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L!
Sun Apr 24, 2005 at 09:41:36 pm EDT
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A Semi-Transparent Lad Adventure, Part 2!
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A Semi-Transparent Lad Adventure: Would you like a kandybar? Part 2!


Recap: Ben Hermes, the hero in training known as Semi-Transparent Lad, was asked by his neighbor, Laura Smith to go with her to her home country of Wakandybar. Once there a series of events happened which separated Ben & Laura. Which left Ben in a strange country all alone. He meets up with Eustace Slaw, the Master of Motown! There is a small confrontation & we pick up our story as Ben is being chased by a Rolling Stone (An actual rolling stone, not a member of the rock band.)

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Ben is running through the Technologically advanced Jungle that is Wakandybar, he is being chased by a giant rock & Ben is getting tired. He can't keep running for much longer & if he stops, he gets flattened which is bad.

The song "Papa was a rolling stone" keeps playing, that song is the only thing that is keeping the rock real. It seems to be playing everywhere in the jungle, like on some sort of speaker network. Ben needs to get out of the way of the rock so he can think. But, no matter what direction Ben runs in, the rock follows. It's like some sort of homing rock!

Ben has been lost in his thoughts & he hasn't been paying attention to where he's been running to. He then notices that on his present course he'll run off a cliff in about 5 minutes. The thought to stop comes at minute 4, which is to late to stop so he runs off the cliff & into the ocean. One good side effect was that there were no speakers as Ben fell off the cliff so no rolling stone but he is still falling off a cliff (which is bad in case you hadn't figured that out). Eustace Slaw walks to the edge of the cliff, he has stopped the music & he looks over at Ben falling. Slaw feels that he accomplished his job. Now, back to his original mission: Kill The Black Pantser!

As Ben fell, his life's highlight reel plays in his mind & he realized that his life sucked! There wasn't much to tell, it had like 3 to 4 events on it. Given that he was only 22 so he hadn't lived long, but he thought he would have had at least 10 things that would have been on his highlight reel. Before he could lament his life anymore, he hit the water & passes out.

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Sometime later....

"Land dweller, are you all right?" Ben heard a pleasant female voice say. He didn't hear the words with his ears but in his mind.

Then, Ben coughed up some water & opened his eyes. He blearily saw a person & once his eyes focused a little more, he saw a face. It was orange & sort of fishy looking, but it was clearly a female face. She had long dark green, almost black hair on her head & in her hair were various braids. She has gills on the sides on her neck & her eyes were pitch black.

"AHHH!" Ben said & scrambled up the beach from her.

Her body was of an orange color similar to the color of her face & her hair went down to her mid-back. Shiny scales covered almost her entire body, they glittered in the sunlight. But in places like with her face, down the center of her neck & the down middle of her chest, she has smooth orange skin. She had a green skirt on that appeared to be made from sea weed, a fishing net & some shells. She wore two clam shells & some rope as a bra.

She stood up & walked towards Ben. She reached a webbed hand towards him. She stood about six & half feet tall. Ben could she that on the calves of her legs she had fins.

"Do not be afraid, land dweller. I will not hurt you. I know that you, land dwellers, cannot breath underwater so I saved you & brought up on to dry land." She said, without moving her lips. He heard her voice in his head.

"ok." Ben said, still a little freaked out about the mutant little mermaid addressing him.

"I am.." She said, Ben heard the words in his mind. Then, she opened her mouth & made some noises that sounded similar to a dolphin, then a whale & then some noises Ben couldn't identify. ".. or you can call me Fern." She said, this time moving her lips. "What is your name?" She asked.

"My name is Ben." Ben said.

"Hello, Ben." She said & smiled. She brushed a few strains out her face & placed the hair behind her pointed elfin like ear. As Ben continued to look at her, he stopped seeing the fish aspects of her & just saw a girl. An orange colored girl, but a girl none the less.

"What were you doing in the ocean?" Fern asked.

"I accidently ran off a cliff." Ben said, sort of embarrassed about it.

