Sir David The Killer Bee Beats

The air inside the Chamber of Kandrakar was heavy, thick with the lingering scent of ozone and burning magic. Outside, the realm had descended into chaos. Narissa’s new minions—a terrifying legion known as the Knights of Destruction—had launched an unrelenting assault. They hunted, striking at families, sanctuaries, and stronghold after stronghold. With the Oracle temporarily struck blind by an ancient curse, the burden fell squarely on us. We were forced to act as the eyes of the Council, carrying out a desperate defense while the Guardians—still too young, too inexperienced—struggled to hold back the tide. I felt the weight pressing against my chest. That desperate desire to do anything to protect those we loved, no matter how treasonous or forbidden the act might be... that was the crack in the armor of my soul. "Shouldn't you be guiding the Lightning Emperor?" The voice belonged to Kyogi Kagimi, quiet but sharp. He leaned against a marble pillar, his eyes fixed on Pri...

The rain lashed against the cracked asphalt of the outer metropolis, reflecting the garish violet neon that spilled from the skyscrapers above. Underneath the looming shadow of a cybernetic dragon curled around the highest spire, five figures stood huddled within the alcove of a decaying shrine. Will Vandom clutched the Heart of Kandrakar tightly to her chest, its inner light flickering violently against the oppressive dark fantasy setting of the city. Her voice was barely a whisper above the howling wind, but every word carried the weight of impending doom. "In the year of the dragon, in a world beyond the realms, I awaited the birth of the purple dragon of whom the prophets foretold," Will continued, her eyes fixed on the pulsating sphere of magic in her hands. "But the Dark Master heard the prophecy as well. I should have hidden the eggs long before, but I thought we were ready. I thought we were safe... Oh, how I was wrong. Oh, five spirits that control this world, h...

Oh, five spirits that control this world, please hear my prayers. The light that shines in the darkness, the wind that carries us to the heavens, and the fire that blows courage into our hearts... However, the people have forgotten this. Is destiny something that has been predetermined? If that is true, what kind of guide is it? It is the beginning of all action..." The ancient words hung in the air, echoing like a forgotten hymn before dissolving into the heavy, vibrating silence of the dragon temple. Ignitus, the Elder Dragon, lowered his massive, scaled head, his glowing yellow eyes reflecting the urgent fire of the brazier between them. "What's happening? It's most peculiar," Ignitus said, his deep voice rumbling through the stone floor beneath their feet. He turned his heavy gaze toward Spyro, Prince Phobos, Arc the Lad, and Kyogi Kagami. "Listen to me—not much time is left." Spyro stepped forward, his purple scales glistening under the firelight, ...

The air above the Limitless Fortress was heavy, thick with the scent of ozone and burning leaves. Outside, a dark cloud hung suspended in the night sky, blotting out the stars like an endless, creeping shadow. Kyogi Kagimi stood at the edge of the stone balcony, gazing into the vast gloom beyond the realms. "In the Year of the Dragon, in a world beyond the realms, I—like all the others—awaited the birth of the purple dragon of whom the prophets foretold. But the Dark Master heard the prophecy as well. I should have hidden the eggs long before, but I thought they were safe. I thought we were ready... Oh, how I was wrong." "What are you doing here, standing all alone?" The voice drifted out from the shadows of the arched hallway. Prince Phobos stepped into the moonlight, his dark robe trailing silently against the cold stone floor. "Shouldn't you be guiding the Lightning Emperor?" Kyogi didn't turn around right away. He watched a solitary wind-blown ...

The canopy of the Neo-Cannibal Woods loomed like jagged teeth against a star-choked, midnight sky. Deep within the ancient, twisted thicket, the air hummed with an unsettling, static charge. Prince Phobos paced before the flickering embers of a dying campfire, his long silver hair catching the eerie light. He turned sharply to the mismatched band of allies gathered around him. "I don't understand," Phobos hissed, his voice tight with a mixture of rage and masked desperation. "Queen Elyon is gone. She was captured by a Sorceress hiding in our midst." Leif of Deltora, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword, stepped forward. Beside him, Spyro the Dragon adjusted his stance, small puffs of smoke curling from his nostrils as his violet scales mirrored the dark forest. Further back in the shadows stood Masaki Karsu and Kyogi Kagimi, their expressions guarded, sensing the underlying malice of the woods. "And what does her disappearance have to do ...

