Chapter 8
Freeing the Prince Pt 1
Hurry, urged Wisker. We dont want someone recognizing us and getting us arrested again.
The city of the Bots was teaming with Bots. They were all over the place, on the lookout for humans.
Humans are getting captured left and right, observed Rozetta. She looked at Wisker curiously. Ive seen some of the things you can do with your magic, she told him. Isnt it in your powers to free all of the humans?
Wisker hesitated and gave careful thought to his words before answering. Yes it is, but the timing isnt right just now. There are still lots of repairs and damages that need to be mended before the humans can ever return home.
Wisker and his companions took small steps, trying to get out of the view of the Bots. When they reached a spot where they seemed to be at least marginally hidden, Wisker drew out his wand. Get ready for an adventure, he told the others. Abidee, babidee, cabildee, dight, give to us the power of flight, he said and suddenly they found themselves flying high above the crowd of Bots.
Wont they spot us easily up here? asked Porcupine, as he gazed down on the city below. Were right out in plain sight.
Theyll just think were birds or some kind of flying animal, answered Wisker. If they should realize its us, well well deal with that when and if it happens.
Wisker looked around at the land below them. The city of the Bots was totally destroyed. It looks as if the city had been hit by a comet of some sort, he remarked. It was caused by the humans and the Bots fighting amongst themselves. It is inconceivable to realize that this was caused by nothing other than acts of selfishness between humans and Bots.
Rozetta glanced at a city she no longer recognized. She saw for the first time the true destruction that had taken place. For the other two, this was a foreign land, for her, the Bots who had been killed, and yes, some of the humans too, were family and friends. For her, this was home. She flew silently in line behind the other two.
Porcupine flew to Rozettas side. I, hesitated, not sure how to say what he was feeling. With your help, all this, he waved his hand at the city below. We can make it right.
Rozettas eyes flashed with anger and she started to respond then caught herself. He didnt mean that quite as it came out, she reflected. His intention was to be comforting. She thought for a moment as to how she could best respond. There are somethings that can never be replaced, never be made right, but well do our best to make the best out of what weve been given that we can.
Porcupine nodded and reached over and patted her on the arm and the two flew along silently side by side.
Suddenly an advanced flying object spotted them. Oval in shape with a metallic coating and small windows in the front, the object began to hover in mid air.
What in Gods name is that? asked Porcupine. Ive never seen anything like it in my life.
Rozetta was the only one of the three who knew what it was. Quickly she jumped from the back of the line to the front. These are my prisoners, she told the driver of the vehicle.standing in front of Wisker and Porcupine as if they were nothing more than mere prisoners.
The operaters of the metallic vessel did a quick scan and approved the passing of Rozetta and her prisoners. Good job, commended one of the operators
Wisker and Porcupine hid their faces as best they could without appearing to do so as they passed the vehicle. All three gave sighs of relief as the vessel took off. Then suddenly things changed! The vehicle turned and stated shooting lasers at them. I guess suddenly remembered that Bots cant fly and Im flying, said Rozetta.
Wisker used his magic to make them fly faster and faster. He zigged and zagged, over and under war torn buildings. The jail house was now in sight, but Wiskers veered away. The Bots vessel was on their trail and he did not want them to guess their destination. All of them were frightened as the laser beams went zipping past them but for Rozetta it was even worse, she was being shot at by her own people.
I realize now that my mission is to unite the Bots and the humans, she said to herself. But suddenly Im getting short at, not by those I might possibly consider my enemies, but by my own race. Bots have turned on bots.
The three companions landed on the ground and ran down the streets of the Bots. Drive them right to the temple where the prince is being held, cried one of the men Bots.
Whisker only had enough time to cast one spell while they were running. He conjured up and set forth a herd of wild elephant that ran through the crown of bots, hitting and pushing through the crowds.
The first one through the temple entrance was Rozetta. Because she was of Bots decent, she didnt have to hide her entrance and all the security measures gave her access with one scan of the iris part of her eyes. All of the doors and access points began to open, granting her entrance into the most sacred parts of the temple. Wisker and Porcupine stayed behind to try and stall the Bots while Rozetta sped through the tunnels, looking in every cell window as she went. Prince of Mayfair, Prince of Mayfair, she called as she went. People were locked up like animals, heaped on top of each other, begging for food and water. I wish I could help, thought Rozetta. But I cant stop for anything, there isnt time. Rozetta ached that she couldnt do anything right then to help them, yet there was a part of her that believed that the humans deserved everything that they got. I am not anyones judge, thought Rozetta, as she sped through the tunnels. I cant help the thoughts that come into my head, but I can help what I do with them. I will not let the thoughts stay in my head other than those that are about helping everyone and uniting the humans and the bots.
Over and over Rozetta called for the Prince of Mayfair. Just as she was about to give up, thinking that Prince Harry must be being held elsewhere she heard an answer.
I am the Prince of Mayfair, came a voice.
Rozetta looked into the cell to see if it was really Prince Harry. Wisker had conjured up a picture for her so that she would know what he looked like. Rozetta could not believe what she saw. Not only was Prince Harry not being not being treated badly, but he had been given the finest cell possible and it had been turned into a mini palace. Prince Harry had his own chef to cook him delicious food to eat, whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, richly sewn garments and the finest king size bed imaginable, with a lavish canopy.
What are you doing, living like this in jail? Asked Rozetta. Youre people are being killed.
Theyre not my people, said Harry carelessly. They are nothing more than peasants to me.
How did you come to have such a fine cell while all around you people are being starved and mistreated? asked Rozetta.
I made a deal with the Bots that if they will kill Wisker for me I will see to it that my father does not attack their city.
How can you be so nonchalant and uncaring about others, snarled Rozetta at the prince. Others around you are starving and dying and you are here in this cell living like a, like a&
Prince? suggested Prince Harry.
No true prince would be living like this while others were suffering, hissed Rozetta. You act as if you are better than everyone else.
Well, I am better than everyone else, answered Prince Harry reasonably.
This did not sit well with Rozetta and with one quick yank by his shirt collar; Rozetta pulled the spoiled prince out of his lavish cell.
In the meanwhile, in the hallways of the temple, Wisker was using his powers to fight of the Bots. Wisker had discovered that his powers were so much mightier now than they had ever been before, that he didnt have to use rhyming commands to work his magic but he just had to call for what he wanted and it happened. Rain! he screamed.
Great floods of rain came down in large doses; thunder crashed and lightening bolts we
re seen at the ceiling of the temple. Water began to seep through the bricks and soon the temple was flooding.
Bots began to push their way through to capture Wisker and his companions and suddenly a big burst of water came out of the rocks, separating that section of the temple from the rest. The Bots began to sink as the water level came up past their heads. Their circuits began to do overloads and spark and within a moments time the Bots were electronically dead, their lifeless steel bodies floating on top of the water as sparks discharged from their bodies.
This was not what I wanted to do, thought Wisker, but it was our only way out. He looked around thoughtfully. Ive got to clean up this mess, he told himself. I cant let Rozetta see this.
Wisker commanded the water to return to the rocks. The water levels began to drop rapidly, as the water was pulled back into the rocks that made up the walls of the temple. The ground was now dry again, looking as if it had never been wet. The pile of Bots bodies lined the temple floor. They did not more or speak, they were now dead.
Wiskers work was finished just in time. Around the corner came Rozetta, pulling Prince Harry along behind her. She stopped suddenly as her gaze fell upon her people. Why are they so lifeless? she asked, looking at Wisker as if she were afraid to hear the answer.
I did not harm them, said Wisker. I can make them come back to life but not until we are far away.
Rozetta began to moan for her kind. Once again she had to fight her heart and go on the side that she knew deep down was right. With just a few more glances, Rozetta continued to pull Prince Harry by the hand and led him out. Wisker and Porcupine were not far behind them.
I cannot believe how beautiful this Bot woman is, thought Prince Harry. His eyes began to sparkle and that silly look of puppy love came across his face and he turned beet red.
You are so beautiful and one of a kind, Prince Harry told Rozetta. I shall have my father buy you, no matter the price.
Well needless to say this did not go well with Rozetta, who quickly grabbed Prince Harry by the shirt collar and yanked him behind her, beginning once again to drag him by his shirt collar. You fool! she told him. I am not for sale! she said.
But Prince Harry, being the spoiled brat that he was, continued to insult Rozetta, as if she was nothing more than property that his father could buy. Wisker had heard enough of the Princes insults. Ill put a stop to this, he thought. He quickly mixed up some magic dust and with a tap of his wand sent the spell flying towards the prince who immediately turned into a little pink toad with a big purple bow around his throat.
Wisker reached down and picked up Harry, putting him in one of the deep pockets of his wizard robe. There, that ought to be a good place for you for right now, he told him. I made sure there was nothing in there you could use to get into mischief
The others laughed and Porcupine reached over and patted the prince on the head. Oh what a cute little toad, he said.
The laughter was short lived. Suddenly from the roofs and the gateway entrance came an army of Bots. They were not like the other Bots with whom we have been dealing, they were much more demonic in appearance with glowing eyes and a hard shell-like black exterior.
I have heard about them whispered Rozetta to the others. They are ten times stronger than the other Bots and much more advanced.
Wisker and his companions were now blocked in. The new army of Bots came in from all directions. Give up now or be killed, said one of the advanced Bots.
Paranoia became apparent on the faces of Porcupine and Rozetta but Wisker was not about to give up. I have traveled too far and been through so much that giving up is not an option, he thought.
