Extra Short Story: Poor Steve

Here's a random mini-Buffyverse story I put together. Thoughts welcome.

Steve never felt so alive. Power, is what he thought, power is what he was feeling. He had never felt this way before. He was stronger than ever and ready to take on the world. How did he get here, Steve wondered as he began to open his eyes. That's when he realized - he was trapped, trapped in a box. He had no idea what happened, he was frightened, he tried to remember how he got there as he began to bash his wooden cell.

He remembered a girl. A cute girl he met at a bar. She was leggy and blonde, and she seemed to throw herself at him. He couldn't remember her name - it was something musical, though. They flirted at the bar and she whispered into Steve's ear, "Let's go someplace more quiet." Her idea of more quiet was the alleyway behind the bar. She began kissing his neck, which led to her nibbling on his neck. It tickled at first - before she handed Steve a flask and said, "Drink, now." Steve drank a sip from the flask - a warm liquid that tasted like iron. That's when the biting got deeper and Steve went black.

He continued to bang on the wooden box and finally busted through the top. As dirt rained into the box, Steve pulled himself out. He shook himself off and looked around - he was in a graveyard, incredibly disoriented, and wearing an awful powder blue suit. That said, he still felt strong, powerful, but never more confused. He looked around, that's when he saw the gravestone behind him. There was his name, there was the date - the day of his bar visit.

Steve remained confused as he thought he saw someone coming towards him. He yelled out, "Hello there," and waved towards them. That's when he got a sudden hunger, an intense hunger that he had never felt before. It was more than a craving, it was a need. Steve needed blood - and he needed it now.

Steve looked up and thought that whoever this was would be the first meal of his new life as whatever he was. That's the last thing Steve remembered as he turned to dust.

---------------------------------------------------------

As Buffy walked away from the pile of Steve dust she thought to herself, "What a pity, they had to bury him in that terrible suit."

The Emerald Reich: Part III

I posted the first two parts of the story 2 years ago, here's the next section.

Part 7: The Rose and the Seed

(Amy is sitting in a futon holding her head tightly; the room is cave-like and unadorned otherwise)

Amy: Ahh, oooh no.

(Pan around to a door, viewer can see the door open and Tails enters)

Tails: (Runs over to Amy and puts his arm around her) Are you all right?

Amy: (Shakes her head) No, my head it feels like there’s pressure all around.

Tails: (Show his head, arms still around her, mostly show the top of her head. He’s thinking this) Wow, the transport back to this world has been rough on Amy’s body. The poor girl. (Show the two of them entirely) It’s going to be ok. Doctor Bean will be coming soon.

(Skip to the main door of the Castle of Acorn, it opens and Bean the Dynamite enters. He’s dressed as a doctor, with the cliché Doctor’s costume. He walks forward, being greeted by King Acorn himself)

Acorn: Welcome back, Doctor.

Bean: Thank you, your highness. It’s good to be back. (the two walk into the throne room and you see Shadow and Sonic standing there talking)

Acorn: Dr. Bean, you know Sonic, and this one is Shadow the Hedgehog his friend.

Bean: Pleasure to meet you (he nods)

Shadow: Charmed, I’m sure.

Acorn: (Show Acorn pointing towards a side room) Our friend Amy has still been feeling a bit of pain in her forehead, the stabbing headaches have not gone away and in fact have intensified since the last time you visited.

Bean: (See Bean nod) All right, take me too her, there must not be something deeper here.

(Acorn and Bean walk off)

(Shadow takes Sonic aside)

Shadow: What do you know of this Doctor?

Sonic: He’s a good warrior and from the way I see it a good Doctor. Haven’t heard a complaint yet.

Shadow: (Show Shadow with concern as he speaks) Does that not strike you as odd?

Sonic: (Looks puzzled) What do you mean?

Shadow: (Shakes his head) Me and my people will look into this Dr. Bean, he seems a bit…never mind. (Acorn and Bean return to the main area)

Sonic: How’s she doing?

Bean: She’ll be all right, I’ve given her a sedative shot which I believe will do the trick. She’s sleeping now.

(See Tails walk out of the room after them, Zoom in on him. Tails is smiling and whispers)

Tails: Sleep well, sleeping beauty.

(Show group talking with Tails walking over)

Shadow: Acorn tells me that the former army commander has gone missing. Doctor, have you seen him?

Bean: No, I have not seen Kodos in months.

Shadow: Have you seen any of the Eggman’s creations, minions, lately?

Bean: No, why do you ask?

Acorn: (Looks angered) Where did this inquiry come from?

Shadow: (He slinks back slightly) No reason, just curious, (He looks at Acorn) it is my job to be curious. (He vanishes in a brilliant light).

Bean: What a strange hedgehog…(He has a slightly angered look on his face)

Acorn: (Acorn says with a smile) Yes, but he is excellent at what he does (Acorn begins to lead Bean away saying) Let me show you the new study I have just set up for myself it’s…

Sonic: (In the foreground as they walk away)

Sonic: (Show Sonic looking upwardly shaking his head, thinking) What are you thinking, Shadow?

Part 8: Enter the Chaotix

(See Mighty the Armadillo standing in front of a white board. On it is written “Knuckles.”)

Mighty: (Hands behind his back as he speaks) Members of the Chaotix. (Pan out to show the group as seen from behind Mighty. Group includes Vector the Crocodile, Charmy the Bee, Espio the Chameleon, Rouge the Bat and Big the Cat) According to our sources, there is a threat on the life of our friend Knuckles.

Espio: (Standing) Well, we need to do something about this.

(Group tends to nod in agreement)

Mighty: (Smiling) I’d hope you’d say that. (Cut to an empty version of the Echidna Congress room from Part 2. We see Knuckles’ head chair with the Tapestry behind it. Mighty is speaking over the images) Here is the tapestry which symbolizes the might and justice of Angel Island. (Move to above it and to the right) Here is a corridor which runs above it. (Back to the room with the Chaotix, start on Vectors face and pan across the group as Mighty speaks) This used to be used years ago for the press to visit meetings and take notes. A bill passed some four years ago, closing these corridors to the public, but they still can pose a threat to our friend. (Zoom in on Mighty’s face) This will be going on tomorrow at the meeting, we move then.

(Cut to see Knuckles walking down the hallway and the main room for the Congressional meetings can be seen in the distance. Over this Mighty says, “And I doubt Knuckles even suspects a thing.”)

Part 9: Parliamentary Procedure

(Show Knuckles walk in and then sit down in his seat at the forefront of the Echidna Congress, Leba is sitting at the seat directly to his right)

Knuckles: (He pounds on his gavel) This meeting of the Echidna House of Guardians has been called to order. (Zoom in on his face, it is slightly angled as he speaks to the group) Today we are here to discuss the current state of our nation.

Cain: (Cain stands up) If you don’t mind, I’d like to say a few words. (Show Knuckles nod) I feel that we should…

(Cut to Vector and Charmy moving through a dark corridor, each have headsets on and appear to be moving fast)

Vector: V and C to base, we’re on the trail, hopefully we’ll get to him before he gets to his target.

Voice: (Coming from the headset) Affirmative V, protect Knuckles my friend.

(Cut to an Echidna dressed entirely in black, he’s pointing a rifle downward. See him look through the sight on the rifle and seen as through the point of view of the weapon Cain talking, then move over to Knuckles sitting down. Zoom back out to the room, seeing Knuckles nodding his head and Leba turn his upward. Show the Echidna in black and see Leba stand. Cut back to Vector and Charmy who appear to be getting very close to the black suited Echidna, then cut back to the zoom out of the room and see the Echidna fire. Leba screams, “NO!” and stands in front of Knuckles, being shot through the heart).

Leba: (Falls and screams)

Knuckles: (Stands up and looks up) Send someone up there. (Frantically) Find out who did this!

(Cut to Vector and Charmy, they reach to where the assassin was, and all they find is the rifle. Vector grabs the rifle and looks around, pointing it in the direction of where he’s looking as he goes)

Vector: (To Charmy) Shit, we missed him.

(See Echidna soldiers running up flights of stairs)

(Cut to Leba in the arms of Cain)

Cain: (Crying as he speaks) If it were not for my jealousy.

Leba: (Puts his hand on Cain’s face) I forgive you brother for not noticing him…(Leba falls dead in Cain’s arms)

Cain: (Shakes his head and holds his brother close) No. NO!

(Cut back to the Echidna soldiers, they have pikes pointed down the hallway)

Echidna_Soldier: (Calling down towards Vector and Charmy) Drop your weapons, we have you surrounded. (Vector drops the rifle throwing up his arms as he looks towards the Echidnas, who surround both Charmy and him. Charmy also puts up his arms and looks up at Vector)

Charmy: (Looks back at the Echidna Soldiers) You have the wrong people, Mack. The real killer is getting away.

