Coen glanced at Ine with suspicion, “are you sure?”
Ine glared at Coen. “I am your second in command, would I stir you wrong? In a time of war, loyalty should be rewarded, not distrusted. Remember Coen, our believers placed you at the helm, it’s not a divine right.”
Ine sauntered away from Coen smiling for one day, he would get one over the man. Ine had to play everything on a gamble. He had to wait for the champion to appear in order to take from Coen. Ine wanted the power for himself and felt better suited to serve the master of many names.
****
Aquarian looked up at the constellations and sighed. Some meters flew overhead. The darkness of the void shifted like a clock. He leaned back in his seat and studied the stars. He opened his hand and felt the energy of Aquarius power into him. He gradually got up and stopped at feeling the presence of Fate and Destiny. They began to weave a new thread.
“What brings you here, Fate and Destiny?” Aquarian asked the maidens.
“The arrival is soon to come. The arrival will blanket this world in a division,” Fate specified.
“The shades of Pisces will become overused. The five great leads will conquer if they unite. Each goes for something else. You are warned,” Destiny shrugged.
“The champion will become hard to seek and destroy by the bout of child of prophesy. The child will be parted with power and it will be split into others. The prophesy is of the child, but not to one.” Fate said in a mystical voice.
“The power resides in select but the majority is in the child. He is the champion of Aquarius,” Destiny said softly.
“I need good news, Fate and Destiny,” Aquarian nodded.
“The child of prophesy will one day fight the great war heads. Remember the time for battles is at hand, for you will unite then divide to protect everything. You must remember that life is important and the darkness mustn’t win or the galaxy is doomed,” Fate and Destiny uttered.
Fate and Destiny began to fade and Aquarian sighed, for he had to make sure that child of prophesy was all right. Skipper had survived and sacrifice so much to protect them all. Skipper was the champion of the Aquarian Age. Aquarian rubbed his face for things went in different directions.
****
Skipper marched to his class then glanced at Jenny down the hallway. They smiled to one another then moved over to her. She giggled at him then blushed.
“Hey,” Jenny smiled.
“Hi,” Skipper slyly said.
“I haven’t seen much of you in the last several days,” she said lightly.
“I’ve been focusing on a lot of new things that are happening at home,” Skipper looked around trying to keep the conversation in a hush.
“So, I will see you later tonight when you pick me up?” Jenny fluttered her eyelids.
“Yeah. I look forward to the dance,” Skipper smirked.
“Bye, Skipper,” she said watching him a little bit longer.
“Bye, Jenny,” he said to her politely.
Skipper waved by to her then walked down the aisle then glanced at Tommen who glowered then ran off. Skipper doubted what was wrong with Tommen. He had called him friend and the young boy was being weird around him. Skipper shook his head then turned to see Zeke staring at him. Zeke marched over to him and pushed him into the lockers. Some students nearby called out a fight.
Skipper glared at Zeke, “what is your problem?”
“You chose, Raven, over me. How could you? We’re supposed to be friends. I’ve had your back since elementary school. I defended you against all these people who tried to do harm to you, Skipper. What gives!” Zeke thundered.
Skipper narrowed his eyes at Zeke then pushed him off. “I different now. I never chose a side. You wanted me to choose a side. You’re the one who put a label on it. I told you she is a friend too. What is your problem with me being friends with her?”
“Zeke, you are the one who is afraid of change. I told you that we are friends, but how can I keep being your friend and alienate her. She is my friend. I want to protect the people I love and care about. She is a person who is important to me just as you were.” Skipper continued.
“You’ve changed. What does she have that I don’t know?” Zeke shook his head then glared at the people around them.
“Raven is special and is an honest person. She may not show it all the time, but she is a caring person who understands that at the bigger level.” Skipper lightly itemized.
Zeke narrowed his eyes and pushed passed Skipper then turned around. “We’re aren’t friends anymore, Skipper. Consider our friendship toasted. You’re dead to me.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Zeke. It’s really silly if you think it’s her stealing me away from you. We can still be friends,” Skipper crossed his arms glaring at his friend.
“We can’t. You just told me in your wording that were friends. You made the choice. I’m going to make you see that you make a big mistake in making me an enemy.” Zeke sinisterly said to him.
Zeke frowned then ran off. Other students dissipated as they weren’t going to get a fight from either of them. Skipper looked at Zeke’s retreating form. He didn’t understand fully what was going on with Zeke. He thought they were friends, but things were changing rapidly. He had such a bad reaction to him becoming something more. Skipper was changing for the better. He turned to see Raven blushing at him.
She ambled over to him and smiled, “thank you for standing up for me, Skipper. That means a lot to me.”
“Friends do that for one another and your no exception to that rule,” Skipper smiled looking at her.
“Skipper after the dance, you will need to say your goodbyes,” Raven remarked.
“Will you be coming with me?” Skipper asked with hesitation.
“Do you want me there beside you?” Raven asked him for she feared what he would might say.
“Raven, of course, I want you there. I don’t know this world of yours. I need a friend to keep me in check and help me out. I know you have been more of mentor to me, but I see you as a friend. I need you as a friend, despite what happened. I am trying to accept all of this but I see your reasonings. It’s time to move into my destiny as the champion for Aquarian Age.” Skipper beamed once more.
