Oddworld; episode 1; the phantom menace

[Fred]

It was the our for the Steefs family to take their meal of the day after the hard training of the young Steef. But sooner the father Steef have said to his wife to don't prepare food for him. When the son have saw that his father wasn't there, he went to meet him and he had ask him;

''Dad, why didn't you eat with us?''

''I got some work to do tonight junior.''

''What? Wich work you got to do?''

''I got to make your first crossbow.''

''What? My first crossbow? That's an honor.'' He said with happiness but with moderation just like his father had teach to him.

''If I were you, I would not be happy like you.''

''But...why?''

''Tomorrow you'll have to do your initiation to the crossbow.''

''Initiation?''

''Now junior, go back home. Your food is gonna be cold if you arrive too late.''

''Huh, okay dad. Thanks again!'' He said before he run away from his father.

But the guardian Steef was searching some wood for his son's crossbow as he said in his head;

''He don't know how much this iniation is hard.''

***

The day after, the father Steef explain the rules of the initiation to his son;

''You see my son, us, the Steefs, we are the kings of the forest. The animals respect us and help us when we need their help. That's the secret of the crossow. Why do you think that the fuzzles could stay on my crossbow and not attack me?''

''Huh... I don't know.''

''That's becose they respect me. I've pass this iniatiation and after, I've reach to a state of mind that make the animals respect me. You'll have to enter the forest with your Steef armor, your crossbow and you'll have to come back safe.''

''Bah! That's easy!''

''But, you'll can't come back before you've got a zappfly as a live ammo. That will be the proof that you've got the respect of the animals.''

''But... how am I supposed to do that?''

''Just enter in the forest, found a zappfly and try to convice him to become your... ''friend''.''

''But...''

''I've said to you all you're supposed to know for this test. Now... go!''

And the angry young Steef entered in the forest without said any word just to don't make his father angry. After a long travel across the forest, the young Steef was more and more thinking about the fact that he was lost. Just at the moment that he was walking backward, he've touch accidently someone with his back. Effraid, the Steef have run behind a tree, and the other too. When the stranger said too the Steef;

''Who...who are you?''

''I'm the son of the guardian Steef. The keeper of the Mongo river, And you, who are you?''

''My name is D. Caste Raider. I'm a future Outlaw.''

''Are... are you a friend?''

''It depends, are you one?''

''I'm the friend of all the peoples who don't want to do any bad things to the Mongo river and all those who lives in.''

''So, consider me as a friend.'' And the two new friends has meet each one at the center of a clearing. D. Caste Raider was a strange creature with big ears, the top of his head was like a point, he had some strange big jaw and he was some kind of fatty guy.

''So, what are you doing here?'' The young Steef said.

''My dad sent me here to pass my initiation to become an apprentice Outlaw. I had to kill a Steef.''

''But... I'm one.''

''I know. But now that I know that you're intelligents and not some wild beasts. I'll won't kill you. And you, what are you doing here?''

''My dad sent me to...''

''Look out!'' D. Caste Raider said before he push the Steef on the ground before he receive on of those strange green balls who were coming from nowhere. But it was too late for him. As he was tide by some green bonds he said;''What was that?''

''I've seen this before. It's...'' And then, the Gloktigi was getting out of the woods, ready to stab D. Caste Raider. The Steef wouldn't want to let his new friend die like this. With no ammos in his crossbow, the Steef had takes a rock and throw the them on the enemy.''Come here you bastard!'' After a few hesitation, the Gloktigi had decided to kill the Steef first. After send some green balls to immobilize them,(succesfully of course.) he was coming closer very dangerously before D. Caste Raider hit them with his big wood hammer and said;

''I think this bastard could be a good trophy for my first hunt too.''