(Echidna Soldiers cuff the two of them)

Soldier: Tell that to the judge. (It ends with Vector and Charmy being walked off in cuffs by 5 Echidna Soldiers)

(Cut to Mighty and Espio. Both are nearby a computer in chairs, Espio has a headset on and is holding his hand to his forehead spine. Mighty throws a headset to the ground).

The Templar: Buffyverse Story Idea

After watching a LOT of Angel lately (finished Season 4 and starting Season 5), I had come up with my own idea of a completely separate Buffyverse character / show idea. The show / story set would be entitled "The Templar." Here's an explanation of the world setting.

The main character is Sir James, the Templar knight assigned to protect the Christian community in / around Washington, DC. The Templar knights have survived their official dissolution by the Roman Catholic Church and have been operating autonomously for centuries. They currently have one primary Templar in every major city around the world, each named for a book of the Bible. Sir Thomas Genesis is the Cheif Templar, based on Jerusalem.

The stories would involve Sir James protecting Washington, DC from supernatural as well as human threats. The stories would lead James to a few realizations - the fact that anyone can be a Christian, no matter what they look like; that non-Christians are important at keeping the world safe; and that working as a team helps.

The first few stories I had ideas for were as follows -

• James comes to DC as the official Templar relieving the retiring Sir Jonah II. An Representative (from a made-up district) who publicly claims to be a Christian, has recently been appointed House Minority Leader through an internal coup of Republican leadership. Representative Patterson has been a leading voice for conservatism - and at night has been sacrificing babies to Moloch in order to gain power. James and Jonah in his last mission uncover this demonic underbelly of Congressional pages and Congressmen to prevent Representative Patterson from continuing his hypocritical and evil crusade.
• James is contacted by a small congregation in a DC suburb. Pastor Neiman is a Parasite demon (like Merl from Angel), and much of the congregation are demons / supernatural beings. An anti-demon brigade has been picking off congregants indiscriminantly - ignoring the fact that they were peace loving Christian creatures. James realizes that even non-humans can be Christian and good. Pastor Neiman's son, Marvin, asks to train with him as a potential Templar apprentice - James takes him on.
• James is contacted by a Rabbi in DC who needs help. A man claiming himself to be a Christian missionary had been coming around his Synagogue, congregants have been disappearing since then. This leads James to find this underground group that who uses a warped version of Christianity to justify the murder of non-Christians. James for the first time sees how someone with ill intent can warp and manipulate the words of his faith for evil.

Suggestions for ideas / thoughts on this idea are welcome.

Modern Macbeth Adaptation

I've come up with the idea for the skeleton of a modern adaptation of Macbeth. It chronicles the rise and fall of Vice President Jonathan Macbeth.

Characters and Macbeth Equivalent:
Vice President Jonathan Macbeth - Macbeth
Second Lady Hillary Macbeth - Lady Macbeth
President Thomas Duncan - King Duncan
Secretary of State Jennifer Baquette - Banquo
Secret Service Agent Arnold Duffy - Macduff
Speaker of the House Malcolm Duncan - Malcolm
Palm Reader Lady Hecate - Hecate/Three Witches

General Plot:Story begins in the middle of President Duncan's second term in office with Representative Malcolm Duncan sworn in as the youngest Speaker of the House in history following mid-term elections. Vice President Macbeth was a retired General who was a critical supporter of the President and important in helping define his foreign policy platform. Following giving a huge speech in Ohio, Macbeth passes a palm reader at the state fair. Lady Hecate invites him in and offers him a free reading. Lady Hecate tells Vice President Macbeth that he will become President one day and that the Secretary of State will beget Presidents. Lady Hecate tells the Vice President that no politician could stop his rise to power. This becomes all the Vice President can think about.

The Vice President returns to Washington and talks with his wife about the prediction. His wife suggests killing the President jokingly. It then becomes all encompassing, all that the Vice President can think about. Macbeth then takes a trip to meet the troops in Afghanistan and meets in secret with an Arabic gentleman who he'll pay big money if he kills the President. Macbeth gives him all the details of a trip him and the President will be having at his cabin in Montana. The assassin sneaks in and shoots the President, as he tries to escape - Macbeth shoots him with a legal firearm making it appear as though Macbeth was defending the President and himself from the would-be assassin. The primary agent responsible for the President was Agent Arnold Duffy. Duffy had been on vacation at the time of the assassination. Duffy immediately suspected the Vice President.

Macbeth then becomes President. The guilt weighs on him and his wife. Macbeth starts to become paranoid. He sends the Secretary of State to a mission in Gaza, knowing that he had information regarding an attack in the area. Secretary Baquette dies in the visit. President Macbeth is concerned about Duffy and has him removed from his post. Around the same time, Duffy finds the information that can incriminate the President. Macbeth goes on a speaking tour trying to build up a good image for himself. The First Lady, while the President is away, commits suicide. The President returns home and continues his descent into madness. He focuses inward and begins to ignore the public, hiding in the West Wing. His cabinet becomes concerned about the President's behavior. Duffy drops off a letter in the mailbox, sending all the incriminating evidence to the Attorney General. The President decides to go out for a speech when Duffy assassinates the President.

The story would end with the Speaker, the late President Duncan's son, being sworn in as the next President of the United States of America.

Thoughts welcome.

Story Elements

I’m going to pretend for a moment that I’m Stan Lee around the time Marvel was just starting out. What did Lee do back in those days? He came up with an idea, a general premise for a story, and handed it to an artiest who put a preliminary product together and then Lee inserted the dialogue. So, I’m going to do the first part of that – collect some random story elements and post them. Here are a few –

• Parallel to our world, a world of magic exists. A secret, international body called the “Council of Wizardry” has been helping to hide the world of magic from the non-magical world for centuries. Merlin, in 1990, had taken up an apprentice in secret by the name of Jonathan Modus. Why Modus? Modus has the highest magical potential that the world had ever seen. Merlin passes of natural causes in 1996. After a year or so, fending for himself and avoiding being conscripted by the Council, Modus changes magical history forever…by coming public with his magical powers.
• America elected Ross Perot in 1992. Vice President Stockdale passes away in 1995 from the strains of the position, putting the sick war hero to bed earlier than he anticipated. Perot enters into 1996 after four years of relative peace and economic prosperity as the lead in all the polls. His Reform Party is being built nationally thanks to Pat Choate. And then…Perot is assassinated. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is thrust into the Presidency in March of 1996, throwing off the entire GOP primary and shaking up the entire world. This follows the story of three men, Newt Gingrich, Pat Choate, and Caleb Tollin. Newt, from the perspective of a man who just became Speaker of the House and is now dealing suddenly with the Presidency and an internal battle with his party to figure out what to do with the election. Pat Choate, who saw the vision of Ross Perot work from coast to coast and saw an emergence of a new party, now scrambling to organize his own national campaign for the Presidency as the party chairman and one of the few national figures in the party besides New York State Governor Tom Golisano (who barely won the Governor’s mansion of New York in 1994 with a stronger national Reform Party). And Caleb Tollin is an average voter in Virginia whose life is shaken by the assassination of the President and what happens to the economy and his life as this all happens to him in the background. It also chronicles how he votes in the end.
• Create a musical that combines in a logical fashion the storyline and music of both Wicked and The Wizard of Oz (the 1939 musical movie edition). Some ideas include…the changing of Boq back to his novel persona and creating a new/picking a different Munchkin boy to be transformed into the Tin Woodsman; or show Fieyro and Elphaba reuniting in the Emerald City where the Scarecrow was reportedly made to replace the Wizard (according to the books) OR…perhaps have another Scarecrow in Fieyro’s place that Elphaba raises to follow Dorothy.
• Confederate Zion story. For the background of this “alternate history” world setting, check here. The idea? Tell the story of the end of secession of New England from the perspective of a Confederate Ambassador to the US or UN and a Boston citizen who’s all in favor…perhaps a newspaper writer from the time period.
• A Modern Templar story. The Templar leader dies of natural causes at the age of 75. Sir Caleb is asked by the new leader of the Templar Knights, Sir Ishmael, to go on a secret mission into Saudi Arabia to protect a small, Christian church from some bombing attempts. He arrives to find the church emptied with no one there. Caleb is then attacked from all sides by people who fight like Templar Knights. He fends the five attackers off and finds in the basement of the Church a shrine to Moloch. What Caleb uncovers is that Sir Ishmael is not what he seems; he had been using the power of the ancient deity Moloch to rise up in the Templar order and had sent those loyal to the late Sir Peter to their deaths. Caleb then seeks out proof to stop Ishmael from warping the Templar organization and perhaps to find a way to destroy the demonic source of Ishmael’s power.

