The Joining: The Saga of the Shards Book One (The Cycle of the Shards 1)

by Chris Stephenson

  “WHAT?” There was a slight whine to Jim’s voice, betraying the fear he felt that he hoped had been covered up.

  “I NEED YOU AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE LOOKING FOR DANIEL.” Critock wished the seemingly never-ending rush of students would quiet down, but there were at least two thousand people in this school, and while the early screamers had been able to run out, eventually the crowds became too dense, especially with people falling down and a few disabled teenagers in the mix.

  Jim shook his head frantically. “NO WAY! HE DID THIS!”

  “AND WE HAVE TO STOP HIM FROM DOING IT TO ANYONE ELSE. IF YOU SEE HIM, DO NOT ENGAGE, I’LL BE THERE IN A MINUTE.” Jim stood still, shocked, and looked at Claire, who had half-heartedly attempted to follow Phelps, but froze up again at the sight of a dead body.. Critock sighed as he heard renewed screams from those that had made it outside only to be faced with the third bully’s body. It wasn’t fair to ask these kids to become soldiers. But unfortunately the situation had forced them to grow up in a hurry. “I’LL TAKE CARE OF CLAIRE, YOU NEED TO MOVE NOW!” He bellowed, and Jim suddenly was startled out of his shock. Taking a last look at his sister, he nodded, and began to join with the masses as the rush carried him to the lobby. Critock made his way over to Claire as quickly as he could, putting his arm around her. If she noticed he was there, he could not tell.

  “C’mon, Claire, in here…” He steered her to a now empty classroom. As they entered, she crossed immediately to the window and stared outside, down at the parking lot where hundreds of students were now gathering around the parked vehicles. Critock didn’t follow, but he attempted to reassure her. “You’ll be safe in here. Try and catch your breath, okay? It’ll all be over soon.” He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him, muttering under his breath as he did so. “One way or another.”

  “What’s the plan, boss?” Tom had flown down and placed himself directly in front of Critock. He was still speaking loudly, but the crowd noise had lessened somewhat as the students thinned out.

  “Outside, do a couple orbits around the school, if he’s gotten outside we need to catch up with him.”

  “Gotcha.” He started to fly off, but turned back. “What are you going to do?”

  Critock started to walk towards the stairwell. “Check his locker! Maybe he doesn’t have the Shards yet. Main lobby when you’re done!” The wisp flew off, and Critock hopped down the stairs as quickly as he could, being careful not to run over anyone who had fallen or been pushed and were having trouble getting back up.

  Now he was operating directly from Kyle’s memory, and he happily received no resistance. Daniel’s locker wasn’t that far off from Kyle’s, so there was no trouble finding it. He knew there was little chance that Pt’ron hadn’t retrieved the Shards before he had started killing people, but it was still worth a look. It was too late for the plans they had developed to work, now it was on to another phase, one where the best course of action was to contain the situation. The Shards had not activated yet, and the missiles had not arrived. There was still time to save both this world and his own, to say nothing of their lives. He knew praying would do nothing, but he did so anyway to whatever deity ruled this planet, in hopes that something, somehow, would start to go their way.

  The pandemonium had lessened in the main lobby, but there was still a large crush of people pushing and shoving their way towards and through the main doors, half of which were locked for security from the outside. Jim had been operating on autopilot to get down here, but now was gripped with fear. He didn’t understand why he had obeyed the alien masquerading as his friend anyway, who’s to say he didn’t actually kill Brian? After all, it was him the bullies had run afoul of lately! As well, he had left Claire with him! What had he been thinking? Even after all those thoughts, he still glanced around him trying to get a glimpse of Daniel. He wasn’t sure what he would do if he did see him. Scream and run away himself? Tackle him and try to play the hero? This wasn’t anything he had ever been prepared for. All he wanted to do was make it through the day! Was that so bad!

  “JIM!” He was startled by the yell, and thought for a moment that Daniel had found him instead, and then would probably end him just for hanging around Kyle! But as he turned automatically, he was relieved to just see John Clarkson moving towards him.