At the same time the Steef had finished to freed himself and said; ''This training for my strenght wasn't so useless after all.'' But the Gloktigi was behind him, and hit them very strongly before he hit a tree and lose consciousness. A few seconds later, the Steef was laying on the ground watching D. Caste Raider trying to fight the monster alone but, the creature had caught them in his deadly webs. The Steef was angry but he could'nt did anything becose he was injured. So he was calling for some help from the forest;

''Please forest! Help me! If I didn't do anything he'll die and it's gonna be my fault!'' At the moment he started to cry with despair, a miracle happened; some armies of fuzzles and stingbees comes from nowhere and tried to slow down the monster as a zappfly has come on the Steef's crossbow. The test was completed. Now, the animals and the nature was respected him. Fastest as he can he used his new zappfly to capture some fuzzles and thudslugs. He shooted some fuzzles on D. Caste Raider as they were gnawed his bonds to freed him. The Steef shoot a thudslug on the Gloktigi to take them down.

''Go! Finish him off! Use your hammer!'' The Steef said as D. Caste Raider takes his hammer as fastest as he can to smash the Gloktigi's head. He was definitively death.

''That was a really tuff one.'' Said D. Caste Raider. ''Can I keep his corpse body? I know you've done most of the job but if I didn't get anything when I'll get back, it will be my dad who's gonna kill me.''

''You can keep him if you want. It doesn't matter for me. I've found what I was looking for in this forest.'' The Steef said by taking a look on his first zappfly.

''Ok, thanks. Oh, and tanks you to have saved my life too. I hope I'll meet you again to pay my debt to you.''

''I hope too.'' Steef said before they shake their hands and go to their own ways.

Many hours later the Steef had finally found his way trough the forest to go back to the Grubbs village where his father was waiting for him.

''Did you get your zappfly?''

''Yes father.'' He said by showing them proudly to his father.

''That's it. now, you're officially a warrior Steef.'' His father said as the entire village bow down back at him. It was the best day of his entire life.

***

D. Caste Raider was back at his father's gang HQ with his ''trophy''. When he saw his father saw him he said;

''So my son did you get a dead Steef for us?''

''Huh... not exactly.''

''Come on boy, make me proud of my you.''

''I got something much better!'' He said as he show his ''prey'' to his father's entire gang.

''Wh...what have you done?!'' His father said with a lot of fear in his voice.

''I've killed this demon dad.''

''Go boys! Hide his body where we'll never see him again!''

''But, dad why are you so effraid? He is death!''

''You don't understand son! If the boss ever learn about that, he'll kill us all!''

[Dancing Steef]

Ooohh this is getting more n' more intense!!! Please continue

~DS~

[Slaveless]

Ah, another nice chapter. Drended plot hangers. *grumbles* Anyway, you have made it seem like Caste D. Raider is on his road to betrayal to the Steef already. Makes me sad inside.

And I didn't really mean that the Mudokons have their revenge. It's something else, but I won't say it. Anyway, great chapter, once again.

[Fred]

Many years had passed at the both sides of our two heros. Let's first see what happened to Bob and his people.

The Molluck's project was finally finished. All could see the big factory named SoulStorm Brewery ready to start his work. All the curious Mudokons was there for the inauguration ceremony, as Molluck himself was there to say his opening speech;

''Where I came from, there are many building like this one. But the only difference with you is that this one is your first. And that's why I hope it will be the symbol of the beggining of times of peace between the Glukkons and the Mudokons. So, that's exactly why I'm very proud to declare this factory the...''

''Stop!'' Said a Mudokon in the crowd.

''Wich punk said that?'' Molluck said to his personal Slig guard.

''It's me!'' Bob said as he coming closer to the Molluck's mike.

''You again? The stupid terrorist Mudokon who've try to slow down the build of my factory all those years?'' Molluck said as Bob had take his mike to speak to all the Mudokons;

''Don't you see? This factory is a trap! All that Molluck want is to exploit you all! That's the almighty raisin himself who've said it to me.''

''You ungrateful Mudokon.'' Molluck said as his Sligs guards brings back his mike. ''I've build this factory for your only interests. All you want is ruined the Mudokon's way to progress.''