Wisker soon began to wave his wand back and forth through the air, ca using a rainbow of colors to emerge. The temple walls got a new splash of colors, from red to green and from yellow to black. Some of the colors even went onto the Bots.
This is no time for magic tricks, said Porcupine.
Wisker smiled grimly. Its time for this one, he told him.
The colors soon began to melt off the walls and slither to the temple ground, and slither to the temple ground. With one snap of his fingers, Wisker made the colors become thick enough to hold the Bots in their places. The colorful creation was like quicksand, it engulfed the Bots who began to pull and tug at their feet to try to get loose, but their feet were as if they were cemented to the floor.
We must hurry before others come, said Rozetta, as she quickly led the way to an escape route in the temple walls.
They could still hear the Bots struggling and trying to get loose when they reached the escape route. Porcupine looked at Wisker questioningly.
My spell is too strong for them to escape quickly, Wisker told him. They will be busy for several days trying to get loose from that stuff.
Rozetta led them through the secret exit of the temple and they walked and walked until it seemed as if they had walked for miles and all they had seen was dirt and stone pebbles.
This place seems so lifeless and barren, said Porcupine, glancing all around the tunnel. It could sure use a little fixing up.
Rozetta quietly walked ahead of them, leading the way. She I s very much disappointed in her own kind, just as I am disappointed in William, thought Wisker. He must be many lands away by now. At least hell have the pup to keep him company.
Wisker stepped forward and began talking to Rozetta, comforting her as much as possible. Wisker seemed to be the perfect person for Rozetta to confide in. as they walked through the tunnels.
We had what seemed to be a wonderful plan to unite humans and the Bots, she told him. It seemed so perfect, but the idea fell through when we caught some of the humans shredding some of the older Bots to pieces and using others as slaves. Still, some of us, human and Bot alike still came together and built a private city, where both species co-exist, not separately, but together as equals.
Wisker smiled and he gave Rozetta a big hug. You have passed through some rough times and made some tough decisions, he told her. But everything will be all right.
Hey, cut it out, cried an indignant voice from Wiskers pocket. You think I want to die as a squished pink toad?
Wisker grinned and winked at Rozetta. Sorry your highness, he said. Ill try to remember to be more careful.
Prince Harry wiggled around in Wiskers deep pocket. How about letting me out of here so that I can have a little bit of fresh air?
Please Mr. Wisker? suggested Wisker.
Prince Harry muttered something that would cause your parents to throw this book straight into the garbage can if I ever repeated it here and Wisker decided to pretend that he hadnt caught what the boy said. After all, he didnt intend me to hear it so Ill just pretend I didnt, said Wisker to himself.
Wisker, Rozetta and Porcupine continued walking along, every once in a while interrupted by Prince Harry with a mixture of requests and demands to be let out of Wiskers pocket. When you ask me properly, I will give it some thought, Wisker told him.
In a pigs eye! answered Prince Harry.
Are you sure thats where you want me to put you? asked Wisker.
No!! answered Prince Harry in a horrified tone.
Oh, ok, I just wanted to be sure, replied Wisker.
Porcupine suddenly experienced a serious coughing spell which served well to cover up his very definite inclination to laugh and Rozetta had a big smile on her face for at least a few minutes which made Wisker very happy.
They walked on for awhile longer and finally Prince Harry said, in a rather sarcastic tone, Mr. Wisker, may I please get out of your pocket and get some fresh air?
Wisker considered telling him that hed have to change his tone first, but then he decided not to. Hes done well for him to come as far as he has, he reflected.
Wisker took Prince Harry
out of his pocket and blew magic dust all over him and within seconds he had turned from a pink toad to a human boy again. I will see that my father has your head, shouted the Prince.
Wisker never said a word, just ignoring what the prince said and talking with Rozetta and Porcupine. Prince Harry realized that nobody was paying him any attention. He was not used to this. After all, he was a prince remember and usually when he spoke everyone paid attention. I could do something to make them pay attention to me, he thought to himself. But Id better not. I really dont want to get turned into a pink toad and get put back in that pocket again. He shuddered as he remembered how dark and bouncy it had been in Wiskers pocket.
The Bot world was now far behind them, but they had been through so much that none of them wanted to take any chances so although they stopped and rested occasionally, taking short naps and then getting up and walking on.
Soon the long tunnel came to a dead end. We must have taken a wrong turn, said Porcupine, looking frantically all over the place for some sign of a door.
No, this is the right way, its a hidden door, said Rozetta. She gave a few brushes of dirt to the side of the tunnel and suddenly a large, oval circle appeared. It began to glow and gave off an almost fluorescent aura of light. Rozetta placed her face up to the circle and it began to scan the iris of her eye.
The hidden door opened and Rozetta entered. Come quickly, she told the others, as the door began to close. One by one Wisker and his companions jumped through the opening of the door and on the other side of the door were armies of Bots waiting to greet them. They lined the streets, ready to attack, but with one word from Rozetta, they put down their weapons.
These are my friends who have come to help us, said Rozetta.
Welcome, friends, said the Bots.
Wow, this is some place," said Prince Harry. He looked around at the humungous stone structures with marble pillars and columns which lined the streets. What an incredible world, said the prince. He walked through the crowds of Bots, touching and feeling them as if they were inanimate objects who had no rights or feelings to be considered. The Bots looked at each other and raised their eyebrows, some even rolled their eyes, but since the boy was supposed to be a friend of Rozettas, they didnt say anything.
Prince Harry was most impressed with the flying apparatus in the skies that kept flying past them. I want one of them and I want it now, he said loudly.
Well, you may not get what you want, but youre going to get what you need, said Porcupine, who had had enough of the spoiled prince and was going to give him a spanking.
Lets let it go this time, said Wisker. Hes just a little immature and needs time to grow.
Porcupine snarled under his breath. I apologize for the boys behavior, he told the Bots.
As do I, said Rozetta.
Now if you want to stay alive, I suggest that you act respectful, said Wisker to the prince.
Prince Harry saw a warning glitter in Wiskers eyes which he had come to be quite familiar with and not wanting to be turned into a toad again, he politely apologized to the army of Bots while pouting at the same time, which was quite an achievement.
I really love that boy, thought Wisker. I remember how kind and loving he was when he was a really little boy, before his parents taught him to act differently. Only time will tell if he turns out to be the kind and loving person he showed himself to be as a little fellow or if he turns out like his father.
Wisker and his companions explained to the Bots that they were there to help, but while the Bots were extremely polite to them, it was easy to see that they were not one hundred percent convinced.
A large Bot, twice the size of any normal Bot, with a thick copper plated vest and exterior came forward and pulled Rozetta to the side. His name and number which glowed on the left side of his chest proclaimed him to be Ronald 5678. How do you know that we can trust these humans? he asked her.
The leader, the one named Wisker, saved my life, she told him. When my own Bots left me to die, he stopped and rescued me.
Ronald 5678 nodded. I have been the leader of the Bots army for some years, he told her and I have known you for even longer than that, I shall trust your judgment.
Ronald 5678 then approached his men and told them that they would allow Wisker and his friends to enter. They have been good friends to our sister Rozetta. One of them even saved her life when our own people had left her behind to die. They are her friends, that makes them our friends also.
Wisker began to form his magic and let it dance in the skies for a few seconds. The Bots were very impressed, but they were also very suspicious of Wisker not knowing that all that they were looking upon was magic.
Wisker formed a large 3D image of his face that could be seen for miles away.
I thank you for letting us come into your land, Wisker told the Bots. If the humans and the Bots do not fight side by side with one another, then they will all be doomed. Rozetta has been very brave in her strong effort to unite the humans and the Bots. I am very proud and privileged to have her as my friend.
The crowds began to clap and cheer and from out of tiny holes in the dirt, humans began to emerge. They had been hidden there by the Bots as an escape route if they were ever captured. Seeing other humans made the hidden ones more hopeful. People began to pop out all over the land, out of small tiny holes in the ground that lead somewhere mysterious that only a very few know about.
You must stand up and fight side by side, Wisker told the humans and the Bots. : Glendora, the evil beast, is on her way and the power of every human and every Bot will be needed.
Everyone loved the speech that Wisker gave and felt renewed, filled with joy and hope. Ronald quickly took Wisker and his companions to a secret location. As Wisker moved through the crowd, he saw many faces he recognized and many that he had never seen before. Women and children of Bots and humans, the elderly and the young, all ready to fight as needed for freedom and equality. I will fight also, thought Wisker. We must all fight to keep our people free. Wisker thought to of his own family, those that he had left behind in Maple Wood, to go out and do the work he knew he was called to do as a wizard.
The prince gazed upon people whom he had never seen, Bots and humans alike. There is fear in their eyes, he said to himself. That isnt right, no one should have to have fear in their eyes. Something happened in his heart. He began to see the disadvantage of power and hate. I see the elders, the people of my own age, the people of every age here and to think that my father was planning, no, is planning on destroying a world so beautiful..
What was that spell of yours? Porcupine asked Wisker. The one that has made such a change in Prince Harry. His cocky attitude and his selfishness seem to have disappeared and he has become more caring and thoughtful of others.
It had nothing to do with a spell, but everything to do with the human heart, answered Wisker. He looked over and saw the prince helping people out of the holes. The same kindness and love he showed as a baby and a small child, he thought to himself. I am so glad, so very glad.
Now it is time for us to begin to get down to business, announced Ronald. We need to lay out our plans as to how we are going to attack the evil warlike Bots if they come here.
