Subject: Summer 1999 D&D Cartoon On-Line Fan Club Newsletter, Part 2
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 11:43:13 EDT
From: IllyanaAM@aol.com


To start off this issue's fine buffet of D&D cartoon fan fiction, here's a
terrific appetizer -- a 1-shot by Bunny featuring the D&D cartoon crew and
the A-Team! If you like it, be sure to let me know! Enjoy, folks!

Synopsis: Did anyone ever wonder what happened when "The A-Team" got
pardoned? Or how the kids from "Dungeons & Dragons" ever got home?  This
gives an opinion of both that interconnects them.

"The Dungeons & Dragons Team"

After Stockwell finally gave the guys their pardon, they settled down
surprisingly. They didn't share a house, like in Langley, but the team kept
up the "soldiers of fortune" gig, except for Frankie Santana (who was never
a voluntary member anyway), who went back to doing special effects for the
movies. Amy had returned and married Face, and Tawnia had left Brian
Leftcourt after a bitter divorce (that left her with half his money), never
to hear from him again. So,the female members of the team were back as
well. Murdock had married Kelly the vet, Hannibal had married Maggie Sullivan,
and BA had married Rachel (from the episode "Pure Dee Poison"). They all had
kids, but Face and Amy were the only ones who weren't single parents
(pretty much from the begining). Hannibal had a son, Hank, who was 18. Tawnia's
son, Eric, was 18 as well; and BA's daughter, Diana, was 17.  Murdock's son,
Presto (short for Preston) was 16. Amy and Face had two kids; Sheila was 15 and
Bobby was 9.

Face:(worriedly) Shouldn't they be back by now?
Hannibal:It's only 10:00, Lt.
Face:Yeah, but, Bobby was with them. They should've dropped him off by now.

Murdock:Well, maybe we could go to the carnival and look for them.
Hannibal:You girls stay here in case they come back.

Meanwhile, at The Realm...

Eric: We're never getting out of this stupid world!
Hank:We can't give up hope. We'll get out of here sometime.
Dungeon Master: He is right, Cavalier.
Eric: It's you! What do you want? To give us more riddles?
Dungeon Master: Well, you have one last quest, but...there will soon be
someone to come and take you home.
All: WHAT?!
Presto: Who is it, Dungeon Master?
Dungeon Master: That I cannot reveal. But you will know them when you see
them.
Sheila: What is the quest?
Eric: Who cares?! We're getting out of this crazy place!
Sheila: (defensively)The sooner we complete the quest, the sooner someone
will come and get us.
Eric: (mumbling)Yeah, yeah, okay.
Bobby: What is it?
Dungeon Master: Venger has taken the Orb of power. You must go to the
Valley
of No Shadow to retrive it, and take it back to the mountain of Rising
Snow.
Diana: How?
Dungeon Master: You must each make a great sacrifice, so as not to
sacrifice anything.
Eric: (angrily)What does that mean?!

They all look to see that the Dungeon Master has disappeared.

Eric: (frustrated)He's gone again!
Bobby: (tiredly)This was the worst one yet!
Sheila: (comfortingly, putting a hand on his shoulder)Don't worry, Bobby.
We'll figure something out.

They walked for hours, until sunset, until they reached the Valley of No
Shadow.

Hank: Let's make camp here.

The others, exhausted, just flopped on the ground and began foraging and
building a fire.

Bobby: Can we take Uni?
Uni: Byeah?
Sheila: Well...I honestly don't see what it could hurt.
Hank: Sheila...there are no Unicorns in our world.
Shelia: There used to be! In Bible times!
Presto: Well, our families are the best in the world at keeping secrets...I
mean,our dads were on the run from the millitary for like twenty years!
Hank: (relenting)Well, I guess we could ask Dungeon Master.

They woke up the next morning to find Bobby's club there, but Bobby was
gone!

Sheila: (frantically)He never would've went off alone without it!
Diana: (consolingly)Hey,(puts a hand on her arm)Don't worry.
Venger:( popping up through the mist)Oh?I wouldn't go that far.
All: Venger!
Hank:W here's Bobby?
Venger:( feinged innocence)Bobby?
Eric: (annoyed)Where's the kid, you creep?!

Venger makes a motion with his hand, and they can see Bobby in chains,
dangling above a pit of lava, surrounded by Orcs!

Sheila: No!
Venger: Well, my beauty, I may consider releasing him...for a price.
Sheila: (nervously)A-a price?
Venger: (smiles evily)I desire a bride.(holds out his hands)Come forward,
my dear.
Presto: Sheila,no!
Eric: Don't do it!
Hank: We'll find another way!
Diana: Sheila,please!
Uni: (bleats agitatedly)
Sheila: (tears streaming down her face)I don't seem to have a choice!

