REPOST/LNH: Cauliflower the Christmas Miracle Pooch #3 out of 4: Cauliflower's Inferno

Arthur Spitzer arspitzer2 at gmail.com
Thu Dec 19 15:26:54 PST 2019



This Holiday Special is brought to you by:


Self-Stomach Stapler:  Now you can perform the expensive hospital 
surgery to lose weight in your own home!

Torn-Crumpled-Up Wrapping Paper:  Why wait till someone gets you a gift 
to experience the joy of torn-crumpled-up wrapping paper?  Now you can 
buy torn-crumpled-up wrapping paper anytime!



                CAULIFLOWER THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE POOCH

                              #3 (out of 4)

                          Cauliflower's Inferno




Irony Man observed the strange sight of two members of the LNH 
attempting to feed cheesecake to Cauliflower.

"What on earth are you doing to that poor dog?  What are you feeding him?"

"Umm, Liver and Tuna Fish Surprise Cheesecake?"  Cheesecake Eater Lad 
said with a sheepish expression.  "But he likes it, really!  Well, at 
least he used to.  We've been trying to get him to eat something."

"Yeah," the Incredible-Man-With-No-Life continued.  "He hasn't been 
eating or drinking anything.  Not even eggnog."

"Not even eggnog?  Damn!  This sounds serious.  How long has this been 
going on?"  Irony Man asked.

The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life thought about it.  "Oh.  About a week, 
I'd guess."

"You should probably get him checked out by Organic Lass," suggested 
Irony Man.  "Oh, and have you tried feeding him Cauliflower?"

"Cauliflower?" The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life shook his head.  "He 
hates Cauliflower."

"Weird."  Irony Man rubbed his chin.  "A dog named Cauliflower that 
doesn't like to eat Cauliflower.  Hmm.  There's a literary expression 
for that sort of thing, but I can't remember off hand what it is."

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

Organic Lass listened to Cauliflower's heartbeat with her stethoscope as 
Cauliflower slept on one of her examining table.  A variety of tubes and 
wires were stuck into him.

"Well?" The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life asked Organic Lass as she 
finished with her last test.  "What's the verdict?"

"It's hard to say.  But whatever it is, it's not good.  He has a very 
high fever; and various organs such as his liver, lungs, and kidneys are 
starting to deteriorate.  I don't know where to start since I've never 
seen anything quite like this.  My one guess though is that he might 
have picked this up from that girl.  You know?  The one that had cancer, 
but now is cured."

"You think she gave him this?  She made him sick?"

"Well, I don't think she intended to if that's what you're asking.  I'm 
not sure about how Cauliflower's powers work, but I think he might have 
made an attempt to cure the girl and in doing so might have absorbed her 
disease into his own body.  I've made a few calls to the hospital and 
there are some similarities to the disease she had, and that Cauliflower 
now has.  But there are also differences.  The disease Cauliflower has 
seems to be even deadlier.  This might be due to the fact that he's a 
dog or maybe because of his powers."

"Do you think you can save him?"

"I'm not sure.  I'm good with humans, cyborgs, mutants, but animals? 
What Cauliflower really needs is to be examined by an expert in 
veterinary medicine."

"So who's the best?"

"Well," Organic Lass said as she recalled someone from her past.  "There 
was this guy who I went to medical school with, actually we dated once. 
  He was probably one of the greatest minds in veterinarian science.  He 
might be tough to get though."


    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

The Net.Mexico Institute for the Criminally Inane *sic* --

A trenchcoated superhero escorted by a number of federal agents walked 
through a corridor.  On both sides of him were glass cages filled with 
some of the lamest and most inane supervillains the Looniverse had ever 
known.

He walked past a man in a bear suit jumping rope -- using threads of 
conflict.  He walked past a man wearing a diving helmet and a gorilla 
suit who kept shouting, "CAW! CAW! CAW! CAW!" over and over again.  He 
walked past a man in a labcoat covered in F's who seemed to be 
attempting to perform surgery on his own brain.  And finally he stopped 
right at the cage of the man he needed to see.