The sky over Meridian did not bleed purple; it tore open in jagged, obsidian gashes. The "Black Howling"—once feared as an omen of destruction—was actually the desperate, resonant cry of the world's ancient magic trying to hold the collapsing Veil together. Inside the royal palace, Prince Phobos stood side-by-side with the Guardians of the Veil. His hands glowed with raw, green energy, channeling his own lifeforce directly into the cracks of the sky to reinforce the fading barrier. He looked down at Wil, Masaki, Kyogi, and Irma, his usual cold arrogance replaced by a grim, fierce determination. "I fear a dark and difficult time is coming," Phobos shouted over the roaring wind, his long hair whipping around his face. "Many people will need your help. You have been chosen as the Guardians of the Veil, but we cannot do this divided. My sister Elyion is out there, and she is the ultimate prize." Wil braced herself against the magical updraft. "Interes...

The night sky above the Kingdom of Meridian hung heavy, devoid of its usual starry luster, replaced instead by an encroaching, unnatural dark. On the balcony of the grand palace, tension was thick enough to cut with a blade. Below, the rumbling ground signaled a terrifying reality: two massive, opposing armies were marching, poised to clash directly in the heart of the realm. "Sir Aaron, please!" pleaded Masaki Karsu, his hand tight on the hilt of his sword as he looked out over the horizon. "The two armies are about to clash, Master! And the Kingdom of Meridian is caught between them. When they reach the palace, Meridian will fall!" Sir Aaron stood firm, his aura guardian staff glowing faintly in the dim light, his expression etched with a grim determination. He turned toward Queen Elyon, hoping to convince her to flee to safety before the vanguard arrived. But Elyon shook her head, her stance unyielding despite the tears glistening in her eyes. "I shall not l...

The dark canopy of the Meridian forest whispered with an ancient, uneasy magic as the stars aligned for the first time in an era. "We’ve waited years for this day," Prince Phobos murmured, his voice cutting through the chill night air. He stood looking out toward the looming silhouette of the castle, his expression hardened by over a decade of exile. "From time immemorial, it has been the Council's task to protect the Infinite Dimensions. But when I lost my throne thirteen years ago... everything shattered." Beside him, Masaki Kurusu stepped into the moonlight, his sharp gaze fixed on the glowing portal humming before them. "The threat of the Dark Masters' evil was so grave, Phobos. We were forced to shield Meridian from the other worlds to prevent the spread of that malice. We did what we had to do." Phobos turned his head slightly, eyeing the small, purple, horned figure standing alongside their makeshift alliance. "I do not share your trust...

The air inside the lower tiers of the Tower of Druaga was unusually still. For the first time in three years, the eternal, suffocating heat of the demonic fortress had broken, replaced by the Aether Convergence—an enchanted season that occurred only when the celestial spheres aligned. A soft, iridescent mist drifted through the stone corridors, casting a mysterious spell over the vast tower and visibly weakening the demons within. Their roars were muted, their dark magic suppressed by the ambient light. Leaning against a crumbling pillar, a figure wrapped in a heavy, tattered cloak watched a shadow approach from the mist. "Come closer so I can see you in the light," the figure called out, voice raspy but sharp. The traveler stepped forward, the glowing mist illuminating a sharp jawline, unfamiliar armor, and a fiercely stoic expression. The cloaked man stepped back, eyes widening. "Tell me why you have returned here... What do you mean? Your appearance has changed... but...

The cold wind of the Limitless Fortress swept through the shattered stone archways, carrying with is the scent of ozone and ancient dust. Kyogi Kagimi stood at the edge of the overlook, his eyes scanning the chaotic horizon. He didn't look back as the sound of light, deliberate footsteps announced the arrival of the Lord of Meridian. "So tell me—which side do you intend to take in this little brawl?" Kyogi asked, his voice dripping with casual amusement. Prince Phobos paused, his elegant robes rustling slightly. He offered a cold, calculated smile. "You haven't made your position clear either," the Prince remarked. Kyogi laughed, a sharp, humorless sound. "I'll take whatever side I like best. As always." "Perhaps I should say that sounds just like you," Phobos replied, stepping up to the ledge. He looked up at the sky, where the unnatural atmosphere of the fortress seemed to warp and bend. "Even as we speak, a dark cloud hangs ov...

