And suddenly there appeared
Such shapes of light
But lovely to behold
Yet not if such you were
A threat indeed
Like the beast but fierce
And closing in
Yes for the kill

But no such act
Did it it but do
As the lights they took to it
And such a sight it was
To see the beast
But fighting with the lights

Until out but snaked
A lightning fast strike
Of a simple child's toy
That was anything but

So down it went
With the one clean strike
While the lights they gathered together
And made a form
To but remove
The beast but deadly down

Yet what to do
To still the crying shrieker
Who still he wailed
And loudly but loudly so

Tales From October Volume II

"Nooooo!!!"

And again he flew
But into the breach
Not willing no
To but surrender
And let the children die
Because he faced a thing
Too much for him

But before he could
But reach the beast
It heard his flight
And turned it back
To face him down

And down he went
For the beast it did
But scream at him
And woe to Tykyn
Caught but helplessly
In the wake of it
For it felt as like
The pain of all things bad
He ever did feel
But doubled atop of each

"Nooooo, please stop!"

But there was no stopping the beast, it wasn't going to stop until he was down for good.

Tales From October Volume II

But such was the strength
Of that damn beast
That Tykyn was easily
Thrown him back
As if he were
As if he was
But a normal weak man
And not a strordinaire
Of great goodly strength

And crashed into the wall
He crashed him hard
And lay him there
For a moment stunned
And worried yes indeed

"Ohhh."

Thus dispatched
Of any threat to him
The beast it turned him back
To the children
But tied and helpless so

Tales From October Volume II

And the beastly thing
Of tooth and claw
But roared in anger
And leapt but leapt it quickly
Towards the boys
With a beast's intent
To slay it's prey

"Nooooo!" And with a cry borne of terror and need, Tykyn broke free and flew at the beast, desperate to keep it from the boys, of which only one was awake. The one to have caused the trouble in the first place.

But no cause was that
To let him suffer
For this was all
A problem first
Because of Friday
Yes Friday the bad

Tales From October Volume II

Aye worser bad indeed
As the air it shimmered
A bright bright blue
And an eerie sound was heard
Like something something awful
Was coming yes coming

"My god, what is that?"

Not that the boy
Would or could
But answer him
For still he was lost
In a crazy crazy way

"For the love of God son, calm yourself down, something is coming this way and you are bringing it."

But there was no stopping
The coming unknown
As the space between
This we know as Earth
And one a place elsewhere
But tore wide open
And let allow
Some awful thing
To arrive it there

Tales From October Volume II

But a flipside there was
To the rising wave of heat
Which to the bonds
Of Tykyn Tykyn beat
Didst begin to work
On eating through them

So a smile flickered
At the corner of his mouth
Aye the strodinaire
Yes he would rise
And rise him soon

"C'mon heat, do your thing so I can gain my freedom and make Friday pay."

Only not so easy
No not like a snapping
A snapping fingers
And wham kablam
Yes here I am
To save the day
There ain't no way
You'll get away with this

Though had he but looked
Rather than wait
For the good of his freedom
He'd have seen
The very beginnings
Of something worser bad

Tales From October Volume II

Sadly but sadly
Tykyn knew as not
But what to say
To calm the boy
So some reluctantly
He said him not a thing
And waited for his calm
To soon come along

Thus he screamed
And screamed again
Lost in a panic
That soon began
To cause around him
Bad bad things

Like the rising of a heat
That hit like a wave
And but knocked over
Poor helpess Tykyn himself
As if naught he was
Of any consequence

"No! Stop son, please, calm down, this won't do any good."

But he was lost beyond any hope of reasoning by such feeble means that Tykyn could muster. He needed the help of something, no, someone more. His brother Tommy, lost to consciousness and the key to saving them all.

Tales From October Volume II

"Tommy?" The boy mumbled the name and shook his head as if he was trying to wake himself when he was too tired but had to get up for school. "Tommy, get up, we're going to be late for school if we don't hurry up." He was quiet as the realization struck him that he and his brother were not at home and were in fact with stangers they had never met before in their life.

A scream it followed
Yes there immediately there
With non a care
Of who he'd wake
Or even how
They would react
But could you really blame
A scream of terror
From a poor lost boy
Plucked from all he knew
To a distant far place
And the danger of a film
Made all too terribly real

It was up to the children he thought, to save him so he in turn could rescue them. And that did not bode well in his mind.

"Damn you Friday, what happened to turn you from my helpful robot to a terrible menace?"

And as he furiously thought
About what he would do
To damn Friday damn
When he had his chance
Which he knew he'd get
He saw a stirring
In the children
But closely far

Tales From October Volume II

Pain yes pain he thought
This such kind
I am not but used to
And do not like
That this is from
My own former helper
A robot gone bad

And he took a breath
Aye deep and long
And strained as strained he could
Hoping against hope
That some somehow
That he could burst
His holding bonds

But nay no not
He not was strong enough
Not even close
And merely felt himself
Oh tired to the core
And wouldn't try him more
For he but knew
That never not ever
Could he but break him free
From these accursed chains

Tales From October Volume II

And tied as he was
Poor battered Tykyn
Could nay not even
Collapse in pain
And wish to feel no more
Which at the very least
Would have made him feel
Better by a very little bit

So all he could but do
Was to sit him there
And feel such pain
That death would be
A most welcome thing indeed

But truly truly
He could not say
That to die again
Would be a good
Like it was before

Though why such pain
From simple fists
Though metal hard they were
Was he not himself
Of sterner stuff
And thus beyond
The likes of simple blows

Tales From October Volume II

"There Jonathan, are you happy? I am striking you. And this I needn't have done if you hadn't provoked me to."

"And still you'd claim to not have anger eh Friday?"

"Quiet Jonathan, be quiet. Your human voice it annoys me so."

And he quickened his blows
Gaining in his anger
And force with which
He delivered them
Losing sight
Of his need
For a living helpless foe

But then click click whirr
He suddenly stopped
And gained his composure
While still but lived
Good Tykyn battered

"You stopped?"

"Yes Jonathan, I stopped. As I said, I am a robot and I don't have your human flaws, like anger. And as I need you alive and not causing me any problems, I leave you in a great terrible pain as a fitting punishment to you and a warning to them."

"Fortunately the children are lost unconsciousness and did not see this. And I'll surely not tell them what you did."

"Oh Jonathan, you needn't tell them, I have cameras that will tell them for us both. So when they waken, I'll be certai sure that they see it and take it as a proper warning, for their being children will not stop me from doing to them what I did to you."

"No Friday, don't do it, that's just cruel."

Friday answered him not
He but departed
Leaving cold cruel laughter
In his own wake

Tales From October Volume II

"Then go damn robot, just know this, this is not over and you will lose, when the day it ends."

And Friday smiled. "As if I have anything to fear from you Jonathan."

"It's Tykyn Friday, you know that. I figure it's the least you could do."

"Oh you do do you? Well, I have done all for you that I will do. So do shut up now."---}"Well, maybe I don't want to shut up Friday."

"No Jonathan, I am not going to give you what you want. So if you'll excuse me, I will go now."

"So what is it you think I want Friday?"

"You want me to kill you, thinking that you will return from death and be better able to carry the fight on. So that is the last thing that I will do for you."

"I guess that means you believe me now eh? Otherwise, you'd do it wouldn't you? I can see the hate in your robot eyes."

"You see nothing of the sort Jonathan. I am a robot and I don't have the emotions that you stupid humans have."

"Yeah, you're the picture of reason and calm Friday."

And anger of a sort
But flooded through Friday
And he but easily struck
With his hard metal fists
The soft fleshy face
Of Tykyn the helplessly tied

Tales From October Volume II

And glare he glared
At his former robot helper
Now an enemy
Who he wasn't certain
That he could beat
For yes the bonds
That held him tight
Were stronger indeed
Than him himself

"You won't get away with this evil Friday."

"Won't I? Who can stop me? You can't. And these children, with a power potential far greater than yours were captured easily. So no, I do not worry about being stopped."

"The tide will turn Friday, the tide will turn and you will be stopped."

Smile he smiled
Yes Friday grinned most easily
Like a feeling man
And not a robot
Made of cold cold steel
Or some such like
For metal of the norm
Was not the way
Of such as him

Oh weary weary
I weary of this talking with you
So leave I leave
To think and think
And wish and wish
Knowing naught there is
That you can do at all

Tales From October Volume II

"If it looks like madness and sounds like madness Friday it is. Release the others and I will see that you get the help you need."

"If I needed help from a fleshblooder Tykyn, you are the last one I would seek it from. To be honest, I begin to wonder why you are the new Tykyn in the first place. You are a terrible disappointment. And as for the children, they bristle with power and must be dealt with."

"No Friday, you'll not harm them while I still draw breath."

"Careful Tykyn, I can always rectify that. For there is no way you died and came back to life, no matter what you believe."

"So that's it Friday, you say it and so it is? It must be nice to have such a power."

"If only it was that simple Tykyn, but it is not. As far as your silly belief, it is simple science that says what you believe is false. You did not die. You only think you did. And that makes all the difference fool."

Tales From October Volume II

Awareness returned
Oh yes it did
With a throbbing pain
To poor Tykyn beaten
And the first sight he saw
Was Friday leering

"Ohhh, What do you want Friday?"

"I have not decided yet what I want from you Tykyn. And there is not a thing that you can do about it because as you will find out when you try to escape, the bonds I have you within are too strong for you. Yes poor Tykyn, your strength though goodly greater than that of the average man is as nothing compared to many of the first age of strordinaires."

"Well, this is the second age and there's not been any other strordinaires for me to compare myself to, so the point is moot. And as far as the nefarians I have faced, it was good enough against them."

"Ah, what you do not know Tykyn, is that you are not the only strordinaire of this second age. You are just the only one that you know about. So allow me to disabuse of the notion that you are the one and only of this second age."

And yes on cue
A whirring whirring came
And up from the floor
There did arise
A cage for four poor souls
But locked up
Much as like
Tykyn was himself

"Children Tykyn? You've involved children in this madness of yours? How could you? Release them damn you robot."

