Shadow Guardians - Genesis

by Albert Long

  “It’s been almost fifteen years since I visited Selda,” Fozzley said. She’s a bit eccentric, but deep down she has a pure heart. All I ask is that you show her respect and do exactly as she says, no matter how illogical or odd,” Fozzley said. “A nut case, huh,” Miguel laughed. “I think what she will have to tell us will be of the utmost importance to you in particular, Miguel, if my suspicions are correct,” Fozzley said. Miguel gave Fozzley a puzzled look.

  When the arrived at 431 Menessman Street, Mimi, Jericho, Matt, and Miguel studied the exterior of the red, brick building with the green awning. “Forever Homes,” read the sign hanging from a metal pole protruding from the building above the awning. The place looked half abandoned, aside from the perfect landscaping and flower garden that ran along three of its four corners. “Let’s get inside,” Fozzley said. The cab driver gave him another look of bewilderment. “I always get the crazies,” he muttered to himself. “That’ll be twenty,” the driver said to Fozzley. Fozzley handed the man a twenty-dollar bill. “Plus my tip,” the driver said rudely. Fozzled ruffled in his pockets and pulled out a five dollar bill and handed it to the driver. The trunk of the cab popped open. Fozzley got his bags, and walked with the children to the front door of the apartment building. The cab sped away.

  Fozzley buzzed apartment “136”, and waited. There was no answer. He pressed the “call” button once more. Still no answer. He poised his forefinger to press the button again, and a voice answered before he could complete the motion. “Who are you,” the raspy voice inquired. “Selda, it’s Ed Fozzley,” he said. “Who,” the woman asked. “Ed. Ed Fozzley, the old undertaker from Craven’s Funeral Home,” Fozzley said. “Oh. Oh, dear. Come in. Come in,” Selda said, her voice noticeably filled with excitement. The front door made a popping sound, as the lock released. Fozzley opened the door and waived for the children to enter. Matt, Jericho, Miguel, and Mimi floated into the building. Fozzley followed. “Selda won’t be able to see you,” Fozzley warned the children. “She does have a gift that allows her to hear the dead, though,” he added. “When she’s speaking to you, try to stay in front of her”.

  When they arrived at apartment number 136, Fozzley gently rapped on the door. Within an instant, a very short, stout, woman with dyed red hair, and spectacles opened the door. The odor of cat urine flowed from the room. Several felines circled her legs, purring and meowing. “Eddie,” the woman said, embracing Fozzley in a bear hug, his beard rubbing her bosom. “It’s been too long,” she added. “About fifteen years,” Fozzley replied.

  “It’s okay, children,” I know you’re there. “By my count, there are four of you—three boys and a girl,” Selda said. “Pleased to meet you,” Mimi said, extending her hand, then retracting it after realizing that Selda couldn’t see her. Matt changed to his human form. “I’m Matt,” he said, extending his hand. Selda didn’t show the slightest bit of amazement to have a ghost morph into human form and appear before her. She shook his hand. “That’s some gift,” she said to Matt. “I’m Jericho. Nice to meet you,” Jericho said. “First African American ghost I’ve met in several months. You’d think you’d run into more of them here in Brooklyn,” Selda said. “Nice to meet you, Jericho,” she added. “Now, who’s the shy one,” Selda asked. “I’m Miguel, and I’m far from shy,” Miguel said. “Such power,” Selda said. Fozzley looked at her with amazement.

  “Let’s all have a seat in the living room, so Ed can tell me why he broke fifteen year’s silence to visit me with four Demi-geists,” Selda said. They followed her to the living room. Fozzley took a seat in the recliner. The screams of a cat made him jump up from the chair, and a black cat leaped from the recliner. Fozzley sat back down. Selda took a seat on the floor, her legs crossed Indian-style. The children all sat on the couch. “So, what’s on your mind,” Selda asked Fozzley.

