-
Wow, it has been way too long since the last time I was here. So many things have happened during my absence, the forums have come brighter and there has been another forum crash (how common these things actually are?).
At any rate I'll start to post my fan fiction again now that the pesky real life has loosened its grip. I'm not sure how missed it was but here it is with the brand new, fully written fourth chapter. For those who don't know this was made with thought "if I were the lead desinger of Rayman 4 this is what it would look like" in mind. I must also note for the new readers that you must know the stories of all the previous Rayman games in order to understand this. This tale is planned to have 14 chapters in it.
So here is...
Rayman: The Culture Evolution
Chapter One: The World Gone Mad
”Do you have any questions?”
The creature let his eyes to watch every six participant around the table. Although he didn’t see much from them since only two candles on that long table lighted the dark hall. He could have used his dark vision ability but he knew it wasn’t fair for those who couldn’t use. Everyone else in this hall could only see his long, grayish, skeleton-like hands with five fingers.
“Yes,” said a male creature with brass-like voice whose gigantic white-gloved arms hovered on the middle air. “Why we have to keep these meetings in total darkness?”
The skeleton-handed creature was surprised that no one has asked that question before. They must have watched too many movies about secret societies and their government wasn’t even secret. Before the creature could answer his second-in-command answered for him.
“Electricity will take some time to work. Replacing the magic is quite a lengthy process,” she said waiving her small, green hands.
“That is correct,” said the five-fingered creature. “Now, does anyone have any questions about our plan?”
“What about the Heart of the World?” asked a short man with rusted, metallic voice. “Shall we blow it or what?”
“That will be completely unnecessary. Our army is five times larger than theirs so conquering the Glade of Dreams does not require any dirty tricks. That reminds me about you two...”
The leader of this mysterious group pointed his finger at the short man and a large, gray-furred creature who was sitting next to the short man.
“You will not take anyone...”
“...as slaves,” replied the short man.
“Or...” said their leader pointing at the large creature.
“...gladiators,” replied the large creature.
The skeleton-handed creature was little annoyed that he had to remind these two about correct treatment towards people. He, however, believed that they would eventually learn. After all, he had created them to be better than that.
“Well, if everything is clear we should go to prepare. The meeting has ended,” he said and hit the table with his fist.
Rayman was watching at his concerned reflection in the pond. This was one of those many moments in his life when he had nothing to do. For some odd reason it didn’t bother him as much as it should bother. Maybe he just didn’t anymore need excitement to feel alive. Was he becoming...old?
Rayman chuckled to this thought as he watched his reflection. There were no signs of elder people, no wrinkles or grey hairs. Perhaps he was just getting mature. Can you blame him; he has saved this world al least three times. First robopirates, then hoodlums, then rabbids. He even had to go to that weird planet called Earth to stop rabbids’ plans. He has always had to do the difficult parts. Rayman smiled to his reflection when he remembered what his best friend Globox said during that hoodlum incident:
“I mean come on, every time world needs saving nobody is around. Good thing that we are.”
Yes, good thing that they were.
Rayman turned to watch Globox who was lying under a tree.
“Sooo...what shall we do today?” Rayman asked.
Globox turned to watch his best friend with tired look.
“I don’t know, perhaps we could just rest today. Having over hundred teenagers can be quite exhausting.”
That’s right; Globox’s children were growing up. One fifth of his 650 children had opinion differences with their parents. Rayman didn’t want to give up. He hadn’t become tired to all adventures, just to those which he had to do when the world was in danger.
“If you feel family life exhausting maybe we could go to look unknown places that are not marked on the map of the Glade of Dreams to get new experiences.”
“Thanks,” Globox replied, “but raising these teenagers is enough adventure for me.”
Rayman felt sorry for his old friend. He didn’t have any kids and he definitely didn’t want any after he saw one word fight between Globox and his eldest son.
“Maybe it’s just an unwanted but necessary process to become independent.”
Globox thought Rayman’s words.
“Meh, maybe you’re right. But still I just want to rest. There’s too much tension in adventuring, you know. I only adventure when the world is in danger.”
Rayman accepted it but he had an other motivation than getting experiences. His past.
The problem was that the earliest memories of his past were from two years or so before the robopirates attacked. Although he had a feeling that everything used to be in 2D. He knew he wasn’t a creation of Polokus, he was the only one who hadn’t any limbs, his parts just...hovered on the air. Maybe Polokus would have some answers but he had disappeared mysteriously right before hoodlums’ arrival. Just like his muscled friend Clark. Or...Ly.
Oh, how much he missed her.
Oh, how much I have missed this world. Those trees and plants, this whole forest. The Glade of Dreams hasn’t changed at all during my imprisonment. But I can’t just stop to look the landscape. Sergueï and his army of rabbids will go through the portal at any minute. I have to get to the Fairy Council and warn them. Have to run...run...run...but it’s so hard to run with a dress on. Is that...? Rayman! And Globox! They can help...they always can...
Rayman woke up from his thoughts when he saw Ly rushing through bushes. He shocked from Ly’s sudden and unexpected appearance and was able to say or do nothing when Ly fell to his arms. She was breathing insanely with a look of ultimate fear in her eyes. She wore a weird piece of red clothing Rayman had never seen before. It looked like much a robe.
“Is that...Ly?” said Globox stating the obvious.
“Globox...Rayman...so good...to see...” said Ly and tried to calm her breath. “The Glade...of Dreams...is in...danger...”
Those were words that got Rayman’s mind back on track.
“What have happened?” he asked.
“Later,” Ly replied. “I will tell everything once we get to the Fairy Council.”
Rayman nodded and asked Globox to help him to carry exhausted Ly. Suddenly Rayman started to feel weird tickling feeling in his arms...
Finally I would be victorious! The Glade of Dreams will never expect an attack by their old and new enemies from every direction. Rabbids were coming from the portal in Bog of Murk, robopirates aided by anti-toons and culture cops were coming from the air. All I have to do is to get hoodlums to attack from the inside. I have to concentrate. It is so amusing that my armies have fought against Rayman for many times but he never had any idea who the real mastermind behind those attacks was. I have not even met Rayman. Well, part of me has not met Rayman.
I must concentrate my every thought in Rayman. I have done this trick before but then Rayman was sleeping so it was easier. I must target all my godly mental powers on the hands of Rayman...
Suddenly Rayman’s hands fell off. They started to run towards the forest on their fingers. Ly, who just fell because handless Rayman was unable to carry her, yelled:
“Stop them before...!”
Ly couldn’t finish her sentence when Rayman’s hands released a shot of energy that knocked Rayman and Globox. That gave them enough time to run out of reach. Ly was terrified.
“No!! Now nothing can stop them, nothing!”
“Stop who?” Rayman asked while they all were raising themselves up.
A swarm of black creatures flew from the deep of the forest. The swarm stopped next to Rayman Globox and Ly. Now they saw that they were...black lums! One of them flew forward and watched the three with his mean eyes.
“I don’t recognize you,” he said pointing at Ly, “but I remember you two more than I’d want to.”
“Andre!” yelled Rayman angrily.
“Andre!” yelled Globox happily.
“You must be kidding, right?” said Ly angrily at Globox.
“As much I’d like to chat, me and my brothers have lots of things to do. By the way Rayman, thanks to your hands. It feels so good to be normal again.”
After saying this Andre flew off with his swarm of black lums laughing maniacally.
When Rayman looked after them to the sky he saw more worrying things: two big robopirate ships. And even more, he heard much feared and hated scream from the forest:
“DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
This just wasn’t his day.
Surprise came when an army of fairies and teensies came from opposite direction and attacked the coming rabbids. Rayman, Globox and Ly watched this chaos for a while.
“How they knew there is an attack?” Ly wondered.
“Polokus told me,” said a voice behind them.
There was a long teensie, three times longer than normal. He had a royal, green-purple robe and golden crown on his head with long, grey hair.
“Who are you?” asked Ly.
“Oh, this is Ly,” said Rayman confused. “Ly, this is Otmeozo, the King of Teensies.”
Couple of months ago teensies finally seemed to remember who their king was. Otmeozo had came confused to the Fairy Council and told that he was imprisoned by some mysterious dark force. Surprisingly many teensies agreed that their long lost king was found.
“Ly?” Otmeozo said surprised. “I am glad you are here. We may talk later but let us talk about the ongoing battle around us.”
Indeed, a huge battle between fairies, teensies, hoodlums and rabbids was around them.
“Polokus sent me a message last night. He is apparently a prisoner of the same dark force as I was. He informed that there is a portal in the Bog of Murk which is used to let their forces to come from another world. Rayman, he told that you should go there and close...uh...where are your arms?”
Before Rayman could answer, Otmeozo yelled:
“Robopirates! I have to go to help. Ly, I need you to aid me.”
He and confused Ly ran in the middle of fight. Rayman and Globox watched at each others.
“What shall I do?” asked Globox terrified.
“You can do that rain dance, right?” Rayman replied.
Globox nodded and disappeared to the crowd.
Rayman watched when his old enemies fought against his friends and no one paid any attention to him. Then came new enemies didn’t recognize but they looked oddly familiar. Small blue creature with white hair and red shoes, some of his size which had weird yellow-brown hats and robes. Like him their torsos, hands and heads hovered on the air except with blue creatures whose head and torso were the same thing. Too many things happened in the same time. Rayman felt himself completely powerless and he fell to his non-existent knees.
“The whole world has gone completely mad!” he yelled and raised his look to the sky. “MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!”
Instantly he realized how dramatic his cry of pain would have been if he just had his hands.
Rayman stood up and looked wildly around him. He was desperate to find his hands and asked from random fighters:
“Does anyone know where my hands are?”
“NO!” they replied and continued their fight.
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” said a familiar rusty voice behind him.
Rayman knew instantly who was behind him so turning to look would have been unnecessary. But he wanted to see had Razorbeard changed at all during these years. No, same clothing and appearance, although he seemed to smile.
“What hurts?” Rayman asked tiredly. Nothing surprised him anymore.
“When your army falls around you. When you had woken up Polokus and he started to destroy my army I knew instantly my plan would become busted. For a second I even feared how low my chances to escape were. But don’t worry, I won’t fight you. You’re not the greatest threat right now.”
“I will get you, that is for sure. But before I’ll do that I must...”
“...find your hands. I saw some hands running towards the Bog of Murk. Were they yours?”
Rayman said nothing when he grimly walked past his old nemesis.
“You’re welcome!” Razorbeard yelled cheerfully.
But Razorbeard didn’t have any intentions to stay there fighting. He would follow in Rayman’s trail and watch his utter defeat.
Rayman had seen so much chaos during his run in Bog of Murk. He had seen the enemy forces taking prisoners and causing havoc. He even had seen his old enemy Sergueï and some rabbids beating Jano, the Guardian of Cave of Bad Dreams. Normally he would have helped but he just couldn’t without his arms. But now he had reached the portal in Bog of Murk. He had used this portal before, when he had fought Begoniax during hoodlum incident. The portal seemed highly aggressive and radiated white lightning. Something powerful was coming out.