"Which?" Fern asked, then looked around & saw a cliff. "Was it that one?" she asked & pointed at the cliff that Ben had ran off.

Ben stood up & went over to next to Fern to see the cliff. "Yes. I think so. I don't know what it looks like from the bottom."

"oh. That is a good jumping cliff. Me, my brother's & sister's love to jump from there. It's gives you enough time to do some good dive moves."

"There are more of you?" Ben asked.

"Yes. I don't live alone like the lonely Mug Fish. My colony lives just a just nauts from here." Fern said & pointed out into the ocean.

"oh."

"It's is one of the few Fishieonah colonies." Fern said, sadly.

Then, both sat down in the sand.

"Why?" Ben asked.

"After the skirmish my people had with the Wakandybarian's. Our leader, Fancy Guppy set up a small colony of Fishimen to keep watch on them. So, my spawner's got roped into doing a tour of duty here. So until they die so I can leave or we leave together, I'm stuck here." Fern said.

"oh. That sucks!"

"As much as a typhoon."

"So, where do you come from?"

"I just told you." She said & pointed back out into the ocean.

"You did but, where does your species come from?"

"Oh. A long time ago in a land called by many names: Atlanta, Atlantis & couple of other forms. But, it's more common name is Antlandus. There lived a very powerful society of land dwellers, these land dwellers were the most advanced for their time. Their leader was a man named Aaron. From what I've heard he was a very nice man. With his powerful magic's, he fought all manner of invaders that tried to hurt his beloved Antlandus. But, his greatest enemy was one he never thought of to protect himself from, it was his very own brother! He was an evil man by the name of Kulldechak. Kulldechak opened a portal to a place called the Mythlands, this caused various creatures to come to the Earth & make it their home."

"Are you descendants of those creatures?" Ben asked.

"No! I'm getting to where I come."

"oh."

"The Antlandusians were experts in what is now called by you land dwellers as biology. They had experimented with the local aquatic life to create Fishmen, my ancestors, whom the Antlandusian's used as servants. After a couple of centuries of peace, Kulldechak attacked his Brother & Antlandus. This battle caused the destruction of Antlandus. The continent sank beneath the waves, millions died that day. We, Fishiepeople, have set up a day once a year to remember those who died on that day. The fate of the Antlandus Royal Family still remains a mystery.  But, as a last act of good will before becoming lost to the ages, Aaron’s daughter set the fishpeople free. Because of there genetic make-up, the Fishmen survived the destruction & set up a ruler. His name was Char Lee Toona. He was a great leader! He led the fish people, now calling ourselves Fishiemen, into the Atlantic Ocean. That is where they live till this day in a place called Fishionah!”

“But, if your species has been around that long why haven’t I heard about any of this, or seen more of you around?” Ben asks.

“We are a very private people. For all this time, we have tried to remained in seclusion. We can travel out of our cities, but have to remain hidden."

"But, wait. You saved me, so I know about your exist."

"Yes."

"So, what happens now?"

"Well, nothing much. For the most part, we have been successful in our efforts to keep hidden. Only four times.. Well, I guess now five time, through out your land dweller history have we been discovered by land dwellers and each time we have been able to persuade them to keep our secret. The first time was over a hundred years ago when a land dweller named Captain Nomo tried to conquer our nation. A group of land dwellers calling themselves Improbable Gentlemen helped us out at that time. Later on, last century, another group of land dwellers calling themselves The Valiant Vanguard had come to our assistance. It was at this time our current ruler, Fancy Guppy, was lost to us for a time. He had forgotten who He was and wound up living in a place called Gothametropolis. Do you know of it? I am told it is a well known land dweller city."

"Yes." Ben said.

"Is it a wonderful place?" Fern asked with some glee.

"Sure." Ben said, sort of lying to Fern. He'd never been there but has heard stories.

"The land dwelling hero known as De Brown Streak found him. Then, with help from De Brown Streak, Fancy Guppy remembered who he was. Shortly after that, he returned to us. It was a most happy day!"

