Hour Of Darkness
Chapter Sixteen, Cry Baby Cry
Ringo curled up into a little ball of misery, trying to protect himself in the slightest against the rain falling in sheets. He had never felt so weak, so sick…
…and so alone. Oh, so alone.
John…Paul…George…where are you when I need you? Ringo thought, slowly losing hope. Insane, disturbing thoughts began to wreak havoc on his tired, drained mind.
Are they ok? Paul and George…did they land in the right spot? The dreams I had…they both died…are these visions true? Did I just kill two of my best friends? Ringo choked, the memories of his disturbing dreams forcing themselves back into his mind. Screaming at George to land, to escape the thing…holding Paul as the very life drained out of him, John and George's accusing stares…
Ringo sobbed, shaking his head wildly to clear it of these visions in the cleansing rain. The rain was falling in sheets, and Ringo was soaked to the skin. He moved every limb of his body, slowly and gingerly, trying to take his mind off the frightening dreams. To his amazement, everything responded as it should. Ringo sat up ever so slowly, dragging himself to an upright position using his hands and elbows. He gently pulled his knees up, testing their strength. Feeling a bit sore, but nonetheless whole, Ringo tucked his feet under himself and pushed himself up a little higher to a kneeling position. Then, with a laborious grunt, he stood up straight.
Somewhat cheered by the returning of his energy, he took a few tentative steps, dragging his feet on the bare earth that was quickly turning to mud in the driving rain. At first the ground was only slick, the rain almost comfortable, removing the dirt and grime of the past days from his hair and clothes. Soon, however, the rain worked the dirt into a thick, brown mud. It eagerly sucked at his feet and ankles, and Ringo found himself having to labor in order to walk just ten feet. The thickening mud required much energy to walk through; energy he didn't have. He slowed to a stop, looking at the mud disapprovingly, trying to think. The edge of the mountain was only about ten or fifteen feet away, but Ringo wasn't making very fast progress; the mud was making faster progress, he noted bitterly. It was oozing up around his ankles, and soon his shoes were no longer visible. Ringo started to panic, trying fruitlessly and frantically to dig himself out. The mud only slid back into the holes faster than he could dig, his hands sore. It continued to rise, up to his knees. He stopped for a moment, trying desperately to think of an escape route.
"Ok, so I survive an energy drain to be suffocated in mud?? No thanks!" With renewed strength, Ringo slammed his hands into the mud, calling on his severely depleted energy. With a bright flash of crimson, the mud splattered every which way, sizzling and frothing at the magic that had upset it. Ringo immediately called on his reserves again, barely able to launch himself in the air enough to fly clear of the seething mud. Ringo landed on his back with a disgusting splat nearby, covered in mud, but at least he was out of the quicksand. Luckily for him, the two spells he had used to blast himself free hadn't required enough strength to deplete his energy drastically, but he still felt like an alcoholic with a severe hangover. Stumbling over to a conveniently flat-surfaced rock, he lay down and was soon asleep.
****
Karine moved to stand in front of Paul, inspecting him as she had George. She ran her hands through his longish dark hair, felt his arm muscles, ran her fingers along his cheekbone, all the time nodding to herself.
"Yes, he is also an excellent specimen," She said quietly, as if Paul were some sort of animal in a lab. "Paul, transform."
Paul did as he was told, and soon a large wolf stood in place of John's friend. Karine ran her hand down his spine, feeling the texture of his coat. "Very excellent indeed."
My GOD Karine! I thought you wanted to help me! John spat, his heart aching at the betrayal. Karine gazed at him, no emotion evident in her blazing eyes.
"John…"
Don't "John" me! I don't give a flying fuck what you do to me, but leave them alone! God damn it, why don't you just zap Ringo over 'ere to our wonderful little party and be done with it! John regretted those words as soon as they left his lips. Karine gave him a surprised look, hand in mid-stroke of Paul's velvet ears.
"Is that so? Rin…Ringo? What a bizarre name…who is this…Ringo?" She asked, interested, leaving Paul to face John.
