Boratz

This one is tough! Great job, Johnny!

Good stuff! I'm leaning toward Tunnel Rat on this one. I think it'll be a close call and make for an exciting action sequence,

Haha this was a funny one and great mash up!

Hope you all enjoy

It was once said that “The world will end not with a bang but with a whimper…” Part of that has been true up to this point. There was not an explosion that wiped out the world, but there was something much worse. When the civilization fell and the world end, decay had taken over. It was not a bomb that destroyed humanity, but a virus. The T-Virus swept across continents faster than governments could hide it. It spread faster than Umbrella could control it. Humanity fell, not in weeks, but in days. Entire cities turned into mausoleums of torn flesh and blood-stained steel. The dead rose from the ground while the living hid. The sky itself turned gray with the smoke of burning hope. It was not a simple whimper that ended the world, it was a virus. It was a virus that ended humanity, it was a virus that ended hope. Through it all, Alice had watched it from the beginning. She was once a soldier of Umbrella’s hidden wars and a keeper of their darkest secrets. Now, she was one their greatest enemy. She wandered through the ruins of the world in a battle against the Umbrella Corporation. While many had lost all hope, she held on to something in hopes that humanity was not too far gone. She held onto the hope that she could put an end to the Umbrella Corporation once and for all. With the last remnants of human resistance, which consisted of a handful of survivors hardened by loss, they were all bound by desperation in their battle against Umbrella. On the surface, their mission was impossible. Their mission and their goal were to find a way to destroy the T-Virus that destroyed everything that they had known. But impossible missions were all Alice and her friends had left. As they traveled through ruins and remnants of the world, they held onto the idea that there was a chance at a brighter tomorrow. Within the ruins of Budapest, The city had been dead for years. What little remained of Budapest was silent except for the distant echoes of groaning undead and the soft hiss of wind blowing through shattered cathedrals. It was a perfect picture of what the rest of the world had looked like. As Alice and the human resistance approached the remains of Budapest, they stopped short to scout out the area. Looking over the city of the dead through a pair of binoculars, Alice could only see the horrors before her. She signaled for the others to stay put while she looked ahead. Walking ahead of her group that consisted of four rebels in scavenged armor, she started making her way toward the city. She had her twin pistols drawn while keeping her guard up with each step that she took. Her movements were feline and precise. Every step was measured and calculated. Her eyes, once bright blue, were pale and sharp like a blade. She was not going to allow herself to be taken by surprise. Once she saw that everything was clear, she gestured for her team to proceed. They crossed what used to be Liberty Bridge. Since the outbreak, it was now a twisted carcass of steel and vines. The steel was stained with dry blood from battles fought in years’ past. Below the bridge, the Danube flowed thick with debris and rotting flesh. There was a lingering stench that each one of the survivors had grown all too accustomed to since the Virus had broken free across the globe. As they moved, one of the rebels had broken the silence within the group. “Movement on the left…” said Marcus, who was a gaunt man carrying a jury-rigged rifle. Alice raised her hand for silence. From the shadows beneath the bridge came the wet scrape of claws. A hulking shape emerged from underneath the bridge. Before them appeared a grotesque fusion of man and beast. It was one Umbrella’s handiwork during this apocalypse. It was something that should have stayed in nightmares but was now a walking reality. Its skin was pallid and stretched over wiry muscle. The mouth on this grotesque beast had rows of jagged bone scattered throughout. “Licker…” Alice whispered before aiming her weapons at the creature. The creature let out a terrifying screech before leaping toward the group. Gunfire rang out from Alice’s twin pistols. She rolled forward, firing two clean headshots. The Licker convulsed and fell into the river below before vanishing beneath the current. “Still fast as ever…” Marcus muttered in disbelief. “Too fast.” Alice replied while shaking her head. “They’re evolving again. Umbrella’s still working.” “How? There’s barely anything left of them.” Alice’s expression darkened and her eyes began to furrow. “Umbrella is a damn a virus. Cut off one head, another grows back.” As they searched the area for supplies, the group then pressed onward, unaware that something else was watching them. Something older was watching them from the rooftops above. They were not alone. Deep beneath the ruins, In the catacombs that predated the city itself, torches flickered against ancient stone. Walking through the catacombs, a woman in a black leather was walking. Her dark eyes had seen many lifetimes’ worth of bloodshed and battles. She was a woman driven by honor and duty. She was a pureblood vampire that was the heir to royalty. This vampire made her way into the chamber of a vampire elder. This pure blood vampire, Nyssa Damaskinos, knelt before her father. Her father, Eli Damaskinos was impossibly pale. His features were regal yet monstrous. Once a powerful elder and the secret master of the vampire nation, the years had certainly taken a toll on the ancient being. He had watched from the shadows as humanity devoured itself in plague and ruin. Despite his weakened state, he still sought out power. After everything, amid the ashes of the human world, he saw opportunity. “Umbrella’s folly has undone the human race.” Eli said as his voice echoed like distant thunder. “Their virus tainted the blood, flesh, and soul of our food. Yet within their corruption lies a seed of immortality.” Nyssa lifted her gaze. “What do you mean, father?” “The Reaper strain was flawed... But the T-Virus… if refined, it could create a new race… A race impervious to sunlight. Gods upon the earth.” “And what of the remaining humans?” Eli’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Cattle.” Nyssa’s jaw tightened and her eyes closed. Though she shared her father’s power, she did not share his cruelty. Despite not sharing the same thoughts, she