Mordred
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Part II: A Nefarious Frostval
Snowfall had just come to an end in Frostvale. A small town of the rugged north, the weather was almost always less than amiable, but not at that time of year. Even nature recognizes the import of the holiday festivities, and will not deter the annual cheer. Others, however, are not so virtuous…
Far to the north-west of the moglin village was a structure crafted into the harsh, unforgiving crags of the mountains. The mountains were a natural barrier between the Northlands and a dark, unspeakable land that lay to the west; a land with an ancient and forgotten name that even the Rose dare not venture into. All of one word has passed beyond the peaks of those mountains in the howling of the winds, crying out as if in agony; Angmar. It was within these foreboding mountains that a fortress of sorts had been built, the heavy stone gates jutting out from the rocky sides underneath a brow of defiant spires of glacial ice, decorated in carvings and statues of creatures not seen on Lore for many a millennium.
It was within this bastion of the frozen north that our dastardly villains had holed themselves up. It was from here that their scouts ventured out to spy upon the magical Frost Moglins as they prepared for their holiday festivities. The penguin minions of Nix served best for this purpose, for they were adorable creatures that did not attract unwanted attention, and had their hearts filled with evil by their diminutive master. Their cold eyes could gaze upon the village leisurely with no threat of harm upon their selves or their masters’ plans.
One such penguin was loafing around on the snowbanks near the entrance of the town, bellysurfing from the top of a small hill to the bottom endlessly in a futile effort to stave off the boredom of his task. It was while the penguin was climbing up the hill once more that he saw a man clad in a black suit approach the village. Staring at him for some time, the minion came to realize that the man was one of his two targets; Mayor Waen of Falconreach.
The minion flew into a flurry of excitement as the mayor rapped his knuckles against the gates of the village. They were drawn open by some of the positively cuddly villagers, allowing the prestigious mayor and CEO within their borders. As the doors closed, Nix’s penguin minion slid through as only a penguin could, without the slightest bit of attention drawn to itself. From there, the arctic creature followed the mayor through the village, until they arrived at the town square, where the moglins’ leader was waiting to greet their guest.
“Happy Frostval, Mister Waen!” the green creature called out as he threw his arms into the air.
“It’s not quite time yet,” the mayor replied jokingly. “I see you’re plenty busy, though.” As he said this, Waen motioned to the activities around him; the toymakers bustling to and fro, the bakers toiling by furnaces and ovens, the children carrying various tools where they were needed; the whole village came alive this time of year, and everyone had some role to play in the merriment.
“That’s right, Mister Waen!” Papa moglin admitted. “But dear me, aren’t you cold out here?”
“Oh, no,” the man said dismissively. “I’ve trained to withstand such harsh environments. Had to in order to be Ba-er, Falconreach’s mayor. They deserved a hero who could deal with the rampaging elements.”
The moglin nodded his fuzzy head. “The past few years have been quite… difficult without-“
“They’re back now. That’s all that matters, isn’t it?” At this, the moglin bowed his head a little, surprised by the mayor’s harsh tone. Clearing his throat, the human continued. “Speaking of which, Falconreach will be here to fend off the Rose, as per the previous years. You-know-who will be joining the defense as well.”
“Really?” Papa moglin said excitedly, joy in his voice. “Oh, we’ll be so happy! And- Oh, my, that’s a few years worth of presents to make up!” At this, the two laughed, and retreated to a hut to continue their talk.
Nix’s crony heard every word, and was about to waddle off to his master when another penguin spy came up to him.
“Wac waaaac, wac-wac,” the second penguin said arrogantly as it poked the first, smaller penguin’s belly with its flipper. “Wac wac waaaaaac…” With its second statement, the penguin motioned to his own belly, stating he would be rewarded well for returning to Stephen Nix with this information first.
“Wac-wac wac wac wac WAC!!” the first penguin shouted to the best of his ability, flapping his flippers madly.
“Wac waaaaaaac?” the second replied snidely, raising an eyebrow. At this, the first penguin began slapping at his foe with all his puny might, thrashing him with blows like that of a down pillow. Under this assault, the second penguin backed down, acknowledging that the first penguin deserved to return and claim a reward. As the victor waddled off with his beak held high, though, a third penguin was already halfway back to the base, information prepared to be delivered.
This third penguin came upon the great stone barriers of the villains’ base. With a struggle, she managed to push open the stone slabs enough to allow herself within the darkness of the ancient structure, where all was an abyss. As she waddled uncertainly deeper into the suffocating shadows, the doors shut ominously behind her. Simultaneously, a bright light lit up the area in a blinding flash, eliciting groans of pain from the occupants of the chamber.
