Post by Nathan Saniti on Jul 2, 2015 5:21:43 GMT -5
Nero Shall Fiddle Again - Part Three
Jagged spires jutted in all directions of the cavernous alcove. The tongues of blue flames from the eternal torches staggered along the walls licking at the shadows, caressing them, yet not convincing them to yield to their light. Amidst the gloom centered high atop a platform of stairs, stood a monumental coal black throne, carved just as sinister and thorny as its surroundings. Seated in the uninviting chair was a skeleton dressed in a pitch black robe adorned with living flames at the foot that never seemed to set the fabric aflame. The being clutched its scythe, spinning it on its long, crooked handle out of boredom. Finally, a reprieve from the monotony came in the form of someone whistling a lonely tune as a means of introducing himself. The faceless man blowing the tune entered the chamber, his trench coat wafting loosely behind him.
Shadows stretched out all around as if in defense of the creature atop the throne, stopping their advance only upon a wave from their master. "Hello, Stranger. You bring me good news, I hope."
"I do indeed, Lord Chaos," answered the Stranger respectfully, kneeling before his liege. "Nathan Saniti has been set on the path you directed. His alignments are changing as we speak. He's is even unaware that he still wears my mask."
"Which mask did you use?" Chaos leaned forward, cupping his jaw in his thumbs.
"Steel. I even activated it with a kick between the eyes." advised Stranger. "He'll continue to see those who surround him as his enemies until Fate has no choice but to remove his powers. Fate's already teetering on the precipice of depowering Saniti because of the whole Hangtown incident." Stranger hesitated before continuing. "There may be a small hiccup though."
A fierce glow emanated from Lord Chaos' eye sockets, the tone in his voice expressing displeasure of what could end up being a painful sort. "Yes?"
"Saniti has surrounded himself with... insane people."
Chaos sat back, tilting his head in curiosity. "How is this a problem?"
"People with a non-conformist outlook on society can sometimes see the masks I place on the faces of others." Stranger nodded to himself, affirming his next statement. "If one of them sees it, and convinces him that he never removed it, his alignment will return to normal."
"Well, we'll just have to hope that Fate depowers Saniti before then." Chaos chuckled deeply, sending a cold chill down even Stranger's spine. "Nathan Saniti will become one of my Nightmares, Stranger. I've longed for his abilities to be under my command for eons. You have done well, my minion. Now, I believe you have dreams to invade, do you not?"
"I do, my liege." Stranger knelt once more before backing away from the King of Nightmares to do his nightly duties.
"Soon, Nathan Saniti, I will have you as one of my sergeants. Together, we will throw all worlds into anarchy, and I will devour the fears of all living things." Chaos began spinning his weapon once more. "Then, I will have all the power I need to overthrow the Balance."
*******
Nathan stomped around the makeshift shack, tossing anything he could get his hands on. The remainder of the (un)Stable had gathered outside of the building, keeping their distance. "How long is he going to be like this?" asked Alexa, her unshakable smirk of accomplishment for her misdeed against the World Champion still replaying in her mind.
"Who knows?" replied Crazy Boy. "He and I need to talk strategy for our match this week. We have a tornado tag match against the Sea Men and the Nobodies. I want to stomp a mudhole in Tide. He's been nothing but a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember."
Joka leaned against a tree, chewing on a toothpick, but keeping his thoughts to himself. His normal brand of unhinged jocularity had gone by the wayside lately. finally, the racket ceased from within the structure. CB poked his head inside to see if the coast was clear.
Nathan stood amid the wreckage he had caused, his head bowed as he caught his breath. "A BOY! I was defeated by a mere boy! She caught me unawares and laid me cold. I could have had Mr. Sadistic in my clutches and put an end to this once and for all."
"I have a suggestion," offered Crazy Boy.
It was almost unsettling just how quickly Nathan changed moods once he realized he had company. "Ah, Mr. Smith! Come in!" Nathan waved a hand, righting everything he had torn asunder within seconds. Once the dust had settled, Nathan politely offered up a seat to Tyrone. "Now what is your proposal?"
"The tag titles are making a comeback. I think Alexa and I would represent the (un)Stable in that aspect."
Nathan pondered this for a minute, but began shaking his head. "Interesting, but I believe we are best suited to concentrating on ridding this realm of the Black Hand."
A flash of anger rose in Crazy Boy's eyes. "No offense, but the Black Hand is YOUR goal, and you railroaded us into setting our crosshairs on them, yet nothing has happened. The tag titles making a comeback is a huge deal. If Alexa and I can get our hands on those straps, it will keep them out of the hands of the Hand."
Nathan narrowed his eyes at the insubordination. "Are you very certain that your vendetta against High Tide has nothing to do with it?"
"I admit it has everything to do with it." Crazy Boy set his right foot on a knurled stool, resting his elbows on his leg. "In fact, I'd go so far as to say that we should switch targets and prevent the Sea Men and their bunch from getting their hands on that gold as well." Tyrone paused, carefully wording his phrases. "You told us when you brought us on that this was going to be a democracy. Alexa and I want to go after the Sea Men AND the tag belts. Joka has crawled into some black hole of depression that keeps him from participating in anything, and you want to choke out the Black Hand. I think it would be good for morale if we changed things a bit." Crazy Boy waited briefly for a response, but Nathan's thoughts remained unspoken. "Let us do this, Nathan. Help us. It would give us a deeper bond for when we rally up and take out the Hand as a unit."
Nathan puzzled, fighting with his own goals, weighing in his comrades' desires. Finally, he resigned to the majority. "Very well. You and Alexa do your damnedest to keep the tag belts out of the clutches of the Black Hand, and I shall assist you in exacting a measure of revenge upon Mr. Tide and company. In the meantime, I need to figure out the person Kelli was referring to so that I may locate him and remove whatever leverage the Black Hand has over her."
"What are you talking about?"
"When I impersonated William Sadistic, Kelli made mention of someone who appeared at Mass Destruction and disappeared just as Quickly. If I can alleviate that, perhaps Miss Starr will garner the courage to leave the Black Hand, perhaps..."
"Perhaps what, Nathan?" CB took an interest in the sullenness settling into Nathan's face.
"...Perhaps she may even see fit to return to me." Sadness shook Nathan to his core.
"I'll dig around the archive at PCW and see who I can come up with." Tyrone patted Nathan on the back in support. "We'll help each other. That's what we (un)Stable-mates do." Out of the corner of his eyes, Tyrone could have sworn he saw a metal mask covering Nathan's head. Looking at his friend head-on, it didn't seem to be there. He reassured Nathan one last time, dismissing the delusion as a figment, or perhaps one too many chair shots to the head, before exiting the meeting hall.
"I pray that I've not ruined the one good relationship I've had with the fairer sex." Sadness retreated from his face as Nathan's likeness once again resembled demonic rage. "And if I have, I shall feel better after I've skinned that hooligan William Sadistic from head to toe and bathed him in lemon juice."
