Small Packages hurled through the air towards the twisted burning alien tree. The eighteen inch tall man screamed. “Help!”

Why had he tried to save Dark Mystic’s miserable hide? He’d picked a fine time to throw himself between the psychopath’s AK- 47 and Dark Mystic’s attempt to provoke Payday into firing bullets that would hit a tree that exploded into flames.

White light surrounded Small Packages. He stood before a white robed figure with thick blond hair. The light was too bright to tell gender for sure.

The melodic voice said, “Wheat from Tares. The day of separation is at hand.”

The light blinked out. Small Packages slammed into a familiar giant palm. The palm turned right side up and pulled away from the flames. Small Packages stood up. His twin brother had grown tall enough to catch him before he hit the flames.

Small Packages stared into the sunless sky as the fleeing Dark Mystic zoomed across it, powered by demonic rage. He climbed on on his brother’s shoulders. “Hurry! We got to catch him.”

Skyscraper rose to his full sixty-foot height and began to sprint. Small Packages shouted, “Hey, remember us!”

Dark Mystic growled.

“We have you now!” The Sword came in view, riding his flying blade like a surf board, carrying Revelator and Pantheon on board.

Small Packages laughed. “This just ain’t your day, Mystic.”

“Then I shall return for another.”

Dark Mystic pulled a round object from his robe and dropped it.

Purple smoke engulfed the heroes. Small Packages couldn’t see more than a few inches in front of him. He coughed.

A bright light flashed. When the smoke dissipated, Dark Mystic was gone.

Small Packages slammed his tiny fist into his palm. Skyscraper strode back to the fire. Skyscraper stomped out the blaze and then returned to his normal size.

Small Packages looked down at Payday. “Nice job.”

Continued…Next Monday

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Continued from Part Twelve

A voice echoed from the portal behind the guns. “So, Sword what are you going to do?  Move forward and you’re in range of my guns. Move backwards and my dogs will tear you to shreds.”

The Sword turned to his partner with a grin. Or we can take door number three.

Revelator nodded.

The dogs drew closer. The Sword jumped backwards off the ledge with his blade in hand. Revelator grabbed Pantheon’s arm and pulled her over along with him.

“What are you doing?” she screeched.

The blade grew to the size of a surfboard. The Sword pulled himself on top of it, stood, and pressed down to magnetize his boots as he flew up to catch Revelator and Pantheon.

Revelator landed squarely behind him and latched onto his arm. Pantheon caught the blunt edge, and the Sword had to pull her up in front of him. He held her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

The Sword looked up. About a hundred feet up, a patch of blue sky smiled at him through a hole in the roof of the cave. His blade soared upwards. The Sword pointed his blade downwards at an angle.

Pantheon asked, “What are you doing?”

“Setting up my shot.” The Sword pointed the blade at the row of mechanical rifles and fired an energy beam.

The Sword’s blade soared out of the cave ahead of a magnificent explosion.

Pantheon turned and wrapped her arms around the Sword. He sent her a stern look, and she released her grip.

Continued…Next Monday

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Continued from Part Eleven

Speed Skater moved through the brush. An object hurtled through the air behind her. She leaped up as the knife slammed into a nearby tree. She landed on her feet.

Dark Mystic stepped from behind another tree. His voice resounded unusually deep. “Let’s see how you do with fire.”

He fired a wall of flames in her direction. She ducked behind the tree.

He stopped firing the flamethrower.

She peaked out. Dark Mystic surged into the air, defying gravity by demonic rage.

Speed Skater watched as he flew over the tree. She made a run to the other side. He came back around towards her.

Dark Mystic spat curses. “Once I get you in my claws, I’ll tear you to bits!”

“Hey, Mystic!” screamed Payday from a nearby tree stump. He pointed an AK-47 at Dark Mystic. “Today’s your payday.”

Speed Skater hit the ground as bullets swirled around her pursuer.

Dark Mystic screamed obscenities as he was hit. He landed behind the tree.

Payday put in another clip. Dark Mystic sent a ring of fire Payday’s direction. Speed Skater jumped and threw Payday to the ground. His gun and the clip landed several feet away. Great move, Lady Speed.

Dark Mystic picked up the weapon and eyed it. “What do you know? Two sitting ducks for the price of one.”

He pointed the weapon at Payday and Speed Skater.

Continued…Next Monday

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Continued from Part Ten

“Jesse, we’re closing in on the last one.”

The Sword continued running. This had really better be the last. This was growing old quick. “Direction?”

“Ten o’clock.”

The Sword pointed his blade to the Northeast. Sure enough, a dog came right at him. An energy beam ended the threat.

Light streamed out through the entrance, only a few feet ahead of them.

“Finally, a break,” said Revelator.

