The Return Of The Admin

[Aether]

After a brief rest, I now bring you...



At the exit to the Basic Info sewer, we see a sleeping Sam and a dazed Minion. Minion takes a peek at the Password, kept in his pocket. He puts the Password away as he hears someone approaching. ZTL peeks down at them.

ZTL: Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes. We must go at once.

Sam awakes, and looks at a weary Minion.

Sam: Haven't you had any sleep, Mister Minion?

Minion shakes his head.

Sam: I've gone an' had too much. Must be getting late.

Minion: No. It isn't. It isn't midday yet. The days are growing darker.

The Recycle Bin shakes the surrounding landscape.

ZTL: Come on! Must go, no time!

Sam: Not before Mister Minion's had something to eat.

ZTL: No time to lose, silly!

Sam opens a pack and hands Minion some bread.

Sam: Here.

Minion: What about you?

Sam: Oh no, I'm not hungry. Leastwise not for Gil bread.

Minion: Sam.

Sam: All right, we don't have that much left. We have to be careful, or we're goin' to run out. You go ahead and eat that, Mister Minion. I've rationed it.

Minion eats.

Sam: There should be enough.

Minion: For what?

Sam: The journey home.

Minion looks amused at Sam's optimism.

ZTL: Come, memberlingses! Very close now. Very close to The Conference Room. No safe places here. Hurry!

The memberlings follow ZTL into The Conference Rom.

[Roger]

*does dance* It returns! Good chapter Aeth, looking forward to the rest.

[Aether]

The Voice Of Xenonstar

A small group of riders move through the forest: Il Palazzo, Porslinsankan, Silverwolf, Dr. Flux, Roger and Shned. They look around warily, as the low sounds of lumbering trees are heard around them. The end of the forest, followed by General Gaming, comes into view. Laughter is heard. Tim and Zioux sit on top of the General Gaming storeroom, feasting.

Tim: It's good. Definitely from General Chat.

The memberlings nod and grin.

Zioux: I feel like I'm back at the Chat room…

Tim: Hmm, the Chat room.

Zioux: A mug in my hand, putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day's work.

Tim: Only, you've never done a hard day's work.

The riders appear, and approach the crumbled gates encircling General Gaming. The memberlings spot the riders.

Tim: Welcome, my Lords… to General Gaming!

Roger grins.

Shned: You young rascals! A merry chase you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and… and smoking!

Zioux: We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good.

Shned: Salted pork?

Silverwolf: Memberlings.

Tim: We're under orders from BZero, who's taken over management of General Gaming.

The group approaches the tower of General Gaming.

BZero: Young master Silverwolf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a Contributor to manage here, locked in his tower.

The group looks around, uncomfortable.

Roger: Show yourself.

Silverwolf: Be careful; even in defeat Xenonstar is dangerous.

Shned: Then let's just have his head and be done with it.

Silverwolf: No, we need him alive. We need him to talk.

A voice calls out from above, and Xenonstar comes into view, standing on the top of the tower.

Xenonstar: You have fought many wars and slain many men Porslinsankan, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council together, as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?

Porslinsankan: We shall have peace.

Porslinsankan responds softly at first, but quickly becomes more assured.

Porslinsankan: We shall have peace… when you answer for the burning of the west, and the children that lie dead there. We shall have peace, when the lives of the members, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of RPG Discussion, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows… we shall have peace.

Xenonstar: Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want Silverwolf? Let me guess: the key of this tower, or perhaps the key of The Display Case itself, along with the crowns of the seven admins and the rods of the five contributors!

Silverwolf: Your treachary has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Xenonstar. You were deep in the enemy's council.

Realizing he has something to bargain with, Xenonstar grins.

Xenonstar: So you have come here for information. I have some for you.

From his robes, Xenonstar whips out a glowing Console, and stares at it raptly.

Xenonstar: Something festers in the heart of UFFSite. Something that you have failed to see. But my lord has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this don't you, Silverwolf.

Xenonstar sneers at Roger.

Xenonstar: You cannot think that this Coder will ever sit upon the throne of Anime Central. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned admin. Silverwolf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me… what words of comfort did you give the memberling before you sent him to his doom?

Silverwolf sighs.

Xenonstar: The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.

Shned: I've heard enough. Dr. Flux, shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob.

Dr. Flux reaches for his quiver but is stopped.

Silverwolf: No. Come down Xenonstar, and your live will be spared.

Xenonstar: Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it!

Xenonstar shoots a fireball from his staff. The flames engulf Silverwolf The flames die out, revealing an unscathed Silverwolf, to Xenonstar's surprise.

