CHAPTER 8

FLASHBACK: Santa's sleigh...

Flying through the sky in Santa's sleigh, Orb-Necro couldn't help but
be amazed by the sheer power and abilities of it.

"So, Claus...you're telling me that you are immortal and you've been
doing this for several lifetimes. The technology you use for the
operation of your sleigh...it seems familiar to me. Alien in origin
would be my guess." said the archmage.

"Indeed. A being who called himself a time lord built this for me,
which allows me to manipulate space and time, as well as carry my
vast supply of toys to everyone." Santa answered back.

Orb-Necro paused for a moment. "Gallifrey technology. A race of time
lords. I've heard of the planet but it's usually inaccessible by
normal means...like your castle at the North Pole, it vibrates at a
different rate of speed than normal space. I never realize you had
such means. My lord and master will be most pleased."

"Whatever. Let's return to the stables. Doing even this small trip is
taking quite a bit of willpower from me. This is the reason why I
only do it once a year." Santa was visibly furious but as long as his
wife and elves were hostages, he was powerless to do anything.

As the sleigh landed back at the stable, the two emerged from the
sleigh to find Arcademan sitting on a stool. He then stood up and
cracked his knuckles.

"About time you showed up, Orb-Necro. Let's party!!!"

"Arcademan?!! darn you!!! I don't know what you're doing here but
you're a dead man now!!!" and Orb-Necro lunged at the hero, who
quickly moved aside.

"Heh. I see you're still holding that grudge against me, Orb-
Necro...after all this time...GET OVER IT!!!

Orb-Necro yelled out then called out for his orb to appear. Arcademan
quickly checked on Santa.

"Arcademan! You're a sight for sore eyes. Is the missus and the elves
all right?"

"Yes they're okay. My assistant is watching over them so if you'll
excuse me, I've got a hot-tempered villain to deal with."

Santa asked "Why is he so mad at you, though I know he's a villain
and you're a hero. He suddenly went out of control when he saw you,
friend Arcademan."

"Well, Santa...could be that he used to be two beings named
Necromancer and the Orbmaster. I was responsible for their deaths and
destroying the orb of power but instead of their bodies being
destroyed, they merged and became one...and slightly imbalanced so
that's..."

Arcademan's sentence was cut short by a blast of mystical energy from
Orb-Necro's orb. "Now I'll have my revenge on you, Arcademan and take
over this mudball in the name of Lord Pyrogod!!!"

"Over my dead body!!!" yelled Arcademan, who then immediately ducked
under another blast.

"That's the whole idea, hero!" as Orb-Necro continued blasting away
at Arcademan.

"Santa, what's this all about. Why is he here?"

"He wants my sleigh so he can control time. I'm sorry I had to
cooperate with him but the others were in danger..."

"No need for apologies, Santa. I need to bring down this maniac. Stay
down while I draw his fire." On that note, Arcademan flew across the
stable, closely followed by Orb-Necro. With a extra burst of speed,
dodged a ray blast and knocked down the archmage, then quickly
grabbed the floating orb.

"Time to crush the orb like I did the first time!" However as
Arcademan applied pressure to the orb, it began to glow blightly and
then repelled the hero, sending him flying across the stable right
into the far wall.

"No, Arcademan...you will not destroy my orb that way again. Now as
you lie helpless, I shall now destroy you!" Orb-Necro powered up
however as he was about to blast Arcademan, a strong force of
strength hits the archmage from behind, knocking him to the ground.

It was Flora...fully recovered.

"Tee! Hee! Here I am, saving your neck again, Arcade. I knew there was
a reason for you to bring me here." Flora was definitely feeling
cocky and sarcastic, signs of her being back to normal.

"Flora!!! Watch out!!!" Flora turned around and stared into the orb.
As it let out a blast, Arcademan super-speeds across the stable and
grabs Flora at the last possible nano-second.

"Stupid pixie wench! How dare you touch me with your impure hands!!!
Now your death has been assured!!!"

"What did you call me?!!" Flora was pissed as she stood in front of
Orb-Necro.

"HELL'S IVY!!!"

Potted vines hanging inside the stable walls suddenly grow out of
control and bind him.

"My turn...ENERGY BLAST!!!"

A high concentrated blast of pure energy leaps from Arcademan's hands
and hit Orb-Necro full force. Once the energy is spent, Orb-Necro
stands in a stupor.

"Now it's my turn...UPPERCUT!!!"

Santa Claus' fist connects and the villain goes down like a ton of
bricks. Totally unconscious, the orb's light goes out and falls onto
the ground lifeless. Flora calls her vines once again and bind the
helpless villain.

A weakened Arcademan is helped to his feet by Santa. "Man, remind me
never to get you mad, Santa. That's a mean uppercut you have there."
laughed Arcademan.

"I've completely tied Orb-Necro up. What're we going to do with him?"
As if on cue, the body of Orb-Necro disappears.

"His master Lord Pyrogod has reclaimed him. I sure wouldn't want to
be in his shoes. He will not tolerate failure from his mages."

Santa Claus was relieved that the events were now of the past however
that was short-lived when he asked Arcademan what time it was.

"Holy Smokes! We have less than 12 hours to get ready. I don't know
if I can do it...I'm not at full strength." Santa was visibly
worried.

Arcademan put his hand on Santa's shoulder. "Don't worry, sir. Flora
and I are at your disposal. We will do everything humanly possible to
bring Christmas to everyone throughout the world."