She goes to Venger before the rest can stop her. Suddenly, they are all
transported to a cave, but Shelia and Venger are nowhere to be seen!

Hank: Sheila!
Bobby: Hank! Guys!

They all look up to see the youngest member of their group chained to the
ceiling.

Bobby:( struggling)Get me down!
Hank: Let me try.(shoots a couple of energy arrows, but to no avail)
Presto: Let me give it a shot.
Eric: (puts a hand on his forearm)Be careful,huh?
Presto:( nodding)Don't worry.(waves his hand over his hat)Come on hat,
don't make me a clown. Give us something to get Bobby down!

The others rolled their eyes at the bad rhyming; it seemed to be getting
progressively worse. But, a flash of light came from the hat,and the chains
disappeared. Bobby then started falling at an alarming rate!

Eric: (without thinking)I'll get ya, squirt!

Bobby landed hard on Eric.

Bobby: (surprised)Thanks, Eric.
Eric: Yeah, yeah, yeah.(gets up stiffly)

Uni, happily bleating, runs into Bobby's arms.

Bobby: Uni!(scoops her up)Oh,I missed you!(looks around)(scared)Where's
Sheila?
Hank: Um...Bobby...
Bobby: (frantically)Where's my sister?!
Diana: Well, she's with Venger.

They quickly explain the situation to Bobby.

Bobby: (grabbing his club)Where are they?
Hank: (dejectedly)We don't know.
Bobby: Presto,do you think you could magic us to where they are now?
Presto: Gee, I don't know, Bobby.My magic isn't the most relaible, you
know.
Eric: You can say that again! But...we don't really have a lot of other
choices...or time.
Presto: Okay...here goes nothin'. Ala-kazamm, Ala-kabubble. Take us to
Sheila on the double!

The purple glow from inside the hat comes out and surrounds them,
teleporting them to where Sheila is bound in chains and about to marry Venger! Venger
pulls her to him,and she begins to struggle violently.

Venger: Go ahead, fight me.It's all in vain.
Bobby: Let go fo my sister, you creep!

Venger looks up in shock, and they all rush him. Having brought none of his 
men with him, he is forced to fight them alone. They end up trapping him in
the Orb, which makes the chains on Sheila melt away.

Bobby: (running to her)Sheila!
Sheila: Bobby! Oh, thank heavens!

She hugs him tightly, and he doesn't actually seem to mind. She pulls back
when she feels something wet on her neck.
Sheila: Bobby?
Bobby: (trying to hide his tears)I...I'm sorry, Sis. This is all my fault.
Sheila: Nonsense! Besides, we've trapped Venger! And found the Orb! We can
go home now.
Dungeon Master: Quite right. I'll take the Orb now.
Hank: (hands it to him)So, when are these people coming to take us home?
Dungeon Master: Soon, young Ranger. Very soon. You have all more than
earned
this my young ones. I will miss you.

And, with that, he was gone. Suddenly,a familliar-looking roller coaster
car came up to them, with 4 very familliar and welcome faces!

Sheila: DADDY!

They all rushed into the arms of their family, and got back on the cart.
They vaguely wondered why Dungeon Master didn't ask for Uni or their
weapons back, but they were too blissful to care. They were going home! When they
finally reached home, they were shocked to find that their weapons still
worked; as they hadn't before. But...maybe it was a gift from Dungeon
Master. Hannibal was the first to recover from the shock of it all.

Hannibal: You kids wanna explain all this?
Hank: Tomorrow, Dad. Let's just get home.



The End

Got a nifty D&D Cartoon/TV show crossover script like this one that you've
got in your head and want to put fingers-to-keyboard and submit for the
newsletter? Well go right ahead -- we'll run as many as you like in this
section from now on. Only requirements are (1) the crossover must be with a
cast of a TV show that ran in the 1980s and (2) it must be in script form.
And don't forget the most important part -- HAVE FUN!

Stay tuned next issue to see how well (or not!!!) I can pull off a
D&D/Voyagers! crossover! (It will be a two-parter at least but hey, what
can you do???)

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[Unable to display image]
EDITOR'S NOTE: Just in case ya don't like the format of the story in the
newsletter, Shawn has also posted this section of his story on the web. You
can reach it at: http://38.241.125.6/ds_2.html

The Downward Spiral - Part II of IV
by
Shawn Foster (kcflatlander@yahoo.com)

Just how did Venger become Venger?