"So, how did you get here?"

"A few years ago, My people, the Fishionahian's & the Wakandybarian's got into a little skirmish over something stupid. We were helped out by a group of land dwellers known as the JBH. It is said that the great De Brown Streak was away, so Fancy Guppy found as equally mighty heroes. This was also when our ruler, Fancy Guppy, returned to us as the rightful ruler of Fishionah."

"Who was ruling before?"

"The evil one known as Goldfish!"

"So, where is he now?"

"I'm not sure. After being dethroned, he left for parts unknown."

They, the Land Dwelling Super Hero & the Fishie Woman, sat there on the beach for awhile in silence. Then, Fern asked a question she had been wondering about.

"Ben?"

"yes."

"Why did you jump off that cliff?"

"I was being chased by a large rock."

"I didn't see rock splash into the water after you."

"I know. It disappeared after I ran off the cliff."

Fern gave him a puzzled look.

"It's a long story that I'm not sure I can explain."

"oh. All right."

There was more silence. Then, Ben asked. "Fern, is there any underwater caves around here?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Well, I'm looking for my friend."

"Did they get smushed by the disappearing rock?"

"No. I lost them before the rock. They fell into a hole & I was wondering if there were any caves she might be in."

"Yes. Wakandybar has many caves, many with shiny metal objects."

"Are these caves connected to each other?"

"I think so. Would you like to see one?" Fern asked.

"Yes."

"Ok." Fern said & then got up. "I'll go slow, because I know that you, Land Dwellers, aren't made well for the water. So, you can't swim fast."

"Thanks." Ben said, then Fern jumped into the water.

"Come on, Ben" she said & motioned towards her. "The water's fine!"

Ben walked into the water & then began swimming over to Fern. They floated for awhile, then went over to one of the cave entrances.

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A few minutes later, the surfaced in one of the many underground caves. They swam over to a piece of land. Ben got out of the water, Fern stayed in. A few feet away from them was a giant metal door. Next to the door, was a series of buttons.

Ben walked over to the door & pulled on it. Then, pushed on it. The door would not move.

"It's Locked!" Ben said.

Then, he noticed the buttons. After looking at the buttons for awhile, he then acted. Ben picked up a rock & threw it at the buttons. That broke then & opened the door. Ben pushed them open.

Then, turned around to Fern. She was still wadding in the water.

"You coming?" Ben asked.

"Do you want me to?" she asked.

"Sure. You saved my life, so if you come with me, I might get the chance to save yours." Ben said with a small grin.

Fern hesitated for awhile, then got out of the water & ran over to Ben. As they walked, the only light in the cave came from the neon strips and halogen spotlights that lined the ceiling. They walked along the tiled floor.

"What are we looking for?" Fern asked as she held on to Ben's arm.

"I'm not sure. Something that will lead us to Laura."

Not a minute after Ben said that did the floor open up much like it did when Laura disappeared. Ben & Fern fell into the hole & down the tube to some unknown destination. There were Loop De Loops, hard turns & various things that could confuse a person to their location.

"Look, Ben. A Light!" Fern said & pointed to a light at the end of the tunnel. Ben sure hoped that didn't mean he was dead.

Fern & Ben were shot out of the tunnel, they flew threw the air & onto an inflated balloon. They landed, then a cage rose around them. As the cage rose, the balloon defeated. Then was sucked into the floor & disappeared.

"Hi, Ben!" said a voice.

Ben looked over to the cage next to his & Fern's, it was Laura.

"Laura!" Ben said.

"So, you went down the tube, too."

"yeah."

"So, who's your friend?" Laura asked.

"Oh, yeah. Laura, this is Fern. Fern, this is Laura." Ben said & motioned to each person when he said there name.

"So, you are Laura. Ben has told much about you." Fern said.

"Ok & I know nothing about you." Laura said to Fern, then said to Ben "Who is this?"

"This is Fern, she saved me from drowning. She is a Fishieperson from Fishionia!" Ben said then looked over at Fern for confirmation, she nodded yes.