Rayman saw his hands in front of portal. They didn’t seem to notice him. Last time this happened his hands attached him volunteerly so he hope nothing would have changed from those times. Fight against his own hands felt too weird to imagine. Then something stepped out of the portal. His mere appearance made Rayman to shiver.
The creature wasn’t very high, perhaps a size of a knaaren. But his other features made him threatening. His blue, sleeveless robe revealed his long, skeleton-like arms which both had five razor-sharp fingers on them. He had a pitch black, mouthless head with two yellow, red-pupilled eyes. On his head was a bronze tiara which eight spikes made it look like a twisted sun of evil. Rayman could feel this creature’s godly power.
“Rayman,” the creature spoke, “the champion of gods, we meet at last.”
Rayman was speechless in front of this divine might. So speechless in fact he didn’t even notice that his hands were attached back to him.
“I am Nelegus,” the creature continued, “who shall soon be the God of...Everything.”
“Not this world’s you evil creature!” Rayman yelled to Nelegus and prepared to fight.
Rayman however hesitated. Nelegus actually seemed...insulted.
“I...am...not...evil!” he said with rage in his voice but he almost instantly calmed. “That...was immature from me. My apologies. You just think I am evil because my army has come to conquer your world and your main objective is to protect it. But believe me, this is for your own good.”
“Do you know that you just revealed a major weakness of yourself?” Rayman mocked. “That was highly amateurish move and reduces your chances in our battle.”
Suddenly Nelegus moved his hand and Rayman’s own hand hit him. Nelegus mocked back:
“Why did you hit yourself?”
Rayman walked dizzily around. Behind him he saw Razorbeard, Andre and Sergueï watching quietly this humiliating show.
“There is much to be done before the complete victory of culture can be achieved,” said Nelegus ruthlessly. “Right know I can use you as my hands, my legs and my eyes but you must learn to look from my point of view before I can use you as my mind.”
Nelegus hold his fist in air and Rayman’s fist was becoming full of energy.
“This happened so easy it almost makes me cry,” said Razorbeard.
That was the last thing Rayman heard before his powered fist knocked him unconscious.
I’m so sorry Rayman, I’m so sorry! I would have wanted to help you but I couldn’t risk it. We both might have ended as Nelegus’ prisoners. It is necessary that at least one of has a chance to free all. But the way Nelegus and your old enemies treated you...I’m so sorry.
Nelegus is pure evil, even if he thinks otherwise.
Luckily I have recovered my powers back. I have to change myself into an energy ball and follow them from a distance. Don’t worry Rayman. I’m right near you.
The four characters looked at Rayman’s motionless body.
“I counted that taking over this planet took two hours and 40 minutes,” said Sergueï. “We beated the previous record, seven hours.”
“You dope,” Razorbeard said, “that was just a computer game!”
“Now, now, Razorbeard,” Nelegus scolded. “Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.”
Andre was confused.
“So...who are you and what is a ‘computer game’?”
“Oh, Andre, the leader of hoodlums,” Nelegus said. “These are admiral Razorbeard, the leader of robopirates, and Sergueï, the leader of rabbids. I am Nelegus, the leader of everyone.”
“So you’re...a god or something?”
“Yes, I am also the reason of your existence. As for your second question, you will get it answered once we have stepped through this portal to our world. Now are you sure that every single inhabitant in the Glade of Dreams is out of here?”
“Positive,” said Razorbeard, “all two ships are full.”
“Excellent,” replied Nelegus. “Razorbeard, go to prepare the cosmic vacuums. Sergueï, once we have gone through inform to the third clone of professor Barranco that we have arrived.”
Nelegus took Rayman gently on his arms and carried him through the portal. Andre, Sergueï and a small ball of energy that no one noticed followed him.
Razorbeard had done this so many times it was becoming tiring. Luckily their mission to collect all planets that had life was nearly done. He gave the command and his ship revealed both of its huge cannons. He commanded them to shoot.
The Glade of Dreams popped like a huge balloon filled with sand. Next command and all of the cosmic dust was vacuumed by his robopirate ship. Both ships moved towards a huge star in the distance.
To be continued...
-
Wow, it has been way too long since the last time I was here. So many things have happened during my absence, the forums have come brighter and there has been another forum crash (how common these things actually are?).
At any rate I'll start to post my fan fiction again now that the pesky real life has loosened its grip. I'm not sure how missed it was but here it is with the brand new, fully written fourth chapter. For those who don't know this was made with thought "if I were the lead desinger of Rayman 4 this is what it would look like" in mind. I must also note for the new readers that you must know the stories of all the previous Rayman games in order to understand this. This tale is planned to have 14 chapters in it.
So here is...
Rayman: The Culture Evolution
Chapter One: The World Gone Mad
”Do you have any questions?”
The creature let his eyes to watch every six participant around the table. Although he didn’t see much from them since only two candles on that long table lighted the dark hall. He could have used his dark vision ability but he knew it wasn’t fair for those who couldn’t use. Everyone else in this hall could only see his long, grayish, skeleton-like hands with five fingers.
“Yes,” said a male creature with brass-like voice whose gigantic white-gloved arms hovered on the middle air. “Why we have to keep these meetings in total darkness?”
The skeleton-handed creature was surprised that no one has asked that question before. They must have watched too many movies about secret societies and their government wasn’t even secret. Before the creature could answer his second-in-command answered for him.
“Electricity will take some time to work. Replacing the magic is quite a lengthy process,” she said waiving her small, green hands.
“That is correct,” said the five-fingered creature. “Now, does anyone have any questions about our plan?”
“What about the Heart of the World?” asked a short man with rusted, metallic voice. “Shall we blow it or what?”
“That will be completely unnecessary. Our army is five times larger than theirs so conquering the Glade of Dreams does not require any dirty tricks. That reminds me about you two...”
The leader of this mysterious group pointed his finger at the short man and a large, gray-furred creature who was sitting next to the short man.
“You will not take anyone...”
“...as slaves,” replied the short man.
“Or...” said their leader pointing at the large creature.
“...gladiators,” replied the large creature.
The skeleton-handed creature was little annoyed that he had to remind these two about correct treatment towards people. He, however, believed that they would eventually learn. After all, he had created them to be better than that.
“Well, if everything is clear we should go to prepare. The meeting has ended,” he said and hit the table with his fist.
Rayman was watching at his concerned reflection in the pond. This was one of those many moments in his life when he had nothing to do. For some odd reason it didn’t bother him as much as it should bother. Maybe he just didn’t anymore need excitement to feel alive. Was he becoming...old?
Rayman chuckled to this thought as he watched his reflection. There were no signs of elder people, no wrinkles or grey hairs. Perhaps he was just getting mature. Can you blame him; he has saved this world al least three times. First robopirates, then hoodlums, then rabbids. He even had to go to that weird planet called Earth to stop rabbids’ plans. He has always had to do the difficult parts. Rayman smiled to his reflection when he remembered what his best friend Globox said during that hoodlum incident:
“I mean come on, every time world needs saving nobody is around. Good thing that we are.”
Yes, good thing that they were.
Rayman turned to watch Globox who was lying under a tree.
“Sooo...what shall we do today?” Rayman asked.
Globox turned to watch his best friend with tired look.
“I don’t know, perhaps we could just rest today. Having over hundred teenagers can be quite exhausting.”
That’s right; Globox’s children were growing up. One fifth of his 650 children had opinion differences with their parents. Rayman didn’t want to give up. He hadn’t become tired to all adventures, just to those which he had to do when the world was in danger.
“If you feel family life exhausting maybe we could go to look unknown places that are not marked on the map of the Glade of Dreams to get new experiences.”
“Thanks,” Globox replied, “but raising these teenagers is enough adventure for me.”
Rayman felt sorry for his old friend. He didn’t have any kids and he definitely didn’t want any after he saw one word fight between Globox and his eldest son.
“Maybe it’s just an unwanted but necessary process to become independent.”
Globox thought Rayman’s words.
“Meh, maybe you’re right. But still I just want to rest. There’s too much tension in adventuring, you know. I only adventure when the world is in danger.”
Rayman accepted it but he had an other motivation than getting experiences. His past.
The problem was that the earliest memories of his past were from two years or so before the robopirates attacked. Although he had a feeling that everything used to be in 2D. He knew he wasn’t a creation of Polokus, he was the only one who hadn’t any limbs, his parts just...hovered on the air. Maybe Polokus would have some answers but he had disappeared mysteriously right before hoodlums’ arrival. Just like his muscled friend Clark. Or...Ly.
Oh, how much he missed her.
Oh, how much I have missed this world. Those trees and plants, this whole forest. The Glade of Dreams hasn’t changed at all during my imprisonment. But I can’t just stop to look the landscape. Sergueï and his army of rabbids will go through the portal at any minute. I have to get to the Fairy Council and warn them. Have to run...run...run...but it’s so hard to run with a dress on. Is that...? Rayman! And Globox! They can help...they always can...
Rayman woke up from his thoughts when he saw Ly rushing through bushes. He shocked from Ly’s sudden and unexpected appearance and was able to say or do nothing when Ly fell to his arms. She was breathing insanely with a look of ultimate fear in her eyes. She wore a weird piece of red clothing Rayman had never seen before. It looked like much a robe.
“Is that...Ly?” said Globox stating the obvious.
“Globox...Rayman...so good...to see...” said Ly and tried to calm her breath. “The Glade...of Dreams...is in...danger...”
Those were words that got Rayman’s mind back on track.
“What have happened?” he asked.
“Later,” Ly replied. “I will tell everything once we get to the Fairy Council.”
Rayman nodded and asked Globox to help him to carry exhausted Ly. Suddenly Rayman started to feel weird tickling feeling in his arms...
Finally I would be victorious! The Glade of Dreams will never expect an attack by their old and new enemies from every direction. Rabbids were coming from the portal in Bog of Murk, robopirates aided by anti-toons and culture cops were coming from the air. All I have to do is to get hoodlums to attack from the inside. I have to concentrate. It is so amusing that my armies have fought against Rayman for many times but he never had any idea who the real mastermind behind those attacks was. I have not even met Rayman. Well, part of me has not met Rayman.
I must concentrate my every thought in Rayman. I have done this trick before but then Rayman was sleeping so it was easier. I must target all my godly mental powers on the hands of Rayman...
Suddenly Rayman’s hands fell off. They started to run towards the forest on their fingers. Ly, who just fell because handless Rayman was unable to carry her, yelled:
“Stop them before...!”
Ly couldn’t finish her sentence when Rayman’s hands released a shot of energy that knocked Rayman and Globox. That gave them enough time to run out of reach. Ly was terrified.
“No!! Now nothing can stop them, nothing!”
“Stop who?” Rayman asked while they all were raising themselves up.
A swarm of black creatures flew from the deep of the forest. The swarm stopped next to Rayman Globox and Ly. Now they saw that they were...black lums! One of them flew forward and watched the three with his mean eyes.
“I don’t recognize you,” he said pointing at Ly, “but I remember you two more than I’d want to.”
“Andre!” yelled Rayman angrily.
“Andre!” yelled Globox happily.
“You must be kidding, right?” said Ly angrily at Globox.