So, anyone want to draw/write up any of my story ideas? Anyone find them interesting in the least…

The Emerald Reich: Part II

I previously posted the first three sections of my Emerald Reich story, a darker toned Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction. Here are sections 4 through 6 of this comic book that would have been...had I been capable of drawing. If you wish to know the backstory, go to the previous link before reading the following section. It's poorly written, I warn you...but I find it interesting.

Part 4: Worlds Collide
(Robotnick is seen from behind. He is shown from the back and is surrounded by 9 computer monitors showing all different rooms, filled with robots. One showing a large skeleton-like robot being built, the rest are fairly generic).
Robotnick: Let me see, (Show his face as he says) Computer, connect me to myself.
(The middle most screen blinks off from whatever image it was and goes to that of Robotnick. He appears to be surrounded by all manner of machinery, and connected to it through a few tubes his head. For ease of reading, he shall be referred to in this section as Myself.).
Robotnick: (Zoom in on Robotnick’s face) How are the last humans and their (a pause, he looks down shaking his head) leader doing?
Myself: (Seen as the screen before Robotnick with no emotion in his face) They are gone.
Robotnick: (Show Robotnick’s face and arms open outward about as he smiles) Defeated and crushed, we are as efficient as ever.
Myself: (Zoom in on the screen itself, can see some of the tubing’s connected in more detail, the grotesque machinery behind him clenching onto some human that appears to be flailing about) No, not defeated, gone.
Robotnick: What?
Myself: They have left this world entirely. They have entered your realm.
Robotnick: (Zoom in on his face, he looks bewildered) He tessered! (Back to a rear view of Robotnick’s head with the screen before it). I shall find him here and destroy the remaining humans. Enjoy your world, myself.
Myself: I shall (he smiles and then the transmission ends).
(Robotnick’s chair spins around and he presses a button on the armrests of the chair).
Robotnick: Snively, come here. Apparently we have a new pest in our realm… (he presses the button again and zoom in on his face which is contorted into an evil smirk) And we need to create something to remedy this. (A zoom in on the middle screen with the surrounding ones still partially in view, you see the robotic skeleton standing and a fur being brought over to it). HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!

Part 5: Cain
(You see Cain sitting in a chair behind a desk. Desk is very nicely kempt with a few papers in a neat pile, a letter opener, and a stapler. In front of the desk is a chair, its back is to the viewer. A light orange Echidna in a suit can be seen standing behind the chair)
Cain: I don’t understand how a majority of people support HIM.
(Pan around to the side, you can see both Cain and this other Echidna standing across from him. It’s a male Echidna named Leba. He has no facial hair, and has a lighter fur tone. He wears a white suit with a black undershirt and a white tie. His braids are pulled back with a band of sorts holding them together).
Leba: Yes, I can understand where you’re coming from.
Cain: I don’t dislike him as an Echidna, I dislike him as our leader, as a guardian.
Leba: (Still standing, zoom in on Leba, he has his hands out) I know, you’ve said this a hundred times before.
Cain: (Angrily slams his fist into the desk) He allowed the Master Emerald to be stolen and SHATTERED in the human realm.
Leba: (Zoom in on Leba, arms crossed as though thinking) Yes, he did. (Show Leba with his hands on the desk looking straight at Cain) But wasn’t he the one who entered into the human realm risking his hide so that he could return every single piece to Angel Island.
Cain: (Cain fidgets in his seat) True, but if he was a better guardian he would not have lost it in the first place.
Leba: (nodding as he speaks) Perhaps, but we’ll never know now.
(Zoom in on the door) KNOCK KNOCK
Cain: (Cain stands and walks Leba to the door while saying) I’m sorry Senator Leba, but I have another meeting right now.
Leba: (As they reach the door) Good bye, Cain. Oh, and Mother says she hasn’t seen you in ages…
Cain: (Pushing Leba out the door) Good bye (grumbles) my brother.
(Another Echidna enters the room, dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans. He’s a black Echidna with a scar over his left eye. It seems to have blended in over the years)
Black_Echidna: You wanted to see me sir?
Cain: Yes, Claudius. I have…business to discuss. (Door slams on viewers)

Part 6: From the Grave
(See an image of Sonic shocked in the throne room of Acorn)
Sonic: You?
(Show in a black robe, with the hood pulled back, Shadow the Hedgehog)
Shadow: Yes, it’s me.
(Sonic walks over, puts out his arm and the grabs Shadow, hugging him)
Sonic: It’s good to see you, my friend…it’s been too long.
Shadow: Yes it has, Sonic.
(Sonic pulls away and looks confused for a moment)
Sonic: Wait a second, how did you…didn’t you?
Shadow: (Shadow shakes his head) It matters not how I returned, all that matters is that I have…and I’m here to help (latter line with his hand on Sonic’s shoulder)
Sonic: King Acorn, do you mind if I speak to Shadow, alone?
Acorn: (Can be seen behind the two) By all means (He walks out)
Sonic: How did you get to this world?
Shadow: I came here. (Shadow says somberly)
Sonic: Ok…How is Earth? (Sonic looks questioning, but optimistic)
Shadow: Currently under the reign of Robotnick.
Sonic: What?!? But he’s here.
Shadow: Then he’s about to attempt to control both worlds, we can not allow that. I fled that world with the remaining humans. (Show the humans being led through a portal with Shadow’s head at the top, text alongside saying) I led them here, hoping we would find refuge. (Back to Shadow’s face, he appears almost sad) There are a good 200 humans here. They are the only ones I could find. We are the Secret Service and we plan to eventually take out Robotnick.
Sonic: How? (Zoom in on Sonic) If he was able to take over their world, how could we possibly defeat him here?
Shadow: I have no idea. (He sighs and hangs his head down)

Modern League of Extraordinary Gentleman

A friend of mine and I were discussing something he had initially come up with -- a modern League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. First, I'm linking his very detailed and very awesome modern League post. For those who don't know, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a group of classical literary characters that Alan Moore weaved together as a super team. But, in the meantime, I'll come up with my own idea for a League.

• Mayor Mitchell Hundred (from Ex Machina) – Organizer of the group and current Mayor of New York City. He’s a political realist and a former superhero who’s leadership skills are…well, questionable at times. Imagine what Bloomberg’d be like if he were better looking, a former super hero, not independently wealthy, incredibly ballsy, and well…nothing like Bloomberg, I guess. Hundred adds some intrigue, great plot ideas, a base of operations, and an incredibly amusing personality that would mesh interestingly with the others. Imagine if this super team is a secret society based in NYC to protect the world from certain crazy dangers.
• Willow Rosenberg (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) -- Willow is such an interesting character by the end of the series. She's a powerful female witch who has to balance her power after a very explosive addiction to magic that led her to madness. Willow's inner turmoil would add a great deal to the story, and her vast knowledge of the supernatural and technology make her a very strong addition to the group.
• Shadow (from American Gods) -- Shadow is, more or less, a brawny character who has a soft spot that most don't notice. Besides the fact that Shadow is, to a certain degree, a god...that provides him with a bit of power. Add on his firsthand experience with the "American gods," the reserved character would add a bit to the plot of a new League. Shadow's mostly a wanderer, he could have found his way into New York on his own. That's where our organizer, Mayor Hundred, would find him.
• Rubeus Hagrid (from the Harry Potter series) -- I feel that no modern version of the League would be complete without a character from the Harry Potter series. I chose Hagrid so that I can ignore the magic system entirely and because his character is incredibly knowledgeable with beasts, huge, and easily able to provide comic relief if necessary. The character's got a great personality and if anyone can eventually force Shadow out of his shell, it'd be Hagrid.
• Ash Williams (from the Evil Dead series) -- After returning to the world following the events of the Army of Darkness, Ash thought he was getting a promotion in S-Mart. Instead, S-Mart was sold off to the Wal*Mart Corporation. Watching the TV on that same day, he notices a new exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in New York City...that includes the Necronomicon somehow. Not knowing how this happened, Ash goes to the City to warn the Mayor of the dangers and the possible threat of the Deadites.
• Casey Jones (from TMNT) - Picture this -- the Turtles are drawn into an alternate dimension akin to feudal Japan in TMNT 3...imagine if they never returned. Being that kind of guy, Jones takes matters into his own hands and begins combing the streets of New York for crime. As a former superhero, Hundred could relate. He finds Jones one night and stops him in his tracks saying, "How'd you like a paycheck for your troubles?" Jones officially became a minor member in Hundred's staff.

