Hot Streak

“Alright. Everyone know what to do?” said Ryan “I’m gonna send out a ‘ready check’. Once everyone clicks ‘yes’, I’m pulling the boss.”

Ryan watched his computer screen and waited for confirmation that everyone was ready.

“Ready Sawyer?” he asked

“I clicked yes.” Said Sawyer “Pull him…”

Ryan charged the raid boss with his character, and then an epic battle ensued.

“De-curse… Need bleed effects… c’mon, DPS, burn it down…” said Ryan into his headset

“Adds!” said Sawyer

“Got em…” said Ryan

“Pwnyerface is down…” said a voice on the computer.

“Battle rez on Pwnyerface…” Ryan ordered. “Get ready… phase two inc…”

Then the boss went on a rampage, hitting harder and faster.

“OK, blow all cooldowns… void zone! Watch the void zone!” said Ryan

“We’re not causing enough damage!” said Sawyer “He’s gonna enrage!”

“Focus…” said Ryan “LOH! LOH!”

“It’s on cooldown!” yelled Sawyer

“Heal me! C’mon! Heal!” Ryan yelled as he frantically clicked spells on his screen.

The boss was too much for them, however, and the raid wiped.

“Dang it!” said Ryan as he threw his headset.

“We almost had it…” said Sawyer, banging his paw on the desk. “Not enough DPS…”

Ryan waited until he cooled off, then addressed the raid.

“Alright, guys. It’s late and I need to get going for the night. We’ll get him next time…” he said

Sawyer logged off just before Annie walked in.

“Why is it so hot?” she asked

“I don’t know.” Said Ryan “Maybe because of the computer running?”

“No, it’s hot all over.” Said Annie “It’s 110 degrees outside.”

Ryan went outside and sure enough, it was a scorcher. He went back in the house and turned on the weather channel. They were reporting temperatures as high as 125 in some places. Worse, it was raining. The humidity was unbearable. Sawyer watched the screen, cocking his head to the side as he studied the radar.

“I don’t know why it’s like this…” said Annie “But I need Starbucks. Iced coffee. I’ll be back later.”

* * * * *

Once Annie left, Sawyer pointed to the screen.

“You see that?” he asked

“What?” asked Ryan

“The heat is strongest here, in the center of the state and gets slightly cooler as it moves out in all directions. Same with the rain storms.” He explained

“How can that be?” asked Ryan

“Who do we know that controls the weather…” said Sawyer, waiting for the obvious answer

“Elementis…” Said Ryan

“Are we gonna do something?” asked Sawyer “Remember, she said she had bigger plans than just bank robbery.”

“Yeah, we’re going after her.” Said Ryan “Get your gun.”

* * * * *

Ryan and Sawyer pinpointed the nasty weather somewhere in the middle of the Manistee National Forest. They piled into the Malibu and drove. Sawyer loaded magazines and put a few odds and ends in his backpack.

* * * * *

“Brant!” yelled Elementis “Why isn’t the AC working?”

“It is, my dearest.” Said Brant “I just wanted to turn it down to save some energy.”

“You idiot. We can afford the expense. Just keep it as cool in here as you can.” Said Elementis

“Yes, my dearest.” Brant groveled. “Sorry to have failed you.”

“Again.” Said Elementis

“Yes, again.” Said Brant

Elementis withdrew some of her rage.

“It won’t be this hot for much longer.” She explained. “Once our stocks in air conditioners, fans and pools have topped off, we’ll sell it all, then turn on the blizzard.”

“Won’t people die from the sudden change in extreme temperatures?” asked Brant

“Yes, I suppose that’s possible.” Thought Elementis “We’ll have to invest in funeral homes as well.”

* * * * *

Ryan and Sawyer arrived about a mile from the center of the heat wave. They parked their car and traveled the rest of the way on foot. It was still raining and the temperature was in the 130’s. Through the steamy mist, Ryan was able to see a trailer up ahead along with a large circular object.

“See that?” said Ryan

“Yeah,” said Sawyer “It looks like a bigger version of Elementis’ guns.”

“Exactly.” Said Ryan “You were right.”

Ryan loaded a shell into his shotgun as Sawyer switched the safety off of his rifle and stood up. After bumping fist to paw, they closed in on the target. Just then, a man stepped out of the trailer, then froze after seeing Ryan and Sawyer.

“That’s not Elementis…” said Sawyer

“Dearest!” cried Brant “Intruders!”

Elementis stepped out of the trailer, pulled out one of her weapons and fired it at Ryan and Sawyer. A bolt of lightning struck the ground between them as they both dove for cover.