''Yeah that's right!-You punk!-Get away!'' All the Mudokons said on the influence of Molluck's speech as they were throwing rocks to Bob.

Bob was running away as he said very silently; ''I've tried almighty raisin. I've tried...''

''So, as I said before I was violently interrupt.'' Said Molluck. ''I'm very proud to declare the first factory on Mudos as; SoulStorm Brewery 401!'' At this moment, his personal Slig guard had take big golden scissors to cut the red ribbon as Mudokons were running to try first the products makes by this new facility. They were make the line face of the stand where produces are sales by a Slig and a yellow-dressed wanna-be Glukkon.

''Come on! Let's enjoy the tastiest drink ever make on this continent; the SoulStorm Brew!'' Said the Slig.

''This green color is strange. Is it dangerous? Is it good for health?'' The first Mudokon in line said.

''Don't think, drink!'' The Glukkon said.

''Hum... I'm not sure.''

''Come on, do it.''

''Okay!'' Mudokon said before he drink in the small round bottle. '' (Burp) Hum... tasty!''

''Just take another one gentlemud.''

''Okay!''

''Don't worry everyone! We got enough brew to satisfy evryone.''

Some hours later, all the Mudokons in the line were drunks but also wanted more.

''I want another one.'' Said a drunken Mudokon to the Glukkon.

''I'm sorry gentlemud, but now you got to pay.''

''Pay?''

''With moolahs''

''Mollah?''

''Just show them.'' The Glukkon said to the Slig.

''Okay boss.'' The Slig said as he were putting a money coin on the stand's table.

''I don't got any Moolah.'' The Mudokon said.

''Don't worry, that's not a problem. All you have to do is present you to the employees registration center to register you. Then, the payment of your debt's gonna be deduct on your salary. And, all our employees got the privilege to have all the brew they want totaly free.''

''I want this job! - I want too! - Me too!'' All the Mudokons in the line said.

Molluck had saw all the scene from his office's window. When he've saw all the Mudokons walking in direction of the employees registration center, he said;

''I think we can consider this project as a real succes.''

***

Some years sooner, when Molluck was back to the continent of Glukose after his first visit at the continent of Mudos. He've got a meeting at the counsel room of the royal palace of Glukose. It was very rare that someone could got a meeting with the royal counsel but with the title of his meeting they've got no other choice then approve them. The title was; ''The solution to the economy crisis.''. It was the date of his meeting, when he had passed all the security systems to the counsel room, he've got to do was take the elevator to reach to the counsel room. (http://www.oddworldlibrary.net/togg/...=CAMO0072.jpg3) Then, lady Margareth said to his son;

''Mister Molluck, please let us hear your proposition'' She said with a deep woman voice like she've smoke some million cigs.

''Thank you Mom.''

''Your majesty! Not Mom you stupid!''

''I'm sorry your majesty. I think I've stay too much time with those dummy creatures.'' Molluck said to his mother. ''Okay, let's begin. You know lady, the continent is in a deep economy crisis. The whole continent is covered by factories, industries and facilities. There's still no more exploitable material, no wood, metal and etc. But, I've search across the ocean and I've found a real eldorado; the continent of Mudos. There are many natural exploitable materials; wood, metal, water and especially, Mudokons.''

''Mudowhat?'' A member of the counsel said.

''Mudokons. Those creatures got arms, legs, they are also naives but enough intelligents, weaks but not enough to don't work.''

''So...?'' Another member of the counsel said.

''So, they are the perfect slaves. Imagine, with slaves we'll only have to pay Sligs as security guards. Imagine all the Moolah we'll save with those slaves.''

''But we don't have enough moolahs to make war with those weaks creatures.
How could we get their continent without make war?'' Another member of the counsel said.