was still loyal to him. “And Umbrella?” “They stand in our way…” Eli said. “Their facilities guard the key to synthesis. We will break them and take what is rightfully ours.” He gestured to a holographic map showing several Umbrella strongholds across Europe. Across the screen there were several red dots blinking like open wounds. “But there is another threat…” He continued while coughing up a strange colored mucus. “A human woman. Enhanced. Immune to the virus. She has destroyed our human agents, intercepted our human scouts.” “Alice…” Nyssa said quietly. “Yes…” Eli replied. “She seeks to destroy both Umbrella and the Virus. She is dangerous. She is efficient, but she is mortal. She can be killed.” “I will deal with her…” Nyssa said while rising to her feet. Eli’s eyes gleamed with pride and calculation. “See that you do. Leave nothing standing in her wake.” Days later, Alice’s team reached an abandoned Umbrella research complex on the outskirts of Vienna. The structure was a monolithic ruin with glassless towers, hollow laboratories, and corridors lined with rusted containment tanks. “This is it!” Marcus shouted. “Facility X9. According to intel, this is where Umbrella first experimented with viral hybridization before the collapse.” “Then this is where we find the cure…” Alice said grimly. Cautiously, they moved inside. Dust motes drifted like snow through shafts of pale light. Old computer monitors flickered weakly as Alice powered them on. Files loaded that were half-corrupted but full of cryptic data about recombinant viral genomes, DNA fusion, and Project Seraphim. “What the hell is this?” whispered one of the rebels, Dana. Alice’s eyes narrowed. “They were trying to weaponize evolution.” Before anyone could speak, a blood-curdling scream echoed down the corridor. Before they could turn around, a shape dropped from the ceiling. It moved faster than the eye could track. The first rebel’s throat was torn open before he could fire. Another was hurled into a wall with bone-cracking force. Alice spun around with her blades out. Her eyes locked onto their attacker. It was a woman. She was pale as moonlight and draped in black leather armor that gleamed with traces of silver filigree. Her dark hair was tied back, and her movements were impossibly fluid. Her eyes were crimson, ancient, and intelligent. Those ancient eyes had met Alice’s with something between curiosity and disdain. “Who the hell are you?” Alice demanded. The strange woman in black leather armor tilted her head. “You must be Alice.” “Let me guess, Umbrella sent you…” Alice scoffed with disgust. Nyssa smiled faintly. “Umbrella is prey. You, however, are an obstacle.” She moved like lightning. Alice fired three rounds while Nyssa blurred aside. Each bullet shattered through walls instead of flesh. The vampire lunged forward to strike. Her blade flashed through the air as Alice ducked. She kicked, countered with a sweep as this mysterious attacked continued her swift movements. Alice quickly took out a blade of her own as sparks flew while steel clashed against steel. Then, as quickly as it began, Nyssa leapt back into the shadows. Rays of the sun started to shine through the building. The pure blood vampires stayed in the shadows while her voice echoed through the corridor. “You fight well. But you’ll bleed soon enough.” When she vanished, only silence remained while three dead rebels at Alice’s feet. Alice stood quietly for a moment as her bright blue as tried to comprehend what had just happened. In a field out of the city, Alice, along with other survivors, buried their friends while marking the graves of the fallen with scavenged pieces of metal. It was what made them different from the undead that roamed the Earth. It was what made them human. They buried their fallen. Alice stood apart from the others, the cold wind whipping her hair. Despite the cold wind, simmering beneath her calm exterior was a burning rage that could not be extinguished. She had lost too many already. Friends and people that she held close to her heart were lost lver time. They were lost to Umbrella, to the infected, and now to something new. This strange woman in black. She moved with a speed that was on par with even Alice herself. Alice felt that perhaps this woman was even fast than her. Hearing a sound behind her, Alive spun around with one of her guns drawn. Regaining her composure, her light blue eyes fell upon a familiar face. One of the men, Jonesy, in her resistance group approached. “We’re down to five people." He said biting his lip. "We can’t fight Umbrella... Hell, we can barely manage against the dead.” Alice holstered her pistols. “We don’t have a choice.” “She killed Marcus. She killed the others. She did it before you could even react. She’s not human, Alice. How do we even kill something like that?” Alice turned to him with eyes like ice. “The same way we kill everything else. We find her weakness, and we end her.” Elsewhere, Nyssa returned to her father’s citadel, a towering fortress carved into the Carpathian Mountains. Inside, legions of vampires moved through torchlit halls, preparing for war. “You failed...” Eli said without looking up from his throne. Nyssa knelt. “I encountered resistance, father. She’s stronger than expected.” “Stronger?” Eli hissed. “She is human!” “Not entirely...” Nyssa replied. “Umbrella altered her. As you said, she carries traces of the T-Virus yet remains immune. Her blood could be the key to your dream, Father.” Eli’s rage softened into intrigue. “Then bring me her body. Alive, if possible.” “I understand.” Nyssa rose while concealing the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She had seen something in Alice. There was a determination, a defiance that reminded her of herself before her father’s shadow had weakened after the outbreak destroyed civilization. Despite her doubts, duty was duty. The Damaskinos line owed the world nothing. In the lands of the dead, The resistance tracked an Umbrella convoy moving through the wastelands of southern Europe. There were vehicles loaded with cryogenic containers. Alice watched through binoculars from a ridge. “They’re transporting viral samples.” She said. “We can’t let them reach the hive.” Descending upon the convoy like ghosts, the team of resistance struck the Umbrella vehicles. Explosions lit up in the surrounding darkness. Undead creatures from the surrounding areas soon arrived as if they were drawn the fiery light of the explosions. Fighting through chaos, Alice moved with brutal intent. Umbrella soldiers were being attacked