“That’s Elementis!” said Sawyer

“I know!” said Ryan “Shoot her!”

Sawyer raised his weapon and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. He pulled the bolt back and tried again but again, nothing happened.

“This weather! It’s soaked my powder!” said Sawyer

Ryan attempted to fire his as another bolt struck close to them.

“Mine too!” he yelled

Sawyer threw him his pack.

“Get back to the car and regroup! I’ll hold them off!” said Sawyer

Ryan started to protest but Sawyer was already gone. He charged the trailer and tackled Brant, biting at his arm.

“Dearest! Help me!” cried Brant

Elementis picked up a log and struck Sawyer in the head, knocking him out.

“Thank you!” said Brant

“Shut up and turn on the snow!” said Elementis

“But the investments…” said Brant

“Forget the money. These are the two from the bank.” Said Elementis “If we don’t freeze that guy, we’re finished.”

* * * * *

Ryan made it back to the car. By now we was sweating and completely soaked. His shotgun was worthless now, but he was hoping he left something in his trunk. After opening it up, he was relieved to find his bow and arrow. While he only had three arrows, the bow was guaranteed to shoot no matter the weather. He would need one for the weather machine, one to kill one person and hopefully the third to kill the other. He was about to head back towards the trailer when he felt the temperature drop sharply.

“What the heck?” Ryan said out loud

His drenched clothes started to freeze as he dove into the car and turned on the heat. The thermometer on his car said it was -20 degrees outside. Normally -20 wouldn’t be the end of the world, but with wet clothes, he could die. Suddenly he remembered Sawyer’s pack. He dumped the contents out on the seat next to him and sure enough, Sawyer had planned for this. There was Ryan’s hoodie, some jeans and dry socks. Sawyer had also brought a vest for himself. Ryan folded the vest and put it in his pocket, took a deep breath and left the car.

He made it back to the trailer in no time since the heat wasn’t slowing him down. He circled around to the side of the trailer and waited behind a tree about 30 yards away. This was going to be a waiting game. Could Ryan wait in the freezing cold for someone to open the door and give him a shot? Or would he freeze to death while
waiting? These were his two options.

* * * * *

Sawyer woke up and looked around. It didn’t take long for him to find the barrel of a gun pointed at him. Behind the gun was Brant.

“He’s awake.” Said Brant

Elementis ignored him.

“May I open a window?” Brant asked “It’s so hot in here.”

Elementis rolled her eyes. “Fine, but just for a second. And please stop whining.”

“Yes, dearest.” He replied

A breeze entered the trailer and Sawyer immediately caught Ryan’s sent. He knew he had to be out there waiting for them to come out. He decided on a plan. He perked his ears up, looked out the window and growled as if he saw something.

“He sees someone.” Said Brant “Maybe his owner?”

“He wouldn’t growl at his owner, fool.” Elementis snapped “Go see what it is.”

Ryan shivered uncontrollably. He was at the end of his rope. If someone didn’t leave that railer soon, he would have to leave and come back with warmer clothes. By then, they may kill Sawyer or leave with him. Just then, the door swung open. Brant stepped outside and looked around. Ryan carefully slipped behind the tree and drew his bow back.

“There’s no one here!” Brant called out

“Then get in here and shut the door!” Elementis yelled at him

Ryan peaked around the tree, aimed at Brant and released the arrow. It struck Brant in the shoulder and lodged in his bone.

“I’m hit!” Brant cried out in pain. “Save me, dearest!”

Ryan knocked another arrow and drew back in anticipation. Elementis stepped out and saw Brant, then saw Ryan just as he was about to fire. She dove for cover as Ryan released the arrow. The arrow missed badly. Ryan cursed his bad luck as he knocked his final shot. Elementis took off her jacket. Once again, she had a parachute underneath. She pulled out her weapon and fired it at the chute. A strong gust of wind began to carry her off as Ryan release the arrow in desperation. The arrow struck Elementis in the thigh. She shrieked in pain as she was carried off by the wind.

Ryan approached Brant.

“Where’s my dog.” He asked

“He—he’s inside…” he stammered

Sawyer stepped out and joined Ryan next to Brant.

“My dearest has left me!” Brant sobbed, his tears freezing to his cheeks.

“There there… The cops will be here soon enough.” Ryan mocked

* * * * *

The police were very interested in the machine that was left behind. After some tampering, they were able to turn it off, much to the relief of everyone. Except Elementis.

“She’s still alive.” Said Ryan

“Yeah. And so are we.” Sawyer countered.

“Do you think the cops will get Brant to talk?” asked Sawyer

“I don’t know.” Said Ryan “I guess that will be a story for another time.”