The heavy, humid air of the outskirts of Babylon City clung to the group as they navigated the cracked asphalt and encroaching weeds of the abandoned research facility. Towering above them in the distance was the jagged silhouette of a massive, half-finished metropolis. "The Dream Yard," Thread Master Kazuki muttered, brushing aside a dangling, dead power cable. He knelt, running his fingers through the dust on a concrete barrier. "They left absolutely no trace behind, did they? This IL... it must really be something." Ash Ketchum adjusted his cap, looking from Kazuki to the towering, chaotic sprawl that loomed over the horizon. "So, Ban Mido... tell me about the Limitless Fortress." Ban leaned against a rusted steel girder, his silver hair catching the faint neon glow bleeding from the nearby city ruins. He slid his hands into his pockets, his gaze fixed on the gargantuan structure. "At the turn of the last century, a massive group of buildings was a...

The storm rolling over the jagged peaks of the Unova region carried a heavy, electric silence. The secrets of N and Team Plasma were no longer secrets to the heroes. The truth of the puppet-king, the manipulation of Ghetsis, and the clash of the legendary dragons had all been laid bare. Yet, N himself had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only questions and an empty throne. The Blank Map and the Uneasy Alliance Standing on a rocky precipice overlooking the misty valley, an incredibly bizarre fellowship gathered. Ash Ketchum adjusted his cap, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Beside him, James from Team Rocket looked uncharacteristically nervous, while the stoic Masaki Karsu kept his hand on his weapon, scanning the tree line. Prince Phobos of Meridian stood slightly apart, his regal, disdainful sneer firmly in place. At the center of the group stood Will Vandom, staring down at a blank parchment in her hands. "What good is a map that doesn't show anything?" James groa...

The air in the ruined sanctuary was thick with tension, heavy with the scent of ozone and ancient stone. Masaki turned his back to the grand altar, his cloak billowing slightly in the draft. "Answer me now, Masaki," a voice commanded from the shadows. "It all depends on your answer. So you're really going to leave?" Masaki paused, his hand hovering over his traveling pack. He didn't look back as he spoke, his voice quiet but steady. "But Phobos... weren't you the one who raised Ash Ketchum and Genji as your own sons?" The Confession of Prince Phobos From the darkness of the pillar, Prince Phobos stepped forward. The golden accents of his regal attire catch the dim light of the dying fire. A bitter, self-deprecating smile touched his lips. "Yes," Phobos whispered, the admission costing him dearly. "I've watched them develop over the years. I thought if I could harness their power, I could unite Meridian and the Limitless Fortr...

The air inside the Limitless Fortress was thick with the scent of ozone and ancient dust. The massive stone chamber, once a monument to Prince Phobos’s tyrannical reign, now felt like a tomb. But today, the fallen prince did not look like a prisoner. He stood at the head of the group, his regal posture tense, his eyes burning with a dangerous, protective fire. "I don't understand," Will Vandom said, her voice echoing off the high, arched ceilings. She clutched the Heart of Kandrakar tightly in her palm, its warm pink glow the only source of comfort in the gloom. "You mean Queen Elyion is gone? She was captured by a sorcerer hiding in our midst?" "Yes, Guardian," Prince Phobos hissed, his golden hair whipping around his face as a sudden gust of wind swept through the chamber. He raised his hands, green magical energy crackling at his fingertips—not to attack them, but to form a protective barrier around the group. "The fool dared to strike at my si...

The desert valley was suffocatingly quiet at night, the jagged canyon walls illuminated only by a brilliant, unnatural rainbow that cut through the starry sky. Beneath its iridescent glow, an unlikely band of heroes stood at the precipice of a dark destiny. Part I: The Path to the Rainbow "Come on, let us push on. Our fate lies beyond the Rainbow," Leif, the King of Deltora, said, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of the Belt of Deltora. Beside him, Jasmine, the Queen of Deltora, peered uneasily into the dense, twisted woods that lined the canyon floor. "There’s something real creepy about this valley. I think it’d be best if we didn't go through the trees," she warned, her hand reaching instinctively for her dagger. Ash Ketchum adjusted his cap, looking up at the glowing archway in the sky. "It's funny... I wonder why Kakashi-sensei told us to go see that movie before he would give us our mission." "Maybe he wanted us to pay attention to th...