“As much I’d like to chat, me and my brothers have lots of things to do. By the way Rayman, thanks to your hands. It feels so good to be normal again.”
After saying this Andre flew off with his swarm of black lums laughing maniacally.
When Rayman looked after them to the sky he saw more worrying things: two big robopirate ships. And even more, he heard much feared and hated scream from the forest:
“DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
This just wasn’t his day.
Surprise came when an army of fairies and teensies came from opposite direction and attacked the coming rabbids. Rayman, Globox and Ly watched this chaos for a while.
“How they knew there is an attack?” Ly wondered.
“Polokus told me,” said a voice behind them.
There was a long teensie, three times longer than normal. He had a royal, green-purple robe and golden crown on his head with long, grey hair.
“Who are you?” asked Ly.
“Oh, this is Ly,” said Rayman confused. “Ly, this is Otmeozo, the King of Teensies.”
Couple of months ago teensies finally seemed to remember who their king was. Otmeozo had came confused to the Fairy Council and told that he was imprisoned by some mysterious dark force. Surprisingly many teensies agreed that their long lost king was found.
“Ly?” Otmeozo said surprised. “I am glad you are here. We may talk later but let us talk about the ongoing battle around us.”
Indeed, a huge battle between fairies, teensies, hoodlums and rabbids was around them.
“Polokus sent me a message last night. He is apparently a prisoner of the same dark force as I was. He informed that there is a portal in the Bog of Murk which is used to let their forces to come from another world. Rayman, he told that you should go there and close...uh...where are your arms?”
Before Rayman could answer, Otmeozo yelled:
“Robopirates! I have to go to help. Ly, I need you to aid me.”
He and confused Ly ran in the middle of fight. Rayman and Globox watched at each others.
“What shall I do?” asked Globox terrified.
“You can do that rain dance, right?” Rayman replied.
Globox nodded and disappeared to the crowd.
Rayman watched when his old enemies fought against his friends and no one paid any attention to him. Then came new enemies didn’t recognize but they looked oddly familiar. Small blue creature with white hair and red shoes, some of his size which had weird yellow-brown hats and robes. Like him their torsos, hands and heads hovered on the air except with blue creatures whose head and torso were the same thing. Too many things happened in the same time. Rayman felt himself completely powerless and he fell to his non-existent knees.
“The whole world has gone completely mad!” he yelled and raised his look to the sky. “MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!”
Instantly he realized how dramatic his cry of pain would have been if he just had his hands.
Rayman stood up and looked wildly around him. He was desperate to find his hands and asked from random fighters:
“Does anyone know where my hands are?”
“NO!” they replied and continued their fight.
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” said a familiar rusty voice behind him.
Rayman knew instantly who was behind him so turning to look would have been unnecessary. But he wanted to see had Razorbeard changed at all during these years. No, same clothing and appearance, although he seemed to smile.
“What hurts?” Rayman asked tiredly. Nothing surprised him anymore.
“When your army falls around you. When you had woken up Polokus and he started to destroy my army I knew instantly my plan would become busted. For a second I even feared how low my chances to escape were. But don’t worry, I won’t fight you. You’re not the greatest threat right now.”
“I will get you, that is for sure. But before I’ll do that I must...”
“...find your hands. I saw some hands running towards the Bog of Murk. Were they yours?”
Rayman said nothing when he grimly walked past his old nemesis.
“You’re welcome!” Razorbeard yelled cheerfully.
But Razorbeard didn’t have any intentions to stay there fighting. He would follow in Rayman’s trail and watch his utter defeat.
Rayman had seen so much chaos during his run in Bog of Murk. He had seen the enemy forces taking prisoners and causing havoc. He even had seen his old enemy Sergueï and some rabbids beating Jano, the Guardian of Cave of Bad Dreams. Normally he would have helped but he just couldn’t without his arms. But now he had reached the portal in Bog of Murk. He had used this portal before, when he had fought Begoniax during hoodlum incident. The portal seemed highly aggressive and radiated white lightning. Something powerful was coming out.
Rayman saw his hands in front of portal. They didn’t seem to notice him. Last time this happened his hands attached him volunteerly so he hope nothing would have changed from those times. Fight against his own hands felt too weird to imagine. Then something stepped out of the portal. His mere appearance made Rayman to shiver.
The creature wasn’t very high, perhaps a size of a knaaren. But his other features made him threatening. His blue, sleeveless robe revealed his long, skeleton-like arms which both had five razor-sharp fingers on them. He had a pitch black, mouthless head with two yellow, red-pupilled eyes. On his head was a bronze tiara which eight spikes made it look like a twisted sun of evil. Rayman could feel this creature’s godly power.
“Rayman,” the creature spoke, “the champion of gods, we meet at last.”
Rayman was speechless in front of this divine might. So speechless in fact he didn’t even notice that his hands were attached back to him.
“I am Nelegus,” the creature continued, “who shall soon be the God of...Everything.”
“Not this world’s you evil creature!” Rayman yelled to Nelegus and prepared to fight.
Rayman however hesitated. Nelegus actually seemed...insulted.
“I...am...not...evil!” he said with rage in his voice but he almost instantly calmed. “That...was immature from me. My apologies. You just think I am evil because my army has come to conquer your world and your main objective is to protect it. But believe me, this is for your own good.”
“Do you know that you just revealed a major weakness of yourself?” Rayman mocked. “That was highly amateurish move and reduces your chances in our battle.”
Suddenly Nelegus moved his hand and Rayman’s own hand hit him. Nelegus mocked back:
“Why did you hit yourself?”
Rayman walked dizzily around. Behind him he saw Razorbeard, Andre and Sergueï watching quietly this humiliating show.
“There is much to be done before the complete victory of culture can be achieved,” said Nelegus ruthlessly. “Right know I can use you as my hands, my legs and my eyes but you must learn to look from my point of view before I can use you as my mind.”
Nelegus hold his fist in air and Rayman’s fist was becoming full of energy.
“This happened so easy it almost makes me cry,” said Razorbeard.
That was the last thing Rayman heard before his powered fist knocked him unconscious.
I’m so sorry Rayman, I’m so sorry! I would have wanted to help you but I couldn’t risk it. We both might have ended as Nelegus’ prisoners. It is necessary that at least one of has a chance to free all. But the way Nelegus and your old enemies treated you...I’m so sorry.
Nelegus is pure evil, even if he thinks otherwise.
Luckily I have recovered my powers back. I have to change myself into an energy ball and follow them from a distance. Don’t worry Rayman. I’m right near you.
The four characters looked at Rayman’s motionless body.
“I counted that taking over this planet took two hours and 40 minutes,” said Sergueï. “We beated the previous record, seven hours.”
“You dope,” Razorbeard said, “that was just a computer game!”
“Now, now, Razorbeard,” Nelegus scolded. “Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.”
Andre was confused.
“So...who are you and what is a ‘computer game’?”
“Oh, Andre, the leader of hoodlums,” Nelegus said. “These are admiral Razorbeard, the leader of robopirates, and Sergueï, the leader of rabbids. I am Nelegus, the leader of everyone.”
“So you’re...a god or something?”
“Yes, I am also the reason of your existence. As for your second question, you will get it answered once we have stepped through this portal to our world. Now are you sure that every single inhabitant in the Glade of Dreams is out of here?”
“Positive,” said Razorbeard, “all two ships are full.”
“Excellent,” replied Nelegus. “Razorbeard, go to prepare the cosmic vacuums. Sergueï, once we have gone through inform to the third clone of professor Barranco that we have arrived.”
Nelegus took Rayman gently on his arms and carried him through the portal. Andre, Sergueï and a small ball of energy that no one noticed followed him.
Razorbeard had done this so many times it was becoming tiring. Luckily their mission to collect all planets that had life was nearly done. He gave the command and his ship revealed both of its huge cannons. He commanded them to shoot.
The Glade of Dreams popped like a huge balloon filled with sand. Next command and all of the cosmic dust was vacuumed by his robopirate ship. Both ships moved towards a huge star in the distance.
To be continued...
-
Chapter Two: The Thrilling Escape
Rayman woke up but he still saw nothing but darkness. Rayman tried to move but he was tightly tied on some chair. He couldn’t even move his head. He felt that something was on his head that prevented him from seeing the surroundings.
Suddenly in front of his eyes appeared a woman standing in white room. She was about his size and wore black jacket and trousers made of some fine material Rayman wasn’t familiar with. She had long white hair that matched perfectly with her emerald green skin. She looked young and well-remained; the only odd feature was her unusually large nose which resembled a plum.
“Well met, citizen,” said the woman smiling warmly. “My name is Dirannah and I will be your guide to the strange world you have just stepped in.”
“First I want to know...!” demanded Rayman but Dirannah continued before he could finish his sentence.
“Before we start I would like to inform that this is pre-recorded which means that I am not physically present and therefore unable to answer your questions. If you feel yourself hungry or thirsty or you have to use bathroom ask from the nearby guards. But they are not for answering questions. I am.”
Rayman didn’t know what “pre-recorded” meant but he did understand that the woman had just given him a plan to escape. He would ask permission to go to bathroom, and then he would beat the guard or guards and try to get out of this place. But then Dirannah continued sharply:
“However, if you are a raymanian you are not allowed to use bathroom. We are quite aware that your system allows you to change your food and drink straight to energy and that your left-off energy goes out when you breath so you are not allowed to use bathroom in case of possible attempts to escape. Even if you are not a raymanian all arrangements are made to make your escape practically impossible. For those who want to know ‘if raymanians do not need to use bathroom then how on earth they reproduce’, for the sake of little children I am not going to answer that, not even during these sessions.”
Rayman couldn’t help but to be impressed how his captors have thought every single detail. But what really interested him was a mention about ‘raymanians’. It meant that he had finally come to a place where others are like him. Would she mean those that he saw on the Glade of Dreams?
The only thing he knew was that the plan A would be unusable. So he had to do plan B: listen this Dirannah character and hope that something occurs. Dirannah continued her speech with her usual cheerfulness and warmness:
“If you are here it means that you did not volunteerly accept the new system. It is a quite normal phenomenon called ‘culture shock’. I am here to help you to get rid of this sadly common mental disease. The first lesson is: ‘What is culture?’”
That was a word Rayman wanted to know. He remembered that Nelegus told about “the complete victory of culture”. Was this “culture” some kind of dark force?
“There is a complex explanation but basically it means the same as ‘art’. Now, you must have heard about art. Your world must had have some ancient ruins where were lots of paintings on the walls.”
That was true. Rayman remembered his trip to the Desert of the Knaaren during hoodlums’ invasion. In their caves were countless of wall paintings about fights between knaarens and teensies. Rayman however felt worried because Dirannah had spoken about his world in past tense.
“But art is even more than just paintings and tremendous buildings. There are also music, poetry, movies, video games and some other forms of art. I will tell more about them in future lessons.”
Suddenly Rayman heard a loud noise but Dirannah continued her speech like nothing had happened. It sounded like an exploding robopirate.
“Lesson two: “How to be a good citizzzzkhhsssssssssshhhh!”
