Sniegoski Tom - The Flock of Fury

CONTENTS

For Justin, Mathew, Cameron and Collin,
the newest residents of Monstros City

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

As with everything that I do, this book would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, LeeAnne, and Mulder the Wonderdog. I love you both, very much. Special thanks dripping in ectoplasmic goo go out to Stephanie Lane, Christopher Golden, Liesa Abrams, James Mignogna, Dave Nine Panel Nerds Kraus, John & Jana, Harry & Hugo, Mike Mignola, Christine Mignola, Katie Mignola, Don Kramer, Greg Skopis, Pete Donaldson, Jon & Flo, Bob & Pat, Kim & Abby, Dan Ouellette, Sheila Walker, Mom & Dad Sniegoski, Mom & Dad Fogg, Eric Yeah, I know Powell, and Timothy Cole and the Furious Furies down at Coles Comics.

Thanks for reading,

CHAPTER 1

Beelzebub Prison:
A very bad place.

T he prison guard, who looked like a small Tyrannosaurus rex, attempted to adjust his uniform jacket, but his two tiny front arms couldnt quite get the job done.

Want me to give you a hand with that, Earl? the werewolf guard, whose name was Robert, asked his partner.

The two were in the observation tower of the high-security prison, getting ready to begin their outside rounds. It was a quiet night on Scab Island, a small piece of land that squatted like some giant toad in the Dreadful Ocean, fifty miles from the shores of Monstros City.

If you wouldnt mind, the dinosaur said, moving closer.

Robert gave the bottom of the dark blue material a good tug, pulling it down over Earls potbelly. There, he said, stepping back to admire his work. Hows that?

Thats great, Earl said, craning his neck to look down. Probably should think of dropping some weight, yknow? Ever since the wife started taking those Dr. Mellman cooking classes, Ive been putting on the poundage.

Tell me about it, Robert said, opening the door that would take them outside the prison for their nightly ground patrol. My wife makes these delicious meat sandwiches that she serves in a bowl filled with thick blood gravy.

The two went outside, Earl closing the door behind him with a swipe of his muscular tail.

Now, do you eat that with your hands or...

I eat it with a spoon, Robert said, starting across the catwalk that ran along the perimeter of the prison, shining his powerful flashlight out over the shore and onto the water.

So its really more like a soup, Earl commented as he followed his partner.

The werewolf stopped and turned to look at his friend. No, its a sandwich. Its made with two slices of bread and has meat in the middle.

Yeah, but youre eating it with a spoon.... Nobody eats a sandwich with a spoon. Sounds more like soup to me... or maybe stew.

The werewolf shook his shaggy head. No, its not stew and its not soup, okay? Its a sandwich... a sandwich. The only reason I eat it with a spoon is because of all the gravyits very messy.

Is there slurping? Earl asked very seriously.

What do you mean is there slurping?

When you eat your... sandwich with a spoon, is there slurping?

Robert shrugged. Maybe a little. Theres a lot of blood gravy.

Earl slowly nodded. I still think it sounds more like a stew than a sandwich.

Robert slapped a clawed hand over his face. Its not a stew, the werewolf howled, his voice growing louder as he became more frustrated. Its a sand

Just then, something splashed offshore.

What was that? Robert asked. He shone the flashlight toward the sounds origin.

Probably nothing, Earl said. He tried to unhook his own flashlight from his belt, but his arms were too short.

Gotta hook that closer, he muttered, craning his neck, trying to snag the light with his teeth.

Its not nothing, Robert said, his beam finding bubbles on the oily surface of the black ocean.

Something big was rising to the surface.

Whawhat is it? Earl stammered, drawing closer to his werewolf partner.

Robert shook his shaggy head from side to side as the large, metallic head of a mechanical octopus emerged from the water, followed by multiple tentacles.

I cant believe it, Robert gasped. Its a giant robot octopus!

Are you sure its an octopus? Earl asked, leaning closer to the railing of the platform they were standing on. Looks more like a giant robot squid to me.

The mechanical octopusyes, it was an octopussurged forward in the brackish water with a mighty splash, moving toward the shore and the prison.

Whatever it is, its trouble, the werewolf said, reaching for the walkie-talkie at his belt.

But before he could speak, six powerful metal tentacles rocketed up from the water, grabbed hold of the platform and hauled its gigantic body from the water.

The metal walkway squealed like pigs dropped into a wood-chipper as it was twisted, bent and finally ripped from the front of the prison.

Earl and Robert screamed in terror as they fell with the mangled platform to the sandy beach below.

Trapped beneath the wreckage of the platform, all they could do was watch as the giant mechanical octopus crawled up the beach, its metal tentacles reaching to tear down the prison walls.

Mukus cheered wildly as he watched the tentacles of the octocraft tear down Beelzebubs great stone walls.

He and his partner in crime, Klot, stood side by side, peering out the circular window of the octopus-shaped vehicle as the inside of the prison was revealed.

The Most Dangerous Prisoner Wing, to be precise.

I just love it when we get to destroy stuff, Mukus said, barely able to contain his excitement. Rivulets of ooze ran from his face and body, forming thick puddles at his stubby feet.

Couldnt agree more, my slimy chum, Klot said. He was about to put one of his long, spindly arms around his moist friends shoulders when he thought better of it.

And this is just the beginning, a powerful voice behind them boomed.

The two turned to face their villainous master. He sat in a high-backed chair, surrounded by the octocrafts many controls.

The Monarch was a criminal mastermind. Using a series of levers, switches and joysticks, the secret crime lord of Monstros City operated the craft he had designed and built.

When we are through here, well be that much closer to bringing my ingenious plans to fruition, the Monarch announced, his face hidden by the drooping hood of his scarlet robe.

Cant wait! Mukus clapped enthusiastically, his gooey bodily fluids splashing his pal.

Watch it! Klot said, wiping his red flesh.

Mukus watched as their master reached into his robe and removed a strange handheld device.

Here is how you will provide me with the ingredients I require to bring about the end of my most hated enemy, the master criminal stated as he passed the device to Mukus.

Ohhhhhhhhh, what is it? Klot asked, his yellow eyes bulging as he reached to touch it.

Mine! Mukus screeched, pulling it away from his companions spindly fingers.

No doors will remain locked to you as long as that device is in your possession, the Monarch explained.

Thisll open any door, Mukus whispered excitedly. Hed already started to push the buttons on the front, and the gadget made a noise like a baby chick being squished by a boa constrictor.