Sixty feet from the entrance, a blinding flash of light appeared above them.  Fifteen rifle barrels appeared.

The trio turned tail and headed back the other way as a stream of bullets came towards them. They didn’t get far.

“Jesse, the dogs,” said Revelator.

The mad dogs were closing to within two hundred feet on one side. On the other was machine guns firing down on them. To the right, a cavern wall. To the left, a steep one hundred foot drop into a river.

The Sword ducked behind a rock and looked towards the exit. His eye caught a glint off an explosive charge. If the blade’s energy beam fired, it would probably blow them to kingdom come.

Continued…Next Monday

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Continued from Part Nine

Small Packages stared down into the ravine through his binoculars. Payday moved sluggishly through the wilderness.

Captain Revolution said, “I don’t think Payday’s trap is working.”

The Defender tapped his chin. “Perhaps we should end this game.”

Small Packages stood on Skyscraper’s shoulders. Up here, he was eye level with the giants. Much better than talking to shins, that was for sure. “Want to come out of this vertical, Ruskie? Rule number one: never surprise Payday. That trigger-happy maniac could kill you thinking you were Dark Mystic.”

Captain Revolution shrugged. “I could stop him, myself. But his plan is sound. If it doesn’t work, it beats sitting around like Robinson Crusoe.”

The Empress sent him a smile while her eyes sneered. “Communists. You don’t think anything about using a woman as bait.”

“I’m sorry, your Highness. Didn’t I try and kill you as soon as we got here? Oh wait, it was you who tried to kill me. I didn’t think your exalted morals would allow it.”

“Someone has to take out the trash.”

Small Packages shook his head. Giants. “Of all the allies I could have, I get stuck with the United Nations. Look, Russia, China, Japan, I really don’t give a rip. Politics just stops us from doing the right thing. We’re fighting a war.”

“Lenin said, ‘Politics is war by other means,'” said Revolution.

The Defender frowned. “But like a Communist, he was simply stealing. Clausewitz said, ‘War is politics by other means.'”

Small Packages shook his head. “Okay, you guys want to debate Dark Mystic, go ahead. I’ll be sure to deliver the invitation. Come on, Skyscraper.” Those idiots could prattle on, but they were not losing Payday or Speed Skater.

Skyscraper took off with Small Packages still riding on his shoulder. The UN followed.

Continued…Next Monday

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Continued from Part Eight

Pantheon said, “Could you go on ahead a few paces? I’ll catch up.”

Jesse squinted. “What’s the matter?”

Pantheon blushed. “I need to-”

Revelator tugged on Jesse’s arm. “Sure thing. Come on, Jesse.” Even he knew better than to further interrogate a woman that asked for space.

Jesse sent him a clueless look. “What was that all about?”

“Later. I actually have something more important to tell you. Pantheon has chosen the man she wants as her mate.”

“Laban you old dog. I never imagined-”

“Not me, Sword. You.”

Jesse laughed. “Get real. Jesse Miller sent wedding photos to every hero Sword Comics has under contract, including her. And my secret identity is no more a secret to them than theirs is to me.”

Only true identities could sign legal contracts and without fail Jesse had to reveal his in order to convince recruits to reveal theirs to him. “She doesn’t care. Every time you kill one of those devil dogs, she becomes more convinced you’re meant to be together. She doesn’t plan on us ever going home.”

“I can’t believe that. Our heroes all hold to certain ideals. Sleeping with a married man doesn’t fit the profile.”

Revelator let out a sigh. “You know, Jesse. Having a telepath around is totally worthless if you won’t listen.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just hard to believe.”

“Yeah, it makes her human. I suppose you wouldn’t be allowed to notice how good the lady in the pew behind us looked in the mini-skirt and pantyhose.”

A red-faced Jesse growled. “Laban! My grandmother always said Good Christians mind their own business and pay attention in church! What about you?”

“I get the CDs. But my point is the same. Maybe she won’t act on it, but you should know anyway.” Revelator turned his head. “We’re not alone. ”

“I know, she’ll be back any minute.”

“Somebody else is in the cavern. I can’t tell anything about them. But they’re here and it’s not DM.”

“But Dark Mystic blocks you unless he wants you to hear.”

“No, this guy’s not blocking me. I just can’t read him from this distance.”

Pantheon returned and they continued their trek forwards.

“We’re close. There’s two more ahead.”

Jesse nodded. “That’ll be eight. Then only one more between us and the end.”

They took a few steps forward. Pantheon charged past Jesse and Revelator.

Jesse stared. “What’s she doing?”

“What else? Trying to impress you.”

She jumped off to the left and speared a devil dog like a shish kabob. She used the poor creature to beat its compatriot. Jesse fired energy beams at the dog on the stick and it’s opponent.