Standing within the light source against a crumbling pillar was the infamous Megakyle, his power-pack illuminating a sepulchral chamber that was built out of grey stone with few adornments. Seated around a stone table were the mega-villain’s accomplices; Stephen Nix, the undead penguin crime-boss, Mister Glaisaurus, the cold-blooded wizard, Killer Dragonman, the twisted would-be-mayor, and the Dread, the sinister mastermind behind their collective plot.
“Thanks for letting us sit in the dark like that, Kyle,” the top-hat-wearing penguin said snidely, his beak clacking loudly.
“It’s Megakyle to you, runt,” the mask-wearing villain said threateningly.
“You two need to chill out,” Mister Glaisaurus rasped, the last two words in an unintended heavy accent that was reminiscent of some lederhosen-clad mountain-men. “How are we supposed to put a freeze on Frostval if you’re going to bicker over names?”
“Hahahahahahahahaha,” the purple-suit wearing undead laughed maniacally, his unearthly voice reverberating and echoing throughout the chamber. “I like you, snow-cone. You get right to the bone of the matter.”
At this, everyone but the Dread and his minions groaned, for the pun was truly horrendous. From deep within the structure, some beast bellowed, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Filled with fear, the penguin turned to leave, only to waddle right into Megakyle’s mega-sized boot.
“Where do you think you’re going?” the man’s voice said menacingly from under the metal visor. “You will tell us why you have come here, why you have disturbed our planning. Only then do you have my permission to leave.” With his intentions made clear, the muscled human picked up the plushy penguin and unceremoniously placed her in the center of the table, where all the minions leered at her ominously. Well, all for Stephen Nix, who was more or less the same height as his minion.
“Wac wac wac-wac-wac was WAC waaaaac,” the servant said fearfully, motioning frantically outside, towards the village.
“What’ssssssss ssssssshe sssssssaying, Nixxxxxxxxx?” Dragonman said with a hunger in his voice. Licking his vicious maws, he added, “Thissssssss ball of feathersssssss looksssssss rather tassssssssty…”
“Gentlemen, it would appear that Mister Waen has just taken up residence in Frostvale,” the crime-boss said triumphantly, rubbing his flippers together.
“Then vengeancccccccccce isssssssss at hand,” the dravir said, relishing the tought of having the squishy mayor at his mercy…
“And when Waen is within our grasp, Batoro will come out for Falconreach’s precious mayor!” Glaisaurus almost seethed, his excited breath appearing as a mist that hung heavily in the air.
“And let’s not forget the presents!” the Dread interjected, waving his purple-gloved finger. “With them, I can pull of my most humerus prank yet! Look around us,” saying this, he motioned to the chamber they were within. “All dreary, and covered with these stone gargoyles. I mean, what’s up with that? You’d have to be pretty ugly yourself to put up with these mugs. And the chill! It’s killing me! But with those presents, we could liven the place up a bit! Turn this into our own toymaker’s shoppe! And what would we be giving good little boys and girls?”
“Wood to burn for the cold winter?” one of the skeletal servants suggested.
“What would children need with lumbar,” the prankster countered, sending his goons into fits of laughter. “You’d have to be a real bone-head to think anybody would enjoy that.” This was accompanied by more groans.
“Get to the point, clown,” Dragonman snarled, his teeth parting as his forked tongue darted forth.
“Tsk, tsk. What’s the point of our little coccyx if you aren’t willing to listen?” the undead reprimanded, wagging his finger. “But what does it matter; that will be my little secret. All I can say is; it’ll be a hit with the kids! Their parents, too! So much so, you might even say everyone will be picking it up one way or another! Ahahahahahahahehehehehehehe!”
“But Waen will be ours, right?” Glaisaurus questioned. “You can’t give the rest of us the cold shoulder, now.”
“Of course!” the skilled necromancer assured. “Now, here’s the plan; the presents are located in two warehouses on the outskirts of the town. Megakyle will be there with the sled, gathering up the presents and onto the sled, so that he can drag the sled back here with his super-strength, presents in tow.”
Megakyle nodded in affirmation. “I am Frostval’s reckoning.”
“Meanwhile,” the Dread continued, “Stephen Nix and his penguin goons will get the tools from the toymakers’ shack. With their numbers, they’ll collect everything in record time!”
Stephen Nix tipped his hat and bowed as if receiving applause.
“Even while that’s going on, Killer Dragonman will use his draconic breath to melt all the snow around the village, ruining any chances of a white Frostval!”
“Hey, that one doesssssssssn’t sssssssssound asssssss important assssss the otherssssss sssssssso far,” the would-be-mayor cried angrily, rising from his seat. “Why can’t I get Waen?”
“Because we need Waen alive to draw Batoro out, lame-brain,” Nix pointed out, twirling his cane. “You’d more than likely try to kill him.”
“Well… Alright,” the dravir conceded. “But who would you trusssssssssst with him; thisssssss pranksssssssster?” Saying this, he accusingly pointed a claw at the purple-clad Dread, decrying a wrong he felt upon himself.