"Yes Tykyn, I am a robot as you say and robots cannot suffer from madness, that is entirely a human condition."

Tales From October Volume II

And Friday's answer
Was none not what
That Jonathan wanted
To yes but hear
As he smiled chillingly
Whilst he took him to smashing
A few of his things

"If you think I care about your things Tykyn or your identity, you are sadly mistaken. For what have I a reason to care of that?"

"Well I care damn you Friday. I don't know wha's happened to you but I will not just take this lying down you blasted robot.

Thus charged he did
His former helper
Who never did
But help him so
As ever away he was

But anger's charge
Which was the kind
That Tykyn made
Is none too good
So yes he was met
And met but well
With a fist across the face
And a following of
A boot across the head

Though hurting he was
Oh yes indeed
From the cold hard steel
Or like enough
He did not lose
His consciousness
And but lay a moment there
A gathering his wits

"What? Not fallen yet Tykyn? No matter, you soon will be, for you are match for me."

"Shut up Friday. You got the first blow, but it isn't the first but the last and that one's mine."

And he shrugged the dizziness off
To rise and rise him quick
With a roundhouse kick
To Friday's head
And a flipping away
Most elegantly
Like a trained circus acrobat

"Pretty moves will not save you Tykyn."

"I didn't realize the fight was over and you had won so that you could judge it Friday."

"Soon enough Tykyn, soon enough."

But came an interruption
yes to their fight
As a neighbour hammered
Yes hard on the wall
Wishing for a peace
He would have had
If not for them

"Knock it off, people are trying to sleep here."

And he took off his mask
To sound as himself
As he sought to reassure
His goodly neighbour Will

"Sorry Will, I'll try and keep it down."

"Don't try Jonathan, just do it."

Now focused as he was
On neighbour Will
He did not see
What Friday did
As he shrunk out of sight
Only to grow but full
To the next of him
Before he dealt him a blow
But hard enough
To fell him down

"Consider this kept down Jonathan. Poor fleshblooder, you never had a chance."

Tales From October Volume II

"You're right of course Friday and that is a good lesson for me to learn."

And for a moment
Yes a moment in his heart
He hoped that that is what it was
A goodly lesson
Learned in the guise
Of a false attack

Thus he relaxed
And smiled inside
As yes good Friday
Has played him well
Like a prankster pro

"Don't you smile at me Tykyn. This is not a lesson for you. At least not in the way that you were entertaining in your head."

But then of course
Friday he had to say
What say he said
And yes dispel
His little hopes
Like the bully who kicked down
Little Timmy's castle made of sand

"So what happened Friday? This is not your programming. You're my helper, like Crusoe's Friday. And Drusoe's Friday would never threaten him like this. So you shouldn't either. Let's fix you before you make me do anything I don't want to do."

"You are no threat to me Jonathan. Never forget that."

"We really don't need to fight Friday, just shut yourself down and I'm certain this odd behaviour can be corrected easily enough."

"No Tykyn, you will not get anywhere near me, even if you had even half a clue of what to do. But you don't, so do shut your annoying fleshblooder mouth before I shut it for you."

And that was that
There was no hope
But left in his heart
That they would not fight
This very day
Which is the last damn thing
That Tykyn wanted so

"So you want me to see this first age stordinaire then? Let's go."

"That was a ruse Tykyn, there is no first age strordinaire for you to talk to."

"Fine, we have to fight, I get that, but do we have to do it here? This is my home and I don't want to lose it in a fight with you , my former good robot helper."

Tales From October Volume II

"Oh but I was Tykyn, or have you forgotten of my ability to silently shrink, or my wont to sneak up on you and catch you unawares? It's okay to say you have, after all, you're not the brightest of Fleshblooders I've ever met."

And taken aback
As yes he was
Tykyn but stumbled
And for but a moment
Wished that all it was like
The way it was before
These abilities were his

Yes good it was that when
He had a job
And was but single
In a happy peaceful way
Unlike now
Where yes it seemed
That forever had it been
Since he'd but seen
And would see again
The woman he hoped to have

And the job
Yes that job it was
Not his no more
Though not told to his face
How else could he think
When he'd been turned away
His last two times

"No, don't you dare get lost in yourself Tykyn, you foolish stordinaire, you don't have the luxury of that. Not if you want to live. Do you want to live? Ansdwer me Tykyn, do you want to live? Well, do you?"

"Of course I want to live Friday. What would make you ask such a stupid question?"

"Getting lost in yourself is almost asking to die Tykyn, so no, not such a stupid query after all is it?"

Tales From October Volume II

"Surely you're exaggerating Friday."

"Why do you say that Jonathan? Because I am not a fleshblooder like you?"

"Fleshblooder Friday? That sounds rather ominous don't you think?"

"Fine Jonathan, human. Is that more to your liking?"

"Yes, but when we're out there, please, call me Tykyn. That is who I am when I am girded for battle."

"Of course Tykyn. As you command."

"As I command Friday? What is wrong with you? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were in a pissy mood. But a robot with emotions? I'm sorry but that just can't be."

And men who fly and make energy blasts and everything else as imagined in the works of your fiction make sense? Yes, of course, your logic is unassailable Tykyn."

"Check your programming Friday, because I do not like this at all. There is clearly something wrong with you."

Thus ready though he was
Tykyn he paused
And sternly looked
At his good Friday
Hoping for the best
But fearing the worst

"Is that what you think Tykyn? You who is so knowledgeable about such things?"

""Son't do it Friday, just don't."

"Don't do what Tykyn? How can I know what not to do if you are as vague as you just were? I am a robot, not a mind reader."

And Tykyn took a breath
Aye one but deep
As yes he knew
That to say it our loud
Would oh so likely result
In a fight betwixt the two of them
For clearly yes to him
That is but what
Friday was spoiling for
Like some addled man
And not the robot he was

"Don't make me fight you Friday, because I don't want to hurt you."

"You don't want to hurt me Tykyn? What makes you think you can hurt me when I am an advanced robot and you are just an average strordinaire?"

"And what do you know about what I can do Friday? You weren't there at any of my fights."

Tales From October Volume II

So yes I readied me
While he just looked as if
I was taking taking
Yes taking so ever long
To ready be

"And you are ready now?" He asked with a most human level of annoyance. "Because we really should get over there as soon as possible."

"What's your hurry Friday? he's not going to go anywhere I can't follow him is he?"

"He might Jonathan, he just might as he looks to be in failing health."

"Oh?"

"Yes, so let's not dawdle shall we, or he might just die before we get there."

Tales From October Volume II

But what of Terri, who it feels like I haven't seen or thought of in forever, but I know that is not true, because we just talked on the phone a couple of days ago and that we will see each other next week. And yet, it does feel like so much longer. And I can never remember feeling like that before I became a strordinaire. So a very curious thing indeed.

I wonder if any of the strodinaires of the first age ever felt like that? A pity there aren't any of them around anymore.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Jonathan."

And Jonathan all but jumped out of his seat as Friday grew to normal size, catching him off guard, as was seemingly, his wont.

"Stop doing that Friday, it's annoying being scared by your helper robot. And yes, I realize how odd it sounds to hear myself saying it, but so it is."

"My apologies Jonathan, it must be a flaw in my programming, I'll look at it when I get a chance to. But I've been searching for any of the first agers and I think I may have found at least one that remains."

"Remains? Remains with powers, or just remains period?"

"Well Jonathan, that is what we should find out don't you think?"

"Yes, we should."

"Good then, shall we go now? Unless you have something more important to do, like look for another job, as the one you have is indeed over, they just haven't told you."

"No, now is good."

Tales From October Volume II

And the funny thing is I didn't pay much attention to the first age of strordinaires, yet here I am, the first of the second age of strordinaires.

Yes, I read comics, but I just didn't follow the real thing all that closely. I guess I was just more willing to embrace it in fiction than in real life. Rather like the idea of phychic phenomena. In fiction, yes, I am there, where as in real life, I am a decided skeptic.

Such is life eh.

So, what now? I feel out of place and I really don't know what to do with myself, other than do this little that I have done since I became a strordinaire. And that, well that just isn't good enough.

I have to do better. And I will.


October II

Tales From October Volume II

Curiously, I wanted to write more yesterday than I did, but my computer was misbehaving and didn't let me type more(It wouldn't let me enter so I could write a second paragraph). Don't tell me I'm going to have to talk with Friday about this.

Speaking of that, where is Friday anyway? I mean I haven't seen him since...yeah, it's been a few days. Hmm, what the heck could he be doing that is so important that he doesn't have the time to come home.

Not that I am needing him right now, but I can never know when that will change.

Such is the life of a strordinaire.


October II

Tales From October Volume II

While results of my nascent career as the Earth's lone strordinaire(?)aren't horrible, I need to do better, or I'm just what, having some stupid adventure that could end up getting someone killed(Not me apparently). And that would not be good at all. I don't want any deaths on my hands. But even if I become the greatest strordinaire, I could still be responsible for someone's death. Hmm. And I surely don't want to write about it either. That'd be an awful day.

Tales From October Volume II

"Take that strordianire! And be thankful that I haven't the time to put you down as you deserve to be put down."

"Never mind him Streede, we have to save the glove. There will be time enough for him the next time."

Streede looked at Bob, who was suddenly not on his kill list and nodded as they rushed off to fix it before it blew up.

As for Tykyn himself
Who wanted sure to be
That they would not die
In their foolish pursuit
He was too weak
To rush him headlong
Into maybe death
For them but then
So sadly yes
He took his leave
And flied him off
To rest and recuperate

Tales From October Volume II

And knowing what he knew
He tore the right glove
As that was the one
That wasn't quite right
And would but make for trouble

"What are you doing you fool?"

"Saving my life Streede, you're trying to kill me. What do you think I'm doing?"

"Ensuring our deaths if it goes critical you idiot."

"Well if you'd tested the gloves more thoroughly before using them in an angry attempt on my life, this wouldn't be an issue."