The Echoes of the Past They always told me that being a DigiDestined means you don't have to face things alone. But as I stared into the swirling, digital abyss of the Limitless Fortress, those words felt like a hollow promise. What are you running away from? That was the question that haunted me. I knew the answer all too well. It started eight years ago. Eight years ago, a Digi-Egg came out of my computer. I thought it was a miracle, a sign that I was chosen. But that’s when it all went bad. Before it could even hatch, the egg was infected by a terrifying, aggressive Virus. When Tai and Matt stepped in and destroyed it to save the network, I thought my bad dream was over. I was wrong. It was only the beginning. The fragments of that shattered, corrupted data had scattered across the dimensional grid, bleeding into other worlds, anchoring itself to a towering nightmare of concrete and data: The Limitless Fortress. Convergence in the Limitless Fortress Now, the digital and physical...

Act I: The Shattered Horizon The sky above the Limitless Fortress did not clear; it merely shifted from the bruised purple of an oncoming storm to a suffocating, churning blackness. A heavy, dark cloud hung low over the spire tips, swallowing the neon remnants of a world that had once tried to bridge the gap between magic and machinery. "So tell me," Kyogi Kagimi said, his voice cutting through the damp chill like a sheared blade. He adjusted his tunic, his sharp eyes locked on the regal, calculating figure standing near the balcony edge. "Which side do you intend to take in this little brawl? You haven't made your position clear either." Prince Phobos offered a slow, venomous smile, not bothersome enough to fully look away from the chaotic landscape below. "I'll take whatever side I like best, as always." "Perhaps I should say that sounds just like you," Kyogi replied, a cold chuckle escaping his lips. He turned his back to the tyrant, w...

The Weight of the Void What is darkness? It is not merely the absence of light; it is a living, breathing entity. It swallows all things into its endless void, letting nothing escape its suffocating grasp. The pitch-black abyss is always there, lurking in the background of every spark, waiting for the fire to die. Humans dread the darkness, but perhaps it isn't the empty space they fear. Perhaps it is something deeper—something ancient and waiting—that watches them from within it. An Uneasy Alliance Underneath a sky that bled digital decay, two figures stood on a jagged cliff overlooking a desolate wasteland. The wind carried the faint sound of clanking chains and the low hum of dark energy. Kyogi Kagimi turned his gaze away from the horizon, looking toward the formidable warrior standing beside him. "I've summoned you because there's someone I need you to teach," Kyogi said, his voice barely carrying over the howling wind. He paused, observing the subtle tension ...

The air inside the dark, crumbling chamber of the Limitless Fortress was thick with tension. Deep within its shadows, Prince Phobos stood alongside the other heroes, his expression grim as he held a weathered scroll. "Her spirit is very powerful... it could be of use to us, but we must wait," Phobos told Zoey, Corina, Will Vandom, Takuya Kanbara, and Masaki Karasu. He looked up, his regal eyes serious. "We mustn't rush these things. I sense a connection to the Mew Mews. If we time it right, we can use this to destroy Lucemon's influence before it spreads." Zoey and Corina nodded, their Mew Mew instincts sharp and ready, while Will Vandom focused her elemental energy, keeping a watchful eye on the perimeter. Takuya Kanbara stood tall, the fiery spirit of the Legendary Warriors burning within him, and Masaki Karasu kept a silent, calculated guard. "The list we found of those in the Earth town will help with the search for my sister," Phobos continued...

The neon glow of the digital city cast long, jagged shadows across the alleyways of Babylon. Takuya and Davis stood frozen, shielding their Digivices as a dark figure stepped out from the swirling mist. Behind them, Ban, Ginji, and the others braced themselves. The air grew heavy, thick with the suffocating pressure of a techno-organic plague. "Sorry to interrupt your field trip," the intruder sneered, his voice dripping with malice, "but you have something I want. I demand you give it to me." Davis blinked, trying to mask his panic with a cocky grin, while Takuya instinctively took a defensive step forward. Before either of them could shout a defiance, Ban stepped past them, his trademark calm demeanor firmly in place despite the tension. "Well, first, it's truly an honor to meet you," Ban said, a sharp, knowing glint in his eyes. "And I'd love to help you find it... but I'm not sure what you are talking about." The intruder didn...

