JUNE 2021 75-WORD WRITING CHALLENGE --VICTORY TO CAT'S CRADLE

[reiver33]

An Uncertain Sympathy



“I’m tellin’ ya’, he looked like the Devil! Horns, everything!”

I sighed. “Like anyone even believes in that, anymore? So, turn it back on, and show me.”

The Heisenberg projector displayed the shimmering hologram of…definitely not the Devil incarnate, just some dude in a smart suit. Kinda’ familiar.

The figure pointed behind us. We looked – nothing – looked back.

The man stood there, in the flesh.

He smiled. “Now, I trust I need no introduction?”

 

[Daysman]

Distant Relatives

"A face changer?"

"And a voice changer and neural kinetics software to emulate your great nephew's mannerisms. They coulda fooled anyone."

"But… he's really on Mars?"

"Yes sir, a pioneer, one of the Five Hundred, and real happy there. He ain't looking for a way back, and no amount of money will buy passage anyhow."

"They took everything."

"Yeah… so, I spoke with the colonisation team? We're gonna help you out… you okay, sir?"

 

[JS Wiig]

One in a Million...or not

Ensign Jones stumbled onto the starship’s bridge. Alarms sounded, unheard by the incapacitated crew. Struck by an errant asteroid they plummeted from orbit.

What fate left him the only one standing, he would never know. Everything depended on him now to save the ship.

Trembling hands grasped the helm. Only a fool would think he stood a chance of flying the thing. So he tricked himself into believing he could.

CRASH!

It didn’t work.

 

[johnnyjet]

Wheel Me to the Window, Sonny

The residents were tired of my tricks, so I asked the intern to wheel me to the window.

Springtime was in full bloom. I observed people hurrying to get somewhere.

An old lady pushed a cart full of groceries. Fruits and vegetables flew into the air. Then canned goods. Swirling, pelting people. Everyone scattered screaming.

I chuckled.

"Enough playtime for you."

As I rolled past Mrs. Willoughby's room still giggling, she yelled, "Repent, Harlequin!"

 

[Starbeast]

Midnight in Whitechapel​

“Use that alley. It's safe, Mary.”

“Thank you, Constable Stevens.”

#

“Blimey. A dead end.” Mary turned around, then gasped, “You startled me.”

“Nice night for a walk.”

“Fancy some fun, sir?”

“Definitely”, he replied, displaying a knife.

“You’re the Ripper.”

“Call me, Jack.”

“Call me, vampire.”

#

“Oi! Mary. You alright?”

“Indeed, Constable Stevens. I killed the Ripper.”

“I can still blame him for your death.”

“Eh..?”

“I lured you here. I'm a ghoul.”

 

[bedyak]

Translation

“Translate it faster! His Darkness will want to see it and reward me! Perhaps jewels or a title...” Azizz purred

“This is from Pluvious the Wizard of Esteria?” Scribe asked.

“Yes” replied Azizz

“You took it from his spellbook?” Scribe asked again

“Yes” Azizz replied irritated

“Perhaps not, you see, this is his chicken soup recipe”

Azizz broke into hysterics.
Scribe smiled silently, no sense in telling him the chicken soup also granted immortality…

 

[Mr Orange]

Trojan

I was naked and rather enjoying myself until she leaned in close and hacked my implant. Motor functions went instantly. Now I’m merely a passenger as my data drains.

I’m going to miss this life.

She hits the last gig, the good stuff. The transfer starts and everything goes black.

When I open my eyes, I see my body and feel nostalgia. Not much, though. I have a feeling I will enjoy this new one.

 

[chrispenycate]

Tame Wild West

A happy squawk, a mournful howl
Raven wins another contest
Coyote, never calling foul
Seeks way to dominate his rival
Competitively obsessed
Two wily as intense rival.

Gods of Justice, Gods of wisdom.
Each pantheon needs its joker
Seriousness bringing aplomb
Bubble burst, importance poker

From the east, in dusty wagons
New invaders, railway builders
Musket armed bison destroyers
Stealing tribal lands with lawyers
Bringing technological advances
Signalling for coyote's suvival
ACME's imminent arrival

 

[Hugh]

Comeuppance​

Old Man Coyote loved to walk through people’s dreams, adding a mischievous twist here, a pratfall there, until one fine day he became entangled in the dreamcatcher of Mavis Streetch.

Now Mave was resident witch for the Arizona Swing Sisters and had little tolerance for the likes of Old Man Coyote. It took him sixteen years to extricate himself from captivity in her scented candle, and a further five before he stopped smelling of lavender.​

 

[gracefully.falling]

His whispered name was what finally woke him.

His eyes fluttered open. Slowly, then all at once his memories returned to him. He bolted straighted up, turning to the man next to him, Oliver, his fellow soldier.

"The battle… we lost?"

"Wrong, we won."

"Everyone's dead?"

"Wrong, the majority survived."