In the cage was a man in a labcoat who was busy dissecting some kind of 
rat.  In the background he could hear Rex Harrison singing, 'If I could 
talk to the animals'.  This man went by the name Fred Shed, but to the 
world outside?  To the world outside (or at least to the people who care 
about obscure third rate villains) he was known as...

....VAPID VETERINARIAN!!!!

"Vell, Continuity Champ!  Ve veet again!"

"Continuity Champ?  I'm not Continuity Champ!  I look nothing at all 
like him!  I'm Fearless Leader!  Second in command of the LNH!"

"Vell zorry!  Vafter vuvwhile you Zupers zart to look ve zame!  Vand vhy 
if you're named Vearless Leader var you zecond in command?  Shouldn't 
you ve named Vearless Zecond in Command?"

"Look!" said Fearless Leader starting to get a little bit irritated. 
"If you knew my complex backhistory, you'd know that I have some valid 
reasons for being named Fearless Leader.  But I really don't have the 
time right now to get into that!  I'm here because the LNH has need of 
your services.  There's an animal that's very sick and we need a person 
of your skills to look at him.  The LNH is willing to pull some strings 
to get you a Presidential Pardon if you're able to save him."

"Vah!  Ve Vlot Vickens!  Ve VelNH muzt ve dezperate if vey need vhy help 
zo vadly!  Vell you vhat, I'll zave vis vanimal if you give me Vifty 
Villion Dollers vand Ve Prezidential Vardon!"

"Vifty Villion...!  I mean -- Fifty Million Dollars!  My God!  Don't you 
have a heart, Vapid Veterinarian!?  Cauliflower the Christmas Miracle 
Pooch is right now dying of some fatal disease and..."

"Vait!  Did you zay, Caulivlower ve Christmas Viracle Vooch?!"

"Yes, Caulivlower -- I mean Cauliflower -- is dying and you're.."

"Vell vor Vahgnur's Zake, vhy didn't you zay zo in ve virst place!  I'd 
take a vullet ver that vurry vittle guy!  He's vhy varorite VelNH'r!" 
Vapid Veterinarian stood up from his chair.  "Vell?  Vhat var ve vaiting 
vor?  Vet's Zave Him!!!"

Fearless Leader a bit surprised at this sudden shift eventually got back 
on track and said,  "Umm, sure.  You're right!  Let's go!"

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life leaned back on a chair reading a 
magazine.  He was sitting next to a closed door, which on the other side 
of held the brilliant minds of Dr. Stomper, Organic Lass, and the 
supervillain Vapid Veterinarian.  The three scientists were working hard 
on saving Cauliflower the Christmas Miracle Pooch.  And The 
Incredible-Man-With-No-Life waited.  He had nothing else better to do.

"Hey, Incredible-Man-With-No-Life." said Special Bonding Boy in a 
sympathetic voice.  "How's it going in there?  Have you heard anything?"

"Nah.  Occasionally someone like Steak and Potatoes Man comes around and 
delivers some food and occasionally one of them comes out and says that 
they're making progress.  But I don't know what's going on in there. 
I'm just waiting."

"Well, I'm sure it's going to be okay in the end!" Special Bonding Boy 
said trying to cheer The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life up a little bit. 
"Look, there's this candle light vigil that we're going to be holding 
tonight for Cauliflower.  It's going to be at RAC Arthur Park.  I 
believe that President Hex Luthor is going to be there and give a 
speech.  I was wondering if you would like to go?"

"Thanks.  I'd like too, but I don't know.  I think I'll just stay here. 
  And wait."

"Well," Special Bonding Boy said as he gave The 
Incredible-Man-With-No-Life a pat on the shoulder, "If you change your 
mind the vigil will start at 6PM.  I just want you to know that 
Cauliflower's in all our prayers.  Well, see you."  Special Bonding Boy 
smiled as he waved bye to The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life

"Thanks again.  Later."  Before The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life could 
return to his magazine he was interrupted once again.

"did you here the news?" said a blue skinned midget with a very high 
voice who was wearing lots of armor, rings, and amulets.

"No?  What news, Munchkin Man?"

