Uh huh, ever get the feeling someone is giving you a hint?

Anyway, great chapters, finally got em all out! Well, Dante's doing better than me already. Though blowing things up is my masters department! MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Heh, keep going Dave, great story, if only I was as efficient a writer as you! How do you find the time?

How do I find the time?
Well, college life is not as exciting as I expected. But that's only because I don't drink or do drugs, and so have not introduced myself to the drinkers and drug-doers on my floor.
Between classes, studying, work, and my lady-friend, I ... still have a lot of time left over.
But its a good thing I've finished writing this. Every spare minute I have from now until Monday morning I need to spend studying for my history final. I probably won't, but ... meh.

Oooh, this is honestly shaping up perfectly. I can feel the climax starting to come up really really soon (if it hasn't already. ;)). It's a shame we have to wait until the ending, but that's ok because it might give you time to look it over and make sure that it's the way you want it to be. ;)

IT'S ALMOST OVER! (said Strong Bad)
Shortish chapter.

Chapter 84

I returned to the ball car and, now that Icarus had restored main power, rode it easily to Zulag Ten, the detention hall … and location of the boilers.
I marched uninterrupted through the zulag. In the boiler room - still as stiflingly hot as ever - I sought out a control panel.
Aha! In plain sight, at the far wall. I jogged over. I was getting antsy, I needed this to be over with.
Thankfully, the terminals were still operational. I found the display easily enough. A pressure gauge, marked on the left with green, in the middle (where it now was) with yellow, and on the right with red, appeared on screen. I moved the cursor over to the control and slid the dial up into the red.
A prompt came up. “Initiate changes?” it asked. I clicked “Yes.”
A warning next. “WARNING! If these changes are made, chance of boiler combustion rises to 95%. Are you sure you want to increase boiler pressure?”
Again, I clicked “Yes.”
A buzzer went off nearby, and a message popped on screen. “Danger! Boiler pressure is dangerously high. Either lower pressure or open vents immediately to prevent combustion.”
I ignored this message. I would be out of here in plenty of time.
I turned to make a run for it …
Sligs surrounding me. They had somehow surrounded me while I was busy at the terminal.
But how? They were all dead … right?
No.
Vladimir.
He had run away before I arrived in Zulag nine.
That was why Icarus had to turn off the poison, because Vladimir didn’t have a gas mask.
No way.
I had rescued every mudokon in the factory … but it seemed I would not get a chance to celebrate.
I realize now, retelling this story to you guys, that I had an active shrykull ability, and likely could have gotten away from them.
But, surrounded by sligs as I was, and taken so off guard, it didn’t occur to me.
I dropped to my knees and raised my arms in surrender.
There was a blunt pain in the back of my head, and all was blackness.

And we're back in present time, after 84 chapters, I guess we're now back above the meat grinder huh? Back where we started! Go Dave!

Slight, teething problem... Ah well, it was bound to happen. None of his transformations can fly can they?

Ah well, good luck to Dante *raises glass*

Back in the present. This is, essentially, the prologue again, with changes made for continuity's sake, and a little more from where the prologue left off.

