Masks, A Gold Digger Halloween Story, By Mario "mdg" Di Giacomo With assistance from: Heidi DuMont Jason Low Russell Gaskin ATLANTA 10/29/00 9:30 AM It was a quiet Sunday morning at the Diggers compound. Gina had commandeered the kitchen at dawn, and was well on her way to her 23rd tray of her infamous Pecan-Pumpkin Cookies. "Only another 17 to go," she sighed, wiping a dough stained wrist on her forehead. Brianna had barricaded herself in the high-energy physics lab. Based on the way the lights flickered, she was probably up to no good. Gina kept a careful eye on the digital readout on the oven. If the temperature wavered too much, the cookies would be ruined. "Maybe I should bring up the backup tokamak..." she thought, sliding another tray out of the cavernous oven. "Hiya Gina!" Britanny chirped, stretching her arms over her head. Stripe entered behind her, blinking away the last shreds of sleep. "Cookies!" Brit squealed, dashing for a tray. Gina shielded the tasty morsels with her body, wielding her spatula like a fencing foil. "I (jab) tell you (parry) EVERY year, (jab jab), sis! These are for the kids!" "But they smell so GOOOOD!" "Indeed," Stripe chimes in gravely, "They smell quite delectable." "Not you too, Stripe," Gina sighed. A slight smile flickered on his lips, almost imperceptibly. Before he could retort, however, an alert klaxon sounded it's harsh refrain. "INCOMING!" Brianna shouted, skidding around the corner, "Sensors indicate a gate opening up in the house!" "Where?" Gina, Brit, and Stripe asked in unison. "HERE!" Bri replied, as space rippled, and a slender form dropped out of nothingness. The intruder crashed into the kitchen table, scattering 7 trays of cookies. "NOOOOOOO!" The newcomer sat up, "Oops, sorry. Say, these smell good, can I have one?" Brianna stared at the invader, and put down her rifle, "Raph, is that you?" "Oh, hi, Brianna", Raphiel Rey said, smiling, "Are these cookies yours?" Brianna was about to reply when Gina made the point moot. Bellowing with fury, she charged at the hapless golem, steel tray raised high over her head. Fury kindled in her eyes, and a feral growl escaped from her lips. "EEP!" Raph squeaked, hunting for cover. Almost lost in the clamor, a soft "phut" whispered across the kitchen. Gina stopped in mid-charge, eyes glazed over. "Tranquilizer darts...don't leave home without them", Brianna grinned, waving a hand across her elder sister's frozen features. "Yup, she'll be out for a good hour or so." Gina burbled a reply, as her sisters helped her to a handy chair. Meanwhile, Stripe explained to Raphiel what was going on. "Every year, Doctor Diggers hosts a haunted house party at the mansion for the neighborhood kids. And every year, Gina bakes cookies for it. It's become a local tradition." "Yeah" Brit chimed in, as she and Bri picked up the crumbled treats. "Dad's haunted house may be the only one in the city with real ghosts. His friends at the Mage's council like to show off." She pointed at Gina, "Don't worry about the cookies, though. Gina always makes too many. Last year, we were still eating them on New Years Eve." Raphiel nodded, brushing a few stray crumbs from his chin. "Oh yeah, I get that. In fact, that's why I'm here!" "To help eat cookies?" Brianna queried. "Maybe," Raph conceded, "but more importantly, to give you three these." He reached into his tunic, and pulled out three black envelopes, each with a name written on it in gold leaf. One went to Brianna, one Britanny, and one to Stryyp'gia. "What's this?" Stripe asked. "Invitations to a party. They were delivered to Edge Guard Headquarters. I got one too." Brianna pulled out a slender knife, and deftly slit the envelope open. "Jetta and Thabian of Clan Wolf cordially invite you to the nonennial...that means once every nine years right?" Raph bobbed his head, "Onoli explained that to me." "Right. Where was I," Bri scanned the invitation, "the nonennial Were Clan Samhain Ball. Do you know anything about this, sis?" Britanny furrowed her forehead. "I think so. The elders of the clans would meet once every so often and have a formal dance. Very Labyrinth. I guess this is the first year that I was old enough to attend." "Or that werecheetahs were invited," Stripe gently reminded her. "I suspect that