"The Wizard"

"Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell

Never talking
Just keeps walking
spreading his magic

Evil power disappears
Demons worry when the wizard is near
He turns tears into joy
Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by

Never talking
Just keeps walking
spreading his magic

Sun is shining, clouds have gone by
All the people give a happy sigh
He has passed by, giving his sign
Left all the people feeling so fine

Never talking
Just keeps walking
spreading his magic" Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath 1970)


“The troops are in place and the rebels have been sighted, sir.” One of the soldiers addressed Lt. General Weston.

“Good. When I give the command, attack.” The Lt. General stated. Turning, his eyes scanned the surveillance images that had been collected. His inside man had provided the necessary information to launch their attacks. In a few hours, the Initiative would commence a dual attack on the rebels opposing their cause and on the European Council. Soon, Lt. General Weston would wipe the earth of it’s demonic abominations.


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Brigadier General Stephen Johnson was a man easily over looked. He wasn’t extremely large nor was he especially good looking. He wasn’t ugly, just plain. It was these features that helped him blend in when necessary, like now.

Slipping from the war room, Johnson headed down the twisted maze making up the Citadel’s hallways. Soldiers and prisoners passed him by but paid him no mind. Reaching an elevator he quickly slipped in. Entering a pass code he waited for the elevator to take him to his destination. There was no way Weston was going to rob him of his dreams.

Down in the abandoned sections of the Pit, Johnson came to stand before a solid steel door. Faded numbers could be seen on the wall next to the door. The smell of decay hung in the air and not even the most wretched of creatures would voluntarily come down to these depths. It was the perfect place to hide his pet, in the one place that had been the Initiative’s greatest failure. Project 314 had been kept inside and now it housed Brigadier General Stephen Johnson’s greatest achievement. He had worked long and hard on this secret project, toiling away under near darkness. Johnson had only selected the DNA from the most amazing of specimens. Combined with the DNA from a warrior none of the others in the Initiative knew he’d collected, and Johnson had breed himself the perfect soldier. When his plan succeeded, Brigadier General Stephen Johnson would be commended. Then the whole of the Initiative operation would be put under his command.


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Melly hummed in her kitchen as she prepared a stew for the evening meal. Melly diced vegetables, browned the meat in a large Dutch oven, and lightly sprinkled in a tasteless white powder. Filling the bowls, Melly placed them onto plates then on the serving tray. Placing dinner rolls with each meal, Melly sent the stew out to be served.


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Leaf quickly and efficiently delivered the wonderful smelling stew to every Commander in the Citadel. Keeping track of them all in her head, Leaf made sure no one was left out. One by one they would sub come to the tranquilizers laced throughout the stew. By the time they all came too, their precious experiments would be tearing them to pieces. Leaf would finally have her revenge.


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Julian and Tara sat facing each other. Chanting softly, they drew energy from each other and from the earth beneath them. A warm glow filled their being and a soft light filled the room. In their minds they held a picture of the Citadel and it’s soldiers. Shortly after they began soldiers in the surrounding area fell to the floor unconscious.


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Fred typed at her computer. To anyone watching it looked like she was working diligently on one of her projects. Pressing a series of keys, Fred started the program she had been working on. The computer’s engine began to buzz sporadically, sounding distinctly like an old Chevy trying to turn over. She was already gone by the time the whole system shut down.


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When the cell doors sprang open demons, humans, and half breeds filled the hallways. They tore through each other and soldiers alike. Grabbing Trey, William cut a bloody path through the chaotic mass. At the end of the hallway, William and Trey met up with Buffy and continued to fight their way to the central command center. Reaching the door, Buffy and William were both shocked when Trey simply punched in the correct access code. Once inside, they both rounded to see Trey take a seat at the central computer, and calmly begin overriding every defense the Citadel contained.

Soon they were joined by Julian, Tara, Leaf, and Melly. The group looked at each other and then at Trey as pieces to a long and frustrating puzzle began to fall into place. He had made sure each of them were placed with the one who could best help and protect them. Trey had some how managed to put Leaf who could tell were everyone in the Citadel was at any given time, with Melly who ran the kitchen that served their meals. Julian’s and Tara’s gift complimented each other and William and Buffy were fierce warriors. Both were graceful, strong, and unpredictable. It was those very reasons that made William and Buffy so lethal to their enemies.

Trey ignored those around him as he continued to type in codes. He could hear the soft voices whisper in his ear. They told him secrets, showed him the truth, and guided his hand. The mounting tension inside the Citadel caused his senses to tingle. The Commander’s strong hold was being torn to pieces while the soldiers slept in drug and magic induced sleep. It wouldn’t last long thought and Trey needed the last piece of the riddle to know when the time had arrived.

Closing his eyes, Trey let the images wash over him. He liked the pictures the voices showed him. They made the world around him spin. Colors bright and pulsing with life flew through his mind. The ride always seemed to last both an eternity and only a few seconds, but always leaving him with the truth. A serene smile spread over his face. He could see all of the players lining up. The time had arrived to strike the first of many blows. Tonight Trey would see the stars burn in the night sky.