The Summer Vacation
Chapter 45
Written by rachel76m
Edited by Don Kaufman

Hu Yu Hakusho characters are property of Togashi. Dragon Ball, Goku and all other characters are property of Akira Toriyama. Yugioh cards and characters are property of Kazuki Takahashi and Konami. This is a fan-fic based story. These are new story lines after the series aired on television.

~~~000~~~

During the night, I get an unusual sleep dream, I find myself walking in the immense flower field again. I walk to the bench to take my rest and breathe in the beautiful aromas from the flowers. I look around while I’m doing that. Then I see two people walking down the path toward me, a man and a woman. They are not my parents. The lady is carrying an oar in her hand. I stand up and wait for them to approach me.

Then all of a sudden the man raises his arm and hand toward me. He fires an energy blast right at me from his finger tip like a gun. I bring up both of my arms and form an ‘X’ with them to shield myself.

I say to myself, “Armor and Shields!” When the blast hits my arms, my armor appears on me and my forearm shields appear on me to block the hit. Then the blast is reflected back at him.

They both smile when they see my reaction. He swats away the return blast away from him and sends it into the sky above him where it dissipates.

Then I sense another blast coming from behind me. I turn around quickly to block that blast. The blast reflects back at him. He swats it away from him and sends it into the sky above where it dissipates like the first blast. He flies down and stands next to the first two.

“That’s very good. I’m just checking your reaction. You still have a lot to learn.”

“Thank you. Right now I’m a first degree brown belt. Eventually I will learn all ten degrees in the black belt. Then my title will be Shaolin Dragon Master.”

“That’s good, Richard. Or should I say, Omega Unicorn.”

“Now you have me wondering who you are.”

“We are from the Spirit World. King Yama and the Creator sent us here to give you a message.”

“If you are from the Spirit World.” I look at the lady first then the man. “You must be Botan and you must be . . . “

”Yusuke Urameshi.”

Looking at the second man, “Seeing that spiked hair on you, you must be Goku.”

We all smile at each other.

“You see. He would figure it out.”

“You’re right, Botan. Richard, we have come to warn you of a major breach that is about to happen in the multi-verses.”

“Even though there is already a breach with my world, it is your world and universe we are concerned about.”

“In what way, Yusuke? I already met one of the Eleven Magi from the days of Atlantis. I hear also the Black Spirit of Sauron is now with them as well.”

“That’s nothing compared to this. Have you heard of the name of Azazel?”

“I have, Yusuke. He had other names, like Lucifer. He is the leader of the one-third angels or Emissaries who defected from the Creator.”

“That’s right, Richard. He is about to break free from his prison where the Creator sent him. He has sent his generals to scour the multi-verses for the most ruthless and darkest forces that are out there. He is gathering them together at the only dark matter galaxy in the Multi-verses. It is the Hell Galaxy.”

“Then we must assemble or rally the good forces together.”

“That is the plan, Richard. The pantheon gods that were on your world are still in your galaxy. You need to contact them and tell them what is happening. Some of them will not listen to the Emissaries. But they should pay attention to you if you come from your Earth.”

“Do we know where will Azazel strike first?”

“We think it will be your world. That is where he was overthrown the first time.”

“Yeah, that makes sense. I already know I will be visiting the Greek gods. I will be asking their forger to create the Star Sword for the Kings on Twainor.”

“You will also need to find or create the Dark Sword.”

“That sword absorbs magic, Goku.”

“It does, Richard. It will be used at the Ultimate Last Battle as a trap.”

“Hmm . . . I wonder who it could be for?”

“I don’t know who, Richard. He must have great magical powers that he used for evil.”

“Then he will take it in arrogance, by then it will be too late.”

“That is the hope, Richard.”

“There is one more thing, Richard.”

“Yes, Botan?”

“There is another sub Spirit World that is nearby. It is where the spirits reside who play in the ancient game of shadow duels. It is now done with cards on your world.”

“But those shadow duels have never manifested on my Earth. All we have are the stories of them on TV and in the books. In fact, I think my Earth has become a depository of these stories by our writers. Seeing you here, confirms that.”

“That’s right, Richard. Your world has become the storehouse of these real stories. At the Ultimate Last Battle, they will all converge on your Earth for this last battle. Before you start your Fall classes, stop by the nearest gaming shop in Raleigh. You will meet some people who will confirm this to you. By getting involved in the card game, it will help prepare you mentally for the battle ahead. We know the portals on your world are currently closed. You will find a way to open them. This will allow the good forces to come there more quickly.”

“Can the enemy use them?”

“They can’t, Richard. They will get there by making the breaches in their multi-verses. I wish there is a way to stop them, but we can’t.”

“We know you can’t manifest your chi and create the energy blasts we just attacked you with. The Creator removed that ability from your world.”

“But internally within ourselves, it does help us to focus better, Goku. Do you know about my other abilities that I’m starting to learn?”

“What are they, Richard?”

“Well, I can do some minor magic like having my armor appears on myself. Make things hot or cold. I even have a dragon companion named Croin.”

“Who is Croin, Richard?”

“He was the first dragon I met on Twainor. I’m also part dragon as well besides being part unicorn. I have some of Eingana’s blood in me. The animals will be aware of me and help me when they can.”

“I think this is where you will be different from the other fighters.”

“Also, on Twainor, their armor will be now be unique. It will absorb your energy blasts, hold it, then send it back where they want it to.”

“Ooh . . . that’s a challenge I would like to see played out.” Goku smiles widely.

“Same here, Goku. I know Richard will be a good fighter once he gets his new title.” Yusuke smiles as well.

“You just might get your wish Yusuke and Goku. The Creator has allowed you both to test Richard at certain times of his training. He still has to solve and find the hidden dragons on Earth. They will be needed to help defend Earth.”

“Then I look forward to the challenge and the test.”

We all smile at each other and do a quick bow of the heads to each other.

Then Botan speaks, “Until we meet the next time, Richard the Omega Unicorn.”

They fly away from me very fast. Then I find myself sinking below the ground and flying back to Earth.