Jesse grimaced. Killing attacking animals is a necessity. Torturing the beasts is not. “Come on, we got to get moving.”

Revelator could second that. Pantheon deserved a lecture. But it’d best wait until they were out of danger.

Contrary to Pantheon’s dour face, her brainwaves were quite pleased. The Sword is showing his strength in the relationship. He’s attracted even though he would deny it. I’ll have another chance, but best not to overplay my hand. “Coming, Sword.”

Revelator shook his head. “Oh, brother.”

A light shone to the left and a new thought pattern appeared. Before Revelator could latch on, it was gone.

The barking began again.

“Run!” screamed Jesse.

A sinking feeling was in Revelator’s stomach. Somehow, he didn’t think what was ahead of them was much better.

Continued…here.

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Continued from Part Seven

Sariah Miller sat in Jesse’s office. She groaned as she read the storyboard for the upcoming issue of Small Packages and Skyscraper’s comic, pulled out her Blackberry, and called Walt Winters. “Walt, I just read your storyboard for Small Packages and Skyscraper. What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“This is hokey. Jesse never did hokey. He wouldn’t approve this and neither can I.”

“Now, look, Sariah, do you think you can do better? It’s hard work-”

“Stop.” They’d never try this with Jesse, but leave it to the writers to try and strong arm the wife. She’d show them. “No, Walt, I don’t. I think you can, and if you don’t want to, Jesse has a whole drawer full of promising young writers he’s gotten stuff from. What seems to be the challenge?”

“Have you ever tried to write a series with your heroes being a gnome-and-giant tag team? It’s not so hard if you can get the stories from the gnome. Otherwise, there’s no way to come up with something rational.”

“It doesn’t need to be rational. The whole concept is fantastic. Do something sci-fi. But don’t give me hokey stuff like this. Jesse liked Small Packages, and he’d never let you portray him as a clown. And believe me, you don’t want those two angry at you.”

“Sariah, we’ve got to accept that none of these guys are coming back. It’s been six weeks. They’re only alive on the page, and heroes on the page go through different eras. They evolve to fit the times.”

Sariah choked back tears. Walt didn’t know what he was saying. Other than Jesse’s doctor, she was the only person of known whereabouts who knew the Sword’s true identity. For as long as she could keep it that way.

But, as far as Walt and the rest knew, she’d chosen Jesse over the Sword years ago. He’d forgiven her for two timing him with himself about the same time she’d forgiven him for battling himself for her affections in order to sell comics. “Walt, if they are gone, we’re going to remember them right. That’s our policy. I expect a rewrite in three days.”

Walt gave a resigned sigh. “Yes, ma’am. By the way, I hope Jesse gets better. What did the docs say?”

“No change.”

“I’m sorry. When you visit him, let him know we’re pullin’ for him. I know it doesn’t do much good in a coma, but I’ve heard they can hear-”

“Thanks, Walt. It’s a nice thought. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Sariah hung up the phone and began to weep. Jesse had to come back. He was the Sword. The Sword always came home. At least he had until now.

The story about Jesse being in a coma was a fabrication facilitated by Jesse’s doctor. They’d keep it up as long as possible. Until he came home, if he came home. She buried her head in her hands and began to weep.

He was out there, somewhere. She closed her eyes and bowed her head to pray for her poor lost husband. In more ways than one.  Jesse managed to fool her before “I do,” or maybe she’d fooled herself, but marriage proved itself eye-opening indeed.

Continued…here.

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Continued from Part Six

Jesse exchanged a dubious glance with Pantheon. “He claims he didn’t have control over his own actions?”

Revelator nodded. Jesse could be a tad slow sometimes. “The demon possessing him was behind everything.”

“Could you ask what they’re planning?”

“I can’t ask anything.” Revelator pointed at his head. “This thing is a receiver only.”

Jesse grunted. And thank goodness for that. Judging by how he misuses the receiving power, I don’t want Laban talking in my head. Good way to lose one’s sanity.

“You’re probably right about that. But it’s so hard not to be able to find out what-”

“Revelator! What else did he say?”

“He wants you to kill him. He showed me which cave he was in, but warned me he thinks he’s only being allowed to transmit so Jalzabel can lure us to our deaths.”

“According to him, though, there’s this guy from Boston who can travel home with spacial portals. If he’s there to set the trap, we can catch him and get our ticket home. I don’t think we have any choice but to spring it.”

Pantheon said, “I agree.”

“Lead us down there.”

Following Revelator’s directions, they ended up at the mouth of a cave.

“I’ll go first.” Jesse squeezed his sword’s hilt. The blade lit up like a torch.

Pantheon and Revelator followed.

“Look ahead.” Jesse cast his light on Dark Mystic sitting on a rock, his purple hooded cape faced the walls.

