05-13-2024, 05:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-17-2024, 03:23 AM by Aneeqs. Edited 1 time in total.)
Catch Up on Previous Chapters:
Start at the Beginning: Chapter 1
Most Recent Chapter: Chapter 10
Graders Split 60/40 for @lock180/@homercrates
“Enjoy hell, honey.” Charles stands in shock for a second before collapsing motionless on the ground next to One Eyed Larry. Behind him with a cowboy hat covering their face, toothpick in mouth, and a smoking gun still in hand, stands Rebel who steps over his body and into the tavern inside.
We pick up Zenzeroni's story five years five years after the incident between Captain Crunch’s crew and One Eyed Larry’s gang. The mission to the Bermuda Triangle took much longer than anticipated to plan and organize due to the losses the Lasagna gang and former Captain Crunch crew both acquired in the skirmish. While only a few met a bitter end, plenty sustained injuries as did the ships on the docks.
In the meantime, Zenzeroni became an apprentice under the wing of One Eyed Larry who showed him the ropes of map reading, navigation, basic repairs, sword fighting, and pistol handling. Many of these skills proved mightily difficult due to Zenzeroni’s noodle arms situation but he tried the best he could. Zenzeroni had also become close with some of the other crewmates in the Lasagna gang. Annoyingly for One Eyed Larry, Stinker was on the top of that list. Other notable names Zenzeroni had bonded with over the five year gap were Smoky, Violet, Plank, Drumstick, and Lucky. These six and Zenzeroni would take control of one of Captain Crunch’s old ships and repurpose it with the sails of the Lasagna gang. They would also rename it "The Spaghetti Monster” in honor of their new honorary kid captain Zenzeoroni Xystarch II.
Zenzeroni felt right at home with the rest of the Lasagna gang which had grown in five years thanks to the addition of many members of the Captain Crunch crew along with recruiting off the coast of New Zealand. With a larger arsenal of six ships, One Eyed Larry was just about ready to set his sights on the Golden Frie treasure that may lie in the depths of the Bermuda Triangle.
Gathering in the tavern, the Lasagna gang came together one last time before what very well could be their last voyage as a crew. Murmurs throughout the room are the only noise that emanates from the surrounding area and when One Eyed Larry stands on top of a table with the new second in command Rebel by his side, the room goes quiet.
“It has been a long tumultuous journey. It was over five years ago that I said we would be making this trek in two weeks. I appreciate your patience and I hope it will be rewarded heavily. As mentioned five years ago, if you choose not to make this trip I understand and wish you nothing but the best as long as you do not disclose the coordinates to this base” One Eyed Larry pauses to look every single person in the eye. “For those traveling with me, I can’t promise an easy trip. There are still many unknowns despite more than a lifetime of research and information gathering but I can promise I will navigate us through clear and turbulent seas the best I can. At my side is Rebel Midnight. Should something happen to me she will take up the mantle.” Rebel gives a tip of the hat as One Eyed Larry continues on, “To the newer crew members I appreciate your service and to the veterans of this ragtag gang, you know the drill by now. Let’s get to those ships and let’s get cookin!”. For an old man, One Eyed Larry jumps down from the table like a cat, perfectly landing without any trouble.
Zenzeroni who had been sitting with his fellow crewmates raises his rootbeer mug to the middle of the table “to The Spaghetti Monster and what lies ahead!” He says as everyone brings their beer pints toward the center cheersing before quickly downing their drinks and making their way outside and toward their ship. Zenzeroni goes to follow his crewmates before feeling a hand on his shoulder. Turning around Zenzeroni already knows who it’s going to be.
“Kid. I told you five years ago and I’m telling you now, you aren’t going anywhere near those ships. I’m not losing you to this.”
“I can do it One Eyed Larry I promise! I’ve been practicing with the sword and look how quickly I can draw my pistol!” Zenzeroni fumbles to draw his pistol from his waistband and points it at One Eyed Larry. In one swift motion, One Eyed Larry disarms Zenzeroni and points it toward Zenzeroni. After holding it there for a moment he twists it in his hand and places it on the table sliding it toward Zenzeroni in the process.
“You ain’t ready kid.” One Eyed Larry whistles and the barkeep comes over to the table. “Take care of the kid while I’m gone. Make sure he don’t get in no fucking problems.”
“Yes sir.” The barkeep obliges.