"Ok & that means what?"

"She's like a mermaid!"

"oh. Can she help us get out of these traps?"

"I don't know." Ben said & turned to Fern. "Can you?"

Fern walked over to the cage sides & tried to pull them apart, they didn't move. "No." Fern said.

"So, what do we do now?" Laura asked.

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DUE TO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, WE CAN NOT BRING YOU THE NEXT SCENE! PLEASE FORGIVE US, WE SPENT MOST OF OUR BUDGET ON SETS (DARN KIRBY INSPIRED SCENRY!) SO, WE PICK UP OUR STORY 4 HOURS LATER....

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Ben, Laura & Fern had just made it to the Submergible Deep-Sea Sky-Craft (SDS) & were talking about what had just happened.

"Wow! That was amazing escape, wasn't it?" Laura said, still shocked at what had just happened.

"I know. I would have never expected that. Then, when that one dude came in & fought that other dude." Ben said.

"Yeah?" Fern replied.

"Now, that was amazing!"

After they finished recapping what had just happen, none of them can believe that it had happened. So, it was now time for the duo (Ben & Laura) to say goodbye to Wakandybar. Fern hugged Ben as he said goodbye. Laura waved goodbye as she got in the ship.

As Ben got in, he said. "Hey, Fern!"

"Yes?"

"If your ever close to the US, drop by & well do this again. Well, not this but well hang out. Ok?"

"Ok. What is your last name?" She asked.

"Hermes."

"All right, Ben Hermes. I'll do that."

Laura started up the SDS, it lifted off the group, Fern waved.

"Hey, Laura?" Ben asked as they left Wakandybarian airspace.

"Yeah, Ben."

"Did you ever find out what your dad wanted?"

Laura groaned. "No. No, I didn't."

Ben shrugged & said "Oh well!"

THE END!
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EPILOGUE:

In the Office of G. Matthew Summers, within the Federal Meta-Human Resource Center's Parrodipolis offices, he was opening his mail. Amung the various letters, catalogs & other junk was a package from Ben Hermes. Mr. Summers opened it, in it was a piece of paper & a VHS tape.

Mr. Summers read the piece of paper. It was from Ben with his poor handwriting, it explained that he was sorry that he missed the last New Recruit training meeting & hoped the tape explained his absences. Mr. Summers got up from his desk & popped the tape into his VCR. He turned on the wall mounted flat screen, turned to the right channel. Then, pressed play. What he saw more then made up for it.

"Hello, Mr. Summers." Said T'Chaco, the Wakandybarian Ruler & current holder of the Black Pantser mantle. T'Chaco sat on a metallic throne.

Mr. Summers jaw almost dropped to the floor.

"This tape is to explain why young Mr. Hermes was not present for class at..." T'Chaco voiced trailed. He looked away from the camera & turned to Ben who was in the background.

"What did you call this organization?" He asked.

"The FMRC!" Ben replied.

T'Chaco turned back around. "Ah, yes. I'm sorry that young Mr. Hermes was not present at your FMRC meeting. I hope that you will forgive his absence, he did not mean to be gone. He was helping out a friend. If you would like to verify his where abouts, I'm sure my countrymen & women at your local Waknadybarian Embassy would be happy to assist you. Thanks for your time!" T'Chaco said. He bowed shortly there after.

Just before the taped ended, Ben could be seen sitting on a metallic bench. He said "So where is this Vibratium I've heard so much about? I hear it's worth millions in assets!"

Laura, who was standing next to Ben, then said. "Well, your assets are sitting on some of it!"

Then, the tape ended.

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FOOTNOTES:

To find out some more about Wakandybar and/or Fishionah, go check out this stories written by Scott:
Amazing Tales # 29
Amazing Tales # 30
Amazing Tales #31

Most all of my Wakandybar & Fishionah info came from Scott in these stories & from talking to him.

In writing this story, I became interested in Fishionah & it's people. Hence the creation of Fern, she will show up again in a later story.


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