~~~000~~~

It is August 10, Wednesday. I wake up in the morning at 7 A.M.. I guess I will have to add a trip to the local gaming card shop. Well, my future ‘to do list’ just got longer, Creator. You’ll have to remind when to do each task.

Don’t worry, Richard. I’ll let you know when to do each step.

Amber and Cobalt slowly stir to wake up. I make sure there are pieces of mom’s soap on the dresser top. I put a bowl near it. I fill it with the mountain water in my water skin. I recite a spell to refill it back it up. I see their towels and wash cloth already sitting there nearby.

I step into the bathroom to have my morning hot shower. I see I still don’t have to shave my face. I just don’t see any hair growing there. Once I’m all clean, I step out to dry off and get dressed for the day. I decided to wear the light corset underneath my shirt.

Once I step into my bedroom, I see Amber and Cobalt already cleaned up and dressed for the day.

“Good morning, Richard.” They both say it at the same time.

“Good morning, Amber and Cobalt. After we have our morning meal, I need to be on campus and register for my fall classes. Drive to the police department and tell them that I’m back. I’ll do some food shopping and a visit to a local gaming shop as well.”

“That is a lot to do today.”

Amber and Cobalt take their selection of nuts and small fruits from the bowls. Fortunately, I brought the box of dried milk with me. I make some milk and put it into a pitcher. I put together a bowl of cereal for my morning meal. After I use it, I put it in the fridge. I also eat some nuts and two of the larger fruits in the bowl, an apple and an orange.

Once we get ourselves all cleaned up and put the bowls and cups into the dish rack. We make the place look neat. I make sure there are enough nuts, fruits and water in the satchel before I put it on my shoulder. Once done, Amber and Cobalt fly into my pocket. Once I step outside, they change into butterflies and join Traphel and the others. I walk to the CE office to pick up a register form for my classes. Fortunately, I have no fear of having these classes being closed on me. By the time you become a senior, you know there will still be seats available for the classes.

The fairies wait outside the CE building while I go inside to meet with my counselor to discuss the options. I meet the CE secretary first.

“Richard, it is good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, ma’am.”

“How was your summer vacation?”

“It was relaxing in some ways with friends in Mt. Blanc. There was a time I kept busy helping others as well. I know I won’t feel fully calmed down until at least a year has passed.”

“That’s true, Richard. So, you’re here to sign up for the Fall Semester?”

“I am, ma’am.”

“That’s good. Your professor/counselor is in his office now. Here is the registration form for the classes.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Have a great day.” I take the form from her and put it in my notebook.

“You too, Richard.”

I turn around and walk down the hallways until I get to his office. I give a quick knock on the door.

“Come in.”

I open the door and walk inside.

“Good morning, Richard. Please have a seat. How are you holding up emotionally?”

“I’m doing okay for now, sir. I was able to see some friends in Mt. Blanc. I even went home to see the house again. I met some more friends there as well. It will probably a take a full year before it settles down.”

“It took me a year as well, Richard. My grandmother died several years ago. Do you have other relatives?”

“I do, sir. I have an Aunt and Uncle. I met them during the funeral.”

“That’s good. Now for the Fall Semester, there are two CSC courses and one restrictive elective to choose from. Each one is worth three credits.”

“That is only nine credits, sir. Can I choose another class to go along with the other three?”

“You can Richard, but I would suggest no more. There are a lot of labs and homework associated with them now.”

