Ugh, triple-post. Oh well, you guys will just have to live with it. Anyway, CHAPTER 4! However, before that, I'd like to make a public warning that this is where the story starts to feel a bit darker. If you are offended in any way by death, violence, or anything similar to that, be prepared for the fact that this story isn't going to be as lighthearted as you probably expect coming from me. That said, here's CHAPTER 4.

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Chapter 4: The Nightmare Begins

Sonyk told the stranger everything that had happened to him in the past couple days. The mysterious figure seemed strangely interested in the information they were hearing, and seemed perfectly happy to put the shotgun back in the crate they’d retrieved it from.

“So,” the stranger said slowly, apparently choosing their words carefully, “you are currently lacking a place in society where you can fit in?”

“Yes,” Sonyk replied, “but why do you even care? Who are you?”

“You’ll find out in time. Right now, I’m curious about something – would you happen to be interested in getting your revenge on Fooruman?”

“Of course I’m interested. He ruined my life.”

“Yes, yes…of course. Hmm…” after a brief pause, the stranger continued, “You wanted to know my name. I can’t tell you that, because I really don’t have a name. However, people around here have taken to calling me Faw.”

“What do you mean, ‘people around here’?”

Faw walked somewhat cautiously over to Sonyk and untied his restraints. “When I say ‘people around here,’ I mean members of the resistance.”

“Of course, the resistance! Fooruman’s been searching for you guys for YEARS, but I guess I always thought he was just paranoid.”

“While he actually IS paranoid, we do exist. We even planted a spy in the unfoos’ fortress long ago, but sadly his feeble mind was easily won over by their tricks. However, all that is beside the point. We need a leader, Sonyk, and I think you would be the perfect candidate. You have strength, a solid knowledge of our enemies, and a desire for vengeance.”

Sonyk stared blankly at Faw for an extended period of time before responding. “You want ME to be your leader? I kind of assumed you were the leader of the resistance.”

Faw let a laugh escape his mouth, and then became serious again. “No, I’m the 2nd-in-command here. When Spotty left to infiltrate the unfoos’ fortress, he left me in charge. However, I’m not really what you’d call leadership material. I’m more of a ‘run-and-gun’ kind of guy. Will you do it?”

Sonyk hesitated only for a moment before responding, “With pleasure.”

**********

Fooruman watched as Black Ninja walked out the door. As BN closed the door behind him, Fooruman turned to face Elliot. Fooruman didn’t give a moments’ hesitation before speaking. “Elliot, I’m concerned with the fact that we have no idea what the resistance is up to. Now, as you know, I brought you in for the sole purpose of locating and eliminating the threat of the resistance. Have you learned anything?”

Elliot opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again, apparently thinking about his wording. He then allowed himself to say what was on his mind. “Master, I have some extremely bad news. We’ve found what appears to be a bomb attached to one of the castle walls. I examined it closely, and it appears that it will detonate immediately if touched. What would your excellence advise I do?”

Fooruman didn’t hesitate for even a second before responding. “Get BN to remove it. You and I can move our headquarters to Cave Foo, at least until Castle Foo 2 is completely built.”

“Of course, sir,” Elliot responded. He saluted, turned sharply, and walked out of the room. “Oh, Black Ninja,” he called, “Fooruman has a job for you.”

**********

Sonyk was ecstatic. “So,” he said, “the bomb is already placed on their castle?”

“Yes,” Faw happily replied, “and it’s ready to detonate whenever you like. It will completely OBLITERATE Castle Foo.”

Sonyk couldn’t remember ever being so happy in his entire life. He was overjoyed knowing that vengeance would be his after only just being admitted into the resistance. He pictured clearly in his mind the destruction of the castle – he took great delight in imagining his torturers suffering a horrible death. A crooked smile came across his face before he spoke. Finally, he said the fateful words, “Do it.”

**********

Elliot and Fooruman walked with Black Ninja to the location where the bomb had been placed. “Fooruman and I are going out to take care of a couple loose ends,” Elliot said without hesitation. “Please try to be done by the time we get back.”

Black Ninja examined the bomb for a moment. He’d dealt with these kinds of bombs before, and knew that they were sensitive to pressure. However, he knew an easy trick to take care of the bomb without ending his own life. “No problem,” he said, “I’ll get it done ASAP.”

Fooruman grinned an evil grin. “Excellent. We’ll be back in about an hour.” Fooruman and Elliot then left the castle.

Black Ninja looked down at the bomb and knew that if it were to go off the entire castle would be turned into a parking lot. He took a deep breath, opened his box of tools, and got to work.

**********

Black Ninja looked once again at the bomb in front of him. After about 2 hours of hard work, he was surprised Fooruman and Elliot hadn’t returned. He dismissed the thought, though – all he had to do was cut one more wire and the bomb would be disarmed. He reached into his toolbox for his heaviest wire cutters, grasped them firmly in his hands, and moved towards the bomb.

Castle Foo exploded in a mushroom cloud and was gone in an instant. Nothing remained of Black Ninja but a puddle of warm blood, covered in a fine layer of ash. Black Ninja never cut the final wire – instead, the bomb cut through his body in a cloud of shrapnel and fire. As the wave of destruction flew through his broken body, his vision clouded and he felt no more.