Dirannah’s voice broke when Rayman’s helmet was taken off his head. Rayman couldn’t help but smile when he saw Ly’s face. If plan A fails plan B will always work.
It seems that Rayman is watching the informative movie of Dirannah. She is so warm and cheerful that Rayman will definitely become a good citizen. And she finally got that electricity fixed. No wonder Dirannah is my second-in-command.
Luckily I do not need to watch Rayman so I can concentrate on listening to this piece of music. We should decide is fusion jazz art or not. I shall definitely propose that this piece of trash should be destroyed.
I mean, what is wrong with these earthlings? They had tremendous jazz music in 50, 40 and 30 years ago, like the enchanting and playful melodies of the masters like Louis Armstrong and David Brubeck. Then something went wrong and most of the jazz music turned into a weird finger dancing that everybody forgets after they have heard it. This is a concerning trend that has also happened in many other art-definition projects. All Hollywood movies of John Woo, all Disney movies after Tarzan, that game series which all later sequels are mini-game collections instead of platformers. With technical talent they try to hide the fact that they have nothing to say.
Well, the sooner we get the culture life of Earth under our control the better for them.
What is going...LY! So that is where she disappeared from the fashion show of her!
All seven participants of the meeting stopped listening the music when they saw their leader watching furiously at front of him.
“What is the matter, Nelegus?” Dirannah asked concerned.
After a moment of silence Nelegus said calmly:
“Mister Sax, inform to the press that Ly the Fairy is now declared as an anti-citizen. Sergueï, inform to the third clone of professor Barranco that there is an intruder in their culture facility.”
Ly helped Rayman to get free from the chair. Rayman saw that he was in a small room that strongly resembled doctor’s office. At the door were remains of an exploded robopirate.
“Rayman, are you all right?” Ly asked.
“Yes,” Rayman replied.
They couldn’t help but hug each other. The moment was just so emotional.
“So good to see you again, Ly!” Rayman said and they both were in verge of tears. “It has been so many years!”
“I know, I know!” Ly said and they both cried openly with tears of joy.
After they had got back on track Ly said:
“I’m sure you have lots of questions. All of them will be answered once get to meet Polokus.”
“Polokus! Was he captured too?”
“Yes. But before we can escape and meet him we must free two other prisoners. But we have to be careful. The troops in here don’t know that you are free now.”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
As they moved forward on metallic hallways Rayman noticed that she wore her usual yellow-purple body suit.
“What happened to that weird piece of red clothing?”
“You mean dress. I had to change it in case we have to escape fast. It’s not designed for running.”
“Isn’t that highly unpractical piece of clothing?”
“Definitely. But I chose to be a fashion designer as my undercover job so I had to follow the latest waves of fashion.”
“Uh...what?”
“Right, sorry. I forgot that you are totally new...”
Ly’s talk was interrupted when woman’s voice started to talk from loudspeakers. Rayman remembered this voice. He had heard it before in Hoodlums’ Headquarter.
“Good day, all troops. There’s a security breach in the hallway 4 by none other than our favorite party-ruiner Rayman and famous fashion designer Ly the Fairy who is just recently declared as an anti-citizen. Use extreme caution when you capture them, otherwise Barranco’s clone 3 will be extremely unhappy.”
“How they new that we were...?” wondered Ly.
She stopped her sentence like she just remembered something and looked in Rayman’s eyes terrified.
“How I was so stupid I forgot! Nelegus!”
“What?! Where?!” asked Rayman and looked nervously around him.
“No, Nelegus can see through your eyes! He looks this hallway even right now!”
“Can he hear us?”
“Only parts from here and there. But we should prepare to run and fight. The prisoners are right near.”
“Yes, let’s do that,” Rayman said.
This is actually getting frightening. I’ve been in though situation before but this time my new arch-nemesis can control me. Probably he can control only one part of me at time; otherwise he would have forced me to hit Ly.
How much I have missed her. We have so much unfinished talks. I surely started to feel... Whouh, that grenade nearly hit me! Time to give that hoodlum a lesson! Loadiiiing and yeah, score! Hmm, where was I? Oh yes, Ly, I started to feel some attraction towards her after robopirates left. During the incident we were just friends but we both saved each other, that surely bring some heat. We hadn’t so much time to talk about our feelings before she disappeared mysteriously. Does she think our past adventure or is her time here too hectic for that?
Oh, I must stop thinking those things! We try to escape from some heavily guarded facility and here I am, wondering does one woman I met long time ago think me anymore. We weren’t even seriously crushed, just two or three talks...
Ly stopped and watched Rayman strangely.
“Why are you blushing?” she asked.
“Uh...heat of battle,” Rayman said when he snapped from his thoughts.
“Okaaaay. Murfy is held here,” Ly said and opened a door.
Murfy was sitting tied on the same kind of chair that Rayman was freed from. Murfy startled when the door was opened.
“Is there someone in this room?” Murfy asked.
“Yes,” Ly said and removed Murfy’s helmet.
Murfy flew around the room excited once he was freed from the chair.
“Rayman, good to see you! Ly, this is definitely a surprise! That speech was surely inspiring, what new things this world has to offer. I just have to escape so I can fill my head with the juicy aromas of knowledge!”
“He wasn’t like that when I last time saw him,” Ly whispered to Rayman.
“You would be surprised how many things have changed during your absence,” Rayman whispered back.
Rayman was little annoyed and worried about Murfy. Although Murfy knows nearly everything his superiority in knowledge has gone to his head and he has slowly but surely lost his touch with reality. During hoodlum incident Murfy talked about manuals and stuff, like the whole world was just someone’s game. That was a ridiculous idea, Rayman was positive that he is not controlled by some average guy behind a giant glass screen. No way. Really. Honestly.
“Well, nice to see you, Murfy,” Rayman partially lied and tried to forget that disturbing paranoid thought. “Now we must free the second prisoner.”
“Yes,” Ly said. “He is right in the next room.”
The next prisoner was someone that Rayman didn’t expect to see.
Rayman’s head started suddenly fill with memories. He had seen before this bug-looking creature with a straw who, like Rayman, had no limbs. Rayman however doubted were his memories real because they were inconsistent with each others. Some memories showed this creature as a friend, others as a foe. But Rayman had a feeling that they had parted as friends.
“Rayman...you have returned,” the creature said shocked when he was freed.
Rayman replied:
“I remember that I have met you but who...?”
“It’s me, Moskito, from Dream Forest. Ring any bells?”
The name of this creature brought only a one unclear memory from some victory party but besides that he just remembered one ride and two battles against Moskito.
“Does he have a memory loss, miss...?” asked Moskito from Ly.
“Ly,” she answered “it’s only partial. But now that we all are free we should go to Polokus’ secret sanctuary.”
When they left the room they saw a smirking rabbid with one red eye and one blue eye. He had a weird bar in his hand. Behind him were three rabbid robots that hovered on the air. Rayman still remembered Professor Barranco’s third clone from his trip to the planet Earth.
“Oh Rayman,” the rabbid said. “And just when you thought you might actually get away.”
“But Professor Barranco Clone 3, I’m doing that even right now,” said Rayman.
“I don’t think so. As you can see, I have three model T4III7773344303XXX robots behind me and I’m thrilled to use them. I don’t know much about three of you but...”
“Well, that must be fixed,” interrupted Murfy. “I am Murfy, the ultimate dictionary and the storage of knowledge...”
“Attack,” said Professor Barranco Clone 3 coldly.
He have always hated long speeches by someone else than him. Murfy flew away instantly when he heard the word.
“Hop on Moskito’s back!” Ly ordered Rayman.
When Rayman grapped Moskito’s shoulder they and Ly followed Murfy the rabbid robots on their trail. Professor Barranco Clone 3 pressed some numbered buttons on his bar and pressed it next to his ear.
“Toots,” he said to the bar, “tell to the troops to take a hike. After that, launch the self-destruct mechanism.”
Rayman, Ly, Murfy and Moskito flew with tremendous speed through narrow hallways.
“Murfy, let me take the lead!” Ly commanded. “I know where the exit is!”
“You do? Oh, good,” Murfy replied and let Ly to go in front of him.
As they dodged the rabbid robots’ shots Ly yelled:
“Rayman! Cover your eyes with your scarf! Nelegus must not see where Polokus’ secret sanctuary is!”
“I fall if I try that!” Rayman said.
“I can do it!” Moskito replied. “Just hold on tightly!”
They flew of the culture facility while Moskito was covering Rayman’s eyes. Nearly instantly after that Rayman heard a huge explosion down below him. Heat wave lasted only moment and was soon cooled by the cool air.
Professor Barranco Clone 3 watched with his troops from the distance when their culture facility exploded. What was annoying that the explosion was big enough to catch his robots but not big enough to catch Rayman who were just inches ahead of them. What were the odds?
Well, at least he got to explode something. Little enjoyments of his artificial life.
After they had safely went through the portal Rayman, whose eyes were still covered felt stony floor, under his feet. By listening the echoes of his step he could tell it was an exterior space. He heard some magical humming coming right from front of him.
“Ah, Rayman has arrived,” said a familiar voice in front of him. “Perhaps there is hope after all.”
“Polokus!” Rayman said when he heard the calm voice. “How have you gotten in here? What is this place?”
“I cannot answer your latter question,” Polokus replied, “because Nelegus can hear parts of our speech so it would not be safe to say it. As for the first question I was put to magical stasis by Nelegus but my helpers brought me here. Now this sanctuary is guarded by teensies.”
Some high teensie voice replied:
“That’s right! Hi, big nose!”
That greeting made Rayman always smile. He knew that teensies’ nose was at least longer.
“Is king Otmeozo here?” Rayman asked.
“No, he is still captive, grounded if we are specific,” Polokus answered and added: “Although he is a bit of a mystery to me. Unlike I have heard I have never send him any warning about the army of Nelegus. It is also possible that one of my allies have sent the warning.”
“But nevertheless,” one teensie said “Otmeozo is planning to pretend that teensies co-operate with Nelegus and attack when that Mr. I-suffer-so-much least expects it.”
“But who is actually this Nelegus that everybody talks about?” Rayman wanted to know.
Polokus said:
“I will only tell to basic things you need to know about him. I am about to send you to an urgent quest.”
Rayman somehow guessed that there would be “save the world” thing coming on but he was used to these assignments. And this was definitely the most interesting so far.
“What have you learned about Nelegus so far?” Polokus asked.
“Well...he is a god, he can control me and seems that all my old enemies are his underlings,” answered Rayman. “Oh yeah, and he hates when someone calls him evil.”
“Yes, he is actually my twin brother.”
Rayman went speechless for a moment when he heard this little clichéd but still surprising information.
“Twin brother?!” he finally replied. “But he doesn’t look like you at all!”
“He uses some dark force to increase his powers and that gives him his menacing look and more length. It is still a riddle to me where he has gotten that force.”
