Knight School: A Mystic Brats Novel Vol. 1

I woke up in a hospital bed. Mr. Louis stood over me. His expression was grim.

“Are you alright, Ms. Brooks?”

“I think so,” I replied. “Sir, where are we? What happened?”

“We are currently inside Legend Headquarters,” said Mr. Louis. “This is their infirmary. As for what happened... Ms. Roman and I arrived with reinforcements just as your fellow students had begun to fight. The Legend Agents joined the battle and limited casualties as I gathered Mr. Gardner and Mr. Dickenson. They told us you went down to the Detention Center to confront Ocron. So, I brought Mr. Gardner, Mr. Dickenson, and Ms. Roman with me to save you.”

“Why did you bring Jason, Nara, and Barry with you?” I asked.

“This whole adventure started with the four of you Mystic Brats, and I thought it needed to be the four of you who ended it,” said Mr. Louis. “Then after you collapsed — Mr. Gardner ran to shield you from the explosion as it started.”

“Oh my —!”

The memory came rushing back, haunting me worse than my brother’s ghost ever could. Jason sacrificed himself for me. He took one last leap... and it was because of me. Because of my weakness...

“Together, with Ms. Roman amplifying my powers with a strengthening spell, we were able to teleport all five of us to the surface,” said Mr. Louis. “By that time the battle was over, and our side had won. We were also able to inject you in time to save your life.”

“But what about Jason?” I asked, fearfully.

“That’s what I wanted to show you,” he replied. “Come with me...”

Mr. Louis brought me down the hall, where Nara and Barry were standing over Jason’s burnt body. Nara was holding a necklace shaped like a crescent moon and looking almost as scared as I felt. “Are you ready, Sir Louis?”

“Not yet, Ms. Roman,” said Mr. Louis. “We need to explain this to Ms. Brooks.”

“Ex-explain what?” I asked, tears running down my face. “Is — is he still alive?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Louis. “Ms. Roman has placed a preserving spell on Mr. Gardner. It has put him in suspended animation, until...”

“Until what?” I asked. “There isn’t any type of magic or science that can save Jason!”

“Actually, Ms. Brooks, there is,” said Mr. Louis. “The reason Ms. Roman and I were absent for as long as we were — was because we were searching for a cure to heal all illnesses. The Lunar Necklace that Ms. Roman’s holding is the only item that can save Mr. Gardner and his mother. The thing is, it can heal every person in a family by fusing with just one of them, but it will take all of our powers to do so.”

“What do you mean?” I asked him. “Barry and I don’t have any powers.”

“Just because you and Mr. Dickenson don’t have a magical gene doesn’t mean you can’t contribute,” said Mr. Louis. “Every person in this room has a special connection to Mr. Gardner. Mr. Dickenson represents the loyalty that Mr. Gardner craved in a friend. Ms. Roman represents the innocence that he lost so long ago. I represent the only guidance Mr. Gardner has had since his grandfather disappeared. And, you, Ms. Brooks, represent the most important factor in our young Mr. Gardner’s life — true love. If we can channel these properties into Mr. Gardner through the Lunar Necklace... it may just save him from death itself. Will you help us, Ms. Brooks?”

I didn’t even hesitate.

“Yes.”

Mr. Louis, Nara, Barry, and I took each other’s hands as we formed a circle around Jason. Mr. Louis began to chant under his breath while placing the necklace around Jason’s neck. All five of us began to glow — a silver, magical, light poured out of our mouths to cover Jason’s body and then in a flash — we were no longer in the infirmary...

We were inside a museum. It was no longer nightfall, but a bright sunny day. Mr. Louis, Nara, Barry, and I had become transparent and Jason was gone.

“Where are we?” I asked. “Where’s Jason, Mr. Louis?”

Mr. Louis looked as if he had seen a ghost. “We are inside Mr. Gardner’s memories. The Lunar Necklace is in the process of healing him by connecting all of our souls. We’re now experiencing the most important memories of Mr. Gardner’s moments with us. This one... involves me.”

The museum’s glass doors opened as a thirteen-year-old Jason entered. He was wearing a red t-shirt, blue jeans, and tennis shoes with a backpack hanging on his shoulders. He was a few inches shorter than he is now and had longer hair. His eyes surveyed the area cautiously. He was nervous, if not scared, of this environment. It was like he had barely left home before.

“Uh, Mr. Louis?” asked Barry. “Can Jason or anyone here see us?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” said Mr. Louis. “We are mere trespassers in Mr. Gardner’s spiritual subconscious. We cannot change or alter these events... we can only observe.”

“Okay, this is seriously creepy!” said Barry.

“It’s not that bad,” said Nara. “I think it’s kind of cool.”

