Because I don’t want to leave this unfinished.  We’re back to this unpublished story, which I have nothing else to do with.  Gives me time to figure out a Thursday replacement for when the time comes.

(Disclaimer: A warning to those who continue.  This is a sequel to a previous story.  Both of these were written in the mid-1990’s.  While the first one was slightly edited and vanity press published, this one has not been touched in over 20 years.  I figure I should do something with it and people may get a laugh or fright from how I used to be.  Every author comes from somewhere, so this is part of my origin.  To that end, I am deeply sorry for whatever nightmares I will inflict on the literary world and the American English language.  Enjoy?)

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“She has been lightly sedated.  You can put her on the bed, Draveon.  What exactly happened when you returned to the shuttle?” asks Cybro while the villains stand in a fancy hotel room.  Adriana is quietly drugged and laying peacefully on the bed while the others watch over her.

“I already told you everything I know.  Hydrana attacked us and the sword of light temporarily blinded me.  When my eyesight returned, Adriana was slipping in and out of consciousness.  She was still trapped in the frozen lake.  Who ate all of the food in the tiny fridge?  Anyway, Adriana mumbled something about the guardian implanting some bad memories into her brain.  She also said that most of the memories were destroyed by her defenses, but the mental fight took a lot out of her.  She barely had enough energy to talk,” explains Tegam.

“This is not a long-term condition.  It is not even a short-term condition.  She should be fine in a few minutes.  Your explanation does tell us why our leader’s mind was attempting to self-destruct.  It would appear that it was the only way to prevent the memory exchange from doing anything to her.  It was a very drastic, but necessary, action.  I just wonder where Adriana learned such a technique.  Mental self-destruction at that magnitude is not one of our powers.  What are you staring at?”

Draveon snaps out of his trance and replies, “Adriana.  She looks so peaceful that it’s very hard to believe what she really is.  If I were seeing her for the first time, I would actually think that Adriana was a sweet, innocent human being.  Instead, of the cunning seductress that wants to rule the universe for eternity.  She’s probably the sanest of us all, yet she acts more evil than all of us.”  Tegam begins chuckling in the corner as he uses his whip to turn a plotted plant into a pile of chocolate bars.

“It is no act.  She was born evil and will always remain evil.  If Adriana had her way, all of us would have been killed and resurrected just so she could enjoy killing us again.  Adriana cares about no one,” retorts Cybro.

“What about her precious daughter?  You’ve witnessed what happens when Kilanus is either hurt or missing.  If given another choice between being good and being evil, I honestly believe she would turn against us.  That makes her even more dangerous to us.  Adriana’s compassion is what helps her lead us, Cybro.  It proves that even the darkest of souls can hold some amount light,” mentions Tegam, whose voice is suddenly deeper than his usual high-pitched tone.

“Amazingly poetic, jester.  Of course, you’re wrong with that thing about me changing sides.  And thank you for saving me,” says Adriana as she tries to sit up in the bed.  Draveon lets her lean on his muscular shoulder like an innocent child until she can stay upright on her own.

“It looks like sleeping beauty awakes without a kiss.  Course I don’t think any of us would volunteer for that job.  Are you feeling better?” whispers Draveon after he tries to hand her a glass of water.  She quickly starts to shy away from the liquid, but her thirst makes it impossible to resist.

“Water is the last thing I want to see right now.  Slight change to our plan.  Tegam and I have to take a trip to Long Island.  There are some more questions that I need answers to.  You two can start causing havoc with the police like we had planned from the beginning.  I don’t want any screw ups, guys.”

“Very well.  But is there anything you know about the Neptune guardian that Tegam couldn’t tell us?” Cybro questions.

“A little.  Hydrana is still out there hunting us and she is getting crazier every hour.  And Fate may be joining her side at any given moment.  She did the same stunt to him that failed on me.  Thank god I’ve been around long enough to build some psychic defenses.  So, try to avoid Fate and Hydrana unless you know for a fact that they are back to normal.”

“Calm down, Adriana.  They are mere children compared to my power.  Why should I be afraid of them?” asks Draveon.

“Why?  Because I said so, you brainless idiot.  Both of them are dangerous enough when they aren’t crazy.  If I find out that one of you took on either of those guardians, and you happen to survive, I will personally put you out of my misery.  The only exception to this rule is if they hit first and you have to fight to survive.”

“But, Adriana . . .”

“No buts, Draveon.  Now, go before I get really nasty and do something that I’ve wanted to do ever since you were created.  Leave!” orders Adriana.  She slides out of bed and grabs her staff before leaving.  Tegam is a few steps behind her before he turns invisible and closes the door.

“Where should we go, Draveon?  She has left all options open for us.  Well, all except the option of destroying Hydrana and Fate.  But the chances of us meeting either of them are near impossible in a city of this size,” says the cyborg, who is on the balcony.  He flies down to the ground while Draveon silently leaps from balcony to balcony with inhuman ease.

“There is one place that I have always wanted to visit.  But there are many children there and I swear that none of them will be hurt.  Or else I will destroy you, robot,” answers Draveon.

“Fine.  They cry too much anyway.  Where are we going?”

“It will a lot be better if I show you.  Come on.”