“Then I select two CE classes and two security classes. These are the classes I’m interested in.” I take out a sheet of paper from my notebook and hand it to him.

He looks at it carefully. “You’re serious about this direction you want to go? It is a combination between software and hardware classes.”

“I am sir. I need to experiment while I’m writing the paper for the Senior Project. It will help me see what is available technology wise. If this takes off that I think it will, everybody will bang on your doors to want a piece of the action.”

“That might be true, Richard. So, your Senior Project will be in this direction?”

“It is sir. I have an idea that will revolutionize the computer industry. I am very sure it will stop all hackers in their tracks.”

“That sounds very ambitious. We know with today’s standards these people have found ways through it and around it.”

“That’s true, sir. Not only is my idea for the software side, there is a new hardware architecture standard that will make the others obsolete very fast. If the software writers and hardware peripheral businesses out there can’t adapt, they will be out of business.”

“What are the steps to accomplish this goal?”

“Well, with the senior project, I will do a paper that will analyze the current standards in security and their flaws. For the conclusion I will propose my solution to the problems. I have every intention to get it built and implemented here at NC State during my Master’s degree.”

“That means, we have the virgin patent rights to them.”

“That’s right, sir. If a company wants to mass produce it, they will have to pay the royalties to the university here before they start collecting the profit in sales.”

“Well, I approve of the four courses you want to take. Thank you for thinking about NC State in this endeavor, Richard.”

“You’re welcome, sir. Thank you for the approval of the courses.”

I hand him the class register form from my notebook. He signs his signature to each one as we fill in the codes and the class titles. He hands me back my note sheet and the form. I get up and leave his office. I walk out of the building and start walking back to the admin building to register and pay the classes.

I get on the computer terminals to register for the classes. Then I stand in line for a half hour to pay for the classes with my debit card. I then call Anna to inform her about the classes being paid with the debit card.

After that I walk back to my car. The butterflies follow me back to the car. “I’m going to the police station and tell them I’m back. After that I’m visiting the local gaming shop and purchase some food at the local markets.”

“We’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.”

“Do you need us with you, Richard?”

“Yes, please come along Amber and Cobalt. You might not be able to get inside the police station. I’m only there to tell them I’m back. I have to set the schedule when I’m available to help the recruits. There are several trees and flower gardens around the building.”

“Thank you, Richard. We’ll wait until you come back out.”

Amber and Cobalt flutter quickly into my car. Traphel and the other fairies fly about and stay near the trees that are near my apartment at Western Manor.

It takes about a half-hour to drive to the police station. Amber and Cobalt flutter out to find the flower gardens and the trees around the building. After locking up the car, I walk into the foyer area of the police station. The front desk receptionist recognizes me immediately.

“Hello, Richard. Welcome back to Raleigh.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I just signed up my classes for the Fall Semester. I need to let the Captain know about it and see what we can schedule for the recruits.”

“That sounds great, Richard. I’ll call the Captain.” She calls the Captain. He comes out to the foyer in about five minutes.

“Hello Richard. It’s good to see you again. Come to my office, let’s see what we can schedule.”

We shake hands quickly. I don’t feel anything exchanged with him.

“Yes, sir.” I follow the Captain to his office. I sit in the chair opposite from him when he sits in his own chair behind his desk. I take out the class schedule from my notebook and hand it to him.

“This is a doable schedule. I know we can have you here like the last time with every other weekend. I see you have no classes for Thursday afternoon. How did that happen?”

“I didn’t plan it that way sir. That is they way it came out. I can do any Thursday you would like me to do.”

“Let’s plan the Thursdays opposite from the Saturdays and Sundays for now. That will allow you to be here once a week.”

“That sounds fine, Sir. Oh and one more thing. I just earned the Brown sash with the first degree at my dojo near Charlotte.”

“That’s great, Richard.”

“I’ll be there for the next two summers earning the rest of the brown sash degrees by the time I graduate.”

“That’s good. What are the weapons this time?”

“They will be metal, Sir. It is the sai, the sickle or sama and the broadsword.”

“That’s good. Our recruits need to find an upper hand when facing knives and other metal weapons. What are the animal forms for the brown sash?”

“It will be the crane and the tiger, Sir.”

“That involves the high kicks, doesn’t Richard?”

‘Yes sir. I’ll show your recruits some more defenses when facing a better trained martial artist.”

“Yes, we come across those sometimes when the suspects try to resist an arrest. Before I forget, I have a request from Josh.”

“What is it, Captain?”

“He would like to meet you at the jail here before he gets sent to the state pen.”

“I can do it anytime before classes start.”

“That’s fine. Let’s set it for tomorrow morning and get it over with. Be here at 8 A.M.. I’ll have an officer drive you there in a squad car.”