Polokus started to tell:
“Nelegus is my twin brother because he was born in the same event as I was. A group of silver lums gathered together in a lifeless planet long time ago to become a new life form. And when it is about silver lums the result is always a god. However some nearby yellow lums were scared by this quite trembling phenomenon and changed into black lums. Black lums that are originally yellow lums can create gods so they started to gather together to become a counter life form. In the middle of the process one silver lum realized that if one god is absolutely good and the other is absolutely evil they would start immediately to match their strength. So that silver lum switched places with one black lum to prevent an ultimate battle. The silver lum surrounded by black lums became Nelegus and the black lum surrounded by silver lums became...me.”
“Fascinating,” said Rayman impressed after Polokus’ speech, “but wait a second, how good and evil you two actually are?”
“The evil thing in me is that my every dream comes true – including my nightmares. As for Nelegus...”
Polokus sighed and continued:
“He does not want to destroy anything, only to create. It has however become an obsession to him. He demands that every inhabitant in the universe that is able to think creatively has to create at least one work of any form of art in a year. There are strict rules how works are defined as not art, major bordercase, minor bordercase, art or high art.”
“Everyone in universe? Isn’t that highly difficult?”
“Not if they are in one and same place. He created robopirates to explode populated planets and merge them as part of one big planet.”
“That’s what happened to...to the Glade of Dreams,” said Ly sadly.
“The Glade of Dreams!” yelled Rayman shocked. “Then...then...are we stuck in this big planet mass forever?!”
“To get all the planets to their original places,” Polokus said, “we must either destroy Nelegus or persuade him to give up his madness and return the planets.”
Somehow Rayman felt that the first option would be more probable.
“Are there any planets left?” Rayman asked.
“Yes, there is,” replied Polokus. “The planet called Earth. You have been there before, have you not?”
“I was there getting rid of rabbids,” Rayman answered.
“Nelegus, whose first creation the rabbids were, had sent them there to collect any culture they could find and also to check what kind of defense forces Earth has. He is now planning a great invasion which we must prevent. That leads us to the urgent mission.”
Rayman graved for more information but he knew they had to press on. Polokus continued:
“If we are going to intrude in his base of operations, Culture Chateau, I will need all my powers to let you in there. You must collect four masks which are able to free me from this magical stasis.”
“Four masks? The same four masks I collected to wake you during robopirates’ invasion?”
“The very same. Although this time only one of them is hidden in an ancient sanctuary, others are hidden by Nelegus and his troops. First I need you to collect a mask from that ancient sanctuary so I can give you new powers and prevent Nelegus from seeing through your eyes. Ly will tell you more once you reach the place.”
“It’s time to go,” said Ly and helped blinded Rayman to walk.
“Wow,” said Murfy, “this must be the longest time I’ve been quiet. Perhaps even a world record.”
“Excuse me, sir,” said Moskito, “but I think I just broke your record.”
“Ah yes, Murfy,” said Polokus. “I need you to stay with me. There is something I would want you to do.”
Ly leaded Rayman onwards. Polokus yelled after them:
“Remember to gather any lums you can find! You will need them later.”
Then Rayman felt that he was stepped into a portal.
To be continued...
-
Chapter Three: Rain Dancing Rabbids
It is hard to listen two things at the same time. Nelegus however concentrated his thoughts to Polokus’ speech rather than that annoying female voice who demanded him to “gimme more”. He could only hear parts of the speech but trying to guess what Polokus were talking about was as challenging and fun like a thrilling puzzle of Grim Fandango. It however sounded like they were talking about Polokus’ and his past. Nelegus had heard this speech before; he should give up his “madness”. Polokus just refuses to understand that it’s not mad to create, it’s mad to destroy. Nelegus haven’t destroyed anything. Ever.
The song had just ended. Nelegus focused on the meeting and prepared to ban pop music. He said:
“That was one of the latest songs of Britney Spears who had in Earth at least in some point titled as ‘The Queen of Pop’. What do you think?”
Nelegus watched all the other seven members of the world’s government: Dirannah, his second-in-command and the leader and conductor of The World Orchestra; Mr. Sax, the main editor of Culture Pages; Space Mama, Mr. Sax’s wife and the leader of The Artistic Theatre; Razorbeard, the leader of culture cops and the main producer of Robotic Rust Movies Studios; Sergueï, the main producer of White Bunny Game Studios; Andre, currently unemployed and Mr. Dark II, the main producer of Burning Soul Game Productions. Although Andre and Mr. Dark II weren’t so talkative, Andre because of his lack of experience and Mr. Dark II because of...well, it was just his way.
“The melody in her songs is quite simple,” replied Space Mama, “the words are quite repeative and they are not polemical enough so we should ban all her works.”
“But in this latest song there seemed to be a message about lust and it’s destroying effects,” augmented Sergueï. “Maybe this song could be counted as a major bordercase.”
Nelegus didn’t want a long-lasting argument about this. They had more important things to think about.
“So Sergueï has proposed major bordercase status. Does anyone agree with him?”
No hands were raised up. Nelegus were pleased that they could ban pop music just like they had banned death metal, rap and fusion jazz.
“With seven against one it is decided that pop music is not art,” said Nelegus and hit the table with his fist.
“All pop music is banned?!” Sergueï tried desperately. “Can’t we still talk about The Beatles?!”
“Hey come on!” cried Razorbeard frustrated. “Let’s not discuss about that band anymore! Do you even remember how annoyingly long we had to hash over about its artistic possibilities?”
“He is right, Sergueï,” Dirannah said. “There is no point to keep discussing it. You, me and Mister Dark the Second lost that debate fair and square.”
Sergueï didn’t want to give up:
“But...but...you’ve heard Yesterday, right? Such enchanting melody and it was in that one film we just recently watched to teach Andre about culture, what was the name...?”
“Once upon Time in America,” Andre said. “Geez, even I remember that name.”
“Yeah!” replied Sergueï completely ignoring Andre’s insult. “I know the message is nothing more but how sad it is when somebody leaves you but it’s said that there’s a deeper meaning...”
“Deeper meaning, yeah right!” interrupted Mr. Sax. “If we go to that line we could say that Mario games are actually a metaphor of the fight between workers and owners.”
“It is interesting that you mentioned Mario,” said Nelegus who wanted to end this pointless harping. “We had decided about a week ago that they are not art. There have however come complaining from most of the culture cops who agree with two-dimensional Marios but disagree with three-dimensional Marios because of their stunning visuals, especially the latest part Super Mario Galaxy, and have proposed to define them as major bordercases. We should now discuss...”
The conversation was interrupted when an upset robopirate rushed in. He was Razorbeard second-in-command, the guy whose name nobody remembered. Razorbeard usually called him as “useless grunt”.
“What I have said about interrupting meetings?” asked Nelegus.
“If I remember correctly,” said the robopirate upset, “the dramatic interruption is allowed only when something really, really bad has occurred.”
“All correct,” said Nelegus. “What is it?”
“The adaptation of the Glade of Dreams has been a disaster. The forest area was assimilated to the world without problem but the swamps...there’s twisted landscape and lots of hostile and bizarre creatures who are threat to local and nearby residents.”
Nelegus knew that twisted landscape meant only one thing: there were living creatures in the Glade of Dreams when it exploded.
“Razorbeard,” said Nelegus coldly. “Are you sure that you and your troops looked every corner?”
“Absolutely!” Razorbeard said panicked. “All ships were full!”
Nelegus thought this problem for a moment. Then he remembered. How he could have been so careless?
“This is completely my own fault, how embarrassing. I thought that the Cave of Bad Dreams was a mental place in the head of Jano but it was actually a physical place. I should have told Sergueï and his troops to ask Jano let them in in that place. Now those poor nightmares are awfully disfigured.”
Nelegus continued:
“At least none of the intelligent residents met this horrible fate. It was unusually careless from me but at least I am not some Michael Cimino who after making a true masterpiece, Deer Hunter, made something so horrifying like The Gate of Heaven. My mistake is little compared to that.”
“Is banning mini-game collections a little mistake?” Sergueï muttered.
Sergueï didn’t mean to say it out loud but the accident had already happened. Everyone watched Sergueï with pressing silence.
“Could you live me and Sergueï alone for a while?” Nelegus asked after a moment.
All the others left the room and only Nelegus and Sergueï were left.
“You too, Mister Dark,” Nelegus said.
A mass of black matter started to pour from Nelegus. His length went smaller as the dark matter with glowing yellow eyes left his body and floated out of the door. Nelegus actually looked distantly like Polokus’ twin brother. Same short length, same comically long hands, his mouth was visible but that’s were the similarities stopped. His eyes were blood red, his skin was paler than bone and his fingers were razor sharp not to mention that he had five fingers instead of four. He also had different clothing than Polokus. Instead of high purple hat he had bronze crown with eight spikes on his head, blue trousers and not to mention shoes and jacket with a red ribbon.
Unlike his actions so far would suggest Nelegus had a concerned face.
“Sergueï,” he said calmly, “could you just tell me what presses your mind?”
Even though Nelegus was friendly Sergueï felt really uncomfortable. Nelegus was – odd enough – more frightening when he showed his humane feelings.
“Well...this culture thing...”
“...frightens you? Of course. You have not accustomed to it.”
Nelegus saw that Sergueï was sweating.
“Hey, hey, there is no need to sweat,” Nelegus said warmly like a father to his son. “I am not angry, just...concerned.”
Nelegus put one of his long arms on Sergueï’s shoulder and used his other arm for standing. From his face one could tell that he really meant his kind words.
“Look, I know that you enjoy gladiator fights and mini-game collections but...try to understand that they belong to the past evil world, the world of louts. Low-minded sport and reflex tests are not art. But I have faith in you, Sergueï. After all I created your ancestors so you cannot be evil.”
Nelegus’ warm face turned suddenly into a more attentive one.
“So, Rayman is in the Band Forest. Hey, I just got an excellent idea to solve all of our problems and I will need your help. Globox is imprisoned there, is he not?”
Rayman felt grass under his feet. Ly removed Rayman’s scarf from his eyes. Rayman had to blink for a while to get accustomed to the light and immediately he had to accustom to the landscape he saw. There were trees that Rayman recognized but then there were gigantic, oddly-shaped objects that from some reason looked really familiar. Rayman got a pile of memories that showed him adventuring in this place. All this caused him a massive headache.
“Why this place looks so familiar?” Rayman asked holding his forehead.
“It seems that they have assimilated parts of Clearleaf Forest and Light Woods into Dream Forest,” replied Ly. “Now the forest has spread to Band Land.”
“Only two of those names mean anything to me,” Rayman told.
“But those other places have meant something,” Moskito said.
“Let me guess,” said Rayman. “Polokus will tell me about these swarms of memories once we get the first mask.”
“Yes,” answered Ly. “First we need to get past the gate leading to Band Forest but this place is swarming with rabbids and antitoons...”
“Anti-what?”
“Those small blue creatures. But in order to get inside we need help from Vaharnos.”
“Who’s...?”
Before Rayman could finish his question a transparent man appeared from thin air in front of them. Seeing him didn’t bring any mental images in Rayman’s mind so he was quite sure that they haven’t met this strong jawed and small nosed man before. He had fine light purple jacket with white frills and green trousers and shoes. His skin was bright red skin, his eyes were bright yellow and his hair was dark green.
“So, I suppose I have an honor to meet the famous hero Rayman. I am Vaharnos, the former God of Hirlania.”