  “What the hell is going on! Someone said like ten kids are dead? The school’s actually on fire this time?” John was panicking from the misheard rumors, and Jim felt a little better that he at least had some idea what was going on, even though it sounded insane even to himself.

  “Three. Brian, Travis, and the girl that hung around with them.” John put a hand to his mouth in shock as Jim continued. “And dude, the rest of this you aren’t even going to believe.” He quickly looked around, not seeing the source of his search. “Have you seen Daniel?”

  “No! I’ve been looking for you and him and Kyle and Claire and Shanna! Have you seen him?”

  To try and calm him down, Jim put two hands on John, one on each shoulder. “Ok, just listen to me for a second. We’re all in a lot of trouble.”

  Empty. Critock knew it would be, but that one little stretch of hope that still dwelled within him wouldn’t be quiet. Well, now maybe it’ll shut up, he thought as he started to walk away from the locker. He noticed that the halls were almost completely empty by now, and assumed the main lobby would be well on it’s way. Behind him, Phelps ran up behind him.

  “Anything?”

  “Empty locker. Hopefully someone’s got something at the lobby.”

  They were silent for a moment, but Phelps could not pass up this opportunity. “You’re really an alien?”

  Critock sighed. “Yes, on this planet. And if we all live through this I’ll be happy to answer all the questions you have.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve been waiting my whole life…”

  “And now here I am, and I might not be able to stop a would-be-God from killing everything on this planet. Honestly, I’d suggest another dream. Something involving enjoying your life here and not up there. Up there kinda sucks, honestly.” He winced, knowing that some of Kyle’s vernacular was starting to pervade his speak, but didn’t think any further of it as they moved into the main area, by now only populated by a few dozen students still trying to escape, being shepherded by the few remaining brave teachers, who themselves were anxious to get out. In the center of the lobby stood John and Jim, John staring bug-eyed at Critock, while Jim had regressed into a state of shock again.

  “Find anything?” Critock addressed Jim, who shook his head.

  “Daniel didn’t come out this way! We both looked! Can we leave now?” Jim asked frantically.

  Critock looked at the speechless John. “’We’. He knows?”

  Jim quickly defended himself, not knowing if Critock would suddenly become some kind of horrifying monster. “I had to! I needed help! Please…Where’s my sister?”

  Critock looked at him strangely, then realized that it wasn’t the situation that Jim was scared about, but it was him. “It’s fine, it doesn’t matter now. Claire’s good, she’s in a classroom upstairs, she’s got to process this. Good job both of you, you can get outside with the others.” Jim quickly nodded and began to head off, while John stood stock still, finding his voice.

  “You’re an alien.”

  Critock sighed as John walked up to him and poked him with a single index finger. “Yes.”

  “But…You’re…You’re an alien.”

  Critock shook his head. “YES. Now get out of here, because there’s another one and he’s a lot less tolerant than I am!” He yelled at John, who was quickly pulled by the arm by Jim, who had headed back once he realized he was at the door alone. Together, they moved out to the parking lot, as Shanna joined Critock in the center of the now empty lobby. They could hear student’s yelling and crying from inside, but otherwise all was quiet.

  “Anything?” Shanna sadly shook her head. Phelps looked at the ceiling in thought a
s they heard a door open slightly. Tom came flying in and shook from side to side, confirming his lack of discovery as well. Critock pinched the sides of his forehead as he thought.

  “Ok…So he’s still in the building somewhere. Why? Why stay in? Shanna, peek in the office real quick.” As she jogged off quickly, he turned to Tom. “I really don’t want to have to go classroom to classroom in here. This isn’t like him.”

  Tom sighed. “Couple thousand years in this place could change a man.” They were interrupted by a sharp scream, and Shanna backing up out of the office. “What? What is it?” Tom flew over to her side.

  “It’s…Principal Tompkins! He was frozen or something and…”

  “And shattered.” Critock confirmed the horrifying news. “So the Icer still works. That’s good.”