“I’ll be here. I’m curious about what he has to say.”

“I am too, Richard. He didn’t explain himself too much when he made the request.”

“If he is going to ask me forgive the charges that won’t happen.”

“Yes, he needs to pay for his crimes besides the one he did to you personally.”

“Sir, you know my major is in Computer Science at NC State.”

“I do, Richard.”

“Well, I’m planning to do something about those hackers and bad business people. I have a plan to stop them in their tracks.”

“That would be great to see, Richard. Our people have a hard time to track down these perps who commit these silent crimes. What are you planning?”

“For my senior project, I’m going to do a study on the current problem and provide some suggestions to plug those holes. During my Masters, I will start building the prototype for a new 3d computer architecture with the appropriate software. I’m very sure it will stop the hackers in their tracks and they can’t attack the hard-drives. The new architecture will make all current technologies obsolete very fast.”

The Captain smiles, “I would love to see that happen. You’ll need to have a safe room to keep it under lock and key. There will be students and people who will try to compromise your work. We’ve seen it happen before.”

“I know, Captain. It is my intention that I will be the sole builder of this and NC State will get the virgin royalties. If a company comes in to purchase it for mass production, they will have to pay the royalties to them before they can collect on the profit from the sales.”

“Your attorney will have to make sure everything is in order to protect you legally.”

“I already told her about it. She gets clients who have been robbed and have no adequate security measures. Some only have one camera on the front door.”

“Yes, we come across that as well. Well, good luck on that endeavor. Call us if someone decides to do a hurt number on you or the project.”

“I will, Captain.”

“Very good. I’ll see you this Saturday for the first session at 8 A.M..”

“I’ll be there.”

We get up and shake hands again. I don’t feel anything exchanged with him. I ponder on that as I walk out of the police department.

He didn’t receive the handshake from me, Creator.

He will, Richard, before you graduate with your Master’s degree.

Thank you, Maker.

I exit the building. Amber and Cobalt see me exit the building. They fly to me and hover around me. I open the door, they fly in quickly and sit on the seat. They change to their normal selves. I sit in the driver’s seat, turn on the engine and exit the parking lot to find the local gaming shop. I turn on the AC to quickly cool down the air inside the car.

“How did it go, Richard?”

“It went fine. Tomorrow morning, I will be here at 8 A.M.. I will be taken to the local jail to visit Josh.”

“Isn’t he the one who broke your bones when you were younger and fought him later?”

“The one and the same, Amber. I think he wants to give me a message. You will have to be outside the prison this time, or you can stay with Traphel. I’ll be right back after I visit him.”

Amber and Cobalt look at each other. They quickly talk to each other and nod their heads up and down.

“We’ll stay with Traphel tomorrow morning and see more of the college here.”

“That sounds fine, Cobalt. Well, here we are at the local gaming shop.”

“Why do you want to go there, Richard? You know you don’t have any of those cards.”

“I know Cobalt. I had a dream last night that I should be here today. Something very interesting will happen here. We will meet someone that we least expected.”

“Can it be the Earth Wizard?”

“I don’t know Amber. Anything is possible.” I park in the parking lot and open the door to get out. Amber and Cobalt fly out and hover around me in butterfly mode. I see only one person in the shop as I walk inside. Amber and Cobalt fly to a flowering potted plant in the corner of the room.

The man behind the counter sees me come inside. “Welcome. I haven’t seen you around here lately. Which game are you interested in?”

“I’m interested in the Yugioh card game.”

“Have you played the game?”

“Not really, so I guess I’m new at it. But I do know that you can create many kinds of decks for different situations.”

“Yes, you can.”

“How many come to these tournaments here?”

“We get about twenty per month here. Most of the other gamers here play the various board games that you see laid out here. That is where most of the action takes place. Are you sure you want to do Yugioh?”

“Let’s see the different kinds of decks you have here.”

“Over here we have some of them on display. This one here is the Ancient Fairy Dragon. It is a synchro-tuner monster.” He smiles as he hands the card to me.