“You sure about that, witchy-woman?” asked Barry. “Because this is way out of my comfort zone!”

“Oh, grow up!” said Nara.

“Hello?” asked Jason. “Is anyone here?”

“Yes, can I help you?”

The four of us turned around to see a younger Mr. Louis entering from a dark room. “...I recognize you — you’re Eddie Stern’s grandson, aren’t you?”

Jason looked shocked at this recognition. “How did you know that? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Your resemblance to Eddie is uncanny,” said Mr. Louis. “All that’s missing is the crooked nose.”

“Yeah, Gramps broke his nose during a ballgame,” Jason smiled nervously. “He told me that you were the best translator in the country. That he trained you himself. I know that if there’s anyone who can help me find him — it’s you!”

“I heard that he had disappeared,” said Mr. Louis. “But I’m afraid that a translator such as myself would be useless in a manhunt. Unless... unless you have any clues to his whereabouts?”

Jason took a deep breath before speaking next. “Yes, I do... have a clue, I mean... Sir...”

“You’re new at this, aren’t you?” asked Mr. Louis.

“New at what?” asked Jason.

“The whole running away thing,” Mr. Louis replied. “Your mother called your school, the police, and then me. She noticed that the journal was missing shortly after you left home. She’s a mess, you know that, right? Likewise, she didn’t deserve this, Mr. Gardner. So, the question remains — why did you leave?”

“...Gramps has been gone for a long time now,” said Jason. “Everyone’s been searching for him, but they never found him. Mom and I never gave up hope... until she met him. Some pharmacist she met on a dating website. She thought we could be a whole family again. That he could replace Gramps, that I could just forget about what kind of family we used to have. Well, I can’t — I won’t stop believing that my grandfather’s alive! And I am not going to let some jerk replace him!”

“Wow,” said Mr. Louis. “I never thought I would see so much teen angst burst out at once.”

“You think I’m wrong, don’t you?”

“On the contrary,” said Mr. Louis, “I think you’re exceptionally wrong about some things... while incredibly correct about others.”

“You think that Gramps is still alive?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Louis.

“But you’re sending me back home?” asked Jason.

“Eventually,” said Mr. Louis as if he was commenting on the weather. “Your mother will be here in a week to pick you up, but until then...”

“We’re going to study the journal,” said Jason, excitedly.

“Huh,” Mr. Louis smiled. “You did actually inherit some of Eddie’s intelligence, with all that angst.”

“When do we start?” asked Jason.

“Now.”

A white mist engulfed us as the scene changed. The four of us arrived inside a new memory at the arena. Jason stood in a line of scared First Years, while a group of Third Years stood on the other side. Everyone was dressed in armor, carrying their swords.

“I recognize this memory,” said a startled Barry. “This was the third part of the Academy’s entrance exam. Jason and I took all three parts together that day... it was the first time we met. I had always lived at the Academy since my parents died, but Headmaster Arnold warned me that if I didn’t pass this test — I’d never be an agent of Legend. That I’d be a disgrace to their legacy. And every day I would be bullied by Joe Blake.”

“Joe Blake?” I asked Barry. “Didn’t he get expelled?”

“Yeah,” said Barry. “This is the day he did.”

“Which one is he?” asked Nara.

“You see that big, tall, muscular, black-haired guy on the left near the other Third Years?”

“The creepy one with the ponytail?” asked Nara.

“That’s him,” said Barry. “He used to beat me to a bloody mess before he would go to class each morning.”

“Where are you, Barry?” I asked, scanning the crowd.

“I believe that is Mr. Dickenson over there,” said Mr. Louis.

Nara gasped in horror. “Oh — Barry — that’s you?”

She had good reason to be horrified at younger Barry’s appearance. His eyes were swollen and blackened. His lips also sported cuts. Barry stared at his past self with a transfixed gaze. “This is too freaking weird...”

The test started in seconds as the Third and First Year’s swords clanged. It was like watching a slaughterhouse — the Third Years had defeated all but two First Years. Jason had won his sword fight quickly and looked exhausted. Barry, however, wasn’t fairing as well. Joe Blake had him pinned to the ground with his sword. Barry struggled to free himself to no avail.

“Let’s see your big brain get you free, Dickenson!” Joe Blake laughed.

“Leave him alone!” said Jason, pointing his sword at Joe’s throat.

“Or what?” sneered Joe.

“It’s okay,” said the Barry from the past. “I can handle this.”

Jason glared at Joe, but never dropped his guard once. “...Or you’ll never walk on two legs again. Now go away and no one gets hurt.”

Joe removed his sword from Barry’s armor and swung at Jason’s chest — Jason blocked just in time — Joe slashed Jason’s arm as blood spurted out —

“You’re done for!” laughed Joe. “What’s the matter? Going to cry?”

