Many and More Adventures

The night sky lit up with Mysorean Rockets.

The explosions echoed throughout the forest.

Ash and dust filled the air; made it hard to breathe and see.

Luckily, Gerda and Kai were able to find one another. The two siblings then saw them - Hansel and Gretel. Gretel charged with the Vorpal Sword in hand, as Hansel fired off his two Zhuge Nu.

Bubbles, The Beetle Who Went on His Travels, landed in front of Gerda and Kai. The two of them quickly mounted the large beetle, and got the hell out of there. Some of Gretel's Mechanical Knights tried to shoot down Bubbles with Fey Fire, but the Beetle was able to dodge them. Gerda and Kai both looked on, as the forest was being consumed by Hansel's Greek Fire.

Some context:

When Gerda and Kai had both turned 21, they had heard rumors of two individuals referred to as:

Clever Gretel and Clever Hans. These two have been terrorizing local farms and villages, while making their way up towards towns and cities. The reason for the titles, for these two were really Hansel and Gretel, was because Clever Gretel and Clever Hans were using some queer weapons.

The weapons Hansel were using/had at his disposal:

Greek Fire.

33 Barreled Organ MiniGun.

Zhuge Nu.

The Tessarakonteres and the Tessarakonteres has:

Archimedes' Death Ray.

Hassan al-Rammah's Torpedoes.

Mysorean Rockets.

Gretel has:

Leonardo da Vinci's Armored Cars. Each Armored Car is operated by a Mechanical Knight.

Fey Fire.

The Vorpal Sword.

Her steed is the horse from the Fox and the Horse Story.

Iron Hans, a humanoid beast, is the "pet" of Gretel.

Poor Gerda and Kai did not understand why Hansel and Gretel were causing so much death and desolation. They were good friends with Hansel and Gretel. But something seemed to have changed. Hansel and Gretel both had an evil gleam in their eyes, and a wicked smile on their faces.

Gerda and Kai had tried to reason with them, but you had just heard how that ended.

(Real quick before I continue the story. I would like to take a moment to mention the things at Gerda- and Kai's disposal:

Gjallarhorn - which summons forth the Wild Hunt.

The Philosopher's Stone - which can only be activated by believing.

The Sight of Ole Tower-Keeper - grants one the ability to see throughout time and space.

Alfred's Automation and Psyche's Powers - when the wielder of this power; touches any surface made from rock or stone; they will summon forth Kaela, the Automaton, who has Psyche's Powers - Kaela gains butterfly wings.

Bubbles, The Beetle Who Went on His Travels.

Bubbles can talk, and transform from beetle-size to horse-size.

The Drums of Peter the Red, the Drums of War.

When one plays on the Drum: they summon forth an army.

The Shield Summons the Storm.)

Bubbles landed at a safe location.

" Can you see nothing? " said Kai.

" Nothing… " said Gerda, as she was using the Sight of Ole Tower-Keeper; " their past is hidden from me… "

" Damn it! " exclaimed Kai; " what happened?! "

Bubbles, now beetle-sized, saw how Gerda shed tears of sorrow. Some were even visible on Kai's face.

" What happened… " said Kai, as he fell to his knees.

(I should probably mention: Kai is in love with Gretel, and Gerda is in love with Hansel.)

And to see the people they love cause so much death and destruction… it was more than their poor hearts could take.

" Guys… " said Bubbles, quietly, for he was truly concerned about Gerda and Kai.

Some time passed. Kai then got back up on his feet, as Gerda cleaned her face.

" We need answers, " said Kai.

" Damn right, " said Gerda.

Bubbles noticed the fire in their eyes - for beyond despair lay courage.

And off Gerda and Kai went, to find out what had happened to Hansel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel entered the palace at Yathrib.

They entered the throne room, where they both knelt before Melammu.

Melammu smiled a wickedly pleased smile, as he was the one who had corrupted Hansel and Gretel, by embedding shards from the wicked mirror in the Snow Queen story, deep into the hearts of Hansel and Gretel. He had accomplished this by using Nāshiṭāt.

Hansel and Gretel both looked up at Melammu, as they both smiled wickedly as well.

The birds were chipping, as Gerda and Kai made their way towards the Palace of Jorindel.

" Her birds must know something " said Gerda, and after she had said those words. Kai could be seen, impatiently, running towards the palace.

Gerda smiled, as she ran after her dear friend.

The two of them entered the glass palace. Gerda and Kai did not have time to admire. It was strictly business, as Kai yelled:

" We need your help! "

His yelling echoed throughout the palace, scaring some of the birds.

