mangullthemangler

One gull finds himself at the center of a great struggle for control of the Greater Universe.

Verbose synopsis:
Roughly 3 million years B.M. (Before Mangull), the Greater Universe consisted of the nothing except four 'pools' of mana existing within what is known as the Null Realm.

Over time, and for reasons not quite understood by modern sages, these pools began to spew their mana outward into this realm, creating long and branching channels of the four mana types: fire, water, air, and earth. 

The leading theory by most modern sages is that these channels then began to intermingle, creating complex natural systems and compounds. It is also theorized that at about 2 million B.M. the first sentient being arose from this primordial soup of mana, and that being aided in the creation of the other realms within the Null Realm. Those realms were then populated by gods, who, in turn, populated the realms with lower beings (mortals and 'demi-gods').

During the time of Mangull the Mangler, the power balance of the beings populating the Greater Universe is going through a major shift. Over the eons the various mana pools have waned in power, with some pools nearing their depletion. Still, other pools run strong, and various groups of beings have been vying for control of realms. 

Enter one simple gull, who, through the interaction of those around him, just may be the variable needed to tip the scales (but in what direction?).

Mangull the Mangler

Scene: Undisturbed portion of beach on the shores of Fish. A lone gull is shown wandering about. Thought bubbles show only "fish pictures" and "ellipses" as he drops to his gull-knees, looking quite weary. Suddenly, he cocks his head to see as the waves crash onto the shore and a beautiful and very plump woman waddles out from the water. It is revealed that she is completely nude, but with various nautical adornments in her hair and about her body. She kneels to him, looking concerned.


"Poor little gull, it is a good thing we met; my name is Karen, and I am the Water Goddess."


The gull does not respond, and continues his empty gaze towards the goddess.


"I've been traveling between the realms of the Greater Universe for millennia, but have never seen such a pitiful gull. You are clearly an air being; one of Darren's creations, no doubt."


The goddess sighs, but the gull does not respond, and continues his empty gaze towards the goddess. She smiles.


"You remind me of that plump white cat I found rolling around on the beach so many centuries ago. He, too, looked as pitiful... though not as starved. Of course, there were a lot more fish in this realm back then..."


"Sadly, my powers do not include the creation of matter, or I would simply provide you with some fish to eat. No, no, but do not fret my dear gull, for there is something I CAN do for you; something much better than simple healing magic, for that would only be temporary. You see, as a water goddess, I am able to tap into the Universal Pool of Water Mana. Do you understand what this means, gull?"


"It is okay, as it does not matter right now. I feel inclined to grant you another life; many lives, in fact. However, this magic is very powerful and will leave me vulnerable for some time. It'll also alert those who are monitoring the mana currents in this area that powerful magic has just been used. Because of this, I will need to leave you after the spell is complete. There are many out there who want to use powerful water beings such as myself as tools."


"You will surely perish here, my gull, but do not worry. From here on out, every time you die you will be reborn into another realm; the Spirit Realm. Did you know that the Spirit Realm is aligned with the Universal Pool of Air Mana, gull?"


The gull does not respond and cocks his head back, closing his eyes. 


"Aw, well never mind that. There's another important detail: The Spirit Realm is notorious for being difficult to escape from. But if you can find a way, my gull, to reliably leave that realm then you may be able to achieve a long-lasting and full life indeed, for as long as the Universal Pool of Water Mana has not run dry, you cannot be killed." 


"In any case, you'll have lots of time to figure it out. May we meet again, my gull."


The goddess performs her magic on the gull, and the scene closes with him on the ground, and the goddess returning to the sea.


The Unmitigated Gull