This is a fantasy story written from January to March of 1992 on Nemesis BBS. [From: Sloop Re: story] Once upon a time... [From: Robbin Re: story] ....there was a group of friends that decided they would like to have an adventure. So... [From: Lightning Re: story] ... one cold winter evening when the sun was just begining to set they set off for what would soon turn into...... [From: Robbin Re: story] ...the greatest adventure of their lives! They had a 3 day weekend to do whatever they wanted to do. It was Thursday night and they had all packed their bags, not quite sure where they were headed. They decided that not knowing their destination would be half of the fun. Just as the sun disappeared in the horizon they headed out... [From: Lightning Re: story] and into the woods that surrounded the house. They headed north..or what they thought was north because none of them had any experience what-so-ever with reading a compass.When they had been walking for what seemed to be about two hours they heard a noise, a noise so eerie it stoped them dead in their tracks. Ever so slowly the turned around..... [From: Rando Re: story] but there was nothing to be seen. They continued along the path until before them a sign appeared, with an arrow pointing down to a dark hole in the ground. They slowly crept up to the hole and....... [From: Galahad Re: The hole...] was the home of the ranger they didn't know they were going to need. He is Cheerokee, and familiar with all the surrounding areas. He sits quietly in the hole, awaiting a request for assistance. He says, "Some call me 'Trailblazer'". [From: Rando Re: story] and I can lead you out of this place. I can take you to a place of wonderment and dreams, a place where all your fantasies come true. All you have to do is find a way to help me out of this hole". So....... [From: Thunder Re: the story continues....] First they tried reaching for him, to no avail. Then they considered digging, but they didn't have a shovel. They all sat around the hole thinking of how to get him out when to their surprise he started levitating up THROUGH the hole! With a smile on his face, he explained that he didn't really expect them to get him out, he just wanted to see if they would TRY! Then he opened his pouch and...... [From: Lightning Re: the story continues....] pulled out a map and a package of fairy dust. He said first star to right and straight on til morning. They remembered so vividly the stories of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys that they had all been told over and over until they were permanently implanted in their minds. Could this man really have the capabilities to send them to never never land? Why not find ou...they opened the packet of fairy dust, sprinkled it on and.... [From: Thunder Re: the story continues....] ... nothing! Well, maybe not exactly nothing... When they sprinkled the dust on themselves, some hit the map and where it hit, the map sparkled with a fire of it's own! The next thing they did was pick out an interesting looking area on the map and, ever so carefully sprinkle a small amount of dust on that spot. Suddenly, their surrounding went out of focus and the map seemed to grow rapidly till they found themselves standing in a glade by a still pool. The very same glade indicated on the map!!! They were not alone. Across the pool, a horse was drinking. A horse? With a horn growing out of it's forehead? A Unicorn!! Ivory and ebony with a main of silver fire and a golden horn was the image that the unicorn gave. It looked up at them, and with a calm gaze.... [From: Galahad Re: Unicorn] Trailblazer called to the horse, "Hay!" [From: Galahad Re: Will be right back....] The unicorn trods towards Trailblazer. Trailblazer, in one fluid motion, mounts the unicorn. Says, "I will be back. Will scout the area out...if any trouble occurs, blow this." Trailblazer throws a obscure instrument on the ground, clicks his tounge and cheek. The unicorn takes off. Silence holds for a few moments, as the canter of the unicorn, Bessy, fades through the distance. Birds begin to chirp. [From: Sher Re: Will be right back....] As everyone knows a man can't ride a unicorn. So this has to be an unusual man or an unusual unicorn........That is unless this man is a virgin. As he rides off they hear other sounds, yes there are the birds but another strange and hypnotic sound almost like music. they all notice that this sound is coming from the instrument. [From: Nomad Re: But...] "But hey!" said Nomad. "If all it takes to be able to ride a unicorn is to be a virgin, then