123: Bob -Ben-

A plan falling in to place is so exhilarating that sometimes it takes the opposing force to do just the thing that reveals the true depth of the situation, and humbles you in seconds. After Carl's big display on the radio, I could tell that who ever was on the other line was pissed. I knew he would retaliate but I guess I didn't understand in what way. I should have realized.

The loud speaker made a beep, "I apologize passengers, but someone made a huge mistake and has decided that he was going to kill a very large amount of innocent people. I'm willing to give you all another chance, but I first must STAMP out these rebels so that it doesn't happen again. So, I'd like you to meet someone."

A shuffling over the loudspeaker and a different voice came on the line, "H-Hello?"

"Tell them who you are."

"Hi, my name is Bob Koontz and I'm your captain."

"Not just that Bob, tell them more. Any kids, Bob?'

Bob's voice stuttered, "I have 4 children, all of them under twelve. I have 3 girls and a boy."

"COME ON BOB! You need to tell them more. I WANT THEM TO KNOW YOU!"

"Just last week my youngest was born. I haven't even seen her yet. This flight was a homeward flight so that I could see her for the fir-"

A loud bang flooded the plane causing everyone to jump. Several people started crying and Carl went completely pale.

"Do you understand yet? I'm a very serious man, and while I don't like to ruin my shoes, I'm willing to do what ever it takes to ensure that my mission is carried out. I hope the rebels understand and stop their useless actions, but in case they didn't get the picture the first time . . ."

More shuffling, and the sound of sobbing came over the speaker.

"Tell them who you are . . ."

No sound except louder sobbing.

"I SAID TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE!"

A voice quaking with fear and barely keeping itself together through sobs came over the line.

"Hello. My name is Jim Salec and I'm your co-pil-"

BANG!

122: Merlin -Saba-

Lizz dropped me off in front of a small shop. One of those shops that sell unusual items. The ones you look in the windows of, but never enter. She leaned out her window with a smile and pointed at the door.

"It's not locked. Just walk in and go all the way to the back. He's waiting for you back there. I'll be waiting for you outside."

I turned, "Who? Who is waiting?", but she'd all ready rolled up her window.

The shop was poorly lit and upon entering a pungent smell hit my nose. The store was very messy, with items hanging off the shelves and on the floor. Several times I had to stop myself from crushing in to important looking trinkets.

"Don't take so long. A wizard can't wait forever. OH! Do you happen to see a rusted Pink Hippo? I can't find it anywhere back here. Stupid thing walked off while I was sleeping."

Stepping in to the back room, I spotted a small old man laying in a bed completely covered with blankets, so that only his eyes and long pointed nose were visible.

"Saba Zahid . . . Wow, is it an honor to meet you."

He held out his hand as if waiting for me to give him something.

"Uhmm . . . I'm not sure what you mean . . . "

"Honor as in, it takes an important person to be in your presence, or if you are referring to my hand; I'll take that Pink Hippo now."

"But I don't have a Pink Hippo, I didn't even see one coming in."

His eyes seemed to smile, "Ah good . . . then you are still sane. Tell me Saba, do you know what happens when a body loses its soul?"

"Does it die?"

"No, of course not, if that happened then no one would ever go into a coma. Instead they'd just die. No, no, it's more beautiful then that. The body creates an entirely new soul, using the one it lost as a template. Quite fascinating if you ask me."

"Yes, yes. I guess it is. Umm . . . I was brought here by Lizz. She said you could help me? I need you to save me please. No one else can."

"She said that? Well, I'm sorry child, but I can't help you. I'm so sorry."

"Oh, I guess I'll leave then.", I slowly make my way to the door.

"Do you know who I am?"

I look back at the old man, "I have no idea."

"Even better! Dear, my name is Merlin. I have lived for quite some time and I've noticed one thing about the world. One truth that has survived all the tests of time, tests that even I have failed."

"What's that?"

"I can't save you. No other person in the world could save you. Searching for help is futile and stupid. You'd be quite a ninny- ninny; I love that word, "ninny". Any way, where was I? Oh yes, quite a ninny to think that it would work."

"Thanks for nothing then.", I left the room and began to leave.

"I'M NOT DONE TALKING, YOUNG LADY!", his words seemed to echo from every direction, and from that small room in the back an unimaginable power seeped. I found my feet turning me around and marching me back in to that room.

"I can not help you, but I can do something else. SIT DOWN."

I sat.

"Like I said before, the body creates a new soul. How ever, your body had two souls within it. Souls that are now resting in the dark and empty void. So when your body tried to create a new soul, it meshed the two souls together."

"That's why I've been feeling like I was normal."

"Indeed, but this "meshing" of two souls is dangerous. If the two souls are incompatible, lets say; a raving psychotic and a very clingy but loving young lady, then the body becomes sick as it tries to deal with the errors in its design. It's kind of like running a diesel engine on water."

"So how does this help me?"

"It doesn't. I told you that I can't help you."

"THEN WHY AM I SITTING HERE?"

"You'd be smart to mind your tongue."

I tried to yell more but the words wouldn't leave my throat.

"I am going to show you how to pull your souls back in to your body."

The feeling of hope filled me.

"Saba Zahid, Spirit Persuader . . . I am going to show you how to help yourself."

121: Define Wrong -Carl-

The people through out the plane had calmed down. They'd given in to their fate believing it to be a certainty. So many lives would be snuffed out if we failed. Then again, it's like that a lot lately.

Ever since I met Ben it's been one thing after another. Weird seemed to cling to him. I can't complain though. It's been crazy fun. Now that he'd taken to being leader, the group seemed to flow better. Several quick instructions and everything just fell in to place. Like how he wanted us to help these people.

Crystal and Nick took out the cameras quickly with a couple of Nick’s socks. They just covered them and then I waited. The terrorists would come soon, needing to know what had taken out the cameras.

The first one fell quick, one jab to the face. Then I grabbed his arm and used his weight to knock the one behind off balance. I felt that exhilarating rush as my fist made sure he wouldn't wake up for a few hours. The third guy was surprised enough; making any kind of movement to stop me. His weapon was in my hands and the butt of it in his face before he realized that the sad, pathetic people they'd destined to death weren't going down easy.

Fourth guy had experience, and swiftly brought his weapon up to block my fist. I swung my face forward taking him off guard with a head-butt. I felt his fist in my gut and his knee smash the bottom of my chin, telling me my head-butt had failed. I fell to the ground as his weapon came down, narrowly missing the back of my head. A quick scissor of my legs and down he fell. From there, it only took two swift elbows to the temple and he was down.

I pulled myself to my feet and wiped the blood from my mouth. The radio the man was wearing began to cackle.

"Davey? Hey! Davey? We're getting close to our destination, we can't have anything go wrong now."

I quickly scooped up the radio and laughed into it.

"Define . . . wrong."

120: The Build Up -Nick-

I'd love to say that we all got off that plane alive. I'd love to tell you a fairy tale and make his memory go on forever; to keep fabricating lies of valiant adventures with him at our side.

I was yelling to him to come with me, to get off while he could. I can still remember the face he gave me. He knew. He knew that the people wouldn't survive if he came with us. I had to leave him, leave him to be consumed by the flames.

If only I had a bit more experience behind me, then I could have helped him. What kind of person does that? What kind of person gives everything to help a few people?

By now you are wondering who did this act of heroism. Who helped us all survive unscathed? You're running the names of the only people it could be, using the clues that I've littered through out my words.

But he's a hero. He will never be forgotten. He fought to save the world from Gods, only to die at the hands of man. Who am I speaking about? It's useless to hide it.

This is the final tale of Carl Miller.