by R. L. Ullman
“It’s there,” I say. “We just can’t see it.”
“Elliott,” Grace 2 says nervously. “You sure about that?”
“Uh-huh,” I say, lowering the Freedom Ferry’s landing gear.
“400 meters,” the navigator says.
“You’re really, really sure?” Grace 2 says. “I mean, there’s nothing down there. You can see that, right?”
“300 meters,” the navigator says.
“Uh-huh,” I say.
“200 meters.”
“So, shouldn’t you be pulling up now?” Grace asks.
“Uh-uh,” I say.
Dog-Gone 2 howls.
“100 meters.”
“Oh, gawd!” Grace 2 screams.
“Brace yourself,” I say, touching the Freedom Ferry down onto a patch of pure space. We THUMP hard, and I step on the brakes. The Freedom Ferry bumps along before coming to a relatively smooth stop. “Told ya,” I say, turning to my companions who are holding onto each other for dear life.
Suddenly, the area beneath us transforms from starry blackness into purplish, rocky terrain. Towering mountains appear all around, their peaks climbing high into the red sky and disappearing into thick, black clouds.
Yep, I’m back, and it’s just as bleak as before.
Lightning flashes and Dog-Gone 2 whimpers.
“Well, this place looks like a party,” Grace 2 says. “So, where are we supposed to go?”
Based on experience, we could easily spend days walking around lost. So, it’s time for a shortcut. I punch a few commands into the navigator, and within seconds it comes back with a direct hit.
“Stay seated,” I warn, taking the Freedom Ferry airborne again. We break through the cloud cover and travel north for several miles. Then, I find what I’m looking for—a white structure sitting high atop a mountain.
The Watcher’s sanctuary.
Nothing’s changed from my last visit. There’s still four marble columns supporting the marble roof. There’s still marble stairs leading up to the platform. And there’s still a giant, robed figure sitting in his oversized chair.
“That’s him?” Grace 2 asks. “He’s humongous!”
“Yeah, that’s him,” I say. “Look, I’m not sure how this is going to go down, so let me lead.”
I set us down twenty yards away. As we exit, I start rehearsing what I’m going to say. I know we need to be super careful. I mean, anything can set this looney tune off. We need to be organized. We need to be commanding. We need to look like we mean business.
Then, I hear a trickling noise from behind me.
Turning around, I find Dog-Gone 2 with his hind leg in the air, soaking the Freedom Ferry’s front tire.
“Seriously?”
“Give him a break,” Grace 2 says. “It’s been a long ride.”
“Need anything else?” I ask. “Belly rub? Scratch under the chin? Flea removal?”
Dog-Gone 2 cocks an ear.
Freaking fur ball.
Time to lower my blood pressure. I take a deep breath, think calm thoughts, and then march up the staircase. When I reach the top, I’m face to face with a being I had hoped to never see again.
At first glance, The Watcher seems exactly as I remembered—tall, pale, and ugly. But what did I expect? I mean, he’s like, billions of years old. But then I realize something’s off, I just can’t figure out what.
“Watcher,” I say, mustering all my confidence, “I’ve returned and we need your help. No games.”
But the Watcher doesn’t move a muscle. Instead, he just stares at me with his white eyes. It’s like he’s looking past me—through me.
I lower my voice and try again. “Watcher, I need your help.”
But he doesn’t respond. What’s wrong with him? It’s like he can’t hear me, like he doesn’t even know we’re standing here.
Then, I realize what’s different. The last time I was here he had this white, celestial glow around his body. And now, it’s gone!
“Um, is everything okay?” Grace whispers.
“I’m not sure,” I say, waving my arms. “Watcher? You okay? Can you hear me?”
“Oh, he can hear you,” comes a kid’s voice. “He’s just not capable of answering you.”
Looking up, I see a blond-haired, skinny kid sitting cross-legged on top of a boulder. He’s wearing a red-and-blue costume with a ‘no-symbol’ across his chest.
He needs no introduction.
It’s Elliott 2.
Dog-Gone 2 starts running in circles, his tail wagging with excitement.
“I see you, boy,” Elliott 2 says, and then more coldly, “and you too, sister.”
“What are you doing here, Elliott?” Grace 2 asks, unconsciously taking a step backwards.
“I could ask the same of you,” he says. “After all, few people know who the Watcher is, and fewer still know how to find him.”
“I’ve been here before,” I say. “Although the last time it was against my will. But you’re here because you want to be. Why?”
“Why am I here?” Elliott 2 says with an unnerving smile. “Because I’m seeking knowledge. I want to know once and for all where this came from.”
And then, he raises his right hand, and what’s resting in his palm sends a chill down my spine.
It’s the Orb of Oblivion!
I was right! There is a second one!
“What’s that?” Grace 2 asks.
“Precisely, dear sister,” he says. “The object has a name, but not an identity. At least, not one I can get it to tell me. And oh, have I tried. Isn’t that right Orb?”
The Orb gives off a weak glow.