I could see the look in Jason’s eyes. It wasn’t anger. No. It was fury.

“I don’t cry,” said Jason. “I get even!”

Jason gave one last blow — on Joe’s kneecap — as the towering bully collapsed in pain.

“Did I mention — I like to hit below the belt?”

Barry stared at Jason in awe. “I can’t believe it. No one’s ever taken him down before.”

Jason extended his hand to help Barry up. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, this happens all the time,” said Barry, returning to his feet. “Thanks for... y’know... for...”

“You’re welcome,” said Jason. “I never did care for bullies. Met enough of them back home.”

“Where is home?” asked Barry. “The States?”

“Am I that obvious?” asked Jason. “What gave me away?”

“Your accent,” said Barry. “It’s very much the definition of Southern-Draw.”

“I’m not good at the whole secret identity thing yet, am I?” asked Jason, smiling.

“No,” said Barry. “You’re pretty much just a good old boy with bad-ass moves. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Not all of us can pull off the teenage-geek-role as I can. I just have the natural charisma for it.”

“I’m from Nashville, Tennessee,” said Jason. “I’m still not sure where home is, though.”

“Music City?” asked Barry. “Have you ever been to the Grand Ole Opry?”

“Once,” said Jason. “I saw Rascal Flatts perform a few years back. Coolest day ever in my opinion.”

“You saw Rascal Flatts?” asked Barry in admiration. “They are the greatest singers in the world! Banjo is my ringtone! You have to tell me all about it — I’m Barry Dickenson, by the way.”

“My name’s Jason Gardner. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Barry. What do you say we find Mr. Louis and have him take out the trash?”

“You mean Joe?” asked Barry.

“I don’t see any other piece of garbage,” said Jason.

“Quite right, Mr. Gardner.”

The past version of Mr. Louis entered the arena. “I think expulsion will be the most effective punishment for Mr. Blake. Oh, and you left him in one piece. Good. I hate cleaning up a big mess.”

The white mist returned for a second time and engulfed us again. This time we were inside Duma’s. Jason was standing next to a pool table throwing darts. The shadow of nightfall hung in from the nearest window. Nara gasped as she saw herself enter. “I know which memory this is! Sir Louis, can we please skip forward?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Roman, but we can’t skip any of these memories. We are merely passengers on this journey, not captains.”

“What’s so bad about this memory, Nara?” I asked.

Nara didn’t reply. The past Nara walked over to Jason. She nearly collapsed when she reached him. “Nara! What’s wrong?” asked Jason.

“Mothing Bason,” Nara mumbled. “I’m vetter dan ever!”

“Nara... are you drunk?” asked Jason.

Nara grinned stupidly. “Maybe.”

“Damn’t, Nara,” said Jason as he grabbed her arm. “Come on!”

“Where are we going?” asked Nara.

“To get you sobered up!”

Jason led Nara out of Duma’s to the storage building. “Is this your Borm Room?” Nara asked Jason.

“No, this isn’t my Borm — Dorm Room,” said Jason. “This is the Academy’s storage building. Julie gave me her key in case of an emergency. I’d say a drunken sorceress qualifies.”

“Good,” said Nara. “Because de only blace Kevin wants me to go is his Borm Room.”

Jason unlocked the entrance as he and Nara entered. Jason turned on the lights and retrieved a glass bottle containing a blue liquid. I knew what it was instantly. “Kronwater,” said Jason as he uncorked the bottle. “Drink this, Nara. It’ll make you feel better.”

Nara took one big gulp. In seconds, Nara was sober. “Great rivers of Aria! Why do I have such a headache?” asked Nara, holding her head.

“You were drunk,” said Jason. “So I gave you Kronwater. It’s an elixir that can push any type of alcohol out of a person’s system. You are now experiencing a hangover.”

“Can you not talk so loud,” said Nara. “I feel like my head’s about to pop off.”

“Why were you drunk, Nara?” asked Jason. “You know that when you’re drunk, you can’t control your magic. Was it because of Kevin?”

“Why would I get drunk because of Kevin?” asked Nara.

“While you were drunk, you said that Kevin kept trying to bring you inside his Dorm Room,” said Jason. “Is he pressuring you?”

“...Yes,” said Nara. “I told him I wasn’t ready to take that step yet, and we got into a fight. I went to try to find Julie to talk to, but I found some Fourth Years instead. They were drinking something called Nectar. They said it would make me happy... so I drank about five bottles.”

“Five bottles!” shouted Jason. “For goodness’ sake, Nara! Do you know how much trouble you would have been in if one of the instructors had caught you? Or what destruction your magic could have caused without being controlled. You could have hurt yourself and everyone else around you. Are you insane?”