  Suddenly the fire alarm shut off, and there was a harsh squeal over the school intercom, which was replaced by an even harsher laugh, a laugh that only one of the group could identify. It was not Daniel. It was fully Pt’ron.

  “WELCOME TO EARTH!” The voice bellowed out into every room and hall of the empty school, and Shanna drew closer to Critock, Phelps slightly behind, and Tom off to their right. “I have to say, whoever you are, you’ve done an absolutely terrible job at blending in. I mean, starting fights? Destroying property? I’ve been here for years and I haven’t so much as squashed a spider!”

  Critock whispered back to Phelps. “Where’s this coming from?”

  Phelps shook his head. “Could be anywhere. The intercoms are wireless. He’s probably got a microphone from the office.”

  “But still, you’ve come all this way! Don’t worry! The Shards have been safe with me. More than I can say than they would be with Marconia, or with the Mandragora, or anywhere else! I’m happy that Marconia could send what is undoubtedly their finest soldiers to witness this glorious day! Thousands of cycles of waiting all for right now! Just wait right there, if you please. I’ll see you soon!”

  Critock nodded. “I knew it. He’s a diva. He wanted an audience. He still doesn’t know which one of us is here to get him. Well, that’s about to change. Shanna?”

  Her heart pounding from the just-delivered message, she replied shakily. “Ye-Yeah?”

  “Give me the sword.”

  It took a moment but she soon came to her senses, and she unzipped Critock’s bag and reached in. She picked the thin, light cylinder up with a few fingers to pull it out, but grasped it fully in her right hand to bring it the rest of the way, in order to give it to Critock. What was intended was, as with anyone else that would have grabbed it, the sword would stay unrevealed until Critock could hold it. That was not what happened.

  As her hand closed around the handle, the sword erupted into life, no different than if Critock would have held it himself. As they looked on with astonishment, the blade fit into it’s familiar pattern, somehow being held together and assembled with magic older than the universe itself. Instead of the orange arcing electricity and glow that occurred when Critock held the Sword of Kon, a light green aura surrounded the weapon.

  Critock took an involuntary step back as Tom floated stock still, shocked at the sword activating. Phelps’ eyes were wide and he looked at Critock. “Was that supposed to happen?”

  Critock shook his head. “No. No it was not.” Tom flew down to Shanna, who, already spooked from the sword coming to life, jumped when the wisp suddenly appeared in front of her face.

  “HOW DID YOU DO THAT? HOW?” Tom frantically asked the cheerleader, who shook her head.

  “I don’t know! I just grabbed it! That’s what happens when he grabs it!”

  Critock, trying to regain his composure despite being internally freaked out, took a step back to her. “Shanna, the only person that’s ever made that sword be able to do anything besides be a paperweight is me.” Their eyes met, and for once it was Critock’s that were filled with awe.

  The moment was broken when there was another loud sound of laughter, coming from the west hallway up above, but moving closer. “Give me the sword.” Critock whispered quickly, and she obliged. As soon as Critock had it, the sword changing colors from blue to orange the instant he took ownership of it, he twisted his wrist slightly, and the sword reformed back to just a handle. He tucked the handle in the back of his jeans, then turned and looked up, ready to face his enemy.

  The laughter stopped, and the group followed Critock’s gaze to the top of the stairs. They heard his footsteps before they saw him, and all of them tried to mentally prepare themselves for whatever was about to happen.

  He ran a hand across the upstairs banister as he came into view, walking slowly, deliberately. To anyone who had known him before today, there was no difference in his look now and his look any other day, save for two ripped holes in his shirt where Critock supposed his arms had ripped out of. His hair was a little more wild, but only when you got closer did you realize there was something different about him. His face had the look of maniac, with a wide toothy grin that had come out for no reason and eyes that darted to and fro. This was him. This was the man he had been looking for. Not the student with a rough past and a unique point of view, not a friend, but someone who belonged in an asylum rather than a school.

  Pt’ron stood at the top of the steps , his hands outstretched. “Welcome, friends.” He announced loudly, and raised both hands to the sky, praising the day.