Shawn Foster (1998) copyrights this story though it is based upon the
characters and precepts of the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon, whose
copyright is owned by others. No challenge to the original copyright is intended.
Permission is hereby given to copy and distribute this story, so long as
the credit is given to the proper author.
Story Rating -- PG

Avenger.

The name itself exuthed power and attention...respect and authority.
Avenger was known throughout the Realm as the most powerful and feared of the
Celestial Knights. It was his job to ensure that evil did not get out of
hand when the Knights had gone off to vanquish a foe. It was his job to stop a
powerful sorcerer's evil deeds, or if it was deemed that his magic would be
detrimental to the Realm. He was the one who went to stand up for the
ordinary citizens of the Realm. After all, a Knight gives up his normal
citizenship for the betterment of all, so it's his responsibility to keep
balance within the Realm.

Avenger was the most powerful of all the Knights, and always worked alone.
He had done so for many years...he was the first the Dungeon Master had
recruited into the Knights, because he was so powerful and physically
imposing. Dungeon Master knew that the man who would become Avenger could
handle the job all by himself physically, but needed guidance and wisdom,
as well as more knowledge in the ways of magic. Because he was the first, he
was Dungeon Master's favorite Knight, as well as the one he was imparting
special wisdom of magic onto.

Dekion looked the giant Knight up and down. What an amazing sight, he
thought to himself. Any evil wizard or group of marauders would be out of his right
mind to go up against this Knight. He was at least 24 hands tall, or more!
He was dressed as the others, in the traditional dress of the Celestial
Knight: bright yellow tunic with red capes over gray chainmail. But he noticed that
Avenger did not carry a sword, or a helmet. He also noticed that he carried
a pouch fastened to his belt. This pouch was rather large. And he swear he
saw it....moving by itself!

"So, Avenger, did the Spell of Forgetfullness come in handy this time?"
asked the Dungeon Master.

Avenger looked up, and stood silent for a moment, as if he was looking for
a word to say. Finally he said, "Yes, Dungeon Master. As usual, you were
correct. Malezian does not remember that he has the ability to control
magical energy, so he now believes he is a farmer. A far better occupation
than sending typhoons against the coastal town he was terrorizing." Avenger
was moving away from the two on the stairs to meet with his other brothers
and enjoy in a flagon of meade.

Dekion didn't understand that last statement at all. He really didn't
understand much of anything, he thought to himself. After all, he has only
seen the sights of his village, which wasn't very much. Dungeon Master had
really opened his eyes over the last day or so.

Dekion looked down at Dungeon Master. "What did he mean by that...'not
being able to remember how to control magic?' I thought that one is born to be a
magician or a sorcerer or whatever! That's what I was always taught."

The Dungeon Master looked up at him a little exasperated, as if he thought
the young lad should have learned this lesson by now. "Dekion, my boy. If
you listened to everything that you were taught by normal teachers, you
wouldn't be standing here on these steps. You wouldn't be starting this wonderous
journey you are about to embark on."

Dekion hadn't thought of that, and listened even more intently as Dungeon
Master continued.

"You see, Dekion, magic is all around us. It is neither good nor evil. It's
the user's intent that makes magic good or evil. Magicians aren't born with
magic inherent in them. They are born with the ability to use magic. It's
their choice if they want to cultivate that talent and become a wizard or
magician, or whether to use that ability for goodness or malevolence."

Dekion's face lit up, like someone had just unveiled his head to the suns
for the first time. "You mean, the wizard that Avenger got rid of? He really
didn't hurt him. He just 'erased' his memory so he couldn't use magic
anymore!"

"Exactly, my young pupil. You are starting to open yourself up to endless
possibilities, which is one of the things that will make you a Knight," the
Dungeon Master stated.

Avenger heard the words of the Dungeon Master, and thought to himself. "You
have no idea...."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so the days went by. Days turned into weeks. Dekion ended up spending a
lot of time with many different Knights, learning a variety of things.
Valor instructed him on swordsmanship. Bravery taught him how to fly the
Warbirds, as well as how to care and look after them. Courage was assigned to teach
him how to read and write, but ended up talking more about his adventures.
Dekion enjoyed all that he had been learning, and was becoming more accomplished
with each passing day.

However, there were two people he enjoyed learning from the most. Avenger
taught him about the responsibilities of being a Knight, and Dungeon Master
was teaching him about magic, as well as the ability within him to use
magic.

Avenger was a very busy Knight, and did not like sharing his knowledge with
others. Yet he was honor bound to teach the latest charge to the group.
Dekion was still a little intimidated by the largest of the Knights, but
learned to respect his words and deeds.