Old School

Ryan turned off the TV and threw the remote down in disgust.

“The stupid Sharks!” he yelled “I can’t believe we lost to the Sharks!”

“We lost to the Sharks.” Said Sawyer “But the refs were wearing Sharks jerseys.”

Ryan and Sawyer consoled each other over their team’s loss. The Red Wings were out of the playoffs, so there would be no more Detroit hockey until the fall.

“Want a pizza?” Ryan asked in despair

“Yeah.” Said Sawyer as he took off his Red Wings hat and sighed out loud. “Extra pepperoni.”

Ryan stood to leave and reached for his keys when he suddenly vanished before Sawyer’s eyes!

“Ryan!?” said Sawyer “Where are you!? What happened!?”

Then the phone rang. Sawyer picked it up and listened.

“I know you can hear me, dog.” Said the voice “Killing you will be so much easier now that your fool owner is gone.”

Sawyer snarled. He knew he couldn’t communicate back. He also knew who it was on the other end of the line. Doctor Apocalypse.

“Time travel is possible, beast.” Explained Doctor Apocalypse “The boy was much easier to silence when he was in grade school!” he laughed

‘He went back in time and killed Ryan when he was young?’ thought Sawyer ‘Now what am I going to do?’

“I must go, beast.” Said Doctor Apocalypse “But I will be paying you a final visit very soon.”

The phone went dead. Sawyer needed to do something. He needed to go back in time to prevent Apocalypse from killing Ryan. He sprinted down the hall towards Ryan and Annie’s room and started tearing apart Ryan’s drawers. He tossed his clothes all over the room looking for something. Then he found it: The radio that had sent them back in time last year. Then Annie walked in and saw the mess he had made.

“Sawyer!” yelled Annie “Bad dog!”

Sawyer ignored her, grabbed the radio in his mouth and ran past her.

“Come back here!” she yelled at him

Sawyer ran outside, turned on the radio, set the channel to 1989 and pressed the talk button.

“I hope he’s still alive in 1989…” said Sawyer as a flash of light temporarily blinded him.

Sawyer was right back where he was a second ago, but it was different this time. The house he had just ran out of was gone. Instead, there was a for sale sign by a dirt road. Sawyer started walking towards town. Or at least where he hoped to find a town. After a short walk, he found a gas station.

“$1.15 for a gallon of gas!?” yelled a man as he refueled his truck “What’s this world coming to?”

“Highway robbery!” said another as he did the same

‘$1.15 for gas?’ thought Sawyer ‘I must have made it. Now to find Ryan.’

* * * * *

Ryan approached the door to his school. He had been attending there for 3 years, but he felt like the new kid again. It was June, 1989 and he was in summer school. All of his friends were off for the summer and it was mostly kids from other schools that were here, so even though this was his school, he was the outsider.

‘Maybe I can impress these other guys somehow.’ Thought Ryan

* * * * *

Sawyer ran towards Ryan’s old school. He had shown it to Sawyer once before. Since it was the middle of the day, he should be there. He just needed to find him before Apocalypse did. Once he found the school, he walked up to the gym window and looked inside. There were dozens of kids standing in line to register. Then he found Ryan. He looked as if he wanted to say something to the kids talking in front of him.

‘I’ll just make up some lie!’ thought Ryan ‘These guys will think I’m the coolest kid here if they think I have cool toys… and they’ll never know! Now what toy collection is popular…’

“Hey.” Said Ryan to one of the boys

“What.” He asked impatiently

“I own the entire Willow collection.” Said Ryan

‘He actually said that?’ thought Sawyer ‘I thought he was kidding…’

“Willow sucks.” Said the boy as he turned back around and continued his conversation.

Ryan hung his head in shame.

‘Guessed wrong, loser!’ he thought to himself

“Is there a Ryan here?” asked a man who had just walked into the gym. He had strange goggles over his eyes and it looked as if he had been badly burned once before.

“Here.” Said Ryan

“Come with me, please.” Said the man

Ryan left the line he had been standing in to follow the man. Peering through the window, Sawyer growled at the man that Ryan was following. It was Doctor Apocalypse. Sawyer ran around the building to find a door. He had to get inside and stop Apocalypse!

“Am I in trouble?” asked Ryan

“Not at all.” Said Apocalypse “I just need your signature on some papers.” He lied

“Signature?” said Ryan “I don’t have a signature. I’m 8.”

“Just shut up and follow me you little brat!” Apocalypse snarled back. His patience had run out. He just wanted to eliminate Ryan and get back to 2010.

‘Who is this guy?’ thought Ryan ‘Maybe a teacher from a different school?’