" Kindly keep your voice down " said Jorindel, as she flew gently down towards Gerda and Kai.

" We need your help… " said Gerda, her hands clasped together.

Jorindel could sense the seriousness of the situation.

But, what no one seemed to notice. Was that a bird flew away, as if it had a message to deliver?

" Something has happened to Hansel and Gretel… " said Kai, sorrowfully.

" I've heard " said Jorindel, as her birds have been bringing news of the massacres.

" Please… " said Gerda, her hands clasped even more tightly; " what happened to our dear friends? "

Jorindel gave her a nervous look, as if she knew the answer… but could not bring herself to say.

That was when the whole glass palace shook, causing Gerda and Kai to fall to their knees.

" What happened…? " said Jorindel, nervous and frightened.

One of her birds flew over to her, saying something which Gerda and Kai could not understand. But they did understand the horrified look on her face.

" They are here… " shuttered Jorindel.

A little bird had told Hansel and Gretel where they could find Gerda and Kai. And Gretel had ordered her Armored Cars to bombard the palace.

(If you are wondering how Hansel and Gretel could understand the bird like Jorindel. It is because: Hansel and Gretel have eaten of the White Snake, which has granted them both the ability to understand the speeches of all animals.)

The palace withstood several more shots, but it was about to crumble.

" You two need to get out of here! '' commanded Jorindel.

" But we need answers!! " exclaimed Gerda.

Jorindel paused for a moment. She then said:

" Seek The Moor-Woman "

Gerda and Kai weren't about to let Jorindel fight on her own. Which is why Jorindel used a gust of wind to carry them both to safety.

The doors then came crashing down.

Jorindel looked on as Clever Hans and Clever Gretel walked forth with their armies behind them.

" I stand no chance… " said Jorindel with a nervous smile, as a drop of sweat dropped to the ground.

Jorindel tried to fly, but Hansel used his Zhuge Nu to damage her wings.

Jorindel startled as Iron Hans barked right in her face, so that she could feel his foaming.

" I haven't fed him in days, " said Gretel, as she held his chain.

Jorindel saw it.

" Your eyes… your souls… there are shards… "

Jorindel cried out in pain, as Hansel had shot an arrow into her shoulder.

" Where did they go? "

" Who? " said Jorindel with a smile.

Another arrow hit her knee.

" Ah! "

" Talk "

" No. " said Jorindel with a defiant look.

Hansel sighed, as two Mechanical Knights picked up Jorindel.

" I will take it from here " said Gretel, as Fey fire covered her sword.

Cries of anguish echoed throughout the forest, and poor Jorindel was never seen again… but Iron Hans' belly seemed bigger.

The gust of wind had finally disappeared.

" We have to go back! " exclaimed Kai. Gerda quickly caught him by the shoulder. They both knew that it would have been in vain, and even poor Bubbles looked sad.

" Damn it! " cried out Kai, as he started kicking the ground in frustration.

(How would you feel if a dear friend of yours suddenly started killing?)

Gerda whipped away her tears.

" We have to go "

Kai too whipped away his tears.

And off towards The Moor-Woman they went, but not before they ran into Mother Holle.

Mother Holle pitied poor Gerda and Kai. Which is why she invited them to the Fundevogel-Lina Church. For a warm meal and a warm bed.

" We are in a hurry, " said Kai.

" Nonsense " said Mother Holle; " you have time for a meal - night was near - so that you can rest with bellies full for the night. "

Gerda and Kai both quickly realized that there was no point in arguing. Which is how they ended up at the church. Busy with eating Mother Holle's homemade meals.

(The special ingredient is motherly love.)

Gerda and Kai were both sleeping soundly up at the church attic; for they were both mentally, emotionally, and physically, tired.

Mother Holle heard a knock at the door.

Bubbles looked on, as Mother Holle opened the door. And there stood Hansel and Gretel.

" Evening, " said Gretel with her sexy smile, for she was truly pretty; " we were hoping that you could help us? "

" With what? " said Mother Holle, doing her best to hide her fear.

" We have lost two relatives of ours " said Hansel; " you wouldn't have happened to have seen a boy and a girl passing by? "

" No. "

" You didn't even take a second to think, " said Gretel.

" That is because I have not seen them, " said Mother Holle, as she closed the door. But Gretel was holding the door open with her foot.

" Now, mother " said Gretel, as she pushed the door open; " you wouldn't be lying to us? Would you? "

" Dear child " said Mother Holle, rather sternly; " I would never dare to lie within the sacred walls of a church! "

(Don't worry guys. For God would later forgive her.)

