my story

[staley]

THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN: HOW TO CATCH A VAMPIRE

By: Sheila Shillingburg


Thundarr the Barbarian

CHAPTER 1
ENTERING LAS VEGAS

Horse's hooves pounded the ground, and a trio of riders crested the hill. The lights of the desert oasis were beginning to come on, creating a twinkling labyrinth. The blond leader of the trio looked over it all. The beast-like creature woth him growled a question.
"People of the past enjoyed a sport called gambling," the raven haired woman with them began in explanation. "They created this town for their habits, and called it Las Vegas."

Their leader, Thundarr, made a move as if to turn away from the twinkling valley. "Maybe we should find a calnmer oasis," he suggested. But, his horse whinnied in protest.

"It's getting late, Thundarr," Princess Ariel said. "And, we're going to need a place to camp for the night."

In the animalistic tongue of his people, Ookla pointed out that this was the first oasis they had come to after days of riding. Their stores of food and water needed replenishing. Thundarr agreed that his freinds were right, and turned back to the futuristic Las Vegas.

The future had not been kind to Las Vegas, as it had not been kind to the rest of the earth. A comet had passed too close to the earth, shattering the moon; and tearing away some of the earth's protective atmosphere. The comet had lkong gone off into space, but left Earth in ruins.

After a thousand years, people rebuilt their lives from the ruins. But, the new world that emerged was one rather primitive, by our standards. A brutal world of slaves, super-science, and sorcery.

Thundarr himself had once been the slave of an evil wizard, named Sabian. Sabian's step-daughter, Ariel, had helped the young barbarian to free himself. Joining forces with Ookla, the three set about righting the wrongs of the future, and challenging the absolute rule of tyrants, like Sabian.

The streets of the futuristic Las Vegas were teaming with people, just as they had been in centuries earlie. Thundarr, Ariel, and Ookla soon found themselves caught up in the throng that was headed for a central plaza. The plaza was fenced in by tumbled down masonry, all that was left of the once-grand Caesar's Palace Hotel and Casino.

In its glorious past, Caesar's Palace had played host to many legendary concerts, and sporting events. An earthquake had destroyed the casino, and people were using the fallen brick to fence in the central courtyard. The three friends were drawn inside with the mob.

"What's going on?" Thundarr inquired of a by-stander.

"We caught intruders to our town," the man answered. "This one spoke so passionately about a monster, we want to see if this creature appears. We will have our fun with him."

At the stage, Dr. Bruce Banner was in chains, hands and feet, to prevent escape. "Please! We came in peace!" He pleaded as the villagers pelted him with rotten vegetables, stones, or whatever else was handy. Although Banner was a relative stranger,Thundarr knew what these people were doing was wrong. His blue eyes smoldered with anger.

"He wants his friend!" Shouted a by-stander.

"Yes! Bring out the other one!" Agreed another.

Thundarr could hardly believe his eyes when he was who was next to be shoved onto the stage, also in chains. None other than his friend from the past, Tarl Barlot!

On a mission to restore a lost treasury of books to a tribe of orphans, Thundarr and his crew had been captured by Sabian. Sabian then tried to make an example of his escaped slave by marooning him in the past, with no chances of returning to the future.

The plot back-fired when Thundarr became acquainted with Tarl and his then-fiancee, Andy Simmons. Andy helped Thundarr on his quest, while Tarl gave him lodging at his apartment until the quest was completed. Oddly, Thundarr had felt a kinship with the young police officer.

Now, his host was in chains, and being submitted to the villagers for abuse. "ARIEL, OOLKA, RIDE!" Thundarr rallied his troops.
The crowd gasped in surprise when a white stallion burst through their ranks, followed by a brown mare and a lizard-like creature. Thundarr loosed the sun sword's flaming blade, and used it to free Tarl. Tarl drew his own sword, from a hidden scabbard, and used it to help fight off the tormentors.

Thundarr swirled to help Banner, but his chains had already been shattered. In Banner's place stood a snarling, green-skinned giant. At the sight of the newcomer, the villagers' bravado took a nose-dive. Screaming with fright, they ran for the nearest exits. Hulk roared, and heaved a fallen girder over their heads, as a warning.