  “Can I talk to you in private for a moment,” Fozzley asked Selda. “Sure thing,” she said. “Kids, make yourself at home. There’s sugar and juice in the kitchen. We’ll be right back,” Selda said to the invisible children and Matt. Selda led Fozzley to her bedroom and shut the door. “You’ve mellowed out a lot, Ed,” Selda said. No more battling the Tarrons or soul-catchers,” she asked. “That’s part of the reason I’m here,” Fozzley said. “I think the boy, Miguel, may be a Tarron.” Selda sat on the bed, her knees shaking. “There’s only six of them on the planet that we know of,” she said. “I know,” Fozzley acknowledged. “What makes you think he may be on that level,” Selda asked. “The boy defeated Orin, Jordin, Clause, and nine ghosts by himself. He wielded power that I haven’t witnessed, including controlling the elements and doing it with ease. I suspect he’s only tapped the surface of his powers,” Fozzley said. “But, Tarrons are one in a billion creations,” Selda said. “Have The Legion of Six made any attempts for him,” Selda asked. “I don’t think they know, yet,” Fozzley said.

  “After the word gets around about him defeating the Soulcatchers alone, I’m sure their interest will be peaked. They’ll come for him. It’s just a matter of time,” Fozzley said. “Are you going to tell him,” Selda asked. “Not just yet,” Fozzley said. “That would mean telling him who I am, and I’m not ready for that,” he added. “What do you need me to do,” Selda asked. “Well, I want you to interact with them and let me know what you sense. With Miguel, I want you to see if you pick up any vibes that he’s a Tarron,” Fozzley said. “Do you still have that place over on Striker Avenue that you used to rent out,” Fozzley asked. “Yeah, it just went back on the market,” Selda replied. “We’ll take it,” Fozzley said. “So long as no battles with the Tarrons or with Soulcatchers level the place, it’s yours,” Selda said. Fozzley laughed. “I intend to shepherd these children and protect them from Tarrons and Soulcatchers,” he said. “Still got that fighting spirit, huh, Ed,” Selda asked.

  “It’s been some years, but I can still give a soul catcher a match; Tarrons are a different matter. I’ve never met one that wasn’t inclined towards mischief and chaos, particularly with respect to the human race—always trying to purge the population and rule over them, causing disasters, and promoting evil actions. I hope that I can save Miguel, should it be determined that our suspicions are correct and he is in fact a Tarron.” There was a knock at the door. “Come in,” Selda said. Matt walked into the room. “You forgot we were waiting for you, Foz,” Matt asked. “No, we’ll be on our way in a little while. First, I want all of you to have the chance to get to know Selda a little better. I have a feeling that she’s going to be a good resource for the team in the days to come,” Fozzley said.

  The gang sat around and talked to Selda for a while. Characteristic of teenagers, however, they were soon wanting for bigger adventures. “I’m bored,” Matt said. “You know what that means,” Miguel replied. “Anyone up for schooling the newbie on our favorite hobby,” asked Matt, pointing to Jericho. “Count me in,” Mimi said. The children let Fozzley know that they were going out for a couple of hours and left the house.

  They found themselves walking down a street two blocks from Selda’s place. “See those teenagers sitting in that car smoking,” Mimi said. “Yo, that’s not tobacco,” Miguel added. “Come on,” Matt waived. Matt turned to human form. He walked up to the Volkswagen, knocked on the window, and waited. The kids inside stopped moving around and turned down the radio. Matt knocked again. Miguel shined blue lights in the car from his fists. The kids could be heard coughing. “Open that door,” Matt said in his best imitation of a police officer. The doors to the car unlocked, and the window went down. A bushy-haired kid, no older than sixteen, wearing a black jumpsuit reached his head out the window. “Yes,” he said. “You shouldn’t do drugs,” Matt said. “Sir,” the boy asked. “It makes you see things like this”! Matt morphed his face from a pale, blonde to a dark, African American. The boy screamed, turned the car on, and drove away. Miguel, Jericho, and Mimi were on their knees laughing and half-crying. Matt joined them. They laughed and hissed and described what had
happened to each other several times.

  “That was too hilarious,” Mimi said. “Let’s run another one,” Jericho said. “You guys are too much,” he added. “A woman this time,” Mimi said. “A woman. Someone else who needs to be taught a lesson,” she added. “I know,” Mimi said, “let’s go to the park”. Jericho and Matt were still on the ground laughing. “Get up, you guys,” Mimi demanded. “Let’s get going, while we have time”. Miguel extended his hand to Jericho and helped him up. Then he did the same for Matt. Once all were upright, they followed Mimi.