I had so many ideas for this -- at one point I was thinking about an entirely non-magical, no super powers team. Here's some random ideas that I ended up not including

• Xander Harris (Buffy)
• Bruce Wayne (Batman)
• Hank Morgan (A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court) - Somehow wakes up to find himself in a bed in modern New York City.
• Ralph Nader - We all know he's not a real person
• Longinus - According to legend, the man who pierced the side of Christ. Also according to legend, he can't be killed unless he finds the Spear of Destiny. He's tormented internally as he knows there's a God, but doesn't quite care for Him as God killed his family and forced him to live forever unable to be happy.

Chaos Diamonds 3

I forgot how much I enjoyed reading Chaos Diamonds 3, a detailed fan comic involving Sonic the Hedgehog characters in a very different way than you've seen them before. If you enjoy some ridiculous webcomics, Sonic the Hedgehog, and enjoyable, action packed storytelling then check it out. Worth a read...despite starting off slow. It picks up...quickly.

The Emerald Reich

I began writing a fan-comic script entitled "The Emerald Reich" about a crazy alternate, darker Sonic the Hedgehog universe more akin to "Other-M" than most other Sonic comic books. It was set in the following scenario -- the Sonic Adventure games happened in the real world whereas Sonic, Robotnick, and company all came from an alternate reality that's a modified version of the Archie/SatAM version of "Mobius," a darker place with robotic monsters around every corner and a floating island nation full of echidnas.

The problem? I couldn't draw. So, here comes the first three sections of the script. I'll post more if anyone actually cares to read it.

Part 1: The Scheme
(Robotnick sits in a small, unadorned room. There is a metallic door and a large desk where he sits. In front of him lay the plans for some sort of robotic creature device).
Dr. Robotnick: (The doctor presses a button on the desk and says into the intercom)
Snively, come here
Snively: (He enters the room saying) Yes, master, what is it you need?
Robotnick: I have a plan, it will take time, but once it begins there shall be no man or beast that could stop me.
Snively: (Grinning) Perfect master, what does this plan entail?
(Dr. Robotnick presses a few buttons on the desk, a screen comes down from the ceiling. Zoom in on the screen which shows Kodos in a dark cell with one of the E-100 units moving past it in a corridor)
Robotnick: (Back to showing Robotnick) First, we will be needing the hide of (pointing at the screen and you can partially make out Kodos looking upwards) that. (Show Robotnick turn around in his chair and face Snively) I have a use for it. (Show Robotnick’s face with an evil grin) All else we’ll need are the usual robots and the Master Emerald to power my city, and I can wait for that (Robotnick laughs maniacally, standing. As he stands you can see the plans were for a robotic creature, an outline of which surrounds it, it’s shaped like a large feline creature).

Part 2: The Meeting
(You see a tapestry showing two Echidna’s standing with fists out in front of a large emerald, one is blinded and holding an olive leaf, the other is muted and holding a sword)
(Zoom in on Knuckles with a gavel in hand, with the tapestry behind him. He is dressed in a suit with a red tie, adorned with images of chaos emeralds here and there)
Knuckles: Order, Order I say!
(You pan around to see an entire room filled with echidna’s in similar dress sitting around a table. The echidnas seem to be in some sort of discussion, they calm down after his comment)
Knuckles: We were talking about the Chaotix and our part in their existence. The Chaotix is a unit that I had formed, a team of creatures of all nations whose sole purpose was to protect even when others could not. Protection is what this nation was founded on, protection of the emeralds, why is protection of the remainder of this world so different. If the emeralds are to get in the wrong hands, it would be devastating to all of us.
(An echidna stands; he is a dark orange in coloration and has a grey tie. He has a small, neatly trimmed mustache and has a small pin on his suit-coat, his name is Cain)
Cain: If I may speak, Mr. President.
Knuckles: By all means, Senator Cain.
Cain: Thank you. Our nation is, as you’ve said founded to protect the emeralds. Before we even dream of focusing on anything else, we should focus within. We should protect the emeralds first and foremost.
(A cheer of ‘Here here’ comes up from the crowd)
Knuckles: Ignoring the danger of Robotnick is pointless.
Cain: (Tensions are beginning to build) Robotnick has no need for us; he wants to destroy the nation of Acorn, not the floating island.
Knuckles: (A vein appears to become more prominent in his head) I have seen this man firsthand, he will come for us, and he will destroy many in the process and I do not want to stand by while that happens.
(Another echidna stands)
Echidna_2: Pardon, Mr. President, but is it even our place to step in, in these foreign affairs. Acorn’s war against Robotnick is his, not ours.
(The crowd of suited echidnas begin to rise up, arguing)
(Knuckles pounds his gavel)
Knuckles: Silence! (All are quieted and sit) We have a motion on the table. The motion reads, “We the members of the Angel Island House of Guardians do hereby move to sever all official ties with the fringe organization known as the Chaotix.” It has been written up by Senator Cain, is this motion seconded.
(A random echidna rises saying ‘Aye’)
Knuckles: All in favor. (Pan around, showing hands raised) All opposed. (The same type of pan). Abstention? Motion passes 23-14-3. I will send a message immediately to the Chaotix, telling them of our decision. (Knuckles shakes his head)

Part 3: The Freedom Force
(Sally and Sonic are seen walking through a large door. Behind them are Antoine and Tails. Zoom out so that you can see them in the grand throne room of King Acorn).
Sonic: (Narrating) King Acorn had summoned us in that day, a day I won’t forget.
(The four of them reach up to the front and King Acorn comes down from his thrown to greet them)
Acorn: Ahh, welcome. You all wonder why I have sent for you.
Sally: Yes, I do and what is this I heard about you dissolving the Freedom Fighters?
Acorn: Yes, all in due time my child, but first I must say that Sally will no longer be leading any Freedom Fighters. (Acorn is holding Sally by the shoulders) Since it is the 18th year since your birth, (He lets go) you must finish your training as Acorn Royalty first and foremost.
Sally: Father?
Acorn: There is no debating this. You have been a warrior since you were 13, it’s time you learned how to be a Princess.
Sally: (shook her head in anger and then stomped her foot as she said indignantly) But who will lead the Freedom Force, surely you are not dissolving the organization?
Acorn: (The King walked away from Sally and towards Tails) Of course not, Miles?
Tails: Yes, your Highness?
Acorn: (The King puts his hand on Tails’ shoulders) Miles, will you kneel before me. (Tails kneels and Acorn pulls out his sword, placing it on Tails’ right shoulder and moving it towards his left shoulder saying) I dub thee Sir Miles of Acorn and I ask you to rise. (Tails stands back up smiling) Sir Miles, I now grant you full control of our elite, the Freedom Force. I trust you Miles and wish you luck.
Tails: Thank you, your Highness. I shall not fail you. (Tails walks out of the throne room).
Sonic (Narrating) A lot of changes were made that day. (Show Antoine bowing before Acorn) Antoine was placed in charge of the Royal Army. (See Acorn’s arm on Sonic’s shoulders) And I was to direct the two forces and a third one, a Secret Service.
(Sonic looks confused)
Sonic: Secret Service? What do you mean?
Acorn: (Calls to the shadows with his hand) Come over (Looks back to Sonic) I am establishing a secret service, a reconnaissance based group for my kingdom.
(The robed figure is next to Acorn who is pointing, Vana White style)
Acorn: Sonic, I’d like you to meet the head of our secret service (The robed figure begins pulling back his hood and we pan to Sonic’s face which has a look of shock)
Sonic: You? You’re…alive?

Crisis of Infinite Me's?

In an attempted spoof on the Crisis of Infinite Earths, I decided to remake myself...in each of the many infinite Earths. Here are a few silly examples --

Earth 1 – Matthew Newman – b. 1953 – Matthew Newman was born of Howard and Cindy Newman, country folk from the capital district of New York State. He was the eldest of four children; Emily (1955), Alex (1957), Anna (1960). In 1970, Newman decided he would attend college. He told his parents that he would pay his own way through it entirely and he did, incurring a great deal of debt as he got his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Newman was picked up straight out of college in 1974 by General Electric’s new silicone plant in Waterford, New York. He quickly flew up the ranks and by 1978 was manager of half of the factory. In 1976, Newman married his college girlfriend Jennifer Brandice, a native New Yorker who studied teaching at Russell Sage College for women.

In 1980, Newman was approached by the Republican Party in Waterford. They needed a bold candidate for City Council, one who would resonate as a hard working gentleman. They felt that Newman fit that description. He ran against 4 term incumbent John Baldwin and beat him by a two percent margin. Newman served for 4 years and was asked by the GOP in Waterford to run for Mayor, he accepted. His hard working appeal continued to do him justice, sweeping him into Office in 1984.

