The snow was really coming down from covering the city in a fluffy white blanket. Traffic slowed to a crawl and Christmas music started to loosely begin to play on the radio stations. For many people the holidays were their favorite time of the year and for others it was a nuisance. But for many it was a way to distract from the news and reports of explosions on the other side of the city.
Hawk’s massive wings flapped, like thunder rumbling in the air. He stared at the island as the last few vestiges of black light disappeared. The snow came down discolored black like ash and covered the island. It made it hard to see the remains. Hawk scoffed. He wanted to see the bodies. Wanted to see that he’d finally done it.
As the last of the black light faded, six colored lights made their presences known. They were huddled together under the blackened skeleton of Jack’s guardian. This close they could see the frame work of it. It was a barebones robotic skeleton on par with their armor. It took the brunt of the blast for them like a real guardian.
It flickered in and out of sight as Jack struggled to remain standing. His armor was all but gone and only his helmet was still there but the visor was cracked open. Despite his protection the other five were limping here and there and not in great shape.
“Everyone okay?” Marco asked looking around, his helmet long since blown away. Seth’s pale hands were exposed to the air and his chest piece cracked. Cal’s helmet was cracked open exposing his hair and he was holding the broken hilt of a sword. Kathryn’s staff was broken in two pieces, energy crackling on both ends. Likewise Sarah’s axes were discarded, broken but half of her helmet was shattered revealing her bleeding face.
“I’d say that’s a no handsome,” she said looking toward the guardian standing over them. “This thing protected us?”
Jack nodded coughing into his hand and glanced over his shoulder. “Turns out Ley was saving something good for me. Big guys awesome.”
“That thing looks like it’s on its last legs though,” Seth said shaking his hands out before making fists again. “And he’s looking ready for another attack.”
“Deju vu am I right?” Cal looked down at his broken sword and tossed it away.
“Except instead of a robot it’s a,” Kathryn waved her hand to the sky. “A that.”
The air shifted again and they all looked toward the sky. Hawk was moving his wings again. Both hands were moving almost as if they were in slow motion as they began to glow.
“You’re like a bunch of rats in the alley,” he said and his voice echoed across the air like the distant rumble of thunder. “But you know what they say. If at first you don’t succeed, blow the island up again.”
“Pretty sure that’s not the phrase,” Jack said snorting and then froze. “Wait. Deju Vu?”
“Yeah. Us against a giant monster thing,” Cal repeated.
Jack snapped his figners, “Of course. Okay. Okay! I got an idea. Give me your stones guys! Hurry!”
Seth stared at him and laughed, “What you’re going to have the giant rocket launcher this time?”
“Not quite,” Jack replied not able to keep the grin off his face.
Marco looked at him raising his eyebrow, “What are you planning?”
“I think this guy is our ticket to winning,” he tapped one of the guardian’s legs.
Nodding slowly Marco sighed and let the power fade away back into the necklace. Taking it off he placed it in Jack’s hand and Jack felt a surge of power to the point where his wounds just didn’t hurt anymore. He could still feel them throbbing dully but no more than that.
But beyond that to his surprise his guardian shifted, standing taller and its chest now sported red armor. It was moving smoother, faster. Seth and Kathryn gave him their stones and Jack could feel the energy like a cool breeze in the desert. Standing taller he felt his guardian move in tandem, its arms gaining purple and blue armor. The same happened to its legs once Cal gave him his stone.
Lastly Sarah stood in front of him sliding her stone off her wrist. She placed it into Jack’s hand as well and met his eyes. She leaned forward and kissed him hard staring into his eyes, “You better not die on me Jack.”
“Not the plan,” he said softly and then looked at Marco who gave him a softer kiss.
Turning to face his guardian it stared down at him, its armor in varying colors but somehow interlocking together into one unit. It’s golden helmet tiled back and forth and then crouched in front of him. Jack walked toward it, placing his hand on its chest and everything turned white. Next thing he knew he was towering over the five of them. He was inside of the guardian now. He and the guardian were one.
Raising his hand, he saw a metallic one instead and felt their power running through him. He turned around taking a few hulking steps. He crouched and then jumped leaving the island behind as he soared toward Hawk. Whipping the scythe out he closed the distance in moments and Hawk’s wings spread wide. Flexing his feathers, he launched them like missiles, half at him and half back at the island.
Grasping the scythe, he slid to the side and positioned himself in front of the island scattering each of the projectiles down into the lake. Once he caught them, he spun the scythe backwards and flexed it behind his shoulders. Hawk glared at him and two spheres of black formed in his palms.
Jack swung the blade and Hawk deflected it back and forth. Each blow caused a shockwave in the air but they were evenly matched. Hawk thrust one arm forward and Jack blocked with a blue shield. Tossing the scythe to his other hand he punched Hawk in the chest purple energy exploding on contact.
Hawk glared and screamed, “Just fucking die already!”
Grabbing the scythe with both hands the blade of the weapon flashed a bright yellow, “You first!”
Jack surged forward and floated around one thrust of Hawk’s hand. The other came at his blind spot going through his chest. But he shimmered pink and disappeared as the real Jack came appeared behind in a flash of red light. Swinging the scythe he swung and the blade caught at his shoulder. Lightning crackled as he dragged the blade backwards. Screaming he slashed straight through Hawk’s chest with a boom of thunder.
The scythe glowed as it cleaved through Hawk cutting him in half. Jack stared at Hawk’s face and then at the halves as they began to glow with black light. He crossed his arms in front of his face covering his body in blue light when the halves exploded covering the sky in darkness.
The Harlequin Library 