The Tales of Sol 33 By Joe at3unit3@yahoo.com
This my second attempt to write so please tell me what you think. This is a fictional story it is not intended to imply that any of the celebrities mentioned are homosexuals. If you are not old enough to read these stories do yourself a favor don't get caught. The same goes for those people whose countries have these sites made illegal. And for everyone else enjoy
Captain Planet and related characters was created by R.E Turner and copyright by AOL Time Warner Company and Trademark by TBS Productions
Babylon 5 and all related characters and props were created by Michael Straczynski and copyright by Warner Bros.
Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount
Transformers and all related characters, and props are trademarked by Hasbro inc. Copyright Rhino Home Videos and AOL Time Warner Entertainment CO
He-Man, She-Ra, related characters, and props are trademarked by Filmation 1980's
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
To those who've been reading Tales of Sol. I want you to know that while there is sex in this story. That is not is sole purpose and yes I do hope the sex sense makes you all hard and gets you off.
Sol is an adaption from my childhood favorite show Captain Planet and the Planeteers, The cartoon showed us that the world can be a better place if we took a few moments to care for it.
Tales of Sol is meant to express hope.
It is also shows how music can have an impact in our lives. While I don't know if my favorite bands 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys or Nsync have ever read this. They saw me through some of the hardest moments of my life and offered in their own way hope. To them I say thank you.
I dedicate the Tales of Sol to all of my brothers and sisters of the US armed service past, present, and future.
I like to thank my friends who I had the privilege showing these chapters with. They helped with editing and inspiration,
John Rivera, Albert-Russ Alan Rivera-Odum, Derbe.D. Hunte Yvette Ortiz Samuel Diaz Jr for all their help in Making The Tales of Sol an enjoyable story to write.
And I have a few other names starting with the beginner of this universe James the author of Tales of a Real Dark Knight. I still hope to reconnect with you dear friend and all the rest of this series.
Blake the author of Tales of a New Phoenix
Jeremi author of the Tales of Young Mutants
Please remember to Donate to Nifty
And now without any further ado I give you the next chapter of Tales of Sol.
The Tales of Sol 33 The Pie Piper
I woke up the next morning a little disburbed by Gaia's message last night about how Jeff and I are not to walk the same path. That Destiny had someone else in mind for the both of us. My movement was enough to wake Jeff "Morning Love," Jeff whispered
Leaning over I kissed him "Morning sweetie,"
Jeff kissed me back. He seemed to sense my hesitation "Is there anything wrong?"
I shook my head, "No love, this whole business with the Jester is getting to me, I really wish I knew who he was and where in the hell are those kids he kidnapped," I replied.
"I found out from Gaia last night that time is growing short on stopping this court jester," I stated as we got out of bed and jumped into the shower we didn't have a lot of time to play, Jeff and the rest of 98 Degrees were needed down at the studio. They still had several concerts including the Mutant Awareness Benefits, Jake and I also had to leave for the Geo Plant. So we got done in record time.
On the drive Jake noticed my somber mood "Mike what is it?"
"I am not sure Gaia talked to me last night and it left me very disturbed," I answered
"Is it about this case?" Jake asked
"Partially we are running out of time, but that is not what got me worried," I responded
"What did she say?" Jake requested
"That Jeff and I are both destined for another," I sighed
"Is she not happy with you being with Jeff?" Jake asked
"From what she says that the person meant for me is the Key," I told my dear friend
The expression on Jake's face was unreadable. Before we could go further the Geothermal Plant's main gate was coming up.
"I hope your employer will be okay with me tagging along," Jake said squirming in his seat.