Vaharnos reached out his hand for shaking. Rayman tried to grap his arm but it went right through him.
“Oh, sorry,” Vaharnos laughed. “Sometimes I forget that this is only my astral projection. But do not worry, my body is in safe place. I have not actually seen it for a while, I hope it have not become too dusty.”
Rayman tried to shake off an image of Vaharnos’ motionless body lying in some forgotten place and asked:
“We haven’t met before, right?”
“Oh, no. I have seen that you have difficulties to remember your past. Unfortunately we can discuss more about it when we have recovered the first mask.”
“You seem to know awfully lot about what’s going on. Have you been in direct contact with Polokus?”
“I cannot but I can see through your eyes and partially hear through your ears. I am a god after all.”
“So wait a minute. Can EVERY god in the whole universe use my eyes and other body parts?!”
“Yes, but it takes lots of energy so we usually use that power when we feel it is absolutely necessary. I hope this information did not make you feel threatened. But do not worry, we cannot read your mind.”
Still Rayman couldn’t help but feel threatened by this information. To think that all cosmic weirdos like Nelegus could spy his private life. Luckily his free-time was boring enough to drive out the audience.
“We should now press onwards,” Vaharnos said and walked to the forest followed by Ly.
“Rayman,” asked Moskito, “what ears was Vaharnos talking about?”
Rayman stopped for a second to think this mystery of his anatomy but then he decided to follow the others.
Soon they all arrived near to the gate and hided behind bushes. There were at least ten heavily armed rabbid officers.
“Charging there would not be wise,” said Vaharnos. “Unlike most of the rabbids officers have not sense of humor.”
“Since when rabbids have had sense of humor?” Rayman asked.
Vaharnos avoided his comment and continued:
“Just let me do the talking. I can use power I learned from Star Wars. I still cannot believe Nelegus and his underlings defined the original trilogy as major bordercase.”
“Before we press on,” Rayman asked, “I have to know what these ‘bordercases’ are?”
Ly answered:
“Nelegus has this crazy theory that junk art is bad for common people’s minds. In order to buy major bordercase art you require literal proof from three doctors that you are sane enough to enjoy them. Minor bordercase requires only one doctor’s opinion.”
“Yes,” said Vaharnos “now just let me do the talking.”
Rayman, Ly, Moskito and Vaharnos approached the rabbid officers. One of them raised rabidly his hand.
“Halt,” the officer said and all remaining officers surrounded them, “we are looking some people and many of you resemble them.”
“These are not the people you are looking for,” Vaharnos said and made one slow wave with his hand.
“These aren’t the people we are looking for,” said the officer like he would have told how’s the weather.
Even more surprising all the other officers nodded their heads with agreement.
“I still need to see your identifications,” said the officer.
“There is nothing wrong in our papers,” said Vaharnos with one slow wave.
“There’s nothing wrong in their papers,” the officer said and everyone agreed.
“Move along,” said Vaharnos with one wave.
“Move along,” said the officer and opened the gate.
After they had reached a safe place Vaharnos said:
“Unfortunately I cannot continue any further. I need to spy few things but I wish you luck in your quest. There are prisoners in these woods so remember to free them. I am off now but my contact will come soon.”
With these words Vaharnos vanished. Rayman, Ly and Moskito waited for a while. Then a loud yell was heard above them. Someone was coming swinging from branch to branch. With great agility that someone landed right in middle of them. The man resembled Rayman very much: only differences were black hair and some yellow-black loincloth. Rayman’s head was once again filled with memories where he helped to get this man’s clothes back and where this man gave Rayman some seeds. He, like Moskito, has also been in some weird victory party with Rayman.
“Wow, Rayman! After all these years you’re back,” the man said.
“I remember that I have met you, but...”
Moskito interrupted Rayman:
“This is Tarayzan, the king of jungle.”
“You exaggerate but thanks anyway,” Tarayzan replied. “I have a very important thing to tell. Vaharnos doesn’t know this because I heard about it just recently.”
Tarayzan’s face was grim when he continued:
“You’re going to get that mask, right? You better hurry because soon it may be impossible.”
Swarm of questions came from the three but Tarayzan continued:
“The swamp areas are really dangerous and filled with dangerous monsters. To prevent their spreading to other areas the forces of Nelegus is using some blue, bloated frog-like creature...”
“Hey, nicer tongue when you’re talking about my best friend,” said Rayman when he realized who Tarayzan was referring to.
Tarayzan was surprised:
“Oh...really? Well, um, sorry, but anyway, they’re going to use his rain dancing powers to create a massive storm that would be on the swamps and prevent anyone from going in or out for next 30 years.”
“What!?” Rayman yelled. “That’s unbearable! What about all the residents of the swamps?”
“Nelegus gave them evacuate order but I doubt much of them will obey it,” said Tarayzan. “That’s why we must hurry before it’s too late.”
With these words they pressed onwards.
Sergueï watched when Globox was tied in the mechanical machine.
“Is everything ready, professor Barranco?” he asked from a rabbid next to him.
“Positively, master Sergueï,” the rabbid replied, “the dancers are ready to charge their energy in that blue, bloated frog-like creature.”
“Good. Change the CD before we start the dancing.”
Barranco didn’t take well Sergueï’s final sentence.
“But master, Nelegus gave us Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker so we could use it as dance music!”
“Please, you act like I was going to listen Spice Girls. Just something that has more rhythm. Like that ‘I like to move it’, what’s the artist’s name...?”
“Hey, that belongs to rap music which is forbidden!”
“I’m a member of Culture Council and you’re not, so take your opinions somewhere else. The discussion has ended.”
With one wave of his hand Sergueï punched Barranco through the door. For some odd reason teaching that whiner to show some respect always amused him.
“Uh, master,” Barranco groaned on the floor, looking out of window, “I think we have company.”
Many knocked out enemies, freed prisoners and collected lums later Rayman and his friends had finally arrived to the main building of rabbids’ stronghold complex. First thing they saw was very unpleasant sight behind a window: Rayman could recognize everywhere professor Barranco’s beaten features.
“I think that there’s an alarm coming on,” Tarayzan said. “Moskito, go with the released prisoners and prevent...uh...what was his name...?”
“Globox,” said one of Globox’s kids.
“Yeah, prevent Globox from being used by rabbids. Me, Rayman and Ly are going to find out a way to explode this cursed place.”
“Okay, I can accept that plan,” Rayman said and raised his arm. “CHAAAARGE!!”
Everyone charged inside the stronghold but a swarm of antitoons. Rayman, Ly and Tarayzan ran to another direction while Moskito, children of Globox, teensies and small pink, limbless creatures called electoons stopped antitoons’ rush. Suddenly there started some loud music-like noise and some sort of singing.
“The process has started!” Tarayzan yelled. “Moskito, hurry!”
Moskito’s forces ran through the hallway smashing antitoons and rabbids. Finally they reached big open place. In the middle of it was Globox tied is some device and behind glass was ten rabbids dancing with the music. Huge storm was forming on the sky.
“Hey, kids!” Moskito yelled. “Go to help your father. The rest of us will deal with those dancers!”
Globox saw his kids coming.
“Hey, glad you’re here! I was getting little worried, this machine tickles me. At least this music is nice. Where’s your mom?”
“I heard she and rest of the siblings are in safe place at some resistance hideout,” said his eldest son. “We try to untie you know.”
“Good,” said Globox. “While you’re doing that we must talk about our last talk...”
“Dad, please!” his son said while untying him. “In case you hadn’t notice we are in tough situation where fate of the world is threatened!”
“Yeah, oldie!” said another son. “If you want respect then act like someone worth of it!”
“Why you can’t be cool like my boyfriend?!” said his daughter.
“And why you had to be so uncool in presence of MY boyfriend?!” said another daughter.
“And why we can’t be out late?!” said one of his sons. “In case you didn’t notice rabbids were driven away!”
Globox sighed when 30 of his kids started to complain about various things. He really hoped this were “just an unwanted but necessary process to become independent”.
I feel really sorry for Moskito. His corridor was full of enemies and my group hasn’t met any resistance or any living soul in that matter. He has to do all the hard work.
Wait a minute. Why does it bother me? In the old days I would have been thrilled to get into combat. It made me to feel alive. Hm, “old days”. Maybe I’m actually becoming old.
Hey, is that...? Why on earth Sergueï is dancing by himself in that arena? Has this music something to do with? Oh, and professor Barranco is there too but he doesn’t seem to enjoy this situation. Can’t blame him, if this is music then I’m not impressed. Although this is weirdly catching.
That door! It closed!
Suddenly an unnoticed metal door closed separating Rayman from Ly and Tarayzan.
“Hi, Rayman,” said Barranco’s voice from loudspeakers, “long time, no see. How unfortunate for you that your friends aren’t with you but it’s fairer this way. Just step into the elevator in front of you so my master may begin.”
“Go on,” Ly said behind the door. “We try to figure out something.”
Rayman stepped to the arena where he saw Sergueï watching him concentrated.
“Professor Barranco, we don’t need the music right now so turn it off from arena’s loudspeakers.”
“Yeah, ‘music’,” grumbled Barranco and turned the music off. “Thank Nelegus it’s finally over.”
Sergueï looked Barranco with grim face and turned to talk to Rayman:
“Dance is always good stretching exercise before battle. I hope you have prepared yourself.”
“You’re going to battle against me? I have fists that shoot ray, what do you have?”
“My raw strength, of course,” said Sergueï and showed his muscle.
Rayman had to admit it looked impressive and well-trained.
Suddenly a piece of plastic next to Barranco started to ring. It was a mobile phone, although Rayman didn’t know it.
“Professor Barranco speaking,” he answered. “Oh...yes, it is...sure. Master, it’s for you.”
Sergueï caught the phone and answered:
“Hello?”
“Sergueï, tell me first what ungodly racket you were just playing!”
“Nelegus!” said Sergueï terrified when he recognized the furious voice. “You can hear us?!”
“Yes, through the ears of Rayman! Did I not send you Tchaikovsky that you could use it as dance music?!”
“Uh...yes but I though that using something that isn’t art would distract our enemies to think unclearly.”
“Oh,” said Nelegus calmer. “Thank you for your thought but I have to remind you about Creature Rights Article, paragraph 45: ‘It is forbidden to use anti-art for torture’. I hope I do not need to remind about this for second time.”
“It won’t be necessary, Nelegus. I’m sorry.”
“It is all correct. Now, I called to help you in the battle against Rayman. Professor Barranco told that his cell phone is fully charged so you do not need to worry about low battery. Although you can only use one arm because of the cell phone but I can see through the eyes of Rayman so it gives you a major advantage.”
“Wow, thanks!”
“You are welcome. Tell Rayman that we may begin.”
“Okay, limbless champion. Let’s fight!”
Rayman started to load his fist. Nelegus instructed Sergueï:
“From the position of his fist I can tell that he is going to hit your lower belly. Dodge to the left...NOW!”
Sergueï dodged Rayman’s hit just in time.
“Strike to his belly! Good, that leaves a mark! Before he gets up grab his leg...Now spin...spin...throw him towards the plastic window!”