Chapter 85

I’m standing on - or, to be more accurate, I’m suspended over a trapdoor set into the cold, gray floor. What lay below it I can only imagine. Likely it’s a deep pit, or probably some painful grinding machine that will first terrify me as I hang over it and then destroy me as I fall into it. I’m pretty much beyond feeling horrified at the way things went for me. These last few hours I was so brave. So intrepid. So strong. So foolishly overconfident. And now I’m paying for it.
It doesn’t matter anymore. The others are safe.
And the place is going to go any minute, unless someone noticed what I did.
The similarity to Abe’s predicament years ago
no not years weeks maybe days who knows how long he’s been at it
is uncanny. My arms are tied up above me, so I can’t chant or move around. Funny, considering I’d be shot if I tried anything like that. But I screwed up … it’s amazing how being captured made me revert to old ways of thinking; I’m feeling like a slave all over again. Even after all I’ve been through.
I stand silent, not daring to even cough. I’m filled with the certainty that any movement, even a blink, will bring instant death. I nervously await the final word from Vladimir.
“Well, boss?” his slig crony grunts. “What d’ya say? Drop ‘im?”
Vladimir stands tall. I risk craning my neck upward to see what sort of expression he wore. His eyes are glowing a malicious orange, and he shifts the butt of his smoldering cigar from the left of his mouth to the right. What could he be thinking? After all, it’s just another expendable mudokon. Just waste him.
But I find myself surprised at what he said. “Okay, maggot,” he begins in his falsely soothing voice, “why don’t you tell me what you thought you were doing. In ten words or less. If you can even speak properly,” he added as an after thought. He and the slig were amused by this, and chuckled a bit.
I am surprised, of course. Who’d ever heard of a glukkon demanding answers from some mudokon chump? No one, that’s who. So, needless to say, I don’t know how to react. Therefore, I do the most natural thing in the world: I reply. In my creaky voice, and through my haphazardly sewn lips, I speak in low tones. “I wanted to save my brothers from your wicked plans. Sir,” I quickly add, lest he order me beaten for insubordination.
Vladimir raises an eyebrow (or the muscle above his eye, as glukkons have no true “eyebrows”) and shifts his cigar again. Those good old Lungbusters; never a gluk without one. “Really? What ‘wicked plans’ are you talking about, worm? What have you heard?”
A lump rises in my throat and I force myself to swallow. “I am allowed to speak freely, then, sir?”
Vladimir looks peeved, but he nods and says to go on.
I clear my throat; some lengthy talking will be required. More than I’m used to doing, at any rate. “I was in the stockyards of Zulag Four, feeding the flits to the slogs and friets, when a few sligs marched up to me and started to drag me off.”
“Is there a point to this, vermin?” He spits this last bit.
I gasp at the sudden ferocity in his voice, and start to stutter. “Y-yes, y-yes there is, s-sir. I-I j-just feel it necessary t-to tell you what h-h-happed prior to th-the incident. I-is that fine, sir?”
The glukkon appeared as though listening to me was a most unpleasant experience, like a chore he could not avoid and so was making sure everyone could read his contempt for what he was doing.
What he says is, “Fine.”
After trying to calm myself down (and failing; my shoulders were sore from the way my arms were tied), I begin again.
“They … they dragged me to the room where the animals are prepared to be chopped. I thought that I was being reassigned … but it turns out I was the one being cooked. Apparently, you glukkons were looking for a money-saving way to get food for the other working mudokons. Anything to save a buck or two, of course, so—”
The slig abruptly steps forward and smacks me across the face. A brief flare of pain rises in my jaw, but I ignore it. I’ve experienced more pain and physical torment in the last few days than most mudokons experience in a lifetime. No, unless that slap had been lethal, I wouldn’t worry myself. And look what I learned! I suppose I should keep my remarks about glukkon frugality to myself.
I take a breath and continue. “Well, as the sligs tried to ‘sedate’ me, I felt the urge to fight back. My captors were unarmed, so I had and advantage, what with mudokons being both naturally stronger and with my frequent … heavy labor.”
I brace myself for another blow; the thought of pissing off an important glukkon in my final minutes has its merits - not to say I hadn’t already pissed him off more than any other glukkon had been pissed. Unless you counted Lulu. After what Abe did to him … and to think I just missed the show …
Anyhow, no blow comes; they seem to agree that mudokons are much more fit than gluks and sligs, and so I continue.
“I left the two guards lying on the ground and ….”
And what? I have to be careful what secrets I let slip to this glukkon. It doesn’t look as though I will walk away from this meeting, so I can’t reveal any of the mudokon secrets I have learned over the past few days. Should I go into detail about my little adventure outside? Or skip it?
Skip it. Time to bullshit.
“Even though you sent sligs after me, I escaped through the plumbing and into the water. I nearly drowned. I made it to shore, fled for the woods, and regrouped for a few days before coming back.”
An outright lie. I can’t tell him that mudokons can be revived. That would be bad news for all of us.
“I returned this morning and managed to sneak the mudokons out through the main exit.”
I have no other ideas. I don’t know if the glukkons know that we have bird portals, so I don’t think I should tell them.
Vladimir coughed. “What about that monster you turned into to kill the Board members?”
I don’t have an explanation for this. I grope through my mind … “I looted the armory and had bombs with me. While in the woods I taught myself how to throw rocks with great accuracy. I don’t think there was any monster involved; I threw grenades at everyone.”
Vladimir appears to believe me. I don’t think he wants to believe mudokons can change into such beasts.
“After sabotaging the boilers, I was captured.” I end abruptly. I don’t know what else to say.
Vladimir begins speaking, but his words are blurred … my vision shifts, and I am seeing something else … a
[VISION]
the control panel i adjusted was not switched back to normal. the sligs that caught me were too excited to bother. the terminal is unattended and still blaring it’s warning.
[/VISION]
vision of the boiler room. I feel a little more at ease: even though I’m about to die, at least I took the factory down with me.
Vladimir gives the slig the order to open the trapdoor. It reveals a blender-like, spinning blade. I gulp, and feel sweat on my brow.
This does not look good for Dante the mudokon.