“Now, now, Dragonman,” the undead said soothingly, his composure calm despite the fury he faced. “I see my pranks through to the end. Rest assured, Waen will arrive here safe-and-bound. If you’re so concerned, would it ease your mind knowing the ever-level-headed popsicle will be accompanying me in capturing Waen?”
“That would not be… disssssssssagreeable…” Dragonman admitted as he reclaimed his seat. “But-“
It was at that moment that the stone doors were again pushed open, and the first penguin rushed inside, beak flapping as he struggled to get out all the info. He stopped in mid-wac, though, as he saw the smugly smirking penguin upon the table amid the villains.
“Seems like another of your bird friends was a little late, Nix,” the frozen-headed Glaisaurus said snidely.
“Bah, kick him to the curb,” the dapper penguin said with a cold-hearted voice. “After he sees how I’ve rewarded our more timely informant here…” Saying this, he once more removed his tophat, and began fishing within its depths for something. After fumbling for a while, the undead penguin triumphantly held out a small dead fish.
“… Ew,” Megakyle said disgustedly. “That thing reeks.”
The undead avian paid no heed as he threw the fish towards the penguin upon the table, who eagerly snapped it up in one gulp. As she cheerfully slurped down her prize, the Dread snapped his gloved fingers. One of his chuckling minions strode purposefully towards the first penguin that had interrupted them, and pulled back its leg to punt it with great force. The small bird was angrily cheeping and wac-ing and pointing at the penguin who had stolen his chance, too furious to see the incoming skeletal foot. With a dull thud, the creature was sent flying, where he would bother them no more.
“Now,” the Dread said with malicious cheer as he brought the tips of his fingers together, “we wait until nightfall to strike.”
Night had fallen upon the peaceful village, and all was well. Not a creature stirred, not even a tog. But to call those monsters of the night creatures in the traditional sense would be an affront to creatures everywhere. The five villains stole through the night with dark intent, their minions right on their heels.
They parted ways as they neared the town, each bent on their own tasks. Megakyle’s strength easily broke through the outer walls of the warehouse, where he skillfully amassed the already wrapped gifts upon his large sled with the aid of his disgruntled bandits. Dragonman quickly set to work on the snow surrounding the Frost Moglins’ homes, and within their village, his breath melting the flakes to a soupy puddle in seconds. Not a blade of dead grass, not a plank of wood was set aflame. Such mastery of flames would have been impressive, if it had not been used for such a nefarious purpose.
Nix’s many minions, seemingly endless in number, had formed a single line between the village and the ancient fort they took base in. When they were inside the toymakers’ workshop, they put their flippers to good use under Nix’s close direction, passing tools and parts and empty boxes down the line. A full gift would have been too much for their fingerless arms to bear, but their flippers could easily handle the stream of devices sent down their way.
As for Mister Glaisaurus and his accomplice…
“What do you mean, he’s not in there?” the undead seethed as lowly as he could to his companion in the shack.
“I mean just that. Bed’s as cold as ice. Waen’s flown the coop,” Glaisaurus said disappointedly as he returned outside.
“Where could he have gone, ice-brain?” the Dread demanded.
“Looking for someone, are we?” a gravelly voice said ominously from behind them. The villains, dumbstruck, turned to face a man clad in all black, and bearing an axe crafted in the likeness of a bat. “Looks like you’ve found me.”
“Ahahahahahahaha!” the necromancer laughed maniacally, not caring for who could hear him. Within the alleys of the village, his minions joined in with their master, creating a symphony of madness. “I’ve been wanting to try out this new toy! One of my own making, even!” The tails-tuxedo-clad cur thrust out his open palm, upon which rested a device of metal. With a low hum, a bolt of Energy flew out of the device, striking the ArchKnight full on. The powerful bolt paralyzed the man, his muscles twitching uncontrollably as he tried to withstand the pain.
“What a joybuzzer, eh?” the Dread said callously as he bent over from laughter. “It skips past the hand-shaking thing and goes right to the punchline! Glaisaurus, ice him!”
“With pleasure…” the wizard said coldly as he took up his staff. Around the masked crusader’s writhing body formed a thick layer of ice, encasing his entire body, and leaving only his head free.
“I don’t know what you’re up to,” the hero cried angrily, “but I’ll put a stop to it.”
“Oh, what a fibia to tell,” the Dread commented dryly as he approached the fallen man’s face. “But lights’ out, Batsy.” With that, he savagely brought his foot down upon the helpless man’s nose, knocking him out.
Out cold, Glaisaurus thought to himself as undead began to lift the ice statue of his creation and carry it back to the base.
“It would seem our venture was a glowing success!” the purple prankster exclaimed as he half-danced, half-walked back towards the north-west, Batoro’s unconscious body in tow…
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