  His time had finally come.

  The two paired missiles had not deviated from their path, and they still were on target. They had not yet automatically activated their tandem systems that would eradicate all life on the planet’s surface, as they had just crossed the halfway point between Jupiter and Earth. It would be another full fifteen to twenty minutes local time before the first would reach its goal. Which was unfortunate, as the first Shard’s awakening was imminent.

  35

  “Well! Look at all of you.” Pt’ron looked down upon Critock and his group with a smirk. “I’m honored that after all this time I still merited an entourage from the mighty Marconian Empire. How many?” He sneered at them, Tom hovering behind Critock even though Pt’ron’s human eyes wouldn’t be able to see him. “How many soldiers and loyal servants did the Qua’roti send for me? What am I worth after all this time? I see you, ‘Kyle’. Who else?”

  Critock stepped forward, his voice not quite sounding like the teenager’s but still masking his identity. “Just me.”

  Pt’ron scoffed. “Really? One lonely hunter all the way across the universe? Which means…” He started laughing again. “You’ve…had nothing to rely on but humans? This lot? I’m amazed you’re still alive! HA!” He paced back and forth across the top of the stair. “So, how is the Empire these days? Alpha still running the show?” Critock didn’t answer, nor did Pt’ron expect one, and continued with another question. “So, what do you think of my home?”

  Critock couldn’t help himself. “Your…home?”

  “Well, I’ve been here for a thousand cycles…Oh hell, TWO THOUSAND YEARS! I’ve fought so hard to keep from going native. But it’s not been bad. Oh sure, the people and science and religion and everything are so rudimentary they might as well still be monkeys for all they’re worth, but there is a certain charm it takes a hundred years or so to figure out.”

  Phelps was seething, and had to yell out. “I like to think we’ve worth a little more than a monkey! Considering you had to pretend to be one of us for so long!”

  Pt’ron rolled his eyes. “Pathetically easy. I’d assume ‘Kyle’ here wasn’t exactly top of his class. First rule. Blend in means you actually try and blend in. Don’t pick a fight with the biggest bully in the school your first day in. A spy you are NOT!”

  “Why him! Why Daniel!” Shanna yelled angrily at their adversary.

  “Why indeed? Why not. Oh, I’ve been so many different people! Done so many things in so many lives. Did you know how easy it is to maneuver yourself into power on this planet? Just control the right person and presto!” He s
lowly started walking down the stairs, as Critock and the group held their ground. “I’ve been dictators, I’ve been Presidents, I’ve been soldiers and I’ve been slaves. And now when the time has finally come, there’s no place quite as easy to hide as a child.”

  “You’re sick.” Critock spat.

  “I’m smart! There’s a difference, my dear hunter. Children here are supposed to be different from one day to the next. So many emotions and hormones and medication running through their bodies. So easy to manipulate. Nobody notices a bully changing his stripes to become respected. Why should they? It’s ‘all part of growing up!’ Nobody actually tells you what that’s supposed to mean, so you can get away with anything! There’s no discipline, no order, just a loosely controlled chaos held together by strings of respect that those in power have in no way earned!” He stopped on the middle step, and Shanna let out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. “My God, it’s beautiful here.”

  “So you come here and hide with your little toys. It’s done! Why not leave!” Phelps yelled up, already realizing that his life was forfeit when faced with these otherworldly beings.

  “Well, you kind of get used to the smell. I’ve been here a long time. Even with TWO Shards, the Empire only sends one man to face me. Or woman. I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are under there.” Critock stood silently, only giving his old friend a hateful glare. “Nobody out there will appreciate me, at least as I am now. So I will rule. I’ll bring this blight of a planet up to a scale it wouldn’t reach in another million years! This world will become the engine of my new Federation. We’ll gather the dregs of the universe, those the almighty Marconians have forgotten in their quest to be the only power worth anything. And then the Empire will fall! The Mandragora will fall! The new order of the Universe will begin right here, just as it was in the great War of the Shards!!”