Wow... can't wait till Saturday! Keep em comin Dave!

Woah, this is getting exciting! I can't wait until Saturday, either! :D

Chapter 86

Vladimir and the slig seem to enjoy the look of utter dismay on my face.
My head begins to ache, and my vision is blurring again. I wonder, madly, if I am having a panic attack, and whether I’ll still be alive when I hit the blades.
It is not an attack, it is one last
[VISION]
lots and lots of mudokons in the new settlement. all are meditating and chanting as one, in a perfect chorus of sound. it is a picture of peace and all that is right with the world.
there is a flash of blue light.
[/VISION]
vision. I don’t understand it. Meaningless sights brought on by intense fear and stress.
I look up one last time at Vladimir, perhaps to curse his name … I’m not sure what compels me to look, but I do.
And just as I lock onto his eyes … Vladimir’s eyes change from their normal, malicious red to a radiant and calming blue. The vision suddenly makes sense. The colony of mudokons I had rescued are using their combined efforts to possess Vladimir.
Lucky for me, the slig does not notice this change. He asks Vladimir if he should let me drop now.
“Vladimir” shakes his head. “No. I’ve thought of a different punishment. Close that trapdoor and untie this mud so we can take him away.”
The slig looks uncertain, but does as he is told. He throws the lever back to its original position, closing the trapdoor. He moves to the other lever and pulls it, undoing the clamps on my arms.
The slig moves forward, and “Vladimir” winks at me. I wink back and quickly bring my palms together.
For what will likely be the last time, I unleash the Shrykull power and destroy Vladimir and the slig.
I laugh. It has been a far too difficult ordeal, and I was glad to be done. I began readying myself for a final chant, when I suddenly feel my body growing lighter, as though the ground were losing its grasp on me.
Ah. The mudokons in the village are using their power to transport me there before I get lost in the explosion. Good. Great. I relax and let them do their work.

---

In the mudokon village, called Villa Dante in honor of their hero, grows quiet. They hear a loud explosion far off, in the east. Many turn their heads to see a giant fireball erupting into the cloudy morning sky. Many mudokons take this for what it truly is: Dante has succeeded in destroying Tastee Treets and rescuing all of the slaves.
A party immediately ensues.
About twenty minutes into the festivities, a small flock of birds is noticed on the horizon by a certain female mudokon, one who has developed strong feelings for the village hero, and has left her mate in hopes of joining him.
The party grows quiet. Some mutters can be heard.
“Look at those birds!”
“Why are they flying down here?”
“That’s a weird formation.”
The birds fly in a perfect circle for several moments, then glow, and become balls of light. The lights converge and form a shape.
It is a mudokon. He is tall, ragged, and muscular. His feathers, red and black, are a terrible mess. His eyes look old and wise. He wears a small earring, and has paramite and scrab tattoos on the back of each hand.
He grins at the other mudokons, who are in a happy uproar.
The party went on for much of the day and far into the night.
When it was so late that even the moon with the mudokon hand print had gone down, this mudokon went to a grand hut that was made in his honor. He lay down in a hammock, and, surprising himself, he fell asleep.

The End.

Thanks to everyone who's read this, either briefly or with intensity. There were often times, very early on, where I've considered just stopping, and not finishing. Everyone that has replied to my story has been great encouragement. I hope you enjoyed Dante's story as much as I enjoyed telling it.
My next project is to write a story-version of the Community RPG. Following that, I have ideas in store for upcoming stories, both long and short.
And recently, altough it wasn't my original plan, I've thought of a way for Dante to return - other than in a collaboration Munch's Master and I have discussed. So the idea of a sequel (if enough people support it) is not out of the question ... but it will be a while before we see one.
Thanks again to everyone. Without a reader, there can be no stories.

Dave

P.S. It's my 18th birthday!

Happy birthday Dave! I knew it, but I have been saving it just for here! :D.

You did a great job on Dante's Oddysee and Exoddus! Truckload of Kudo's for you! *Burries Dave in a truckload of Kudo's*.

In all honesty, I had hoped the ending would have been a bit more intense. But I like it anyway. You did a great job. And I'm looking forward to the Storyfication of the TC RPG (Please... for the love of Odd... do change the name!). Anyway, I take it you have a party to get back to. So get going mate! Have a fun birthday!