in all directions by both the living and the dead. It was a battle royale of blood and flesh. There were bullets and blood flying in all directions, until Alice reached the central transport. She ripped open the container and froze. Inside wasn’t a virus sample. It was a person. “Shit…” Jonesy muttered behind her while looking over some noted. “They’re merging the virus with the DNA of something called Homines nocturnae... What the hell is that?” "Vampire..." Alice muttered with widened eyes. It all started to make sense. She came to the realization that the woman in black was a vampire. It must have been why she'd fled once the sun's rays burst into the hallway. "There are notes about some Damaskinos..." Jonesy grumbled. "What the hell is a Damaskinos?" Alice clenched her fists. “It is not a what, it is a who. They’re in this together. Umbrella and Eli Damaskinos.” "Can you elaborate, Alice?" Jonesy asked with a blank stare. "Back in the states, when everything went to shit. I ran into this guy, a hunter..." Alice said with a sigh. "He hunted vampires. He told about them. About their ways and how they hunted. I thought he was full of himself. We parted ways after that." "So, what does that have to do with this Damaskinos guy?" "The hunter told me that there were a group of ancients operating out of Europe. They had a lot of influence on the governments before the world went to shit. This Damaskinos was one of the elder kings. We have to destroy this thing." Alice hissed while gesturing at the pod. Before she could destroy the pod, the air grew cold. Suddenly. Nyssa appeared on top of the transport. She drew her blade and made her way inside the transport. “You shouldn’t have come here!” Nyssa said sharply. “You murdered my friends.” Alice hissed. “They died quickly. A mercy that will not be granted to you.” Alice’s eyes burned. “You’re going to wish you hadn’t said that.” Alice drew her weapons, and gunfire erupted. Nyssa dodged every shot while closing the distance between her and her target. Alice met her halfway as their weapons clashed with brutal grace. The fight tore across the burning convoy with steel against flesh, strength against speed. For every strike Alice landed, Nyssa countered with inhuman precision. She moved like flowing water, her sword slicing air within inches of Alice’s throat. Then the explosion came. An Umbrella transport ignited behind them, the blast throwing both combatants apart. When the smoke cleared, Nyssa was gone. Alice rose slowly from the groubd. She coughed a couple times as she looked at her surroundings. Her coat was singed from the explosion. Her bright blue eyes narrowed at the trail of ash leading east. “Next time...” She whispererd ti herself. “You don’t run.” Weeks passed, Alice’s group had dwindled down to three. They were being hunted not only by the undead, but by the vampires’ assassins. They were silent, silver-eyed predators who struck in the night and vanished before dawn. One evening, while scavenging in the ruins of Prague, Alice stumbled upon an Umbrella facility. It was still active and guarded by a handful of soldiers who looked more terrified than loyal. She stormed the control room, killing lights and power in seconds. Alice then turned her fury towards one of the Umbrella officers. “Talk!” She ordered the trembling officer. “What’s the connection between Umbrella and the vampires?” The man stammered with a shaky voice. “We.. we made a deal. Damaskinos offered us samples. Pure and untainted vampire blood to help stabilize the T-Virus. We provided… facilities, subjects…” “And in return?” Alice growled while pressing her gun against the face of the officer. “He promised us immunity. A seat in the new world...” Before he could continue, Alive shot him through the head without hesitation. There was no making deals with monsters. The night sky bled crimson over the Carpathians, Alice approached the fortress alone. Her companions were gone. They were slain in ambushes meant for her. She was alone now in this war. The losses hollowed her in ways that she never would have thought possibld, but they also sharpened her. This was it, the heart of the Damaskinos stronghold. It was her final target. Inside, vampire guards patrolled the marble halls. Alice moved like a ghost, silencing each one with knives and gunfire suppressed to whispers. She planted charges along the support columns, prepping for detonation. At the center of the hall stood an altar; a grotesque monument to immortality. It was carved with scenes of human subjugation. Alice placed the final charge beneath it and turned to leave. Before she could leave, she heard a voice drifting through the chamber. “Impressive. For a mortal.” Alice froze as it was the same voice that she had heard before. It was the woman, the vampire in black. Nyssa stepped out from the shadows with her blade glinting under the blood-red light streaming through the stained glass. Her armor was scorched from their last encounter. Her expression colder and harder than before. “Your persistence is admirable...” Nyssa said. “But you are alone now and the sun is not your ally in this fight.” Alice drew her guns while her unwavering bright blue eyes glared at the vampire. “You're alone too.” They circled each other in silence. “You think you fight for humanity...” Nyssa continued. “But humanity is already gone. The virus saw to that. What’s left is chaos and rot. My father will bring order.” “Your father wants to enslave the world...” Alice snapped. “Umbrella destroyed it. He's just trying to take what is left of it.” “Perhaps...” Nyssa said softly. “But we can coexist, you and I. I can make you immortal. You’d never bleed again.” Alice stepped forward while her guns were still trained on the vampire. “I don’t want eternity. I want to kill you. I want to end this!” Nyssa’s smiled as she gazed into the blue eyes of Alice. “Then it shall.” Thunder rolled outside as the storm gathered. Lightning flashed across the vaulted ceiling, illuminating the two warriors; the last hope of the living, and the heir of the damned. The air crackled with tension. Alice holstered one gun and drew her machete. Nyssa unsheathed her curved blade, the silver edge gleaming like moonlight. “Your friends screamed when I killed them...” Nyssa said calmly. “You’ll be no different.” Alice’s eyes darkened. “You talk too much.” They moved as one before steel clashed. Sparks flew as if each strike was a storm. Alice’s raw power against Nyssa’s supernatural grace. They launched at each other again, blades flashing in the lightning.