Doctor Apocalypse opened the door to the teacher’s lounge and motioned for Ryan to follow. Ryan walked in as Apocalypse closed the door behind him.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am right now, Ryan.” Said Doctor Apocalypse as he pulled out a silenced pistol.

Ryan stood frozen in fear as Apocalypse aimed the gun at his face.

“Who let that dog in here!” cried a voice outside the room

Doctor Apocalypse suddenly looked past Ryan in shock just as the door flew open. Sawyer charge Doctor Apocalypse and grabbed the gun before he could fire it!

“Ryan! Run!” yelled Sawyer

“You can talk!?” said Ryan “What the heck is going on here!”

“Run I said!” Sawyer snapped as he wrestled with Doctor Apocalypse

Ryan turned and ran out the door. Sawyer got the gun away from Apocalypse and fired three rounds into his chest.

“Blasted beast!” yelled Apocalypse as he fell back and lay motionless

Sawyer threw the gun into the trash and ran outside to find Ryan. He found him running across the playground towards his house.

“Wait!” yelled Sawyer as he ran after Ryan

Ryan turned and saw the talking dog running towards him.

“Help!” he cried “A talking dog is chasing me!”

“No, it’s alright!” said Sawyer as he caught him “I’m… from the future.”

Ryan listened as Sawyer explained what happened. He explained who he was and why he had to stop Doctor Apocalypse. They continued to talk until they reached the empty lot where Ryan would someday own a house.

“This is where I’m going to live?” asked Ryan

“This is it.” Said Sawyer

“And only I can understand you when you talk?” said Ryan

“Yeah, so far.” Said Sawyer

“Huh… And now that Apocalypse guy is dead so… you gotta go?” he asked

“I should.” Said Sawyer “Besides, I have to make fun of your future self.” Sawyer said with a laugh

“Why?” asked Ryan

“Let’s just say you become much cooler in 20 years.” Said Sawyer

“That’s good…” said Ryan “… Hey!”

* * * * *

Sawyer adjusted the radio to read 2010 and prepared to press the button.

“Well, good luck, Ryan” said Sawyer “Remember, watch more hockey and less basketball.”

“Thanks, Sawyer. I will” said Ryan

Just then, Doctor Apocalypse tackled Sawyer from behind! Sawyer dropped the radio and tried to defend himself from Doctor Apocalypse’s punches! Ryan picked up the radio and tried to hit Apocalypse with it!

“No!” cried Sawyer “I need that!”

Ryan put it back down and searched for something else. He found a big stick, ran towards Doctor Apocalypse and was about to break it over his head when Apocalypse grabbed the stick out of his hands, knocked Ryan out with it and threw it away all in one motion. Ryan fell in a heap onto the ground and lay their motionless.

“You’re next, beast!” said Doctor Apocalypse

‘Not so fast…’ thought Sawyer

Sawyer bit Apocalypse in the arm as he tried to punch him. Apocalypse cried out in pain as he pulled back. Sawyer freed himself and grabbed the radio. Doctor Apocalypse tackled him as he tried to press the button, but it was too late. A bright flash of light blinded them both as they were transported back to 2010. Ryan woke up and looked around. Sawyer was gone. Doctor Apocalypse was gone. But at least he was safe now.

* * * * *

As soon as Sawyer and Doctor Apocalypse came to, they found themselves in Ryan and Annie’s house. Apocalypse grabbed Sawyer by the neck and tried to choke him! Sawyer couldn’t get free and was starting to black out when a shotgun blast echoed throughout the house. Apocalypse slumped over and grabbed at his back. Sawyer looked up to find Ryan standing there with his shotgun. Smoke rose from the barrel as he loaded another shell into the chamber.

“You alright, Sawyer?” asked Ryan

“Yeah, thanks.” Said Sawyer “Man, am I glad to see you.”

Suddenly, Doctor Apocalypse groaned and shifted.

“He must be wearing a bullet proof vest!” said Sawyer

“Let’s see if this works…” said Ryan as he put the barrel of his shotgun in Apocalypse’s mouth

BOOM!

* * * * *

Officer Culver took Ryan’s statement.

“Thank you for your cooperation” said Officer Culver

“Is he dead?” asked Ryan, pretending to be upset

Officer Culver looked up from his notes. “You blew his jaw off. I’d say he’s gone.”

* * * * *

“Hey!” said Annie as she walked in the house

“What’s up?” asked Ryan

“They opened up a Starbucks just down the street!” Annie beamed with joy

After Annie had left the room, Sawyer leaned over to Ryan and asked, “He is dead, right?”