The rocky desert was suffocatingly quiet under the midday sun, though you wouldn’t know it by looking up. The sky was swallowed by an unnatural, bruising blackness, split only by the glowing headlights of a massive steam train idling on the rusted tracks nearby. "That structure behind you is known as the Dark Gate," Kyogi Kagimi said, gesturing toward the towering, obsidian threshold that loomed over the canyon. "Behind it lies the Continent of Darkness." Will Vandom clutched her heart amulet, her eyes wide as she looked from the intimidating gate to Kyogi. "Please tell me that's not as bad as it sounds... It's midday. Are the clouds supposed to be that dark?" "It is an eerie land shrouded in utter darkness," Takuya Kanbara added, stepping forward and adjusting his goggles. He stared at the gate with a grim, knowing look. Having been there once before as a DigiDestined, the memories of its oppressive atmosphere were fresh. "The dange...

The rain in the Digital World didn’t fall like water; it came down in sharp, static lines of code that stung against the skin. I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders, staring into the neon-lit abyss of the Limitless Fortress. The massive structure loomed ahead, a labyrinth of shifting data and forgotten memories. “Being a DigiDestined means you don’t have to face things alone.” That’s what they always tell you. It’s the golden rule. The grand promise. But they don’t tell you what happens when the very thing meant to connect you to the world becomes the thing you're running away from. The Glitch in the Genesis Eight years ago, a Digi-Egg came out of my computer screen. I remember the glow it cast on my bedroom walls, the thrilling hum of a universe opening up just for me. But that’s when it all went bad. Before it could even hatch, a vicious, fast-acting virus infected the shell. It twisted the data inside into something monstrous, a corrupted entity that threatened to tear t...

The neon lights of the Neo Shinjuku sector bled into the murky waters of the digital river, casting long, distorted reflections that danced beneath the churning sky. Above them, the massive silhouette of the digital dragon loomed like a dormant storm cloud, its presence a constant reminder of the fracturing barriers between worlds. Prince Phobos stood at the edge of the stone embankment, his long, braided hair catching the eerie glow of a nearby "24HR KONBINI" sign. He stared at the spot where Elyion had stood only moments before. "Elyion disappeared into thin air," Phobos murmured, his voice laced with cold calculation as he turned back to face the gathered heroes. "It could be like the astral drops. If we can clone ourselves, couldn't she project a self-image?" Kyogi Kagimi leaned against a rusted guardrail, the collar of his dark coat pulled up against the damp night air. He adjusted his glasses, the neon pinks and blues of the city reflecting off t...

The tavern in the heart of Meridian was suffocating, thick with the scent of cheap ale and desperation. Kyogi Kagimi sat in the dimmest corner, turning a worn map over in his hands—a map where a massive chunk of territory had simply been erased, replaced by blank parchment. "When the Digimon Emperor took the throne from Phobos, a light went out over this land," an old farmer murmured at the bar, his voice trembling. "Our men are jailed. Our crops are stolen. We have no security, nothing left but our dreams." Kyogi leaned forward, listening intently. The farmer lowered his voice further, leaning into his companion. "But we hear Phobos has a sister on the side... could this be true? The only other heir to the throne. They say she doesn't even know her true identity, or that she wasn't born on Earth. She's our only hope to save Phobos from his execution and stop the Digimon Emperor." Kyogi smirked faintly. A lost princess. Classic. But if she was ...

The damp air of the city park clung to them like a heavy shroud, the neon glow of a shifting sky painting the concrete in shades of bruised purple and crimson. "You are our DigiDestined..." The mysterious voice echoed from nowhere, vibrating deep within their chest cavities. It felt ancient, laced with static, yet terrifyingly clear. "You have been chosen for great things, but don't be frightened." Yusuke Urameshi scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets and spitting to the side. "Frightened? Lady, or whatever you are, I deal with Spirit World creeps for breakfast. You’re going to have to try harder than a disembodied loudspeaker." Beside him, Sakura Avalon clutched her star-capped sealing wand tight against her chest. Her eyes darted around the shadowed trees of the park, sensing an overwhelming, chaotic magical pressure that didn't belong to any Clow Card she had ever faced. Takuya Kanbara adjusted his goggles, his fingers twitching near his D...

