GFL – Page 0081

Grouping For Looks is a page-by-page retelling of the Looking For Group saga through the lens of a mirror universe where Cale is a goateed tyrant and Richard is a holy soul trying to set him on a good path.

INT. THE CITY BENEATH THE CITY – THE PAST

A ball of brilliant white light around Richard explodes the griffon that had him in its beak. 

Dragon Person dodges flying chunks of poultry and steak to get to Richard’s side. 

DRAGON PERSON
Are you alright?

RICHARD
Forget about me. How is the griffin? Tell me he’s going to be O.K!

Dragon Person raises a scaly eyebrow. He gestures at the circle of meat around them. 

DRAGON PERSON
You can’t be serious. 

RICHARD
At the end of the day, sometimes all we can do is hope. 

Dragon Person raises his other scaly eyebrow. Then frowns and gestures more aggressively at the circle of meat around them. 

RICHARD
I’m very hopeful!

The blade of a sword pokes through Richard’s chest. Richard hangs his head. 

RICHARD
Can’t a guy be hopeful for 5 minutes?! Without the universe poking fun of him? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

Richard’s yellow eyes blaze red and orange. He turns around, with a gaze that topples the front line of advancing soldiers. 

RICHARD
PREPARE! 

Swirling particles of fiery energy encircle Richard, lifting him off the ground. 

Cale, Benny, Krunch, and Pella peak out of the stairwell. 

RICHARD
TO GET! 

The red and orange energy balls with peak intensity in front of Richard’s gem.

The army falls back. Tears fill the eyes of the prone front line soldiers. 

RICHARD
HOPEFUL!!!

The compresses ball of energy erupts, red and orange rings pulsating from Richard across the battlefield. 

As the energy coats the soldiers, the First Ones, and Richard’s allies, they brace themselves. 

Red and orange particles sit still on their clenched faces. 

*ploop*

A flower blooms on a soldier’s nose. 

RICHARD
With me…

*ploop* *ploop* *ploop* 

Blooming flowers sweep across the stone walls, filling the cavernous area with an autumnal glow. 

Bewildered and engardened Cale, Benny, Krunch, and Pella walk up to Richard, whose hunched over and on his knees. The redeemer looks up at his allies. 

RICHARD
You… you followed… me?

CALE
“Followed” might be a stretch.

The flowery soldiers raise their weapons at charge at Richard. 

PELLA
Ye can make a war zone inta a garden. What else can ye do? 

Against Richard’s hopes, battle lines are again drawn, as two flural force prepare to fight.

GFL Archives

Original: LFG Page 81

First Grouping For Looks: GFL 001

Previous Grouping For Looks: GFL 080