Hope you all enjoy

Occasionally, a person will come and go out of our lives. There is not much that can be said about that. It’s simply the way life is. The journey of life is a strange road to say the least. People come and go, that is about all I can say about that. Hopefully on that journey of life, you can be fortunate enough to make a couple lifelong friends that will make this trip all the worthwhile. Now, this tale is not some heartwarming story or emotional journey of self-discovery. It is nothing of that sort. This is a story that will center around a man that you may have heard of. In fact, you may even know of his work. This man lived a life that was far different than an ordinary person, but along the way he also experienced what we all do on this journey. People came into his life, and they also left. He had lifelong friends come and he had friends go. As I said, you may know of the man that I am about to write about. Before I continue, I must admit that this story is purely fictional so do not take it as historical fact. What I am about to share is not a history lesson or autobiography. Although, I will share some but only as a way of providing context for how this story unfolds. This tale that I am about to share is centered around that of a young man named Walt. Walt was an interesting man to say the least, that enjoyed a good story or two. He even loved creating stories to share with those around him. These stories that he shared were meant to inspire the imagination and remind us of the childhood innocence that we all once had. In a world of war and heartache, Walt wanted to bring joy and laughter. On top of being a storyteller, Walt was an entrepreneur. I could go on and on about the stories that he shared, but that is not where our story takes place. Our tale begins before the familiar Mouse that we all know today. This tale begins with a Rabbit. And now, it is not the Bunny Rabbit that we all know and love that says the phrase, “What’s up, doc?” This rabbit is no ordinary rabbit. For some, he was known as a lucky rabbit and to others he was called Oswald, but you may know him as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Walt brought this Lucky Rabbit to life in Trolley Troubles. The friend that he made inspired him in more ways than one, but unfortunately, life has a way of taking away things that we work so hard to make. His friend and his lucky rabbit, Oswald became lost. Now, Walt was truly sad about the loss of his friend. It was not the type of loss that you may be expecting but it was a loss none the less. Being the storyteller and opportunist that he was, Walt found a new friend on his journey of life. Whether it be a Steamboat or working odd jobs, his new friend by the name of Mickey Mouse had a great many stories to tell. With the characters in place, let us begin this tale of ours that will lead a choice that will fall upon the shoulders of Walt. I should warn you that it is not a choice that he will have to face, and it will bring conflict to those on this journey. In a time when animation was still black and white, a young Walt sat day in and day out in his small studio apartment. The apartment was cramped, and the days seemed to drag on and on. As with the cold black and white stories that grazed the screen, the world around him seemed as if it were void of all color. The hardships around him and the struggles faced by the country were certainly felt by all. Despite all of this, the young man had dreams outside of the measly black and white world. Barely in his mid-twenties, Walt certainly had dreams. He dreamed in color. He dreamed of stories unfolding in bright colors that could be enjoyed by both young and old. It was late at night when the lamps burned low. The air smelled of ink and celluloid while sheets of paper had covered his small desk like fallen snow. Each paper had scribbles and drawings. On each of them danced doodles of rabbits, mice, and smiling faces. All these doodles and drawings were waiting for life. All were waiting for the color of his paint. As he painted and he doodled, Walt felt his eyes growing ever so heavy. He rubbed his eyes and smiled at the sketch before him. Upon that paper there was a familiar rabbit with long ears and a cheeky grin. It was a friend that he once had but thought he had lost. “Oswald?” He whispered without thinking he would receive a response. “You started it all, didn’t you?” With a bang or two, the clock in that small apartment struck midnight. Walt’s eyes quickly turned away from that doodle of his old friend and towards the clock. Suddenly, the pencil in his hand began to tremble. The inkpot shimmered, and light poured out across the desk. The pages fluttered and rose into the air like startled birds. Of all the stories that he had imagined over his life and all the experiences that he had encountered; this was surely one to take the cake. Walt’s eyes widened as if his tired thoughts had faded away. The ground beneath him began to shake and then in an instant, everything when still. All except for the sound of a voice. “Walt?” Came a voice that was both cheerful and confident. It even seemed oddly familiar to the young storyteller. “Hey there, boss!” Walt turned and what he saw nearly caused him to fall out of his chair. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust and his mind to comprehend. Honestly, his mind probably was not going to comprehend what was before him. At least, not for a while. Standing on the desk, in full black-and-white glory, was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. His grin literally stretched from ear to ear. Time and time again, he had sketched his little friend on more papers than he could count but never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine that Oswald would be standing on his desk. As his heart pounded in his chest and his mind raced in all directions, Walt did his best to regain his composure. “Oswald?! How are you…?!” Before he could finish, a second light burst forth from another sketchpad that was lying on his desk. This one was newer as the ink still drying. Out popped a smaller figure, rounder, with bright eyes and a hopeful smile. Even though his heart pounded ever so fast, and his mind raced in all directions, the world seemed to stop in its place. It was a moment that was neither a dream, but certainly not reality. Walt was looking upon his other dear friend and creation that you all may know. “Oh, gosh! Hiya, Walt!” Mickey Mouse squeaked before adjusting his little shorts. “Gee, this place sure is swell!” A blank expression fell over Walt as he blinked twice. “I, uh, I must be dreaming…” Walt murmured. Oswald crossed his arms. “If you are, don’t wake up, pal. We’ve got a problem. We got some big problems!” Unaware of the context of what the Lucky Rabbit had said, Walt looked around for a moment. It seemed as if the world around him was crashing down. The walls of his studio were melting into gray mist. The drawings on the walls faded, one by one, their lines dissolving into smoke. It was as if reality itself were becoming one with the doodles and the drawings that he worked on for so long. “What’s happening?” Walt asked with a furrowed expression. “The Magic Kingdom world is collapsing…” Oswald said grimly. “It’s where all your creations live. Someone’s gotta be stealing the magic that keeps us alive.” Mickey’s big round ears twitched. “Gosh, Walt! Uh, maybe, maybe it’s one of those mean ol’ copyright fellas again!” Oswald shot Mickey a glare. “This ain’t funny, Mouse! You’re new around here. You don’t know what it’s like to get erased.” Walt frowned and felt his heart sink. Remembering what happened to his old friend, he could not help but glance at Oswald with hurt in his eyes. He knew that sting all too well. The memory of losing Oswald to a studio contract dispute still haunted him. While still trying to fathom what was unfolding around him, the young man felt a spark within his heart. “Then we’ll fix it!” Walt said firmly. “Both of you. We’re going fix this Magic Kingdom and we are going to save your world.” Knowing that he will have to travel with his two friends in a journey through imagination itself, Walt rubbed his hand across his face. For so long, as long as he could remember, he dreamed of a world of color. Now, he was about to enter this world of imagination that surpassed even his wildest dreams. Walt, Oswald, and Mickey stepped through the glowing sketchbook and entered through the ink. They entered a world that was the Magic Kingdom. It was a world painted in moving lines, filled with laughter, music, and physics that was beyond that natural law. Talking animals danced in looping backgrounds while trains smiled as they puffed clouds of hearts. It was bright and it was beautiful. It was everything that Walt had ever wanted, and it was almost as he had imagined. Almost. The color within this world of dreams and imagination was fading. At the heart of this magical kingdom stood a shimmering fountain. It was the Source of Imagination, where all ink flowed from the creator’s mind. While it was magnificent and majestic, not all was right. For looming over this fountain of imagination, there was a shadow. A dark figure made entirely of splashes and smudges. It was a devastating enemy from wastelands and dark ideas from most depressing thoughts of the creator’s mind. It was a destruction blot that could never tamed or reasoned with. It was the Blot, and its sole purpose was to cover this Magic Kingdom with an all-encompassing darkness. It was going to create a dark void that was free of all color and imagination. “Disney…” The Blot hissed. “You draw. I erase. That’s balance.” “Balance?” Walt shot back. “You’re stealing their lives! You’re stealing their joy! You’re stealing my friends!” The Blot smirked as it started to circle around the trembling Walt. “One creation must be lost for the other to thrive. You can’t have both. For this kingdom to continue, one must be taken away. You must choose between the rabbit and the mouse. You must decide on the balance of the Magic Kingdom.” Oswald stepped forward with his arms crossed. He was trying to look brave, but deep down he felt the fear boiling inside of him. “Guess it’s my time, huh, boss? I’ve had my run.” Oswald said while nodding his head. Mickey shook his head. “No! No, He can’t just erase you! There’s room for both of us!” The Blot raised his shadowy hand. “Choose, Disney. One will remain in this world while the other will fade forever into the colorless void. It is the balance of life; one friends stays and the other goes.” Walt’s heart pounded as he was faced with this terrible choice. He looked between them; Oswald, the first spark of his dream, and Mickey, the fresh hope of something new. They were both there when he needed them most. They were both great friends and amazing companions in a world in desperate need of joy. It was an impossible choice and one that he did not wish to make. Looking around, he saw the world of imagination collapsing around them. They knew that there was no other way to stop the Blot from destroying this beautiful world. Walt turned his eyes back to his friends. He thought of all the nights that he’d drawn Oswald. All the laughter that they had shared and the stories that they had created. There was so much potential with Oswald, and he could not bear to lose him again. His eyes then shifted and turned toward Mickey. The Mouse who represented a new beginning. He was a character that he owned completely, who was born from hardship and renewal. They were both his creations, and they were both his friends. He had to choose one. Walt closed his tear-filled eyes and said, "I am so sorry, my friend..."