"occultism kid found this obscure passage in one of his spell books!  it 
involves this tree called the one true christmas tree!  it says that 
whoever eats a pinecone off this tree and believes in the power of 
christmas shall be healed of all sickness and be given eternal life! 
and of course if there is one person or dog that believes in the power 
of christmas it has to be cauliflower, right?  so occultism kid with 
ultimate ninja's permission formed a team to look for this tree! 
bandwagonchick, kid kirby, pocket man, fuzzy, and self-righteous 
preacher!  they left this morning to go and find it!"

"This is great!  So where did they go?  Where's the One True Christmas 
Tree found?"

"hell.  would have gone too, but i seem to have misplaced my Slingshot 
of Mass Demon Genocide [+1000].  oh well."


    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

"You know?  I think we should have taken a left turn at Alt.uquerque!"

A bandwagon led by spectral horses flew through a blood stained 
landscape.  A place that smelled like brimstone, sounded like a 
murderous scream, and felt like an out of control blow dryer.  A 
cosmically armored god flew beside it and occasionally blasted away at 
the various winged abominations coming near it.

"Alt.uquerque?  Where did you get that map, Pocket Man?  Exactly?" asked 
Occultism Kid.

"Umm?  From pocket #666.  It contains all kinds of satanic stuff. 
Including maps of Hell!"

Occultism Kid shook his head.  "As far as I'm aware there's no 
Alt.uquerque in Hell.  Well as far as I'm aware."

"Nope," Pocket Man said pointing to the map.  "It says here 
Alt.uquerque!  And if we keep going in this direction we're going to be 
hitting Springerville, A.rec.zo.net soon!"

"Give me that map!" Fuzzy said as she tore the map from Pocket Man's 
grasp.  "This isn't a map of Hell!  This is a map of the Southwest you 
idiot!!"

"You sure?  Hmm -- guess that *would* explain all those eerie coincidences!"

Another demon flew close to the Bandwagon trying to claw its way inside. 
  Fuzzy blasted it with her AK-47.

"Dammit, Preacher!  I thought you had the power to banish demons!  Why 
aren't you doing something?!" Fuzzy said as she took another shot.

Self-Righteous Preacher looked up from his Bible.  "I can banish demons 
back to the hell that spawned them.  Since we're in hell, all I can do 
is send them here!"

"You know," Occultism Kid said as he whipped up another attack spell, 
"You might have mentioned that to me before I allowed you to join this 
party!"

"I fear not these demons!  For those who are righteous with the ways of 
the Lord shall be protected from the shadows of wickedness!"

"And the rest of us?" Pocket Man said wiping sweat from his brow. 
"We're screwed.  Right?  You know, Bandwagon Chick?  I think maybe we 
should follow Kid Kirby.  He seems to know where we're headed."

"Duh!  That's what I've been doing!  I'm not an idiot!" Bandwagon Chick 
said as she gripped the reigns to her horses tightly.  Kid Kirby flew 
straight into the Jaws of Hell.  And the Bandwagon followed.

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

"Cat?  Have I ever told you my origin?"

The Incredible-Man-With-No-Life and Catalyst Lass waited outside the 
sickroom that Cauliflower was hanging onto life in.  They had been 
talking about all kinds of things to pass away the boredom of waiting.

"No.  You never have.  I'd love to hear it," Catalyst Lass said with the 
warm sort of smile that only she could give.

"Well you see I was working at this place.  Quickie Burger?  I think 
that's what it was.  So a friend drops by while I'm manning the counter. 
  We get to talking.  All kinds of stuff.  You know hot girls.  Comic 
Books.  All kinds of stuff.  And there's this old man waiting in line. 
And I must have been talking along time with my friend.  And the old 
man's getting really irritated.  But I still keep on talking.  And the 
old guy?  He just keeps waiting!  Most people would have left in disgust 
by that time, but not this old guy.  He keeps waiting and waiting.  And 
I'm thinking to myself, this guy must have no life whatsoever!  And so 
after an hour or so my friend has to go and the guy -- he's still there! 
  So I ask him what he'd like to order.  And this guy -- this guy just 
let's me have.  He gives me this long lecture about courtesy to 
customers.  And then the whammie.  He gives me the curse!  And this is 
what he said, 'You shall live forever, but you shall never have a life. 
  And the day you get a life shall be the day you die!'  And then he 
left without ordering!  I mean considering how long he waited, you'd 
think he'd at least have ordered something!"