“I sure hope so. Because if he isn’t, he’s gonna be so pissed at us.” Said Ryan “But I guess that will have to be a story for another time.”

The Amazing Adventures of Ryan and Sawyer Christmas Special

Sawyer cast his fishing pole and leaned back to relax in his chair. He was fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with Ryan and Phil. They were on vacation during the Christmas break and decided to try their luck at fishing by Galveston, Texas. Since Phil had learned about Sawyer the past summer, Ryan was able to invite him to join them.

"What do you think you're getting for Christmas, Sawyer?" Phil asked

Sawyer patted on the steering wheel of the boat.

"Yeah, right." said Ryan

"What time are your other friends meeting us down here?" asked Phil

"Well, Mike and Brad will be here around 6 and Jacob and Michael live here so they can show up at anytime." said Ryan

"Two Mikes." said Sawyer "We should think of a nickname for one of them."

"I'm sure we can keep track of who's who." said Ryan

"We should have them try some 'Stuff'." said Phil

"Do you have any here?" asked Ryan

"Yup!" said Phil "Right here in the cooler."

"What's 'Stuff'?" asked Sawyer

Phil tossed him a jar and explained what it is and how it's made.

"You take an empty jar and fill it halfway with sugar, then top it off with Mountain Dew." said Phil

"It looks like mud." said Sawyer as he stirred the contents of the jar with a spoon.

"Nah, it tastes worse than mud." said Ryan "Try it."

Sawyer scooped up a spoon full of Stuff and put in his mouth. The sugar rush was intense as he tried to swallow the thick substance.

"Blah!" cried Sawyer as he spit it out and threw the jar into the water. "It's horrible!"

"Hey! Don't waste it!" cried Phil

Ryan laughed as Sawyer frantically drank a bottle of water.

Suddenly, the water around them began to bubble as they heard a low rumble beneath them.

"What's that noise?" said Phil

"Is it an earthquake?" said Ryan

Then, with an enormous splash, a ship burst from the water less than a hundred feet from them. They couldn't see movement on the ship. If there was anyone on board, they didn't appear to be alive. Then the door to the captain's quarters swung open and out stepped an undead pirate. Ryan gasped at the sight of the monster, causing it to look right at him. The pirate stared at him and squinted his eyes then ground his teeth in fury.

"You..." said the angry pirate

"You..." said Ryan, a bit freaked out.

"It's the two landlubbers and their beast!" cried the pirate as a full crew of undead pirates stormed out of the cabin and onto the deck of the ship.

"It's Black Beard!" cried Ryan "Sawyer, get us out of here!"

Sawyer gunned it towards shore as Phil took out a knife and cut the anchor just before they ran out of rope. The pirate ship lowered their sails and turned towards the fleeing boat. A single cannon at the bow of the ship rang out as a shot was fired.

"A fortune in treasure for the man that cuts them down!" cried the undead Black Beard

"And a keelhaulin for all ye that fail the Captain!" added the Boson

The water beside their boat exploded as Sawyer struggled to keep control.

"Where did he come from?" yelled Phil

"It must have been the Stuff!" said Ryan

"I had no idea it was that powerful!" said Phil

Ryan pulled out his phone and tried to reach his friends.

"Brad! Is that you?" asked Ryan

"Brad's busy right now." said a female voice

'Oh great...' thought Ryan

"Ma'am, could you please give him the phone? This is an emergency!" said Ryan

"Just a second..." said the girl, impatiently

Then Brad answered the phone.

"Hey man. Can't you tell I'm doing something right now?" said Brad

"I don't care!" said Ryan "I'm in a world of trouble here and need your help right now!"

Another cannon ball missed the boat and exploded nearby.

"What was that?" asked Brad

"That's the world of trouble I was telling you about!" exclaimed Ryan

"I'm on my way. I'll pick up Mike." said Brad as he hung up

Ryan got a hold of Jacob and Michael and asked them to assist as well. They all agreed to meet in downtown Houston and try to figure out a way to beat the pirates. Sawyer managed to put some distance between them and the pirate ship. He ran their boat onto the beech and the three friends sprinted to their truck and away from the ocean. Ryan drove them towards an abandoned building that they had all agreed to meet at. Once everyone was there, Ryan explained the situation.

"OK, first of all, we have two Mikes here so Michael, you're Jim until further notice." said Ryan

"Why do I have to be Jim?" asked Jim

"Cuz Mike is one year older than you." said Ryan

"Whatever." said Jim

"Now, a group of undead pirates chased me, Phil and Sawyer out of the ocean and I'm sure they'll follow us into the city." said Ryan

"Come on, Ryan." said Mike "You expect us to believe that garbage? Have you been watching too many movies?"