Oh cool, I'm glad to see Beach Head get some use I made sure to rate it this time Great job as always, Johnny!

Great continuation, Johnny

The creativity is something else Great job, Johnny Since becoming a dad, Coco has found a special place in my heart. It's nice seeing Hecter get some use

You could always put him against Samhain from the Real Ghostbusters next Keep that pumpkin head theme

Great Halloween themed match and story! Awesome job as always, Johnny

Awesome job, Johnny! Great continuation!

Hope you all enjoy I'm surprised this one hasn't been done before. Unless, I missed it

Chapter 75: The Seige on Gringotts Bank Mischief and antics were surely being done. After Gabriel Van Helsing defeated the former High Priest of Osiris, there was much mischief and antics happening around the area. The Ghostbusters and the B.P.R.D. secured the ancient artifacts of the Bracelet of Anubis as well as the Books of the Living and of the Dead. Little did they know, there was much mischief and antics happening around them. Mischief and antics that were being carried out by a trio of beings that were far away from what we know. These three mischievous beings kept themselves out of sight, but not out of mind. While the different heroes were trying to regroup after all the battles that had unfolded on that fateful night, some of them could see the mischief that was unfolding around them. Even though it was noticed by some, others did not have the slightest clue as to what was unfolding around them. They were not all random acts of mischief and mayhem. Oh no, they surely were not. For the mischievous trio of beings had a much more sinister plan in mind. Distractions were caused while the different groups of heroes were coming back together. In these distractions of mischief and antics, that same trio had found the opportunity to steal the case containing those powerful artifacts. They laughed and they snickered while running away with their prize. All the while, they could hear the shouts coming from the Ghostbusters and the B.P.R.D. The thought may have crossed your mind that this mischievous trio were committing random acts of mischief, and I would not fault you if that were the case. But no, this trio were acting on orders given by something much more sinister than a group of silly mischievous tricksters. This trio that consists of Lock, Shock, and Barrel were acting on orders given to them by Oogie Boogie himself. Now, if you remember way back when, the Bug King was originally helping Imhotep and his group of unlikely allies. At least that is what it seemed. But ol' Mr. Boogie was a gambler and an opportunist. He was always looking for the winning hand. As you might have guessed by now, that winning hand was not with Imhotep or even Akivasha. It was not even with Dr. Facilier, the Shadow Man himself. The opportunity and the winning hand were with the Council of Darkness. The Bug King rolled the dice and waited. He waited for opportunity. He waited for the right hand of cards to be dealt. With the defeat of Imhotep, Akivasha, and Dr. Facilier; Oogie Boogie knew that this was the perfect time to strike. With everyone scrambling around after the climatic battles, Oogie Boogie sent his three mischievous henchmen to gather his aces in the hole. He was going to use this hand of cards to put him in good standing with Grand Admiral Thrawn and the other members of the Council. Little did he know that there were other forces at work. After Lock, Shock, and Barrel snuck away with the powerful artifacts; they made their way through the battle zone that was New Orleans. As dawn approached, the streets in the Crescent City had started to burn with a faint greenish haze. The fog of war had begun to clear away, but the aftermath showed the devastation that was caused. The mischievous trio ran along the streets giggling and laughing while looking over the chaos in pure excitement. They retrieved what they came for and now it was time to meet up with the Bug King himself. They were supposed to returned to the wooded area of the Hinterlands that was located outside the frightening land of Halloween Town. Even though, they thought that they had escaped the clutches of the B.P.R.D. and the Ghostbusters without so much as a hint, there was a presence that had their eyes on the dastardly trio. Now, this was not a group that you would expect. We would have to go back and look at events that happened previously in this story. Earlier on the events that have unfolded, there was a tragedy that occurred in London. When leaders from across the world had gathered to meet with galactic representatives from a galaxy far, far away; they were caught in the middle of a sinister plot that involved various kaiju. The great city was left in ruins during the Battle of the Titans. Even after the kaiju had disappeared, the danger was far from over. Assassins from all corners of the galaxy were sent into the devastation to hunt down the different leaders. The impact and devastation that had fallen upon London had sent shockwaves across the world and the entire universe. War was declared. London was in shambles, but it was being rebuilt by groups across the world. These groups consisted of a great many groups that were magical and non-magical alike. One of these groups was the Ministry of Magic, who took it upon themselves to help rebuild what had been destroyed. Typically, they tried to keep out of muggle affairs, but everything had changed with the kaiju attacks. This war that was declared would span across all realms and would require the alliance of magical and non-magical beings. As they set out to help rebuild what had been destroyed, they also started looking into the sinister forces that were at play. As much as