I should be able to ride one, too!" "Oh, drat!" said Prisoner. "Where does that leave me?" Nomad gave him one of those odd, mirthful looks. "Uhmmm.... on foot?" Meanwhile, Thunder had picked up the strange-looking flute that Trailblazer had dropped. He looked it over and then slipped it into his pocket, then picked up and folded the magic map that had brought them here and placed that in his pocket as well. "Anyone get the bottle of pixie dust? I don't see it." He said. [From: Jonathan Re: But...] They alll begin to search for the bottle of pixie dust when in a flurry of lightning "Jonathan" ALL MIGHTY GOD OF THIS POWERFUL AND MAJESTIC PLACE appears before them.....They all kneel before him in complete and total awe at his awesome appearance.....When Jonathan says "Maybe I can be of some service to you..."........... [From: Sirloin Re: what i do...] And Sir Loin comes from a tree adjusting his clothing and says "WHO TOOK MY UNICORN?!" He takes out a large silvery object and.... [From: Turbo Re: what i do...] All of the sudden Turbo jumps out of one of the treesHe looks around...He sees SirLoin and screams!!!AAAHHHHHHH!!!SirLoin looks at Turb and says to him "Shut-Up".Turbo says he is sorry nd that he thought that he was in a Tarzan vs. Godzilla Movie...Now that the gang is all together SirLoin speaks up and says... [From: Nomad Re: The adventure continues!] SirLoin speaks up and says, "I ask again! What happened to my unicorn, Bessy?" "Wellllerrrrrummmmmm......" began Thunder. "Uhhhhmmmm..." started Nomad. At this point, Trailblazer rode back in, and dismounted. "What WAS that sound!" He saw Jonathan, standing there before them all, glowing like... well... a god, and then he saw SirLoin. "Hello there Jonathan, playing too many of those SimEarth type games Printer was warning us about?" He grinned at that little joke. "And hello SirLoin, fancy meeting you here!" "What were you doing on my unicorn!" demanded SirLoin. "Errrr..." began Trailblazer. [From: Sirloin Re: gi] sirloin says..... "Hey. Im Sir Loin baby!" Now get my horsy back! [From: Jonathan Re: gi] If you can prove thyself worthy of the honor of asking a GOD for hep then I shall consider helping you all ... [From: Nomad Re: The story grinds on...] "I ask again," said the nearly-prepubescent boy, "what did you think you were doing with my unicorn?" He raised the largish silver object and pointed it at Trailblazer. "To become worthy of my help," said the almighty Jonathan, "you must complete a quest of reasonable importance." "Where you trying to steal her?" said SirLoin. "Uhhhhmmmm..." said Trailblazer. "Not exac--" "Or did you forget what it means to ride a unicorn?" asked the kid. "A possible quest would be to collect the three major cauldrons from the Three Tiers of Moldgrom, off to the far Northern Wastelands..." continued Jonathan. "Well?" said SirLoin. "Answer me!" Trailblazer stared at the strange-looking silver thing the kid was pointing at him. Despite it's size, it did not look particularly formidable. It was simply an oddly-shaped... many-pointed thing that looked more like an abstract sculpture than any kind of weapon. "Or perhaps," continued the god, "you might try tackling the Five Puzzles of Moorkloogneek, off to the Eastern Mountains..." "Well?" said SirLoin. "I'm waiting for an answer!" "Or getting past the Five Living Statues of Fluurtniig..." "Well?" And the fact that the kid was wearing a cutesy-looking light-blue loincloth made the kid seem even less formidable. "Or the Twelve Towers of Toddlingoorm..." "Answer me!" "...which have remained unchallenged for five hundred years." "Are you listening to me?" "And then there are the Ten Tall Tripods of Triplicomm..." "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" The world seemed to swirl around Trailblazer. It was becoming a maddening cacophany of questions and statements. Suddenly the ranger felt as if he was in a whirlpool, being sucked down. "STOP IT!" he yelled. "STOP THIS! YOUR DRIVING ME STARK RAVING NUTTERS!!!!" He collapsed into a heap on the ground. "What happened?" said Turbo, bending over Trailblazer's fallen form. "I guess he couldn't handle two unrelated plots being thrust at him at the exact same time," suggested Nomad. "Makes sense," said Thunder. [From: Lightning Re: what i do...] And he begins to chant a mysterious spell and low and behold out pops a fair maiden. "Hello," she says, "my name is Lightning, do not be fooled by this mortal man who claims to be the god of this realm. For in this realm all mortals are created equal, and only those of us, such as myself, that