Fallen Stars
Mystery Thirty-One
What's Done In The Dark
(In Dust, At The Base)
Sitting around the front room table, one side has….
[Loaf][Stroganoff][Wrath]
The other side has…
[Wellington][Bulgogi][Vega]
While Draco sits at the head of the table.
[Draco]
The map of Stephano is on the table. Apocalypse and Zeus are flying around the room, above the group.
Draco: Alright. Let's start to plan. Vega.
Vega: ?
Draco: What did you come up with?
Vega: Going over all the traits the races have. I think I have a good plan.
Draco: Lay it out.
Vega: First. Bulgogi.
Bulgogi: ?
Vega: Does your powder work on the other races?
Bulgogi: Yes, it does.
Vega: Wellington, how many goblins are there that can fight?
Wellington: Around fifty.
Stroganoff (giggles): Hihaha.
Vega looks directly at Stroganoff fiercely. Stroganoff makes a worried face.
Loaf: Ignore him.
Vega: Bulgogi, get your people working on the powder. It'll boost everyone, but Draco, Wrath, and me. Next, I'll get the Knockers to mine under the town of Ash, throwing the Army entirely off.
Everyone listens more.
Vega: They'll mine from every direction. All the angles.
Vega points to each direction on the map on the table.
Vega: When they're distracted, the Hobgoblins will bomb out all of the Army's outposts in Ash. Those all have machine guns and that will take out most of our side. They have to go.
Draco: Hmmm.
Vega: This is where the goblins come in, with Enhanced Dexterity. They can climb on Ash's rooftops and bomb out the outposts.
Stroganoff: *Snort* You want us-
Loaf elbows him in the side.
Vega does a mean look and looks out of the corner of his eye.
Vega (intense): Don't cut me off again.
Stroganoff: (Eck!)
Vega: Once they're all gone, the Trows will boost our numbers, then we attack.
Draco gets up, slapping the table, getting excited.
Draco: Sounds good to me!
Bulgogi: Powders for over one hundred people will take at least two hours.
Loaf: *Snort* Same for the bombs!
Wellington: I can have my people more than prepared in two hours.
Under Stroganoff's breath.
Stroganoff: Punk.
Draco raises both hands.
Draco: We regroup in two hours then! Disperse!
Wellington: (Should I tell them about Zo- Ah, they probably wouldn't know him.)
All the races leave. Going back to their territories.
Wrath, Vega, and Draco only remain.
Wrath: I'm going to leave too.
Draco: Where're you going?
Wrath: Just going to roam a bit. C'mon, Zeus.
Zeus begins to fly towards Wrath.
Vega: Wrath.
Wrath: ?
Vega: Don't do anything dumb.
With seriousness in Vega's eyes.
Wrath: When have I ever?
Vega (calm): Don't.
Wrath (grins): I got it.
As he gives a thumbs up with an immature smile on his face, he walks out with Zeus on his shoulder.
Vega has an unamused face right now.
Vega: He just has to relax for two hours.
Draco: It'll be alright. We have a great plan!
Vega thought to himself.
Vega: I'm still thinking about us vs Caffua. And how I made that terrible plan.
Draco: What are you talking about, that plan was great!
Vega: What about my plan vs that owl guy? Are my plans great if they fail?
Draco: ….
Vega leans on the table.
Draco: All you have to do is make up for failed plans by doing better in the future.
Vega (fiery tone): You know I hate losing, Draco.
Draco (understanding smirk): Hmph. I know. But we can only get better over time.
A brief pause happens…
Vega (concernedly thinks): (Who is this… this isn't Draco...)
Two hours and fifteen minutes go by…. Bulgogi and Loaf come back to Dust. With Draco and Vega waiting for them at the center Water Fountain. Draco is sitting down, looking down, hands together, with Vega standing next to him, arms crossed.
Vega: You're late.
Vega's red eyes glare at them. They get a little frightened.
Draco: Ah, don't worry about Vega, he has this thing about being on time.
Vega (under his breath): Time is everything.
Draco: Everything good?
Bulgogi: My side is good.
Loaf: We are good also!
Vega: Where is that annoying one?
Loaf: Oh! He's still at Charcoal with Wrath!
Draco: That's where he went… seems he took a liking to you Hobgoblins.
Loaf: *Snort* We are fun!
Vega: ….
Draco: Wrath knows what we're doing. Setup the diggers, Vega. After the outposts are gone, we all jump in.