"It is important that you understand today's lesson, Dekion. It is the
heart of what a Knight is. Do you understand that which I am telling you?" asked
Avenger.

"Yes, Avenger."

Avenger stood up, knowing his height would scare Dekion into listening
intently to his every word. "A Knight's 'job' is more than that," his
booming voice echoing in the hall they were in at the time. "It is his life. It is
his sacred duty to keep the Realm safe. It is our very essence to ensure
that evil doesn't overwhelm our land and our people."

He stood up and starting walking around the room. There was a conviction on
his face that Dekion had never seen on anyone. He felt it, once, when
Dungeon Master picked him out of a crowd when he saved the lord's daughter. In
himself, it felt like righteousness. But in Avenger words and body
language, it felt like it was absolutism...all or nothing. Black or white...with
absolutely no gray in between. Although he listened intently to what
Avenger was saying, he started to feel something he hadn't since he had came to the
Tower of the Celestial Knights...intrepidation.

Avenger stopped in front of Dekion, looked down, and had a very grim
expression on his face. "There must be control. Without control, there is
no order. Order is what keeps a Knight's life focused and balanced. It's
because of this edict that we Knights exist."

Dekion was looking anywhere but up in Avenger's face, just as any youngster
being punished by his parents would do. As he was looking around, he
noticed that pouch on Avenger's belt again, as he did many weeks ago when he first
met the mighty Knight in the Great Tower.

"Avenger," he asked, "Why do you not carry a sword like the other Knights?
And what is in that pouch?"

Avenger moved away from Dekion. "I have no need of a sword. As Dungeon
Master has no doubt told you, I am the most adept Knight in the ways of magic. I
have more ability than any other Knight. Because of this, and because of
my, shall we say, physical advantage, I choose not to carry a sword and use
magic to fend off the evil-doers in the Realm."

"As far as the pouch goes," he continued, "That... is... a pouch of magic
and potions. Even though magic is everywhere, sometimes it necessary to 'make'
magic before hand. Every now and then, it is easier to reach in and grab a
potion or an herb than having to use magic on the spot."

Dekion heard the words, but for some reason, didn't believe them. He would
have to ask Dungeon Master during his next lesson about that aspect of
magic. Of all the Knights, he was fascinated by Avenger the most, but he also
feared him. He didn't fear any other the Knights, and this bothered Dekion. It's
not that he didn't intently listen to all that Avenger told him, but now he
started to filter the information a little bit more, instead of taking this
Knight's words at face value.

About a week later, the Dungeon Master showed up at the Tower of the
Celestial Knights. As Dungeon Master, he had many duties that kept him
elsewhere throughout the Realm, which is why the Celestial Knights existed
in the first place. Dekion was very happy to see Dungeon Master. It's not that
he didn't enjoy the time with the other Knights...it was just that when
Dungeon Master explained something new to him, he understood it better.
Maybe it was the way Dungeon Master cued Dekion into trying to figure out
problems and concepts on his own. It gave Dekion a feeling of accomplishment.

After pleasantries and a period where Dekion caught Dungeon Master up on
what he had been studying, they ventured outside the Tower for a lesson of
magic.

"Dekion," said Dungeon Master, "you have a question for me, do you not? You
have been fidgeting ever since I've seen you today."

"Yes, Dungeon Master." said Dekion, "Something is on my mind. It has been
for quite a while. Something about Avenger bothers me. I realize that he is a
great and powerful Knight, and I know that he has great ability in magic.
He really believes in what he does..almost fanatically. But..."

"But what have you noticed, my young pupil?", inquired the Dungeon Master.

Dekion took in a deep breath and let out all he had been thinking about.
"Well...it's that pouch on his belt. It looks likes it alive sometimes..especially when he comes back from an assignment from Valor. But after he returns from his chambers, the pouch returns to normal. I don't
know what it is. I thought about bringing it up to the others, but what right do
I have? I am so new and learning, and Avenger is the most powerful of all the
Knights. It wouldn't be right."

The Dungeon Master stopped in front of a large rock, sat down on it, and
spoke. "Dekion, my boy, never fear that which you feel is right. Always
listen to your heart. It will always guide you in the right direction. As
far as Avenger goes, maybe you should accompany Avenger on his next crusade.
That should help you to understand more."

Dekion thanked the Dungeon Master for listening, but thought some more
about what he had just heard. Dungeon Master didn't explain anything about the
pouch, but did say that he would talk to Avenger about accompanying him on
his next assignment. This was peculiar to Dekion. It was almost as if the
Dungeon Master knew what the pouch was about, but wanted the newest Knight
to find out on his own. That Dungeon Master was a strange one indeed!

