The Uli Rouge

[majkp]

Rick was sitting outside looking to the distance. He was holding Fnordie on his lap and stroking his little head for more than an hour. Fnordie was neither asleep, neither awaken but Rick felt the strange tickling on the back of his neck which always appeared when Fnordie was absorbing power from the nearby environment.

Rick already knew there were several ways by which Fnordie gained his energy. One of them, the natural one, was sleeping. Slow one and it always stopped at certain level. Another one which Rick knew of was absorption. It had to be done gently and equaly so no living creature in the vicinity were harmed. This way allowed Fnordie to absorb a lot more energy, but causing him a lot of pain. But it was worse, this time Rick senced that Fnordie violates his own rules and he saw the grass fade, the birds crash to the ground and then falling asleep. The air temperature was going down and the colours were becoming weak. While stroking the pup's head, Rick felt a growing lump as if his already augmented pineal was growing even larger. He has never done that before and Rick knew that there must be special reason for that.

The other's probably already left and they should do the same as well. But Rick didn't know what to do. He couldn't interrupt Fnordie, so he just sat there, and continued cradling him.

That Doctor. Rick somehow knew he wasn't just an ordinary Phantom but pretended otherwise and kept conversating with him as if nothing happened. And then what happened next only confirmed Rick's fears. Fnordie discovered some entity that was stronger in mental abilities and wanted to be prepared for the next strike. They both knew that by killing the Phantom,
they didn't get rid of the true evil.

Why? Why do these things persecute them? It's always such a pleasant party and then it starts. He knew that the lovely Fiona couldn't be behind all these intrigues. But who then?

A silent 'voice' in his head interrupted his dark thoughts.

~ Rick, get ready, this won't be very comfortable... ~

The surrounding was starting to be fuzzy and Rick felt more and more thin. The sounds were dropping and it was getting dark. Then it came. Rick felt as if he was hit by a lightning and when he opened his eyes again, they weren't at the mountain any more. Rick recognized a familiar bar, the one on Reggie's Veranda, the one where he first met Fiona. Fnordie remained in his frozen condition.

Rick forgot that he didn't want to disturb him and with raised voice said:
"What the hell was tha....", then he quickly laid Fnordie down on the couch, grasped his stomach and ran out of the bar. Once outside he bent over the handrail and started to spew.