After serving for a term and a half, Newman quit his job at General Electric officially and ran for State Senator in 1990. He fought a difficult primary match-up against local-boy Joseph Bruno and won by a hair. He took the Republican and Conservative lines. Using both lines to his advantage, he swept into office by a larger margin. The State Senate was an interesting place for Newman, who was not used to the politics on a State level. He found himself more at odds with the Republican Party with each passing day as the memory of Rockefeller was ringing true making many Republicans act more and more like the Democrats. In 1994, George Pataki was running for Governor of the State of New York, he claimed to be a strong conservative Republican who would push for tax-cuts. Also running was wealthy businessman Thomas Golisano. Both men promised tax-relief and both men promised a more conservative agenda. Staying true to his party, Newman backed Pataki and was tapped as such to be his Lieutenant Governor. With the power of Newman from upstate, they defeated Mario Cuomo in quite the upset election.

Newman served as Lt. Governor and watched as Pataki’s views shifted from the Conservative he claimed to be to a more liberal candidate. In 1998, Newman had enough and challenged Pataki to a primary for the Conservative and Republican lines. Thomas Golisano was planning to run once more and surprising most of the State of New York, backed Newman helping him garner the support of the third largest party in the state, the Independence Party. Newman fought a hard primary, defeating Pataki on the Conservative line and barely losing the Republican line. Democratic challenger Peter Vallone attacked Pataki, citing the division in the Republican Party as proof that he did not have what it took to be Governor. Newman kept on issue saying that Pataki failed to cut taxes and failed to bring about the smaller government agenda he promised. The election was one of the closest in New York State history -- Pataki 35.09%, Vallone 28.80%, Newman 35.23%.

With this victory in hand for the conservative movement in New York, Newman pushed for lower taxes immediately. He cut spending everywhere in his first attempt at the budget leading to strong opposition within the Republican ranks who had supported Pataki in 1998. He barely got a budget passed in 1999 and in 2000 the State Government shut down for 3 days before the legislature was forced through the media frenzy to support Governor Newman’s budget. Over the course of 2 years, he cut spending 25% and in his first week in office cut out 10,000 state jobs.

Newman continued his large-scale cuts all across the budget throughout his first term in office. In 2000, he stayed out of the Republican primary saying, “I pray that whomever is elected is a truly conservative choice who plans is serious about cuts government spending.” He spoke to uproarious applause at the Republican National Convention. Disappointment struck the Republican Party with the election of Vice President Gore in 2000.

In 2001, tragedy struck in the wave of a terrorist attack on New York City. Citizens of New York became global citizens, Giuliani became America’s mayor, Newman became America’s Governor. He forced a small enough budgetary increase to pay for the rebuilding of the City and sent in a portion of the State Militia, which had begun being rebuilt in 2000. In 2002, Newman was easily reelected taking nearly 60% of the popular vote and taking the Republican, Independence, and Conservative lines.

In 2004, the Republican Party needed a strong candidate for President. They found that in Newman. He challenged everything Gore stood for ranging from his response to September 11^th to his failure to act on the growing problems with Iraq and Iran. Newman ran a fiery campaign with maverick Republican Senator John McCain as his running mate. He defeated President Gore by 1% of the popular vote and by capturing the State of New York.

Newman is the current President of Earth 1.

Here's another --

Earth 3 – Matthew Neuman – b. 1962 – Neuman was born in the New York of two Soviet spies, Svet-lana and Siergei “Neuman.” They had survived being ousted in the nation after McCarthy and had remained hidden in New York as parents of two children, Emily (1960) and Matthew, they went by the names of Howland and Cindy. The two taught their children to speak fluent Russian and English. In 1971, the couple was found and forced to flee back to the Soviet Union. Neuman, a fast and nimble child, was taken in by the KGB. He was trained as a child in the art of combat while learning about the menace of America and other problems in the world. Neuman became the perfect member of the KGB and at 17, he was dropped into Afghanistan. He was sent on a mission to assassinate the current leadership. He was armed to the teeth, but was sent alone.

He was quick to the task and within a week returned to Moscow a hero inside of the KGB and unknown outside of it. He led troops across the Soviet Empire and in 1985; he was promoted within the organization. He was a quick learner of the politics of the KGB and by 1990 was second only to the head of the Soviet Empire. Yet, in 1992 that Empire fell. Neuman went into hiding for 5 years and in 1997 appeared in the People’s Republic of China. The government used him as a consultant for their secret police and, despite his Russian heritage, he was treated with a great deal of respect. He served in that position until 2000 when he was found by the Russian government. They forced the Chinese to hand over Neuman to the United Nations who put him on trial for crimes against humanity. With no proof of his wrongdoings, as the bulk of KGB documentation relating to Neuman had been destroyed, he was released in 2002

He joined the Russian Communist Party and attempted to help their candidates. In 2003, he took a bullet for their Presidential candidate. This was his last act of patriotism for the Soviet cause, for the bullet killed Neuman.

American Gods - A Review

I read American Gods a while ago, but haven't gotten a chance to review the book. Since I have a literary blog now -- I figured this was the place to do it.

American Gods is the fourth prose novel written by Neil Gaiman -- the fact that it's his fourth has nothing to do with its content as the book has nothing to do with his previous works. American Gods chronicles the story of a man named Shadow after he leaves jail, discovers his wife's infidelity, and gets picked up for seemingly mob related work by a man who calls himself Wednesday. This leads to all manner of strange adventures involving gods worshiped from all over the world -- and the modern gods we have created through the worship of such things as money, the internet, and television.

The book gives an interesting idea on religion, whereby gods exist merely because we believe they do. It's a concept which is delved deeply in most Dungeons and Dragons campaign worlds, and other fictional, polytheistic worlds, yet not one we discuss in reality.

The book is written beautifully providing wonderful imagery, incredibly interesting characters, and an engrossing plot which makes you want to read more. Anyone looking into a darker book with an engrossing story involving classical myths and religions, look no further; it will not disappoint.

Church of Lucifer

In 2002, I took a class entitled "Introduction to Monotheistic Religions." In said class, I learned from a purely historical perspective the histories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and how the three were spread. I have always been fascinated with alternate history, including the works of Harry Turtledove -- as such, I decided to combine my newfound knowledge into an alternate history timeline. The product? A chronicling of the foundation of a church devoted to Lucifer beginning in the Beth El around 200 CE. Here is a small biography of the founder of this fictional church --

Beelzebub Timothy – 158 – 215 CE – At age 40, Timothy had a torrid love affair with an Arab woman, cheating on his current wife. She was appalled and left him after discovering this. He could not understand why she was upset; he was only showing his true joy and love of mankind. He decided that something wasn’t right in the way people thought. So, after this experience, Timothy went into the desert alone. While out meditating, Timothy of Bethel met with Satan - Lucifer told Timothy to follow his ways and he promised to teach Timothy the ways of the world – Timothy listened and assumed the mantle of Beelzebub Timothy – He constructed a temple in the town of Beth El to Lucifer in 200 CE – he began preaching his word and gained a small following. By 210, most of Beth El attended the Lucifer cathedral – Beelzebub Timothy trained 3 successors, one to take over in Beth El and 2 to spread the faith. In 215 CE he died of internal parasites, but his faith lived on.

Next comes a few passages I created from the "Luciferite" holy text --

“…(12) And Cain took his brother Abel (13) saying, ‘Look Lucifer what I give unto you. (14) I would sacrifice my only brother, (15) the only sacrifice I could find befitting your glory. (16) You who was denied by Yahweh, (17) the Immortal Dark One, my divine inspiration. (18) I choose you as my Elohim, Lucifer (19) For ever and always’…”
Book of Cain 2:12-19

“…(4) [A]nd Lucifer spoke unto Timothy saying, (5) 'One day, my chosen people shall rule this Earth entirely. (6) This world will be ours. (7) Follow me and I will give you more than life eternal, (8) but eternal power, a true kingdom in this world.’
(9) Timothy smiled at this and bowed before his rightful master…”
Book of Timothy 3:4-9

To follow will be the entire timeline as I had developed it about the history of the church and how it impacted the other major monotheistic religions in the area --

~200 CE – Temple to Lucifer was founded by Beelzebub Timothy in Bethel – his new religion was founded. New beliefs – Lucifer is the one true god and all should bow before him. Yahweh of the Jews and Christians had exiled Lucifer because he did not understand Lucifer’s ways. Major ideals – 3 Laws of Lucifer

1. Obey Human Laws
2. Worship Lucifer and Lucifer alone
3. Disobedience of these first two is punishable by death or torture