Silverwolf: Xenonstar, your staff is broken.

Xenonstar's staff shatters in his hand. From behind Xenonstar, a hunched figure approaches: Sujin.

Porslinsankan: Sujin, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a member of Videogame News! Come down.

Sujin bows to Porslinsankan.

Xenonstar: A member of Videogame News? What is the house of Videogame News but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs? Victory at RPG Discusssion does not belong to you, Porslinsankan, rating-lord! You are a lesser son of greater sires.

Porslinsankan: Sujin, come down. Be free of him.

Xenonstar: Free? He will never be free.

Sujin: No.

Xenonstar: Get down, cur!

Xenonstar slaps Sujin and sends him falling down.

Silverwolf: Xenonstar, you were deep in the enemy's council. Tell us what you know.

Sujin draws a dagger.

Xenonstar: You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where you doom will be decided.

Sujin lunges towards Xenonstar.

Xenonstar: I will not be held prisoner here.

Sujin stabs Xenonstar in the back, twice. Dr. Flux shoots and hits Sujin, who falls down, dead. Xenonstar falls off the tower and is impaled by the spoke of a large wheel.

Silverwolf: Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of UFFSite that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike.

The wheel turns, sliding Xenonstar's body under the water. The Console drops into the shallows. BZero returns to the scene.

BZero: The filth of Xenonstar is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees, wild trees.

Zioux sees a glowing orb in the water. He dismounts Roger's horse for a closer look.

Roger: Zioux!

Zioux picks up the orb. It is the Console.

BZero: Bless my bark!

Silverwolf: Zioux, I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now!

Zioux reluctantly hands Silverwolf the orb. Silverwolf covers it up, and with a sidelong glance at Zioux, turns away. The group rides for Sites To Check.

[Aether]

A Memberling Jig

At Sites To Check, Tallulah brings Porslinsankan a cup. Porslinsankan raises it and prepares to addresses a quiet crowd. Roger leads the men in standing.

Porslinsankan: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this forum. Hail the victorious dead!

Crowd: Hail!

Roger hesitates, then drinks from his mug. The members party in the great hall. Il Palazzo instructs a group, including Shned and Dr. Flux.

Il Palazzo: No pauses, no spills.

Dr. Flux and Shned are handed mugs of ale.

Shned: And no regurgitation.

Dr. Flux: So it's a drinking game?

Shned: Aye, Last one standing wins.

Dr. Flux takes a small sip from his drink. Shned chugs his drink.

Tallulah approaches Roger.

Tallulah: Be thou well?

Roger takes a goblet from Tallulah, who watches him, smiling. Roger returns the cup and walks away. Porslinsankan joins Tallulah, watching Roger.

Porslinsankan: I am happy for you. He is an honorable man.

Tallulah: You are both honorable men.

Porslinsankan: It was not Porslinsankan of Videogame News who led our people to victory. Ah, don't listen to me. You are young and tonight is for you.

Shned and Dr. Flux continue their drinking contest. Shned grabs for another drink.

Shned: Here, here. It's the visitors that go swimming with little hairy women.

Dr. Flux examines his fingers, looking worried.

Dr. Flux: I feel something. A slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me.

Shned: What did I say? He cant hold his liquor!

Shned passes out, Dr. Flux looks smug.

Dr. Flux: Game over.

Tim and Zioux dance on a tabletop to the amusement of onlookers. The memberlings chugs their drinks.

Zioux: I win!

Roger talks quietly with Silverwolf.

Roger: No news of Minion?

Silverwolf: No word. Nothing.

Roger: We have time. Every day Minion moves closer to The Conference Room.

Silverwolf: Do we know that?

Roger: What does your heart tell you?

Silverwolf: That Minion is alive. Yes. Yes, he is alive.

[Aether]

A Villain Revealed

Minion, Sam, and ZTL sleep.

ZTL: Too risky, Too risky. Thieves! They stole It from us. Kill them, kill them, kill them both!

ZTL wakes up with a scream. He creeps down to a pool of water.

ZTL: Shhh! Quiet! Mustn't wake them! Mustn't ruin it now!

Zidane's True Love: But they knows! They knows! They suspects us!

ZTL: What's it saying, my precious, my love? Is Zidane's True Love losing his nerve?

Zidane's True Love: No! Not! Never! Zidane's True Love hates nasty memberlingses! Zidane's True Love wants to see them… dead!

ZTL: And we will. Zidane's True Love did it once. He can do it again.

Zidane's True Love: It's ours! Ours! We must get the Precious! We must get It back!

ZTL: Patience! Patience, my love. First we must lead them to her.