Nara began to cry as she hugged Jason. “I’m s-s-so s-s-s-sorry!”

Jason looked surprised as he patted Nara on her back. “It’s — Nara — Nara, look at me.”

Nara gazed both of her watery eyes up at Jason.

“Nara, you have so many wonderful qualities, but the greatest is your innocence. Your mother kept you locked up all of your life, because of that, you never learned about the temptations of every world: sex, alcohol, and drugs can make people do terrible things. If you choose to act on these things, you’ll lose that innocence. Julie, Barry, and I lost ours through different kinds of tragedies. It may not have been related to the temptations, but believe me when I say — that we would do anything to have it back. To be innocent for just a day.... Please don’t change, Nara, we need someone like you in our lives.”

“You really like who I am?” Nara asked Jason.

“Your one of my closest friends for a reason, Nara,” said Jason.

The white mist engulfed us once more. I was in the woods around the school. Barry, Nara, and Mr. Louis were nowhere to be found. The ground started to tremble as I heard a scream and a loud roar. Jason ran to me from the shadows. He was battered and bruised, clad in shredded armor, carrying his sword. He put his other hand on my shoulder. Furthermore, he looked terrified.

“Julie? Why are you here?” asked Jason.

“Wait,” I said. “You can see me?”

“What are you talking about?” asked Jason. “Listen, you have to run — it’s coming!”

“What’s coming?” I asked. “What has you so scared.”

“The Beast!”

A massive creature leaped out from the shadows. It had the head of an eagle, the mouth of a shark, the body of a lion, and was wearing a necklace that held Barry, Nara, and Mr. Louis in a giant jewel. Barry and Nara seemed to be in some kind of sleep, but Mr. Louis was pounding the jewel as hard as possible, to no avail. “Ms. Brooks, this is the final part of the spell — if you cannot free us and slay this beast — we will all die!”

“Jason, why can’t they break free?” I asked.

“It’s the Beast — once it captures you, it drains your soul — we have to run away!” yelled Jason. This wasn’t a memory. It was a nightmare. I didn’t know why, but I knew that if this was happening in Jason’s mind and our souls were connected — I could control a part of this reality somehow!

“You once told me we couldn’t run, Jason,” I said as a sword appeared in my hand. “That we had to save your mother. Now — I’m telling you that we have to save ourselves! It’s fight or die.” My armor appeared on my body as I charged at the Beast. I slashed the monster’s leg — it blasted me with fire from its mouth. As much as I told myself, the fire wouldn’t hurt — it still melted the armor on my skin. The pain was unbearable. The Beast stomped its paw on my chest... I was going to die... we were all going to die...

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

Jason charged at the Beast as he threw his sword at its heart. The Beast screamed in agony as the moon in the night sky above shinned a glimmering light on Jason. Jason walked over to the creature’s dead body and removed his sword. I could see the symbol of the Lunar Necklace on its hilt. Jason stabbed the jewel, shattering it into a million pieces. Mr. Louis, Barry, and Nara were free. “Good work, Jason.”

Jason smiled as he turned to me, his eyes glowing white as the moon. “I’ll always protect you, Julie. I love you.”

A bright light took us all away.

Three days passed since our return to the real world. Jason and his mother had both awakened, completely healed. I thought that all of us being bound by our souls would change us. Though, the thing that seemed different about any of us was a white streak in each of our hair. Jason could never remove the Lunar Necklace, it was a part of him now. I haven’t spent much time with him either. He’s been busy trying to catch up with his mom. I still don’t know if we should be together.

The Council, in reason of recent events, has decided to reinstate the Knight Academy but in a new location. I know that we will all miss Duma’s, the village, the O’Hardy Woods... well, maybe not so much the woods. Legend held a funeral for all our fallen allies. Ms. Markson was one of the few to make it out alive. She and Mr. Louis seemed closer now. I really hope it works out for them. Mr. Louis deserves some happiness, we all do. Speaking of Mr. Louis, he has been promoted to a new position — Deputy Headmaster of the Knight Academy. Headmaster Arnold would have objected to this if he hadn’t had been one of the casualties. His post will be filled by my old mentor, Travis. I think this will be the change that the Academy needs.

Nara has gone through many trials in recent days. The most painful being the revelation of her father. Merlin is a major tool that may never give up the idea of vengeance. Nara and I both have something in common now. Both of our fathers are insane sorcerers. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. Nara told me about what happened in the vault. How she took the fairy dust. She told me that she would be willing to switch with me if I wanted my illness to end. I needed a while to give her my answer. Now that Jason, Barry, Nara, Mr. Louis, and I are bound forever, my sickness could kill us all if I miss just one injection. I now know my answer —

“Yes.”