Rayman felt that and so did Ly and Tarayzan who were watching him.
“He’s going to smash Rayman to mush if we don’t do something and fast!” said Tarayzan.
“Let me think...” Ly said and looked the arena. “Hey, I got an idea!”
Rayman was badly hurt but he could still stand up. Suddenly he heard Ly’s voice in his mind:
“Rayman, can you hear me?”
“Yeah,” said Rayman.
“I bet Nelegus is giving instructions to Sergueï through that cell phone. Do you see that metallic plate in upper arena? That’s a satellite. If you manage to hit it you can temporally disable the signals and Sergueï’s moves would be easier to predict.”
Rayman started to load an energy ball.
“He’s aiming to your head. Prepare to duck...NOW!”
Energy ball missed Sergueï but hit the satellite just like Rayman meant it to happen.
“What the...? Nelegus, can you hear me?” Sergueï tried and looked his mobile phone.
Then Rayman attacked giving him rapid punches in every single place in his body. Four seconds later Nelegus was back on line.
“Hit him to the jaw!”
Rayman flew from Sergueï’s punch but luckily it was quite mild.
“He figured out the satellite plate. Ly must have instructed him. He is charching and aiming the satellite! Put your hand in its way...NOW!”
Energy ball hit Sergueï’s free hand. It hurt and he had to get to his knees from pain. Rayman used this to his advantage and sent a small energy ball to interrupt Nelegus’ signal for a second. Rayman rushed towards Sergueï and raised his fist...
Straight to the face! Sergueï staggered for a while and then he fell to the grass with trembling power. The storm on the sky was stopped without anyone noticing it. Professor Barranco saw that battle was lost and opened the doors that held Ly and Tarayzan.
“I failed you,” Sergueï said weakly to the cell phone, “I’m sorry. Yeah...thanks, you’re right, I just had bad luck...okay. Rayman, it’s for you.”
Rayman cathced the mobile phone. Nelegus spoke:
“Tell me, Rayman, if you can. You have destroyed so much. What is it, exactly, that you have created? Can you name even one thing? I thought not.”
Rayman thought this question for a moment but almost instantly he figured out an answer:
“Actually I can name one thing. I have created peace, balance and harmony every time your lackeys have come to destroy every good thing we have tried to preserve.”
”I did not actually expect that you would have an answer. I just took that question straight from one masterpiece computer game and tried its effect on you. Besides you and the other rebels are destroying every good thing I have tried to preserve. Do you call that as creating ‘peace, balance and harmony’?”
“Hey, now that we’re talking about creating, why on earth you created rabbids? Their very existence is a mockery against nature.”
“I’m right here, you know,” said Sergueï weakly.
“I admit that their creation was a rather spontaneous move but they are just so adorable. Their slapstick humor resembles much like the classic silent comedies of Charlie Chaplin.”
“You think rabbids are adorable? Geez, you truly are pure evil.”
Rayman heard some sizzling voice from the cell phone and then the line went dead.
“I, AM, NOT, EVIL!!!” Nelegus yelled when he threw the remains of his melted cell phone to the wall. “Mister Dark, leave me be!”
The dark matter went off from him and left the hall. Only Nelegus and Dirannah were there.
“Why, oh why people have to be so harsh to me?” Nelegus said and pressed his head against the table.
“They will understand, my friend,” said Dirannah and patted his shoulder, “they will understand.”
Rest of the group joined Rayman, Ly and Tarayzan to the arena.
“Hey, Rayman!” said Globox happily. “I see that you have won a battle.”
“Yes, good to see you,” Rayman replied. “We must get blow this place and rest for a while before we can go further.”
“That’s right,” Tarayzan said and pointed at professor Barranco who was standing on upper ledge of the arena. “Hey you! Where’s the self-destruct mechanism?”
Everybody went silent and waited for Barranco’s answer.
“You must have confused me with my clone. If I have designed something I don’t plan to explode it, not even in tough situations.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Rayman said and pressed onwards.
After everyone had left the stronghold a portal appeared and gently swallowed Sergueï in it. When Barranco had walked there the portal closed.
To be continued...
-
Chapter Four: The Nightmare Experience
Rayman had to use his scarf on his eyes so Nelegus wouldn’t see where the rebels had their hiding place. So annoying. He could hear happy sounds and conversations around him and feel gentle jungle wind on his face but he needed to see some less hectic moments too. For first time in his life he actually hoped that the adventure he was currently involved would be over. Robopirates were the first hero work he remembers so pure excitement kept those thoughts away. As for hoodlums and rabbids, he just couldn’t take them seriously enough to feel fear.
Rayman felt an arm gently touching his shoulder.
“What’s in your mind, Rayman?” Ly asked.
“I’d really like to enjoy my time here but Nelegus is ruining that too.”
Ly sighed.
“Be glad that you can’t see your surroundings. Nelegus’ influence can be seen here too. In the distance there’s the silhouette of his base of operations, Culture Chateau. So menacing and...pressing. Below it there’s Culture City which has spread nearly every corner.”
“Does it keep spreading?”
“No. Nelegus says that nature is an important place for artists to get inspiration.”
Rayman hated to sadden Ly more but he had to ask it:
“How did you get in here?”
“Well...it happened when Andre started to make hoodlums. Polokus ordered me and Clark to gather all lums to safety. Polokus could protect the lums but that would make him weaker. We couldn’t save the red lums or that one purple lum from turning to hoodlums but all the others were gathered into Polokus’ holy place. And then...he came.”
Ly breathed heavily.
“He used...lums’ energy to create a portal between...the two planets. It swallowed...all the lums inside of it. He made a spell on Polokus who...froze to his place. Then his hideous claws...crapped me and...he gazed right to me with his yellow red-pupilled eyes and...I could see the very essence of darkness!”
“Calm down, Ly,” Rayman said and gently hugged her. “Nelegus is not here. Calm down.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Ly said when she had got her breathing steady. “He is just very frightening when he uses his gaze of evil. I passed out and woke up in a prison. Nelegus talked to me and explained everything about the culture. I pretended that I would co-operate. I have helped the resistance ever since.”
“So what you've been doing all these years?”
“Polokus mentioned that every inhabitant in this planet has to make something related to culture. Because I’m good to sew I started to be a fashion designer, to make clothes. Eventually I got enough resources to get more people to do the making part while I did the designing part. Now I’m an anti-citizen so I can’t continue my work. Even if I could, I’d have to change my job tomorrow because Culture Council was discussing about is fashion art or not. Perhaps it’s already decided that it’s illegal to be a fashion designer.”
Rayman wanted to discuss more but then he heard king Otmeozo’s voice:
“There you are, Rayman. Nice that I could meet you before I have to leave.”
“Is it really wise for you to be here?” Rayman asked.
“Do not worry about Nelegus. He can hear only small samples of our speech. He thinks that I am grounded in Teens...I mean Fairy Council but I have founded easy way to get out of there. Nelegus can’t do anything about it because he doesn’t know where I ran. But I came here to...”
“Wait a minute”, interrupted Rayman. “What you were going to say before Fairy Council?”
“What? Oh, I was going to accidently say Teensies’ Hideout. Why, you think I would actually co-operate with his Culture Craziness to gain more power?”
“Oh, of course not, your majesty,” said Rayman shamed, “forgive my doubts.”
“No harm done. These are hard times and everyone’s nerves are strained. But I came here to inform that I’m now going to pretend co-operation with Nelegus. I also wanted to wish you good luck, Rayman. I know you can heal this world.”
Rayman heard that Otmeozo’s steps moved forward.
“Globox mentioned that he wants to continue the journey with us,” Ly said. “He has become more courageous during my absence. I’m so proud of him.”
“So am I,” agreed Rayman.
For a moment he and Ly sat quietly and enjoyed the warm breeze of the wind.
“I want to thank Tarayzan for his hospitality.” said Rayman. “Would you help me to get there?”
Ly took Rayman’s hands and helped him to walk. Although Rayman couldn’t see it Ly smiled warmly.
So Rayman was going to travel across the Swamp of Bad Dreams. Razorbeard knew that Rayman had been in thoug places before but he just couldn’t understand how Rayman thought to survive from that miserable place. Hostile creatures nearly everywhere, wet land nearly everywhere, bizarre shapes nearly everywhere. Luckily he didn’t need to land on that place. The prison ships were full of robopirates to use.
One person he wanted to use was that clumsy sidekick of his. Never for any good use. But Razorbeard knew Nelegus wouldn’t allow that because of the Creature Rights Article, paragraph 36: “Every creature is useful. Therefore the ‘uselessness’ of a creature is not a tolerated reason to send them into certain doom”. He would want someone cleverer like professor Barranco. He hated how Sergueï mistreated him all the time. Razorbeard decided to offer to exchange sidekicks with him. Although Razorbeard had a one good candidate for the next second-in-command but there was much work to be done to ensure her loyalty.
Razorbeard decided to go to look for her. After a walk he founded her sweeping the deck and guarded by four robopirates. She was a fairy with red hair and bright green dress and hat. Like Rayman, she too had no limbs.
“Could you leave me and our prisoner for a moment?” asked Razorbeard from the guards.
Robopirates doubted their admiral’s command but they knew it wasn’t wise to argue with him so they left.
“There is a good reason why you’re sweeping the desk, you know.”
The prisoner look Razorbeard with look that radiated despise.
“I think spoiling the food of the monsters like robopirates should be awarded with a medal.”
Razorbeard sighed. This was going to be tough.
“Betilla, try to understand that if it wasn’t me deside your punishments you would never see the sunlight again. I believe you could become a good second-in-command.”
“Second-in-command?” said Betilla without believing her ears. “But I’m a rebel fairy who is an anti-citizen. And besides, don’t you have a sidekick already?”
“Yes, but he is completely useless...”
“Nelegus wouldn’t be happy if he heard you to say that.”
“Please, leave my superior out of this. But you have spirit and guts, some abilities that a second-in-command should have. I believe that if we can reach to mutual respect and understanding...”
Razorbeard noticed that Betilla didn’t listen him. She just stared horizon oddly attentive.
“He’s...here?” said Betilla and a hint of join was seen on her face.
“Who’s here? Rayman?”
Suddenly Betilla ran towards the edge and jumped out of the ship.
Razorbeard knew that this was definitely something Nelegus wouldn’t like to hear.
Drop from this high won’t be good for health. But I had to make the daring attempt to escape, for Rayman’s shake. Luckily I can levitate and use that power to slow down my speed. But even then there has to be something to soften my drop. Well, it is mean thing to do but I have no choice. Hopefully he doesn’t hurt himself too much.
Rayman, so glad to see you.
Rayman couldn’t help but to feel frustrated. He had to cover his eyes in a calm and happy place but the first thing he had to watch some swamp-like place that was filled with bizarre-shaped light blue rocks, chunks of ice and...lava, apparently. He, Ly, Globox and Moskito were traveling towards the Sanctuary of Bad Dreams. They’ve been told that Vaharnos instructed Ssssam to help them to get across the swamp so Rayman didn’t feel so frustrated.