"Dave isn't the problem it is that prig of a watcher," I grumbled
"Mike we both have been around such yutzes but I know that is not whats bother you," Jake asked
"Sorry I am wrapped up in something that is now starting to really get to me," I told Jake
"What is going on?" Jake asked
"For the last week Dave, and I along with the Slayer and her Watcher have been trying to track down almost 300 missing children," I answered
"All these fabulous power at my disposal and I can't even find 300 children," I huffed
Before Jake could respond we came up to main gate of the Geo Plant where Luis was posted
"Hello Mr. Pennock," Luis greeted warmly
"Hello Luis this a dear friend Jake Morow," I introduced
"Greeting Mr Morow," Luis greeted
"Greeting Sir," Jake returned
"How is your wife and child?" I asked
"They are doing wonderfully thank you for asking," Luis was now beaming with gratitude.
"That is wonderful," I responded after Luis let as in I parked the Ram in my spot. Jake and I made out way to Stella's desk "Morning Stella,"
Stella bubbly responded "Mike and who is this?"
"Stella this is a dear friend of mine Jake Morow he surprised me with a visit last night," I introduced
"And how do you two know each other?" Stella asked
"We served in the Navy together our command VFA 20 a F/A-18B squadron we were deployed on the USS Carol Vinson," I answered
That set Stella at ease "This knucklehead was driving me nuts the whole time him and his obestions with those boy bands alway playing their music," Jake laughed, regaling her in some of our adventures at sea.
"And I had to keep this one out of trouble every time a cute girl crossed his path," I countered in jest.
The red hue around Jake's cheeks reminded him of his many misadventures. This made Stella snicker as we went back and forth trying to embarrass the other.
Getting tired of blushing I asked Stella to give Jake a visitor's pass and told her Dave was expecting us.
We left the security desk and made our way to Dave's office just as a board member was exiting The stocky man with salt and pepper hair lumbered out of the meeting he smiled when he saw me, "Morning Mr. Pennock," the man greeted
I was finally recognised the gentlemen, "Good Mr. Maverick," I returned the salutation
Mr. Maverick walked on as Jake and I walked into Dave's office. Dave was sitting in his chair smiling up at us "Dave Matthews this is my dear friend and squadron mate Jake Morow,"
"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Morow,"
"Likewise Mr. Matthews,"
Dave and Jake shook hands "I understand Mike is bringing you into our inner circle?"
Dave said knowingly
"He is, not sure why," Jake responded
"I have learned the hard way, to trust Mike's intuition, he has been more right then wrong," Dave smirked
Jake snicker "I had to learn that lesson too Mr. Matthews,"
While Dave and Jake talked more, I moved to Dave's desk and picked up one of our daily reports, and saw that Jared was once again returned to the jail out of precaution. I just growled if I could catch this Jester I could make sure Jared was freed.
I must have made a noise. Jake and Dave looked at me "What is it Mike?" Dave asked
"I see Jared is back in jail," I growled in disgust
"Why is this guy in prison to begin with?" Jake asked just for clarity
Dave and I filled Jake in on everything up to up to this point. From Jared attacking Dave which surprised at how I handled the situation "I am surprised you let him off so lightly," Jake confessed "That is because the reason behind it was something much more disturbing," I answered.
I told him about Sarah and how she is missing and how it led to us finding out that she was just the tip of this preverbal iceberg. We discovered that in the last four months over 300 children have gone missing. Jake just whistled now that he had a better idea on what happened to Jared.
"Gaia had told me that something like this had happened many times before and that our Folklore and Fairy Tales were the key," I told Jake as I continued to bring Jake up to date from how I fought off many kidnapping attempts including the one Jake had witnessed
"You knew that idiot was connected to this absurd kidnapping?" Jake gasped
"They all had the same MO they were all lumbering oafs who had intelligence to match," I stated
"That guy you help stop definitely fit that description," Jake agreed but everything dealing with our Jester from the random kidnappings to what he witnessed at the hospital.
I growled thinking about Jared and how I failed him being unable to figure this situation out.