"So I'm thinking to myself, Weird!  And when I'm going home later that 
night I run into this mugger.  You know the routine.  But I don't have 
any money.  So he shoots me.  But I don't die.  I live.  Well maybe 
living's the wrong word.  But I don't die.  And over the week I get into 
all kinds of death situations.  But I don't, you know?  About this time 
the LNH is getting started so I join up.  And it's great!  I'm on the 
cover of TIME with Rebel Yell and the rest.  I'm having the time of my 
non-life.  It's '92 and we're the coolest thing around.  And I'm the 
coolest person that doesn't have a life.  You remember that cover shoot? 
  For the TIME cover?"

"Oh, yeah!  I remember that!"  Catalyst Lass's eyes lighted up.  "Bad 
Timing Boy had some case of food poisoning -- and every single time the 
photographer took a picture Bad Timing Boy threw up!  Every single 
time!"  The two of them broke into laughter.  "God.  That was so long 
ago.  I was a teenager back then."

"We all were.  Well except Dr. Stomper and a few others.  And now we're 
in our thirties.  Time flies, doesn't it."

Catalyst Lass nodded.  "Boy, you're sure making me feel like an old 
lady!  Let's change the subject!  So you're invulnerable to harm?"

"Well not quite invulnerable, but I can take quite a bit of punishment. 
  The only place I've ever died was in the Peril Room.  I'm not sure why 
I'm able to die there.  I guess maybe because it's not real.  When I 
first got it I thought it was great.  But when you start thinking about 
it, you realize it's a curse.  You know, Cat?  I've never had a 
girlfriend.  You know what that's like?  To never have had an intimate 
relationship with someone?  I'd look at lovers walking in the park, 
holding hands.  And I'd hate them.  I'd hate them because they would 
have something I would never experience.  And what happens if I do? 
Will the day I get a girlfriend be the day I die?  I guess I'm never 
going to find out since it's too much of a risk."

"I'm sorry."  Catalyst Lass put her arm around The 
Incredible-Man-With-No-Life.  "I didn't know.  But I think you're wrong. 
  I don't think having a girlfriend will kill you.  I'm not sure how 
your curse works, but there are plenty of people out there that are in 
relationships and they don't have lives.  I've seen them."

"Yeah.  Maybe you're right.  But it's a risk.  Most of the time I don't 
care.  I can deal with it.  I can deal with my empty life of watching TV 
and screwing around on the internet.  But sometimes I want to live.  I 
want to live so badly.  Sometimes I feel like I'm just a shadow 
observing life in the LNH.  Occasionally speaking some dialogue and 
drifting along not really contributing anything.  Even when I was a 
fugitive from the LNH and a member of the a.outSiders I felt more like a 
guest star in the series than an actual fugitive.  But when I was given 
the responsibility of taking care of Cauliflower I felt like I was 
finally doing something worthwhile.  It gave my life some purpose 
walking, feeding, and giving him baths.  Well just one bath.  That was 
kind of a disaster now that I think about it."

Catalyst Lass snorted a small laugh.

"Cauliflower didn't really need anyone to take care of him.  He was a 
smart dog.  Probably smarter than most of the LNH'rs.  But still.  I 
don't know.  What happens when he dies?"

"He's not going to die.  We're going to save him," Catalyst Lass said 
with a defiant look.

"You don't know that.  Do you?"

Catalyst Lass gazed at the floor as she rested her head on her hand. 
"No, you're right.  I don't."

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

"Welcome, travelers, to the Christmas Tree Forest of Lies!"

The Bandwagon landed on a relatively harmless piece of asphalt.  As the 
LNH'rs got out they noticed the demon who was greeting them.  He looked 
like a cross between a rattlesnake and the sleaziest carsalesman they 
had ever seen.