She pouted with her upper lip and some tears threatened to fall. She had never heard someone tell her that they needed her. She filled with joy because she thought of herself as a nuisance to him. Raven would never tell him but she was proud that he stood up for her and understood her reasons. She was a friend to him and was loyal. She put a piece of her hair behind her ear and smiled warmly to Skipper.
“I will be there always beside you, Skipper,” Raven nodded her head then walked away from him with a big smile.
****
The night’s stars sparkled in the sky as the light from the school was seen faraway. The air chilled at which Skipper sauntered up slowly to a gray looking house in the distance. He held onto a flower for Jenny. Skipper gulped as he approached her house. He moved closer to the door then opened it. He paused for a moment then knocked. A few minutes later, the door opened to show a middle-aged man with a mustache. He crossed his arms together looking at Skipper.
“Hello sir, I’m here to pick up Jenny to go to the dance?” Skipper nervously said.
A voice called the man to step aside and showed Jenny looking at Skipper. She wore a bright pink sleeveless dress, shaped to her body, and wearing pink slippers. She strode in front of her father and grinned at Skipper then extending her hand after she saw the flower he carried. He placed it on her wrist as he looked at her. Her father backed away and they strolled out. She waved to her father goodnight. Skipper nervously said bye as the man closed the door.
“Don’t worry so much. I gave him the speech earlier that you will have me home by 10 pm. I know you will be good and on your best behavior,” Jenny laughed.
Skipper scratched his head and sighed, “he’s still a dad and worried about his little
girl. Jenny, I can be somewhat scared.”
They strode down the street with the lights on and she stopped to kiss him on the cheek, “don’t worry about it, Skipper.”
She held onto him and smiled. Skipper blushed a little then continued to walk.
****
Paul and Gladys looked out their window as they saw the clouds shift in color. The looked down at the letter in their hands.
I will be coming soon…
Paul and Gladys glowered for tonight their son would leave and they couldn’t nearly do anything about it.
A figure stood on a hill overlooking the town. The cloaked figure looked in the distance to see a growing green and blue energy building up. A clash of red energy began to cloud around it.
“So, it begins tonight.” The figure motioned.
****
Neon lights and smoke flew across the floor as the DJ spun the beats inside the auditorium. Dozens of kids danced with one another. Many teachers stood to the side looking students move back and forth. The DJ announced the change in the music and the students jumped up and down. Many danced to the wild music as it changed. Other students stood by the refreshments tables eating some food and getting drinks. Some chaperoned parents stood off to the sides looking at their own children. Others danced to the modern music as some elderly teachers tapped their feet to the music. The doors soon opened up with Skipper and Jenny moving to the beat. Jenny saw her friends dancing on the floor and waved to them.
They began to start dancing to the beat once they heard it. Skipper smiled and spun her around as the music changed once more. Jenny and Skipper continued to look at one another as they danced. The music continued on as it shifted back and forth. Tommen drank some of his punch on the sidelines and glanced at everyone.
Zeke walked over to him and narrowed his eyes at him. “Why are you here, Tommen?”
Tommen looked at Zeke oddly. “What’s wrong with you? It’s a dance. I came because
wanted to be here.”
Zeke turned his head toward Skipper dancing with Jenny. He frowned then hit the wall. “It’s a dance and I don’t need no one.”
Tommen groaned as he looked at them, “Zeke, I just think your jealous that Skipper is growing. He is learning more about himself and changing. Don’t you like change?”
Zeke shook his head, “I’m not jealous, Tommen. I can handle change. Don’t make me the enemy.”
Tommen moved away from Zeke and finished his drink, “there was something that was growing in me a few days ago but it’s gone. I felt like I was changing and it was taking root deep inside.”
“What do you mean?” Zeke threateningly said.
“I was changing and I didn’t want Skipper to change and there was this darkness. I guess whatever it was is gone now,” Tommen nodded then turned away.
Zeke’s eyes flashed red and the glared at Tommen. He held a hand over his heart to feel a red and dark aura deep inside of him, as he looked at Skipper and Jenny dancing while having fun. The couple moved in and danced with one another. The darkness continued to build deep inside of him. Zeke liked his friend to need him and now Skipper didn’t. He didn’t need Zeke for anything. The dark burning feelings continued to fester deep inside of him over the days and he wanted to get rid of everyone and go back to normal. His eyes continued to flash red as he pressed a hand to his forehead feeling a dark wind flow around him. The symbol of Pisces appeared on his forehead. At the same time, the symbol of Aquarius appeared on Skipper’s forehead. He turned to feel a dark portentous presence. The symbol soon faded and he turned to see Zeke staring at him with glossy eyes.
Dozens of other students continued to dance. Raven appeared on the side and gasped as she saw the birth of champion of Pisces. She felt his energy. Raven wasn’t sure beforehand as the energy was ever moving and reaching. Skipper turned his head to Raven to see what she saw. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Zeke who in turned disappeared to the back.