"And if you weren't such a frustrating henchman, I'd not have had a need to kill you."

"There was no need Streede, just your lack of patience and your frustration at your lack of success as a nefarian."

And Tykyn struggled to his feet
Still feeling beat
But the sight of the glove
But crackling away
And the other two
Just arguing there
Got him moving much faster
As he wanted no part of this disaster

"Give me the gloves before it explodes."

"No!!!" They both shouted in unison. "I can stop the explosion." Streede continued more calmly. "But, take Bob, in case I cannot stop it."

"What? No Streede, I can help you stop the glove from exploding."

"You're both crazy, give me the glove and you'll both be safe."

"No, this is my work and I won't lose it to a strordinaire."

And with his anger rising
He lunged At Tykyn
As he drew in the air
And wallopped him well
With the power of the working glove

Tales From October Volume II

And standing there
As Streede he stood
Looking deadly so
With his gauntlets of power
As drawn from the air
So such an ever source
And a strordinaire
But struggling to his feet
With a normal joe
Standing scared
Such a statement was
Quite a foolish thing to make

"What would you have me do Streede? Cower until you kill me?"

"It matters not what you do Bob, you are going to die, it is that simple. There is no question in my mind in the least."

"Uhh, what about me Streede, the lone strordinaire, do you think I am going to let just let you kill him? You've got another thing coming if you think that."

"You're no threat to me strordinaire, not as weak as you are now, after all you've been through. So be patient and I'll get to you in a moment."

But seizing his nerve
As he well knew
Life would oh so easily
Be but gone
If not he did
But more than speak
Bob he acted
And rushed towards
His unknown fate

Tales From October Volume II

"Ohhh, what, what's happening."

"I'm sorry strordinaire, but I can't allow you the chance to recover and upset everything, noteably the letting go of my erstwhile henchman, who has proven himself unsuitable today for some strange reason."

"No, I'll stop you Streede, I just need a minute to recover and then it will be a whole new thing."

"Well, I told you strordinaire, you won't have that chance. And if you'd have been patient, I might have even killed you before you regained consciousness. But not now, now I am going to have to make you feel the pain of a hard death."

"Promises, promises Streede."

And as he changed
Yes Streede the scientist
He slowly pointed
At Tykyn himself
And bid him to silence

No silent gesture
Or threat of a strike
That which is most physical
Shall hold sway enough
To listen so to such

"In other words Streede, you're done. And it will be your henchman and the first hero of the second age of heroes who bring you down."

"You're going to bring me down Bob? You and the world's lone strordinaire will put me down, just like that? It is to laugh that you suggest this Bob."

Tales From October Volume II

But scared though he was
Bob he panicked not
And quickly retreated
To the great machine
And freed his only hope of life
A weak and beaten strordinaire

"Very good Bob, freeing your only hope of life, if he can recover in time to save you that is. And I doubt very much that he can. So you will still die and not very painlessly I might add."

"You've never tested them though have you Streede? Are you that willing to risk your life when there's a strordinaire right over there?"

"Now is the perfect time, when he is as he is and you have to be dealt with. So be a good lackey and die quietly, I so hate to hear the whining and pleading of the dying."

And with a sinsister smile
He turned on the gloves
Or gauntlets if you will
And waited for until
The change it overtook him
To fully deal him with
His former henchman Bob

Tales From October Volume II

And oh the tests he ran
Poking and prodding
Pushing him past the point
Of bearing them
Yes agony was what he knew

"Well, that was a disappointment wouldn't you say Bob? So much for his dying, since he should have died from at least two of those tests I put him through. He must have just blacked out and felt like he died before."

"Yes Streede, that was disappointing."

But Streede he saw
That Bob he lied
And quick to to his anger
He lashed he lashed out

"What is wrong with you Bob? This is not how an apprentice to evil should behave. You are not disappointed that this weak strordinaire survived as well as he did. You are grateful that he did."

Bob said nothing, he just looked away and pursed his lips, not wanting to say anything because he knew that anything he said would only rile Streede up further.

Sadly silence was
As bad as words
The way that Streede had turned
So yes he struck in anger
But yet again

"So that's how you want to play it eh Bob? You've turned weak have you? Well then, you're no use to me and what I have no use for, I get rid of, like Erica, she turned against me too and I got rid of her. And believe you me, she was more useful to me than you could ever dream of being."

And with clear intent
In his eyes of anger
But flashing hate
He slipped on his gloves
Or gauntlets if you will
And moved in for the kill

Tales From October Volume II

"Noooooooo" And Tykyn screamed as the pain of the electricity shooting through his body felt like a million ants biting his entire body.

"Ah, music to my ears strordinaire, music to my ears."

"You heartless bastard, you won't get away with this. I'll break free of this and then we'll see just how you like being on the other end."

"You will eh? I think not strordinaire, your futile struggle against the beam gave me great information about your capabilities so no, you will not escape on your own. And being the lone strordinaire of this new age, no help will come. You are mine to do with as I please."

"Aaarrrggghhhhhhhh! If you think this is over Streede, it isn't. Not by a long shot."

"No strordinaire, it isn't. But I think I will stop shooting electricity through your body, I don't want to kill you just yet."

Thus that is what he did
As no the net
Did not not need to be
A full on pain to kill
And could just be instead
A terrible cage
To hold an enemy in

"I've already come back from death once Streede, so I'm not afraid of it in the least."

Now such an admission
To the likes of Tchuudyn
Was harmless enough
Yet not the same
To the keener minds
Like Streede himself

"Oh really? Well, that's very interesting strordinaire, very interesting indeed."

And Streede but smiled
The smile of a man
By knowledge intrigued
Which oh so not
Was good for Tykyn
Oh not at all

Tales From October Volume II

And what of Tykyn
What had he been doing
All the while
Yes all the time
That he'd been trapped
Within the beam

Well try as he might
Which while good enough
For the common foe
Was nay not good
For such a thing
As this he found himself
But trapped in

So though he struggled
And mightily yes
To free himself
From the damnable beam
He'd not as yet
When yes the net
Was finally deployed

But kinder was the beam
For not had it
The force electic
Which shocked him so
And knocked him out
For much the easier moving
To the lab's strong cage

And Bob but whimpered
Thinking compliance
Was certainly the thing
That he would do
From yes now on

Aye he thought
Something had changed
And the sadsack Streede
Of days gone by
Was none no more
And this bad man
Had taken his place

And as he sat there
Still on the floor
Feeling a pain
He hadn't felt
Since he'd gone to school
He knew he wanted not
To feel so pained again

"Get to it Bob, you've had enough time to wallow in your pitiful self-loathing, it's time to stand up like a man and do your duty. Or do I need to adminsiter more discipline to you?

"No sir, you don't. I'm getting to it now. Don't worry."

Please Bob, call me Streede, sir is too formal.And the way you say it makes you feel very weak."

"Of course Streede, as you wish, so shall it be done."

"Without the bowing and scraping though, or I swear I'll lose it again. And you can still feel how that turned out for you."

Tales From October Volume II

"Go where this is headed, which is very quickly heading to the point of my anger reaching the point where I beat you down for purposely playing the role of an idiot, rather than accidentally being one with a general air of ineptitude."

"Me? You're a fine one to talk Streede. What did you ever accomplish in the first strordinaire/nefarian age eh? For all your intelligence, you were a complete failure. And all the strordinaires thought you a complete joke. You have to know that Streede."

And Streede he lost it
Falling into an anger
He couldn't hold at bay
If even he wanted to

Thus he fell
Before a furious wave
Of the scientist's punches
That yes drew blood
And mashed face
In a most satisfying way

But fortune favoured Bob
As the anger passed
Like goodly quick
Lest he'd be bloody red
And quite quite dead

"Next time Bob, just do what I tell you, when I tell you. I don't care what any strordinaire has to say about me. What do they know anyway? They're not bright enough to understand the workings of a mind such as mine. So of course they're going to see me as a failure. But guess what, I'm still here, whereas, they're not. Did you think of that Bob? Eh, did you?" And Streede stormed off, before his anger overtook him again. "Idiot, just do as I say next time."

Tales From October Volume II

"Bob, prepare our guest's quarters, making sure to ensure his every comfort."

"Of course Streede, I wouldn't dream of overlooking any aspect of his comfort, it's what any good host would do."

"Yes Bob, all that needed to be said about treating this fool strordinaire as he should be treated was said when I said it. Your attempts at humour never fail to underwhelm me."

"Fine! You're right Streede, you're always right."

"Don't talk back to me Bob, if you know what's good for you."

"Considering who I work for, don't you think that maybe I don't?"

"You really want to go there Bob?"

"Go where Streede?"

Tales From October Volume II

Thus so it was
That the net was readied
In time enough
To so ensnare
The rookie strordinaire

"Excellent, I have him now. Let the fun begin." And he looked at Bob and nodded almost imperceptibly, a sign of "gracious" forgiveness to his henchman.

Bob said nothing
No not a word
But Streede he cared as not
As too excitred was he then
To glare or else
For long had it been
That he'd done so much
As this but done this day

And Tykyn struggled
Oh yes he did
But his good strength
Was nay enough
To free him so

"Who are you? Tell me who you are."

"I am Streede and you will not enjoy your time aboard my flying complex."

"Streede eh? Well Streede, this will not end well for you."

"Oh? Aren't you the boastful little strordinaire, so helplessly caught in my grasp. And you are the only strordinaire, so I'd not be so boastful lest you infuriate me to the point of your demise."

And he grimly smiled
Entwining his fingers
Yes but gleefully
Finally feeling
Like the nefarian
He'd long since dreamed
That he could be

Tales From October Volume II

But Streede had had enough
And would take no more
Of Bob's behaviour

"Don't just stand there Bob, make the net ready! Now!" And he made as if to hit him, which he could do well, despite his lack of strength for his size, he could handle Bob.

"Okay, okay Streede, I'll do it."

"Yes, you will. And I will not take anymore of your screwups. or you'll be out. And I don't mean out of a job, you'll just be out."