  CHAPTER NINE: CHOSEN

  “Let me understand you,” Caroth said to Krizel, Shorman, Loth, Beegal, and Kristh. “What we thought to be a child Demi-geist defeated three Soulcatchers and nine ghosts by himself, wielding only powers over the elements”? “He did so in such destructive fashion that it is said that the Soulcatchers FEAR him now”? “That is correct my brother,” Krizel said. The others nodded agreement. “From what I’ve heard of his powers, it is being said that he transcends the abilities of Demi-geists and may be the foretold seventh and final Tarron that has been prophesized to lead us some day. We must find him, test him thoroughly and decide if we are to take him in, train him, and prepare him for the throne,” Caroth said. “Agreed,” Loth said. “I’ve heard that he is in the protection and care of our old friend Fozzley,” Kristh said. Caroth roared with laughter. “Nothing would make me happier than to crush Fozzley and take the child into our care,” he said. “First, let’s pay a little visit to the Soulcatchers, Orin, Jordin, and Clause,” Caroth said. “They’re knowledge and experiences may be useful to us.

  Clause, Orin, and Jordin hovered around the spot on the docks where days earlier they had mounted an unsuccessful attempt to capture the Demi-geist known as Miguel Menedez. They hoped visiting this spot would reveal clues about the young ghost, the scope of his true powers, and more importantly, what they could do to finally take him. “There were no storms in the area that night,” Clause said. “We have to conclude that he conjured them with his powers. The ease with which he fended us off and repelled our powers and weapons suggests that he is not just a Demi-geist as we have believed to this point,” he added. “You think he is the one that The Six have been seeking to come forth, as prophesized,” Jordin asked. “I can see no other conclusion,” Jordin replied.

  “If he’s just a Demi-geist, he is by far the most powerful to have existed. His friends are gifted with powers, but theirs’ are in infancy compared to the Menendez boy,” Jordin added. “Perhaps they are all Tarrons,” Orin suggested. “Tarrons are the rarest form of ghosts,” Clause said. “It would be astronomically unlikely that they possess such powers. It’s true that they have yet to discover the extent of their capabilities, but I do not sense that they are Tarrons. I am troubled to admit it, but the ease with which the boy defeated us, without aid from his friends, instantly struck me as on the level of a Tarron when we battled that night”. “I think we should proceed on the premise that he is indeed the seventh and final Tarron,” Orin said. “What does that mean for us and for our attempts to finally bring him to judgment and end his days on earth,” Jordin asked. “I think our goal remains the same—to capture him,” Orin replied. “I do see another angle to this, however. “If The Six have concluded as we have that he is a Tarron, then they will stop at nothing to find and acquire him.

  They believe the seventh Tarron is destined to lead them to world domination, over humans, ghosts, angels, and all other creatures. If they get him, the world may be upon the brink of its darkest days. We have managed to battle the Tarrons—The Six—despite their considerable advantages and powers, but I fear that the addition of the boy will make it impossible for us to continue to thwart their goals,” Orin added. “We have to find the boy, end his days on earth, and keep him from the hands of The Six,” Jordin said, rather dryly and with some concern in his voice. “Call a gathering of the other Soulcatchers—Fidex, Wasu, and Melay. We will need all of our combined strength to fight The Six, should it come to that. In the meantime, our goal is to find the boy,” Jordin finished.

  A loud thunder on the horizon boomed. Flashes of fire swooshed towards the place where the Soulcatchers were meeting. There were six flaming objects approaching fast. “On your guards,” Orin commanded. Each soul catcher drew his flaming sword, and they held hands, forming a protective field around them. The flaming objects landed, and The Six stepped forward. “We do not come to destroy you this day,” Orin, Jordin, and Clause, nor the other Soulcatchers,” Krizel said. “We come to bargain”. The Soulcatchers continued their defensive posture. “What is it that you want,” Orin asked.