the werewolves didn't even know you were alive, last time." "And they probably wouldn't have invited you if they did." Brianna mused. "But I can't see why we were invited." Raph chimed in, "Thropan thought that since we all are at least sort of werecheetahs, we are elders of the clan by default." Stripe nodded, "And as Britanny's husband, I'd naturally be included." "I guess it's easier to get from Eden to Jade than Eden to here, right sis?" Brianna asked. Britanny didn't reply. "Sis?" A slow grin spread on Britanny's furry features, "You know what THIS means, nummy-muffin?" Stripe stared into his wife's eyes, and a look of panic flickered to life, "You don't mean..." "We have to go SHOPPING!" LATER THAT DAY Winter had come early to Atlanta, and there was a nip of frost in the air. Some streets, especially downtown, were even a bit icy. Naturally, none of this mattered to a werecheetah with snow tires. Horns honked as she skidded her customized Cheetah mobile around a corner, eyes blazing with mercantile zeal. "Ah, shaddup", she groused, "I barely drove on the sidewalk." For his part, her husband was glad that his military training included meditative techniques. He let one eye open a slit, but immediately closed it, and returned to the quiet chanting of his mantra. "There's one!" Britanny shouted. Turning sharply on the wheel, she swerved into a controlled spin, slotting neatly into an open space on the curb, with a few centimeters to spare. "Let's go!" Tugging her husband's arm, she made her way across the street to the Lone Pine Mall. The way was slow going, however, as a screaming horde of face-painted children were cheering at the antics on an outdoor stage. "What's going ON??" she shouted. Stripe glanced at the stage, implants glowing briefly, "There appears to be some kind of stage show...I believe I have heard Brianna refer to these characters as DigiBeasts." Over the din of the crowd, the words "Digibird! Digivelop to Digihawk!" rang from the speakers. Every child in the audience cheered. Brit tensed her muscles. "They sound like they are almost done. When they hit the big finish, let's make a run for it!" "As you wish." Stripe sighed. And then the screaming started. For the rest of his life, Stripe never revealed the momentary feeling of gratitude he felt at the timely diversion. However, his inner nobility asserted himself almost immediately, as he and Brit scanned the area looking for the source. The answer soon became apparent. A Rival-san tanker truck was barreling down the street, barely under control. As it careened back and forth across the thoroughfare, holiday shoppers scrambled to avoid it's diesel-powered doom. Unfortunately, it was heading right for the crowd of entranced Digifans. Between the music and the pyrotechnics, there was little chance of the audience hearing the danger. With nary a word said between them, Stripe and Brit leapt into action. Brit dashed into the crowd at top speed, and to the surprise of the attendees, started ferrying them away from the path of the swerving juggernaut. Stryyp, on the other hand, went to deal with the truck. Techno-organic glyphs flared across his brow as he hurled himself skyward, shedding gravity's tender embrace. While his wife dealt with a particularly troublesome brood of rambunctious children, he gracefully landed on the cab of the truck, digging into the roof with an iron grip. He rode the truck for a moment, gauging the curves, before leaning down to peer into the cab. "May I be of some assistance?" The driver, arms locked, was too engrossed in attempting to control his vehicle to do more than grunt "Brakes out." Stripe nodded, and shifting his weight, clambered across to the back of the truck. One slash later, and the cab was free of it's burden. At the next patch of ice, it slipped free, crunching into a bank of newspaper boxes. The driver tumbled out, battered but alive. The cargo, however, was still going strong. Only now, the prince of El Dorado rode it's nose. As eldritch energy flared about his body, he summoned the telekinetic forces bound to his frame, bracing a web of force against the asphalt. With a shriek, metal twisted, and the trailer began to slow, imperceptibly. Stripe grunted with the effort, sweat pouring down his face. Summoning