I look at the card, then for some reason it appears to be moving. Also, time appears to stop around me.

~~~000~~~

Omega Unicorn, can you hear me?

Are you speaking to me, Ancient Fairy Dragon?

I am, Omega Unicorn. I’ve come from the Spirit World to give you a warning.

What kind of warning?

There is a dark enemy who is making plans to destroy Earth.

There have been many who have tried.

I know Omega. But this enemy is different from all others in the past. In fact he is the first enemy of the Creator.

You mean to tell me it is Lucifer?

That is one of his names. His actual name is Azazel. He has given himself the title of King. He is trying to break the barriers of the multi-verses to create his grand army of one billion star ships.

That is not good, Ancient Fairy Dragon. I was just warned by Goku, Botan and Yusuke last night in a dream.

No, it is not, Omega Unicorn. I was told by them, then I knew you had to be contacted to verify this warning.

I still haven’t shown Earth yet that we are not alone in the universe. The Emissaries are going to show up here fifty years from now or so. Then there has to be no more wars for one hundred years before we are accepted into the Local Group

You must begin to learn the card game during this time, Omega. You will be challenged in shadow duel matches along with others who are gifted from Earth here. There are beings in the Spirit World testing people to know their strengths and weaknesses on other worlds and here. They are from the enemy.

Who are these others on Earth who will be with me, Ancient Fairy Dragon?

These are people who have received the handshake that was started by you. It is spreading quickly. Soon more and more people will be hearing the Creator’s Voice. But the ones who don’t will be polarized against the good forces. They will seek a new place of refuge to commit their plots of terror. Only the ones who are card duelists and can hear the Creator’s Voice will participate in the shadow duels.

Where will they hide?

To the great plateau north of the great mountains north of India.

That is called Tibet. It is a desolate area.

It is now, Omega. But as the centuries roll on it will become green again from the seeds that you brought back.

Who are these beings who will be testing us?

These will be demons and evil men who seek control of others. Some will be good beings who will be testing you as well. You will sense their intentions when you meet them and which side they are on.

What type of decks should I choose? It costs money to buy these cards.

The cards will choose you, Omega when you get near them as you look at them like you are doing now. Create four different types of decks with different side decks. You will know eventually the combinations as you practice here.

Your spirit seems familiar to me. Have I met you before?

I was wondering when you were going to figure it out. You have met my mate on Twainor.

You were Tarsi’s mate. Weren’t you?

I was, Omega Unicorn. My former name was Delinda. When the dragons were killed on Twainor during the First War, we were brought here and given an option to live again. King Yama is the one who watches over Spirit World. The Creator set this sub-realm up in Spirit World for this purpose. It is to test the skills and capability of people to deem them worthy for the battle ahead. The unicorns that were killed on Earth are here as well except for Caliber and his mate. I was able to connect to you quickly because of Eingana’s blood coursing through you.

I was told the land and sea animals will be aware of me here in the real world.

That is right, Omega. You must continue to earn the degrees to become a Shaolin Dragon Master. Then there will come a time that you will need to find the portals that are hidden on Earth. Also, you will need to find the dragons that are still hidden on Earth. We will let you know when the time is right for those quests.

Did this card game get started in Egypt?

It did, Omega, however on a parallel Earth. The Egyptian God cards are very powerful. It does take great strength of spirit and will to command their presence. Since you are part dragon, you have the opportunity to have them in your deck. My suggestion to you is to make a 5-D Beast deck. The second deck will be a sorcerer deck. The third deck will be a dragon deck. The fourth deck will be a generic deck of traps and spell cards. The side decks will be warrior, insect, machine, light, dark, water and DD. There could be more, but it depends on the situation.

I will have to ask my family attorney for permission on these purchases. I’m on a monthly stipend for extra expenses. I will have to prove to her this realm exists. She already accepts the idea I will give birth to fairies. Also, she is aware of my special abilities as the Omega Unicorn. If I get into an ordinary game, I can’t reveal my true self. Only in a shadow game can I do that. How will a shadow duel happen if we don’t have the magic here?

When you create your 3D program, it will help bring that world to you like you have seen on the TV shows, but it is not complete. The hologram emitters will need a special mineral coating. You will find it in your apartment. Once you get it analyzed, you then can mass produce it. The shadow duel doesn’t become active unless someone like you and someone from the Spirit World interact with it at the same time.

Hmm . . . it is in my apartment. Hopefully it will be revealed when I get back there today.

Ancient Fairy Dragon smiles when she sees me thinking hard on it.

Then Croin appears above me. Delinda sees him.

Hello, Croin. It has been a long time since I saw you.

Hello, Delinda. Yes it has. I will tell Tarsi that you are okay. He thinks you are hiding somewhere on Twainor after the First War.

He will find my body at our burial plot in the ocean. I was laid there by my sisters.

I will tell him the next time I see him.

Keep Richard safe, Croin. I’m glad to know one of us is with him. You will be a key ally to help him. There are some dragon spirits on Earth that have been trapped by some warlocks and witches. They are forced to do their bidding. You’ll both find a way to release them. I must go now, Omega Unicorn. I’ll see you later in your deck.

See you later, Ancient Fairy Dragon.

~~~000~~~

Amber and Cobalt noticed I’m staring at the card and not moving at all. The man notices it as well.

“Everything is okay, Amber and Cobalt. He is visiting Ancient Fairy Dragon. It’s I, your friendly neighbor SRU Wizard.” The man then changes back into the Wizard in a blink of an eye.