Wisker listened but he wasnt interested in a war with the evil warlike Bots, he was more worried about the war that Glendora and King Alfred had on its way.
Chapter 9
Freeing the Prince pt2
Those war Bots are going to learn a thing or two when they attack our country, Ronald told Wisker, his lips pressed firmly together. Weve got our plans laid out for every possible contingency.
Wisker sighed deeply. This isn
t the war that you need to concentrate on, he told him. He leaned forward in his chair and deliberately placed his hand over the part of the map that he knew Ronald was concentrating on. Ronald turned and looked at him quizzically.
Theres another war coming, another army, said Wisker. It is like none Ive ever seen. Before. Glendora and King Albert have joined forces. Theyre the one that you need to concentrate on beating. You need to join forces with others, they need you and you need them.
Ronald placed his hand down on the map, almost religiously, almost as if it is a sacred thing. It is these people we need to beat first, he said. My own kind, Bots, yet they are coming after us, They are putting power and wealth above brotherhood and I want to make them pay. They will pay.
Dont let your heart get clouded by hate, said Wisker, his voice deep with feeling. It will only make you one of the same thing that you are trying to destroy.
Wisker got up and slowly walked out of the room.
While Wisker and Ronald 5678 had been talking about wars and strategy, Rozetta had taken Prince Harry on a sight seeing trip. He was behaving so well, being so polite and kind that she was happy to show him around her land.
Your world is so peaceful and tranquil, Ive never seen anything like it, said Prince Harry. The buildings are maculate and the waterfalls are so beautiful.
They make me feel peaceful inside, said Rozetta. Its hard to think that there are those who want to start wars against us.
Its like Wisker, I mean Mr. Wisker, he amended. We all must work together against the greatest common enemy first, and then take care of the others.
If we dont, well lose and be slaves ourselves, said Rozetta.
Prince Harry nodded. This is so different than Mayfair. The Bots are different from each other, different shapes and different colors. and so are the humans, yet they all live in peace and get along.
Rozetta nodded Over there is the training camp of my academy, she told him, pointing to the spot where thousands of Bots were lined up practicing for war. Before, that used to be just a sport, now the academy is a place to train soldiers.
The prince saw the sadness in Rozettas eyes and turned away before he got too emotional. Rozetta showed me how the humans and the Bots all live together in peace and harmony, he thought. And she was right, there is not one difference at all between the Bots and the humans and the way they are treated, not one difference at all. They all have the same laws and rules and tollow and no one is better than the other. The Bots children and human children play together.
It was such an enjoyable thing to see that the prince watched the children as they played together. Suddenly he had a revelation about himself. I was such a fool, he said. Me and my spoiled ways. I took all that I had forgranted!
Well, do something to fix it, said Rozetta, as she stared deep into the princes eyes.
For the first time, as he looked at Rozetta, the prince didnt see just a robot or a machine; he saw something, someone, to whom he was deeply attracted. Quickly he sat up straight and straightened his clothing. I wonder if there is something that I can do to call off the war that my father is planning on the Land of the Bots. Prince Harry thought and thought. Suddenly he jumped up. Ive got it, he told Rozetta. Ive really got it.
What, what have you got? asked Rozetta.
I have an idea to get my father to stop the war, answered Prince Harry excitedly.
Rozetta was very much intrigued and began to listen carefully as the prince told of his idea. The land of Mayfair has a secret royal seal. The design is known to only a few. I will make one and send it to my father, telling him that I am all right and to call off the war. The secret royal seal is known to only a handful of people, so when the king sees it, he will know that it truly came from me and will truly listen to what I have to say.
What makes you think that your father will listen to you? asked Rozetta.
Because he always gives me what I want, said the prince.
Well, I hope it works, said Rozetta. They turned around and hurried back to find Wisker and the others and tell them of their plan.
Rozetta and Prince Harry burst into the meeting room where Ronald, Wisker and Porcupine were discussing war plans.
: We have a great plan that will surly work to stop the war, said the prince.
Wisker and the others listened as the prince told them of his plans.
You could be setting u s up, said Roland.
I assure you that I am not setting you up, said Prince Harry. All I want to do is help.
Wisker remained silent for a very long time. The prince could only guess as to what was on his mind. He gave a cold hard stare into the eyes of the prince. I feel that he is being honest and truthful, Wisker said at last. Lets hear the boy out.
Prince Harry began to list the supplies that he would need to make the seal. First we will need the finest etching sculpture that we can find, he told them. Surely amongst all of those humans and Bots there must be one.
Ronald turned to his Bot and human guards. Please go immediately and track down Mozac, he requested. He is certainly the most talented craft sculpture amongst us.
The men left immediately and Prince Harry began to carefully draw out the secret royal seal.
Wow, that is beautiful, absolutely beautiful, said Porcupine, as he gazed upon the princes drawing.
What amazes me the most is to see him mature right before our eyes, whispered Wisker to Porcupine.
Yes, replied Porcupine he has gone from a spoiled, rotten child to a mature young man, answered Porcupine.
I knew this day would come, said Wisker, smiling with pride.
As the prince drew out his seal on a piece of parchment paper, a long, skinny slender Bot came marching into the room. He was like no other Bot which Wisker had ever seen. His body was the only one that could twist and stretch and he was the only Bot made out of the new, soft, metallic steel the prince dropped his paper as the Bot began to twist and slide around the room.
My name is Mozac, we were not introduced, said the Boc.
Wisker took one good look at Mozac and knew that something was definitely wrong. The aura coming from that Boc is one of deceit and hate, he thought.
I was second in command, said Mozac Without me, the humans would have a long exile from this land. I was the one who saved them and all I got was this. Said Mozac. That William, he ruined it for all the humans and the Bots. I am mostly upset with the humans. The humans made the Bots slaves. They went on a savage killing spree. They dismantled the Bots who did not agree with their way of life. The humans killed their own, those that were protecting the Bots.
I can understand your anger, but now is not the time or the place, said Wisker.
Mozac became very angry and began to slam his fist onto the table. Because of you humans we are in this predicament, he said.
Everyone stop this nonsense right now, said Ronald, as he pushed Mozac into a corner to have a private word with him.
Once in the corner, Mozac began to spew his hate and lies that he held concerning Wisker and his companions. They are nothing less than spies, he said. And we must lock them up before they kill us all.
Ronald, who was more of a calm fellow, did his best to calm Mozac down, but it didnt work. Mozac ran out of the room. Mozac had planted his seeds well, and deep in the back of Ronalds mind, he began to question why Wisker and his friends were truly there.
Ronald came back into the room. I want to apologize for my second in command, he told them, but he did have a legitimate point as to why Wisker was there.
Rozetta became very upset and began to cry. Wisker brought me back to life with his magic
Thats it! shouted the prince excitedly. This got everyones attention. If Wisker could perform another spell like the one that
saved Rozetta on another Bot, then we might gain the respect of some of the Bots.
What a great idea, said Wisker as e rolled back his sleeve and pulled out his magic wand.
Come with me! shouted Ronald. Everyone began to follow Ronald, foot to foot behind him, through secret halls and invisible doors until soon Wisker and his companions were in a large secret lab. Everything around the lab was spotless. There were thousands of robots and humans working diligently to save the lives of the robots that were destroyed at war.
Ronald showed Wisker the rows and rows of Bots body parts. There have to be millions of pieces, he told him.
Never the less we are up to the challenge, Wisker told him, We are going to prove to everyone that we are here to help and not to hurt the Bots.
Ronald sighed. I wish you could, he told him. There are millions of pieces of Bots parts in bins and on the laboratory desk. Weve had people, both Bots and humans working diligently to put all the Bots pieces together, but theres no hope. The pieces are either badly destroyed or broken into two many pieces.
Wisker looked around. No one spoke to him, but it seemed from their expressions that every one of them there blamed Wisker for the fall of the Bots and human race. Wisker raised his voice so as to be heard through the room. I am so very sorry for any part I have played in the war, he told them. I am going to do my very best to help you. He pulled out his wand and held it out straight before him. Iggledy, piggledy, go thru and sort. Bring together the pieces for each single Bot, he intoned. Suddenly a wind came dashing through the lab, spreading paper and Bots parts everywhere. Then a big roar insued. The Bots and the humans dived for cover as the parts swirled into the air. Soon the bins and storage containers that held the Bots pieces began to open and fell to the floor. All the pieces went flying all over the laboratory. The metallic pieces of the Bots soon began to melt like liquid and slither across the floor. Everyone looked on in amazement.
Suddenly Mozac came storming into the lab. Stop this nonsense at once, he shouted, but neither Wisker nor any of the others paid him any attention.
Mozac began to go down the lines of the Bots. It was the humans that caused us to be in this predicament, he shouted, and although many of the Bots may have wanted to side with Mozac, they also wanted to see what Wisker had planned.
For once in your life, shut up, said Ronald to Mozac, who went stomping out of the room with an evil grimace on his face. Wisker continued on with his magic and did not let anything disturb him, as the pieces glittered and sparkled as they moved across the floor.
Everyone looked on in amazement, as each piece belonged to some Bot or other and when the pieces that belonged together found each other, they would interlock with each other, each piece building on from one to another. The movement was very fast, as if time had been sped up. Within a flash, Wisker had now put the army of Bots together. Some were missing pieces while others were completely intact.
For those who were missing pieces, Wisker used his magic to repair their missing or broken bodies. Everyone in the lab was astonished. One of the Bots was secretly recording the magic a t hand.