the last vestiges of his strength, he focused it all into one final burst. The tires burst, and the trailer tipped over, skidding into a lamppost. Britanny looked over, a look of concern on her face, and put down her wriggling burdens. Concern turned to joy as she saw the love of her life climb free of the wreckage. And then the sparks hit the tank, and the trailer exploded. "NO!!!" Cheetah screamed, running toward the flames. She stopped, driven back by the heat. Eyes welling with tears, she watched the inferno burn. Slowly, a shimmering form appeared amidst the flames. "Stripe?" she whispered. The figure, wrapped in flames, stepped clear. As he stood before his bride, the flames ebbed to nothingness, leaving him unharmed. "STRIPE!" Brit shouted, wrapping her arms around his cooling form. His arms closed about her gently, and his figure slumped. Sales and prices were forgotten, as Cheetah held her husband in her arms. "Somebody, please help me!" A lithe figure, redheaded with a slightly out-of-style chin beard, stepped free of the crowd, "What do you need?" Brit looked at the man, momentarily dizzied by a wave of déjà vu. "Help me get him to my car. Please?" "Of course". Shouldering one of Stripe's arms, he helped him to his feet. "I'm Dan, by the way." "Britanny Diggers. Let's go." Twenty minutes later, Stripe was floating in his usual healing tank in Lab K of the complex. While Dan stared into his eyes, Brit sat in a nearby chair, shredding a magazine from worry. Gina put down his chart. "He'll be fine. Using Flame Raker to shield himself from the fire was a stroke of genius, but it tapped his strength completely. A few days of rest, and he'll be back to normal." "I guess that means no party. I'll call up Jetta and cancel." Cheetah mused. "No," a weak voice echoed from a tinny speaker. "Snuggles?" In his tank, bubbles rippled to the surface as he nodded his head. "My presence is not required, but you MUST attend, Britanny. The honor of your clan demands it." "I suppose I could ask Seance...no wait, he and Genn are going to Seer's Hamlet for some kind of ceremony. Maybe I'll just go Dutch." Stripe shook his head, dislodging another swarm of bubbles. "That would not be proper." "Um." Dan said, "I'm not doing anything that night." Brit looked him over. "You've already helped so much. Why?" Dan grinned rakishly, "Let's just say I have some bad karma to make up, and leave it at that. I would be honored to escort you. That is, if your husband approves." He glanced over at Stripe, who nodded. "I have no objections." "It's a deal then. Tuesday, 7PM, wear a tux." Gina commanded. "Can I give you a ride back to the city?" Cheetah asked. "That's OK, it's a beautiful day. I think I'll walk." HALLOWEEN NIGHT The Mark 3 drove up to the spooky old mansion, only slightly late. "See?" Brianna grinned, "I told you I'd find the place!" "After we stopped for directions three times," Brit grumbled under her breath. She glanced over her shoulder. "Aw geez. You hafta stop untying your bow tie, Raph." Raphiel nodded apologetically, "I'm sorry, it just felt crooked." "Turn around, Raph," Dan chimed in, "I'll fix it for you." The engine plinked as Brianna parked. The tuxedoed and gown-clad quartet piled out onto the driveway, straightening various bits of clothing. A short, gray-haired butler wearing old-fashioned clothes and round glasses stood at the front door. Brit's nose twitched. Even in human form, her senses were acute. "You would be the Cheetah clan delegates, correct?" he murmured. "Do please come in. Tuna puff?" "Jetta and Thabian know us so well", Brianna grinned, snatching an hors d'ouevre with less than a dainty grip. Brit could only nod, as her mouth was watering. In the foyer, they found a table covered in ornate feathered masks. "Please, choose a mask. At midnight, the guests will unmask, but until then, we must maintain the illusion of anonymity," the butler remarked, a thin grin on his lips. The four made their selections, and carefully donned the masks. Raphiel took Brianna's arm, and Dan followed in turn with Brit's, and they stepped through the French bay doors, and into another age. The room was filled with waltzing figures, resplendent in antique outfits. In a corner, a string quartet played brilliantly, setting