"The name's Treesus Lyce and have I got a deal for you!  Everything you 
see is 99% off!  We've got every single Christmas tree that has ever 
been, here!  You want a tree that gives birth to it's own Christmas 
presents?  We've got it!  How about a tree that will make your neighbors 
worship you like a god?  Or how about a Christmas tree that will make 
your enemies turn to stone when they look at it?  A Christmas tree that 
writes hit singles?!  A Christmas tree that can see into the future?  Or 
maybe a tree that can cure erectile dysfunction?  Or," he said looking 
at Pocket Man, "Cure baldness."

"Hey!  I shave my hair this way on purpose!" said a rather defensive 
Pocket Man.

"Sure. Sure, I believe you," winked Treesus Lyce.

Occultism Kid made a coughing sound.  "We're looking for a tree called, 
'The One True Christmas Tree.'"

"Hmm. 'The One True Christmas Tree,' really?  Hmm.  Can't say I've ever 
heard of it.  But it could be in there.  You're welcome to look.  You'll 
have to leave the horses here.  We don't allow animals in the forest."

"I'm not leaving them here!" Bandwagon Chick said in a resisting tone. 
"Not alone with this creep!"

"Bandwagon Chick, they'll be fine!"  It was a lie of course.  Occultism 
Kid didn't really know what might happen to them.  And fine was probably 
the last thing they would be.

"Either they go into the forest, or I'm staying here with them!" 
Bandwagon Chick said with her arms wrapped tightly together.  Her face 
had a very nonnegotiable look to it.

Occultism Kid sighed.  "Okay.  Here's what I'm going to do!  I'm going 
to cast a spell that protects them from a demon's touch.  Any demon that 
touches them will feel great pain."  With that said Occultism Kid made a 
few mystical gestures and spoke some magic words.  Treesus Lyce looked 
at this spectacle with great curiosity.  "There.  It's done.  They're 
perfectly safe.  Will you go with us now?"

Bandwagon Chick looked at her horses and then at Occultism Kid.  "Well, 
okay.  If you say they're safe, I guess they're safe."  She walked over 
to her horses and gave each one a pat and a stroke on the neck.  "Guys. 
  I want you to stay here.  I'm going to be gone for awhile.  Maybe a 
long time.  But I'll be back.  I promise.  I'll be back.  You be good 
and stay here."  She walked back to the others.

"Well, are we ready?" Occultism Kid asked.  "Then let's go."  As they
walked into the Christmas Tree Forest of Lies, Occultism Kid looked back 
at the grinning face of Treesus Lyce and at Bandwagon Chick's horses.  A 
second later, he felt sick to his stomach.

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

Occultism Kid stopped for a bit.  "I think it would be a good idea if we 
held hands."

"Umm -- Any reason why?" Pocket Man questioned.

"This place is dangerous.  Some of the evilest and deadliest Christmas 
trees there has ever been are in this forest.  If we're joined together 
as one, then we'll have an easier time resisting the temptations and 
seductions of the forest."

"Well, okay.  But I'm not holding hands with Self-Righteous Preacher!  I 
don't want his fundamentalist born-again cooties!" Pocket Man said 
crossing his arms.

"And I don't want your depraved hedonistic atheist cooties!!!"  The 
color of Self-Righteous Preacher's face almost matched the landscape.

"Oh for God's sake!  Give me your damn hands!" Fuzzy said as she grabbed 
both their hands.  "Believe me, if either of you has cooties, then my 
cooties will beat the living crap of them!  I swear!  And I thought 
Brittany and Paytan were bad!"

After they joined hands, Kid Kirby clicked a device that helped them 
levitate.  With Kid Kirby leading they headed deep into the forest.

They gazed in wonder at the many amazing trees.  Some were made from 
jewels.  Some as big as mountains.  Some that seemed to be singing 
beautiful music.  Kid Kirby pointed to one of them.  "I think I see it! 
  Is that the one?!"

Occultism Kid glanced at the direction Kid Kirby was pointing.  It was a 
Christmas tree made from kirbytech and it was decorated in old issues of 
Fantastic Four, Captain America, and New Gods comics.  "Sorry, Kid.  I 
don't think that's the one.  Whatever the One True Tree is, it's real 
not artificial.  I'm sure of that.  Come on.  Let's keep going."