Gretel looked at her.

" Check the place. "

Several Mechanical Knights pushed past Mother Holle, and now started searching the church.

That was when the attic caught Hansel's eye.

He climbed the latter.

" Are they there? " yelled Gretel, while Mother Holle was holding her breath in dread.

" No. " was the answer, for Gerda and Kai had escaped on Bubbles.

Mother Holle sighed in relief. She then stiffened, as Gretel was looking at her.

Gerda and Kai both looked on, as the church was burning in the distance.

(Don't worry. Mother Holle made it to paradise.)

But Bubbles felt the bitter and sorrowful tears of Gerda and Kai.

Poor Bubbles had flown the whole night, and he was now more than exhausted.

" Rest " said Gerda, lovingly, as she put beetled-sized Bubbles in her breast pocket.

" We have to keep going, " said Kai. But that was when he and Gerda could hear the sound of music. The music got closer and closer, and that was when Gerda and Kai saw a man with a guitar with a fox by his side.

" Greetings " said the man, as he took off his hat; " and where are you two fine travelers off to this fine day? "

Gerda and Kai did not wish any ill on the innocent man. Which is why they held their peace.

" They are off to see The Moor-Woman " said the fox.

Gerda and Kai both looked dumbfounded at the fox, for they could not understand the speeches of animals, which meant: that this fox could speak the tongue of man.

Gerda and Kai had no time to talk or to be amazed. So they walked past the man and the fox.

" They were in a hurry, " said Jack the Dullard.

He and Mr. Fox then went on their merry way, till they ran into Hansel and Gretel.

" Greetings " said Jack, as Hansel shot his hat off.

But Mr. Fox calmly returned Jack's hat.

" Let us try that again " said Jack with a smile; " greetings- "

Gretel incinerated Jack's hat.

Mr. Fox looked at the ashes.

" I am afraid that I can't bring it back "

" Hmmm " sounded Jack with a sad look on his face.

" Male and female. About our height and age. Have you seen them? " said Hansel.

Jack ran his fingers gently down the strings of his guitar.

" No. "

" Eat him. " said Gretel, as she let go of Iron Hans' chain. That was when Iron Hans was sent flying back by a headbutt from Mr. Fox.

" Damn, " said Hansel.

Mr. Fox now had nine tails instead of one.

" Wow, " said Gretel.

Mr. Fox then grew to the size of a mountain, with Jack sitting on his head. Playing some dramatic music.

Both Hansel and Gretel nodded that this would be fun.

Gerda and Kai could feel the ground shaking from the fight. They thought about turning back to aid Jack and Mr. Fox. But that was when they had arrived at the pond of The Moor-Woman.

Gerda and Kai both desperately looked around, but there was no sight of her.

Bubbles landed in the middle of the pond. The water vibrated. It then vibrated some more, till Bubbles was frightened, and flew away.

Gerda and Kai looked on, as the Moor-Woman levitated out of the pond.

Skipping past the greetings. Gerda and Kai fell to their knees, and begged the Moor-Woman's help - they were that desperate.

Feeling pity, and sorry for them, the Moor-Woman said:

" Granted. "

She closed her hand. And when she opened them again, Gerda and Kai could see two vials filled with some kind of see-through liquid.

" These vials contain Mermaid Tears. The tears simply have to make their way onto the chests of your friends. And the shards of wicked glass will disappear "

" How can we ever repay you? " said Gerda.

With a gentle and kind smile, the Moor-Woman said:

" Simply cry tears of joy. And that will be enough. "

The maiden returned to the waters, as Gerda and Kai now had a way to save Hansel and Gretel.

The animals told Clever Hans and Clever Gretel that Gerda and Kai were at different locations - Gerda was by the port, and Kai was at an open plain.

Hansel went to face Gerda, while Gretel went to face Kai.

And that is where the story picks up.

Kai felt uneasy by Gretel's wicked grin. He too was uneasy by all the Armored Cars and Mechanical Knights behind her.

" Tell me " said Gretel, now with a normal smile; " why? "

" Why? "

" Why? After all we have done… killed. Why do you and your sister still seek a cure for our sakes? "

Kai paused, but he was no longer shaking. Courage, compassion, and love, all three started to pump freely through his veins. Now was his chance. He finally had the chance to tell Gretel what he should have said, so long ago…

" I love you "

Clever Gretel's smile vanished. It was not as if she was touched or moved. More like: curious. She could feel something in her chest, something which not even the shard could hold back.