the tempo for the dance. "My lady?" Raphiel bowed, "Would you do me the honor of joining me in this dance?" Brianna blushed. Raph looked up and grinned. "Tirga said you'd like that." Britanny laughed as she and Dan walked past. "Come on, sis." Brianna shrugged, "O.K., I guess. I feel like I'm in the Romefeller Foundation, though." For the next several hours, they danced, and mingled, and noshed on various canapés and finger pastries. Although Britanny tried on several occasions to chat with Jetta or Thabian, she remained unsuccessful, as they insisted on playing the game to the fullest. "I wonder how the kids are doing?" she mentioned to Dan as they started a foxtrot, "I think Pojo is almost ready to start training..." Finally, midnight came. Brit, Bri, and their dates stood at the front of the crowd as the hosts stood on the grand staircase. The bell tolled for the twelfth time, and the man spoke. "We wish to thank you all for coming tonight, on this _very_ solemn occasion." Britanny started at the unexpected sneer in Thabian's voice. "And now that we have you where we want you," Jetta added, "it's time to unmask, and show our guests who we really are." The pair reached up to pull off their masks. At the same time, a puff of smoke covered their forms, revealing Tanya, former high priestess of El Dorado. And Brendan, former head of the werewolf clan. His furry muscles showed no sign of his supposed incineration. Instinctively, Britanny morphed into her accustomed hybrid form, her gown shredding slightly at the strain. With a glance, Raphiel did likewise, a look of concern on his face. "Brianna?" Bri, reaching into her petite purse, extracted a surprisingly compact plasma gun. "Trouble, with a capital T." For his part, Dan just stared at the werewolf, a strange look on his face. "Why, Britanny?" Brendan purred, "You don't seem happy to see me! And we have SO much unfinished business to attend to." "Yeah, as I recall I was about to twist your head off." Britanny growled in reply. Brianna and Raphiel took guard positions at her sides, forming a rough triangle. "And where, oh where is your dear husband?" Tanya snarled. "Where you can't reach him, bitch!" "Now, now, Tanya." Brendan smiled, "Let's not antagonize our guests any further. After all, we have the entire werecheetah clan with us tonight. Such an opportunity cannot be missed." Tanya nodded, and with an evil grin, formed a ball of smoke in one palm, "We just need to get rid of the dead weight." Raising her arm high, she hurled it at Brianna. An anti-magic field crackled to life, but at the last moment, the puff of vapor looped to the side, passing Bri completely, and smashing solidly into Dan's back. As space rippled around him, he screamed. There was an eye-wrenching twist, and he was gone. "What have you DONE to him!" Britanny raged, "He wasn't part of this." Tanya snickered, "A personal friend of yours, Britanny? Have you abandoned the prince already?" "Y-y-you..." "Oh, never fear, he's fine...probably. I sent your paramour into the city. The process is painful, but efficient." Tanya replied, "I'm saving my DEADLY spells for you!" Brendan took her hand, "Shall we give them an example, my dear?" "Of course, my love." Raising her hand anew, she moaned a string of loathsome syllables. Brendan joined her, and both of their eyes began to glow. Around the wary trio, cloth began to tear. Where once stood dancers, musicians, and maidservants, new shapes began to grow. Shining thorns pierced sleeves, skirts, and suits, as the 7-foot tall metallic forms shed their human disguises. Sharp claws shredded the rest of their outfits. "Shrieks!" Raphiel cried out. "Why yes, my dear golem," Tanya whispered, eyes still glowing, "I see your time with the Guard was not completely wasted with romance games." "How dangerous are they?" Bri whispered out of the corner of her mouth. "T-those claws aren't steel." Raph stammered, "They're silver!" Bri's reply was short, unladylike, and four letters long. "ATTACK!" Brendan roared. And within moments, the room was in chaos. The werecats huddled together, under the slight protection of Brianna's force field. Her gun, while tiny, packed quite a punch, scattering shards of metal across the room. Unfortunately, as they watched in horror, the