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It was like the game of football what The Wind had planned. Sacrifice all the team members for the quarterback. The only important person that meant anything was the quarterback, and, in this case, the quarterback was the guy with the gun with Slow Motion's name written on it.
The attack began at sunrise, ladders were placed on the walls surrounding the Institute. Alarms sounded, sleepy eyed interns and Team Banzai dove for their guns, sleepy-eyed but ready for action.
Slow Motion awoke in his room, a small breeze blew at the curtains of his window. He knew instinctively what it was. The Wind had returned, and after so many years. He was about to rise out of bed when he heard the hoofbeats. They were far off, but that's when he knew, he knew it was the end. There was nothing he could do.
At least my friends won't have to deal with this threat anymore.
Gunshots. People yelling. It's coming. There's nothing I can do. Except ... he reached into a drawer and pulled out his war-paint, began spreading it across his cheeks, looking very much a warrior.
Buckaroo appeared at the doorway, We think it's The Wind -- what are you doing? Are you gonna put on another crazy act? You know that doesn't work on the foot soldiers.
No crazy act, said Slow Motion. It's time.
Like hell it is! yelled Buckaroo. You're not gonna die!
Perfect Tommy appeared at the door. There's hundreds this time -- what's his deal? Slow Motion, get ready cause --
There's nothing we can do? asked Buckaroo.
Nothing, said Slow Motion.
Will you fight?
Oh, yeah, I'll fight.
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The halls of the Institute became a maze of madness. The Wind sent its soldiers like and endless flood of violence. Each member uncaring about his/her own life. Only The Wind existed, only The Wind deserved allegiance.
Slow Motion had shot close to twenty and still they were coming, and, the hoofbeats were getting louder and louder.
His gun clicked empty.
Then there was silence.
And a lone pair of footsteps, slowly walking toward him. He could feel The Center, the Eye of the Storm, the One Possessed by The Wind, That Which Can Never Be Happy. He opened his eyes and looked up.
Cold eyes, no emotion, the Warriors were coming, he could hear their horses neighing now, The Center raised his gun, aimed it right at Slow Motion.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He was striding up to the most beautiful horse he had ever seen. He gave it a name. The Wind, in honor of his greatest enemy.
He climbed up on the horse, looked into the faces of the other Warriors. They were all Blackfoot! He could tell by their black moccassins!
A plain opened before his eyes and a herd of buffalo was stampeding across it!
One Warrior let out a cry! Then another! Then Slow Motion joined them!
And off they rode ... Slow Motion! yelled Buckaroo. Come back!
Too late, Buckaroo! It's time. Goodbye, old friend. Say goodbye to all my friends!
A shot rang out! His horse was hit! Slow Motion was thrown!
The White Man! Of course! Why do things have to be different here?
The Cowboys were coming, shooting, shouting!
The Blackfoots raised their bows and arrows and let them have it!
This is not it! It was supposed to be happy ever after!
C'mon, Slow Motion, c'mon, good buddy!
Buckaroo, help me!
I'm right here! He said something!
It sounded like help me! Clear!!!
And then there was nothing but darkness, and out of that darkness a small figure emerged, the Old Man.
Crap, he said, what have you gotten yourself into this time?
I can't breathe here!
This is not the place of the living, said the old man, this is where you've come to die!
I don't want to die!
Then fight! Fight like you've never fought before! Fight with your heart and your mind, with your will and your love for all things good!
I can't!!!
Then die!!! Do you want to spend the rest of eternity with me, here?
No!
Then think of your favorite thing!
Oreo cookies!
He said cookies! Cookies? Why would a dying man say cookies?
Bright light filled his vision! Buckaroo and a team of doctors was standing over him!
He's back! We got him!
Then he drifted back down into the darkness.
He was floating upwards like a leaf blown back and forth on the breeze. The Wind had him in its arms and was rocking him back and forth like a child.
Stay here where it is calm. I will take care of you.
Above him was a light and it was getting brighter and brighter.
The Great Spirit !
He was home ...
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