And Bob knew that Streede was serious this time.

Tales From October Volume II

Then hit but hard he was
By a beam of light
From that-a-way
Which is to say
It blindsided him
And sent him to the Earth
Yes plummeting at a speed
Where his landing would make him bleed

But not was the plan
Of the attacking man
To hit him hard
And leave it thus
No he wanted more than that
Oh yes he did

So came another beam
That slowed him yes
For time enough
To but deploy
The stupid catching net

Aye the very words
The nefarian spoke
In anger to
Henchman Bob
Who had unenviable job
Of serving a master
Such as his

"Damn it Bob, did you or did you not make sure everything was working properly?"

"Didn't I?"

"No, you did not, or the net would have already deployed and I would have that fool strordinaire in my brilliantly designed catching net. But I don't and you're to blame for this."

And Bob but dumbly stared
While Streede angrily glared
Wanting oh so much
To have around
Men who hopped to it
Like he'd always imagined
That it should be
In service of men like him

Tales From October Volume II

"Yes, I cannot believe how lucky I am to be the strordinaire of the city, maybe the world."

And this I screamed
Unabashedly
In the high cool air
As through it I flew
Oh gooodly fast
Wishing with my heart
That I could be
A full on strordinaire
And nay not need
A common job

But this I knew
To be unlikely
As oh too simple
That that would be

Yet I could dream
As the having of powers
That now I have
Would yes have been
Oh so unbelievable
Not so long before

Of course, I had already met two nefarians and was sure to meet more, so it wouldn't always be like this, enjoying the freedom of carefree fun afforded me by my abilities. No, I'd have to fight and fight me well, considering the two lightweights I'd met had given me fits. I was bound to face tougher foes.

Tales From October Volume II

Another free day. And yes, I knew what this meant. But I was feeling uncharacteristically unmotivated to do what needed to be done, namely, begin the search for a new job. They hadn't fired me outright, they'd just given me time off, so, I didn't have to find a new job. It was just the smart thing to do.

So I not did
The smart right thing
And let my body sing
In the act of flight
As quickly I changed
As soon as I could
Into the man of action
That yes I was

And let me tell you, the freedom felt so right and good I couldn't help but smile inside, or not let out a whoop of pure and unfettered joy. While my life was not perfect at the moment, it was more than enough of a reason to be exalting in the freedom my power afforded me.

Tales From October Volume II

"Hello Harrison. Is is safe to assume that your being here means I shouldn't be?"

"I do not like it when people assume Mr. Creech. But in this case, yes, that would be the truth of things."

"Yeah, yeah, people who assume make an ass out of u and me. That aside, assumption is quite common."

"Be that as it may, I don't like it when people assume things within earshot, as it were. So I'd thank you kindly not to."

"Okay, point made."

"Thank you. But it remains as it was yesterday, you are not supposed to be here."

"It would be nice if they would tell me what was up."

"Mr. Creech, that is beyond my purview. So talking to me about it serves no purpose, other than to annoy me. Though I am not easily annoyed. You could try that patience with enough effort. I'd rather you didn't though."

"I hear you Harrison. I'll have to call them."

"Yes Mr. Creech, you'll have to call them. Have a good day."

"Thanks Harrison, you too."

Tales From October Volume II

I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow as I was that tired. But it was a well earned sleep so I slept the sleep of the deserving.

But morning came
Like no time at all
Had but passed
And to rise I had me to

Aye the call of work
Such as it was
If yesterday
Was anything
To go me on
I'd not need to here but be
Though still I felt it right

So off to work I was, though based on the day before, I could have just stayed home.

Tales From October Volume II

"They left us all, the strordinaires and the nefarians. And many thought it was for the best. To say you don't remember that stretches the bounds of likelihood."

"Well yes, but there has to be more to it than that. We know they left, we just don't the why of it."

"So you chose to be difficult with him then? Don't be like that."

"I am not difficult by nature and he started it with his hostility."

"Be that as it may, you it's not the way to make friends. And you'll need friends if you want to as much good as you claim to."

"I'm a strordinaire, of course I want to do good."

"Just keep in mind what I said."

"Tykyn, the name's Tykyn."

"Tykyn eh? I was always more a fan of Tarican. But you're here and he's not. Then again, that was the first Tykyn, you're not him, so maybe you'll be better than him. Only time will tell."

"Yes, time will tell."

"But I'm busy here and have to go, so if you'll excuse me."

And back to his work
He went as he should
Like me myself
Though in the time
Of my talking
The fire had been put out
So needed no more I was

Tales From October Volume II

I handed her over to the paramedics down below and was about to return to the blazing building when an angry fireman ran up to me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Saving lives. And I'm glad I was able to help."

And his look of anger softened then, but still his eyes they smoldered with an anger. "Fine, you saved lives this time, but I was glad when all you strordinaires disappeared. And I thought we were rid of you. Apparently, we weren't so lucky seeing as you've come back."

"I'm sorry you've had problems with strordinaires in the past, but that was before my time. I'm new to this and I only mean to do good."

"They intended the same thing too. And we all remember how that turned out."

"I don't actually."

And he but stared at him
With angry amazement
Before he turned he did
And stormed away

Tales From October Volume II

And still I searched some more
Growing more and worse
In a desperation
Fearing for what I'd see
In the bitter smoke
And burning flames

"Hello, is there anyone still inside?"

So this I cried me out
A time or three
And heard no reply
Which filled me not with joy
For I knew what I knew
And knew this bad to be

But what but else
Was I to do
As not could I leave
No not could I leave
As that would be
A saying of death
To any hope
Of saving another here

'Twas then of course
That I spotted a woman
To smoke succumbed
So with a cry of joy
I flew to her
And scooped her up
Yes in my arms
And thought hopefully
Of what I'd done

Tales From October Volume II

There were no other cries though as I quickly searched the other apartments, looking through the other windows, hoping I'd not have to fly into the flaming building to search up close and personal.

But I was certain that I heard more cries than those of the two I had rescued. I knew then that I would have to enter the building and do that up close and personal search. I didn't like it, but any people inside deserved that extra effort.

So I found a window open
And in I flew
Not wanting this to do
But needing to do it yes indeed

I searched as quickly as I could, one apartment at a time, hoping against hope that I'd been wrong, while knowing I hadn't been. I'd heard more than two screams. And since there were no more screams, the distinct possibility was that some people had succumbed to smoke. Be it unconsciousness or death.

Tales From October Volume II

I paused for but another second, as I thought of my exit, not wanting the trouble of an identity hassle, but realized that would have to wait. So I raced to the roof, feeling the power rise as my adrenalin surged.

And off the roof I leapt
But nay not straight into
A graceful flight
For I careened alas
And felt me out of it
Which hardly was
The way I needed be

The onset of a little panic cured that shakiness and then I soared towards the swiftly burning building, determined to do whatever I could to help.

I arrived and immediately flew to the screaming people trapped in the upper floors. "Quickly, jump into my arms and I'll take you to street below."

"Oh thank you thank you. We've missed the comforting presence of strordinaires."

"That can wait Janet, he has to save us first."

"Yes Ralph, I know that, I was just happy to see a strordinaire after all this time."

Ralph rolled his eyes and leapt into my arms, followed, after a few tense moments of fear by Janet. I dropped them at the street and flew back up as the first firetrucks arrived on the scene, shuddering at the thought of being in a relationship seemingly such as theirs.

Tales From October Volume

Eventually, after some bored searching on the internet, I grew weary again as the fatigue from my first strordinairianism fully came upon me. And I didn't feel guilty about it in the least. I'd earned the right to nap.

In any event, when a fatigue like this hits, it is hard to resist the need to rest. So that is exactly what I did.

It was dark when I bolted upright, woken from my long nap by the sound of loud bang and the desperate cries of help.

And to the window I raced
To see in horror
The bursting into flames
Of a nearby building

I gasped aloud
And into action leapt
Throwing on my suit
Wishing for a second
That clean is what it was

But only for that moment
As the pressing call
To goodly action
Pushed all other thoughts
But yes away
As I knew I had to save the day

Tales From October Volume II

We hung up and I felt good about things with Terri, as well I should for what date is perfect? Though admittedly, ours went off the rails, it had been good until then.

I smiled as the thought of making it hard on any criminals who I happened across. And why not? I am a strodinaire now, why shouldn't I do some patrolling after work?

Work. Yeah, work. Enough about that. But that situation will not be this way for long. I'll have another job in short order and that will be a good again.

So yeah, I've much to be feeling good about really, including my being a strordinaire. And I will only get better at that. The villains had better watch out in other words.


October II

Tales From October Volume II

"Why? What's wrong with this week?"

"I got swamped with work Jonathan. If I wasn't, I would. Next week looks much better for a second date. But this week will pass quickly enough and we will enjoy ourselves next week. all the more."

"Okay, thank you for telling me now, rather than tomorrow, when I would have been ready for our second date."

"You're rather disappointed aren't you Jonathan?"

"I am disappointed, but better a delay to our second date than you calling to say you didn't want a second date at all."

"It'd be silly not to have a second date with a good man."

"Well thank you, it's good to hear you say that after our first date ended as it did."

"Enough talk about the first date Jonathan, it wasn't that bad okay?"

"So there's nowhere to go but up then?"

"Exactly. Now I'm enjoying this, but as I said, I have a busy week and I should really get going now."

"I know. I'm glad we had this talk though Terri. Until next week then?"

"Yes! next week for certain Jonathan. Thanks for taking it so well."

"What kind of man would I be if I didn't?"

"You'd not be the man I think you to be Jonathan. And that would make me sad."

Tales From October Volume II

"Hi Jonathan. I'm glad you called because we need to talk."

"Hi Terri. How are you?"

"I'm good Jonathan, but I have bad news. This week isn't good for a second date after all."

"It isn't? Oh, that's too bad. I was really looking forward to having a better date this time. Though the fault of that first date ending on a down note was all on me and not you."

"I wanted to go out again too Jonathan and our date wasn't that bad, it just wasn't as good as it should have been. It's not your fault you didn't know about Thursday being so popular a night to see movies."