"It's true." said Phil

"Well then I'm sure it's all over the internet." said Mike as he pulled out his laptop and checked the news

"What the..." said Mike "TNN and Coyote News are both reporting that zombie pirates have stormed the city of Houston and are attacking the citizens."

"Zombie Pirates in Houston?" said Jacob "I knew I should have moved to Dallas when I had the chance!"

"They're saying that when the zombie pirates attack someone, they also become a zombie pirate." said Mike

"We need to stop them." said Ryan

"How?" asked Phil

"Brad, can you get us some weapons?" asked Ryan

"Sure, what do you need?" he asked

"I'll take a shotgun, get a sniper rifle for Phil, a M-16 for Mike and whatever you want." said Ryan

"I'm on it." said Brad as he left the building.

"What about me and Jacob?" asked Jim

"You guys are going undercover." said Ryan

"As undead pirates?" said Jacob

"Try to find a costume store and get zombie costumes and pirate costumes. Combine them and hope it works." said Ryan

Jim and Jacob looked at each other and shrugged. They left the building and made their way to find a costume store. Brad returned a short time later with a weapons cache.

"Where did you find these so fast?" asked Mike

"A S.W.A.T. van was abandoned down the road. I just helped myself." said Brad as he loaded his M-240

Ryan picked up the shotgun and smiled.

"I think I'm going to keep this." he said "Phil, take the sniper rifle and Sawyer to a tall building and keep an eye out for us."

"Where will you be?" asked Phil

"The news is reporting that the majority of the zombie pirate activity is happening around the Toyota Center." said Ryan "Find a spot there."

"Got it." said Phil "Let's go, Sawyer."

Phil and Sawyer took Ryan's truck and drove towards the Toyota Center. Ryan, Mike and Brad finished loading their weapons and left the building as well. Ryan had given everyone radios and headsets to communicate with.

"Watch Dog?" said Ryan "Do you read me?"

"We hear you, Slapshot." said Phil "We're in position."

"Do you see anything yet?" asked Ryan

"See anything, Sawyer?" asked Phil

Sawyer shook his head as he slowly scanned the streets below them with a spotting scope.

"Nothing." said Phil

"OK. We're on our way to you." said Ryan

"Team West Texas." said Ryan "Did you guys find disguises?"

"Yes." said Jim "Why are we Team West Texas?"

"Because Team Jacob was taken." said Jacob with a laugh

"OK, Team West Texas. Try to find Black Beard." said Ryan "As soon as you find out where he is, get out of there."

"No problem." said Jacob

Ryan, Mike and Brad made their way down the streets of Houston, listening and watching for signs of the zombie pirates. The city was almost completely silent except for the sound of Brad lighting a cigarette. Then Mike heard something.

"Behind us!" said Mike

All three turned around and saw hundreds of zombies and zombie pirates coming towards them.

"In front of us!" said Ryan

Hundreds more suddenly appeared down the road they had been traveling on.

"Push forward!" cried Brad with his cigarette bouncing in his lips as he opened up his M-240 on the zombie mob

The group steadily moved forward as they fired their weapons, constantly keeping an eye out behind them. The Zombies were closing in on them as they fought their way to the Toyota Center.

"Team West Texas!" yelled Ryan over the sound of gunfire. "Have you found Black Beard?"

"Aaaarrr, we have not." said Jacob "But we be in with the crew. We'll have him nailed down in no time a' tall."

"Hurry up!" said Ryan "Watch Dog! Can you see us?"

"We see you." said Phil

"Any help you could give would be great!" said Ryan

"You got it." said Phil

He fired shot after shot into the crowd of zombies and took out as many as he could.

"Avast this suicide mission, lads!" said one of the pirates "There be a sharp shootin bilge rat in that building! Turn ye vengeance on him!"

The zombie crowd turned towards Phil and Sawyer's position and began running towards it.

"You're about to have company, Watch Dog!" said Ryan

"We see it!" said Phil as he continued to fire "Just find Black Beard!"

Sawyer took his AK-47 and waited behind Phil for the zombies to rush through the door.

* * * * *

"Aaaarrr, we be growin weary of this dry land!" said Jacob to a random zombie pirate "Where be Black Beard?"

"Who be ye to ask this of me?" said the pirate

"I be... Cutlass Jake! And this be... Head Shot Jim!... Aaaarrr!" said Jacob

"Why is he called Head Shot Jim?" asked the pirate

"If ye don't tell us where we can find the captain, we just might have to show ye." said Jim "Arrr."

The pirate hesitated for a moment, then told them.

