The Madness Returns - Chapter Four

    At a speed of nearly three hundred miles per hour John Clark was having the time of his life. The man known as Jet was busy searching for the man-beast Woodwose, the win blowing past his red mask and costume. Clark had forgotten what it was like to work as part of the Anglo-Force team, and in the past few weeks he had wondered why he ever turned his back on them in the first place.
    Now he flew high over the New Forest in Hampshire. Circling around several times he soon saw his prey. The sighting was simple enough. Woodwose had left a path of destruction even the most stupid could follow.
    Jet reached down to his belt and activated his communicator.
    “Jet to White Knight. I’ve found out boy! In the New Forest!”
    “Keep an eye on him.” White Knight replied. “Do not engage him in combat. Even with your speed he’ll be too powerful for you.”
    “I’ve only ever seen one man match my speed before and he’s back at Raven Manor. Let me try to stop him Arthur!”
    “No! He’s too powerful! Just observe! We’ll be along in a few moments!”
    “Okay! Okay! Keep your sword belt on!”
    The communications channel went quiet. He then gave Galador a gentle nudge in an effort to get his steed to move faster.
    “You could have given me a little warning!” said Tiger, almost falling off as Galador picked up speed.
    “We have to get there as quickly as possible!” said White Knight. “Clarkie’s a hot head and won’t take no for an answer!”
    “You mean he’ll try to take Woodwose on?” asked Tiger.
    “You’re damn right he will!”

    Jet swooped down low trying to get a better view of Woodwose. Upon feeling the wind from Jet’s flight brush by him the man-beast looked up and saw Jet soar skyward again.
    “He doesn’t look so bad!” Jet said to himself. “Just like that old film of Bigfoot I once saw! It wouldn’t do any harm to take another look!”
    Stopping in mid-air Jet began to fly towards Woodwose again, attempting to get another look at him. This time however he got too close. Showing reflexes that He did not think were possible Woodwose stuck out his huge arm and actually grabbed hold of Jet’s ankle. Try as he might Jet could not escape Woodwose’s mighty grasp.
    “Hey!” Jet shouted. “No fair!”
    With one mighty swing Woodwose hurled Jet across the Hampshire landscape, sending him crashing through tree after tree after tree until his momentum was finally stopped after coming into violent contact with a huge sand bank.
    Slowly Woodwose lurched towards his fallen prey. All Jet could do was look up at the man-beast through hazed vision. Every muscle and bone in his body ached. He had never felt pain like this before. He could not move as he saw Woodwose raise one of his huge powerful arms. He knew that his life was about to end.
    Then Woodwose lurched forward as if something had just landed on him. It had. Woodwose now carried a Voltanian.
    Now in his full Tiger persona Prince T’Chuka unsheathed his claws and began his attack. Woodwose lashed around wildly as T’Chuka held on tightly to Woodwose’s large neck. T’Chuka raised his arm and then buried his claws into Woodwose’s shoulder. A huge cry of pain filled the air. Woodwose and been breached and now he wanted revenge.

    Magus stood in the front gardens of his former home, Raven Manor, now the home of the Watt family. He had seen what was going to happen after he discovered Azimuth by accident. Now he knew he had to play his role if the natural flow of history was to remain intact.
    Taking to the sky Magus flew to the back area of the grounds. There he saw his friend James Watt staring out across the property, a glass of orange juice in his hand. Magus could see that Watt was deep in thought, but he knew he had to speak with him.
    Watt looked up as Magus landed in front of him. Watt was surprised when Magus did not greet him.
    “We have a problem.” he said. “Woodwose is on the loose again.”
    “How?” asked Watt. “Where did he come from?”
    “I don’t know. Nothing’s been seen of him since the Acolytes incident.”
    “Wait a few minutes and I’ll get my costume.”
    “Good. We’ll need you. I doubt if Arthur and the others will be able to hold him off for long.”
    “Arthur’s gone after him?”
    “Along with John, Ultare and T’Chuka.”
    “But they’ve no hope against him! Woodwose threw off three men the last time!”
    “That’s why they need you.”
    “And me.”
    They looked behind them to see Katrina garbed in her Red Sun costume.
    “No way.” said Watt. “Woodwose would eat you up for breakfast!”
    “But I’m part of this team. Mrs. Goldberg can look after Peter. I’m coming with you.”
    Then Watt snapped his fingers.
    “You could stop him Phineas!” he said. “You’ve got the power!”
    Magus wanted to tell him everything, but he knew he had to hold back.
    “I wish it were…that simple James. Although I would be able to physically restrain Woodwose his madness would remain. I need to find a way of curing him of this madness before any more are hurt. That is why I need you. I need you to hold him off while I try to find a way. You did it before. You can do it again!”
    “He half-killed me before! What makes you think I can do it again?”
    “You can do it with my help.” said Katrina. “I want no protests! I’m coming with you!”
    “Very well then. Give me a second!”
    A second was all he needed. A second later he appeared in his familiar red and black costume.
    “Come on. Let’s go. Let’s get this over with.”
    “I will travel to Craigmillar.” said Magus. “The answer may be there.”
    “Then don’t take too long!” said Watt.
    “I won’t.” said Magus. “Just make sure Woodwose doesn’t destroy the entire New Forest!”
    Watt and Katrina then took to the air, heading in the direction of Hampshire. Magus watched them as they left. He did indeed intend to go to Craigmillar Castle, but not to try and find a cure for Woodwose’s madness, but to fulfil his role in history.