"No, but it doesn't make me feel any better that it spoiled what had been a great date until then."

"Well, you'll know better the next time silly. But that next time just won't happen this week I'm afraid."

Tales From October Volume II

"And I guess shrinking out of sight and walking away is your thing I'll have to get used to. See, that frustrates me but you don't see me saying you have to stop doing that."

Jonathan waited for another angry retort from Friday, but one was not forthcoming. The sulk prone robot had walked away.

And there he stood
The rookie strordinaire
With his new life
In its beginnings
Just wishing for
A smoother way of it
Like his old life
Had some of that

Thus thought of that he did
Like with her but newly met
And maybe just maybe
In that good but goodly way
If played but well
The cards they were

"Terri." And he knew there was no good point in putting off that call any longer.

Tales From October Volume II

"And again you choose a flip reply. is it any wonder you frustrate me Jonathan?"

"Well, this is what I am Friday, so get used to it. After all, I am Tykyn now and it's not like you're going to just take the suit from me, it's mine until I die, well die for keeps."

"As you say, I will not remove the suit from you, so yes, you are Tykyn now."

"Good. So just get used to my way and we'll be fine right?"

Friday said him nothing
And just shrunk away
But out of sight again
As seemingly was his wont

Tales From October Volume II

"I died Friday, that's the truth, whether you believe it or not, I know that I died."

"Impossible Jonathan."

"Whatever, we'll just agree to disagree."

"No, that will not do Jonathan."

"It won't eh? Who's the boss here Friday? Me or you? Me, that's who. So just drop it okay. I need your help, not your control."

"You need much Jonathan." That then said, Friday shrunk out of sight."

"Fine, be that way, I've taken my first steps as a strordinaire and survived. I'll only get better. If you don't want to help, then don't help."

And grew him tall
To his full size
Is what he did
Whislt fixing with him
A cold hard glare

"I am programmed to help you Jonathan, so yes I will help you. But that does not change the fact that you are frustrating."

"A robot that feels frustration? Who knew?"

Tales From October Volume II

"Losing is not a good thing Jonathan. It would have been better had you not leapt into action with no training. You are fortunate you did not die."

"I did die. But I'm better now. And as you no doubt overheard, the second fight was better."

"Yes, I heard you Jonathan. Unfortunately, you failed in your first day as a strordinaire and that bodes not well for you as a strordinaire. You will have a reputation that will be difficult to overcome."

"Really? I'll find my way and whoever I face will take me lightly and be shocked when I beat them soundly. That's win win Friday."

"Take this seriously Jonathan. Being a strordinaire is not a lark."

"I am taking this seriously Friday. I'm not one to take things lightly."

"Then don't be so flip with how you answer me. And do not say ridiculous things like you died. That's just annoying."

"Well Friday, I did die. What would I have to gain by saying I died when I didn't?"

"I don't know Jonathan, but you can't expect me to believe you that you died. The suit is in no way capable or ressurecting the dead."

Tales From October Volume II

Yet the fearful state
Would no good but do him
As yes a strordinaire
So he gritted his teeth
And took a deep strong breath
Before he further slumped he did

"Later, there's no need to rush this. It feels like bad news and after the day I've had, with a fight I clearly lost and a draw in the next, I don't need more bad news."

"You fought?"

And up into view
Good Friday was
From shrunk so small
To metal so tall
In the blink of an eye
Yes there he stood
Looking angry hard

"Well, nice of you to show up Friday. It would have been nice if you'd told me you weren't going to be around today."

And it would have been better for you not to have fought at all, yet you did."

"I'm a strordinaire now Friday, to not have fought with the life of a woman in the balance would have marked me as a coward."

"I see."

"No, you don't. You weren't there, I was. And losing as I did is leagues better than knowing I let a woman die because I'd yet to fight a single fight as a strordinaire and was worried about being beaten."

Tales From October Volume II

But tired as he was, he was not about to rise out of the bath to make a call that didn't bode well. Besides which, he still hadn't bathed as he'd just rested in the water. So it was time to actually bathe.

Later, after he stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a towel around his waist he sighed and sat down at his computer desk and slumped in his chair, a combination of tired and fearful of what Teri had to say.

Tales From October Volume II

The phone then rang
As the bath it felt so good
That it began
As a napping place
So it rang and rang again
With Jonathan only perking up
At the sound of Teri's voice

"Jonathan? I guess you're not there, but when you get back, call me please, I'd like to talk to you."

And hung his head he did
Poor Jonathan
As yes he felt
That not a good thing
Was her need to talk to him

Tales From October Volume II

Jonathan sat awhile longer in front of the screen, finished the typing of his blog, but at a loss with what to do next. He'd wanted to see his parents, before that got waylaid by the events of the day and was now something he wasn't up for, so what to do indeed.

A wave of fatigue hit him hard and he slumped back in his seat and closed his eyes for a moment.

He bolted awake and shook himself, rising quickly out of his chair, refusing to allow himself the ease of such a laziness of dozing off in costume, such laziness, as he saw it was not in his makeup.

In any event, he felt tired and in need of a bath, to both refresh himself and wash off the failures of the day, before succumbing to a nap, not exactly deserved, considering the day, but nothing outrageous either.

And that is what he did
Slowly though it was
He slipped him out
Of his fighting togs
Which he hung with care
Before he applied the same
To his own frame
And took him a bath

Tales From October Volume II

I flew home slowly, feeling like a failure that yet another enemy had slipped away from me, which had to mean, at least, that he was alive, right? Surely he hadn't died and someone had stolen his body away in the moments from the time he fell until the time I landed.

But enough wondering about that and my other failure in this my first day as a strodinaire. I'd died and come back to life, at least, I'm pretty sure I died, yet here I am, alive to tell the tale.

And I have learned something of my powers, that I can fly and that I am strong, I'm hopeful that I will discover more powers because flight and strength don't seem enough, seeing as I've been somewhat manhandled already.

So, can I be a better strordinaire?


October II

Tales From October Volume II

"I'm not evil Tchuudyn, I wouldn't drop you. I'm contnent to merely beat you and leave it at that."

"And then what Tykyn? What have I done beyond menace you, however slightly I have?"

"Which is why I said I was content to merely beat you Tchuudyn. Or were you not listening?"

"Oh, I'm listening Tykyn, I'm just not impressed with you. Apparently, you are more than a pretender and havce actual powers, I grow weary of interacting with you and will now take leave of you."

"That's not a good idea Tchuudyn, not unless you can fly or are invulnerable, because this is rather high up to be doing something that foolish. Unless you have some kind of death wish that is."

"Worry more about yourself than me rookie, because I'm certainly not worried about you."

And with a wicked grin
He somehow slipped himself free
Of Tykyn's grasp
And fell him fast
From sight and sound

"No!!!" Tykyn cried in horror and raced after his swiftly falling form, hoping desperately to catch him. But to no avail as he landed and saw not a sign of him, alive or dead. "No! I had him safely in my grasp and still he slipped out of my hold. What happened to him?"

Tales From October Volume II

"I'll show you what I can really do Tchuudyn. And when I do, you will never again see me as someone to be beaten easily."

"Ha ha ha! I am surprised you've withstood me as well as you have, but aside from that, you are nothing short of an annoying but that I will now swat away so that I might find a challenge, if such a challenge still exists for me."

"No, don't laugh at me, you haven't the right to do that."

And thus to prove it
He grimaced and cried
Then flew him forth
Oh but fast enough
To catch off guard
His new enemy
And race into the sky with him

"What do you say now Tchuudyn? See how easily i snatched you up and brought you here? Up in the sky?"

"And just what are you going to do, now that you have me here, high above the ground well beyond my ability to survive if you dropped me."

Tales From October Volume II

"Ohhh, I'm not done yet Tchuudyn, no matter what it looks like, I won't give up without a real fight."

"Well, seeing as I stand above you now, having beaten you easily, I think it is over. And you'd do well to accept that you are indeed beaten and just leave it at that, before I really hurt you. And yes, I can really hurt you Tykyn, so be smart and do not get up to fight me again because it will only end badly for you."

"So you expect mere words to substitute for fighting?"

"Do you really want to be beaten so badly your bruises will have bruises?"

"I died today Tchuudyn, so the prospect of the pain you speak of doesn't frighten me in the least."

"Ah, bravado is it? Though you will regret it, I will allow you experience the pain of a lifetime that you will now face."

And true to his intent
He leapt him away
And lightly landed
Ready for a fight

"Well Tykyn, what are you waiting for? Come at me and face the pain you have yourself asked for."

Tales From October Volume II

"Where's your power now pretender? You can fly, but can't seem to do anything else."

"This isn't over yet, you caught me by surprise with the speed of your leap, but to think I'm done is sheer foolishness."

"Is it? I think not."

Then back to the fight
It yes so was
As Tchuudyn pressed his advantage
And pounded relentlessly
On the rookie strordinaire

Then thrown away
As if but trash
He landed hard
And but laid him there

Yet not done
Was angry Tchuudyn
As back to Tykyn he leapt
To land upon
In apparent triumph

Tales From October Volume II

"I know Tchuudyn, what do you think I am, a fool? We will fight and I will win, which is a good change from my first fight, which I lost badly."

"No, I will not be stop by the likes of you, a mere flying man who cannot possibly do more than that. So be ready to feel the pain for I am more than ready to make you feel it. And feel it you will."

"Oh yeah? Bring it forth Tchuudyn, because I feel more than ready for anything right now, so let's do this now."

"Impudent worm, I will crush you and dance on your broken corpse."

And to the air he leapt
A sudden fast bound
That yes caught Tykyn
By hard surprise
Thus down they fell
With Tykyn taking
The brunt of the fall

Tales From October Volume II

"I'll show you what I can do faker!" And with that he screamed and grabbed ahold of Tykyn and flung him away, hoping to silence him into unconsciousness so he could remove the suit and feel right again in his own head.

