September, 2011

  It was 12:45 in the afternoon as Collin, Grace, and Lucan browsed the music shop. He was looking at some CD's with Grace while Lucan checked out the electronics. Right now, Collin had on acid-wash denim shorts, a floral graphic-t with Jack Of All Trades written across the middle, a snapback, bck Converse sneakers, and a sportswatch. They decided to skip school.

  "Can you guess the song?" Grace held the headphones to his ear.

  "Easy," Collin smiled. "Creep by TLC."

  "Dang!" his friend hollered. "You right."

  He rummaged through the pylist and held the headphones to Grace's ear. "My turn, guess."

  "This song sps," Grace did the crypt-walk. "If I Ruled The World by Nas."

  30 minutes ter, they left the music shop as Collin thought about the big game tonight. Everything was going smooth and he was pumped. Normally, living a double life can be a drag and in tv shows the protagonist has to lie all the time. But for Collin this wasn't a problem because his family knows. The only thing left to do was to tell his best friends, how would they react? Just then he saw the words on a nearby store glow and change.

  "Finally, I got a new DJ Controller!" Lucan bragged as he stopped near his car. "Everyone at school is gonna go crazy once they hear my remixes."

  "Weirdly cool," Collin remarked. "I mean it's cool the principal agreed to let you DJ the dance."

  "But I don't know about the nickname," Grace opened the car door. His friend use to have a car too before she crashed it. Now, shes working part-time selling froyo at the boardwalk. "DJ Lucano?"

  10 minutes ter, Collin and his friends arrived at the mall. He noticed a sick mural on the wall and saw Grace smirk. 3 years ago they found out their friend was a popur tagger named: Sprog. When they got inside they made a B-line for the food court. Several minutes ter, Collin ate chicken fingers and tater tots with a rge lemonade. In the middle of the table was a small basket of deep-fried Oreos.

  "All the movies suck this month," Grace compined and bit her cheeseburger. "What do you guys want to do?"

  He answered. "We could check out the batting cages, zer tag, Six Fgs, and Abercrombie."

  "I vote for Six Fgs!" Lucan replied and grabbed a deep-fried Oreo.

  Grace sipped her drink. "Dude, that's going to cost me an arm and a leg."

  "What about zer tag?" Collin suggested.

  Suddenly, a pop-up screen appeared. [ Objective: Beat your friends in a race to earn 5 training points ]

  "Actually," he spoke and stood up. Up ahead someone was doing the robot as a small crowd watched. "What about a race? First to reach that silver street dancer wins."

  "Deal! If I win you have to buy me something from Abercrombie," Grace pointed at Collin.

  Lucan grunted and stuffed another Oreo in his mouth.

  A few seconds ter they all stood side by side as Collin counted down. "3, 2, 1, Go!"

  They ran through the mall. For Collin it felt different like his legs were made of springs. His body rippled with strength and speed as his cellphone rang. The race didn't take long as Collin stood with a panting Grace, he wasn't tired at all. Should he tell them now? Collin didn't know much about Helena's world.

  Where should he begin? The quests? Collin's st quest was a few days ago when he had to look up combat videos on WhoTube and practice sword techniques. His childhood? They already know about his bad memory, but Grace and Lucan don't know Helena used magic on him.

  Every time Collin dreams he remembers more and more. His heart thumped in his chest as old warnings flooded his mind. Fantasy creatures are real and dangerous, be careful. Lucan stumbled over to them completely out of breath and Collin ughed. He took his cellphone outta his pocket and gnced at it.

  Grace was the first to speak. "Okay, zer tag?"

  "Sorry...I gotta see my family," Collin lied.

  There was a ding. [ Reward: 5 training points ]

  31 minutes ter, Collin arrived at Helena's mansion in Connecticut. He walked up the driveway and rang the doorbell. A few seconds ter the door opened and Helena was wearing a bck lolita dress with white roses, gsses, fishnet arm stockings, pink nail polish, crescent moon earrings, stockings with bck pumps, a choker, and her chrome ring.

  "You look really nice," Collin remarked and handed her an Olympic jersey. He knew why he was here and it reminded him of a pep rally. Despite being excited Collin was also cautious, the citizens of Xenovia wanted to see their Maverick.

  Helena took the jersey and smiled. "Thank you. Are you nervous?"

  "A little," he admitted and closed the door. "Um, how long will this meet and greet take? I have a football game tonight."

  "Just an hour," his friend expined. "Can I also go to the game?"

  Collin shrugged. "Sure."

  That's when a fluffy bunny with purple eyes hopped into the room. Around it's neck was a fancy bandana as it stomped it's foot and sat up on its backlegs.

  "Is that Otto?" he asked and crouched. "I thought he was dead?'

  "About that," Helena fiddled with her ring. "Otto never died, he's actually a Miwa. A mythical creature that can shapeshift into 3 different animals. His full name is Marquess Otto."

  Otto hopped into Collin's arms. The bunny was adorable and for a moment he let his guard down, whenever he's with Helena he doesn't have to overthink. But he did have one concern.

  "Hey, can you not use your powers on me?" Collin's voice was serious.

  "Seems like you've been studying," Helena gred at the ground before looking at him. "I vow by my family name that I'll never use my powers on you again, unless you give me permission."

  He nodded and put Otto down. "Thank you."