''That's not a problem. And that's why I introduce you my assistant; Brewmaster!'' Then, a Glukkon appeared from the elevator. He had some scientist cothes, red metal shoes and some contrometer clock on his left shoulder. ''Now Brewmaster will explain you how we'll take the continent without any weapon.''

''Thanks mister Molluck, gentleglucks, your majesty, let me show you the recipe of the SoulStorm Brew.'' As a big board was going down from the ceiling, all the Glukkons were looking to as draws appears on the screen. ''Look, the rcipe is; Mudokon bones, plus Mudokon tears, plus some tasty ingredient equal SoulStorm Brew and SoulStorm Brew equal profits.''

All the members of the counsel were questioning. When the Gluk queen said;

''Explain yourself.''

''Okay, I've discover that the Mudokon bones could have many usefulness like bonepowder bombs and more, but I've also discover that drink Mudokon tears create some dependence. So, I've create a machine named ''tears X-tractor''
this machine extract the Mudokon's tears. All we have to do next is put the tears, the bones and all the other tasty ingredients in the brew and then, we obtain a brew that make the Mudokons dependents and when they drink too much they become sick so, easy to capture and slaves. But, that's not all, becose they don't know what moolah is, we'll offer them some free drinks and when we'll ask them to pay, we'll purpose them jobs to pay their debts and also if they'll work to us, they'll can have all the brew they want for free.''

''But, how can we make some profits if we offert all the brew for free?'' Another member of the counsel said.

''That's simple. When there'll be no more job for the others, they'll have no other choice then ask to us to build other facilities so, they'll be more job so, they'll can win some moolah to pay they're drink.''

''Pay? I think you've said they'll be slaves not employees.'' Another member of the counsel said.

''When we'll have build enough facilities to consider the continent like belong to us, we'll stop paid them then, they'll be our slaves.''

''What we'll do next?'' Another member of the counsel said.

''Just finance our ideas'' Molluck said. ''You'll know the continuation of our plan when the construction of the SoulStorm Brewery will be finished.''

''That's okay, we'll finance your plan if it can really stop the economy crisis.'' Maggie said.

As Brewmaster and Molluck were leaving the counsel room, Molluck says to him;

''I think you'll be perfect to direct the construction of the Brewery. Just follow me. I'll bring you to the construction site.''

***

Back to the present, Bob was back to the raisin cave.

''Great almighty raisin. I've don't succeed. The Brewery is open and there's nothing I can do to stop this madness.'' Bob said.

''Don't worry Bob, you're not the only Mudokon who want to stop the industrialists.''

''But, there's nobody who want to listen me. I'm consider across the continent as an horrible terrorist.''

''That's why you got to change you're identity. Everyone know the legend of the great Mudokons horn caller. Use the horn to create the Mudokons resistence. After you used them, the Mudokons will reunited to the Mudokon fortress. There you'll have to present you as the Big face.''

''The legendary Big face?''

''Yes. Take the mask on the cave wall. Put them on your face and the Mudokons will consider you as the Big face. The leader of the resistence. Reunited the Mudokons, and then... and then...zzzzzzzzzzzz.''

''Looks like I'll have to do this all alone.''

[Slaveless]

Ha ah! The information and the secrets of how everything began is now clear to me know!

Another great chapter! But one thing. This seems almost like an Episode 3, being that now Bob will have find the Mudokon savior. Or will 2 be about finding more Mudokons? And you have tried to start off Stranger Wrath as well. So, is Episode 3 about all the Steef dying, or some what like that?

[Fred]

Just forget about the idea of 3 episodes. I've try to start with this but, I think it could be a better idea to put all in one. Just consider Abe's Oddysee as the second episode.

Don't worry about the Steefs story. You'll know more about that soon.

And the Vykkers will be introduces soon too.

[Fred]

Moe the Clakkerz was happy. He had participate to a contest named; ''Win vacations to our new touristic destination for you and your family.''And of course, he've win. Moe had a wife and three children. He was working in a factory on the continent of Glukose in Yolk city.