Zidane's True Love: We lead them to the winding stairs.

ZTL: Yes, the stairs. And then?

Zidane's True Love: Up, up, up, up the stairs we go. And then we come to the tunnel.

ZTL: And when they go in, there's no coming out. She's always hungry. She always needs to feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy botses.

Zidane's True Love: And they doesn't taste very nice, does they, precious?

Sam awakes, but does not move.

ZTL: No, not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meats. Memberling meat. And when she throws away the bones and empty clothes, then we will find It!

Zidane's True Love: And take it for me!

ZTL: For us.

Zidane's True Love: Yes, we meant, we meant for us.

ZTL: The Precious will be ours once the memberlingses are dead.

ZTL drops a pebble in the pool. As the ripples clear, Sam appears from behind ZTL.

Sam: You treacherous little thief!

Sam hits ZTL.

ZTL: Argh! No! Master!

Minion, now awake, steps between the two.

Minion: No, Sam! Leave him alone!

Sam: I heard it from his own mouth! He means to murder us!

ZTL: Never! Zidane's True Love wouldn't hurt a fly! He's a memberling, fat memberling who hates Zidane's True Love and who makes up nasty lies!

ZTL hides behind Minion, who protects him.

Sam: You miserable little maggot! I'll stave your head in!

Minion: Sam!

Sam: Called me a liar! You're a liar!

ZTL: Ah!

Minion: We scare him off, we're lost!

Sam: I don't care! I can't do it, Mister Minion! I won't wait around for him to kill us!

Minion: I'm not sending him away!

Sam: You don't see it, do you? He's a villain.

Minion: We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide. I need you on my side.

Sam: I am on your side, Mister Minion.

Minion: I know, Sam. I know. Trust me. Come, Zidane's True Love.

ZTL, hand in hand with Minion, grins back at Sam.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Aeth

ZTL, hand in hand with Minion, grins back at Sam.

Enough said. Tony, you just got fecking owned.

[Aether]

The Console

Night comes to Sites To Check. In a communal sleeping room, Shned snores and Zioux tosses, looking worried. Roger leaves, carrying his pipe. He pauses to stoke a fire near a sleeping Tallulah. As Tallulah stirs, Roger covers her feet and shoulders with a blanket.

Tallulah: What time is it?

Roger: Not yet dawn.

Tallulah grabs his hand.

Tallulah: I dreamed I saw a great wave, climbing over green lands and above the hills. I stood upon the brink. It was utterly dark in the abyss before my feet. A light shone behind me but I could not turn. I could only stand there, waiting.

Roger: Night changes many thoughts. Sleep, Tallulah. Sleep… while you can.

Roger exits the hall and approaches Dr. Flux. They look toward The Conference Room.

Dr. Flux: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The enemy is moving.

Indoors, Zioux wakes up and approaches a sleeping Silverwolf.

Tim: What are you doing? Zioux! Zioux?

Silverwolf is asleep, although his eyes are open. Zioux waves a hand over Silverwolf's face to make sure. Zioux takes the Console from Silverwolf, replacing the space in Silverwolf's hands with a chamberpot.

Tim: Zioux! Are you mad?

Zioux: I just want to look at it! Just one more time.

Tim: Put it back!

Zioux unwraps the Console.

Tim: Zioux. No! Zioux!

Zioux becomes affixed to the now glowing Console. Outside, Dr. Flux turns to Roger.

Dr. Flux: He is here!

LMagnuz: I see you!

Tim: Zioux! Help! Silverwolf help him! Someone help him!

Roger and Dr. Flux enter. Everyone awakes. Zioux, stuck to the burning Console, writhes in pain. Roger takes the Console and falls to his knees. The Console falls from Roger's hands and rolls across the floor. Silverwolf throws a cloth over it.

Tim: Pippin!

Silverwolf: Fool of a memberling!

Silverwolf tends to a terrified Zioux.

Silverwolf: Look at me.

Zioux: Silverwolf! Forgive me!

Zioux looks away.

Silverwolf: Look at me. What did you see?

Zioux: A tree… there was a white tree in a courtyard of stone… it was dead. The city was burning.

Silverwolf: Anime Central? Is that what you saw?

Zioux: I saw… I saw Him! I could hear His voice in my head!

Silverwolf: And what did you tell Him? Speak!

Zioux: He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me!

Silverwolf: What did you tell Him about Minion and the Password?

[Beatrix the Goddess]

I can't believe this has gone on this long & I haven't found it! I've just spent what is quite possibly one of the most enjoyable (& amusing XD) hours of my life reading the whole thing - its a seriously brilliant piece of work Aeth, it really is. Don't stop, write more, & then write The Memberling and The, er...well come up with a clever title for The Silmarrillion .