  After that conversation was over they went upstairs and stopped infront of a grandfather clock. When Helena turned the crank the hands spun and the Roman numbers twinkled as a green vortex was summoned.

  "Woah," Collin was speechless as Helena opened the grandfather clock.

  When they entered the portal they stood in a fancy hallway with marble pilrs, a red and gold carpet, vases, paintings, a tapestry with a family crest, guards, maids, and behind them was a giant metal symbol made of silver and gold.

  "Your highness!" said a voice. It was a maid with green skin, dark eyes, and short red hair.

  Helena smiled and grabbed Collin's arm. "Bethany, I would like you to meet Collin Rex. He's our new Maverick."

  Collin held out a hand. "Nice to meet you."

  "Sir Collin," Bethany bowed. "Welcome to the House Of Jaeger."

  "Lady Helena," another voice spoke. It was a guard with pale skin, grey eyes, a scar on his nose, freckles, elf ears, and a brown mohawk. The guy looked upset for some reason and Collin was reminded of Travis. "Were here to escort you."

  A second guard came forward with shaggy bck hair, brown skin, twisted horns, hazel eyes, and a bck beard. "Hello, young man. We haven't had a Maverick in a long time and the Kingdom is curious."

  "Collin this is Captain Irving and the guard behind him is Sparky," Helena expined.

  "Nice to meet you," he repeated.

  "With all due respect we've wasted enough time," Sparky sneered. "King Casper is waiting."

  It only took a few minutes to reach the rendezvous point as Casper stood with a bunch of guards and servants. Otto was snuggled in Helena's arms as Collin took the sword outta his inventory. Both siblings had their horns, tails, and wings out.

  "About time you got here," Casper said with a sly smile. Dude was dressed like a pirate prince and Collin wanted to smack that smug look off his face. "The citizens are waiting for my procmation."

  Suddenly, trumpets bred as the balcony gates opened. People who looked important stepped onto the balcony and the crowd Collin saw was massive. Thanks to football games he's gotten use to cheering and booing, so this didn't phase him. The sky resembled a va mp as Helena and Casper waved.

  All of a sudden a pop-up window appeared. [ Objective: Give a short speech and interact several times with the citizens to earn 10 training points ]

  "Citizens of the Xenovia Kingdom the wait is over!" Helena's brother announced. "The House Of Jaeger finally has a Maverick. I know the recent years have been challenging and the tragedy of our parents was unexpected. But as king I will make sure this kingdom will continue to flourish under my command. After all royalty is nothing without its people, we appreciate your loyalty and trust. My family is strong and we will always fight to keep you safe. Now, without further ado let the meet and greet commence."

  "Scuse me!" Collin shouted and raised his sword. "Can I say a few words?"

  Later that night, Collin stood with his teammates on the football field as they faced Crence T. Booker Highschool. Nearby was the cheerleaders and the mascot. The crowd was loud as people wore facepaint and held signs. His team got into formation as he threw the football, the py they chose was wildcat as Collin ran around.

  One of his teammates caught the ball and was sprinting towards the end zone. Before Collin's teammate could score he was tackled. When they heard the whistle he gnced at the scoreboard, his team was leading by 5 points.

  Hero jogged over and whispered to him. "They changed formations, I think it's a 4-4 defense."

  "Yeah...they don't want us scoring again," Collin spat out his mouth guard. "Okay, tell them were doing a Flexbone."

  Everybody stood in formation as the whistle blew. He quickly passed the ball to Wyatt and sprinted, out the corner of his eye he saw someone rush at him. Thanks to his training he easily juked the guy as Wyatt threw the football towards him. Collin jumped in the air and nded in the end zone.

  "Touchdown!" the announcer yelled. "Did you see that? Number 0 has some wings on him."

  After a quick timeout the other team switched formations and Collin realized what they were gonna do. "6-2 defense, 6-2 defense!"

  When the whistle blew the other team faked them out and did a Pistol. He was blocked for a moment as Wyatt tried to run the guy down, it was a fast recovery as Collin sprinted up the field. Before the other pyer could reach the end zone the guy fumbled as Hero dove for the ball.

  2 hours ter, Collin and his friends decided to celebrate at Dio's which is a popur diner in town. The inside of the building was retro like an Austin Powers movie. Collin sat at a table with a bunch of people and his boyfriend, while the rest sat at another table.

  "You were amazing out there," Rafhael kissed his cheek. "It's like you were superhuman."

  Collin ughed. "You have no idea."

  Rafhael slung an arm over his shoulder. "Anyway, your friend is pretty cool."

  He looked over and saw Helena surrounded by people from his school. Maybe this had something to do with her powers? It was only for a second, but Collin saw his friend cross her arms and gre.

  "Yeah," he agreed and gnced at the menu.

  "Helena, what's your favorite TV show?" someone asked.

  "Pretty Little Liars," Helena answered.

  Another person said. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

  Helena tilted her head. "No"

  "Let's go on a date," Wyatt decred. "How long are you staying?"

  "Not long," she scoffed.

  Someone else asked. "You got social media?"

  "Do you think I have a chance?" Hero suddenly spoke.

  "What?" Collin stuttered.

  Hero grinned. "With Helena, do I have a shot?"

  "Maybe," Rafhael ughed. "You crush on mean girls a lot."

  Just then someone shouted as Wyatt colpsed to the floor.