The neon signs of the dystopian Neo-Domino City flickered violently, casting erratic hues of crimson and electric blue over the damp, metallic pavement. High above, on the rooftop overlooking the roaring tracks of the runaway train crisis, Seto Kaiba tapped rapidly on his wrist-mounted duel disk console, his eyes reflecting a cascade of scrolling data. "So far, so good," Kaiba muttered, a rare, cold smirk playing on his lips. "Excellent... just like I programmed." Suddenly, a massive surge of localized electromagnetic energy pulsed through the city's grid. The colossal, glowing form of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, soaring amidst the stars and skyscrapers, let out a digital shriek as a geometric, ancient artifact materialized in the sky, threatening to pull the beast inward. "Wait... a Dragon Capture Jar?" Kaiba’s eyes widened, his fingers flying across the terminal. "Someone must have reprogrammed the Limitless Fortress combat protocol! The Blue-Ey...

The neon glare of Babylon City didn't reach this far down into the ruins, but the oppressive weight of its "gods" hung heavy in the air. Takato crouched near the rusted chassis of an old car, unrolling a tattered, fragmented piece of parchment onto the damp concrete. Ban, Rock, and the others gathered around, their weapons drawn and eyes scanning the shadows of the starry, dark fantasy skyline. "This was once part of a great map hanging on Prince Phobos’ wall," Takato explained, his voice low as he traced the jagged edges of the paper. "But years ago, when he was just a soldier tired of serving the evil gods of Babylon City, he tore off this piece of the map and gave it to a passing one—a traveler who moves between worlds." Ban leaned closer, adjusting his purple sunglasses. "Great backstory, kid. But it looks like a scrap of garbage to me. It's completely empty." "In our world, the map is blank," Takato countered, pulling a glo...

The neon glow of the distant city cut through the jagged canopy of the forest, casting long, eerie shadows over the moss-covered rocks. It was a dark, oppressive night, lit only by a cold crescent moon and a scatter of indifferent stars. TK stood near the edge of a cliff, looking back at the shimmering horizon. He adjusted his stance, his expression hardened by things no teenager should ever have to witness. "Who says there's no such thing as monsters?" he murmured, his voice cutting through the rustle of the leaves. "You're never the same after battling your first digital monster. Did you know there are actually two worlds? Our world, and the Digital World. I am not sure where it is... but our adventure began that night." "A night that started like any other," Ken Ichijouji cut in, stepping forward into the moonlight. His posture was rigid, carrying the heavy aura of the Digimon Emperor he once was, yet his eyes were fixed on the treacherous path ...

The digital wind howled through the skeletal iron beams of Babylon City, carrying with it the scent of ozone and ancient, corrupted data. T.K. stepped through the heavy, rusted doors, entering the dimly lit tower of Babylon City. His boots clicked softly against the metallic floor as his eyes locked onto the figure sitting in the shadows. "Don't you think you should give up on the charade?" T.K. said, his voice echoing off the high, vaulted ceilings. "You say you're the most powerful being in the digital world, and yet you have no idea about the powers that exist here. You're just like that story, The Emperor's New Clothes." From the darkness, a sharp laugh cut through the hum of the servers. It wasn't Ken—the Digital Emperor—who answered, but rather a taller figure leaning casually against a pillar, the wheels of his Air Trecks clicking softly as he shifted his weight. It was Icky. "The kid's got a point," Icky muttered, a wild, sh...

The desert air of the Valley of the Lost grew unnaturally cold as night fell, the stars above shining with an eerie, sharp brilliance against the jagged silhouettes of the surrounding mountains. Leif of Delora adjusted his grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the rocky terrain. Somewhere in these treacherous wastes lay the stolen Belt of Deltora, and with it, the fate of his kingdom. But they were not alone in their search. The shadows themselves seemed to stretch and twist, infected by a dark, oppressive magic. "The day sky will darken and black lightning will strike," Spyro muttered, his purple scales reflecting the faint starlight as he padded alongside Leif. "It is a sign. It is coming... the Bloody August." The young dragon shook his horns, trying to dispel the uneasy feeling creeping over him. "Gnasty Gnorc added that there's something strange going on here, and for once, I think that big ugly brute might actually be right." "Let...