But as he flew away
Yes flung but hard
Tykyn felt a change inside
And soon but slowed he did
As yes he gained control
Of his own path

"Tchuudyn! Look you now at me. I feel the hint of power and though it is but flight, I know it is not the only blessing I have. So be warned, I am as I knew, no pretender, a strodinaire and you will feel me strike you now."

"No, you cannot be a strordinaire, not when I have called you a pretender. Why would I be so wrong about this? I can't be wrong about this."

"Everyone's wrong sometimes Tchuudyn, it's just about how often and how seriously. This one, yeah, rather kind of serious, because now you've got me angry and wabting to do something with that anger. And since you're here, I choose you as my punching bag."

"And just how will you dish it out Tykyn? With words? If that is one of your other blessings, it has decidedly failed. Well? Are you a man of words, or a man of actions? You cannot talk me into submission fool, you will have to fight me into it!"

Tales From October Volume II

"You dare to speak to me this way?"

"Yes, I do."

"Even when it is me who has you right where I want you?"

"Well, as I said, you've not beaten me, you've just gotten all the shots in so far. There's a difference."

"But not much of one fool. I hold all the cards and you are about to meet your end, having done nothing as a strordinaire because you are a pretender."

"Except, you've not hurt me yet. All the blows you've dealt me haven't hurt me in the least."

"That is simply the suit fool, it won't be the same once I remove it from you."

"Only you haven't done that yet, have you? And more to the point, I don't think you can."

Tales From October Volume II

"A threat? No, you are most definitely not a threat to me, or anyone for that matter. But you are an insult that must be completely eradicated here and now. And that is what I am going to do."

Thus that said
He once again
Done dropped him hard
Yes hard upon the ground
Seeking to break him
For what better way
To so deal with
The insult he thought him to be
Than to break him to pieces

"So die fool die. Why won't you die?"

"I think I already did once today and apparently, once is enough." He managed to mutter, as Tchuudyn paused in his attempt to silence Tykyn. "But the suit is something else, as that is what brought me back and protectsd me now, from your attack."

"Oh really? Then I will have to remove it from you."

"So far, all you've done is wail away at me with no success. And I don't even know what my powers are yet. What does that say about you?"

Tales From October Volume II

Then flung away he was
With such disgust
That Tchuudyn paused
Not wanting to near so be
Only that but faded
And again he pounced hard
Aiming to hurt indeed
The man he thought
To be but fake and weak

"You will die fake strordinaire, but first you will know the pain that you deserve for lying to me about who and what you were."

"I am a strordinaire, just new to the ranks of it, having faced my first defeat which has left me weak and sad."

"Again you lie you are but a pretender and that will cost you."

And then again
He held him up
So shaking him hard
Before he flung him away
Only to follow fast
And to fall as bricks atop

"Please stop. I'm no threat to you."

Tales From October Volume II

But not a muscle did he move
As he knew not a lick
Of what he could do
And fear but gripped him still

"Do you think I dress like this for my health? Eh? Do you? No, this is the garb of my strordinairian identity."

"You've as yet but shown any signs of that, so I begin to wonder if you aren't just some fanboy off to a convention."

"Does this look the garb of any strordinaire you know?"

"I don't know all of the strordinaires that once roamed the streets and patrolled the skies. So you could be playing the role of some little known strordinaire for all I know. And with that looming as more and more a possibility, I need to find this out."

And the look in his eyes
Done gave a fright
To Jonathan the man
That Tykyn the title
Felt oh so fake

"No, stay away!"

"Ha ha ha, some strordinaire you are Tykyn. Ha ha ha!"

'Twas then he leapt
Yes fast onto the man
With a heavy heavy thud
And a quick holding up
Of his limp sad form
In its shiny hero garb

"Ohhh, let me go Tchuudyn, just let me go, please."

"What such is this? Such a cry of weakness already? But I've barely begun to thrash you. What a sad excuse for a strordinaire you are. No, you can't possibly be a strordinaire if you slip to moaning so pathetically so quickly. And the quickness with which you've done it sickens me, so much so that I must consider killing you for this affront."

And all Tykyn did was to silently gulp.

Tales From October Volume II

"This isn't about doing the smart thing, this is about doing what I have to do."

And up he rose
Yes foolishly so
But with the glint
Of a strordinaire

"But what is the point when you have yet to show me your powers, which is what marks you as a strordinaire. For a suit is nay not enough to do that. So Tykyn, are you but a suit, or are you a force to be reckoned with, if not today, then some distant day? What is it?"

"I am more than a suit Tchuudyn, of that you can be sure."

"Than show me this fool, for I begin to wonder myself."

Aye he was more
Than but a suit
Only he knew not what
That more it was
Not yet at least
Which surely was indeed
Such a foolish thing
In his new calling

Tales From October Volume II

"What will I do Tykyn? What will I do? Ha ha ha! I'll show you exactly what I will do."

And this he did
But easily quick
As he leapt him forth
And grabbed ahold
Of Tykyn's aching arm
With a hard hard pull
And a bitter cold laugh

"Nooo! Stop that Tchuudyn! It hurts so bad."

"I warned you not to speak to me so impudently. But did you listen? No, you did not, so this but your fault. Be fortunate I don't do worse to you."

Tykyn gritted his teeth and bore the pain then in silence, wanting to scream, but finding nerve to not give his tormentor the pleasure of such screaming."Damn your hide Tchuudyn, you have me at a loss now, but if you think this is all you need do to stop me, you are mistaken."

"I am mistaken Tykyn? Who are you to speak so boldly when a normal man beat you, when you have the power you have? It is laughable that you continue to talk when I could easily snuff out your life, you pathetic excuse for a strordinaire. it is no wonder to me that they disappeared."

"The villains disappered too Tchuudyn, or do you not pay attention to the news and what you see with your own eyes?"

"The nerve of your impudence is enough fool! Quit it or face my full wrath!"

"I can't do that Tchuudyn, I'm a strordinaire now, I have to fight against villains such as you."

"Fool!" And Tchuddyn let go of his arm with his left hand and slapped him hard in the face with his right, snapping back his neck as he fell backwards, in no way close to making use of his powers. "And if you are smart, you'll stay down there while I think of what to do now."

Tales From October Volume II

"What are you?" And so asked Jonathan the man, what the supposed boy was, rather than Tykyn the strordinaire, for suddenly he felt not like being Tykyn at all. "And what have you done with Jonah?"

Don't you get it Tykyn? There is no Jonah, there is only me, Tchuudyn. And you will rue the day you became a strordinaire."

"I already do Tchuudyn, I already do."

"A pity then that you had the misfortune to meet me."

"Yes, especially on this my first day as a strordinaire, when I've already been beaten once. And by an ordinary man at that."

"What? What do you mean Tykyn? First day or not, how can an ordinary man defeat such as you? You are a strordinaire and by my meausurings, one with some degree of power. This makes no sense."

"Be that as it may Tchuudyn, I was defeated by an ordinary man, so to fall to a villain bursting with power is surely no surprise."

"No, this will not do at all, For my victory to have meaning, I must defeat you at your best, not at your least. Why must it always be so difficult?"

"I've often wondered that myself Tchuudyn."

"Shut up Tykyn, you will not speak to me with such impudence."

And Tchuudyn did but glare
Wanting to smite him so
But knowing he could not
If to gain he would
His full reward

So not another choice he had
Which oh so made him mad
He had to let him be
At least awhile

Which begged the question
Oh what to do
With an enemy
But yes forewarned
When such had never
Not ever been the case

"And if I do? What will you do about it Tchuudyn? Eh, what will you do?"

Tales From October Volume II

"So where are we going Jonah? This isn't a residential part of the city. We're in the industrial and warehouse district. What's going on?"

My bully is a precocious schemer Tykyn and his plan is nearing fruition, so he has to be stopped now, or we are all in diretrouble."

"Then it is good that you found me then Jonah."

"Yes, yes it was. Especially with his plans for the city, on top of what he was already doing to me."

"Wait, you didn't say anything about his plans for the city when you met me, you just said you had a bully problem. Not to downplay a boy's problems with a bully, but a villainous plot against a city is surely more important."

"It is, which is why I should have told you that first, but I didn't want you to be on your guard. I wanted you to be thinking about poor Jonah the boy with a bully. That was a mistake I won't make again Tykyn."

And the voice and the form
Of Jonah the boy
Suddenly changed
And there before Tykyn
Stood someone something else
With a dire plan
That spelled but bad
For all within her lovely limits

Tales From October Volume II

"I have faith in you Tykyn. You're a strordinaire, surely you can deal with a simple bully."

And Tykyn paused
As if but punched
Reeling back from the blow
Surely not intentional
But hurting all the same

"Of course Jonah, I'll just talk to him and your troubles with him will be a thing of the past."

Only if so simple
As but a bully
Why no belief
In such a common thing
For yes a little boy
From his own folks
His Mom and Dad

"Yes, they will be. Thanks to you Tykyn."

And Tykyn smiled to himself, looking forward to doing a good for a boy and start getting past his first painful defeat by a regular man.

Tales From October Volume II

"Thank you Tykyn, I am so glad I met you and that you will help me, because I cannot bear the doings of this bully any longer."

"I'll do my best Jonah." He stopped then, about to say more, about his uncertainty in being able to help the boy, seeing as he was so new to the doings of a Strordinaire and had come off a humbling defeat, to a normal man, but realized, doubt was not what the boy needed to hear. He needed certainty. "So let us go then eh?"

Thus they went
The boy in trouble
And the strordinaire
Oh so new to heroing
He really wasn't
That he could help the boy
But what else could he do

"He should still be sleeping, so you'll be able to catch him off guard and deal with him in the easiest way."

"I see. You've thought about this."

"Yes, I have, he's been bullying me for months now so I've had time to think about putting an end to his bullying."

"Like I said, I'll do my best."

"Thank you Tykyn. You don't know what your believing me means to me."

Tykyn smiled at Jonah, feeling good about his new way of life again, despite the easy defeat he had suffered. "I am just happy to help Jonah."