"Yes but not for anything bad Jared is now a key witness to what happened, and Chief Rodgers felt it was the best way to protect him by making sure it looked like he was there because Jared attacked me," Dave spoke
That didn't make me any happier "If I could stop this bastard Jared would have his sister back," I snapped at no one particular
"Mike, you do know that you have been on this case for less then a week and have done more then anyone had in four months?" Dave reminded me
Before Dave and I could say something Jake said something under his breath I turned to him "What was that Jake?" I asked
"I was just thinking about, and don't ask me why, but I was just thinking about that folklore the Pie Piper," Jake said sheepishly
Dave and I just stared at each other "Why the hell did we not even think about that one?" I gasped
The awestruck expression on Dave face as he came to the same realization he quickly told his staff that he and I were not to be disturbed
"We need to get to the Lair pronto Jake you might have just be on to something," Dave said, pushing us both to the hidden subway.
We got to the Lair a few moments later. I was once again reminded about how cramp things are getting, Dana and Blaylock were on the line with the Watcher's Council. But with Jake Morow joining we were getting a touch cramp. "Those runes are indeed spells of protection and there is no way that Guardian would been able to see them but he would have felt the atmospheric disturbance," I saw the unknown Watcher report
"Can we break it?" Dana asked
"We are working on it right now,' The Watcher answered
This was the perfect time to interrupt, "While you are at it look into the Legend of the Pie Piper," I decided to interject.
From the look on all their faces that name struck more than one nerve.
"For the love of God!" The Watcher nearly screamed
"Why the hell didn't we think about him?" Dana gasped
"I was just as skeptical, I wasn't entirely sure this was mystical in nature, but this definitely fits his MO," Blaylock shook his head
"We can thank my good friend Jake Morow," I indicated Jake walking meekly into the tight Command Center. I watched as Jake and Dana gave each other a once over.
Dave picked up on the most important word, "MO, so you have had dealings with him?" Dave asked
On the monitor the Watcher nodded, "We have had some dealing with him many years ago but couldn't stop him,"
This brought me up short "You had some dealing with this lunatic in the past?" I asked
Dana and Blaylock nodded in grim acknowledgment.
"Many years ago there was a string of kidnapping just like this one in Paris France," Dana answered
Dana suddenly remembered the conversation we had with the Pie Piper, "It also explains how he knew I was a Vampire Slayer,"
"Now that you bring him up we can see these kidnapping more clearly, but unlike the computer virus Pie Piper used different methods in France to kidnap children, however we were never able to find where he was because of those protection runes prevented our seekers from finding him," Blaylock answered
"That just the last time we had any dealing with that joker but he has been doing this for centuries," The Watcher in England remarked
Shaking her head Dana in agreement, then grumbled, "We have records that date back hundreds of years,"
"This all started in that German Village 300 years ago. and every three to four years he comes out of hiding and starts kidnapping children. God why didn't I think of that?" Dana cursed
"Gaia told me this happened once before and there was a connection to our fairy tales I just didn't think about the Pie Piper either," I growled
"Gaia was absolutely right," Blaylock agreed
Dave spoke, "So how do we stop him?"
Before anyone could answer Jake asked "But why is he doing this, in the story about the Pie Piper it was because that king wouldn't pay him for getting rid of the rats that Piper took the children away,"
"We never were able to understand his motives," Blaylock answered
"From what he tells me the Piper is taking those kids to Never, Never Land or close it it," I answered
"For what reason?" The Watcher asked
"The Piper view the corruption in this world as justification to kidnap children and to shield them from it," I reported
"Guardian that is the most we've gotten out of that lunatic then in previous encounters," The Watcher confessed.
Blaylock grumbled, "So he thinks he can shield children from the reality of an unjust world?"