Apocalypse is flying behind Draco drooling over the goblins. Salisbury looked up crying.
Salisbury (scared): Please don't eat us!
Apocalypse: (Can I eat them, Draco?)
Draco: (No. We're about to make a move anyway. Maybe afterward.)
Apocalypse: (Yes!)
Draco: Let's get in place.
Bulgogi: It's getting late. Want to attack tomorrow?
Draco: This is a perfect time then. Catch them off-guard.
Loaf and Bulgogi: Ok!
(In Ash, Army's Location.)
Earl: Where are they? I said to be back before the Blackout!
Private John: I saw them leave… but I don't know.
Earl: And you John! Why did you crash the f'ing car into the wall!?
John: Sorry. Hehe, I had to bail out. That wall came out of nowhere!
Earl: The wall doesn't move… *sigh* Nevermind. The training routine is doubled for you and no dinner for a week.
John: Why?!
Earl: Are you really asking why!
Half an hour goes by. Earl tapped his fingers on the desk.
Earl: I'm doing it again.
He reaches into his uniform, pulling out a cigarette and a lighter. Lighting the cigarette he takes a long puff.
Earl: *Whew* I'm worrying again. John!
John, doing push-ups, looks up.
Earl: What was the longest time Kate went out to Zrazy?
John: I don't know, about an hour?
Earl: It's been three and a half hours now. In another half an hour, I'm sending a search party.
A cold chill came over Earl and the complete atmosphere and tone of the room changed...
Zosma: Calm down, Earl. I'm sure they're fine.
Earl (stunned): Fir-First Lieutenant Zosma!
Earl salutes Zosma.
Zosma (relaxed): At ease. I'm going to my study, just relax and wait for them to come back.
Earl: Sir yes sir!
A few minutes pass and Zosma walks into his study.
Zosma: Ah.
As he takes a seat. His room is completely dark, with no light in sight.
Zosma: This place always reminds me…
As Zosma reminisces about his past….
(Flashback:
A young Zosma entering the Army)
Someone yelled out, Ten-hut!!
Zosma standing in line. Ready.
A beautiful young woman walks past seeing all the recruits. With gold earrings on both earlobes. And long gold hair, flowing elegantly. Green uniform of course. Tan skin.
Scar: Those are the newbies?
Lowno: Yep. They just came in.
Scar: Hmmm. I like that spiky hair one. He gives off a different presence.
Lowno: ….
Scar goes over to the recruits.
Scar (interested): What's your name?
As she stands right in front of Zosma. Zosma stayed focused.
Zosma: Zosma, ma'am!
Scar: Ma'am? Don't be so formal.
Lowno: He should be formal with you, you are his superior.
Scar: Wanna join my group, Zosma?
Zosma (nervous): Um.
Scar: Don't think! Decide, right now!
She gets closer to him.
Scar: I can give you anything you want… Freedom? Power? Whatever it is, I can get it for you. Just follow me.
Zosma was enticed by her beauty. He blushes.
Zosma: I'll join!
Scar is happy and excited.
Scar: Nice to have you! I'm Captain Scar!
**Scar**
Army Rank: Captain
Specialist Ron: Scar, stop taking my recruits!
Scar walks away winking at Ron.
Scar: Sorry! It had to be done!
Later that night, the two are both in a sauna. Steam is everywhere in the room.
Zosma: Why am I here again?
Scar: I told you. Your body needs to get used to it.
Scar walked into the sauna, removing her towel. Zosma notices the Golden Beetle Tattoo on her back. And a scar going down her right forearm.
Scar: Now….
Scar takes her fingers and goes up Zosma's chest.
Scar: What power do you want?
Zosma is blushing and nose bleeding.
Zosma: Wha- What? Anything, right?
Scar: Yeah.
Zosma: Hm, This world is so dark. Filled with nothing but darkness. I want to absorb the darkness!
Scar: ?
Zosma (laughs): Yeah, that's what I want.
Scar: Keep that in mind then….
She takes out a knife and stabs Zosma in the heart!
Zosma: Bluh!
Zosma dies off…. then wakes up in a dark room surrounded by smoke. He sees someone sitting on a throne, surrounded by a rainbow with an emerald hue.
M: What power do you truly desire?
Zosma: Huh? What?
M: What power do you want?
Zosma with excitement on his face and in his voice!
Zosma: Uh. I want to absorb the darkness!
M: And why would you want that?
Zosma (grins): I want to rid this world of all the darkness, and let the light shine!