  “We seek the boy who defeated you here that night,” Krizel said. “We do not know his whereabouts,” Clause said. “You lie,” Caroth roared, “but nevertheless, we sense his death trail—his and the other children and our old friend, Fozzley,” Krizel said. “So, they have fled with Fozzley to safer places,” Caroth laughed. “Be warned, Soulcatchers. We know that you intend to keep the boy from us and deliver him for judgment and removal from this planet. You would be wise to stay out of our way and the destiny of the boy, the seventh Tarron”. There was a large plume of smoke, blinding the Soulcatchers. When it cleared, The Six were gone.

  CHAPTER TEN: CHOSEN

  Selda had asked them questions for hours on end and had them demonstrate their powers through “assessment challenges,” as she called them. Mimi’s tests were mostly mental—gauging the scope of any telepathic powers, telekinetic powers, powers of persuasion, charging spirits with elemental engery and tracking spirits. Selda concluded that Mimi was talented, but far less advanced in using her gifts than Selda would have guessed. It was a matter of time before she would wield any awe inspiring powers, Selda had told her. Miguel’s tests assessed his powers over the elements—particularly electricity and fire. In one test, he turned himself into pure electricity and reached a recorded temperature of 25,657 degrees. Miguel’s ability to control the weather was tested. He produced storms, tornados, gale-force winds, rain, sleet, and snow. Selda concluded and informed Miguel that he was among the most powerful spirits that she ever met, but could use an attitude adjustment before he fully mastered his powers. “You’re too much in love with yourself to take risks, and it takes risks to reach higher platforms of power,” Selda told him.

  Selda spent the least amount of time testing Matt’s powers. “You can change to a human form, huh,” Selda asked with a smug smile. After testing him, Selda concluded that Matt had the best control of his gift compared to the other children but was likely over-looking some other ability and not allowing it to develop.

  Finally, Selda tested Jericho. She gauged the radius of his power to control people’s thoughts, his ability to touch people and make them do as he said, and his ability to amplify other spirits powers, particularly Mimi’s. Selda concluded that Jericho might someday rival Miguel in power, but was a novice and needed much polishing. Miguel, Mimi, Jericho, and Matt gulped bottle after bottle of pineapple and grape juice following the testing sessions. They were drained. As they rode with Fozzley and Selda to the new home that Selda was renting to them, not a word was spoken.

  Fozzley looked at them in the rearview mirror and smiled. It was a nervous happiness. He was happy to be assisting such gifted youth with such a noble mission, but terrified at the same time that they were being sought by both the Tarrons and the Soulcatchers. The Tarrons only cared about acquiring Miguel at any cost, but would likely let the other children be, so long as they did not interfere in the Tarron’s goal to obtain Miguel. The Soulcatchers wanted to capture all of the children, bring them to judgment and remove their souls from the earth. Fozzley wondered how he (and Selda) could stand against such power.

  When she was sure that the children could not hear her speak, Selda turned up the radio in the car and whispered to Fozzley. “I’m convinced that Miguel is the seventh Tarron,” she said. “The others are much more powerful than any Demi-geists I have seen in my
time, but they have much to learn about themselves and their powers. You know The Six are coming for Miguel,” she said. “I can feel their presence in the astral plane, headed this way”. “Selda,” Fozzley said, “you’re an angel on earth”. “Indeed. Indeed,”she said.

  “I don’t know about you,” Miguel said, “but I’m ready to get back to what we came together to do. Let’s help some children,” he added. “I agree,” said Mimi. “I’ve got an idea,” Matt said. “Let’s walk the subway and have Mimi use her gift to sense those who need help.” “Let’s go,” Jericho said. “I’ll go let Fozzley know we’re going out for a couple of hours,” Mimi said. Almost immediately, Mimi’s head hurt. There was a sharp pain for thirty seconds, then she could hear Fozzley’s voice in her ears. “Be very careful,” he said. “Look out for Soulcatcher and others who seem to have ill intentions”. Mimi thought and whispered, “we will”. “Fozzley knows,” Mimi told the group. “How,” Matt asked. Somehow, we just communicated telepathically,” Mimi said. There’s a lot Fozzely isn’t telling us,” Miguel said. “I think there’s more to him than just an old man who can communicate with the dead,” he added. “I’m sure he’ll tell us everything in time,” Mimi said. “Let’s hit the subway,” Matt replied.