Chapter 3 • The Band of DogZ
Relaxing as he drummed his way through the universe, Cozmo began to feel as if he were not alone. While much of the space surrounding him was lit by the stars and shimmering stardust there were also large areas of darkness. It was in these spaces of darkness that the feline genius began to notice figures passing through but never appearing in the light. In and out, they appeared and disappeared darker than the darkness that surrounded them. The figures continued to materialize and then evaporate into various shades of gray. Appearing closer and closer each time they swooshed by, these creatures of darkness seemed to be on the hunt.
While most of us would be shuttering with fear at this point, Cozmo was only curious. As the figures grew closer to him, the drumming cat could make out three Black DogZ flying on electric guitars. They looked like a surfers riding the waves as they flew in and out of the darkness around him. “How strange is this?” Cozmic Cat said to himself. “These DogZ are darker than darkness. How is that possible?”
Howling wildly while zig zagging back and forth, the three DogZ darted in and out of Cozmo’s sight. This wild Band of DogZ, named X, Y and Z were doing their very best to frighten Cozmo into a panic. They began to speak with one another. “He doesn’t look frightened.” Y shouted out. “He will be if I get close enough.” X responded. “I’m feeling kind of hungry and this cat is looking like a pretty good snack to me.” Exclaimed Z. “Do you think I can I eat it?”
The dog named Z was only interested in one thing. “I smell flesh and blood!” He cried out. “Lets eat the cat now!” Z had a tremendous sense of smell which led to a ravenous appetite.
“You’ll eat anything wont you.” Replied Y. “You don’t even know if you will like cat. Have you ever tried cat before?” Asked X.
“Well then how about if I just try the tail?” Z responded. “And if that’s good we’ll eat the whole cat. If nothing else that should frighten him. What could be more frightening than the thought of being killed and eaten by a wild dog?” With that the dog named Z went swooping down behind the feline genius in an attempt to eat the cool cat’s tail.
Cozmo had been watching the DogZ and listening all along. Although the DogZ had been growling, barking and doing their best in every way to frighten Cozmo, the drumming cat was not frightened at all. There was something about the nature of this particular feline. Nothing frightened him. Not even a wild dog coming to eat him. Although he was not afraid, Cozmo was also not about to let his tail become a doggy snack either.
Cozmic Cat watched as Z swooped down behind him and began to pick up speed. The wild dog named Z was getting closer and closer to the anti-gravity drum machine. Drooling as he licked his chops the hungry canine could almost taste Cozmo’s tail. Fangs opened wide and ready, Z lunged forward to bite down on the cat’s tail.
Whirling with his drumsticks in the air, Cozmic Cat spun the anti-gravity drum set around. Then while shouting out loud “Not today puppy!” Cozmo whacked the dog across the nose and started playing a drum roll between his ears.
From a distance the dogz named X and Y had been watching as these events unfolded between wild dog Z and Cozmic Cat. Howling wildly and laughing out of control X and Y both looked at each other. “Spectacular performance!” Shouted out Y. “Wow that cat can really keep a beat!” Exclaimed X. They both then shouted out to Cozmic Cat. “That was a great roll you just played on Z’s head. Can we hear that again?”
Responding to the DogZ praise the drumming cat stood up and took a bow while Z painfully shook his head. Although he was not too happy about his head getting beaten like a tom tom drum, Z was impressed by Cozmos drumming skills.
“Wow that was unreal. That was an awesome drum roll!” Exclaimed Z. “Forget about the snack. We’ve been looking for a new drummer and I think we found him.” All three DogZ jumped up, grabbed their guitars and started jamming along with Cozmos beat. It was true. They all played wonderfully together.
“Where are you heading?” Y shouted out to Cozmo.
“I’m on my way to a birthday party at the Jamlands. ” Cozmo answered.
“So are we!” The three DogZ exclaimed together. So the four continued to Jam their way to the Jamlands.
As they were getting closer to the planet many other travelers joined them. This was a big party and there were many guests traveling from all different parts of the universe. They had all been warned to stay away from the black hole but most of them needed no warning.
Drawing closer to Daizy’s Starcastle, Cozmo was struck by a dark and ominous sensation coming from off in the distance beyond the galaxy of the Inca Princess. A large mass of darkness appeared to be drinking up the light and stealing the sky. Cozmo also noticed a look of despair and weakness in the eyes of many of the travelers when the great black hole came into sight. “Don’t stare for too long.” Z shouted to Cozmo. X then added “They say that even looking at the black hole for too long will chill your bones and bring your doom.” That was not entirely true but the Black hole did strike fear into the hearts of the travelers who stayed as far as possible from that location.
The Spirit and Soul of the Black Hole, Jack in the Black, was always searching for victims. He longed to stretch out his arms and snatch any innocent traveler who wandered too close. Once a victim was caught in his grip there was no hope for escape and no mercy from Jack. This dark spirit had a powerful and terrible mind. He knew the secrets of the universe and was able to remember everyone and everything that ever passed his way.
What none of the three DogZ knew was that among all the travelers, Jack in the Black had his eyes on them. The great spirit was especially interested in capturing X, Y and Z. For many years now the black hole had been watching these three rebels as they raced across the sky chasing Space Bunnies. While Jack did enjoy the music of the DogZ it was their freedom that bothered him so greatly. Jack in the Black had a special plan to capture the DogZ. Deep inside Jack knew it would only be a matter of time and those DogZ would be his forever.