“I’m not a kid anymore!” The 12 year old Zenzeroni whines as the barkeep takes him toward the bar table and makes him a kitty cocktail.
“You will get your chance don’t you worry. It’s for your own good. Trust me he knows what he is doing.”
Zenzeroni pouts at the high top as he watches the majority of the crew load into their various ships with a few stragglers looking like they have decided they aren’t willing to make the dangerous trip. Some of them who had already said their goodbyes were making their way back into the tavern for a little post-match celebration.
As the ships continued to get ready for departure the tavern got louder and louder with the sound of excitement and celebration. A mix of dancing, singing, vomiting, and everything in between was happening throughout the tavern and Zenzeroni couldn’t help but smile at the atmosphere he was surrounded by.
One man made the tavern extra special to Zenzeroni that being Stinker who was not making the trip to the Bermuda Triangle. Zenzeroni had gotten together with Stinker shortly after he saw that he wasn’t on “The Spaghetti Monster” and whispered something into his ear. Stinker gave Zenzeroni a mischievous smile and ordered two pints. The barkeep still keeping an eye on Zenzeroni quickly filled two pints and slid them over to Stinker who instead of drinking them, got on top of the bar table and started dancing. People quickly caught on and began cheering for Stinker and as the cheering and dancing got louder, Stinker hopped over to the barkeep's side of the counter and poured beer on both himself and the barkeep. Looking down at the mess Stinker had made the barkeep began angrily cleaning himself off.
Finally cleaning himself off to the best of his ability and getting Stinker kicked out of the tavern the barkeep turned his attention to Zenzeroni. But where Zenzeroni had been there was nothing but a half drunk kitty cocktail staring mockingly back at the barkeep.
Start at the Beginning: Chapter 1
Most Recent Chapter: Chapter 10
Graders Split 60/40 for @lock180/@homercrates
The Book of Zen
Chapter 11: A New Crew
![[Image: 9nMoJz1.png]](https://i.imgur.com/9nMoJz1.png)
ILLUSTRATED BY: Thor Dangerson
![[Image: 9nMoJz1.png]](https://i.imgur.com/9nMoJz1.png)
ILLUSTRATED BY: Thor Dangerson
“Enjoy hell, honey.” Charles stands in shock for a second before collapsing motionless on the ground next to One Eyed Larry. Behind him with a cowboy hat covering their face, toothpick in mouth, and a smoking gun still in hand, stands Rebel who steps over his body and into the tavern inside.
We pick up Zenzeroni's story five years five years after the incident between Captain Crunch’s crew and One Eyed Larry’s gang. The mission to the Bermuda Triangle took much longer than anticipated to plan and organize due to the losses the Lasagna gang and former Captain Crunch crew both acquired in the skirmish. While only a few met a bitter end, plenty sustained injuries as did the ships on the docks.
In the meantime, Zenzeroni became an apprentice under the wing of One Eyed Larry who showed him the ropes of map reading, navigation, basic repairs, sword fighting, and pistol handling. Many of these skills proved mightily difficult due to Zenzeroni’s noodle arms situation but he tried the best he could. Zenzeroni had also become close with some of the other crewmates in the Lasagna gang. Annoyingly for One Eyed Larry, Stinker was on the top of that list. Other notable names Zenzeroni had bonded with over the five year gap were Smoky, Violet, Plank, Drumstick, and Lucky. These six and Zenzeroni would take control of one of Captain Crunch’s old ships and repurpose it with the sails of the Lasagna gang. They would also rename it "The Spaghetti Monster” in honor of their new honorary kid captain Zenzeoroni Xystarch II.
Zenzeroni felt right at home with the rest of the Lasagna gang which had grown in five years thanks to the addition of many members of the Captain Crunch crew along with recruiting off the coast of New Zealand. With a larger arsenal of six ships, One Eyed Larry was just about ready to set his sights on the Golden Frie treasure that may lie in the depths of the Bermuda Triangle.
Gathering in the tavern, the Lasagna gang came together one last time before what very well could be their last voyage as a crew. Murmurs throughout the room are the only noise that emanates from the surrounding area and when One Eyed Larry stands on top of a table with the new second in command Rebel by his side, the room goes quiet.