The followers of Lucifer are awaiting the Apocalypse when their Dark Prince will reign on Earth as the King of Kings
215 CE – Beelzebub Timothy dies – Beelzebub Arafat takes over
250 CE – Luciferism has spread across the Middle East – 4 major temples – Beth El, Damascus, Sidon, and Antioch. Christian church in an outrage – calls Luciferites “…foul demons”
260 CE – Riots by Luciferites in Sidon call for freedom of religion and speech
Riots crushed by Roman guards
261 CE – Paul Il Diablerie – 1st High Priest of Lucifer – “Descendent of Cain” – name changed to Beelzebub Paul I – helps to collect “holy” scriptures in Damascus – story of the creation, similar to Genesis – includes Lucifer’s descent from Yahweh’s paradise and the creation of his own
Story of Cain’s sacrifice of his brother to Lucifer and includes lineage of Cain down to Timothy– Collection known as “Book of Books”
Many Jewish clergy and people flee to Egypt – are not initially accepted
262 – Jewish temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans
Diaspora – Jews spread throughout Europe, Russia, and Asia
280 – Jewish communities begin to form in Egypt – some locals begin to convert to Judaism
303 – Beelzebub Timothy and Beelzebub Paul I made saints by official Lucifer church – Saint Timothy and Saint Paul
304 – Beelzebub Anachus as High Priest – calls for Luciferite army to develop in order to protect the faith from others – official Holy center for Luciferites become Beth El
310 – Lucifer High Temple built in Beth El atop the original temple – a new temple is built in Jerusalem, some say over top the old Jewish temple.
Jewish High Priests from old temple hide in Ethiopia and Egypt – Official sources unsure which group took the Ark.
311 – Lucifer church’s religious army takes over Beth El and overthrows Roman rule – Rome fights back with outside troops, but the Lucifer troops, fighting a defensive war win the conflict and by the end of the year, Rome grants the city self-governance – does force them to give a tithe to Rome, for fear of more casualties the Lucifer church accepts this
313 – Edict of Milan – Christians are given toleration in Rome
315 – Lucifer church in Beth El begins to expand the army – all males in the city are forced to join the army – Holy duty – other followers of the Lucifer faith are asked to go to Beth El and join the army – by 318 the army measures in the thousands.
323 – Christianity becomes official Roman religion – Rome decides to purge Beth El of its “Heathens” – plans an attack for the following year.
324 – Roman troops attack Beth El – heavy casualties on both sides – Lucifer army comes out the victor – begins to expand Beth El
325 – Rome fights back against Beth El – pushes them back into the city – In May a small guerrilla unit, calling themselves the Fist of Saint Timothy, catches the Roman troops in their sleep – burning the encampment killing many – The conflict continues on that year – eventually, the Romans pull from the area when Germanic nomads began to invade parts of the Northern Roman Empire.
350 – Beth El expanded massively – large amounts of land in Middle East are taken – as far north as Damascus and as far south as Beer-sheba – Jerusalem has been taken in this processes
400 – Europe was Christian – few sects of Luciferites in modern Italy, France, and Belarus – Middle East split in thirds, between Christian, Jews, and Luciferites
Rome falls from power, Eastern Rome/Byzantine Empire established
410 – Lucifer Army invades Constantinople - Byzantines fall in a lengthy battle to Lucifer Army, known as the “Flaming Truth”
Byzantine Empire ruled by Orthodox Lucifer faith – theocracy for next 10 years
420 – Byzantine/Lucifer Empire becomes “Dominion of the Dark Prince” – Elhard Judas becomes first Emperor of the Dominion – taking over above the Church, says that he rules because Lucifer willed him to rule.
Lucifer cleansing – begin to seek out and destroy all non-Lucifer churches in the Dominion.
422 – Europe – Holy Roman Empire – former Roman armies rise again – Based in Rome
- Recreate Roman Empire – take Italy, and begin to purge the land of Lucifer churches
430 – Holy Roman Empire completed – from Portugal to the Ukraine under the Christian
Roman Banner – Begin the move southward towards Constantinople
Major Jewish settlements exist in modern Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, and other parts of Northern Africa
431 – New Jewish temple built in Cairo – Jewish faith is massive in Egypt and the Jewish population is just growing – Lucifer followers in hiding in Europe – All European Lucifer temples destroyed
432 – Beelzebub Ali – High priest in Beth El – visits Jerusalem – attacked by Jewish mobs – mob put down – Priest Ali barely escapes
440 – Egyptian/Jewish settlements all along Nile attempt to unite – New Israel – loosely bound together, basically by faith and trade Beth Shalom (Western Yemen) founded – Hebrew nation
442 – Holy Roman Empire takes England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland
Dominion invades Beth Shalom – Hebrews use guerrilla tactics – Luciferites make headway, take heavy casualties
443 – Dominion gives up their invasion after massive loss
Beth Shalom begins establishing laws of conscription
445 – “Beelzebub” Sergey Trotsky founds Lucifer church in Moscow – new Russian sect arises
470 – Russian Czar’s rise to power – Czar Nicholas I – Christian
Dominion attacks Holy Roman Empire
Egyptian Israel founded as nation from Mediterranean to the southern border of modern Egypt – very organized – builds army to protect its western border and trade
480 - Romans pushed into Turkey, but are pushed back – all battles take place here during the next 10 years, very little headway is made on either side – Constantinople/Lucifre is destroyed – Christians Bishops from area fled to Moscow
490 – Romans push down through Constantinople/Lucifre down into the south of Turkey and deeper into the Middle East
501 – Nomadic invaders from modern Pakistan/India area invade Dominion – Germanic Nomads attack Holy Roman Empire – ravages through the countryside raping and pillaging. Order is destroyed – 2 empires fall – feudal, local rule begins to develop out of fear of the outside world – Indian Nomads eventually settle in modern Turkey, Germanic Nomads settle into modern France – bring new customs to old traditions – variations of Christianity and Luciferism arise

• Aryan Sadism – from the Indian Nomads mixed with the Luciferist faith – adds the ideas of reincarnation to the table – the only way to end the horrible cycle of reincarnation is through faith in Lucifer – there are other gods out there including Vishnu and Yahweh, but Lucifer is the only one with power over reincarnation
• Germanic Christianity – Added a few pagan holidays into the mix of the usual customs of Christianity at the time, did not last too long, in some parts of France these holidays are still celebrated to this day

502 – Europe falls into feudalist state – as does most of the Middle East/Turkey
Beth Shalom begins a Golden Age – develops new technology
Czar begins to expand Russian territory
504 – Beth Shalom/Egyptian Israel trade creates strong ties – Sinai Peninsula – many small, feudal, Jewish communities arise
520 – Feudal lords in modern Iraq and Iran attempt to form a unified state – form Persia for a time – very loosely bound federation
550 – Beth Shalom builds massive sailing vessels – sends one into the Ocean, first voyage
552 – Vessel returns from India – some new spices and items – a new language is brought as well - Urdu – new trade routes beginning between India and Beth Shalom
560 – King of Scotland, Wilem, converts to Christianity after meeting with missionary – spreads it through his lands
580 – Loosely bound Persia falls
600 – Beth Shalom – spreads to all of modern day Yemen and Oman
611 – Mohammed begins to receive his visions which would later become the Koran
630 – Mohammed’s followers enter Mecca – Islam officially begins to spread as religious movement
630-661 – Islamic religion spreads as Islamic Empire spreads, based in Mecca – takes most of middle east by force – does not spread into Africa due to blockage by Egyptian Israel – in this time period, Egyptian Israel flourishes
632 – Mohammed dies
641 – Islamic Empire invades Egyptian Israel – gets pushed out easily by organized armed forces in Egypt – Egypt remains a free Jewish state
645 - Beth Shalom attacked by Islamic Empire – slowly crushes the small state – war of attrition ends by the end of the year – Beth Shalom falls and religious toleration for these Jews is granted
651 – Koran published officially
Koran’s take on Lucifer and the Luciferite community --

• “… [T]he Dark One is not to be followed. His evil is equaled by none and his lust for souls is great. Those who praise this false lord are damned, both in this life and the next…”

