Pete McGee and the Master of Darkness (5 page)

‘Big Blobby Blob Stinky Face?'

‘Yes,' he blubbered. ‘Well, actually, by gum, she would call me her little Blobby Blob Stinky Face Bob.'

‘Really?'

‘Really.'

‘Well, that is just astounding. It is a little different to the name I used, but I must acknowledge your mother's style and genius. Now, it is time we got to work. Dry those tears, my evil sidekick, there is evil to be done. Would you like a tissue?'

‘No, it's okay. I can just use one of my blobby folds of skin.'

‘Oh, that is disgusting. Really, it is, and I am not disgusted easily. Oh no, now you're blowing your nose on yourself. Come on now. Oh, that is quite a glob of green snot. I am impressed and repulsed at the same time. But okay, now you are eating it. Right. Time for me to go and see how my mangrove swamp is doing. Bye for now.'

And with that Syra hurried out of the room, hoping he wouldn't have nightmares that night. The blob sniffed a couple more times then settled in to eat the last of the maggots and to watch a little bat-action on the crystal ball.

Pete and Smithers tethered their horses at a drinking trough, and then walked through Bandragon with Molloy. A few people remembered Pete from his earlier visit, and they waved and called greetings to him; he waved back, glad to be remembered. He wished he could actually live in Bandragon.

They kept walking and then his heart stopped before his feet did. There, helping some people train, her blond hair tied back in a ponytail, kicking everyone's butts, was Tahnee. Pete had never seen her fight before.

‘Not to scabby hey, Pete?' Molloy asked. Pete assumed scabby was rhyming slang for shabby, otherwise that was just gross. Anyway, Pete couldn't see scabs on any of the people fighting, apart from one guy who had a scraped knee. He just nodded dumbly in response to Molloy's question, unable to stop watching Tahnee. Molloy continued talking as they walked towards the fighters.

‘Yeah, after you were queer (
here)
last time, Tahnee decided that she wanted to learn how to defend herself. Just in case, you know, she ever went on a quest too.'

Pete smiled. That was kind of cool. He saw Tahnee finish-off the last of the people she was training with, and then she spun around and saw him.

‘PETE!' she cried out, before running over to crush him in a big hug. Pete hugged her back with his arm. This was one of the rare times he really wished he had two arms. They pulled away and smiled at each other. Pete looked from Tahnee to Molloy and back to Tahnee. They were all together again, and were about to go and see Ashlyn and Marloynne be married. Could anything possibly go wrong?

Okay. Let's stop things right there. For any of you who have ever seen movies or read books where someone thinks or says that everything is perfect and nothing could possibly go wrong, you all know that's the cue for a massive disaster.

Well maybe that won't happen this time. Hey? 
Think you're so smart? Maybe this time nothing will actually go wrong and it will all end perfectly.

See? Not always right are you Mister or Master or Mrs or Miss or Ms or Madam Smartypants. 
You're so like, ‘Ooh, look at me, I'm so smart. I can tell what's going to happen just by reading one line.'

Okay, so you actually are right. There is going to be a disaster but that's not the point. Stop guessing what's going to happen and let's get on with the story before I say something I regret, like flibbertigibbet. 
Man, I hate that word.

Let the games begin

S
yra Tanooth spent a lot of time with the evil blob. He gathered a number of things. One was a bunch of flowers for the table. They looked lovely. Another was that the blob's name was actually Bob. At first Syra thought it had said its name was ‘Blob', but it had really said ‘Bob'. Bob the Blob. So, thought Syra, I have an evil sidekick named Bob. Not the evilest name going around, but it will have to do.

He also learnt that Bob's posh accent was rather endearing, and that it might be conveniently misleading. Surely no one who sounded posh and English could be evil? Finally though, Syra realised that Bob was not quite pure evil. When he questioned Bob about this, he discovered Bob's mum had spread a few rumours to make her son seem more evil than he was, so the other blobs wouldn't pick on him.

At the same time, Bob also learnt a few things. One was that he was glad to be out of that awful little cave he had been trapped in for so long. Two was that he was unsure if Syra was a genius or a total idiot. Three was that he hadn't eaten maggots before, but they were extremely tasty. Four was that Syra's accent seemed put-on, as if he were trying to sound more evil. And finally, he had discovered that Syra really did look dapper in a cape. Bob grinned. They would create some havoc together these two, and he would enjoy having Syra as a sidekick.

Pete McGee and Larson Smithers stood in front of Mortone, town leader of Bandragon and father of Molloy and Tahnee. Pete held out a carefully wrapped cloth package to him.

‘The Wilderene Flower,' he said. ‘Bandragon has always been my place of choice for it. Your healers will gain most from its powers.'

Mortone took the package with a slight bow
(that's as in he bowed, not as in there was a bow on the package. It was more of a ribbon).

‘Thank you, Sir Pete McGee. I have heard the tale of how you gained a second flower. I had no doubts as to your bravery and heart. Even so, I am impressed. Tahnee has also heard the tales.'

Mortone finished his sentence with a wink at Pete, who blushed. Tahnee groaned. Her dad, as usual, had managed to embarrass her in front of Pete.

‘And now,' Mortone continued in his booming voice, ‘it is time for us to part ways once again. I know a grand wedding awaits you all, and as much as I wish I could attend, I have matters here that cannot be avoided. Go and have fun. I look forward to hearing of the events upon your return.'

With that he hugged Tahnee and Molloy and shook Pete's hand. He also shook Smithers' hand. Smithers was shocked at the size and power of Mortone's grip. He thought this was a good man to have as an ally.

The four travellers mounted their horses and, with a final wave, they were off. Mortone watched them go. He had wanted to join them, but he knew that he had to let his children stand on their own at some stage. Also, there were pressing matters at hand. Rumours were surfacing. Whispers. Tales of an evil long forgotten having risen once more. Mortone only hoped he would be able to prove the whispers false.

Pete McGee, Larson Smithers, Molloy and Tahnee rode their horses at a slow trot. They had plenty of time before they needed to be back for the wedding preparations, and they had a lot to catch up on. Since Pete had met Molloy and Tahnee on his first incredible journey all those years ago, they had kept in contact via letter writing. This, however, was their first real catch-up in nearly three years, and they were making the most of it.

Smithers felt a little left out. He had become really close friends with Pete, and now Molloy had stepped in and taken over as Pete's best friend. That was tricky. Still, Pete made every attempt to include Smithers in all the conversations, and would fill him in on any in-jokes. That made Smithers feel better. He still felt a little jealous of Molloy though.

Pete, on the other hand, was in heaven.

Tahnee was also over the moon. Ever since she had first met Pete she had known there was something special about him. He had been pretty cute back then too. Now that he was getting older, and with all the training and work he had been doing, he had become muscly and tanned and … she shook her head to clear it. This was not a distraction she needed. She had to stay focused.

What the …? What the …? Yes, I am doubly shocked. Not sure what all that was about. Tahnee not wanting to be distracted, having to stay focused … what is she, a double agent or something? This is strangely weird. I am going to have to keep an eye on her.

Syra Tanooth filled Bob in on his evil plans. He told Bob how Pete McGee would be a worthy foe for the new evil duo. Now they were ready to approach this McGee, to find out how great he was. Syra fired up the crystal ball, putting it on widescreen so that the legendary Pete McGee could fit all his muscles into the picture.