are imortal are capable of being leaders. If you choose to follow me I will be of much help, if not I can work agiainst you." [From: Sirloin Re: what i do] I then take Lightning in my arms and smooch her till shes out of breath. I say" How ya like that?" She....... [From: Jonathan Re: what i do] From out of nowhere Sir Jonathan appears and with one swoop of his sword perfectly bisects this Piece of Scum... "Bbbbuutttt....You're supposed to be a thief and a liar..." stuttered Lightning. "Why would you do something so nice?" Lightning asked. "I was only pretending to be a GOD to get on the good side of that once living Piece of Scum there." Sir Jonathan stated. "I bow to you in Awe and total respect Great and Powerful Lightning..." Jonathan says as he so gracefully bows. "I have been following you around for days trying to find a way to get close to you... And when I saw what he was doing to you, I was so disgusted I had to do Something (Hmmmm, Maybe I overreacted....Nahhh...) " Pondered Jonathan. "If you would like I shall leave Mistress Lightning..."Jonathan questions. "Is that thy wish?"asks Jonathan. [From: Nomad Re: Splitting infinitives... and kids!] But then, Lightning had pity on the poor, bisected young boy, and rejoined his two halves... bringing him back to life. "Thank you, Lightning," said Nomad. "I was hoping this story wouldn't turn into a User-bashing story where they kill of the users left and right. That tends to get bothersome." Lightning then waved her hands over Trailblazer, and he awakened. "OOooooooooohhhh..." moaned Trailblazer, holding his head. And then SirLoin climbed back onto his unicorn. Then suddenly there came horses and unicorns out of the forest. Everyone mounted horses who could not mount unicorns... and away they rode. "Where are we going?" asked Turbo. "To find us a quest before this story becomes boring!" said Trailblazer. [From: Lightning Re: Splitting infinitives... and kids!] I can only think of one quest that would be challenging enough for such great warriors and men. It would involve climbing high mountains, fighting dangerous beasts and crossing vast deserts. I would not be able to participate with you in this quest, but I could offer advice, and tips for success. The quest would be to...... (there should be " " around that but oh well!) [From: Turbo Re: Splitting infinitives... and kids!] "Find the books of Y's".Everybody agreed and started off...first they need weapons,armor,items,and a can of beans.So...they went to town. The nearest town was a place called "Keronia"...In the town there was a bar,a weapons shop,a K-Mart,and a McDonalds in the town.Everybody decided to go to (BLANK you choose) first... [From: Jonathan Re: Splitting infinitives... and kids!] "Everybody decided to go the bar first to check on any kind of tales or superstitions about the Books of Y's... They entered the bar and everyone ordered a drink... They gathered around a table discussing the upcoming quest... When they were approached by an elderly gentleman who after apparently eavesdropping on the warriors decided to offer any help he could... He said [From: Nomad Re: The old man said...] The old man said, "So, you are looking for the Great Books of the Letters Y?" Trailblazer looked discreetely to Lightning before answering. "Yes," he said. "It is a fine quest," said the man, "one worthy of your group." He looked around cautiously, lest others might be watching or listening, "But whether you pick this quest or another... I feel I must warn you...." He looked around again, slowly. "Warn us of what?" said Trailblazer. The old man turned to look over the rest of the group. "You are the Immortal called Lightning, are you not?" he said to Lightning. "And you the neo-god Jonathan?" Both nodded the affirmative. Nomad, surprised at this last choice of words, stared at the old man a moment, and then back at Jonathan. Hadn't Jonathan said he had simply been faking godhood earlier, to get close enough to SirLoin to "get" him? What was going on here! Why the lie? The old man looked around again. "There are forces after you. Forces that want to destroy you two. They will not spare those that accompany you if they get in the way. Beware the followers of Starhawk!" A cold chill ran down everyone's spines. Starhawk! The Spawner of Lies! And then the old man, after looking around one last time, now looking a bit scared at what he had just revealed, said, "I can say no more. Please forgive my intrusion." And he quickly left the bar. (Hehe! No offense intended, Starfeathers! It's all in fun!) [To be continued...]