But Sanctuary of Bad Dreams...a mere name made Rayman to shiver. Even the sky was more menacing than usual. Then he noticed that something was coming towards him but he didn’t have time to react.
Ly, Globox and Moskito fell by the sudden impact.
“Was that a meteorite?” asked Globox.
“I don’t think so,” answered Ly and stood up, “there didn’t fly any rocks. But is Rayman okay?”
The tree of them ran to watch Rayman’s condition. He seemed to be okay but he stared surprised the fairy that had hit him.
Rayman’s head filled with memories when he looked this faintly breathing red haired fairy with no limbs. He remembered how she had given all his powers: how to hit with his fist, how to hang (is that a superpower?), how to grab objects with his power fist, how to use his hair as a helicopter and to run with extreme speed. Rayman remembered how she was captured by some dark and mysterious man, how he saved her and apparently the whole world and there was a huge party.
“Betilla...?” Rayman asked when the name popped to his popped to his mind.
“Rayman?” Betilla said faintly and stood up slowly. “I guessed you might suffer from memory loss but you remember me after all. So good to see you.”
She gave him a brief hug.
“You’re Betilla?!” asked Ly amazed. “I heard you have been imprisoned for long time. It’s sure lucky to have you back!”
“Thank you,” Betilla replied, “nice to see Rayman has new friends. I know you are Ly, the famous fashion designer and Moskito I have known for long but who is this toad?”
“Oh,” Rayman said, “he is Globox, my best friend.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a blue snake called Ssssssam who rose up from the swamp. Perplex silence occurred.
“Uuu...Vaharnosss mentioned only four people,” he said after a while. “Can you fly missss...?”
Their conversation was interrupted by a distant humming voice.
“Looks like we have to leave introductions to later,” Rayman said when he noticed a robopirate warship. “Ssssam, take Globox with you, I go with Moskito.”
All of them escaped deeper to the bizarre swamp when the warship started heavy bombing.
It’s certainly a lucky strike that Betilla is helping us. People have talked about her a lot, as an inspiring figure. She is actually the reason why Rayman has all his powers. I’ve never seen him running with extreme speed but all the other powers still remain. Without Betilla Rayman wouldn’t be...Rayman.
Yikes, that deformed monster nearly got me! Take that! It’s not wise to think anything else in hectic situations but I can’t stop thinking how Betilla’s help affected Rayman. Was she just a friend? A sister he never had? Or something deeper…?
Oh, come to your senses already, Ly! It’s been who knows how many years since you last time saw him. He could have been moved forward, although I’m quite sure he hasn’t done that. We are escaping from heavy firing and here I am, wondering does one man I met long time ago think me anymore. We weren’t even seriously crushed, just two or three talks...
Ly’s thoughts were interrupted when a bullet destroyed an incoming robopirate. Then a voice was heard from a megaphone:
“How unlucky an unwise from you to enter my domain. Everything coming through here will become hunted!”
Rayman recognized that voice. He looked to the voice’s source there he was. The slim body of Razoff the Hunter was standing on the balcony of a rather roughly made mansion. His eyes were keen, aiming with coordinate but still heat in his mind. The long rifle he was holding spat a set of sharp projectiles that hurled towards another robopirate with smashing results.
Rayman would have been glad to see Razoff but he remebered his last encounter against this rather disordered hunter. And as Rayman predicted Razoff started to aim him and his companions. A shot barely missed Ssssssam but Betilla wasn’t so lucky. Rayman however was able to grap her in high speed.
“Wow, that was...impressive.” said Betilla who was still dazzled from the shot.
“Uh...you’re welcome,” said Rayman who was trying to focus on the hectic situation.
But the hectic moment was over as quickly as it was started. Couple of robopirates had managed to enter in Razoff’s mansion and knocked him unconscious. This gave enough time for Rayman and his company to slip safely towards the Sanctuary of Bad Dreams.
The Sanctuary of Bad Dreams looked like an escpecially menacing spiked stone dome. Apperently it contained elements from all the other sanctuaries Rayman had visited in, as random chunks of ice and rivers of lava were placed on the side of this humongous rock.
Ssssssam would have wanted to aid his firends who he sees so rarely.
“So...” the snake started, “I guessss we part in thisss point.”
“I guess so,” said Rayman uneasy.
“Well...come visit sometime,” said Ssssssam melancholly and dived to the swamp.
For a moment everybody watched Ssssssam going and stood there with pressing silence. So sad he coudln’t leave anywhere from the swamps where most of the residents weren’t as nice as him. But everyone knew that they had a mission in their hands so they went deeper to the Sanctuary of Bad Dreams.
Several unnamed horrors later they arrived to a grand, icy hall, rivers of lava pouring next to the walls. In the centre of the hall there was a stone pile. Rayman had seen this kind of piles before in other sanctuaries so he knew this one would hold a mask inside of it.
“I have experience about these places,” Rayman instructed his friends. “This was way too easy.”
Suddenly Rayman’s eyes started to hurt and he had to fall on his knees.
“Why did I say that?! It’s the ultimate jinx!” Rayman scolded himself.
Ly, Betilla, Globox and Moskito approached Rayman, asking what’s the matter. While being worried of Rayman no one noticed a lone hovercraft that landed on an unreachable ledge. Rayman told his friends that everything was fine and the pain has stopped. When he looked at them they gasped in horror.
“Why you are looking me like that?” Rayman asked.
“They’re...they’re the eyes of Nelegus!” Betilla said terryfied.
Rayman couldn’t see it but everyone else saw his eyes wich were bright yellow with red pupils. To Rayman’s horror his lips started slowly move, making monotonic talk.
“Is...Razorbeard...here?”
Everybody looked around and far in the hall they saw Razorbeard and his hovercraft. He waved to the heroes when they noticed him. Ly yelled at Nelegus-infested Rayman:
“Get away from him!”
“Hold your tounge...anti-citizen,” said Rayman.
Rayman started to yell furiously:
“Razorbeard! How...on earth...Betilla escaped!?”
“Belive or not,” Razorbeard said, “she jumped from the ship. Just like that!”
“Really?” Rayman asked. “How...brave of you, Betilla. But...you will not...stay free for long. But...this is taking...too much energy...I must go but first...Jano! I summon...you!”
A black cloud appear in front of the stone pillar and from it emerged the former guard of the Cave of the Bad Dreams. Expect the pupil in his big yellow eye wasn’t black, it was pure red.
“My apoligies, Rayman, but Nelegus has complete control of me,” Jano said. “This is nothing personal.”
Razorbeard had taken control of his hovercraft and started to shoot at Rayman’s friends. Rayman was ready to face Jano but Rayman had hard time to focus as his eyes blinked in pattern of short and long pauses. Unfortunately Rayman didn’t know what Morse coding was but Nelegus knew and shamlessly used Rayman’s eyes to inform Jano about his moves. Rayman jumped away from Jano’s fireball but was instantly hit by his skull wand.
“Moskito and...the blue one,” shouted Betilla. “distract Razorbeard! I and Ly will help Rayman!”
Rayman was happy hear that as this constant blinking really started to annoy him. Jano was now busy with two fairies levitating around him and throwing energy balls at him. He tried to keep them away with his flaming skull wand that he dippep into the lava. At the same time Moskito was distracting Razorbeard and Globox was desperatly trying to create a rain cloud but he was too afraid by the hectic situation.
“Forget the fairies, hit Rayman when I will give the singal!” morsed Nelegus through Rayman’s eyes.
“Forget Moskito, grab Rayman when I will give the singal!” informed Nelegus to Razorbeard through the hovercraft’s speakers.
Metallic hand came from hovercraft. It grabbed Moskito and threw him at the wall, knocking his lights out.
“NOW!” informed Nelegus to his two aids.
Jano hit Rayman at the right moment and made his head spin. Jano was quickly outnumbered by Ly and Betilla who tied him mentally. All of their energy was used to keep Jano binded but at the same time Razorbeard was flying towards Rayman at full speed, ready to grab him and deliver him to Culture Chateau. Globox was however able to act now that he wasn’t directly threathned. He started to make his rain dance, knowing that if this would fail, all would be lost. With huge mental effort he was able to create a rain cloud that rusted the controls of Razorbeard’s hovercraft. It was enough to crash the thing to the ground.
Rayman started to wake up. He saw that Jano was held by the fairies and Razorbeard’s hovercraft was just a smoking pile of metallic scrap, perhaps he with it as well. He ran to the pillar and stopped in front of it. Magical energy started to emit from the round symbol that was on Rayman’s shirt, linking with the round symbol in the pillar.
Nelegus watched through Rayman’s eyes and he didn’t like about what he saw. The rest of the goverment – expect for Sergueï could see who was in hospital and replaced by Professor Barranco – was there giving Nelegus their full mental support.
“Consentrate harder!” Nelegus yelled. “We must get Jano free before Rayman gets the mask!”
Jano managed to get free from the fairies’ grasp and approached Rayman. He didn’t noticed this as he watched the mask that had came out of the pillars. It’s sarcastic eyes watched him, like when he first founded it from the Sanctuary of Stone and Fire. Those were the days. Jano’s long fingers grasped Rayman and...
Razorbeard dug himself out from the rubbles of his hover craft. It was a miracle that he survived. But he didn’t feel as lucky when he looked around and noticed that no one else was there.
“Uh, hello?” asked Razorbeard. “Could someone just pick me up?”
The mask had teleported the whole party, including Jano back to Polokus’ hideout. Rayman had remebered to keep his hands in front of his eyes.
“The first mask,” Polokus said, “how outstanding. But I must now hurry and remove the eye control of Nelegus from you. Do not worry, this will hurt lot more Nelegus than it will hurt you.”
Nelegus commanded Mr. Dark to leave his body. He sat there, waiting nervously for the upcoming pain. Suddenly his eyes started to emit bright light and smoke. His eyes bloated, whirled in their sockets, finally stretching through the hall until they returned back to their normal size. For a moment he kept his long hands on his eyes while the goverment watched him worried.
“Well...” Nelegus finally said, his range slowly building. “We still have no idea where Polokus is hiding...but no matter, we have still three maskes and therefore plenty of oppoturnities to catch Rayman and end this rebellion forever. But right now I am just really, REALLY, frustrated that he slipped from my hands when I was THIS CLOSE TO GET HIM!! GRAAAAGH!!!
Nelegus pounded his fists on the table several times in pure rage until he stopped in deep depression.
“I have actually a surprise for you that makes you feel better,” said Dirannah.
“Oh, please, tell me,” said Nelegus melancholly.
“Do you want to know where Rayman is now?,” she asked.
Nelegus’ face went brighter by the mixed surprise and joy when he realized what Dirannah meant with her words.
To be continued...
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I've only read chapter one as of yet, but it sounds really good.
>>;
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I wish i could write as good as this! it would please my english for sure!
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soz. was supposed to put english teacher. for some reason, no edit icon appears so i cant edt my post.
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by lythefairy:
soz. was supposed to put english teacher. for some reason, no edit icon appears so i cant edt my post. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey, do you see the icon with the pencil next to yellow folder icon. That's the edit/delete icon :3
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told u im dumb 
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