680 – Still a large Luciferite population living under Islamic rule, especially in areas such as modern Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria
700 – Luciferites rebel in Jerusalem, Damascus, and Beth El – Lucifer locals overthrow Islamic forces – regain local control – new “Flaming Truth” Army begun in Beth El by Beelzebub Paul II
Islamic Empire moves troops from these areas, build up on borders
710 – Islamic Empire stretches as far east as Pakistan/India area
Islam begins to spread into modern Turkey, Empire does not spread that way
750 – Aryan Sadists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Pagans in modern Turkey begin to look outside their feudal boundaries and trade begins between city-states
Modern Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and certain parts of Saudi Arabia under Lucifer occupation – based in Beth El – law mandated by clergy
750-800 - The Abbasid Dynasty rules the Islamic Empire
752-800 – Abdul Dynasty rules the Lucifer Empire – Rule with an iron fist
754 – Egyptian Israel becomes republic
755 – Reign of Demons in Lucifer – other religions stamped out – churches destroyed
762 – Abbasid’s move their capital to Baghdad
770 – Islam on the rise in area of former Beth Shalom – Judaism still holds its ground and remains the major religion in the area
774 – Egyptian Israel begins trading with China
775 – Jews in “Beth Shalom” granted local rule by the their own clans by the Islamic Empire
780 – Hebrew reformation – synagogues in southern Egypt begin restructuring ideals – some areas sanction modifications to Kosher including the allowing for eating of certain pork products – begin translating Torah into local languages including Arabic, Aramaic
800-900 – Islamic Empire attacks the Abdul Dynasty – battle ensues for the next 100 years between the two of them – during war flourishing of culture and religion like never before in this area – many pieces of literature come out of this time – much is lost in later centuries – “Beth Shalom” area comes to the aid of the Islamic Empire, defending their rulers.
850-855 – Egyptian Israel falls into civil war between northern more orthodox Jews and the southern reform counterparts – war ends with southern portion winning – take over republic’s government and allow freedom of interpretation of Jewish law – Judaism divided between Orthodox and Egyptian Reform (usually just called Egyptian)
860 – Egyptian Israel sends ships across Mediterranean into France/Spain area – found small colonies
870 – French locals living near colonies attack the Egyptian settlements – fighting ensues – Egyptian Jews fended back by locals
880-911 – Viking attacks at their peak in Europe
900 – War ends between the two Middle Eastern empires - both are in ruins – feudalism arises in the Middle East Universities begin to sprout in Egyptian Israel
900-1200 – Agricultural advances – rebirth of towns and trade in Europe
920 – More people from Egypt enter Europe – Judaism begins to spread
950 – Universities begin to sprout in Europe – a few in the Middle East
953 – City States sprout in modern Yemen – primarily run by Jewish tribes, allow minor religious tolerance.
967 – Fatimites invade Egypt, take control of lower region
969 – Fatimites/Egyptian War ends – half the former Egyptian Israel under Fatimite control – Fatimite Judaism begins to form, combination of their local traditions and Judaism.
970 – Second Islamic Empire forms, based in Baghdad moves westward.
980 – New Lucifrite Dynasty forms, keeps to itself around modern day Israel, capital in Beth El
982 - 985 – Second Egyptian Civil War breaks out – Fatimite Egypt and Israeli Egypt war until 985 when both sects are crushed – fall of Egypt into feudalism/tribalism
984-986 – Lucifer/Islamic War, ends with fall of small Lucifer nation, fall of Beth El
1000 – Lief Erikson discovers America
Islamic Empire moves into Indian Subcontinent
1005 – Loosely bound Turkish clans invade Baghdad destroying Islamic Empire capital
1006 – Aryan Sadists and Hindus in India fight back – push back Islamic forces

Modern Templars

In late 2006, I became fascinated with the Knights Templar, as such I began coming up with ideas as to how the Templars would exist in modern times, additional militant religious organizations, supernatural monsters, and about other ideas surrounding the Templars. These historical ideas I built were to be used as the foundation for the story of one specific Templar I was creating. To follow is a minor history of the current organizations --

Templar Knights – The Templar Knights are the remaining body of the former Knights Templar. Founded in the 1100s, the Templars exist to protect Christendom. In 1314, the organization was destroyed by the Pope leading to a separation of the Templar Knights from Rome. Since then, the Templars went underground, protecting Christians across the globe as renegades. The Grand Master sits in charge in Jerusalem and coordinates most efforts from there. They exist to protect Christendom from any of the forces which threaten it – from the mundane to the supernatural.

Knights of Peter of Rome – The KPR are a Catholic monastic order which defends the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholics internationally. Lacking a militant monastic order, the KPR were founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II. Since then, the KPR have protected Catholics internationally from non-Christian attacks and the supernatural.

The Brotherhood – A coalition of vampires, primarily the spawns of Dracula himself. The following is a list of the High Council of the Brotherhood –

• Alucard (1322) (Transylvania, Romania)
• Carnot (1321) (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Yoshimi (1521) (Osaka, Japan)
• Jonathan Herring (1492) (New York, USA)
• José Gomes Maciel (1506) (São Paulo, Brazil)

Dracula has been considered dead since 1720 when combined KPR and Templar forces destroyed his fortress in Transylvania. The Brotherhood has a longstanding feud with both organizations for that very reason.

Oracles – The Oracles are an organization of those who watch. They are a secret organization which observes all that occurs on the Earth and keeps an intricate history of every single event which ever occurred in world history.

The Young Brigade – Founded by Brigham Young as a protectorate of the Mormon people in 1850, around the time of the great Exodus of the Mormon people to the Utah territory. The Young Brigade, or the “Youngsters” as they are occasionally referred to by outside groups, continues to defend the Mormon people. The traditional head of the LDS Church is the Supreme Commander of the Young Brigade. Currently, the Young Brigade is composed of 5,000 people primarily located on North America with many bases in Utah and portions of Mexico.

The Hebrews – The Hebrews are a coalition of like-minded Jews from across the world who are prepared to defend Israel to the death. They pushed the Zionist movement from day one, and have currently infiltrated all of the major parties in Israel. Their stance is that Israel is and always has been the Holy Land for the Hebrew people – it should return to such today. The organization was founded in 1900 in Jerusalem and has since spread throughout the world. The most secretive of the organizations, the Hebrews are hard to number as their official numbers are never kept in any centralized location.

The Swords of the Prophet – The Swords of the Prophet were established in 1178 by Saladin, as a secret, but militant arm of the Islamic people. This group sought to take down the Christian Crusaders through guerrilla forces. Their tactics invoked terror into the hearts of the Crusaders and led to many victories on the side of Saladin. In 1190, Saladin claimed to have no connection to the organization and condemned their attacks – a few years later a truce was signed ending one of the many Crusades. The organization continued to this day, secretly controlling most of the Islamic terror organizations in our modern world.

Here is the biography of the new character who would be the main focus of any Templar based stories I would develop, Sir Caleb of Albany --

Born – June 11, 1970; Albany, NY, USA
Parents – Jonathan and Jessica Smythe
Languages – Fluent in English (American), Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Russian, French, Spanish, German, Arabic
Bio – Caleb Smythe was born in Albany, NY in 1970 of Jessica and Matthew Smythe. The Smythe family were Christian fundamentalists who in 1975 traveled to Jerusalem to worship with services of the three major Christian Patriarchs of Jerusalem. Jessica and Matthew left Caleb in the hands of a friend of theirs in Jerusalem named Bethsheba and visited the Church were Catholic Patriarch Beltritti, was supposed to be visiting that day. Beltritti never arrived, but Palestinian terrorists did, bombing the building and instantly killing nearly all people within.

At 5, Caleb was alone in the world. For the next five years, Bethsheba raised him as his own, teaching him Latin, Greek, and Hebrew in addition to keeping him physically fit. In 1980, Bethsheba brought Caleb to a place she referred to as the Temple of Jerusalem and introduced her to her master – Sir Galahad VII of Jerusalem – the current Grand Master of the Knights Templar. Galahad took in Caleb and over the next ten years trained him in combat, world history, Christian theology, and language.

In 1988, Caleb was dubbed Sir Caleb of Albany, becoming the tenth American to be a member of the ranks.

The Trial of Jesus

Originally written in late 2004, last edited on January 16, 2005. This is the modern story of Jesus of Nazareth, NY and his trial, if that's what you wish to call it. Beware, I never claimed that I could write fiction --

And He just sat there, unmoved as the prosecution began their case.

“Members of the jury, we have before us a deplorable citizen. The State brings this man before you on three separate, yet equally despicable crimes. “First count, tax evasion. Second count,” the prosecutor said putting more emphasis on each consecutive word, “terrorist threats to destroy a designated house of worship. And thirdly,” he takes an overly dramatic pause for emphasis, “Treason!

“Members of the jury, it is your duty as citizens of the United States of America to condemn this man, thank you.”

“Do you have anything to add?” Judge Pilate said to the accused. He just looked up at Pilate, and stared blindly with a strange smirk on his face. He shook His head and whispered, “No, he may speak as he will of me.”

“Proceed,” said Pilate.