" Love? "

Kai saw the glimpses of good Gretel within her eyes. But, alas, it lasted but for a moment, as Gretel busted out laughing.

" Ah… " said Gretel, as she wiped away a tear; " good one. "

Kai was not hurt, for he knew that this was not Gretel.

" Another question "

Kai perked up.

" It is something which has been bothering me… why were all those strangers more than willing to help you two? "

Kai's smile made Gretel feel uneasy.

" Didn't you know? " said Kai.

" Didn't know what? "

" Heaven is empty, for the world is full of angels "

Gretel looked at smiling Kai, her mind unable to comprehend what had just been said.

" Enough of this " said Gretel, as she had started to sweat a bit, for the shard could not hold all of it within.

As Gretel's sword lit up with Fey Fire, so too did the swords of her Mechanical Knights. All the cannons of the Armored Cars were aimed at Kai, who did not look the least scared.

" It is brave to face one's death with no fear "

Kai did not look unnerved.

Gretel looked on, as Bubbles changed to the size of a steed. She then looked on as Kai calmly took hold of the Gjallarhorn. The sound of the horn being blown echoed throughout the plain. That was when Gretel saw it, the Wild Hunt charging down from the sky.

Clever Gretel smiled, excitedly. Her steed rode forth, as Bubbles also charged: alongside Harbard, who looked like Viggo Mortensen from The Road, with a blue hat and cloak, and Gungnir disguised as Gandalf's staff. The two armies met in the middle, as Gerda looked out at the foggy sea. All was quiet and too foggy. That was when Gerda could make out something within the fog.

" A behemoth… "

Sadly… the sea creature would have been much easier to deal with, as the Tessarakonteres sailed out from the fog, with the sun clearing the fog.

The massive ship was HUGE! It was finely decorated, and equipped with Mysorean Rockets, as the flamethrowers with Greek Fire, were all armed and ready.

Gerda then saw him, Hansel standing triumphantly at the helm of the ship. Gerda was unimpressed. She simply took out The Drums of Peter the Red. The Tessarakonteres was still some distance away from the port. But Hansel could hear the sounds of the drums. To Hansel's amazement. He looked on, as an entire army seemed to appear from out of thin air.

Gerda stood triumphantly at the helm of her army.

No words were spoken. The only sound was the sound of Mysorean Rockets being fired.

Some of Gerda's men jumped onto boats, heading straight for the Tessarakonteres. Then something odd happened… some of the boats started exploding.

Gerda could see something moving in the water. Hansel had fired off some of his torpedoes, Hassan al-Rammah's Torpedoes.

The odds were stacked against Gerda, but she deemed that it was not yet time to play her ace. Not until Hansel had played his, which he now did.

The middle of the Tessarakonteres opened, and out came Archimedes' Death Ray. With the sun behind it, the Death Ray was aimed directly at the port. Whereupon it started burning everything in its path.

Hansel grinned, but he quickly noticed that Gerda did not look disheartened. She simply whistled towards the sky. A large shadow loomed over Hansel and the Tessarakonteres. It was Kaela, who came down like a meteor on the Tessarakonteres. Sinking the ship. But Hansel was far from beaten, as he came ashore holding his 33 Barreled Organ MiniGun. Gerda quickly took cover, as Hansel started mowing down her army. The fighting was intense on both fronts. And both Gerda and Kai knew that they had to put an end to it. They were able to get close to Hansel and Gerda. With the Mermaid Tears in hand. Gerda and Kai smashed the vials straight onto the chests of Hansel and Gretel.

Gretel fell to her knees, as Hansel supported himself by a tree. Both of them clasped their chests tightly. The ice in their eyes melted away, resulting in a single tear down their cheeks. The shards were gone.

" Hansel! "

" Gretel! "

Gerda and Kai were at their sides.

Gretel looked deep into Kai's eyes, and Hansel did the same with Gerda.

" Gerda? "

" Kai? "

Said the two of them, finally recognizing their dear friends.

Neither Gerda nor Kai could hold back the tears of joy. But there was one downside to all of this. Hansel and Gretel both remembered everything they had done. Bitter and regretful tears ran down their faces.

" All those dead… " cried Gretel.

" All that destruction… " uttered Hansel in utter horror.

Gerda and Kai both stopped crying, for their friends needed them.

" Let us bring the one responsible to justice "

That is how they all made their way towards Yathrib. Towards Melammu.

