wheel was unmet by the pair beings standing before them.
"My brothers," the Destroyer said upon his return to the Great Gaming Hall, "Your crimes against me shall be forgiven."
A great murmuring arose from the Assembled.
The returned Lord of Chaos, Destroyer regarded the entity that had arrived with him. He sneered at it's familiar verdant glow.
"So, my adversary, you have slipped in on the tail of my cloak. You shall be the first to perish beneath the Wheel."
"I think not," said the ascended Jewel Entity. He indicated the fragmented wheel on it's broken spindle. "You have arrived without your willing consort. No soul to be bound to the wheel. You also failed to reassemble the Wheel of Destruction in its earthly manifestation."
The Destroyer began a low complaining grumble that quickly grew into a rolling rumble that shook the very hall in which the Lords stood.
Two of the Lords of Order, Law and Rule, came forward.
"We have discussed this... unexpected change," Law began, "and have reached an agreement."
Rule spoke next. "To maintain balance, certain Guidelines must be followed..."
In a place where time has no meaning, Rule recited those Guidelines. Balance between death and life, matter and energy, creation and destruction, and other balances of seemingly trivial importance were mentioned. When he had finished, he reiterated the directives for bannishing and reinstating a Lord of Destruction, and reconstructing a Wheel of Destruction.
"However," Law continued when Rule was done, "your arrival without the binding and also your failure to procure a willing consort have failed to meet the requirements of the Guidelines."
"And yet, I am here. I will take my place."
Law and Rule stepped back among their brethren.
"The Lords of Order cannot violate the Guidelines, Destroyer. We cannot violate our rules."
A murmur arose again, but was quickly hushed by Law's upraised hand.
"This situation," Law said, "Shall be remanded to your brethren, the Lords of Chaos."
The Destroyer smiled. He opened his arms as if to embrace the Lords of Chaos. Their arms remained at their sides, the Destroyer's smile remained unreturned.
The Lord of Chaos, Strife stepped forward.
"You have violated one whom I have favored, Destroyer, and in doing so you threaten the balance for which we all strive."
The Destroyer sneered. "So, you felt the need to restore my office, yet you would not have me? Who will you supplant me with? Is there another immortal at hand to replace me? I think not."
"I think so"
All heads turned to the speaker.
"As a being of perpetual energy who found sentience within the jewel which powered the mortal whose destiny has been diverted..."
The Jewel Entity stepped close to the framework which housed the broken Wheel.
"...and having been bound to the soul of said mortal..."
The Jewel Entity touched the spindle.
"I believe I could turn the Wheel, despite it's crippled condition. I believe I could use it just as it is. The destruction will have to be conducted in a slow and careful manner. The wheel shall be fragile, even after a spirit has been bound to it."
Strife stepped forward and touched the spindle also.
"Agreed," he said, uncharacteristically.
The Lord of Chaos, Deceiver stepped forward.
"Brother," he spoke to the Destroyer, "I would not allow this. You would be restored, once again one with your Wheel, would you not?"
"Yes," replied the angry Destroyer.
"So be it," said the Deceiver, smiling. "Let your word bind you."
The Destroyer's eyes widened with the realization of the Deceiver's statement, and he screamed as his form dematerialized.
The Wheel of Destruction shuddered in its housing as the immortal essence entered it.
The Jewel Entity's emerald glow filled the hall for a moment before it dimmed, not quite disappearing altogether.
The Lords of Order and Chaos moved to the gaming table.
"Come, brother," Strife said to the new Lord of Chaos, Destroyer, "Join us in the Game."