''We're coming on the tourism site, please get ready to the landing.'' A deep voice in the intercom said.

Moe and his family were in a hydraulic model of Blimp which bring them to the place where he is supposed to build a town as a settler. When the Blimp had finally finished to land, all the passings were living the flying maching.

''Welcome dear Clakkerz!'' Said a fatty creature with yellow skin, big ears and jaws and a blue uniform. ''Please mister follow me. The ground around here is perfect to build houses, hostels and others, there's a very nice landscape and, don't forget, that's our company that pay all your needs during the first 5 years. So, is it ok?''

''Well, I think it could be possible to live here. But for the water, how we could found some water?''

''There's a river just after this hill you can see right there. The only problem is some natives creatures that lives here but don't worry we'll kill them quickly as possible and you'll don't have any problems. So is it ok?''

''Hum... ok I accept your conditions. I think I'll name this town... New Yolk city.''

''Alright! Great name! Just sign this contrat and we're in business.''

The thing that the two industrialists didn't know was that there was a spy who've look and hear all they've did. The little creature decided to go back to his village.

***

The son of the guardian Steef was a young adult now, his training to become the next guardian Steef was approching to his end. He was in the Grubb village with his fater who was training him to the sniper shoot. When a Grubb was approching and say to them;

''Steefs! Steefs! The Wolvarks plans to kill all the fishermen near the Mongo wilds!''

''Those damn Wolvarks tries to invade the river since two years now.'' The son said.

''Calm down son. All we have to do is defend the river. Now we got to go warn the fishermen.'' The father said to his son as the two Steefs were running to the Mongo wilds. When they've arrived at the beach where the Grubbs fishermen lives.

''Run away! Wolvarks coming! just hide the time we make them leave! That's a Steef job!'' The two Steefs said to the Grubbs.

After a little panic from the Grubbs the Mongo wilds were secured. All the Steefs could do was to wait for the Wolvarks. Then, an industrial boat was approaching.

''That must be them.'' The son said.

''Yeah. There are some explosives. Prepare you zappfly.'' After the two Steefs had prepared they're zappflies, they were ready to shoot.''One...two...three...shoot!'' And they've shoot directly on the explosives barrels that makes explosions that makes the boat sink.

''Ha ha! Father! We got them!'' The young Steef said.

''No, it was too easy.''

''What did you say?''

''Check it out, there was no Wolvark in this boat.''

''You're right.''

The father Steef was thinking about why the Wolvarks would have send an empty boat? When he've think about a detail, he raise his eyes to the sky. And he saw a giant hydraulic Blimp wich can contain ten to twenty normal sized Blimps full of Wolvarks.

''Damn! that was a trap!''

The two Steefs were running away as Blimps were coming closer very dangerously. But that wasn't all. There was hide Wolvarks everywhere. The two Steefs makes their crossbow ready to useas they began to shoot some Fuzzles and Stingbees all around.

''They are too much! Take your Boombats!'' The father says to his son.

As they were shooting Boombats to open the way, they finally decided to get to the other side of the river. They've run the most far they've can and swim the remain of the travel. Becose the wolvarks can't swim they were safe. But at this moment, the river had disappear. All the water had totally disappear. Then, the Wolvarks could travel to the other side. The two Steefs were running away as they entered deeply in the forest.

''What happened father?''

''I don't know junior. But I got to investigate about it.''

At this moment a powerful shot had passed just near them.

''Damn! Hunter Outlaws! We better seperate! I'll meet you back at the village, now go!''

The two Steefs was separated and the young Steef receive a shot on a leg that make them injured. As the Outlaw was coming to take his prey, the Steef had shot them at the head with a sniper shot that killed them. But only a while later, he was surrounded by an army of Outlaws. He've try to shoot them but this shot was his last remaining ammo. At the moment he decided to take a last time to pray, he received a hit back of his head and lost counsiousness.