The grand doors opened slowly as a lone figure entered. His boots had already been carefully cleaned before setting foot on the regal carpet.

Statues and guards stood motionless as the crimson knight strode through the audience chamber. Reaching the foot of the throne’s stairs, he bowed before the Un-Crowned King, his eyes fixed upon the floor as he spoke.

“Your Majesty, the shuttles have dispersed their supplies of Alchemist X into the jet stream. If all goes according to plan, a fifth of the northern hemisphere’s crops will be withered and dead in a week’s time.”

The Un-Crowned King nodded solemnly, his eyes gazing into the oncoming future. “Good. We are well upon the road to the new land. Return to your post. I will have further orders by nightfall.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” The knight rose and retreated from the hall. In his mind he welcomed his role in the destruction of the old world and the rise of the Un-Crowned King’s brave new order, but he could not help wondering what would drive a man to such devastating actions.

* * *

Thirty year earlier, Karl stood staring at his girlfriend as she severed their ties. The shapely blond brushed her long hair back. “I’m sorry Karl, but as a proactive and empowered life unit, I have to look at the big picture! You’re a chemistry student, and we all know science is just a servant of the conglomerate corporations, and that makes you a tool of the man!”

Karl’s brow furrowed as he tried to follow the logic of her words, only to be bombarded with more. “As a neo-environmentalist, I have to put our Mother Earth first and foremost! Who’s going to save the trees if I don’t?”

From behind Sarah “Windbreeze” O’Malley a filthy wolf leered, groping her voluminous breasts with meaty paws. “Not to mention, sweets, I got some ‘wood’ you gotta care for!”

“Oh, Moonlove, not in front of the ex!”

Karl felt his blood chill as he listened to Sarah giggle. “Save the world huh… Interesting.”