With one blow of his breath he can make them come to life, Rozetta whispered to Ronald.
But Wisker did not blow his breath. He left the Bots just as they were, like so many lifeless statues. Wisker lowered his wand and turned to Ronald. Before I go any further, I want your promise that these Bots will never be used to harm humans, he told him.
I promise you, they wont, said Ronald quickly, then he stopped and it was evident that he was giving the matter serious thought. Im sorry, as much as I would like to, I cant give you that sort of a promise. They are not controlled by anything. Some of them may have anger built up from years of mistreatment by the human race. Many of the Bots that were in the lab were not all human friendly. Many of the Bots were built or made to extinct the human race. They are each under their own control. I am not willing, I will never be willing, to change that and put them under my own or anyone elses control. Nor would I be to do that to any humans, he added.
Wisker was heartbroken in a sense to hear this, but in an even greater sense he agreed wholeheartedly with Ronald. Nor would I, he told him. Nor would I. Wisker stood quietly; he knew he had a decision to make. If I dont restore life to them, then in a sense, it will be as if I bare at least a partial responsibility for their deaths, he thought to himself. On the other hand, if I do, and they kill humans, I will bare a responsibility there also. Wisker raised his head and it was easy to see the agony of indecision on his face.
Well just have to weed out the bad ones, shouted the prince.
Wisker nodded in agreement and with one blow of his breath the Bots began to come alive. They were stiff at first and needed a moment to get themselves together but it was as if the dead had awakened. They all walked like zombies for awhile, until they regained their composure. Many of them began to look around and some even began to hide as if they were being attacked.
Dont be afraid, I am Wisker and I have just saved your lives, said Wisker.
We owe you a great deal of gratitude for your service, Wisker, said Ronald. He looked around and bowed in respect to the fallen heroes of the Bots. I cant believe my eyes at the magic of Wisker, said Ronald. He went down the line touching each Bot that he could, as if he didnt believe his own eyes, the bots stood before him brand new, as if they had never been destroyed.
Even the Bots themselves began to look their bodies over. I was killed, how is this possible? asked one of the Bots, as he glanced down over his hands.
The prince was most impressed and ran up to the Bots, staring each of them in the eyes, seeing how different and unique each Bot was.
I am afraid for my life, whispered one human worker to another, who was standing near him. The other nodded and soon they managed to slip out, as did a number of others, while still others stayed and enjoyed in what they were beginning to call the day of new creations.
The Bots soon began to talk to each other, finding families and friends. One Bot became very angry. It was the humans that killed me, he shouted.
And it was another human that saved your life, said Rozetta.
The Bots anger slowly fizzled and he felt very ashamed as he disappeared into the background.
All the while this was being recorded secretly and sent to the Bots headquarters on the surface. There was a traitor dwelling within the ranks of the Bots, but who could it be?
I must go and find my family and friends, said one Bot. I must see if they are all right and let them know that I am also, said one Bot and others began to say the same thing.
No wait, please, said Wisker urgently. A war I s still going on. The Bots and humans are still fighting each other. It is my hope that the Bots and humans will get together and stop this war, because an even greater war is coming. You all are still alive, I can raise you from the dead, but I cant breathe life back into my own kind.
One Bot reached over and touched Wiskers arm gently. Im so very sorry, she told him.
Wisker nodded his head and tried to smile. And I am so glad for what i have been able to do for all of you, he told him.
We will help you, but we want to see our families t said one of Bots.
And that you may do, agreed Ronald
As the Bots headed out of t he laboratory, many of them noticed that there were many evil Bots in their presence. Why have you risen these traitors? asked one Bot to Wisker. There are many of our kind in this room who are traitors. They were responsible for killing many Bots.
Will you show us who they are? asked Wisker.
The Bot went down the line showing Wisker and his companions how to tell the difference. The evil Bots have a diamond chip in the back of their neck, which is used for a power supply. They are controlled by someone or some
thing. They are not like us. said the Bot, as he showed Wisker the difference between the good Bots and the evil Bots.
Suddenly the evil Bots began to run. Not only were they strong but they were really fast. They went flying through the lab, running through walls at the speed of light, knocking over everything in their paths.
The evil Bots and the good Bots began to battle, knocking over machines, tables and desks, bursting through walls, jumping high into the air and flying away. The evil Bots were much more advanced and stronger than t he good Bots, but nevertheless the good Bots put up a great fight.
I have to end this and end it quick, thought Wisker. Most of the evil Bots are escaping. They are headed back to the surface and they will lead the Bots from the surface to this hidden world. With one whoosh of his wand a ringing noise ensued. Loud sonic waves chased after the evil Bots, discharging them and frying their circuits. Many lay lifeless on the ground. But little did Wisker know that many also had escaped. He was just a little too late and many evil Bots dug and dug their way to the surface, laughing their wicked laughes as they escaped.
I dont think that this was a great idea, said the prince, as he looked at one of the walls that was destroyed by the evil Bots.
Those things are very strong, said Porcupine, as he examined the hole left in the wall by one of the evil Bots.
Ronald soon came back to meet up with Wisker and his friends, explaining to them that many of the Tronbots had gotten away.
What is a Tronbot? asked the prince.
prince as he looked at one of the walls that were destroyed by the evil bots, "these things are very strong" said porcupine as he examine the hole left by the bots in the walls. Ronald soon came back to meet up with whisker and his friends explaining to them that many of the Tronbots had gotten away. "What is a Tronbot" asked the prince,
Chapter 10
Meet the Trons
The Tronbots are not like the regular Bots, Ronald told the prince and his friends. The Trons were built and made to kill and destroy, whereas we were given the right to do what we want and when we wanted. The Trons are said to be controlled by a secret group but no one has ever found out who is actually running the Trons.
We must hunt them down, said the prince.
No, corrected Rozetta. You hunt animals, not living Bots.
Now as far as Prince Harry was concerned, the Tronbots were very much like animals, but he certainly wasnt about to say that. Im sorry, said Prince Harry. I didnt mean hunt like you would for animals. I meant hunting for them as one would for escaped criminals and locking them up.
Oh, thats different, said Rozetta. Yes, I agree we must hunt them down.
The prince and Rozetta were fast becoming the best of friends and both Wisker and Porcupine couldnt have been happier, in fact they were both like proud fathers.
Before either of them could say how pleased they were at the developing friendship, one of the security Bots entered the room with an urgent message for Ronald. Excuse me, said the Bot, but this is something you need to know right away. One of the Trons who escaped was on the bulletin telling the entire city that they were awakened by Wisker.
How was that information received? asked Ronald.
Well, at first it seemed as if people were going to welcome Wisker as a hero, but then the Trons told the Bots they need to invade the security land because you and Wisker are planning a surprise attack.
But thats not the case, said Ronald. Theres absolutely no truth to that.
Oh, I know, sir, said the security Bot, But Im afraid that the Bots are all believing it. In fact a great deal of them slipped away in the night, fearing that they might someday have to fight against their will.
So the Bots think the Trons are their friends and are welcoming them as guests are they? asked Porcupine incredulously.
No, more greeting them as tolerated enemies, answered the security Bot. But the Trons have them convinced that they have to work with them in order to catch you folks.
After this things accelerated and it looked bad for Wisker and the others.
The Trons are nothing more destroyers, Wisker told the high priest of the land.
A meeting was held in the temple. Wisker and his companions came to this land to destroy it, argued the Trons. They were the ones that brought William to your land, and caused such an uproar. The humans are the killers of many Bots.
Because of the humans and there savage ways, the Trons were secretly created to extinguish the humans, spoke up another Tron.
I dont like your power or y our attitude the high priest told the Trons. You want us to believe what you are saying, then you need to tell us who your leader is.
No, said the spokesman for the Trons. That we will not do. We have told you the truth about the humans, particularly about this man Wisker and his friends. You can believe us or not, as you choose.
The priest became angry and ordered once again that they divulge the identity of their leader, but the Trons were built to hold onto secrets so the priest got nowhere with her orders.
Finally the high priest slammed down her gavel. You will divulge the identity of your leader, she shouted.
The temple erupted in a huge commotion and with the Bots citizens looking on and following every event, the Trons took off and ran out of the temple.
After them, after them, screeched the high priest.
The Bots and all of their guards began to chase the Trons but the Trons were more powerful and faster.
In the meantime, Wisker and the others, humans and Bots alike who have been hiding beneath the city have come up with a plan. Well send out a bulletin, said Wisker. Telling the Bots that the Trons are not to be trusted and if they let them go, they will declare war on them.
But it was very much too late. The Trons were long gone and the Bots citizens had begun to question what they were doing.
Wisker used his magic to show the bulletin all over the cities and underground. William made a poor choice, Wisker told the Bots. But it is no time to be going to war with the humans. A greater war is coming and the Bots and the humans are going to have to work together to overcome this terrible enemy.
Wisker used his magical puff of smoke to produce a mirror that showed the Bots how he breathed life into their people.
Thousands upon thousands of Bots are alive who were once dead because of the bravery of Wisker, Rozetta told the Bots.
I cant believe my eyes, said one of the Bots, getting closer to the magic mirror. Wisker showed them a past life where they as Bots were loving and kind towards their human guests and the humans were the same towards them. Both races of creatures lived in harmony and peace.
I can almost remember those days, said one older Bot. I thought they were just dreams. A number of others murmured in agreement, signs of regret showing on their faces.