they did not want to, they called upon the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It could not be denied that Albus Dumbledore was one of the most powerful wizards of their time. While Dumbledore did not always follow the rules set forth by the Ministry of Magic, they felt that it would be a missed opportunity to rely on his abilities during this dark time. So, back to where we left off. After learning of the atrocities that had fallen upon New Orleans, Dumbledore kept a watchful eye on the city using his allies. As Lock, Shock, and Barrel left what was left of New Orleans, they began their travels to the Hinterlands. Although, this trio was mischievous, they did not have a lot as far as brains are concerned. In their childish antics, they did not realize or know what eyes were following them. They did not even realize that during their travels, the cases that carried the powerful artifacts of the ancient world had become empty. The Bracelet of Anubis, the Book of the Living, and the Book of the Dead were gone. Once the mischievous trio of henchmen returned to the Hinterlands, they watched as the Bug King emerged from a mysterious door. Lock pushed the case in front of Mr. Boogie with his foot while holding out his hand. Stock and Barrel joined in with Lock to hold out their hands as well in hopes that they would be given a nice treat for the trick that they played in this ever-growing story. Ol’ Mr. Boogie did not treat them quite yet as he leaned down over the case that was sitting before him. He popped open the case in hopes to see the artifacts that would surely bring him much reward. Instead, he found neither reward nor anything really. The case was empty. “What is this?!” Oogie Boogie shouted before turning his attention to the mischievous trio. Before they could respond, the Bug King felt a presence in the Hinterlands. If he had a body or blood in his veins, they would have gone as cold as ice. The ground almost shook beneath him as footsteps could then be heard from behind. Turning around with the entirety of the burlap sack that covered the horde of insects within, Oogie Boogie saw the Lord of the Rings. The greatest of the fallen Maia, Sauron, towered over the Bug King. Even the mischievous trio that served Oogie Boogie had sensed the power that the Dark Lord possessed. They trembled and coward while stumbling behind shrubs and trees. The Dark Lord circled around the Bug King as if he were a lion about to pounce on his prey. Even though Sauron knew the answer, he asked a question to Oogie Boogie with his terrifying voice. “What do you have for us, Bug King?” “Th… Th… That…” Oogie Boogie replied while started to stutter out of fear for the Dark Lord. “That is wonderful question indeed. We have run into a bit of a setback, but it is one that I can make right.” Sauron placed right hand on the shoulder of the Bug King. Oogie Boogie could feel the insects within his burlap sack started to wither and burn with that powerful touch. He glanced down and looked over the bright golden ring that shined on his finer. The One Ring that brought much fear to an age long thought forgotten. “It is not you that will make this right…” Sauron hissed while stepping away from the Bug King. “Your failure will not be overlooked by the others on the Council.” The Dark Lord left Oogie Boogie standing in the Hinterlands. There was a creepy silence that fell upon him as he stood in the center of the Holiday Doors. He stood alone with bad beat. He stood alone with a losing hand. The gambler had been dealt a bad hand, and he knew that eventually the house would come to collect. Now, “You should have just let me deal with those three pesky nasties!” Mad-Eye Moody grumbled while limping in front of Dumbledore’s desk. The old wizard with the long-white beard sat back in his chair as his eyes glared over the ancient relics. Waving his hand through his beard, the Headmaster hunched up from his seat and looked over Mad-Eye Moody and Tonks. “It was not the time, Mad-Eye.” Said Dumbledore as he sauntered around his desk to stand before his allies in the Order of the Pheonix. “Besides, those three were nothing more than servants to another servant. They are not the ones that we should worry ourselves with.” “If only ye would have seen ‘em. The lot of them are bad news!” Dumbledore let out a warm chuckle before responding, “That I am quite certain of. In these times though, there are far greater dangers than a trio of mischievous tricksters.” “What next, Professor?” Tonks asked before Mad-Eye could give a response. “The Book of the Living, the Book of the Dead, and this Bracelet of Anubis have been a terrible thorn in this world’s side since their creation. While I do not have the knowledge on how to destroy these dangerous items, it is best that they be hidden away from the world.” “Where?” Tonks asked. “I’ve always been keen on Gringotts.” Dumbledore replied. “Ye sure those nasty little goblins can keep these hidden?” Mad-Eye Moody groaned. “They certainly have a knack for keeping things safe...” Dumbledore replied with a grin hidden between his long white beard. “I will deposit these relics there in the morning.” Shortly after Mad-Eye Moody and Tonks left, Dumbledore felt a familiar presence entering his office. The Headmaster leaned over his desk while his eyes glared upon the ancient relics that had been brought to him. “As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with that bumbling Mad-Eye Moody.” Professor Severus Snape growled while sauntered out of the shadows. “You do not trust my decision, Severus?” Dumbledore asked while glancing back at the Hogwarts’ Professor. “I do not trust the goblins in that bank. There are plenty other places to hide these items.” Snape