The Jewels of Desire - "Ultrapol Detective" story

The masked criminal in the rhinestone covered, gold lamé one-piece suit admired the imperial state crown of the United Kingdom, turning it round by its white ermine border so that its diamond encrusted cross twinkled in the jewel rooms electric light.

“Ahh, t’will make a fitting crown for a king of jewel thieves”, he said, with a satisfied chortle before tossing it, casually, into his golden swag-bag with the other crown jewels that he had just stolen, using his remarkable power to bedazzle men’s minds to render all of the red-suited yeoman warders bearskin wearing guards and tourists in the tower of London insensible.

Dazed, the guards lay about on the floor, not unconscious but hypnotized by Desires glittering golden light.

All they could now see in their minds was that glittering like all the light reflecting off of a giant fabulous gem; all they could hear was a strange tinkling like a mad music box and all they could say was “The light…the light…it’s so beautiful”.

His cuban heeled golden boots crunching upon the glass fragments of a dozen shattered display cases the criminal made his way across the red velvet carpet of the jewel room to the exit and the gold plated private jet limousine he had waiting for him.

But just then…

“Oof!”, said the spangly costumed crook as a black gloved fist, seemingly coming out of nowhere struck him, with all the force of a steel jackhammer, square in his jaw knocking him backwards onto the carpet.

Looking up, thinking that he had simply walked into a wall by accident a startled Desire saw the imposing figure of the blue one- piece suited Ultrapol detective, Mark Bastion standing over him.

“Oh, its you”, said Desire, scowling as he recognized Bastion, one of the many well-known detectives working for Scotland Yard’s Ultrapol unit, set up to deal with the problem of super powered villains, “Well, it will take more than all your savage superbrawn to stop the fabulous Desire, you dunderhead”.

Then, reaching out with his right hand, the glittery costumed jewel thief showed Bastion the large jewelled ring upon his right hand.

“Look”, he said, “Look into the ring. You’ll see everything that you’ve always desired. You’ll see all your dreams come true. What have you always wanted, eh? Wealth…power…fame…love. Whatever it is you’ll have it. Just look deep into the jewel”.

And, suddenly, a light seemed to emanate from the facets of the jewel on the criminals ring; a bright, sparkling, dazzling light and Bastion saw himself, minus his blue one piece suit, draped in a cloak of red velvet, trimmed with ermine; a jewelled crown upon his head; he saw himself dressed in a dinner jacket, surrounded by snapping press photographers as he walked down a red velvet carpet to a waiting limousine; he saw himself thronged by beautiful adoring women and…it was intoxicating.

Desire grinned triumphantly as he saw Bastions eyes start to cloud over with that same mist of desire that filled the eyes of the bedazzled yeoman warders and coldstream guards.

“That’s right. Just like a moth to a flame. Go towards the sparkly light, Bastion. That’s where you’ll find true happiness”, he said.

But just then, almost like a person talking in his sleep he heard the super policeman reply, struggling back to consciousness.

“Everything you’ve shown me certainly looks beautiful”, said Bastion, “But there’s one thing that I desire more than anything”.

“Yes”, said Desire, “Well just name it and you shall have it by looking into the jewel”.

Bastion’s right hand shot out, grabbing hold of the shining jewel and crushing it, with a loud crunching sound, until powdered gemstone poured from between the knuckles of his clenched, gloved fist.

“To see you in jail”, he said, his eyes becoming, not just clear, but bright as if filled with the glow of an inner light.

The grin faded from Desires face and was quickly replaced with a startled look of terror as Bastion grabbed hold of the collar of his golden suit and yanked him up into the air so that his golden boots were dangling above the ground.

“Yipes”, exclaimed the criminal, feeling like a worm dangling helplessly on a hook.

“Oh but don’t feel too bad”, said the super police officer, a tiger like grin now spreading across his normally grave,humourless features, “Because… though you didn’t get the crown jewels, I have some other sparkly jewellery for you”.

“You do?”, asked Desire, slightly bewildered but becoming more cheery.

However, then he saw the Super detective snap some ultrapol handcuffs around his wrists and the crooks heart sank.