A few minutes later, Self-Righteous Preacher cried out, "There!  That 
has to be the one!"

Occultism Kid saw a massive glorious tree decorated in giant silver 
crosses and golden bibles.  There were also Jerry Falwell and Pat 
Robertson decorated ornaments hanging on it.

Occultism Kid shook his head.  "It's dead, Preacher.  I can't feel any 
life in it.  All these trees are either dead or artificial.  If the One 
True Tree exists, it has to be alive.  I don't think it will look like 
much either.  Do you people remember the Charlie Brown Christmas Special?"

"Oh yes!" an excited Bandwagon Chick said.  "I just caught that this 
year!  What a great cartoon!"

"I think the One True Tree might be similar to Charlie Brown's tree. 
Although of course different enough to avoid copyright infringement."

"God.  There must be a trillion trees here!" Fuzzy said in a tired 
voice.  "It will take ages for us to find it!"

Occultism Kid nodded.  "I think we should drop down for a rest."  As 
they hit the ground Occultism Kid let go of the hands he was holding. 
"Fuzzy?  Can I borrow one of your knives?"

Fuzzy handed him one of her Bowie knives.  Occultism Kid used the knife 
to carve an arrow into the palm of his hand.

"Ouch!" winced Pocket Man.  "Umm -- Is there a reason you're doing that? 
  Or have you just lost your mind?"

Occultism Kid ignored Pocket Man and chanted an incantation.  "There! 
It's a pain compass.  I figure that whatever The One True Tree looks 
like, it's probably really suffering here.  This compass will head me 
into the direction of the most suffering in this forest.  There!  It's 
pointing that way!"

And so they joined hands once again and followed where Occultism Kid's 
compass led them.

After awhile they landed in a rather barren part of the forest.  Right 
in the middle of this barren wasteland was a tiny twig of a tree.  It 
had maybe a few sprigs of greenness and a few pinecones that hung on it.

"That's it?  That's the One True Christmas Tree?!" an unimpressed Fuzzy 
said.

"It's alive.  And it is definitely suffering.  If I were a betting man, 
I'd say this was the one."

"Good enough for me!" said Pocket Man as he grabbed one of the pinecones 
and stuck it in one of his pockets.  "Should we take more than one?"

Occultism Kid shook his head.  "I think it would be best if we just took 
one.  Hell's not the best place in the world to be greedy."

"Poor little tree," Bandwagon Chick said as she sat down on the ground 
and lightly brushed it with her finger.  "It's been here for an eternity 
in hell suffering.  We've got to save it from this place!  We've got to 
take it back!"

Occultism Kid went over to where Bandwagon Chick was.  "I wish we could. 
  But it's possible that digging it from the ground would only kill it. 
  I'm afraid its place is here, Bandwagon Chick.  We don't know why it's 
here, or what it did to deserve this.  Taking it with us though would 
jeopardize all our lives.  I think we should probably be leaving now."

Pocket Man took a canteen out from one of his pockets.  He opened it up 
and poured the water inside it onto the tree.

"Why did you do that?" Occultism Kid asked.

"I don't know.  I guess -- I guess it looked thirsty.  I'm not sure.  I 
guess it felt like the right thing to do."

"Well.  I think we better be going.  The longer we stay the -- say, is 
it just me, or is the temperature starting to rise?" Occultism Kid said 
wiping some sweat off his temples.

"That might be causing it!"  Pocket Man said pointing to something right 
behind Occultism Kid.

Occultism Kid turned around and saw an enormous army of demons headed 
their way.  And then he looked in all directions and saw more demons 
coming.  Coming from the sky and the ground.  Soon the entire sky had 
turned into a ceiling of swarming demons.

Kid Kirby quickly took out a device, which created a force field to 
protect the group.  The demon, Treesus Lyce, crawled towards them.

"You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?"  Treesus Lyce 
waved his fingers in a naughty, naughty manner.  "There's a price for 
everything in Hell.  You of all people should know that, Occultism Kid. 
  Even a small pinecone."