No one. He's me imaginary friend. John replied sarcastically, folding his hands over his chest defiantly. He was mentally kicking himself over and over for giving Ringo away. Me and my big mouth…
Karine stared at him blankly, then slowly closed her eyes. John watched uneasily as she began to hum, concentrating deeply. She slowly brought up one hand. "Your friend's life signs are quite low…but distinct since he is not of this land." She snapped her fingers thrice, John wincing inwardly at each one.
A moment passed, and John began to believe that perhaps she couldn't summon Ringo. Or…he was…but John didn't want to think about that. He shifted nervously, waiting for something to happen, but Karine remained silent, standing perfectly still.
Ringo appeared in a burst of light, curled up and covered in mud. His hair was matted to his head, his shoes and most of his clothes soaked and dirty. He looked a sad sight, and all of John's hopes died in his chest at the sight of poor Ringo.
Ringo lifted his head slowly, blinking sleepily. He took one look at Karine and shuddered. John would have laughed in any other circumstances. Ringo sat up slowly, staring wide-eyed at his new surroundings. He saw George and Paul, both staring straight ahead. He followed their gaze to where John stood alone.
"What's going on? Where am I? JOHN!" Suddenly seeming to grasp that John was the only friend in the vicinity, Ringo leapt up, racing to his side. He embraced John, and John didn't seem to mind that Ringo transferred half the mud to his formerly clean clothes, a half-smile of hope on his features. John held him at arm's length, staring into his baby blue eyes.
Ringo, put up your defenses.
What? Ringo slowly caught on, replying in mindvoice.
Quick! She can take over your mind! Just look at Paul and George! You have to be ready!
I… Ringo swayed, and John caught hold of his shoulders.
Ringo! Stay with me, lad!
I'm trying, John…I'm so weak… Ringo's face twisted in pain, but he concentrated as hard as his dwindling energy would allow, trying desperately to keep out the black cloud that was forcing itself into his mind. As John held Ringo, he could hear everything that was exchanged between his friend and Karine.
Come along, Ringo. You are tired. I can give you rest.
Forget it.Ringo shot back, leaning heavily on John. John smiled.
John is nothing. I have so much more power than he! He has lied to you.
What…? No, he…
Ringo, don't listen to her! John butted in. You know she's lying!
Even now he deceives you, Richard. Karine pulled out his real name, knowing it would have more effect. He knows your weakness. You are too kind, Richard. It is your nature. Come with me. George and Paul have already seen what you are about to see.
I…won't…listen… Ringo went limp in John's arms. John shook him roughly, but Ringo didn't respond.
Ringo, dammit, you can't do this! John cried, on the verge of tears. Ringo! Ringo, listen to me! Ringo brought his head up, his eyes glassy, but still a reassuring blue. John regained some hope, hope that he and Ringo could fight her together...
But then, to John's utter shock and horror, Ringo abruptly brought up his hand and shot a fireball right into John's chest.
John flew to the edge of the courtyard, his back slamming into the stone wall with a bone-jarring impact. He slowly slid to the ground, staring speechless at the gaping wound in his chest. He lifted his head laboriously, gazing with already glassy eyes at Ringo, his friend, his band mate…
And his murderer.
…who now held no sympathy in his blazing crimson eyes. He was just like the rest. The rest…
John grew terribly weary, the life draining out of him at a rapid pace. He could just barely hear Karine and Ringo despite his fading consciousness.
"Ringo, my dear, was that really necessary?" Karine said, sounding amused.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty." Ringo's eyes blazed. "I couldn't stand the sight of him."
"No matter. I have no more use for that one. You three will do just fine. His defiance was getting tiresome. Mystique!"
"Yes, mother?"
"Take care of that, will you? We have no more use for him."
"Yes, mother."
Mystique quickly ran to John's side. John stared at her with glazed, unseeing eyes.
How…how could you let…this…happen…
There is no betraying the Dark One. Mystique replied simply.
Everything faded to red…then black.
On To Chapter Seventeen!
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