Revelator focused in on the figure. Instead of the usual block, a myriad of reptilian brain wave patterns hissed.

“Jesse, it’s a trap!”

Pantheon stepped up beside Jesse. “Bow of Apollo!” A bow and arrow appeared in her hands. She fired the arrow at Dark Mystic. The cape and the two sticks that held it up flew off the rock and revealed several snakes.

Jesse fired several beams from his blade at the approaching snakes.

Revelator walked over. “Jesse, fire an extra shot to cut off its head.”

“My sword can kill-”

“I don’t like snakes.”

“Fine.”

Jesse fired another beam at the dead snake. “Happy?”

“No, but a little safer.” Revelator picked up the dead snake’s tail. “Jesse, this a North American rattler. Wherever we are, I don’t think it’s Arizona.”

“So that means?”

“They’re  importing help.”

“Regardless, I don’t think he’s here. Let’s get out of here.”

The trio turned. An explosion rocked the mouth of the cave and the roof collapsed at that end, trapping them. Dust pelted them.

Jesse coughed. “Nice. So while keeping us busy with his snake friends, Dark Mystic escapes and blows up the entrance.”

“Not Dark Mystic, Jalzabel. DM warned us, but you thought we could take the trap.”

“Okay, so this is somewhat my fault. But I already figured a way around it. You can get us out of here, can’t you, Pantheon?”

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

“I thought you had the power of Hades. You know, the lord of the underworld.”

“Actually, I’ve only engineered myself with the power of the twelve Olympians. Hades wasn’t one of them.”

“But in Issue 18 of Pantheon, you used the power of Hades to escape an underground trap.”

“Oh, the writer took creative license.”

Revelator laughed. “Apparently comic books aren’t all that reliable a source.”

“Cute,” said Jesse. “There is another way out. Dark Mystic didn’t escape the way we came in. We would’ve seen his tracks. We just got to find it. Piece of cake.”

A blinding light burst in the cavern and a ferocious barking split the air.

“Spear and armor of Ares!” Bronze armor surrounded Pantheon and a spear appeared in her hand.

“Knife of Wal-Mart!” Revelator pulled the hunting knife Jesse allowed him to carry. At times like this, he wished Jesse allowed him to carry a gun.

Barking filled the chamber.

Revelator closed his eyes and began to search for the canine patterns. “There are about thirty. They’re filled with rage. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Jesse asked, “Any idea which way out?”

“Unfortunately, none of the dogs have a map, as far as I can tell.”

“Okay, stay behind us. Scan for the dogs, if one is coming, let us know. We’ll try and avoid as many as we can.”

The trio walked forward with Revelator bringing up the rear. The cave branched off in two directions.

“Which way?” Jesse asked.

“To the left are twenty-one dogs. To the right, nine.”

“Whichever side has more dogs is where the exit will be.”

“What if that’s what he’s planning on?” asked Pantheon. “He knows you’d choose the path with more dogs and that Revelator is here to tell you which one.”

“I’m not that predictable. Come on.”

Pantheon dashed ahead of Jesse. His thoughts flashed with annoyance. Excuse me, I’m leading the exhibition.

Pantheon grabbed a rock and threw it. An axe head flew through the air and landed in a rock.

She turned and sent Jesse a teasing smile. He’s so cute when he’s embarrassed. “I believe that’s about your height.”

Jesse cleared his throat. “Let’s head the other way.”

They backtracked, the barking ever closer as they headed down a path along a ridge overlooking an underground river.

“Jesse, I’m betting he booby trapped both sides.”

Jesse switched the blazing sword to his other hand. “Why didn’t you say so when we were over there?”

“Because I think she’s right about which side has the exit.”

“I guess I’ve been outvoted.” Jesse added silently, But when did this become a democracy? Regardless, her stunt with the first booby trap has probably got nine rabid dogs waiting for us.

They walked down the right side of the cave. The barking came louder.

“Jesse, about one hundred feet ahead. Two of ’em.”

The Sword squinted. “I don’t see them.”

The barking was getting closer still.

“We should be right on top of them if you’re right.”

“On top, that’s it. Jesse look out!”

Two monster-sized dogs jumped towards Jesse’s throat.

Jesse pressed on his sword’s hilt. A beam of energy shot out at the animals. He stepped back. The dogs collapsed on the ground and laid still.

Pantheon poked the animals with her spear. No response. “They’re dead.”

Revelator examined the bodies. “They look to be a Rotweiller-Pitbull crossbreed.” He examined the dogs’ thick legs. “Pumped full of steroids.”

“The two most ferocious breeds of dogs, super sized with steroids.” Jesse shook his head.  “Let’s keep moving.”

Continued…here

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