And I'm Galadriel Very wise piece of flattery there . And my dear hubby Blue Maybe we should double-date with Nikki & Roger XD.

[Sylverline]

Originally Posted by Beatrix the Goddess

Maybe we should double-date with Nikki & Roger XD.

kjdbsakjhbfdkljsbakdbkjasbdb

[Shned]

Holy shit. I lost a drinking contest.

[Aether]

Just a little note for you all who actually are still around reading this. I haven't stopped, I've just run a little short on time at the moment. Hopefully soon I'll have an entire weekend to myself and then I'll finish everything off so all I'll have to do is just post it up. So hold tight for just a little longer peeps.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Bee

Maybe we should double-date with Nikki & Roger XD.

Maybe I should sit in a corner and cry?

[Aether]

To Anime Central

Silverwolf talks to Porslinsankan. Roger, Dr. Flux, Shned, Tim, and Zioux are also present.

Silverwolf: There was no lie in Zioux's eyes. A fool… but an honest fool he remains. He told LMagnuz nothing of Minion and the Password. We've been strangely fortunate. Zioux saw in the Console a glimpse of the enemy's plan. LMagnuz moves to strike Anime Central. His defeat at RPG Discussion showed our enemy one thing: he knows the heir of Supertails has come forth. Members are not as weak as he supposed; there is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. LMagnuz fears this. He will not risk the peoples of UFFSite uniting under one banner. He will raze Anime Central to the ground before he sees an Admin return to the throne of the members. If the Beacons of Anime Central are lit, Videogame News must be ready for war.

Porslinsankan: Tell me… why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Anime Central?

Roger: I will go.

Silverwolf: No!

Roger: They must be warned!

Silverwolf: They will be. You must come to Anime Central by another road. Follow the river and look to the black ships. Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Anime Central.

Silverwolf looks at the memberlings.

Silverwolf: And I won't be going alone.

Outside, Silverwolf, followed by the two memberlings, swiftly makes his way to the stables of Sites To Check.

Silverwolf: Of all the inquisitive memberlings, Zioux, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!

Zioux: Where are we going?

Tim: Why did you look? Why do you always have to look!

Zioux: I don't know. I can't help it!

Tim: You never can.

Zioux: I'm sorry, all right! I won't do it again.

Tim: Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Password! He's going to be looking for you, Zioux. They have to get you out of here.

Zioux: And y-you're coming with me?

Tim walks away.

Zioux: Tim?

Tim: Come on!

Inside the stables, Silverwolf lifts Zioux up on Private Message's back.

Zioux: How far is Anime Central?

Silverwolf: Three day's ride, as the Petgûl flies. And we better hope we don't have one of those on our tail. Run, Private Message. Show us the meaning of haste.

Zioux: Tim!

Private Message gallops out of the stables. Tim runs after them. He climbs up to a watchtower. Roger follows Tim.

Roger: Tim!

From the tower, Tim watches Private Message run towards Anime Central. Roger joins him.

Tim: He's always followed me. I would get him into the worst sort of trouble. But I was always there to get him out. And now he's gone.

Roger puts his hand on Tim's shoulder.

Tim: Just like Minion, and Sam.

Roger: One thing I've learned about memberlings: they are most hardy folk.

Tim: Foolhardy maybe. He is Zioux.

They laugh.

[Aether]

Sylverline's Choice

Sylverline, along with a group of guests, rides her horse down a wooded path. Sylverline thinks back to when she left her father.

AP: Take her by the safest road. A ship lays anchored in Site Promotion. It waits to carry her across the Sea… The last journey of Sylverline.

Sylverline sees a small boy in a white shirt, running past the guests. A vision of a gray-haired Roger appears. He runs to the boy. Roger takes him in his arms and spins him around, laughing. The boy stares at Sylverline, somberly. The boy is shown wearing Sylverline’s pendant. She sheds a tear.

AP: There is nothing for you here, only death.

Sylverline, who has stopped, is approached by one of the guests.

Guest: Lady Sylverline, we cannot delay.

Sylverline turns her horse around and rides to The Last Homely House.

Guest: My lady!

At The Last Homely House, Sylverline approaches her father.

Sylverline: Tell me what you have seen!

AP: Sylverline!

Sylverline: You have the gift of foresight, what did you see?

AP: I looked into your future and I saw death.

Sylverline: There is also life. You saw there was a child. You saw my son.

AP turns away.

AP: That future is almost gone.

Sylverline: But it is not lost!

AP: Nothing is certain.