pieces began to move of their own volition, slowly oozing back together. And what's worse, every blow weakened the field a little more. Slowly, they found themselves being pushed backwards, until they were trapped in a corner. Meanwhile, Brendan and Tanya shared a bowl of popcorn. "I'm almost out of juice!" she shouted, over the crackle of the besieged shield. "I can call in the cavalry, but I need some space!" Raphiel nodded, and pointed at a nearby table. "Do you think you could help me with that, Britanny?" "What did you have in mind?" "Drop the sphere and follow my lead!" he replied. "Sounds crazy." Brianna remarked, "Let's DO IT!" With a sharp snap, the force bubble burst outward, repelling a shriek sortie. Raphiel nimbly scampered under the table stopping at the far end. He gestured to Brit to take the other end. "Lift!" Bolts tore free as the table tipped over. The glasses, plates, and utensils clattered to the floor. Raph raised the table so it's top shielded his body, and Cheetah did likewise. Ducking low, he bunched his legs. "Now, CHARGE!!!!" Like a bulldozer, they swept the room, scattering droplets of shriek against the far wall. Brianna inhaled deeply, posed dramatically, and called out, "I summon you, Peebo-ohki!" High over their heads came a shrill "PEEYA!" as a stained glass window shattered. A bronze blur resolved itself into a surprisingly floppy- eared bitbomb. As it cartwheeled in midair, Brianna jumped to meet it. Steely wings grew from it's back as it changed form, closing around Bri like a suit of armor. Missile racks opened, cannon extended, and rockets flared to life. "Get Tanya and Brendan!" she shouted over the suit's speakers. "I can take care of the shrieks now!" "Gladly" Britanny growled, hefting a table leg like a spear, "Wanna play fetch?" She hurled the shard with all of her might. Brendan ducked out of the way, and it ricocheted off his chair, spinning upward. The jagged piece of wood bounced high on the far wall, clipping the top of a tapestry. Like a stage curtain, it plummeted, burying Tanya in it's folds. Around the room, shrieks whole and fragmented froze solid. "I think a retreat might be in order!" Raphiel cried out. "Brianna can't keep the shrieks down forever!" "NO!" Brit roared. Brianna landed beside her and tugged at her arm. "Agreed!" Brendan intoned, eyes seething with malevolence. "You may be able to defeat the constructs, but you cannot escape ME! I will CRUSH you all, and finally, VICTORY WILL BE MINE!!!!!!" "I think not," came a voice from behind him. None the worse for wear, Dan stepped from the shadows, "You see, you have something I want." Face contorted with rage, Dan transformed himself into hybrid form, specifically the duplicate of the being standing before him. "And I always get what I want," the second Brendan whispered. As the three werecats watched in horror and confusion, he plunged his arm through his double's back. It emerged from it's chest, clutching what looked like a jigsaw puzzle piece. The golem crumbled around his arm. Slowly, inexorably, he closed his fist, crushing the soul key to dust. Then, as he turned to face Britanny, a golden shimmer coruscated around his form. "My task is done...I only wish..." As the glow brightened, he started to fade from sight. Casting his eyes heavenward, Brendan whispered one word, "Azalea", and was gone. The house began to shake, and Brianna tugged on Britanny's arm again. "Let's get out of here!" Scrambling for the doorway, the trio rushed outside. Brit sat dazed in the car as they drove to safety Back at the mansion, the shaking stopped. A few walls had collapsed, more windows were shattered, but the building seemed stable. The gray- haired butler walked into the ballroom, and surveyed the carnage. As he watched, Tanya struggled free of the tapestry, and tried to stand. "Pitiful" he murmured, snapping his fingers. The Tanya golem crumbled to dust as her soul key flew into his left hand. Meanwhile, his other hand plucked a fairly clean cheese tart from a tray, as gray fur swept over his exposed skin. A hairless pink tail slipped free from his topcoat. "An unexpected outcome, especially after all my preparations," Gothwrain smiled thinly, "but there are _always_ alternatives." "The prophecy will NEVER come to pass."