"It is more than that, but he is also preventing those children from living up to their potential and he can't shield them from their destiny," I simply said
"I am not going to argue that point but we need to put a stop to his madness," Dana said
"I have to ask how long do we have to stop this?" I shook my head "Because Gaia also said we are running out of time,"
That caught everyone attention "This has been going on for at least four months," I said
The Watcher shook his head "Those kidnapping all happened with in a four month period,"
"Why is that?" Dave asked
"We never figured out but we think it has something to do with phases of the moon," Blaylock answered
"In a few days we are going to have a new moon," I pointed out
That got everyone attention again "That was when all the kidnapping stopped," Dana said all of the sudden
"So we have till then to save these kids from a maniac who has been apart of their fairy tales," Jake said the obvious
I sighed and then left the Command Center, I left the Lair completely and left for the surface. I found myself by my construction project opening the hangar doors. I walked the new sections creating doorways and staircases as I moved around.
At the moment I felt retrospective, I was trying to figure out where I missed this?
"You didn't Mike," I turned to see Gaia standing in her spirit form before me
"Gaia, why couldn't you have told me sooner, that I was dealing with the Pie Piper that would save me and everyone a lot of trouble," I asked as my voice echoed off the empty floors and walls of my reconstructed hangar.
"The Pie Piper's legend was one of a person trying to do good but got cheated and he in turn got revenge," Gaia reminded me
"I get the story Gaia but it would have been more helpful before hand to know who I was dealing with," I complained
"In this case it wouldn't have Mike even I can't see into that fake world he has created," Gaia informed me
"You did tell me that a look into our fairy tales would lead to the answer so you knew something," I countered
"Even I wasn't sure of who he was but the pattern you found in those kidnapped children led me to suspect him, The Pie Piper myth was the closest I had to an answer for you," Gaia informed me
"The Pie Piper has managed to hide even from me, Mike whatever magical or other means he uses he has hidden even from me," Gaia informed me
"Those runes he has been using have prevented you from seeing this loon?" I asked
"Just as you were unable to see them so was I, The Pie Piper maintains that realms with a keystone that also prevents me from seeing what is going on in his world," Gaia informed
I stared out to the grassy field that made up the Lair's surrounding.
This used to be a nuclear missile silo. It was often hidden in plain sight never really thought about unless some sort of disaster caused it to be noticed.
"So what was it that brought this lunatic to our attention?" I asked
"You are just invisible to the Pie Piper as he is invisible to you, it was really that assault on you employer that set this in motion," Gaia stated
"Why did it take me four months to piece this together? It shouldn't have taken Jared attacking Dave to bring this to my attention. What is the point of having all these powers if I can't see a problem of this scale until it is almost too late to do something about it?" I grumbled
"It is not too late Mike you found out exactly at the right moment," Gaia smiled
Gaia returned to Hope Island and I went back to working out my frustration
"Dave said I would find you out here," I turned to see Jake walking through the hangar,
"What brings you up here?" I asked
"I am not sure why I am even here Mike? I mean you are a superpowered crime fighter, you have a vampire slayer as a friend even your employer is a former crime fighter who helped finance this base which is runned by a super computer you built," Jake remarked
"Yet it took you six seconds to bring up the Pie Piper someone who has managed eluded even the Spirit of the Earth for centuries," I pointed out
Jake was silent for a few moments then he looked around, "What is it you are doing up here any way?" He asked
"The Lair is getting a touch crowded so I have been working on a expanding the base a touch more," I answered
"You are converting this old aircraft hangar into a new base for your purpose?" Jake gasped
"Exactly and with my frustrated with this whole Pie Piper ordeal this is one problem I can fix," I confessed
Jake looked around, "So the man who saved me, who saved our ghost brothers is having trouble understanding this fairytale come to life?" Jake remarked
"Essentially yes," I said as I held out my hand to create an opening that would house the elevator shaft.
Jake gasped "You can created with but a gesture a hole in this building and you have doubts about how to handle a man dressed up like a court jester?"
"It is not the same thing Jake," I sighed
"Mike you are rebuilding this place with aid of your planet can't you fight this goof with the same help?" Jake wondered
I looked at my friend and smiled, "This is why you are here my friend,"
Putting the last touches on the reconstructed hangar, once Jake was clear I closed the hangar doors.