Remember, Wisker reminded them. I can raise the Bots once more, but I dont have the power to raise the human soul. Although many of your loved ones will be returned to you, many of the humans whose lives you took cannot be. What a terrible twist of fate it is that the race of Bots has now been awakened from extinction and the human lives are lost forever.
The Bots began to feel pity for the humans and began to whisper among themselves. Maybe we should let the humans go, said some of the Bots. After all, we will meet up with our loved ones but the humans will not have that second chanc
e.
Suddenly Mozac burst wildly out of the crowd, his sudden appearance and wild actions causing an uproar. Before you fall for these devious lies, let me tell you a vicious secret of Wiskers, he screamed. Wisker and his companions are no better than the Trons. They have come to seek and destroy. They are liars and they are setting a trap for you.
The Bots listened to Mozacs ridiculous lies and looked at each other in confusion. Some began to believe him, others believed ferverently in what Wisker had said and others didnt know what to believe.
Wisker saw all this through his magical mirror and began to let his voice thunder and echo through the glass. Bots, I have never lied to you. Mozac wants a war which will go on for centuries. I am trying to prevent this. Listen to your hearts and not Mozac!
As Wisker had showed the Bots all of their friends and family members whom he had raised from the dead, the Bots were now torn between Mozac and Wisker.
If what Wisker showed us is true, then he has our loved ones waiting to be released to us, said one of the Bots.
As a good gesture, Wisker sent one of the Bots to whom he had restored life to prove to them that he had raised their dead and that he was honest in his request.
Te Bot came out of the mirror with excitement. He looked this way and that, looking over the land and his people. This place is not exactly as I had remembered it, he told them. The war between the humans and the Bots has destroyed my land. But I am more concerned with finding my family. Is there no one here to claim me?
For a moment all was silent, then suddenly a trembling voice called out, Cameron my boy! An older Bot came closer and closer to get a better look.
Father! said the risen Bot, the joy unmistakable in his voice. Indeed, it was Cameron, the older Bots son. The two Bots hugged for a long time and the Bots began to cheer.
We want to be reunited with our family members too, shouted the Bots. Us too!
Before this can happen, I have one special request, answered Wisker. Let all the humans out of jail and send them to a neighboring village until the Bots and the humans can make some type of peace agreement.
The Bots were eager to agree, but Mozac was not about to let Wisker out smart him. You need to listen to me, he screamed at the Bots.
But the Bots were not happy at all with Mozac. You are not the leader, they told him. You are only second in command to Ronald.
As Wisker waited behind the mirror, waiting for an answer from the Bots and their high priest, Mozac ran into the jail house and collected two of the humans, pushing them and mistreating them as he brought them outside. Get in there, he screamed at them, taking them into a back alley of the temple and tying them up.
Then Mozac walked frantically into the streets and grabbed the first Bot he could, a little child wandering the streets to see what all the excitement was about. Mozac took his bare hands and ripped out the boys synthetic heart and ravaged his body.
When he had finished ripping the childs body apart, Mozac let the humans go and began to chase them. The humans were so afraid they began to run. They ran into the crowd of Bots, with Mozac right on their heels.
Stop those filthy humans! shouted Mozac over and over again.
As the humans ran, they tried to warn the Bots, trying to let them know what had really happened. Mozac did it, Mozac did it! they repeated breathlessly as they ran.
The Bots in the crowd quickly turned around and saw the unthinkable. In his hands Mozac carried a Bot child, mangled and broken into thousands of pieces. Mozac pretended to care and acted as if he was comforting the child Bot his heart was laughing with glee.
The Bots began to become angry. Well have the heads of the human monsters who did that to this child, some screamed.
From his magic mirror, Wisker could see the commotion. Stop! he demanded, his voice thundering and echoing. My friends, you are being tricked by one of your own, he told them, pointing toward Mozac.
The Bots looked at each other, they were now confused. Do we choose to believe one of our own or do we choose to believe the humans? they asked each other.
The humans whom Mozac was chasing fell to their knees, pleading and begging the Bots to hear them out. Were innocent, innocent, they cried. We did not do this horrendous thing.
At the same time, Mozac was screaming, Look at one the humans have done to this child, this innocent child. They are guilty, guilty, we must kill them!
Everything seemed to be going haywire.
I am going to do something that I rarely do, Wisker told his companions and the others who were with them. I am going to make an appearance through my magical mirror. Perhaps that way I will be able to convince the Bots of the truth.
I am so disappointed in everyone who stands before me, thundered Wisker to the Bots, as he stepped out of his magic mirror. Mozac is nothing more than a coward and a liar. Many of the Bots were listening to what Wisker was saying, but there were still many who did not want to believe that Wisker was on their side. Wisker lifted his wand into the air, the dust began to swirl, the wind began to blow, the skies began to thunder. Soon the mangled pieces of the Bot child came floating out of Mozacs hands. Body parts of the child began to float through the air, an arm here, a leg there. The Bots in the crowd were in shock, they covered their mouths in awe and tried to reach out and grab the child. The parents of the boy began to weep; their heart wrenching cries could be heard all over the land of the Bots.
Wisker drew the childs body to him with his magical wand. His companions looked on from behind the magical mirror and the crowds of Bots looked on from their gathering hall. The childs body floated around and around Whisker. Wisker began to recite his magical spells and with his wand he gently tapped the childs body. The metallic pieces started to all emerge into one
each finding the piece to which it was supposed to be connected. The childs body soon began to take form right in front of the Bots. The broken pieces mended themselves together until within minutes the child was whole again.
Wisker held the child up before the crowd. I will breathe life into this Bot so that you will know the truth, he said, pointing towards the crowd of Bots. With one blow of his breath, the childs body began to shiver and shake. Soon his chest began to move and slowly his eyes opened up. Wisker placed the frightened child on his feet.
Out of fear the child Bot began to wobble and shake. His parents ran to his side. Who hurt you son? asked the childs parents.
The child began to cry. I dont want to betray the Bots, he sobbed.
Its all right, son, his parents told him. All is going to be fine. All we want is the truth.
As the parents talked with the boy, Mozac stared at him with an evil, threatening stare. The child held his breath, then he walked up to the humans. These are not my abusers, he shouted loudly, his voice trembling with fear. Then he turned towards Mozac and pointed his finger straight at him. He is, he shouted. He is my abuser.
The crowd was upset and began to argue amongst themselves. Is what he is saying true? they asked each other. Did Mozac really do this horrendous thing or is the boy so afraid of the humans he doesnt dare to tell the truth?
Suddenly Mozac, like the coward that he was took off, as hundreds of Bots went after him.
We must come together, shouted Wisker as he tried to get the crowds to settle down.
The commotion could be seen far and wide all over the Land of the Bots. Someone was secretly recording everything that happened in the land.
We want an apology from the Bots, called a human. And we want all humans to be set free. The cry was taken up by others humans in the land until soon it could be heard far and wide. Free our people! came the cry.
This was not the way I wanted the demonstration to go, said Wisker to his companions.
No, perhaps not quite li
ke this, but we all know life has a way of doing its own thing, replied Porcupine.
The Bots began to experience a wave of emotion. They began to look deep within themselves and did a long hard search. The humans have been wronged, they thought to themselves, so very wronged.
Without another thought, the Bots began to join their voices with those of the humans and the chant, Free the people, free the people, could be heard for miles around.
Unfortunately, in the midst of all the joy and commotion, Mozac managed to slip away and escape. Suddenly the little Bot boy ran into Wiskers arms and said, Thank you so very much. His parents began to cry and so did the rest of the Bots. On the other side of the magical mirror, Wiskers companions and those with them were in tears also.
Now that he had their attention, Wisker raised up his arms before the crowd and began to speak. There is a war coming, one that is intended to harm the Bots and the humans, he said. We must pull together.
The Bots began to roar and cheer for Wisker. The same man for whom they had had no love a while before, they now loved as a leader. Although all did not support Wisker, they did not hate him as they had just a short time earlier.
Many of the Bots were brought back to life by Wisker, but it was evident by the anguish in his eyes that he felt badly that he could not do the same for the humans who grieved for their lost ones.
Through the mirror walked the armies of Bots that Wisker had set free. One after the other they all came out, finding their places with their families. The Bots soon called upon their high priest to let all the humans go and out of their holding cells way below the ground many humans were set free. Many humans were not happy because of the imprisonment which they had experienced and spat in the Boots faces, but there were many who gave thanks just to be free and for that time at least put the imprisonment behind them and rejoiced in their freedom.
What about us? called many of the humans, as they saw the Bots being restored to life. What about our dead? Wisker, why are you doing this for the Bots and not for our own people?
Wisker looked out over the crowds, many of them humans just like himself. I dont have the power to raise the dead of the humans, he told them. If I could, I would do it in a second.
Many of the people turned away with long faces and silent cries. I was so hoping, sobbed one human parent. If his magic will do it for one race, why not for another? I dont understand.
Wisker could feel their pain, but there wasnt anything he could do.
The Bots tried to reach out to the humans, many being pushed away and still others being accepted. The two races had made such a huge mistake; neither knew how to forgive the other, yet now was the perfect time to do just that.
Many of the humans walked away and understandably so. Were going to pack our things and leave, many of them said.
Still others stayed. We want to make the Land of the Bots our home, they said.
Please, begged Wisker from the steps of the temple. The humans and the Bots need to fight side by side. A great war is coming and it will spread no matter which land you occupy.
We want to leave, most of the people told him. This land has too many bad memories.