Thundarr released the sun sword, and returned it to the holder on his wrist. Tarl sheathed his own sword.

"Thank you, Thundarr. How did you know we were here?"

"We didn't." Ariel explained how they had come to this oasis, seeking only shelter for the night, and happened upon the mob. Thundarr turned to Hulk.

"Who is your friend? You certainly scared those cowards."

"Everywhere Hulk go, people run away," the giant croaked, sounding rather sad. "Trisha and Vampira friends."

"Andy and I are your friends too, Big Guy," Tarl assured him.

"Hulk? Is that your name?" Ariel asked, gently.

The giant tapped a misshappen finger on his massive chest, in introduction. "Hulk," he croaked in greeting.
"I am called Thundarr, my friend. My companions are Princess Ariel and Ookla the Mok. How is it you have come to visit our world?"

"Take Andy and Vampira," Hulk tried to explain.

"What is this, Tarl? Your beloved is here too?" Thundarr made certain he had heard right.

"She and Vampira were kidnapped by a vampire named Draagon," Tarl explained. "Hulk and I were taken for trying to help them, and ejected from the castle. We came here looking for help rescuing them."

"Well, you've found it," Ariel answered.

"And, this vampire will feel my fury," Thundarr added.

Ookla looked arouund, puzzled, and growled a question. "Yes, what has happened to the little man who was here?" Thundarr was also curious.

"What little man?" Hulk wanted to know.

"No one, Hulk," Tarl answred, hastily. In an aside to Thundarr, Tarl promised to explain later. Knowing full well Hulk's hatred of Banner, and vice versa, the young cop wanted to avoid a potentially explosive explanation.

Ariel suggested that they make camp for the night. This was as good a place as any. Thundarr turned to his friend from the past.
"I have little to give you in turn for the hospitality you've shown me, my friend. But, you are welcome to join us. We will begin your quest in the morning."

Tarl's eyes were brown fire. The flames had been kindled in Tarl when he was a young warrior, but had lain dormant since knowing his beloved Andy. But, the thought of her rescue from the clutches of an evil vampire made those flames flair.

"I shall not be able to rest until my beloved, and her friend, are freed!" Tarl declared.

His statement proved to be prophetic. During the night, Thundarr heard his guest's restless tossing and turning.

Sleeping on the ground was nothing new for Tarl. As a boy, growing up on his father's farm, he had often slept on the dirt floor of the cottage. As a young warrior, marching toward some inevitable battle, he had made camp on the ground. Then, again, as a slave, he had been forced to sleep, bound, on the floor of his cruel mistress' grass hut.

Since coming to America, however, Tarl had grown accustomed to the air conditioned comfort of his apartment. His body had forgotten sleeping under the stars, and knew the softness of his bed, back in Buffalo, New York, where he and his bride, Andy, would snuggle and share warmth on cold nights. With a weary sigh, Tarl settled down on the unyielding ground, to sleep.

Hulk turned back into Banner as he rested. Banner didn't need to adjust himself to the cold earth. Now a homeless man, sleeping on the ground was good rest to the former scientist. His only comfort, sometimes, was Vampira's cape. Curling into a ball, to conserve body heat, Banner was soon sleeping soundly.


Thundarr the Barbarian

CHAPTER 2
KING DRAAGON

Miles away, Vampira and her human friend, Andy Barlot, were being held prisoner in the dungeon of a castle that belonged to King Draagon.

King Draagon had been the king of vampires, but the world had thought he as dead and buried. But, vampires do not stay dead. In the earthquake that had followed in the comet's destructive wake, the grave was jarred open. Draagon now prowled the nights once more.

In his day, Draagon was considered a real ladies' man, by vampire standards. But, he had never settled down with a vampiress of his own. He locved his freedom as much as he loved women--vampires or otherwise! He regretted that decision, because he was now running out of women to romance.
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[TrulyAmazing]

Creative some of its guidelines reminds me of steven kings The Stand