"So when do you add this to the rest of this base?" Jake asked
"I still have to raise the command module and move everything over to their new locations inside the hangar then I will sink it back underground," I answered
"The whole thing?" Jake asked
"No the top level of the hangar will house the Command Center," I stated
"That is where all those large bay windows are," Jake noted as he pointed at them.
"And I will sink the hangar up to them," I said as we both went back inside the Lair.
"Now that you have that done, what are you going to do about it ?" Jake inquired
"About the Pie Piper the first step is to find out if it really is him," I answered
We got back to the Command Center Blaylock and Dana were still conferring with the Watcher's Council. "Now that we see this for what it is these kidnappings are become clearer,"
"But is it him?" I demanded
"You are casting doubt now?" Blaylock demanded
"I am filled with doubt but you have said this madman has been eluding you for years and he has been alluding Gaia for centuries. How do we know that we are dealing with the real thing?" I reminded them
"He has eluded the Spirit of the Earth?" Dana gasped
"Those protection runes shield a person from being seen remotely and that would have made him invisible to Gaia as well," the Watcher on the monitor reminded us
"So while we know of the Pie Piper's history do we know it is him?" I asked
"What you say makes absolute sense," Blaylock reluctantly agreed with my assessment
"Did you get any kind of image of him?" Blaylock asked
"We did," Dana reminded me
"BEATTI did you record our little chat with that joker?" I requested
"I did," BEATTI reported and the video replayed we watched as the pencil thin man surrounded by henchmen
I demanded, "Does he match anything in your records?"
The Watcher looked away and of all people to answer Travens stepped in "Guardian while you were asking that sensible question," Travens shot Blaylock a hard look, "we too were searching our archives and that image not only matches who we encountered in Paris France but he matches the original image of the Pie Piper we had to ask some friends of ours who witness his madness once before and they confirmed it,"
Dave stepped in "So now we know the Pip Piper is not just a fairytale what do we do?"
"Pie Piper has managed to stay a step ahead of everyone except for Mike," Dave pointed out
"He is still ahead of me Dave I still don't have all the puzzle pieces and we still don't know what he is using to maintain his little world, and quite frankly we don't know what he does to those children when they start to grow up," I reminded my mentor
Travens came back and said "Our magicians believe he is using some kind of gem or talisman to create the protection runes it is possible that if we can find and destroy it we could stop the Pie Piper,"
"That is what Gaia said, she informed me that it was also blocking her, not that even she could make sense of his warped mind," I offered
Blaylock remarked, "I can't say that surprises me who can understand this madman?"
"But didn't the Pie Piper have some kind of flute he used to hypnotize the children?" Jake asked
"That was part of his gimmick," Dana remarked
"But if he was using magic even then he would have had to come up with something to get those children out," Dave guessed
"What did he use to escape you last time?" I asked
Travens remarked "We weren't able to find his hide out until it was too late and he spoke in Latin then he and his portal disappeared,"
"What do we need to do to stop him?" Jake asked
"We are looking into it," the Watcher answered
"How about we call it a night and start fresh in the morning," Dave suggested
"Dave we don't have a whole lot of time to waste here," I reminded my mentor
"The new moon isn't for a few more days we will find something before then but we aren't getting anywhere at the moment," Dave countered
Travens agreed, "Let us do some more research over here and we will let you know,"
We all left for home leaving BEATTI to monitor everything.
Please remember to Donate to Nifty
Please tell me what you think at3unit3@yahoo.com
I also recommend the following stories it was because of them I got into writing in the first place.
"Tales of a Real Dark Knight" by authorjames
"Marvel Knights" also by authorjames
"Tales of the New Phoenix" by Blake
"Tales of a Superhero Band" by Leo
"Tales of a Young Mutant" by Jeremi
"Tales of a Thunder God" by Tony Justiss