"And what's the price?" Occultism Kid said through gritted teeth.

"Well since we're having our before Christmas blow out sale all this 
week, let's see.  Oh, I think if you gave us Kid Kirby that would do it. 
  Give us Kid Kirby and we'll give you and your merry little band back 
your Bandwagon and let you go back to the living world with your 
precious pinecone."

"Give us our Bandwagon back?  What's he talking about?" Bandwagon Chick 
said looking at Occultism Kid.

"Instead of Occultism Kid you might want to try looking at that guy over 
there."  Treesus Lyce pointed to a gigantic King Kong sized demon 
gorilla that was holding her Bandwagon and horses.  "Looks like 
Occultism Kid's spell didn't do too much.  But then I suspect Occultism 
Kid probably already knew that."

Color of Bandwagon Chick's face drained away as she saw her horses 
squirming in the gorilla's grip.  "You lied.  God.  You lied!  You told 
me that they'd be safe.  You told me!"  Her eyes blazed with furious 
rage at Occultism Kid.

"Look.  I had to!  If I hadn't, you would have stayed and you'd be in 
that ape's fist too.  I'm sorry, Bandwagon Chick.  I'm sorry!  God, this 
whole mission is going to hell.  Everything's going to hell."

"Can't you just cast a spell and port us back to the living world, 
Occultism Kid?" Pocket Man asked.

"No.  I have vital ingredients in the Bandwagon.  Even if I had them 
with me -- with all the demons out there, it would be tough."

"Then I guess it is my choice to make," Kid Kirby declared.  "And I 
choose to stay here in Hell if that is what will help my fellow 
Legionnaires!"

"No, Kid Kirby," Fuzzy said ripping the cigar out of her mouth and 
throwing it to the ground.  "You're not staying here.  And we're not 
staying here.  And Bandwagon Chick's horses aren't staying here.  And 
we're taking that pinecone back to the living world."

"Umm, Fuzzy.  As much as I admire your gung-ho spirit, incase you didn't 
notice every single demon in Hell is surrounding us!"  Pocket Man made a 
hand wave.  "Hello.  Reality Check time!"

"I know that.  I've got a plan.  I need a Mega-phone, and enough 
earplugs for each one of us, Pocket Man.  Do you have those items?"

Pocket Man fumbled around in his pocket for a few seconds and finally 
came up with a Mega-phone.  After another few seconds, he came up with 
some earplugs.  "These are iPlugs.  They completely block out sound and 
also allow you to download music off the internet.  Will they do?"

"They'll be fine."  Fuzzy handed them out to each of the LNH'rs except 
Self-Righteous Preacher who she handed the Mega-phone to. 
"Self-Righteous Preacher?  I want you to convert all of these demons to 
Christianity."

Self-Righteous Preacher looked at Fuzzy like she had flipped her wig. 
"What did you say?"

"You know what I said!  I want *you* to convert all of these demons to 
Christianity!"

"Convert them?!  They're demons!  You don't convert demons!!"

"What's wrong with you, Self-Righteous Preacher?  Are you some kind of 
bleeding heart liberal?  My God!  You're the last person I would ever 
expect to spout that wishy washy no interfering in other people's 
cultures claptrap!  You know, Preacher, that somewhere in hell, two 
homosexual demons are getting married!  And it's perfectly legal! 
Somewhere in Hell, demons are murdering poor innocent stem cells!  Some 
where Demons are teaching their demon children the theory of evolution! 
  As if it was fact!  And might I add, using the tax dollars of decent 
hard working American demons!  But I guess you don't care, do you? 
You'll happily watch as rampant liberalism washes over Hell.  I guess 
that shouldn't be a surprise though.  I mean, you probably voted for 
John Kerry.  Didn't you?"

Self-Righteous Preacher's head looked like it was ready to burst.  "I. 
Did.  Not.  Vote.  For.  John.  Kerry!!!!!!!"

"Whoaahh there, Preacher!  I believe you!  But you know what I'm saying 
is right?  These demons need to be told how to think for their souls 
sake!  And if you don't tell them, then who's going to?"