The walk towards Yathrib wasn't a long one. The sun was high-noon, as the wind blew up some dust. The armies were marching. And ahead of them were their four leaders: Gerda, Kai, Hansel, and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel were in the midst of telling Gerda and Kai what little they knew of Melammu.

Using the Sight of Ole Tower-Keeper, Gerda and Kai could still not see anything about Melammu's palace. That problem, however, was quickly remediet, as Yathrib was within sight.

" Woah… " woahed Kai, as the kingdom was an impressive one.

A round city. Built like Baghdad, and walls like Uruk. And a great ziggurat, like the one in Ur, could be seen in the middle. The peak of the palace was getting dangerously close to the heavens. But it was no Tower of Babel.

Despite its massive and impressive size. The streets of Yathrib were empty. The aforementioned armies filled them out.

" A ghost town… " said Gerda; " where are all the people…? "

" There are none " said Gretel; " this whole place is more of a throne than a kingdom. "

Gerda, Kai, Hansel, and Gretel decided to play it smart. They had each of their massive armies split up, and surrounded the ziggurat from all sides, while the four leaders went up to meet Melammu.

The stairs to the top seemed endless.

Hansel and Gretel hesitated for a moment. But, with Gerda and Kai by their sides, they took the first step.

They were at the top, and there sat Melammu.

His human appearance had the look of a middle aged man. His fierce face had a black beard with hints of gray. His eyes were black as coal, with the faint hint of caramel. His crown was a turban fused with a Mesopotamian horned cap.

" My champions " said Melammu with a stern, yet soft tone. Melammu then paused for a moment, as he noticed that something had changed about Hansel and Gretel.

" The shards are gone "

" We are no longer your puppets, " said Gretel.

" You were never my puppets " said Melammu, calmly; " you were my champions "

" Champions of cruelty " said Hansel.

" Bringers of desolation and death " said Gretel.

Melammu smiled proudly.

Kai and Gerda held back Hansel and Gretel.

Melammu noticed Kai and Gerda.

" Great grandchildren of Malum… "

" You sound like you knew him? " said Kai.

" I made him "

Gerda and Kai both froze.

" Explain. "

" He was destined to become Mahdi, bringer of peace. Qays Gindibu was his birth name. And I decided then and there to make him my champion. My Malum, bringer of blasphemous. "

" What did you do to him? " asked Gerda.

Melammu smiled.

" I took his soul "

" Enough of this " said Hansel, as he fired an arrow. The arrow pierce Melammu's chest, straight into his heart. A fatal shot, if he was human.

No. Melammu just calmly took out the arrow, while everyone looked on, dumbfounded.

" You're not human… "

" Stating the obvious "

Gerda now felt the need to ask:

" What is your real name? "

" Finally. Asking the right question " said Melammu with a smile; " Bariq ibn Faqi' "

Father of the Jinn.

" Uh oh… " uttered Kai.

" Uh oh indeed " said Bariq, as his eyes glowed, for he had decided to show them all his true form.

Gone were the ropes and turban, as Bariq donned his armor. Bariq's form looks like a fusion of the "man" on page 44 of the Kitab Al Bulhan, and the creature on page 69 of the same book. He has brown skin, a monstrous mask-helmet, the soul-severing sword, majestic wings, and a gleeful grin.

Gerda and Kai looked at each. They smiled at one another. For the two of them had decided to use something their dear Ommi had given them - The Rod of Hassan of Basra. Even Bariq could not help but smile nervously, as Gerda slammed the rod on the ground. Various colors shone from outside the top of the ziggurat.

The Seven Djinn Kings:

Al-Mudhib, Jinn King of the Sun.

Al-Muharriq, Jinn King of Mars.

Zawba'ah, Jinn King of Venus.

Maymun, Jinn King of Saturn, alongside his sister: Maimuna Lalla Mimuna.

Al-Abyad, Jinn King of the Moon.

Barqan, Jinn King of Mercury.

And lastly: Shamhurish, Jinn King of Jupiter,

The Jinn Emperor himself appeared: Shahpal bin Shahrukh.

(The rod has no power over him. He simply appeared because he was curious as to why the Seven Djinn Kings were assembled.)

The Father of the Jinn, Bariq ibn Faqi', knew that this battle was going to be one worthy of him.

Sadly… Yathrib was not able to withstand the clash of titans. The kingdom was gone, totally demolished. It took effort and teamwork, but Bariq was brought down, and imprisoned on Mount Qaf, where the Jinn Emperor could keep an eye on him.

Later.

Two marriages were held.

Gerda and Hansel.

Gretel and Kai.

The end.