“Thank you, your Honor,” the prosecutor said. “The state would like to call their first witness to the stand, Mr. Judas Iscariot.” Judas arose from the crowd. He had sat himself away from Mary and the eleven in an aisle seat in front. Judas could not bear to face them. Not now, not as he walked to the stand about to condemn their master to death.

Judas placed his hand on the Bible, right hand raised, and gave his word that he would not lie. The whole time, he starred at Jesus. He could not keep his eyes off Him. That sad, pathetic man, he thought. Why has he allowed himself to be condemned? Why? It did not have to be this way, but it is far too late now. I will speak my part as I have been asked.

Judas took his seat.

“Mr. Iscariot, how long have you known this ‘Jesus’?”

“About three, maybe four years, Sir.”

“What was your initial opinion of him?”

“He was different, he was unlike any other person I had met in my entire life. He cared not for himself or what became of him. He had no house to call his own, no job, when I met him. He was homeless and penniless, yet a deeply spiritual and intelligent man.”

“And now?”

“I am not sure what exactly to think of this man anymore.”

“Judas, do you mind if I call you Judas?” the prosecution asked, with obviously no intent on receiving an answer, “Why did you decide to aid in turning this man into the authorities?”

“Everything had gotten out of hand. He began to talk of a Kingdom of Heaven, himself as the Messiah or as the king of all mankind. It all became frightening, it was a lot different than before.”

“Interesting. Now, Judas let’s begin to talk about Jesus’ individual crimes. Tell me about his tax record.”

“What record?” Judas said, “He has not paid any taxes since he stopped working for his father.”

“Really, never paying any?”

“Not a one, he never appeared to spend any money actually, not sure.”

“And what of his comment about Albany’s beloved temple?”

“Well, Jesus said that the temple will be destroyed and…”

“He said destroyed?” the prosecutor cuts off Judas.

“Yes, destroyed.”

“The state is finished with him, your Honor.”

“Anything from the defense?” Pilate asked. He gave no response. “Fine, Mr. Iscariot you may return to your seat.” Judas sulked down from the stand. “Any more witnesses for the prosecution?”

“No, your Honor, the prosecution rests.”

“Anything from you, oh silent one,” the Judge said to Jesus. He just sat there, looking up at the Judge. He shook his head.

“You don’t even attempt to defend yourself?” Judge Pilate was confused.

“It is His will, and not mine,” Jesus said.

“All right, fine,” Judge Pilate looked around at the crowd, then at the Jury, and finally at the condemned. “In my mind, Jesus, you are probably an innocent man, but it is their will,” pointing to the jury, “not mine.

“Members of the jury, take into consideration everything when you go into deliberat…”

“There is no need, your Honor,” the foreman said, cutting the Judge off, “The Jury has come to a unanimous decision.” Judas couldn’t bear any more of this. He stood up and walked out of the courtroom.

“Um, all right,” Judge Pilate was in shock, “What say you?”

“In the case of Jesus Smith of Nazareth versus the United States, we find the defendant, Jesus, guilty of all charges brought against him. We also would like to ask, no beg the court, to have this man executed for his treasonous ways.” A chant then arose from the jury, and soon the crowd followed. “Execute him! Kill him! Execute him! Kill him!”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” the crowd continued to chant as Pilate spoke, “surely this man should not be executed. He may be a bit outlandish in his claims, but surely this is not worthy of execution.” The chanting continued, growing louder and louder, one could barely hear their own thoughts over this frenzied mob.

“Order!” yelled Pilate, “I will have order in my courtroom.” The chanting began to die out. “I will send this case and this man before Governor Herod to see what his opinion on the matter is. If the Governor gives the ok, then I will continue to discuss this matter of execution.” And with that, Pilate smacked his gavel against his desk.


Jesus was brought before Governor Herod in his private office. He was tossed into the chair before his desk, shackled arms and legs. His head hung down.

“So, you are the Jesus character that everyone’s been talking about,” Herod said, in the most condescending way possible. “You’re the one that has all of the state frenzied. You’re King of mankind?” Jesus looked up, but did not say a word.

“So, the strong, silent type I see. Mr. ‘King of the World,’ do you know why you are brought before me? I am to decide whether execution is a fair punishment for you. Doesn’t that upset you?” Again, he sat there quietly staring. “Again with the silence. I do not understand you. Do you even care if you die? I think you do.” No response. “I cannot believe that you would just sit there as I speak with you,” the governor began to raise his voice, “Do you not fear my wrath? The State has convicted you of treason, a crime for which I can allow you to be executed. Don’t you even care at all?”

Jesus sat there quiet and still, it began to frighten Herod. “I’ve read your file. I know the case. You are a pathetic little man. Answer me. Don’t just sit there as I yell. Defend yourself, boy!” Herod began to scream. Outside the room, Judge Pilate and the few guards became unnerved. Never had the governor been so violent in his speech before. “Jesus, you have been convicted as treasonous,” regaining his nerves, “I can not help you, especially if you do not speak with me. I have all the power here, Jesus.”

“You have no power, you have no control,” Jesus said, “Everything has been decided already.”
“Finally you speak; but speaking in riddles will not help you. It has been decided that you are guilty, I will not deny that or grant you pardon. You may be executed, if Judge Pilate deems it so. Your crimes are enough to warrant it. Be gone, Jesus, get out of my sight.” At that the guards entered into the governor’s chambers and escorted Jesus out. They were followed by Judge Pilate. He was breathing heavily. This frightened him; he had never been put into a position like this. This sad, but obviously innocent man was convicted and it was his job to sentence him. He could not sentence him to death, he was sure that he could not do it.


Judas ran from the courtroom. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He ran away from the building as far away as he could. When he looked around he found himself in the park. It was quiet there, the media was at the trial of Jesus, and many people were outside to hear of the verdict. “Why did you let this happen?” Judas cried to the heavens, “He was innocent. Why did I do this to him? Why did you make me do this to him?” He threw down his wallet and kicked it. “All the money in the world would is not worth this, for my hands are stained with his blood. The money is stained with his blood.” Judas fell to his knees and looked up. “I know you can’t hear me, but forgive me, forgive me…” With that Judas began to sob.


“So, the King is once again a guest in my courtroom, you may all be seated,” Judge Pilate said. The crowd took their seats, Jesus remained standing. “Jesus, your record is here before me. You have been convicted of three high crimes. The governor himself has given me the power to execute you. The crowd and the jury both want me to. What have you to say for yourself, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Jesus looked up at him and stared. He said nothing.

“Why do you continue this silence? I know you can speak. Your followers would all say that you spoke at length about God, life and the treatment of others. You have even spoken of yourself and the temple. Yet you cannot speak of the most important thing that has ever come to pass in your life.”

And Jesus said, “Nothing is more important than the Lord, not even my life.” The crowd began to bustle with noise.

“Not even your own life. You would lay your life on the line here, Jesus? Your life sits here in the balance, and yet you do not even begin to attempt to help yourself from all this. I’m not sure whether to admire your bravery or scoff at your insanity.” Pilate paused for a moment, as the crowd began to chant their death call. “Execute him, kill him!”

“Again, the crowd calls for your death,” the chanting becomes louder. Mary put her head down and sobbed; Jesus’ mother puts her arms around the girl. “You can not help but wonder why they wish for your death.” Once again, the chanting becomes louder, as does Pilate. “Why do you wish for his death? Why? I see no harm in this man. He has done no wrongs; no murder no thievery, nothing!” The chanting grew in magnitude, and Pilate’s voice grew with it. “You! There is no helping you. It has come down to this one moment, Jesus. It is life or death for you, and I cannot decide.” The crowd roars violently for Pilate to kill Jesus.

“I can not help you, Jesus. You have been tried, and you have been found guilty of all these crimes against the great State of New York. I will not put you to death though,” He points around at the crowd, “You people have. I wash my hands of your blood, Jesus. You will be executed tonight, for it is the will of the Jury and this Courtroom.” Pilate slams his gavel into the table and Jesus’ head sinks.


“Why have you allowed this to happen, Jesus? Why?” Judas screams. He throws down a bag and draws from it a rope. He begins to tie a noose. “How’d you let these things get so out of hand? It could have been fine. We could have helped all mankind. It did not have to end this way, my friend.” He puts the noose around his neck and swings the other end over a tree branch. “Lord, forgive me for what I have done to your beloved. I have caused the death of your beloved,” tears streamed down Judas’ cheek. “My beloved friend.” He climbed the side of the tree and tied the knot into his rope. “Jesus, forgive me for killing you. Forgive me for killing me.” Judas said as he looked up to the sky. Judas is on the top branch. He jumps. His body falls and swings limply on the tree.