Later on that evening, Avenger and Dungeon Master came into the Great Hall
were the Knights dined. Avenger stood at the bottom of the steps, and
looked straight at Dekion with a look of arrogance. "Well, Dekion. It seems you
are going to come along for a ride with me. That is...fine." It seemed like
Avenger was choking on that last word, but got it out anyway.

"Great, Avenger! I look forward to it. When do we leave?" asked Dekion.

Avenger started over to Dekion, and sped his pace up as he walked. "Now. We
leave now. I have just been informed by Dungeon Master that Lupal, a
sorcerer to the east of here, is planning on casting a spell that will affect the
crops throughout the Realm. It's possible that many could starve if we
don't intervene. We must go and stop him. NOW!"

Dekion went down to the stables to get two Warbirds to fly into battle with
Avenger. As he came back up the hill with the birds, he saw the Dungeon
Master.

"Remember, young one," said Dungeon Master, "Follow your heart. It will
always lead you to the right place."

Off they went into the night. Dekion was an accomplished flyer, thought
Avenger...for a child. Dekion learned his lessons very well. He enjoyed the
Warbirds. It was unbelievable! They were so high up and going so fast! He
looked down on the countryside. It was dark, but the moons lit the way very
well.

"Over there, Dekion. Beyond that ridge! That is our destination!" yelled
Avenger.

They swooped down to the top of the ridge, and tied up their Warbirds to a
tree. Dekion looked down in the valley, and saw a huge castle with a moat.
It looked like fire was coming out of the moat!

Avenger looked down at Dekion. "Stay with me, boy! You must stay right
behind me and do EXACTLY what I say. AT ALL TIMES!"

Dekion looked up and whispered, "Yes, Sir. I will do whatever you say."

They made their way down the hillside and into the castle. There were no
guards. Powerful wizards usually are too arrogant to have guards. Dekion
remembered that from Avenger's teachings.

In a huge hall near the back of the castle was a room that emanated light.
Dekion followed behind Avenger as the large Knight moved down the side of
the hallway.

"Now you will see how I deal with those who oppose me!" said Avenger.

Many things raced through Dekion's mind. What did he mean, "I deal with who
oppose me!" What about the Knights? Shouldn't he be doing this for the good
of the Realm? All he did was stay quiet and watch.

"LUPAL! You will stop what you are doing, lest you face me!" yelled
Avenger. 

Lupal was quite an imposing figure himself. He was dressed in grey, a long
grey beard and carried a staff. He looked up from his work and noticed the
yellow tunic and the red cape. "I laugh at your smugness, Celestial Knight.
You will not stop me!"

Avenger walked into the light, where Lupal could see him.

Lupal was taken aback by the sight of this Knight. "AVENGER! No matter. You
will not stop me. I will starve the Realm! All will come to me for
supplies...and pay dearly for it."

Avenger was now angry. "Wealth! Greed! That is what you waste your talents
on! No longer, wizard. No longer!"

Dekion was back in the shadows, watching with disbelief with what was
transpiring now. Avenger put his hands in the air and started to chant in a
language that Dekion had never heard before. Light started to appear
BETWEEN the Knight's hands! Unbelievable!

Lupal saw what was starting to happen, but believed he could survive
whatever this Knight had. He sneered at the Knight. "Do your worst, Avenger! My
magic will protect me!"

Avenger laughed. "You dare mock me?"

Avenger finished his chant, and the light between his hands grew brighter,
and took on the shape of a ball. Then Avenger yelled a spell, and Dekion
couldn't believe what he heard!

"Lupal, I take your ability!"

A waft of mist came out of the ball of light and enveloped Lupal. Lupal
started to scream, but nothing came out of his mouth. The mist rose up
above him. Lightning came out of the mist and struck Lupal. The little cloud over
the grey sorcerer drew a black smoke out and was absorbed into the cloud of
mist above him.

This mist then went back over to the light between Avenger's hands and
combined with it. The light become darker because of the mist, but still
gave off an eerie luminescence. Then, out of nowhere, the pouch on Avenger's
tunic came undone, but stood in midair! And opened itself! Avenger said another
spell, and the ball of energy went into the pouch and tied itself off!

After that, Avenger spoke the Spell of Forgetfullness and told Lupal he was
a woodsman, and had been all his life. He told him to go into the forest with
an axe and start building a house for himself, and never to remember he was
a sorcerer.

"Unbelievable!" said Dekion to himself. "Avenger didn't only make the
wizard forget. He took his ability for himself!"

To be continued...

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