Land of Lost CDs: Chpt. 3

After several hours of hiking through dangerous pop infested land, Nirvana and the Dustbunnies finally arrived at the Necropolis. And what a city it was. The streets were teeming with people in cloaks and dark clothes. The air of murderous secrecy hung like incense. Yes, this was a place of blood and magic. Kurt briefly saw Rob Zombie, and would've stopped to talk, but the Dustbunnies insisted that they hurry. "There is no time for niceties and idle talk," they said sternly. Soon they came to the center of the Necropolis. The Castle Cryptorchid.1

It stood looming before them, a great obsidian structure, reaching into the uncertain void that hovered above.  Each curve, arch, facet, mirror-like against it's dark background. It looked very much like an enormous cathedral. That would swallow them whole. Or at least, that's how Chris felt. He felt very small...and was even a bit scared. But just a little bit.2

"I feel very small...," said Chris, "even a bit scared." Dave and Kurt shot him a critical glance. "But just a little bit" the bassist finished quickly. Truth was, they were all a tad fearful. The very fact though that fear was present...ah, they didn't want it rubbed in. Dwelling on it only made the experience more unpleasant.3

Upon entering the Castle, the tallest Dustbunny gave them a final order.4

"You are not to make a sound, nor will you speak to the Master until he has spoken with you first, understood?" The group nodded in acknowledgment. None of them were about to argue with the beast. The rest of the Dustbunnies departed. "Now, follow me. Do not look about, keep your eyes straight ahead." The Dustbunny leader walked on, Nirvana in tow, down a long, winding, corridor, then down a spiraling staircase that led to an arena-like overlook.5

There, in the middle of the overlook, on a dais, seated on a black marble throne, draped with scarlet, ebony, and silver silks...was the Master. Clad in long dark robes, he was just as menacing as his abode. He stood then, the motion was fluid-like, without sound. His ringed hand stretched out, pointing to his minion Dustbunny. 6

"You may leave, Vrugar." The baritone sound that emitted from his lips was murky and raspy. Doing as he was told, Vrugar bowed low and left. The small company of travelers stood speechless before the Master.7

" I see Vrugar and his companions have managed to get you here in one piece." the dark figure said. He smiled out the side of his mouth, something cynical.  Stepping forward slightly, Kurt spoke up.8

" Yes, Sir--"9

"Please," the Master cut him off. "You don't know how old that gets."10

"Sorry, Maryli--"11

"Enough!" The word wasn't angry, only very loud. It had an edge to it. Could it have been the ghost of a chuckle? Perhaps. But Marylin's face was emotionless. Wordlessly, he offered them a seat and gave them wine glasses. For a time they sat in silence, soaking in their own deep thoughts. Dave would have liked the silence, yet, there was something unnerving. An unspoken subject that hung, impending on the air. Yes, he could smell it. It lay thick as dust in his throat. At last, Marylin Manson spoke. " I understand that you have been lost Under Ze Bedd for several days now, and that you were on your way to where Anthony Kiedis currently resides...well," he stopped to sip from his wine glass. Kurt leaned forward, as if to absorb what was being said. So far, he did not like where the conversation was going. "I've decided to help you on your journey--BUT...with only a small catch..."12

"And that would be...?" questioned Kurt.13

"You must go on a quest. Oh, but not for me, really," Marylin said, leaning back in his great stone chair. "It's to help out a fellow musician."14

"I see." Nirvana's frontman murmured, stroking his chin.15

Marylin Manson snapped his fingers twice, glancing over his shoulder at a nearby Dustbunny. The creature disappeared behind a door, coming back shortly with a pale, dark haired young man, clad in a grey wife beater and black pants. His eyeliner had been smudged, giving his eyes a haunted appearance. Lithe and tall, he radiated some artistic melancholy. He was a beautiful sadness.16

"You have summoned me?" his voice had a fragile quality to it.17

"My dear Davey," the great Manson spoke. The words were nearly soothing. "These are the people I have spoken of." He took the young man by the arm, gently pulling him closer.18

"Oh," the strange one brightened a little, "you've come to help me look for the missing piece!"19

"Missing piece?" Chris asked, swirling his wine in its glass.20

"I'm afraid," Davey Havok continued, "there was a Scratch."21

They understood. There were indeed some Scratches on them, but none so devastating that they had forgotten their music. Now, they wholly comprehended his melancholy. He was in pain. A weak smile played on his thin lips.22

"We shall help you in your quest." Kurt said to Marylin Manson without hesitation. The Master of the Necropolis was pleased, as well as Davey. Afterward  the members of Nirvana were taken to their room, which was eerily fashioned to their own individual tastes.23

Kurt slept fitfully. Davey's sad grey eyes bored through him, even as he tossed and turned. They had bewitched him! Those orbs of steel, so soft.  He dreamed of falling off a ledge, taking Davey with him. Kurt woke abruptly, in a cold sweat. Sleep overtook him a few minutes later.24

Grumble. That's the noise David Grohl's stomach made. He wasn't sure if it was the wine, or the fact he'd had little to eat. Maybe both. Either way, his stomach began "talking to him" as his friends would say. Major man-eater munchies. Laying in a puddle of drool the size of Lake Huron, Dave dreamed of chasing a large pink cupcake with sprinkles. Oh yes, lots of sprinkles. And brownies, and Twix, and cookies of all assortments, and pizza, and...25

...And if logs could sleep, Chris slept as one.26