Sylverline kneels before AP.

Sylverline: Some things are certain! If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is time.

Sylverline examines the shards of Avatar.

Sylverline: From the ashes of fire shall be woken, a light through the shadow shall win, renewed shall be Blade that was broken
The title less again shall be Admin.

Later, Sylverline speaks to AP.

Sylverline: Re-forge Avatar father.

Sylverline drops a book. AP kneels before Sylverline and feels her hands.

AP: Your hands are cold. The life of the Guests is leaving you.

Sylverline: This was my choice. Father, whether by your will or not, there is no ship now that can bear me hence.

Two guests work at a forge, repairing the shards, as AP looks on.

[Aether]

The Steward of Anime Central

Silverwolf and Zioux ride Private Message out of a forest and across a plain.

Silverwolf: We have just passed into the forum of Anime Central!

Private Message crests a hill and a large city appears, built into a mountain of white rock.

Silverwolf: And there it sits, the City of Admins.

They ride through the city, up to the top.

Silverwolf: Make way!

They dismount on the top level and walk across a courtyard. Zioux sees a tree.

Zioux: It's the tree, Silverwolf. Silverwolf!

Silverwolf: Yes, the White Tree of Anime Central, the tree of the Admin. Lord Yggdrasil however is not the admin. He is a steward only. A caretaker of the throne.

Silverwolf prepares to enter the throne room of Anime Central, but hesitates.

Silverwolf: Listen carefully: Lord Yggdrasil is Adam's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention about Minion or the Password. And say nothing of Roger either.

Silverwolf again turns to enter, but stops and glances down at Zioux.

Silverwolf: In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Zioux.

Silverwolf slowly approaches Yggdrasil, who sits on the Stewards' Throne, his face lowered. Yggdrasil holds the broken Horn of Anime Central in his hands.

Silverwolf: Hail, Yggdrasil, Lord and Steward of Anime Central. I come with tidings in this dark hour… and with counsel.

Yggdrasil looks up, handling the broken horn.

Yggdrasil: Perhaps you've come to explain this. Perhaps you've come to tell me why my son is dead.

Zioux walks in front of Silverwolf to face Yggdrasil.

Zioux: Adam died to save us, my kinsmen and me. He fell defending us from many foes.

Silverwolf: Zioux!

Zioux: I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.

Yggdrasil: This is my first command to you: how did you escape and my son did not? So mighty a member as he was.

Zioux: The mightiest member may be slain by one arrow, and Adam was pierced by many.

Silverwolf: Get up!

Silverwolf knocks the memberling aside with his staff.

Silverwolf: My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Adam, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep! As Steward, you're charged with the defense of this city. Where are Anime Central's armies? You still have friends. You're not alone in this fight. Send word to Porslinsankan of Videogame News. Light the beacons.

Yggdrasil: You think you are wise, Silverwolf, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of Anime Central are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against The Conference Room. And, with your right, you seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Porslinsankan of Videogame News. Oh, yes. Words have reached my ears of this Roger, son of Cloud Strife 7, and I tell you now: I will not bow to this Coder from the north. Last of a ragged house long bereft of Lordship!

Silverwolf: Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the Admin, Steward!

Yggdrasil rises.

Yggdrasil: The whole rule of Anime Central is mine! And no other's!

Silverwolf: Come Zioux!

Silverwolf and Zioux walk out of the throne room.

Silverwolf: All has turned to vain ambition! He would even use his grief as a cloak.

The door creaks open to reveal the courtyard, its tree, and in the distance, The Conference Room.

Sivlerwolf: A thousand threads this forum has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman it will fall. The White Tree, the tree of the admin, will never bloom again.

Zioux: Why are they still guarding it?

Silverwolf: They guard it because they have hope. A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. An Admin will come,
and this city will be as it once was, before it fell into decay. The old wisdom bourne out of the west was forsaken. Admins made made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, and counted the old names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on herladry, or in high cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so the people of Anime Central fell into ruin. The line of Admins failed. The white tree whithered. The rule of Anime Central was given over to lesser men.

Zioux looks into The Conference Room.

Zioux: The Conference Room.

Silverwolf: Yes, there it lies. This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow.

Zioux: A storm is coming.

Silverwolf: This is not the weather of the world. This is the device of LMagnuz's making. A broil of fumes he sends ahead of his host. The bots of The Conference Room have no love of daylight. So he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war. When the shadow of The Conference Room reaches this city, it will begin.

Zioux: Well…the city is very impressive. So where are we off to next?

Silverwolf: Oh it's too late for that, Zioux. There's no leaving this city. Help must come to us.