: You of course have my blessings as you do whatever you feel is right for you, Wisker told them. He watched as they left through the secret tunnel of light, but it was a great disappointment to him. The Bots also were disappointed; they had now lost so many humans that could have been fighting on their side.
You must now be prepared for war, Wisker told the Bots and the humans who had stayed with them. You will have other times to, he smiled slightly. Kiss and make up, but for now, the first thing we need to do is to get all the children of the Bots and the humans to a safe location, where, if anything should go wrong, the next generation of Bots and humans will preserve their legacy. The Bots and humans went off, preparing for the war which Wisker had told them was to come.
It is great to see the Bots and humans living as one together again, said Porcupine.
Yes, I just wish there had been more that had made that choice, replied Wisker. Were all going to have to stand together to defeat the oncoming war.
We must send the secret seal to tell my father to stop the war, said Prince Harry.
I am a little doubtful that the king will listen to you concerning this, Wisker told him. But we will try.
I will volunteer to take the secret seal to King Alfred, spoke up one of the humans bravely.
Do you realize how dangerous this may be? Wisker asked the man. He was careful how he worded the question, not wishing to say anything against King Alfred in front of Prince Harry but wanting the man to understand that he well might be risking his life.
Yes sir I do, replied the man. I realize that I may never return to this land again, but I will do the right thing and do all in my power to see that the king of Mayfair gets the message.
Wisker blessed the man with his wand and off he went through the magic circle, looking straight ahead.
The Bots and humans stood and watched as Wisker opened and closed the circle
We have no time to waste, said Wisker. We have to prepare for the war that is coming.
But little did Wisker know that not only was a war coming between him and the forces of Glendora and King Alfred, but Mozac and the Trons were at that very moment making a deal to destroy the humans that defied Mozac.
Mozac had gone without hesitation straight to the secret lab of the Trons. It was very strange that Mozac knew exactly where to go. He constantly looked back over his shoulders to make sure that there was no one following him. Through the deep dark forest of trees he ran, over rivers and streams he flew until at last he came to a deep valley where hidden was an enormous laboratory. Large black condors flew over head.
The lab was in the shape of a labyrinth. It lay deeply hidden in the valley. Trons were scattered over the fields, keeping a close look out to see if any enemies were coming to attack.
There was no hiding for Mozac. He just seemed to walk past the Tron guards unnoticed or was it simply that they were expecting him?
Mozac appeared innocuous to the Trons and without a word of challenge, Mozac was easily let into the Labrynth. The Trons seemed to guard Mozac as if he were something other than just a traitor to the Bots and as soon as Mozac was behind the gates of the laboratory, his true self began to appear.
Within the lab lay a secret chamber. Mozac walked straight to its door and held out his hands to be scanned. A scan was taken and the door suddenly opened. Welcome back, master, said one of the Trons.
The chamber was filled with murals and paintings of the Bot world. Mozac was known as a hero to the land of the Bots, second only to Ronald in command, but in reality he was nothing more than a traitor.
Although the Bots themselves had not known it, Mozac was their creator. He had not liked the way that the high priest and the Bots were running the land so for many years he had sneaked away and built more Bots, ones that he could control, ones that he could program after the humans had taken over his world.
Mozac looked around the huge room. I will rule, he declared to himself. When this is over I will wipe out the Bots that work and play side by side with humans. In my world there will be no humans and no Bots that defy me.
The large laboratory was overflowing with Trons. Trons were being made by the thousands, coming off the assembly line ready to fight. Unlike the original Bots, Mozac had designed the Trons with a special unit and with one flick of a switch he had the power to destroy them instantly. Mozac was not afraid of his own creation, as had become the case in some instances with the Bots, because of this device. In his mind he was much more powerful than them and he never let them forget it.
It is I, your master, he announced, and pushed one of his Trons through a wall of the lab. Mozac never felt sorry
for anything he did. He blamed the Trons for not having destroyed the humans and wanted to remind them that he himself was their superior, their master and that they would be obedient and subservient to him.
Mozac called forward his toughest and loyalist Trons. You will go to the Land of the Bots, he told them. Your first agenda is to assassinate the high priest; hen I want Wisker out of the way. You are to kill and destroy anything that hinders you. He looked at each of the Trons as he spoke, making sure that each of them realized and recognized his supreme superiority to themselves.
Have no mercy on the Bots, he told them. And most of all do not return here if your mission is not a success.
With no questions asked, the Trons marched out of the laboratory and were on their way to the Land of the Bots.
Chapter 11
The War of the Trons
The Trons went through the villages and lands, sifting out as many Bots as they could find, many of the Bots lands were now empty. They had headed for the surface after they saw the amazing miracle that Wisker had performed, however there were a few Bots that stayed behind, fearing that Wisker might turn on them. If he does, this will insure that our species will still live on, they had assured one another. Because of this, they became victims of the Trons.
The Trons used their viewing tubes to show the inhabitants of the Land of the Bot live feed of them destroying the Bots people who stayed behind. The feeds played all over the land, streaming across temple walls, market halls, public squares and even in childrens schools.
Wisker and his companions watched as one of the Trons ripped an old grandfather Bots head off his body while his little Bots grandson hid under the bed. Everyone held their breath for the little boy Bot as the Trons destroyed the place.
I thought everyone was safe on the surface, Wisker said to Ronald.
Ronald looked away, not wanting to look Wisker in the eye, then he turned back and faced him. I was afraid that you would not live up to your word, he admitted. And I ordered that some of the Bots remain behind. Simply put, I just couldnt trust another human. I am so sorry not to have trusted you Wisker, but my intentions were that had to protect my race.
Wisker balled his fist in anger and began to pace back and forth in the towns square.
You fool! shouted Rozetta.
Wisker turned to Ronald. How many Bots are down there? he asked.
There are 50,000 or so, answered Ronald.
This made Wisker even more upset. I thought that you understood the danger we are in, he told Ronald. I thought that you understood when I asked you to bring your people to the surface that I meant all your people.
I had my doubts as to what I should do, admitted Ronald.
Wisker restrained himself from what he wanted to say and set about reviving more Bots. As the Bots exited out of Wiskers magic mirror they stood almost a million deep. Wisker had revived a million Bots; the town square looked like an army field.
All those that can fight must stay, ordered Wisker. And all those that cant, such as children, must quickly leave.
Wisker turned to Ronald. We are going to be under attack by the Trons. I hope you are ready, he told him.
Immediately Ronald called all his men from the hidden base under the city, but there was no response. From the live feed that streamed across the airways, Ronald and the others saw that the base was under attack.
I thought that the base was secret and safe, said the prince.
Ronald could not believe his eyes and neither did the others. They stayed glued to the message and feed that ran across the airwaves.
I think I know who is your true betrayer, said Porcupine as they watched.
Ronald turned to him quickly, as if he himself did not know, or maybe he didnt want to believe.
It is Mozac, said Porcupine.
Mozac, echoed Ronald. My second in command, my friend in battle and now my betrayer. He flopped weakly to his knees as he saw his city about to crumble. He watched on the live feed as the secret base was attacked and all his workers were fighting for their lives. Many of the Bots and humans lay lifeless on the ground.
Im going in, said Rozetta as she took off towards the base.
I will go with you, said the prince.
Wisker immediately objected, laying a restraining hand on the princes arm. You must not, he told him. You are still but a boy. Youre not ready to do battle.
Wisker, I have done wrong all of my life. Now it is time to do a little good. We, Rozetta and I, can not sit back and watch as our races of humans and Bots are destroyed. I shall return.
Go my children, but be safe, responded Wisker. Ronald was too much in his self pity to even think to stop Rozetta.
I cannot believe that you let the prince go to war, Porcupine told Wisker. The prince is our only ransom.
I know that hell return, answered Wisker, as he knelt down to comfort Ronald. Ronald was in extremely bad shape as he looked upon all of his people the Trons were killing, one after another tearing their bodies apart like wild animals. This is no time for self pity, Wisker told him. We must get ready for two wars. Your people need you, they need your leadership.
Ronald quickly came to his senses. I am the first in command and acting like a child, he said. Wisker, all of you, I am sorry. I did what I thought best and my decision was wrong, but I vow that Mozac will not get away with his plans.
The entire Land of the Bots began to cheer. They all knew and understood the struggle that Ronald had been up against and each knew in their heart of hearts that had they been in his place with his responsibilities, they too might have made the same choice.
Wisker watched as Rozetta and Prince Harry took off through the crowds. The Bots cheered for the two of them as they passed by.
As Wisker and Porcupine went on to devise a plan for the war, Rozetta and the prince went on their way to the secret city to start an attack on the Trons.
Rozetta led the prince down a long alley, stopped for a moment, then walked through a wall. The prince was a little reluctant, not quite daring to walk straight into what seemed to be a solid stone wall. Rozetta stuck her head out. Its just a shadow, the wall is not here, she said. She smiled as she saw the fear in the princes eyes and reaching out; she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him forward.
Where are we going? asked the prince.
You must get a better war attire if you are going to help me fight the Trons, she told him.
Down at the hub of the Bots training site, Rozetta hunted through different kinds of rugged war attire. Here, this will do, she said as she threw the prince a uniform made of hard metal and yet flexible.
I have never seen anything like this before, said the prince, as the fabric glistened in his eyes.
It is as strong as steel, yet flexible and soft like cloth, said Rozetta.
I must take some of these back home to Father, said the prince.