M: I shall grant you that. Also, take this egg, It will hatch into your pure self, with your real ideals.
As the egg floats over to Zosma. Zosma looks at it. And wakes up in the sauna.
Zosma: *Gasp* Did I just die?
Touching his body.
Scar: Yup! Hopefully, you got what you wanted.
Zosma blinked his eyes as if he had just woken up. And sees his egg. His egg is all black.
Zosma: I did…. Rahaha.
Scar: Now you can do whatever you want. If anyone messes with you, they have to deal with me!
Zosma: Right.
Scar: And I mean anyone. I'd do anything for my loyal swarm.
Scar's expression gets serious, as she continues running her fingers up his stomach. Revealing her scar more, Zosma notices it.
Zosma: Is that why you're called "Scar"?
Scar: Hmm, not really, but it does add to my nickname. My real name is Scarabaeus. But calling me Scar is easier.
Zosma: Oh.
(Years Later...
Unknown Location)
Zosma is seen hanging around Scar, doing her complete bidding. While she sits on a building, she directs her swarm, yelling at Zosma.
Scar: Take them out, Zosma!
Zosma: Yes, Ma'am!
Zosma killed the people they were fighting, gunning them down.
Scar: Yes! Over the years you've become a loyal person to my swarm.
Zosma is seen with his Golden Beetle Tattoo.
Zosma: …. Of course, I can do anything I want.
Scar: So what are you doing next? I'm leaving here.
Zosma looks into the sky.
Zosma (smiles): Anything… I want to do it.
**Years Later...
In Stephano**
The Army comes rushing in with their loud trucks. The sun is shining right through the Clear Rock, looking amazing, with birds chirping and flying around. Zosma hops out of his truck, and a goblin comes up to him.
Wellington: What do you want, sir?
Zosma looked around. Raising his arms into the sky!
Zosma: Greetings, little goblins! From here on, this whole city is under my control!!
Wellington: Wh-What?
Zosma: Any problems?
A few female goblins step up.
Haggis: Yeah, there's a problem!
Zosma drops his hand quickly.
Zosma: Light them up!
The privates take out their machine guns and shoot up the goblins!!! Bullets flying everywhere! After about forty seconds, they stop...
Zosma: Now…
Zosma with the same crazy smile on, the smoke settled, with all the Goblins terrified and Hobgoblins frightened.
Zosma (arrogant): Be not afraid.
Wellington: Sir, this is the scariest moment of my life.
Zosma: I ask again. Any problems?!!
As he holds his hand to his ear. Wellington cowered in fear, looking at Haggis' and other goblins' dead bodies.
Wellington (shook): N-No...
Zosma: Rahaha. Then we're good. Zavijava! Spread out and let everyone know that we're here!
Zavijava: *yawning* Wouldn't they already know?
Zosma: Huh?
Zavijava: They had to hear our trucks, if not, they definitely heard the gunshots, plus the goblins would tell everyone else about us. Do I have to?
Zosma (angry): Do what I say!!
As his Army company spreads out and takes over Ash.
Zosma: (This place... I love it!) *yells out* This place is now called, Zosma's Den!!!
Weeks later, Zosma reflects on taking over Stephano and being in Scar's swarm. Zosma thinks about the things he wanted.
Zosma: (I wanted to eradicate all the darkness, but I let it consume me…)
Zosma looks at his hand.
Zosma (smiles): (But…. I chose this path.) Rahahaha, I can do whatever I want!
As he laughs even more!!
**End of Flashback**
More and more time goes by, and Earl is tapping his desk. Then a loud explosion goes off!!
Earl: What was-
Then suddenly the town of Ash starts sinking.
John (worried): Are we going down?!
Earl: Don't be dumb! Come check!
Both John and Earl run out, and they see Ash getting lower and lower.
Earl: What is going on….
All the Privates are running all over the place. Around 80 Privates.
Earl: Are they coming from somewhere?
Private Tim salutes Earl with his pinky.
Private Tim: No one entered the town, Sir!
Earl: They're attacking us from underground…
Earl frantically looks around.
Earl: Where is Second Lieutenant, Zavijava?!
Private Tim: No one knows sir!
Ash continues to quickly drop.
Earl (shocked): FUCK!
Ash is sunken to the same level as the rest of the towns, with only the Dirt Hill still rising above the rest.
Earl: Is that it?
Then bombs go off to the North of the town.
Earl: That's where they are! Go!