My stomach sinks as I watch him shift the Orb from hand to hand. All of my fantasies about Elliott 2 being a victim of the Orb go completely out the window. The Orb hasn’t exerted it’s will over him, he’s exerted his will over the Orb! He’s in absolute and total control. And that means all of his actions were done of his own free will.
He’s pure evil.
“At first, the only thing I could squeeze out of the all-mighty Orb of Oblivion was an image of this guy,” he says, nodding to the Watcher. “So, let’s just say I had to dig a little harder. Finally, the Orb gave up the Watcher’s name and location. It took me a few months to plot out how to get here—and the journey took far longer than I imagined—but we arrived just in time because my Freedom Ferry is out of fuel. And then, after all of that travel, we get here and the bald guy won’t answer any of my questions. So I put him on a time out.”
“A time out?” I blurt. “You put a cosmic entity on a time out?”
“Yep,” he says. “I don’t like to be bored, and you can’t imagine how easily you get bored when you can do anything.”
Suddenly, he leaps down from the boulder and lands between the Watcher and me. For a moment, I’m taken aback. His face, his body, his posture—everything looks like me! Except, of course, for his hair color. It’s like I’m staring into a mirror. But, unfortunately, I’m not.
He looks me up and down. “You’re quite boring, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me?” I say.
“You live a pathetic life, don’t you?” he continues. “On the outside, you pretend to be a great hero. But on the inside, you’re shaking like a leaf. You’re a coward. A poser. Am I right?”
“No!”
“Are you sure?” he continues, holding the Orb in front of his face. “Because I know I’m right. I can feel it.”
I gaze deeply into the white, pulsating Orb. I’m mesmerized by it—lost in it, when …
“Save me,” comes a tiny cry inside my head.
The voice is feeble, yet familiar. Who?
“Save me. Save us all.”
It’s the Orb! It’s talking to me!
But how? I thought Elliott 2 mastered it?
“So,” Elliott 2 says, snapping me back to reality, “What’s a brave hero like you doing in a dead-end place like this?”
“I was looking for somethi
ng,” I say. “But now I’ve found it.”
At first he looks confused, but then he glances down at the Orb and the smirk disappears from his face. “This? You were looking for this? Really? I can’t imagine what for, but if you think I’m just going to give it to you, you’re more delusional than I thought.”
This is it. If I don’t get the Orb of Oblivion away from him now, I’ve got zero chance of stopping Ravager from eating my world.
I look him dead in the eyes.
“Oh, I never expected you to give it to me,” I say coolly. “That’s why I’m going to take it from you.”
I FIGHT MY OWN SHADOW
Somehow, I always knew it would come down to this.
I mean, how else was I going to walk away with the Orb of Oblivion? I guess deep down I kind of wished a second Orb didn’t exist. That way, I’d never have to face what I’m about to face now.
Which is probably the end of my life.
So let’s get realistic and break down my chances for success. One, we’re both scrawny kids, so we’re even there. Two, we both have Meta Manipulation powers—even again. Three, he’s got the Orb of Oblivion, the most powerful weapon in the universe, while I’ve got a serious case of anxiety.
Major advantage to him.
Looks like I’m doomed.
I mean, how can I possibly win? He just put the Watcher down for the count—a freaking cosmic being! I’m no odds maker, but I’d say I’ve got a better chance of finding a unicorn than beating him.
Well, at least Grace 2 is here to help.
Suddenly, Elliott 2 extends his right hand and commands, “Sleep!”
Grace 2 crumples to the ground like a rag doll.
Okay, now I’ve got a better chance finding a herd of unicorns.
Dog-Gone 2 bares his teeth and growls at me.
“Down, boy, he’s mine” Elliott 2 says, the Orb pulsating in his hands. “You know, I always suspected there was some goody-two-shoes version of me out there who never realized his own power. And now here you are.”
“Lucky me,” I say. Great, now I’m being insulted by my own double. Honestly, I’m having a hard time matching what I’m hearing to what I’m seeing. I mean, he looks exactly like me, yet our personalities are like night and day. My only chance is to distract him until I can figure out what to do.
“So, Dr. Sunshine,” I say sarcastically. “What made you so happy-go-lucky? I know a bit about the Orb of Oblivion and how it feeds on your innermost desires, but even a boring, goody-two-shoes like me managed to resist it.”
“You want a medal?” he says with a laugh. “I can tell we aren’t so different. Before I discovered the Orb, my life pretty much stunk like yours. No one paid any attention to me. I was considered a nuisance—a pest. But when opportunity knocked, I didn’t close the door. I opened it—embraced it. And look at me now.”
Yeah, I’m looking at him, and he’s rotten to the core. My eyes dart around for something—anything—to help me. But all I see are purple rocks, orange plants—and the Freedom Ferry! If I can get to the ship, then maybe I can blast out of here. But then again, I can’t just leave Grace 2 here.
I’m stuck!
“I’d feel terrible if you came all this way and left empty-handed,” he says, flashing a menacing smile. “Since you want the power of the Orb so badly, let me give it to you.”