"You're right!" the Preacher said having calmed down a bit.  "I've got 
to do this, for the sake of Hell's Soul!!  I've got to stop this evil 
liberalism that is destroying Hell!!"

"That's the spirit, Preacher!  Now I want you to shove your beliefs down 
the throats of all these demons like you've never shoved your beliefs 
down anyone's throat before!!  No mercy, Self-Righteous Preacher!!  No 
mercy!!  Go to it!!"  Fuzzy gave the Preacher a slap on the back.

Self-Righteous Preacher rolled up both of his sleeves.  And then he 
grabbed his big cross in one hand and the Mega-phone in the other one. 
He took a deep breath.  And then he placed the Mega-phone close to his lips.

And then Self-Righteous Preacher preached like he had never preached 
before.  The host of Hell gazed at the Preacher, not exactly sure what 
was happening.  Or what had been unleashed.

Fuzzy placed both iPlugs inside her ears.  And if you could have 
deciphered the hazy blur that was Fuzzy's face, then you would have seen 
a very wicked grin.

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--

Six Hours Later....

"...And the Whore of Babylon did defile the Super Bowl with her wardrobe 
malfunction!!  And so..."

Most of the demons had by now fled.  What few who remained were close to 
tears.  Fuzzy saw a desperate Treesus Lyce trying to make contact with 
her with frantic gestures.  She took off her iPlugs.

"Please!!  For Satan's sake!!  Make him shut up!  I beg you!  This is 
inhuman!!  By the Unholy Halls of Hell, I'd thought I'd seen it all! 
But I've never seen someone who was so immune to logic, to common sense, 
to reality!!!  And he keeps going on and on without stop!!"

Fuzzy nodded her head in agreement.  "If you think this is bad, you 
should try working with him!"

"Just Make him shut up!  Please!  You can have your damn pinecone!"

"And the horses and Bandwagon," Fuzzy reminded Treesus.

"Yes! Yes!  The horses and Bandwagon!  Just get rid of this longwinded 
git!!!  And we never want to see him in Hell again!!"

"Okay.  Preacher?  You can quit now."

"But I haven't converted all the demons, yet.  Just those fifteen!" he 
said pointing to a bunch of demons who seemed to be worshipping 
Self-Righteous Preacher like a god.

"Umm, I think fifteen born-again Christian demons might be enough for 
now!  We've got to get that pinecone to Cauliflower!  Time is precious!"

Self-Righteous snapped back to reality, or at least his own version of 
it.  "Right!  I'd forgotten about that!  I guess saving Hell's Soul will 
have to wait!  We must save Cauliflower!"

And so the heroes having bested the populous of Hell climbed back into 
their Bandwagon for the journey home.

And elsewhere, a dog waited for a miracle.

    |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
  --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--   --*--
--***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***-- --***--
NEXT ISSUE:  Will the Pinecone from the One True Christmas Tree heal 
Cauliflower?  And if so will he lose his mind and go on a massive 
killing spree?

The Credits:

The Incredible Man-With-No-Life is Enrique Conty's

Self-Righteous Preacher and Special Bonding Boy are wReam's

Irony Man is Doug Moran's

Cheesecake-Eater Lad is Kalibak's

Catalyst Lass is Elisabeth Anne Riba's

Organic Lass is Rebecca A. Drayer's

Fuzzy is Connie Hirsch's

Pocket Man is The Saint's

Kid Kirby is Jameel's

BandWagon Chick is Sue Clark's
her horses are Steven Howard's

Occultism Kid is Josh Geurink's

Fearless Leader is Dave Van Domelen's

Vapid Veterinarian is Mark Friedman's

Ro-Man is Badger's

And I have no idea who created Thread Bear or Munchkin Man.

Author's Notes: Issue Four will probably come out sometime next week. 
As much as I tried to get all of this out before Christmas, I just 
couldn't do it.  I guess it might have helped if I hadn't waited till 
these last few days to write it, but oh well.  I won't have access to 
the internet from the 24th to 28th so you know have a Merry Christmas....

Arthur "And a Happy Newyear!" Spitzer


More information about the racc mailing list