replied. “Possibly, but none that I feel comfortable with.” “How do you know that Voldemort will not try to find them?” Snape asked with a piercing glare. “I imagine that Voldemort is far too busy with his new friends.” Dumbledore replied while curling his lips. “Besides, I am more worried about his friends. This Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Council that he has allied himself with. There is still much that is not known. There are powers at play that go far beyond even my understanding. Powers far beyond this world and magic from a time long before any known recorded history.” “I have no news to bring. The Death Eaters have been unusually quiet since Voldemort left this world. There were whispers that he had sent Bellatrix Lestrange to that far away galaxy, but nothing has been confirmed.” Snape replied in his cold and assuming voice. “Keep me informed, Severus. There is far more at play than any of us realize. In the morning, I will depart for Diagon Alley. I will deposit these items in a vault that even the most powerful sorcerer could not find...” Dumbledore replied before rubbing his mouth. “I will see to it that some of the Order accompany me in case of unexpected guests.” In Diagon Alley, In all his years, Dumbledore had seen wars of many kinds. The non-magical world had always been in a conflict or two while he had witnessed his own fair share of Wizarding Wars. The Hogwarts’ Headmaster was certainly accustomed to the atrocities of both wizards and muggles, but this was far different than anything he had ever seen. This was not only a war that concerned the muggles or the wizards, but it concerned that of an entire universe. The powers of light and darkness were at work as battles were being fought from across the stars. As he strolled across Diagon Alley, he could sense his allies within the Order of the Pheonix keeping themselves discreet. Up ahead, his wrinkled eyes fell upon the famous bank that was used by magical beings from around the world. While he could not sense any impending danger, the pit of his stomach still gave him a nasty vibe as if he had a foul-tasting candy of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Bean. Something did not sit well with the great wizard. It was more than the power that he had, but the years of experience that was talking to him. Looking out at the crowds, he started seeing things that were not right. He then heard voices that were not of anything that he had recognized and soon a chanting started echoing through the streets. A screeching sound pierced through the skies as the Headmaster stopped in his tracks. Glancing up at the skies, he could see dark figures riding upon fell beasts that were from an age that even Dumbledore himself did not have any knowledge on. Taking out the Elder Wand, the Headmaster cast a spell up in the skies. It was a spell of momentary protection while he rushed toward Gringotts Bank. His allies in the Order of the Pheonix made themselves known as they too casted these spells of protection. From all around they could hear battle drums being played from all around. The ring wraiths flying high up on the fell beasts circled around the skies above. Legions of orc battalions as well as trolls bound by necromancy ripped through the magical barrier. Before making his way to the steps of Gringotts Bank, Dumbledore turned back and glanced at what was unfolding behind him. The war had found itself in Diagon Alley as forces of good and evil collided. Time was of the essence; he had to hide these powerful items in the labyrinth of vaults beneath this goblin bank. He had to keep these relics away from the forces of darkness. Making his way inside the bank, Dumbledore stopped as he felt a dark power in his presence. It was not Tom Riddle or even Gellert Grindelwald. This was a power that he had not understood or even studied. It was from a time and an age long thought forgotten, but still it carried a danger that could threaten even the most powerful sorcerer. Dumbledore could see the goblins in the background as they too began to cower. “Come on out now…” Dumbledore muttered while holding the Elder Wand tight in his hand. “You should make yourself known.” With clattering steps, the towering Dark Lord emerged and appeared before the powerful wizard. “And who might you be?” Dumbledore asked as his eyes gazed upon the fallen Maia. Using his Black Speech, Sauron communicated with the Hogwarts’ Headmaster. “The Shadow…” Several names ran through the mind of Dumbledore as he felt this powerful enemy inside his mind. Eventually, he was able to regain his composure. This powerful being was more than the Shadow or the One Enemy. His true name was Sauron. “So, Sauron, what brings you to Diagon Alley?” Dumbledore said with smile. “You cannot hide! I see you, Albus Dumbledore! There is no life in the void, only death!” ********* This takes place after the events of Van Helsing vs. Imotep. It also takes place during the events of Iron Man’s battle with Syndrome and Ironhide’s battle with the Omnidroid. Shortly after the battle with Imhotep, Oogie Boogie’s henchmen stole the Bracelet of Anubis as well as the Books of the Living and of the Dead. Before Lock, Stock, and Barrel could deliver the relics to Oogie Boogie, they were stolen by Dumbledore’s allies. Sauron was supposed to retrieve the items from Oogie Boogie but learns that they were stolen. Dumbledore’s allies bring him the relics and he decides to try and hide the relics at Gringotts. Sauron and his forces track him to Diagon Alley. While Sauron’s forces and the Order of the Pheonix battle it out in Diagon Alley, Sauron confronts Dumbledore inside Gringotts Bank. Dumbledore is armed with the Elder Wand. Sauron has the One Ring and has giant mace.