Fantastic! Well done Dave!

Yeah, I can't wait to see whereyou'll go from here, and a sequel to Dante would be good after a while. Great ending and happy birthday.
Sorry I couldn't post sooner, and I probably won't be able to post again till after Christmas. My mother is... in a bad mood this month.

Ooh, that was the perfect ending that I had been waiting for!! This fanfic is one of the best in this section and I look forward to seeing the sequel whenever you decide to write it. And Happy Birthday! I hope you got everything that you wanted. :p

WHOA! It's done already?? :-( *Sniffles* Kudos to you Dave and Dante... *Cries and hugs evryone goodbye*

Anuways. i wanna see that sequel soon!!! Pretty plz?? :-)

I don't know about soon ... but as time goes by, the likelyhood of Dante making a comeback increases. I already have some ideas ... and if I hadn't given Havoc my word that I'd start on The Story (the title I'm giving to the storification of TCRPG), I'd probably have started on a Dante sequel already.

Arn't we being original with titles... thats the best you can come up with? Or did you actualy do that with a purpose? :P

On purpose, duh. I mean, it was originally called "The Community." Uber original.
I mean, hey, if you've got a better idea... I'm certainly open to it.

I have to say that these two tales were absolutely amazeing. I love how you did the ending in many ways, in my imagination I see this as a film or side movie for an Oddworld game with the formation of the birds and all. Hey Dave I rate your stories 5 stars in my book and I want to discuss with you the illustrations. Since it is the start of the new year and I am totally free now of my clients work I will now finally begin on this in regards to pictures. Oh happy Birthday Dave you have a marry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know I will because once the new year begins I am starting your illustrations.

Scrab-Meat

It's over? Shame I missed the ending chapters' updates, but still... Wow. Great story Dave! *applauds* I'm actually surprised that it had a completely happy ending (except for Patch, I'd imagine), so I'll give kudos as well for making a gripping, twisting action-filled story that had an ending I couldn't predict. Well done!!*Applauds again* If you want, I'll start the joint-fic with you some time soon, unless you have another Dante idea in the meantime (If so, it'd probably be better if you did your other idea first, that way I can try and finish my fic and get started on the second one). *applauds again and starts throwing confetti*

I really need some inspiration for my Oddworld stories. I don't have an Xbox, Abe's Exodus doesnb't work on my PC, even with Havoc's download. Tis so annoying! and the main reason I don't write my Oddworld stuff very often. Other stuff I update more frequently, but my odd side has died. Ah well, well done Dave, I think a break before the sequel would be good, just to get us ready for it!

I have been wondering ... does anyone here have any skills with Flash?
Or could, perhaps, help me get started?
I suddenly decided I wanted to animate this story. Or maybe animate the sequel.
I've got a trial version of Macromedia Flash installed, and I haven't begun to mess with it yet.
If my talent progresses enough, I may or may not seek out voice talent.
Don't get excited, I'll likely get fed up early on and give up on it.
But we'll see.

Hey, cool that you might be animating it! I look forward to it. And you say animate the sequel, does that mean there will be a sequel? Hope so, but i can wait for a sequel. You take a break Dave, you've earned one. Oh and Splat, if you've lost your inspiration, I'd suggest you go read an Oddworld fic that you enjoy and think is good. Some suggestions are (as always for me) Teal and S'laskia's fics, but also, if you're after a dark chapter, I'd recommend you read 'Fragments' by Danny. It's on here in the archives. I'm not sure if it's complete (never read it right through) but it is quite good.

You will probably get fed up with it. I've tried flash, and it's damn hard (plus it takes so much time to create a short movie, you won't be able to do it next to your study and stuff, since your always rather busy with it).
I say just write it down :P. And what ever happend to The Story?

In the works, Havoc.
Think I should post in chapters, write it all at once, or what?
And yeah, I couldn't get the hang of flash. So ... *sigh*. Oh, well.

Chapters will do mate, looking forward to the revised version :D.

Teal and Slaskia have great stories but I've read em all to death. As for fragments... I read it years ago on Oddworld.au.com, didnt no it was here as well, I might have a look. it was finished there but again it might not be here.

Yeah, it's finished, (Fragments, I mean.) so I think Danny did very well. As for S'laskia's fics they're gr8 too. I haven't read anything by Teal yet, so I should have a look, shouldn't I.