“We thought it might be you. I remember your presence since the last time we saw you.”

Amber and Cobalt fly over and land on a table nearby and look at my face. Then they hover above me to see if there are any changes in the card he is looking at. They see the figure moving in the card.

“He is getting additional instructions on what to do. He will have to learn how to play the game. There will be some bad people who will challenge him in the future. This card game will help him prepare for that.”

“I remember him saying these cards cost money and it takes time to gather them together.”

“Yes they do, Amber.”

“Is this game dangerous?”

“Right now it is not. When he gets strong enough, he will be challenged to do his first shadow game. A shadow game is when a spirit portal is opened to the shadow realm. This spirit portal is different from the others on Earth. It’s a duel to send one’s spirit to the shadow realm or not. If one loses, his body, soul and spirit are sent there. He is separated from this world. It is very rare that anybody leaves that realm and rejoins the real world. The spirits there will torment him until the Creator has the Day of Judgement of his Creation.”

“Then he must not lose that shadow game. He is the Omega Unicorn, Wizard. The future of the Multi-verses needs him.”

“He is aware of that. If he shadow duels against a good being, the outcome is different.”

“Is this where the magic went to, Wizard?”

“Some of it did, Cobalt. Anya and I are keeping guard on the rest of it. Someday in the future, Richard will have to find the portals on Earth and open them up. He will also need to find the dragons that are still hidden on Earth.”

“There are dragons on Earth? I thought they were all killed off.”

“No, they weren’t, Amber. These dragons are special. They have a long life in them. Right now they are sleeping and waiting to be wakened up when the Ultimate Last Battle will take place. Richard will learn how to find them and wake them up as he studies their stories.”

“I also heard from Richard there are more Nefelim hidden and frozen in the south continent.”

“Yes, they are there, Cobalt. Richard will find a way to thwart their plans. They are in hibernation and waiting to be thawed out. Again this will happen at the Ultimate Last Battle.”

They see me wake up from staring at the playing card.

“Wizard, you are here.”

He smiles at him. “Yes, I’m here. I came here so you can meet Ancient Fairy Dragon. You won’t talk to them like this until you make the interface for the card game. When you do, then the game will have a huge resurgence in popularity.”

“Ancient Fairy Dragon mentioned a unique mineral will be found in my apartment. When I analyze it, it will help make the hologram transmitters interact with the shadow realm.”

“That’s right, Richard. You need to be very careful with that report on the mineral that you find. Make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“Wait a second, the only thing that is unique in my apartment is the stone carving I brought back from Twainor.”

“That’s right, Richard. Look underneath the stone carving. You’ll find a small vein of the Ethereal Space ore there and a small vein of the Evenshard stone.”

“Is it enough for me to do magic?”

“No, Richard. I must tell you something very important for the four of you. The Ethereal Space ore is here on Earth. However, the Creator made sure no vein survived to this day. The Atlanteans found it and used it during their time. It is a unique combination of elements on the charts. It is not nuclear or radioactive. It is the same for the Evenshard vein. The Creator removed that and dispersed them into the Earth’s mantle and crust. The Aurora Borealis is a clue that we still have it.”

“That means the Ethereal Space ore is now mixed with our magnetic rocks to create our magnetic fields and Van Allen Belts.”

“That’s right, Richard. You just need to scrape a little bit from the stone carving to use as your test sample. The Eleven Magi were able to save the last bit of the pure Ethereal Space ore and Evenshard stone and took it with them before Atlantis disappeared. I don’t know where they have hidden it. But I can sense it when I’m near them. You will too, when you confront them the next time.”

“Is this their source of magic?”

“It isn’t, Richard. It helps them to be stronger. The Eleven Magi, Anya and I are the only ones who have the magic born in us. The others who can do magic here have a small trace that is passed from generation to generation. It usually is dormant in the humans and never turned on. Only a few humans have are aware of it. The responsible ones are able to keep it hidden. The ones who want to commit evil with it are a little more open with it.”

“If I print out the report on the mineral test, I can give it to you for safe keeping.”

“Yes, that is wise to do that, Richard.”

“Ancient Fairy Dragon said when the holograms’ emitters are made, I put a thin coat of this mineral onto them. Then it will allow a shadow duel to take place when the right person like me and a being from the Spirit Realm comes to test us.”

“I see. That means it still works without that coating. You can create special editions of the emitters if you want to.”

“I would think so Wizard. If this system becomes the new security tool I think it will, it won’t need that coating.”

“No, it won’t.”

“Have you given any thought about the weakness of the Eleven Magi?”

“I have, Richard. Anya and I have been wracking our brains on this one.”