Tales From October Volume II

"But I need your help now. I can't face this bully alone again."

And he looked as if to cry
The poor poor boy
In need of a hero
Oh so badly
That Jonathan knew
His pain would have to wait
His duty but called him louder

"You won't have to face him alone again. I'm here now and I'll help you put an end to his bullying once and for all."

"Thank you." And the boy said it so softly this time, it was more a half whisper than an expression of gratitude.

"Lead on son, it's time for that bully to leave you alone now."

"It's Jonah. Call me Jonah, please." And the boy looked up at Jonathan, sheepish for what seemed to him like a snappy correction.

Jonathan smiled. "Please forgive me Jonah, that is your name, not son."

And Jonah smiled. "And yours?"

"Tykyn, call me Tykyn." Though as he said it, it still felt a bit odd to his ears, especially since he had just failed in his first fight as Tykyn.

Tales From October Volume II

"But, you look so weak and beaten. On tv, even when they lose, they don't look as weak and beaten as you sir."

"This isn't tv son, this is real life and I am a new strordinaire. It was my first fight in fact, so it's no surprise really, that I did get beaten."

"Oh, so you can't, I mean I shouldn't ask you to help me with a bully problem?"

And out escaped the words
Of a hopeful boy
Seeking a hero
To help him in his need

"You want help from me? Of course you do, I'm a strordinaire in a fancy suit, as beaten as I am, I'm probably...possibly...no, apparently, your best chance at helping you with your problem."

"I tried asking Mom and Dad for help, but they don't believe me. And neither do my teachers, or the police. Nobody believes me. And everyone laughs about it."

And Jonathan, as in such pain he was, nonetheless, felt so bad for the boy that he could not help but offer whatever assistance he could to the boy. "Okay, what do you need form me?"

"You'll help me?"

"I'll do my best to help you son, but I can't promise you anything more than that."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, just not today, please, I ache so badly I just want to go to bed."

Tales From October Volume II

I stood up and suddenly, I felt weak and sore beyond belief. My left arm in particular, with an ache that made me wince and it was all I could do to keep from screaming.

"Are you a Strordinaire?"

And there a boy
Not more than ten
With hope in his eyes
Looking at me
Like I was
The who he'd been waiting for

"I am."

Tales From October Volume II

And there I lay
Silently still
Calming myself
As there I felt
The need of beratement
Which led to tears
And the subsequent need
To calm calm down

Aye some Strordinaire
I was I wasn't
At least not yet
And one would have to wonder
If so I would become
As there I was
Covered in anything but
The glory of my done

Trash alas
Yes fitting for sure
Though saved from hearing
His unending laughter
So at least at least
It wasn't as bad
As bad it could have been

Like I could have died. And in fact, maybe I did, but was brought back, by the power of the suit. Not that I knew for certain either way. And that wasn't good. "Oh man, this is not my day."

Tales From October Volume II

"I'll be up to the challenge next time Jonny, you saying it can't be is just words. And I am not afraid of words."

"Good for you Junior. but I can say the same about your words, that they are just words. And they are, as I have proven myself in battle against you. And I am just a man, while you are a Strordinaire."

And then he was gone, leaving Jonathan easily beaten and feeling low, hardly the auspicious beginning as a Strordinaire he had thought to have.

Tales From October Volume II

"And what kind of man would I be Jonny if I had ignored the screams I heard? This is nothing compared to how I would have felt if that is what I had done."

"Oh how full of valour you be Tykyn. Will you think the same when this I do?" Jonny smiled then, as Jonathan lay groaning on the ground and gathered a bag from a nearby dumpster, spilling open its smelly contents with a swift cut of his blade all over him. "A fitting final act of this our first meeting, because I can see that you are too foolish a man not to seek me out again. Just know you this Tykyn, it will go no better that next time."

"I'll learn my abilities Jonny and then watch out."

"You can learn them all you like and I will still not fear you in the least. I have your number now and will always have it."

Jonny laughed and charged at him, leaving his cursed blade sheathed in his pouch, certain sure he needed nothing more than his fists to deal with Tykyn II, or junior, which was certainly apt.

And they met in battle again
If such it could be called
As Jonny struck
With but a single blow
Felling Tykyn
As if he wasn't
Any trouble at all

Which of course he was
But in name alone
And should have not
But met him so
Or anyone else
Just yet as yet

"Fool, you should have waited until you knew yourself as I know myself. But no, you had to be the hero you aren't. Lucky for you, you're stronger than my blade, or I'd put you out of my misery."

Tales From October Volume II

"You do Jonny, but how long do you think you can stay free, now that I am on the scene and you don't just have to deal with cops, instead of a bonafide Stordinaire?"

"If you are the Strordinaire Junior, as long as I want. And since only boredom would bring me to allow myself to be caught, which is something I've not experienced in twenty years, you ain't got a hope in that. And all you've done is talk the talk Junior, you've yet not walked the walk, so do your thing now, or watch as I make my easy escape and leave you cursing your ineptitude like a sulky little man."

"Shut up Jonnny. I'm giving you a chance to surrender here and now, without hurting you. Be sensible."

"Oh Junior, I'm the bad guy, not wanting to hurt me, when you know I've done no good, is not what you should be thinking of. Idiot. I'm gone, I have places to be."

"Like jail?" And with a deep breath, Jonathan charged at Jonny, hopeful the suit would show him what do to. "They'll find a place for you there."

Tales From October Volume II

Only Jonathan had no idea as to what he could do, which made him a terrible fool, challenging a man with a cursed knife, let alone a regular one, impressively dressed or not.

"As I said, you can't make me shut up. In point of fact, you can't make me do anything I don't want to do, like kill you."

"But you tried that before and here I am, hale and hearty as if you didn't stab me at all."

"Well, I'm guessing that you're a one trick pony Tykyn, nothing more. You can't die, but can't do anything because you punch like a pushover and have no fighting skills. And dressing impressively doesn't mean a thing because it isn't how you look, it's what you can do. And since you can't do anything, you really shouldn't be here."

"Well, as you also said, I saved Sarah, so that in itself is a victory Jonny."

"Some victory Junior, I can reach out to her anytime I want to. And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of my way, because I've seen your face and if I put my mind to it, I can find the people in your life and make certain sure they pay for that fact. Do I make myself clear Tykyn?"

Tales From October Volume II

And now it was the time
The time for him
To no longer be
Merely Jonathan the man
But Tykyn The Strordinaire
In battle with
His first own villain

Only he was not ready
To do as what
He needed do
And froze he did
In his face

"What's this Junior? You're not ready to face me? Are you just going to be responsible for saving Sarah from harm and nothing more? Ha ha ha fool. Oh my, what would Tykyn say about his successor, if he could?"

"Shut up Jonny, just shut up."

"Only if you make me Junior, only if you make me. And I don't think you can make me."

Tales From October Volume II

"The name is not Junior Jonny. And I'll thank you not to call me Junior again."

"Oh Junior, if you're going to be a Strordinaire, you're going to have to deal with people like me, who do their bad things, while making fun of those like you, if you turn out to the first of a second wave of Strordinaires."

"Shut up Jonny!"

"Words are not going to hurt me Junior, you know that right? You're going to have fight me and you certainly didn't do a good job of it before now did you? And don't try and deny it, you're the fool I stabbed. You should have died, but apparently you're harder to kill than a normal idiot. I'll just have to do a better job now and really kill you."

"Well, you can try, but you will fail, because I am a Strordinaire and you are not. And that gives me the advantage."

"Show me then Junior, I'm always happy to learn."

Tales From October Volume II

"Dead? Not hardly, I'm alive and about to do to you what you sorely deserve." And there he stood, October II, merely Jonathan Creech no more. he was now a Strordinaire, and woe to such as those as Jonny Ten Blade. "Can you say you're ready for me little Jonny Ten Blade? I think not!"

Jonny glared at him and snapped open his blade. "So you're a Strordinaire eh? Funny, I thought they were all gone, never to return. Oh well, I was wrong. But that's okay, I always wanted to take on a Strordinaire, certain I could take several of them down. Not the least of which was that foolish Tykyn. Him I know I would have beaten easily."

Jonathan wanted to answer back, in some defence of Tykyn's name, but he knew that would serve no good purpose. It was time to fight. "Let's have at it Jonny, or are you afraid to face me, the first Strodinaire you've ever faced?"

"A rookie Stordinaire? Not hardly. Come, show me what you're made of Junior." And he smiled, bidding him to attack with a casual gesturing of his fingers.

Tales From October Volume II

Sarah did just as he asked, flinching in advance of seeing a bloody mess of a man lying dead on the ground not far from where they stood.

As for Jonny himself, his smile faded as he heard no scream or other reaction from Sarah, who was not possessing of the strongest stomach. "You've changed since we were together Sarah, otherwise you'd have surely screamed by now, given what I did to that idiot."

"I am looking Jonny and I have say, you need to look too."

"I've no need to look at the dead fool. I killed him but good."

"Then why am I not screaming at the sight of his bloody body then. because you know I would."

"I don't know Sarah. You must have taken something."

"So I've taken to drugs have I? No, that's not it. There's just nothing for me to scream about Jonny."

"No, it can't be, I killed him with my blade. He's dead!" But still he turned to see what she was seeing, with an awful feeling in his stomach. "No! This can't be so, he was just a random idiot, nothing more, he has to have crawled off to die simewhere else."

Tales From October Volume II

"You wound me babe, I always had the best of intentions with you, you know that. Not once did I ever want to do you any wrong. And you know we had that chemistry. And I'll bet it's still there, under the hate you hold for me now."

"Yet now you wish to use that cursed blade on me Jonny. Why the change in heart?"

"Well babe, you kicked me to the curb, so what I would have done before, is not what I'll do now. That being said, this is just a painful lesson you need to learn."

"I don't need anything from you no more Jonny, now go away and leave me be."

"But you know things that I cannot allow you to know without now making you aware of the penalties for ever sharing that information with anyone. So, this I have to do babe."