"The capt'n be plottin our next move within the buildin with the frozen floor." said the pirate "But if I be ye, I'd not bother 'im. He ain't in the mood for talk since he found a mirror."

Jacob and Jim started to walk away as Jim called Ryan.

"Slapshot, we have Black Beard's location." said Jim "He's in the Toyota Center."

"Got it, good job." said Ryan "Now get out of there."

"We're on our way now." said Jim

Suddenly, one of the pirates called back to them.

"You two! Stop!" said the pirate

"Aarrr, what be ye wantin with me and he?" said Jacob

"Ye be Cutlass Jake and Head Shot Jim?" said the pirate

"Arr." said Jim

"Lies!" said the pirate "These two here be Cutlass Jake and Head Shot Jim!" said the pirate, pointing at two other zombie pirates.

"What were the odds?" said Jacob as they turned to run away.

"Slapshot, they're on to us!" said Jim into the radio

"Try to get to safety. We'll find Black Beard and try to end this!" said Ryan

* * * * *

Sawyer flexed his paws as he waited with his gun pointed at the door to their position. Suddenly, a zombie pirate peaked inside. Sawyer fired a single shot at him and took him out. Phil glanced over his shoulder and saw that the zombie pirates had arrived.

"They're here, Slapshot." said Phil "Have you found Black Beard?"

"We're in the Toyota Center." said Ryan "Try to hold them off."

Where would he be?" said Mike "This place is huge!"

"If you were a pirate who had been dead for hundreds of years, where would you go?" asked Brad

"The bar." said Mike

"Let's check out all the alcohol vendors in this place. He's probably there." said Ryan

* * * * *

Jacob and Jim ran frantically across the street and into an apartment complex.

"Let's hide in here!" said Jim

He and Jacob found a vacant apartment and closed the door behind them.

"I think we lost them." said Jacob as he leaned on the door trying to catch his breath.

Then, without warning, a shot was fired through the door, just missing Jacob's head. He peaked through the hole and saw the eye of a grinning zombie pirate.

"Guess not!" said Jacob as he and Jim ran to the window and out the fire escape.

"They're chasing us!" said Jim into the radio "What's the hold up!?"

"We're close." said Mike "Hang in there, Team West Texas."

"Let's split up." said Ryan "Brad, take the north wing, Mike, check the east wing. I'll check south, then swing west."

* * * * *

Sawyer fired at another group of zombie pirates as they tried to enter the room. He threw and empty mag towards Phil to get his attention. Phil looked back at Sawyer as he reloaded his gun and signaled that he was loading his last mag. Phil slung the sniper rifle over his back and tied a rope to a beam inside the room.

"We're leaving, Sawyer!" said Phil

Sawyer held on to Phil as he lowered himself down the side of the building. The next room down was crawling with zombie pirates, so Phil swung to the side and checked another room. This one was clear, so he broke the window and got inside with Sawyer. Phil setup the sniper rifle and Sawyer barricaded the door shut as best he could.

"Slapshot, we had to move." said Phil

"Can you still see the Toyota Center?" said Ryan

"We're still able to see the western wing of the building." said Phil

"I'm headed there now." said Ryan "Brad, Mike... see anything?"

"A few drunk zombie pirates, but no Black Beard." said Mike

"Nothing on the east wing." said Brad

"South was clear too." said Ryan "Meet me on the west side."

Ryan checked a few rooms on the west wing of the arena, but found nothing. He walked into an office that overlook the street below and looked out the window.

"Seems to be clear." said Ryan "You sure they said he was here, Team West Texas?"

"Positive!" said Jacob "I'm also sure that there are about 50 of them chasing us and getting closer! Hurry up!"

Just then, Ryan noticed an empty rum bottle. Then the door slammed shut behind him and he spun to see Black Beard hiding behind three zombie pirates.

"We meet again, landlubber." said Black Beard "And I don't see your freak dog to save you this time."

"Why don't you step out from behind your meat shields." said Ryan

"Yer in no position to give orders." said the captain

"Let me cut 'im in two, Cap'n." said one of the zombie pirates "I'll give you his head as a---."

Ryan blew the zombie pirates head off.

"Anyone else feel like cutting me in two?" he said

The other two hesitated.

"Ye be killed by him or me." said Black Beard to the remaining two zombie pirates

The last two looked at each other then charged Ryan. He fired quickly, killing one as the other ran to his side. Ryan aimed at Black Beard but he had ducked behind a chair. Ryan kicked over a desk and called to Mike and Brad.

"I found him!" said Ryan "Hurry up and get over here!"