“Maybe it is among your collection of artifacts and you don’t realize you had it all along.”

The Wizard smiles, “That would be great, Richard. If it is, then it is hiding in plain sight. Thank you for that idea. I’ll look into it. But, now I must introduce you to the owner of this shop. Bill and Linda, you can come in now.”

The door opens to a back storage room, in walks a man and woman.

“This is Bill and Linda Matheson. They are husband and wife and owners of this gaming shop. Bill and Linda, this is Richard Moore.”

“Hello, Richard. The Wizard said you might be coming by. We are pleased to meet you. We also get to see some real fairies as well.”

We shake hands with each other.

“My name is Cobalt and this is Amber my soul mate.”

“Don’t worry. We can already hear the Creator’s Voice in our head. He told us we would see something wonderful today.”

“How do you two know about the Wizard?”

Linda speaks up, “It begins with me. I was a boy in my former life. I was bullied like any other in school. My parents knew I wasn’t happy with my life. Bill here, saw my predicament one day. He came to my rescue one day. Since then we have been best friends.”

“Yes, but then we realized we really like each other. Somehow I sensed he was in the wrong body. So, we just bided our time until we graduated from high school. I was able to keep the bullies away during that time. Then one day after graduating from high school, we were walking in a mall and saw the Wizard’s shop. We took a chance and walked inside.”

The Wizard smiles, “Yes, they looked liked two lost souls. I had a solution for their woes. Since then, they have been a great couple.”

“About five years ago, we saved up the money to buy this game shop. We knew how to make it better. But with you now, Richard. If you can create that 3D program, it will definitely move these card and board games to a whole new level of participation. There will be no need for helmets and gloves to interact in a game. It will also put the wi-fi games on notice, as well.”

I looked at the Wizard, “Did you tell them what I’m about to do while I’m here in college?”

“I had to, Richard. This will be one of your testing grounds when it comes to the games’ side of the business.”

I smile back, “That’s fine, Wizard. To think I had a leak already. It is still in my head anyway. Captain Jackson of the Raleigh Police Department told me I will need a safe room to keep it under lock and key while it is being developed. I don’t need some hacker or corporate spy compromising my work. I intend to plug those holes and back doors.”

“That will be needed Richard. If all goes well with this endeavor, in the future it will help the scientists and engineers to create the warp engine and perfect the transporter.”

We all smile when we hear that news.

“That would be something to see, right from the pages of Star Trek.”

“Well, I must be going. You three know how to contact me if you need me for any emergency. I’m half way around the world again. I just got word from Romania. There is an underworld arms dealer who kidnaped a gypsy. He is hoping to force her to create a new germ warfare agent.”

“Well, we wish you the best in rescuing her. Don’t be surprised if some Magi are behind it.”

“I’m not, Richard. They have their hands in the pockets of many people around the world. I should be able to rescue her.”

“Oh, I was just informed by Ancient Fairy Dragon, Wizard. There are some warlocks and witches who are in control of several dragon spirits.”

“Hmm . . . thank you for telling me that. If I come across those who practice the black arts, I’ll let you know which ones have enslaved the dragon spirits.”

We smile and nod our heads to each other. He puts his hands out and mutters some words. He then disappears in a blink of an eye.

“It amazes me that he can do that.”

“It is, Bill. So, where should I start in learning this game?”

“There are some starter sets to begin with. They are really cheap in price. When it comes to specific and rare cards, the price will go up. We don’t dictate those prices. It is based on supply and demand.”

“Ancient Fairy Dragon gave me a huge list of types of cards to create. They are 5D, beasts, water, sorcerer, dragon, traps and spell cards and so on.”

“Hmm . . . Yes you better think that way. That way you know most of the combinations involved. Their weaknesses and strengths are a must to know. You can have burn decks that will cause the opponent to discard his deck to the graveyard as quickly as possible or a typical point killer in getting them down to zero. Those are the two main strategies in the game. Some players will favor one type over another and don’t touch the others at all.”

“Well, let’s begin with the starter sets for now. I will slowly learn it as time goes on. It will have to fit it in my spare time with my classes at NC State and the Police Department.”

“Your classes are more important, Richard. Do what you can in your spare time here. There are web sites that will help you out and answer some of your basic questions. Here is a list of web sites I trust.” He picks up a sheet of paper from the counter and hands to me.

“Thank you. I’ll look it up when I can. How much money can I expect to pay for this hobby?” I smile at Bill.

He smiles back, “In the neighborhood of $1,000.00. I’ve seen more or less. You will need to protect the cards in notebooks with sleeves.”

“That sounds like I’m collecting baseball cards.”

“It is, Richard. But this is a game you are playing with. If you purchase these foil packs of ten once in awhile, there will be a great card hidden in them from time to time.”