"But I've known these things for months and you've not never said or done a thing about it and I got happy again. I even met a great guy. Life was good. Why'd you have to pop back up Jonny? What's changed? Are you not your own boss now? Are you not the big man anymore?"

"That will be quite enough from you Sarah Maresten! Take your punishment like a good girl and I'll not have to administer more of it to those near and dear to you, like Billy Taddison for example." And Jonny was enraged, hurt even, as her cutting remarks felt as like a slap to his manhood. And that he couldn't abide.

"You leave Billy alone, he never hurt anyone ever."

"Then smile babe and say thank you Jonny and I'll consider this I do to you the end of the matter, because with you, I can promise that I'll not get carried away, I can't say the same thing with Billy."

"You monster! How dare you?"

"Was I a monster all those nights we lay together, exhausted from the making of love? I think not babe. And don't you dare say I wasn't the best you ever had, because that would be a lie and we both know how much you hate lies."

"Blast you Jonny, throwing my words back at me and twisting them for your own ends."

"I'm a bad man Sarah, it's what I do. Just look at what I did to the idiot over there. I gutted him but good."

Tales From October Volume II

"And death is a lesson Jonny? No thanks, I'll pass."

"No. I don't do this to kill you babe, not you. I just need to leave you with a lesson. That's all, nothing more."

"You don't call me babe! You lost that right months ago."

Tales From October Volume II

And Jonny watched him bleed for a few moments, smiling all the while, before he turned his vile attentions to the unfortunate woman, Sarah Wills, a woman he dated but a couple of times before she saw him for what he was, a rather bad man.

"Sarah, oh Sarah, it is time for you to wake up because we have things to discuss."

"Oh please Jonny, let me be, I've never said nothing about you to no one and I'm not about to either. Just leave me be, please." And poor Sarah struggled to her feet, very much fearing what he was wanting to do to her.

"Don't make this any harder on yourself my dear, it will hurt less if you just accept what I will do. And then you can just carry on with your life, having learned a necessary lesson."

Tales From October Volume II

"I'm waiting for your downfall Jonny. But it's taking longer than I thought it would."

"You're going to cause my downfall fool? How? You're nothing but a squirming worm that I will only too happily deal with." He smiled then and waved his blade to and fro. "So far, you've but felt the delicious pain of my blade. You haven't felt it as the blade it was meant to be. You will now though." And he pounced on Jonathan and thrust the blade into his chest repeatedly, with quick and decisive strikes.

"Oh God no, it wasn't supposed to be like this."

"Ha ha ha! Die fool, die!"

Tales From October Volume II

Sadly, it was a fickle tide and Jonathan's quick blows soon slowed and Jonny Ten Blade smiled and turned to his cold cutting laughter. "Ha ha ha fool, out of energy eh? Too bad for you, but good for me."

And a flying back is how Jonathan went, from wailing away to sailing from in but a handful of blinks of the eye.

"Where is it? C'mon, how long does it take to be?"

Jonny Ten Blade strode towards Jonathan then, certain of course that he had no need to fear the fool. "What are you talking about fool? What are you waiting for? More pain? Well, you are in luck, because I have it to give to you."

Tales From October Volume II

"Dear sweet God, the pain. How can a simple knife strike cause such pain?"

"Ha ha ha! You should have listened to me when I gave the get out of pain card idiot, because the likes of you are no match for Jonny Ten Blade." And he looked towards the poor woman, just then rising, on shaky knees, with fear racing her heart faster than was normal. "Now if you'll excuse me idiot, I've a few words for my friend."

"No, Jonny, though the pain is excruciating, unlike any I ever thought to know, I can't let you do that."

"Oh really fool? That was but a single stroke of my blade and the pain of more would surely knock you senseless, do you really want more?"

And painfully, with the need to scratch his face still there, he slowly rose and fiercely stared at Jonny. "Want it? Hell no, I don't want it, but I have to do this."

"A glutton for punishment then? A would be hero? Whatever the reason, so be it, I will gladly give you this more pain you seek. And if you die, as you surely could, the fault is yours."

"Shut up you villain! Aargghh!!"

And Jonathan charged at Jonny, who smiled at the thought of the hard charging idiot, as so far as he was concerned. Ha, ha, ha! Oof!"

Nonetheless, down he went. suffering a series of furious blows from Jonathan's quick strikes.

Tales From October Volume II

But his laughter passed by quick and he sprung to his feet and charged hard towards Jonathan, waving his blade like a fencer., only to stop a mere two thrust away. "Listen idiot, there's a reason they call me Jonny Ten Blade and you do not want to find out, so do yourself a favour and take a hike now, or you will discover why firsthand. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, very."

"Well maybe you're not the idiot I took you for. Now go, I won't hurt my friend Trixie. i just need to talk to her. You tried to do the right thing, but sometimes doing the right thing isn't the right thing when you're only going to get yourself cut real bad."

"I understand, but I can't leave Trixie with you."

"Oh no? Didn't I just give you a get out of pain card? And this is how you're going to take my kindness? No, that's not what you do to me." And he sliced jonathan's cheek open with a quick but shallow stroke, laughing as he did so. "Ha ha ha! What an idiot you are. It didn't have to be that way."

Jonathan fell to his knees,clutching and rubbing his bleeding cheek, trying to scream, but finding he just couldn't, try as he might.

Tales From October Volume II

Jonathan gulped nervously. "A knife eh? Is the big man afraid of insignificant me?"

"Not hardly idiot. If I was afraid, I'd have left when you interrupted me and my friend here. And I'd also not be walking towards you very purposefully with a knife at the ready."

"Yeah, I guess not."

"So you're not a complete idiot then. Maybe you'll see reason and get yourself out of harm and leave me to talk to my friend. What do you say fool?"

"Your friend? No you're no friend to her and you damn well you aren't. So how how about you go away now before I have to do something to you that you won't like."

"You?" And the man stopped and fell to his knees laughing. "You're going to hurt me? Ha ha ha!"

Tales From October Volume II

"Help me, please. Someone, anyone!"

And Jonathan decided then and there, suit or no, he had to act then.

So he rushed to the aid
Of the first good soul
He sought to save
Not knowing what
He was to face
Just knowing that
It was right to do

"You there, let her go now!"

The man, struggling with the woman threw her down to the ground and scowled at Jonathan. "Oh really hero? And what are you going to do?" And with that, he pulled out a switchblade and opened it as he slowly walked towards him.

Tales From October Volume II

But he froze he did
There without the suit
For it yet had shown signs
Of being ready
To aid him in the cause
Of justice dealt

Not to mention, he had no training at all in the way of doing such things outside of what he'd seen in movies and read in comics. And that was nothing to go on, seeing as that was fiction and not real life.

Yet, he couldn't just stand there and nothing could he? How would he live with himself if he let some poor woman be attacked with impunity when the very least he could do was scare her attacker off.

Action though could not wait, he had to decide now.

Tales From October Volume II

Yeah, that's what I'll do, I'll go see Mom and Dad. Now they'll have a question or two for me visiting them during the day, but that isn't anything I can't handle.

So on his way he went
To see his folks
On a day he normally would as not
But such is life
We can think it will go left
And it will zigzag right

Then again, it can veer back to the left in the blink of an eye.

"No, don't. Please, someone help me!"

And Jonathan, waiting for the bus, spun around and looked towards the cries of a woman.

Tales From October Volume II

So, a day to myself then? An unexpected boon. But how best to make use of it? If it was Tuesday, I know for sure where I would go(A movie of course, Tuesday is my favourite day to see a movie), but it is Monday and the movie I would most want to see is one I still hope to see with Terri.

Speaking of Terri, I'd dearly love to drop in on her, but that seems like a risky proposition seeing as we will see each other later this week and I don't want to put her off, since our first date didn't end well and I have no idea how many chances she's liable to give me.

As for heroing, well, the suit shows no obvious signs of being ready so that's just a bad idea waiting to happen.

Hmm, if I was a writer, I know what I would do, but I'm not so I am at a loss at what to do with myself.

Maybe I'll go see Mom and Dad.

Tales From October Volume II

"How kind of you."

"How kind of me? It is, because my instructions were quite clear Mr. Creech, but having seen you around and knowing you to be a good man, I don't want to get you in any trouble, unless I have no other choice. And for the moment, I have that choice."

"I see."

"So if you leave now, I won't have to report your reticence to leave."

"Okay then, I'll do that. Thanks."

"Harrison Praid, in case you wanted to know."

"Well, thank you Harrison, have a good day."

"You too Mr. Creech."

"What do you mean I can't go to my cubicle? I work here and have no intention of being late for work. So please get out of my way."

"I'm sorry sir, but I've been instructed not to let you inside. So please, don't force me to hurt you, I'm just doing my job."

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"No sir, it isn't. I will tell them you were here, on time, which will of course, count in your favour, but I am not to let you in right now."

"So, I'm not fired? I'm just not allowed to go inside? Why didn't they just call me and tell me I had the day off?"

"I don't know sir, as I said, I'm just doing my job."

"Look, stop calling me sir and either answer my questions or get me someone who can."

"I can't do that Mr. Creech. Now if you'll just go away, I won't have to report your refusal to leave without delay."

Tales From October Volume II

"Friday? Are you ready? C'mon Friday, I need to go to work now and don't want to rush there, but will have to if you don't show yourself."

But if Friday was present, he did not show himself and Jonathan was left with the choice of waiting for him and being late, or leaving in a rush without him and making it to work on time(A now ungood place to be).

It was an easy choice, though he gave him five more minutes to show before he left.

"Fine, be that way Friday. I told you I would not skip out on work and I'm not going to. So you can yell at me later all you want, but right now, I'm going to work."

Tales From October Volume II

The rest of my weekend passed without event and I suppose that was for the best, what with Friday being something of an annoyance and my tenuous relationship with Terri, quiet was good.

Besides, I watched Galaxy Quest, Rudy and Notting Hill to finish out my weekend on a good note.

So where do I stand, with a new week looming, at a job that is now but a burden and my previously mentioned other woes?

Shakily, but I will persevere.

October II