"We're trying!" said Brad "We ran into a bunch of zombie pirates ourselves!"

Ryan could hear gunfire over the radio. He peaked over the desk and ducked back down as a shot was fired at him. He saw a long TV cable and tied one end to the desk and the other end around his waste. If he had to make a quick exit, he'd jump and hope for the best. Suddenly, Ryan heard footsteps running towards him. He pointed his shotgun past the side of the desk and waited until the last moment and fired. The last zombie pirate fell forward and cried out in pain. Ryan broke the window overlooking the street with the butt of his gun. He dragged the pirate over to it and pushed him out. The pirate held onto the ledge with all his might.

"Watchdog." said Ryan "You see the zombie pirate hanging from the window?"

Phil and Sawyer searched the side of the building until they found him."

"Yeah, I see him." said Phil

"That's the room I'm in." said Ryan

"Got it." said Phil

Ryan slammed his shotgun onto the zombie pirates hands like a hammer. Phil and Sawyer watched as he dropped, then heard zombie pirates outside banging on the door.

"There must be a lot of them!" said Phil "They're breaking the door down!"

Phil ran to the door and wedged a board under the door nob.

"Watch the room Ryan is in!" said Phil "I'll try to hold them off here."

Sawyer nodded and watched the room through the scope of the sniper rifle.

Ryan checked his shotgun. He was out of ammo. He picked up a sword and called out to Black Beard.

"Why are you hiding?" said Ryan "I've never used a sword in my life. I'm no match for you."

Black Beard emerged from behind the chair he had been hiding behind and drew his sword.

"Hard to believe you could get uglier than the first time I saw you." said Ryan

"When I be done with you and your filthy dog, you'll be wishin you looked like me." Black Beard growled back

Ryan backed all the way up to the window where the zombie pirate had fallen. Black Beard inched closer with his sword drawn. No way Ryan could beat him in a sword fight, so he thought of a plan as fast as he could.

"Mind if I say a few last words?" said Ryan

"Make it quick." said Black Beard "You have about 20 seconds before I reach ye and cut ye down.

Ryan pressed the talk button on his radio.

"I would like to say good bye to this world..." said Ryan as Black Beard got closer

"We're about to say good bye ourselves!" said Jim as he and Jacob huddled in a corner surrounded by drooling zombie pirates.

"My back is to the wall and I am about to fall..." said Ryan

"Poetic." sneered Black Beard

"Hurry up, Ryan!" said Brad "We're low on ammo!"

"When I fall I pray that if anyone is watching over me, please slay this monster..." said Ryan

Sawyer's ears perked up as he listened through the radio.

"I can't hold them off much longer, Sawyer!" cried Phil as he tried to hold the door shut.

"Anything else?" said Black Beard as he stood face to face with Ryan and raised his sword above his head.

"Just... bye!" said Ryan

Ryan threw himself backwards and out the window. He grabbed the cabled and held on for dear life just as it tightened. Shocked, Black Beard approached the window and looked down.

"Yer daring escape seems to have failed, landlubber!" he laughed

Black Beard raised his sword up to cut the cable.

"Take the shot!" Ryan yelled into the radio.

Sawyer held his breath and squeezed the trigger. The butt of the sniper rifle recoiled into Sawyer's shoulder. Ryan swung to the side as Black Beard's lifeless corpse fell past him.

* * * * *

Brad and Mike were back to back, firing frantically.

"I'm out!" said Brad

"Me too!" said Mike

They dropped their weapons and prepared themselves to fight hand to hand when all of the zombie pirates fell over, dead. All the zombies they had turned fell to their knees and started to change back to normal.

* * * * *

Jacob and Jim held each other as the zombie pirates closed in.

"I love you, man!" said Jacob

"I love you, too, dude!" said Jim

Suddenly the zombie pirates fell over dead. Jacob and Jim quickly let go of each other.

"Sooo... This never happened?" said Jim

"I don't even know what you're talking about?" said Jacob

"Good." said Jim

* * * * *

Everyone met back up and congratulated each other.

"Good job, everyone." said Ryan "And thanks for coming. Couldn't have done this without every last one of you."

"What time is it?" asked Phil

"10:45." said Jim

"Well, it's still the 25th so Merry Christmas, guys." said Phil

"Did you get Annie anything?" said Jacob

"Starbucks gift certificate." said Ryan "And a coupon for a free night of Ryan Lovin."

"She still hasn't used the one I gave her." said Brad

"Shut up, Brad." Ryan laughed

"You think Black Beard is dead for good now?" said Mike

"I don't really care right now." said Ryan "Merry Christmas!"

* * * * *

And Merry Christmas to my readers.