Jenny and Skipper continued to dance for a few more songs. She left him to visit her friends off to the side. Raven walked over to Skipper who stood off to the side. He frowned as he saw Raven approach him.
“What was that coming from Zeke?” he asked her.
She glanced at him and sighed. “A dark energy from one of the celestial zodiacs. He is your opposite to the Aquarian Age. I didn’t know about it until now. This means that the other side has a champion and he has awakened as well. Things will change now.”
Skipper glared then balled his fist, “so he’s my enemy? I didn’t sign up for this Raven. I didn’t want to fight against him. I chose this to protect my loved ones. I never wanted this be any different.”
She sighed and looked around the dance looking at the happy faces. “Neither did I…”
Chapter Eleven
The skies around the endless flowing water shrouded into the darkness. Aquarian looked onward at earth and felt the tension of the energies moving back and forth. He paused for a moment then turned to see more clashing energy moving and surrounding. He turned and felt the danger that was coming.
“Skipper…” he called out then began to move but was stopped by the appearance of Elu.
“You can’t go down as this is a battle between mortals the champions. He has awakened and this will be the will of what is to come,” Elu progressed.
“I have to help them as they need assistance,” Aquarian reasoned.
“The freedom of will in evolutionary creatures must be witnessed and given a chance if they are to show us what they are made of. Their determining energies is what will make them special. There is no better progression then moving forward. Don’t hinder their evolutionary manner. Some species can’t be coddled, Aquarian.” Elu ordered.
He exhaled and looked at through the waterless mirror down below at earth, “I suppose you are right, but the fight must be through them and I will be there to help.”
“You will and the rest of the zodiacs will see what great rise of what is to come,” Elu mentioned.
“What does that mean? Do you know the outcome of this war?” he asked her.
“I do, but I will sit to watch before I pass judgement,” Elu remarked then faded into the darkness.
Aquarian glanced back at the darkness then back to waterless, for Elu was right, yet she was enigmatic as to what will happen to the world below.
****
The winds shifted and Zeke ran outside of the building and continued to run. He exhaled as he saw Raven and Skipper searching for him. He growled as the energies moved around him. He shrieked as the energy overflowed around him. Orange and red clouded around him as he kneeled to the ground. The image of Pisces appeared and glanced at him with narrowing eyes.
“Who are you?” Zeke held his head as he looked up.
The image of Pisces smirked at Zeke with knowing eyes, “I am Pisces and you are my champion.”
Zeke held his head and looked at the roaring energy surrounding him in a haze. An image of an orange and red dragon formed around him and in the distance at the same time a blue and green dragon image formed around Skipper. He looked up at the energy and began to run toward it. Zeke looked at Pisces with concern.
“What’s happening to me?” Zeke called out.
“You are leading into your role of becoming the champion for Pisces age. We are linked and you have awakened. It is time to set forth in your destiny. Awaken. See what your friend has become. He has chosen to leave you behind and take on his rooted destiny of being the champion of Aquarius.” Pisces declared.
“Skipper has changed because he has chosen his destiny over you. He has chosen Raven over you. He has chosen to be with the other side who wish to undermine you. Skipper has taken on his magical inheritance and not tell you that he has been training to learn his power and beat me.” He continued with hidden intents.
“Your so-called friend has left you behind. You have been given the chance to become stronger than him. You are my champio
n. You are just as powerful and stronger than Skipper. You are more powerful than him. Rise up, champion of Pisces and emerge into your destiny.” Pisces smirked as he expressed Zeke.
“Your time is power and awakening has begun. There are other people like you who have been hurt by magical people like Skipper. They want everything and can’t be trusted. Skipper took your friendship for granted.” Pisces kneeled then touched Zeke with a tangible hand.
“I will be your friend and never abandon you. I will be with you always. You need a friend and I will be your friend. Let me in and I will be there with you for eternity.” Pisces nodded.
Zeke looked up at Pisces and felt the power of the constellation move though him. Zeke heaved a sigh for it had now the power. He felt empty for losing his friend, but he wasn’t sure what Pisces said was real. Pisces pressed his hand to Zeke’s forehead and a wave of images flowed into his head. He gasped as he saw some memories of Skipper. He saw him with Raven, Jenny and Tommen. Zeke glowered then the energy flared to life around him. He glanced up at Pisces and determined he was right. Anger, jealous, pain and betrayal filled Zeke up with envy. He saw how Skipper had gone off to things, he didn’t deserve. He felt the sorrow of what he had done. Zeke wanted revenge of secretly he hated Skipper for being special because he wasn’t. Zeke now power of his own and was considered special.
“I will be with you, Pisces and destroy Skipper. I will become the champion of Pisces,” Zeke said riled up.
Pisces then took his hand out to him and Zeke looked at it, “then join my cause.”
Zeke took Pisces hand and the image of the orange and red dragon filtered over the town. The winds shifted and the new age of Pisces was going to clash against Aquarian. The champions would become centered focused of this war.
“I am sending someone to you and his name is Hans. Join him and he will help you control your power,” Pisces indicated.
The Aquarian Age Chronicles: The Lost Aquarian, #1 Page 11