![]() | ![]() |
––––––––
A frantic Thanos runs and dives into the water. Finley's shell turns over, he slips into the sea and disappears. As Thanos swims, he changes into the large shark with the star symbol above one eye.
Brandon hops off the table, hurries behind Derek, circles his finger, then rushes behind Sean, circles his finger at the chains as they slip off.
Derek eyes pop open. "How the hell did you do that?"
Brandon grins. "It's something I've been working on."
"You have any more tricks up your sleeve?"
Brandon smiles, points, "Derek, go."
Derek jumps up, runs down a trail.
Brandon continues, "Swords in place Sean?"
Sean pats under the table, "Swords in place boss."
Brandon turns to the women. "Girls, are you ready?"
Arianna glances at Jessa and Treena, they nod.
Derek returns and drops berries in front of Brandon, Sean and his seat.
Brandon picks one up, holds it out. "Down the hatch boys."
Each slide the berries into their mouths and swallow.
Sean pumps his fist, "By the time they come back, we'll be ready to kick some butt."
"Let's just hope they work the same as they did with the pirates," observes Sean. "if not, we fight with our natural skills."
Brandon turns to Derek. "Then we could be in trouble. How long ago did you coat my sword with the berry juice?"
Derek checks his watch. "We have one hour left."
Brandon grins, "We are team Mission Impossible."
"And what is that you speak of?" asks Tina.
Sean smiles. "It's a movie honey...a movie where the good guys win."
Glaucus, in his underwater cavern, sits on his throne, eyes closed, trance like.
His eyes pop open as he stands. "It has begun. Lisette, bring me my armor."
In the waters of the cavern inside Atargatis Island, Annabelle sits on a huge seahorse. She holds her hands out as Finley swims to her. Thanos, now a large shark, swims furiously toward the two of them.
Finley reaches Annabelle as she grabs him and slips him into a harness she wears. Surrounded by four dolphins, they bomb away like a speedboat through the tunnel to the open sea. The water brightens as the tunnel ends and they enter the surrounding waters. Ahead of them, five sharks block their exit. Annabelle slows, each direction blocked by a shark.
Thanos has turned from a shark into a merman and approaches a helpless Annabelle.
He stops in front of her, stares for a bit as he shoots her an evil eye. "I warned you about interfering Belladine."
"You cannot do this Thanos, you will destroy all that is good on this earth."
"It will lie upon Kreios to decide what is good and what is not. That decision is not mine...or yours."
"You lie Thanos, when you are done with him he will only be a puppet to your wishes."
"Why Belladine, you give me way too much credit." he holds his arms out. "Hand over the child."
Defiantly, Annabelle wraps her arms around Finley as Thanos overpowers her and wrestles the baby away. As he swims away, a shark swims like a torpedo to Annabelle, plunges into her and the seahorse. Both are knocked through the water where they float, unconscious and helpless.
A second shark swims to them, mouth wide open for the kill. At the last moment, two dolphins blast into it's side, paralyzing him.
All four dolphins place themselves in front of Annabelle in a protective shield formation. The sharks snarl but follow Thanos back into the tunnel.
Thanos holds Finley as he steps out of the lagoon water and trudges to the table. Four men, dressed in ancient Greek attire, emerge after Thanos, follow him and surround the table. Brandon and the others still sit where they were before.
Thanos stares at Brandon. "You will learn to accept what is destined."
Brandon snarls back, "And you will learn that one's destiny can quickly change."
Thanos waves to his men. "Lock him back in his place and find his dagger."
Two move to each side of Brandon. The first man bends down to check Brandon's feet. Brandon grabs his head and smashes it against the table. The man collapses next to Tina.
The second man grabs Brandon from behind, Brandon jumps up, somersaults behind the man and smashes his head into the table. The man collapses next to Treena.
Sean and Derek stare in wonder at Brandon.
Sean exclaims, "Who the hell are you?"
Brandon puffs up, exclaims, "I am the trouble you fear, I am the fear that troubles you, I will smash..."
"Okay Tarzan, enough." says Derek.
Brandon points to the swords as Sean and Derek quickly slide them from under the table. As they do, the third and fourth man pull swords from their sheaths.
Thanos sets Finley down, slides his sword out and points it at a fast approaching Brandon.
Brandon's sword is stained light red with berry juice from the tip to twelve inches in. He points his sword toward Thanos. "Are you confident enough to fight with no magic? Or do you lack the skills to duel with me?"
Thanos grins, "You fool! I need no magic to defeat you. You are a weak human, weak in every way." he pushes his sword toward Brandon. "It is now time to prepare for your death!"
As Sean and Derek clash swords with the other two men, Brandon and Thanos swing away at each other. Brandon holds his own. Thanos, a bit surprised, grins.