No you will not, said Rozetta. These are for ending a war, not starting one.
The prince saw the anger in Rozettas eyes and remembered that his father was definitely starting a war. I am so sorry, that came out wrong, said the prince.
Rozetta just walked off and left the prince to get dressed. I will meet you in the back in five minutes, dont be late, said Rozetta as she walked out of the room.
The prince felt embarrassed. So much for acting like a fool, he told himself. As the prince hurried to get dressed he noticed many of the Bots and humans coming in to dress in a better attire. The humans and the Bots seem to be one again, he thought. They are now fighting for one goal and that is to save their existence.
Prince Harry left the room and ran out to the back to meet Rozetta, who was waiting for him with a large flying vessel. Jump in, said Roze
tta.
The prince was in a state of awe. He couldnt believe what he was seeing. He rubbed his eyes over and over again. The flying vessel was huge and metallic. It was coated with a shinny gloss that went over its entire boy. The vessel hovered in the air; a pipe in the back shot out long flames of fire its body was oblong and wide. One large window was for viewing.
Finally the prince made a move to get in. He slowly walked up the seemingly magical stairs that disappeared with each step he made. For the first time in his entire life since he had learned to talk the prince was speechless.
Hurry, we must leave, said Rozetta, as she rushed the prince along.
The prince slowly sat down, trying his best to get used to his new clothing and his new surroundings. Everything aboard the vessel was sterile and in place and everything was run by some type of sonic orb device. The prince sat back, buckled in and watched as Rozetta flew the vessel. For a lass you are pretty good, he told her.
What is a lass? asked Rozetta as she tried to research it in her memory bank.
For a girl you are pretty good, said the prince.
Rozetta smiled at the prince and then gave the vessel a hard turn, knocking him on his buttocks.
What was that for? asked the prince.
Rozetta said nothing and flew the vessel as fast as she could through the air. From the corner of her eye she cold see that the prince was very uncomfortable and for a moment this seemed like sweet revenge but as the prince seemed to become more and more uncomfortable, Rozetta slowed the vessel down. Im sorry, she told the prince. We both seem a little on edge and we need to relax a bit.
We dont need to be fighting, we will soon need each other, said the prince.
I agree, said Rozetta quickly and sat back as the vessel was set on auto pilot.
The prince stared out the viewing window at the world below. So this is the world my father wants to destroy, he said at last. How magnificent it is. Even though many parts lay in ruin from the turmoil and the war, the beauty of the land is still intact.
Over there, those large canyons, are home to large, rare alligator birds, Rozetta told him. The birds fly through the air and eat all the space debris and matter before it hits the ground.
Prince Harry leaned forward to get a better look. The canyons are so huge and beautiful, he said. With large jagged rocks which probably have many precious metals embedded in them.
The canyons are yet to be explored, so no one knows what truly hides in the creases of the large stones, said Rozetta.
The vessel flew them over the Land of the Bots Look, said Rozetta. You can see the men posted in the stations on the thousand foot long guard walls. And look, here come the humans returning to the main land of the Land of the Bots.
There are Bots coming too, said Prince Harry. Humans and Bots. Young and old, coming to rejoin their families. He was silent for a moment. But many are coming with nothing; theyve lost all they had.
The people, human and Bots, waved to the flying vessel and Rozetta and the prince waved back.
It must have been a bad war for them to risk their lives to come to the Land of the Bots, said the prince, as he saw the many green and blue oceans that the people had had to travel over.
Rozetta began to cry as she remembered trying to save many from death.
We will get through this, said the prince, as he wiped away his friends tears.
Suddenly there was a loud splashing in the waters. Mermaids! exclaimed the prince, as he looked down in astonishment. So they really
exist, he said to himself as he pressed his head u against the glass.
There was a school of mermaids, splashing and playing in the water. Ill take us down for a closer look, said Rozetta. She hovered the vessel over the water so that the prince could get a close up look at the mermaids. Some of the mermaids dove back into the water as the vessel hovered over them but some wanted to get a look at the vessel, being just as inquisitive as the prince.
The scales on the bodies of the mermaid were that of the color of the rainbow. Their skins came in a variety of colors, from pale too blue. All of them had a distinctive white hair that flowed gently in the water and the sea shells hung from their hair.
The prince was in such a shock that he didnt notice that Rozetta had taken the vessel under water but when he did, he began to panic. What is this? Well drown, he said.
No, said Rozetta, this vessel is made for both air and water.
The prince didnt hear a word that Rozetta was saying, but he could see that she was not upset, so he just watched as the water surrounded the vessel.
See, were still breathing, said Rozetta, as indeed they were.
The prince soon began to relax and enjoy the many splendered sights there were to see under the water. He watched the large sand crabs that shuffled across the ocean flour.
Look, said Rozetta, pointing. The prince turned and saw that there were several mermaids swimming alongside the vessel. The mermaids smiled and waved as they saw the prince turn to look at them and the prince smiled back, even though he was a little bit surprised at their unexpected friendliness.
Rozetta maneuvered the vessel around in the large under water canyons and came as close as she dared to the volcanoes that spout hot lava onto the ocean floor.
What a marvelous place, said the prince, as he looked upon all the beauty of the ocean floor. I can see why none of the humans wanted to leave this place.
Well, enough sight seeing, we must prepare for war, said Rozetta. The prince was still a little mystified by all that his eyes were witnessing and he didnt even notice that the vessel was taking back to the air. Doesnt your world have such creatures? asked Rozetta. The prince was still in such awe that he didnt hear one word that she said. Rozetta repeated her question, this time reaching over and shaking the prince quickly out of his day dreaming.
In my world we dont have such advanced technology as this vessel, said the prince. In my world we still fight with wizards and spells.
Rozetta began to laugh, thinking that the prince was trying to play a trick on her, but when she saw the look on his face she knew that this was not the case, he was completely serious. Your world sounds so simple and mystical, said Rozetta.
One day I will take you there, as soon as this is all over, said the prince, giving Rozetta a warm smile.
Soon the two were back into their war mood, as the got closer and closer to their destination. Over the hill tops and oceans they flew, bursting through thick clouds and over temple roof, in and out of caves that graced the land and then a deep plummet into the depths of the ground.
The prince looked on as Rozetta drove the vessel into the ground, disturbing the dirt and debris that once lay lifeless. Deep into the ground the vessel dug, until they came into a dark hole that had only one dim light shining. Rozetta turned on the beam of light from her vessel and it lit up the hole, showing the prince the main escape route of the humans and the Bots for the first time.
The hole was a large crayon with sharp rocks and high cliffs. There were remains of broken Bots all over the canyon floors. There had been many deaths as the Bots and the humans tried to escape. The canyon had claimed many lives, not only of the Bots but also the humans that plunged to their deaths. Bots body parts were all over the canyon floors, a head here, an arm there, but all that remained of the humans was nothing more than skeleton bones.
Wisker can revive your people, but my people he can not, said the prince as a sad look came over his face.
We in the land of the Bots are truly thankful to Wisker and his great powers, said Rozetta.
The two friends were quiet for a few moments as they looked around at their surroundings. The hole was flourishing with vegetation and creatures of all kinds. Large rainbow snails slid down the walls of the canyons, snakes that ran on two hind
legs, ran by them, plants that stuck out their large tentacles every so often, floating jelly fish that passed by through the air, with their transparent bodies and their electric wires that ran through their jelly of a body. Deep down on the canyon floors crawled the Bowa Hunters. Bowas were the bottom feeders of the canyons, their long trunk like noses sucked up everything from t he canyon floors, They had human upright posture, hairy legs and arms, big black eyes and grey, matted fur that reeked with odor. They roamed the canyon floors in groups, one behind the other, scavenging on whatever they could find.
What amazing creatures, said the prince.
Rozetta glanced at him. Bowa Hunters are savages and they love the smell of human flesh, she warned him seriously. This made the prince feel a little uneasy and he asked Rozetta to fly through the canyon a little further, away from the area where the Bowa Hunters wee eating.
Rozetta flew the vessel, but something didnt seem quite right to her. Something is not the same, she said to the prince in a low tone. Many of the secret passages that the Bots and the humans formed throughout the canyon have all been closed up by large stones. I know of only one thing that can move stones that size and that is a group of Trons Bots.
Rozetta hovered the vessel. Lets just wait right here and see if we are being watched, she told the prince. She shut the lights of the vessel off and just sat and waited. Soon she could hear the sounds of the Trons. Something is coming in the darkness, she told the prince. The prince did his best to see, but the canyon was so dark that he with his human sight cold not. Rozetta, on the other hand, with her advanced sight could see in pitch blackness. Hold on, theyre here, she said as she spotted one of the Trons vessels and the Trons also spotted her. Without another thought, Rozetta turned on the high beams of the vessel and once again the canyons were lit up.
The princes eyes grew wide as he saw the massive array of vessels that awaited them. Rozetta quickly took off through the canyons and right behind her were the Trons. They began to shoot their powerful rays at Rozettas vessel, hitting it every now and then. The prince was amazed at what a great fighter Rozetta was. She fired back, hitting two of the Trons ships at one time. One of the Trons ships went swaying from left to right until it soon crashed into the sides of the canyons and exploded.
Soon the other Trons ships joined in the high speed chase, all pursuing Rozetta at once. With her many years of flight training, Rozetta was not afraid at all. She began to play the cat and mouse game. They would chase her and then she would swoop over their heads and chase them, firing on their vessel, sending them plummeting to the canyon floor where the bottom feeders were waiting for them as they crashed one by one.