All the privates arm up and go north. Then suddenly bombs go off to the south and the east, even the west!!
Earl looked around frantically.
Earl: Th-They're everywhere! Is this just the Hobgoblins?!
A private comes running up to Earl.
Private Jo: Sir! The goblins bombed all of our outposts!
Earl: The goblins?! I thought the Hobgoblins and the Goblins hated each other!
The Goblin and Hobgoblin's wives come running in fear.
Empal (worried): They're here for us! We have to leave!
Earl: Don't worry, we will protect you! For we are the Army!
All the privates yell, Yeah!!! They gather up their weapons and extra ammo. And ready for the oncoming attack. They jump down from the Dirt Hill protecting it from all sides.
Earl: It's quiet…
Draco is seen chuckling. Then yells out!
Draco: Attack!
50 Goblins come from the South, and 100 Trows come from the East. 70 Hobgoblins come from the West. And finally, 40 Knockers coming from the Southeast.
Salisbury: AHHHH!
Earl: Light them up!
All the privates: YEAH!!!!!
Privates fired their guns, hitting a few goblins. Hobgoblins bombing out the other privates. Then, up in the sky is Apocalypse, with a giant bag. Earl looks up.
Earl (startled): Is that a dragon???!
Private John (speechless): Whoa….
Apocalypse takes its claws and opens the bag up, letting out a huge amount of powder. Sprinkling all over the races.
Bulgogi: AAAAH!
All the races get empowered!
Salisbury: Let's go! A little more fighting!
Jun shaking in the background.
Jun; I-I do-don't want to be here...
Bombs exploding and guns being shot have Jun cowering. He begins taking off running, away from the fight.
Jun (scared): I ju-just have to get out of Stephano!
Jun closes his eyes while running, and bumps into Vega. He backtracks standing right in front of him. Frozen by Vega's glare. He stutters.
Jun: V-V-Vega.
Behind a building watching the interaction is a little boy with red hair.
???: (W-Who is that?? V-Vega?)
Vega: Go back to the battlefield...
Jun frantically speaks out.
Jun: Le-Let me go home! Pl-Please!
Vega stands above Jun, while his red eyes look down upon him.
Jun: I have a family! I just want to go home! Please, I'm begging you!
Vega's half-mask covering his face, only able to see his eyes, he calmly says…
Vega: Didn't I say we wouldn't tolerate betrayal again?
Jun gets worried.
Vega: We're here to take out the Army that's been oppressing all of you, and you want to run away?! You can't call yourself an ally of ours.
Jun: Bu- But...
Vega: Someone who would run away and leave their teammates out to dry deserves nothing but eternal punishment!
Looking into Vega's eyes, a fire starts erupting from Vega's right side. Jun is covered in fear and sweat.
Jun starts slowly walking back.
Jun: A-A-Ah.
Vega: I don't care about you or your damn family.
Vega's fire jumps straight to Jun covering his whole body in flames! Jun screeches out, getting Private John's attention!
Jun: Aaaaaah!!!!
Private John (upset): (How could he do that to his ally!)
Nothing but ashes left over. Vega looks at the ashes with his usual expressionless face.
Vega: (He had emotions just like humans and their feelings for their families… makes me sick…)
The little boy jumped back. Hiding behind the building. Shocked and full of fear!!
???: (No way! How could he do that!)
The little boy takes off running back home. Draco walked beside Vega.
Draco: Wrath is about to go in.
Vega: … He is, huh.
Draco: I'll be right back.
Vega: Ok.
A few minutes go by, a 6'5 woman walks out of the Army's Base Facility. She jumps down from the Dirt Hill, with a shield and sword. Covered in armor. Landing right beside Earl.
Zavijava: What's the sitch?
Zavijava yawning. Earl is in a damn frenzy.
Earl: You don't see what's going on….?
Zavijava: Another Troll War? Yawn.
Earl: No, they're-
A jolt of electricity comes crashing down, punching Zavijava's shield as she blocks!
Wrath (exhilarated): You're the bitch from Mystery One!!!!
Wrath smirks as Zavijava struggles to block.
Zavijava: Mystery... one?
Wrath: Ah. You wouldn't get it.
Then fire sparks from her other side with Vega coming in doing a slash, but she blocks it with her sword!
Vega: You're here….
Zavijava: ?
Wrath (furious): Vega! What The Hell!!
[Vega and Wrath,
Teaming Up?!]
Mystery 31 Fin