"I see you ate the berries and your sword is prepared for my death. Berries or not, it will be your life, not mine, that ends here."
They continue to pound each other as they move, swing and battle around the area. Brandon pauses, "Not that I need them against you."
The two fallen men next to Tina and Treena stir, they start to stand. Both Treena and Tina simultaneously grab the heavy bowls in front of them and smash them into the men's heads. Both men drop as the girls high five.
Arianna waves her hands to the girls, the chains drop from Treena, Tina and Jessa. Treena grabs Finley from the shell and starts to run into the woods.
Thanos and Brandon both see her run at the same time as both pause their battle. Thanos slides a knife from his waist and before Brandon can act, hurls it at Treena.
Brandon screams, "Nooooo!" as he helplessly watches the knife. As if in slow motion, the knife spins and hurls toward Treena and buries itself in her shoulder. Treena drops several feet from the dining area, careful to cushion Finley.
Arianna, Tina and Jessa rush to Treena. Tina comforts Treena as she rubs Finley's head.
"Pull the dagger from my back, I must finish what we started."
Arianna refutes her, "No Treena, we can keep him safe."
Treena, resolved, shouts, "Give me the dagger...now! It must be done!"
Hesitantly, Tina slides the dagger from Treena's shoulder as Treena grimaces in pain. Treena gently lays Finley on the ground as Tina hands her the dagger.
Derek and Sean both have their opponents pinned to the ground, sword tips indent their necks.
As Brandon watches Treena fall, he goes a bit berserk. He doubles his blows on Thanos, who retreats to the water's edge. As Thanos backs up, Brandon swings upward and knocks Thanos' sword from him. Thanos is shocked as he backs up a bit more.
Treena rolls onto her side, raises the dagger high in the air.
Brandon raises his sword for the kill.
Thanos cowers. "Stop! We can work this out!"
Brandon grins. "That's exactly what I'm doing!"
Brandon slams his sword down on Thanos but before it reaches him, Thanos is jerked backwards, flips in the air and disappears under water. Brandon's sword slashes into the water as he scours the area for Thanos.
Treena plunges the dagger downward but at the last minute, Jessa grabs her arm and stops her.
Treena moans, "Noooo! I must do this!"
Jessa blurts, "Thanos has fallen!"
Treena glances at Jessa as Brandon runs to them, kneels next to Treena. "Are you okay Treena?"
"I'll be fine." Treena answers. "Is it true Brandon, has Thanos fallen?"
Brandon, still a bit short of breath, replies, "I think so, he disappeared into the water."
Treena drops the dagger, cradles Finley as tears fall. "My son...my son."
Arianna helps sit Treena up, then pulls a small cloth pouch from her pocket. She sprinkles powder into her hand and spits on it.
Brandon makes a face. "Eewwwww, nasty."
Arianna smiles, "Shush." and rubs the spit and powder together. She rubs it on Treena's wound and in a very short amount of time the wound disappears.
Treena smiles. "Thank you mother."
Brandon says, "I could make some money with that back home. Arianna, you think I could..."
"No...I think not."
They all turn and stare at the lagoon as bubbles rise and pop on the water. As they watch, the bubbles get bigger and bigger. The water swirls as the giant bubbles pop and produce huge waves and swirls.
Brandon wonders, "Oh no...what now?"
Treena glances at Brandon then back at the water. "He is returning."
Before anyone can act, Glaukos lunges from the depths of the water, waist high. He glares at the group, reaches under the water, yanks Thanos up and holds him by his pants in the air.
Derek glances at Brandon, "Get ready to fight the jolly green giant."
As the guys stand and raise their swords, Arianna waves her hands for them to stop. They lower their swords.
A dripping Glaukos sludges to the dining table, drops a lifeless Thanos onto the ground.
Arianna approaches Glaukos, stops in front of him and smiles. "Glaukos, it has been many moons. How are you?"
Glaukos bends down, pecks her cheek with a kiss. "You look as lovely as ever my dear. Time has been good to you." he pauses, "May I see the child?"
"Of course, let me get him."
Arianna approaches Treena, puts her arms out as Treena squeezes Finley.
Arianna smiles, "Give me the child...Glaukos is an old friend."
Reluctantly, Treena hands Finley to Arianna. She approaches Glaukos and gently sets Finley in Glaukos' outstretched arms.
Glaukos grins. "So this is the savior child. He's such a pretty little baby. You're so pretty aren't you? Talk to me little man." Finley coos and gahs at a smiling Glaukos. "Great Zeus can that boy smile. What's that you say?" asks Glaukos, who holds his ear close to Finley. "Yes. Yes. I know you really like me." Glaukos beams at the others. "This is one smart child!"