He sank back into his bed, letting relief wash over him. It didn't last long. Something wasn't right.

"Oliver?"

"Wrong again." It's eyes turned red

 

[DrStrangelove]

The Emperor

Travelling via emanation was instantaneous. One minute you could audience the Emperor in matters of the pharmaceutical industry on Alexandretta, then appear on the other side of the Kosmos, only to get rejected in their library on Defteros. Noone knew if the Emperor was just omnipresent, or if a thousand Emperors were that good at playing one. Noone ever asked them about it, and why would they? The answer would probably change with each planet.

 

[Moonbat]

Deity Wanted​

Duties:

• Championing a strategic review of the universe’s use of fundamental forces.
• Taking a hands-off approach to life whilst expanding the natural ecosystem.
• Continuous management, maintenance and re-enforcement of a misogynistic patriarchy.
• Serving as a cross-species change agent, leading all transformational processes.
• Appearing as a figurehead for personalised post-life punishment/reward scenarios utilising fully integrated paradoxical moral ambiguity.
• Building strong relationships with spiritual influencers.
• Must have own beard

 

[G.T.]

Succession

The young king handed the chamberlain his sword belt and straightened his jacket. Outside, the shouts of the angry crowd grew louder.

"We would prefer to avoid rebellion."

"What should I do, Uncle?"

"Remember three things; trust no one, never leave yourself defenceless."

"And three?"

"Remember one and two."

He felt the sword enter his back; the tip appearing through his chest as he sank to his knees.

"You were always a poor student, nephew."

 

[Parson]

Do it! It’ll be fun.​

Andrea considered the naked caper.

“Do it. It’ll be fun.” Whispered the Tempter.

Should she!

“Do it. You’ll have a great story to tell.”

Her girlfriends were meeting her at the fountain, sans clothes.

Andrea’s phone buzzed. “Ready……… Set………..” came the signal.

Should she?

“It’ll be a moment you’ll never forget!”

She pitched her clothes.

“Go! Go!”

Apartment doors opened. Lights came on. Recordings were made.

The Accuser never lets her forget her naked dash.

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Twilight of the Gods

The Great Winter had arrived. The inhabitants of Asgard were in a sombre mood, knowing Ragnarok approached.

"Thor, go release Loki. Perhaps he can lift our spirits," commanded Odin.

Thor returned, dragging Loki behind him.

"Ho, Loki. Entertain us one last time."

Loki thought for awhile, then smiled and said: "Bring me a length of rope and a goat," and began unfastening his breeches.

"No! Not that," shouted Odin, "this is a family-friendly forum!"

 

[Perpetual Man]

Gnab Gib

In the end the stars were torn from the heavens, as they dissipated into glittering embers, the planets bowed before his terrible magnificence.

With one hand resting on his creation, he watched as multiple realities compacted upon themselves, shrinking ever smaller.

‘Bow to me!’ he had demanded, and when they had stood against him, the threat became real.

Except…

His weapon was impotent.

The contraction was unstoppable.

He won nothing.

The joke was on him.

 

[The Judge]

Antitrust
(and why it’s a good idea)​

“Thank you all for coming,” said Loki. “As discussed, the current superfluity of tricksters devalues us. Result: consumer apathy. Competition benefits no one. We need––”​

​

“A single trickster,” said Coyote. “Describe your best cons. Points awarded. Highest score wins.”​

​

All agreed. All boasted of their finest tricks. All save one.​

​

“Loki?”​

​

“I brought you all together here and fed you poisoned canapes. Thanks for making me sole trickster, but you never should have trusted me.”​

 

[sule]

Beginning the End​

Oaths sworn twice on Baldr's behalf, yet he lingers in Hel's domain. Frigg could not avoid the blind misfortune which befell her son. Thor lit his pyre, and the world mourned.

All, save the god with foresight. Baldr himself dreamt of his death, I only made those dreams come true. My thanks were binding ties and eternal torture.

In the end, they will cheer me--because all things must end.​

 

[Lawrence Twiddy]

The Bee Leaf Inn

Millie returned, “He said ‘pay in full or your daughters will be put to work.’”

Lincoln stormed out furious before he did something stupid.

The harrowing stories of the landlord were tales people did not want to be part of, his cruelty was legend. He had never been seen before, maybe because it was the last you were seen.

Millie locked the inn door and went to the back room; the landlords headquarters. Her headquarters.

 

[Ursa major]

​

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Jester Song: “At Twilight!”​

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Being undead is literally dull. Lurking in the shadows drains any sense of fun.​

​

I needed a bit of what those fantasy vampires in the fantasy books had. This the hell demon promised.​

​

I followed it down into a pitch-black cavern.​

​

I spoke: “When will—”​

​

The room filled with light. Painful light.​

​

The demon took off its disguise…​

​

“I’m Van Hell-Singe,” the human said as I burned. “How’s that for a sparkler?”​

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