“It has been a long tumultuous journey. It was over five years ago that I said we would be making this trek in two weeks. I appreciate your patience and I hope it will be rewarded heavily. As mentioned five years ago, if you choose not to make this trip I understand and wish you nothing but the best as long as you do not disclose the coordinates to this base” One Eyed Larry pauses to look every single person in the eye. “For those traveling with me, I can’t promise an easy trip. There are still many unknowns despite more than a lifetime of research and information gathering but I can promise I will navigate us through clear and turbulent seas the best I can. At my side is Rebel Midnight. Should something happen to me she will take up the mantle.” Rebel gives a tip of the hat as One Eyed Larry continues on, “To the newer crew members I appreciate your service and to the veterans of this ragtag gang, you know the drill by now. Let’s get to those ships and let’s get cookin!”. For an old man, One Eyed Larry jumps down from the table like a cat, perfectly landing without any trouble.
Zenzeroni who had been sitting with his fellow crewmates raises his rootbeer mug to the middle of the table “to The Spaghetti Monster and what lies ahead!” He says as everyone brings their beer pints toward the center cheersing before quickly downing their drinks and making their way outside and toward their ship. Zenzeroni goes to follow his crewmates before feeling a hand on his shoulder. Turning around Zenzeroni already knows who it’s going to be.
“Kid. I told you five years ago and I’m telling you now, you aren’t going anywhere near those ships. I’m not losing you to this.”
“I can do it One Eyed Larry I promise! I’ve been practicing with the sword and look how quickly I can draw my pistol!” Zenzeroni fumbles to draw his pistol from his waistband and points it at One Eyed Larry. In one swift motion, One Eyed Larry disarms Zenzeroni and points it toward Zenzeroni. After holding it there for a moment he twists it in his hand and places it on the table sliding it toward Zenzeroni in the process.
“You ain’t ready kid.” One Eyed Larry whistles and the barkeep comes over to the table. “Take care of the kid while I’m gone. Make sure he don’t get in no fucking problems.”
“Yes sir.” The barkeep obliges.
“I’m not a kid anymore!” The 12 year old Zenzeroni whines as the barkeep takes him toward the bar table and makes him a kitty cocktail.
“You will get your chance don’t you worry. It’s for your own good. Trust me he knows what he is doing.”
Zenzeroni pouts at the high top as he watches the majority of the crew load into their various ships with a few stragglers looking like they have decided they aren’t willing to make the dangerous trip. Some of them who had already said their goodbyes were making their way back into the tavern for a little post-match celebration.
As the ships continued to get ready for departure the tavern got louder and louder with the sound of excitement and celebration. A mix of dancing, singing, vomiting, and everything in between was happening throughout the tavern and Zenzeroni couldn’t help but smile at the atmosphere he was surrounded by.
One man made the tavern extra special to Zenzeroni that being Stinker who was not making the trip to the Bermuda Triangle. Zenzeroni had gotten together with Stinker shortly after he saw that he wasn’t on “The Spaghetti Monster” and whispered something into his ear. Stinker gave Zenzeroni a mischievous smile and ordered two pints. The barkeep still keeping an eye on Zenzeroni quickly filled two pints and slid them over to Stinker who instead of drinking them, got on top of the bar table and started dancing. People quickly caught on and began cheering for Stinker and as the cheering and dancing got louder, Stinker hopped over to the barkeep's side of the counter and poured beer on both himself and the barkeep. Looking down at the mess Stinker had made the barkeep began angrily cleaning himself off.
Finally cleaning himself off to the best of his ability and getting Stinker kicked out of the tavern the barkeep turned his attention to Zenzeroni. But where Zenzeroni had been there was nothing but a half drunk kitty cocktail staring mockingly back at the barkeep.
Howdy! I am responsible for quite possibly the greatest kicker to ever grace the ISFL and am the most accomplished media writer the ISFL has ever seen (no need to ask anyone else regarding either of those claims)
Important Media You Must Read If You Want To Be Cool Like Me
The Villainous Jreed12: The Case Against the WEAKly Mirror|Jreed is a multi|Coming soon
The Truth About Baron1898: The Self Proclaimed Queen|The Evil Queen|The Curse of Venus|The Truth
The Year of the Joker: Year of the Joker|Doubling Down|Bye to Losers|Win or Not?|Last Dance
Read the full 56 Chapter Book of Zen Catalog here: The Book of Zen
Miscellaneous Articles: The Clown Car Four|The Nauseating Nine|1 Star Mcdonalds Prospect Analysis
![[Image: qDRsDEK.png]](https://i.imgur.com/qDRsDEK.png)