Oh, n—
Suddenly, there’s a sharp, stabbing pain in my head.
He’s entered my mind!
My brain feels like it’s being stepped on! Squashed!
I drop to my knees.
He’s trying to overpower me! If he breaks through he’ll control my mind, then there’s no telling what he’ll do. I can’t let him in. I muster every ounce of negation power and push back.
“Maybe you resisted the Orb on your world,” he says, through gritted teeth, “but you won’t be able to resist me.”
The pressure is overwhelming. It feels like my head is going to explode. I’ve got to get him out. I push back harder.
“You’re strong,” he says, with a hint of surprise. “Stronger than anyone I’ve taken over before. But don’t worry, I’ll break you down soon enough.”
Suddenly, I’m flat on the ground. With all of my energy focused on defending myself, I have no control over the rest of my body. I’m holding him at bay, but for how long? He’s way too strong!
“Use me,” comes a feeble voice inside my head.
What? Who’s that?
“Use me,” it repeats, a little louder.
The Orb? But how’s it talking to me? Can’t Elliott 2 hear it?
“No,” it says. “I barely managed to shield my innermost conscious from him. But if you want to live, you must use me now.”
“H-how?”
“All you need to do is stop pushing back,” it says. “Just open your mind, and I’ll do the rest.”
“Stop pushing back? Are you bonkers? As soon as I do that he’ll take over and I’ll be eating baby food the rest of my life!”
“If you don’t use me,” it says. “You’re as good as dead.”
“You’re weakening,” Elliott 2 says. “I’m almost through.”
And he’s right! My head feels like it’s being drilled in half by a jackhammer.
“Use me!” the Orb pleads.
I’m getting loopy. Dizzy. Images of Dad, Mom, and Grace flash before my eyes. If I can’t find a way to defeat him, they’re as good as dead.
The pain is so intense!
I—I’ve got no other choice!
I close my eyes … and then I let go.
Instantly, the pressure releases.
An intense wave of energy rushes through my body. I open my eyes, and it’s like every fiber of my being is on hyper-alert. I can see the tiny pores in Elliott 2’s skin. I can hear Dog-Gone 2’s neck hairs blowing in the breeze. I can feel thousands of invisible molecules bouncing off my skin.
I’ve never felt so alive. So … powerful. It’s like I’ve gone from Zero to … to … Meta 4?
“Hey!” Elliott 2 cries, looking at the orb in his hand. “What happened? It’s not working?”
Despite the energy coursing through my veins, it feels like I’m moving in slow motion. Like I’m stuck in molasses. Like I’m having an out-of-body experience.
Elliott 2’s brown eyes widen as he realizes the Orb of Oblivion has left the round object in his hands—and entered me.
“Now,” the Orb says. “Strike now.”
While I’d love nothing more than to go off on some epic monologue about good triumphing over evil, my body is being compelled to do something else. My eyes shut and one overriding thought fills my mind.
NO. MORE.
Then, my eyes pop open and a wave of strange, orange energy comes pouring out, washing over Elliott 2.
Huh? Where’d that come from?
But before I can figure that out, the energy dissipates, and Elliott 2 is on his hands and knees, mumbling, “N-no. My … powers.”
And then I realize what happened.
The Orb negated his powers.
Permanently.
He’s a Zero.
“Y-you did this to me,” he says, rising to his feet. He throws the useless orb to the ground. “You took the Orb’s power from me. Give it back. Give it back to me, or I’ll kill you.”
“Now,” the Orb says. “Finish him.”
“What? No!”
“Do not block me,” the Orb urges. “Open up to me.”
I watch as Elliott 2 picks up a sharp rock. “The Orb is mine. Not yours. Mine!”
Dog-Gone 2 joins his side and barks threateningly.
My arm extends magically and I hear my self saying, “STAY!”
Dog-Gone 2 freezes like a statue.
Elliott 2 springs towards me, the rock held menacingly over his head, when suddenly, a streaking blue fist connects squarely with his jaw.
Elliott 2 flies backward into a rock, and then face plants to the ground.
“Enough, little brother,” Grace 2 says, rubbing her knuckles. “We’ve all had enough.”
Dog-Gone 2 whimpers and I release him from my hold. He scampers to his master’s side and starts licking his face, but Elliott 2 doesn’t move. He’s out cold.
“You should have finished him,” the Orb says. “You still can, while he’s defenseless. You need to open everything to me.”
“Quiet,” I command, trying to shut the Orb down, but I can tell things are going to be different this time around. This Orb is much stronger than the one I had before.
I pick the sphere up off the ground. The Orb of Oblivion is mine again. Heaven help us all.
“You okay?” Grace 2 asks.
“I’m … not sure,” I say. “You know, we never found out why he came here in the first place. But I’ve got this funny feeling we’re running out of—”
“—time?” rumbles a deep voice behind me.
I spin around to find The Watcher fully conscious in his chair. Man, I can’t catch a break around here.