Rozetta was using her skills to outsmart the Trons and the Trons on the other hand were becoming very annoyed. They began shooting non stop with the heaviest and most powerful rays they had. This, however, was a major mistake on the part of the Trons. Instead of the rays hitting Rozettas vessel, they were hitting the rocks of the canyons and the rocks were tumbling down, breaking off pieces of the larger canyon rocks. The rocks were large in size and came crashing down on most of the Trons vessels.
Rozetta did her best to maneuver through the falling rocks, but unfortunately her vessel was hit in the front by a large chunk of rock that came falling through the front window. The prince covered his face as the window shattered and the vessel became out of control. With the hit of a switch, Rozetta ejected herself and the prince from the vessel as it went crashing into the canyon walls. One look at the princes face told Rozetta that he was scared beyond scared and very much afraid of the unknown. She stayed right by his side, motioning him on what to do to land.
But all was not safe. The Trons were right behind them, ready to shoot their powerful rays. Rozetta motioned to the prince to glide into the hole and so he did, just as the rays of the Trons came flashing through the air. First the prince glided into the hole and then Rozetta. Unfortunately, Rozetta was struck
In the shoulders and she missed the entrance of the hole, hanging on by the edge of the cliff.
Harry, pull me up, pull me up, she screamed. With fear in his eyes, the prince acted quickly. He rushed as close to his friend as he could get and using all of the strength he could muster, he managed to pull her up and into the hole just as the rays of the Trons came shooting down once more.
The prince and Rozetta were in the small hole in the canyon. Theres no way that the Trons or their vessel can fit in here, Rozetta said. Lets sit here for a moment and catch our breaths and Ill try to repair my shoulder.
The prince watched anxiously as Rozettas shoulder seemed to repair itself. The wires in her shoulder began to mend together as the fuses also began to assemble themselves in the proper order. The shinny, metallic skin of her body began to melt into one and then smooth out as if nothing had happened. The prince and Rozetta sat in the hole of the canyon until Rozetta was completely healed. To the prince this was nothing less than amazing. He gazed upon the intricate workings of Rozetta as her body began to mend itself together.
No more had Rozetta gotten herself repaired than the Trons sent in a long robotic arm that stretched into the hole where the prince and Rozetta had stayed to get a quick rest. The robotic hand began to stretch in and feel around the hole, first this way and then that. Rozetta quickly moved out of the way, but the robotic hand was determined to get hold of something. Rozetta made a quick move and the arm quickly grabbed her. Rozetta began to twist and turn, trying her best to get out of the grips of the robotic arm, but the arm was too strong. Prince Harry tried his best to somehow free Rozetta but his efforts were ineffective. Rozetta added her strength to that of the prince and slowly, inch by inch was able to slip out of the hands grasp just before the arm could pull her out of the hole. Quickly, before the arm could leave the hole, Rozetta pulled a loose rock from the corner of the hole and jammed it between the coils of the robotic arm.
There, now it cant turn, this is our time to get away, thought Rozetta. She quickly motioned to the prince to crawl up the arm of the robot and slide down into the canyon.
The prince was afraid but it was clear that there was no other choice if they were to get out of the canyons. He got himself in position to jump but then just couldnt seem to work up the courage. Do it, quick! ordered Rozetta but the prince just stared at the arm and shook. Soon the arm of the robot pulled away from the hold and at the last minute the prince jumped on, almost losing his grip and hanging on by the very tips of his fingers.
Rozetta quickly slide down and held out her hand. Now grab onto my hand, she ordered. Do it!, do it now!
The prince was afraid to let go to grab onto Rozettas hand, but he was even more afraid to hand on by his finger tips, so he did as he was told and Rozetta pulled him up next to her. The prince was as white as a sheet and shaking like a leaf. The robotic arm was now out over the canyon floor with the prince and Rozetta hanging onto it. The Trons tried to shake them off but there was no need for this because this was where Rozetta wanted them to fall anyway. Now jump! she told the prince.
No! he answered, clinging tightly to the robotic arm. No, no, no!
Rozetta knew there was no time to argue. Right at that moment, they were close to the ground, a few more moments and they would be much higher.
Without giving him any warning of what she intended to do, she slid down the robotic arm and knocked the prince off and then jumped off herself. Because they were so close to the floor of the canyon, there were only little bits of bumps and bruises and both were all right.
We must not stay on the canyon floors, the bottom feeders will be here soon, said Rozetta. With the glow from her eyes, Rozetta could see through the now dark canyon, but she could also still hear the Trons up above. The prince and Rozetta ran across the canyon floor, stumbling at times over dead skeleton remains and many broken and lose parts of lifeless Bot
s. This is no time to feel pity for them, said Rozetta. Right now we must think about ourselves. Now run and keep on running!
So run they did, faster and faster. As they heard footsteps behind them, Rozetta quickly cut off the glow from her eyes and jumped behind a large rock, catching hold of the prince and dragging him behind with her.
I want to see what is running behind us, whispered Rozetta into the princes ear. Now for goodness sakes, keep still!
. As the footsteps got closer, Rosetta stayed silently behind the rock and watched as the figure passed. She was relieved to see that it was one of the Bots who had escaped from the Trons. She got up quietly and as the Bots ran by, she managed to quickly cover its mouth and pulled it towards her. I am a Bots, I am Rozetta, she whispered, as the Bots tried his best to get away. Rozetta quickly repeated who she was until the Bots realized what she was saying and began to calm down. Rozetta looked at the Bots as she turned on the glow of her eyes and saw that the Bots was badly broken. Wires and metallic parts were completely burned or destroyed.
What happened to you? asked Rozetta, as she gazed at the destruction of the Bots. Its body was in such a ravaged state that many parts were beyond repair. Rozetta quickly pulled the Bots deeper behind the large rock, to avoid being seen by the Trons that were hovering above their heads. Luckily for Rozetta, the prince and their new companion, the canyon floors were too dark for even the Trons vessel to see all of it and the Trons vessel passed over their heads without seeing them, its lights flashing all over the floor as it went.
Rozetta set to work mending the wounded Bots body. Layer by layer, Rozetta pealed away her own metallic skin and patched it onto the body of the wounded Bots. The bots began to heal immediately as so did Rozetta. Her metallic peel healed it self quickly, making more skin to use to help the wounded Bots if she needed it.
The prince knelt down beside the wounded Bots, who immediately became frightened.
Its ok, hes our friend, said Rozetta, soothingly.
The Bots closed its eyes for a moment. The Trons are destroying the Bots and humans, he mumbled. Killing them one by one and making some of the humans into slaves.
We must go and save as many as we can, said the prince.
The Bots gasped for air and then continued. There is no saving. The land is already destroyed and most of the Bots and humans are wiped out.
Im not giving up, said Rozetta determinedly. I want you to lead me to where the secret way out of the tunnel is located. The Trons have already destroyed all the other entrances and exits of which I know.
Struggling for breathe, the Bots got to his feet and took off. Follow me, he said as he began to run, leaving Rozetta and the prince behind.
Rozetta and the prince did there best to run and keep up, but the Bots was moving a little too fast and soon, Rozetta stopped. I dont feel comfortable with this situation, she thought to herself. Something, well something just doesnt feel right.
The prince was doing his best, but he was lagging way behind, his feet just werent as fast as the Bots were. Why are we stopping? asked the prince when he finally caught up with Rozetta.
Something just isnt right, explained Rozetta. The way the Bots took off, I dont know, maybe its not but it just might be a trap.
Although they didnt know it, there were still more problems about which Rozetta and the prince were going to need to be concerned. At that very moment, the Trons were sending their men down from the vessel in groups to search the canyon floors for Rozetta and her companions, as the vessel kept sweeping its spot light across the area, hoping to spot them, their weapons in hand.
Finally Rozetta and the prince were rested enough to run again and they took off in the same direction as the Bots whom Rozetta had helped. Hold onto my hand so that we wont get separated in the dark and not be able to find each other, ordered Rozetta, reaching out and grasping the princes hand firmly. We have a problem, the night vision from my eyes has gone out and I can only see a little so it is important that we take every precaution we can to see that we stay together.
Suddenly Rozetta and the prince found themselves falling down a long abyss of a hole. The prince screamed loudly as they went down. This is it, were going to die now, he told Rozetta. Im glad that we met and are friends, Im sorry for all the things Ive done to hinder you on this trip. Im sorry for my behavior while I was living in Mayfair. If we should live through this, Ill be different; you have my word on that.
Suddenly the princes screams went silent. They could hear scuffling around on the floor of the deep abyss, then silent. Between the falling and the darkness and the silence, Rozetta and the prince felt as if the very silence was screaming at them.
The Trons vessel hovered above, trying its best to shine its bright light down into the abyss of the hole. They could see nothing and finally took off. Deep down in that hole lay Rozetta and the prince. The Trons had given up on searching and levitated their men back into the vessel and took off, after not being able to see down into the hole. No one could possibly make it through that long fall, said the leader of the Bots.
But on the contrary, the prince and Rozetta were still alive. Their fall had been broken by a group of Bots which had been hovering in the air to catch them, but at the same time doing their best not to be seen by the Trons.
The Bots turned on their light beams after they heard the Trons vessel leave, so that the prince and Rozetta could see who had caught them. What a sight it was! There were many Bots who had escaped the wrath of Mozac.
Chapter 12
The robot and the Prince war
League of Extraordinary Robots Page 6