Linda goes behind the counter and picks out five starter decks. “A typical deck is 50 to 60 cards. The minimum is 40 cards. The maximum is 60 cards. You need several different strategies within a deck so you won’t be caught off guard by an opponent. If someone were to play the Necrovalley card, you need to have a backup plan for example.”

“Hmm . . . well, I’ll take it step by step. Saturdays are your big days, are they?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Well, every other Saturday and Sunday, I’m an assistant instructor at the Police Department for their martial art classes. On the other Thursday afternoons, I’m there as well.”

“We can work around that with no problems. This is supposed to be a hobby. We have some people who are obsessed with it. They will be your biggest challenge.”

After paying for the starter sets and a simple box to keep them in, I have lunch with them. I open my satchel and take out the bags of nuts and fruits for Amber and Cobalt. Bill and Linda ordered in for the rest of us. We get delivered from the local sub shop our choice of sandwiches. I order a chicken sub while they get a turkey and another chicken sub.

When we get done, I leave the shop to do some food shopping. When I arrive at the parking lot, Amber and Cobalt change into fairies and fly into my shirt pocket. I lock up the car and walk into the grocery store. I purchase an assortment of food. This includes fish, chicken, jelly and jams, fresh produce, rice, fresh fruit, nuts and other things.

Amber and Cobalt are impressed what is available in a larger market. I whisper to them.

“Don’t worry. There are several open markets in the area like in Mt. Blanc. I’m going to the local hardware store to see what I can build for the patio balcony.”

“Yes, don’t forget that.”

I pay for the items with my debit card. I load up the car in the back seat. I get in and drive to the local hardware store. Amber and Cobalt fly into my shirt pocket again. I walk inside to find the garden supplies. I start walking down the aisles looking for the shelving units. A lady assistant sees me looking for something.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“Yes, I would like to set up a flower garden on this little patio of my apartment. I’m a student at NC State and staying at the Western Manor Apartments.”

“I think we have something here for you.” She leads me down the aisle until we see boxes containing several kinds of shelving styles. “How many pots do you have so far?”

“Right now I have ten small pots. They contain some herbs and small fruit bushes.”

“You’ll need to have some flowers to attract the bees and butterflies to pollinate them. Then during the winter, you can bring them inside to protect them. You’ll need a set of shelves when they are brought in.”

“Hmm . . . The one on the patio will have to be tied to the railing with rope.”

“Yes it will, so it won’t tip over during our high winds.”

“I’ll start with that shelving unit there that has six levels. I’ll try four flower pots for right now and one potted aloe plant.”

“That’s a good choice if you get burned on the stove.”

“I know it is, ma’am. I better get another bag of potting soil as well for backup.”

“What will be your water source?”

“I don’t want to use the tap water from the apartment. I remember mom collected rain water for her flower garden.”

“That’s a better choice. When it does become dry, you can still use tap water, but you need to add this to the water to give it more nutrients. If you’re going to grow the small grape tomatoes, you’ll need a screen to keep out the birds but still allow the bees and butterflies through.”

“Well, I’m on the second floor. I don’t have to worry about rabbits or squirrels if that is what you are thinking.”

“That is good to hear. Just keep it in mind if the birds spot them. We do get humming birds here in March. They will like to go after the nectar in the flowers. There are all sorts of possibilities. You’ll just have to take one step at a time.”

“I’ll have to, ma’am. Thank you for all your help.”

We put the five potted plants in first in the cart, then the shelving unit on last. I also pick up a package of coiled rope. I’ll use the knife in the tool box in the trunk of my car. I pick up ten more empty plastic pots, potting soil, a package of plastic sheeting, a watering bucket with a spout and a container of liquid nutrients if I use the tap water. I also get a filter tap for the sink in the kitchen. The screen will have to come later. I’ll need to see if the birds will leave my balcony alone. I think two low level shelves inside the apartment will do if I need to bring them inside. It will need a mat underneath it to protect the carpet. Well, let’s take it one step at a time. A green translucent panel screen will help my fairies if they go out in fairy mode to tend the plants in privacy.

I pay for everything on the debit card. At least Anna knows this is being purchased for this reason. I’ll send her an email to catch her up on the latest purchases. Loading the potted plants into the car is the easy part, it is the shelving unit is the awkward part. I have to put the top down to do it right. Once everything is in place. Amber and Cobalt fly out of my pocket in butterfly mode. They get down on the floor of the back seat where the potted plants are. They change into fairy mode to hang onto the plants.

I drive really carefully back to the apartment. Once I’m there, Amber and Cobalt change back into butterflies. They flutter to the balcony and wait for me. I bring up the shelving unit first, then the potted plants and the rest of the purchases. I lay out a plastic sheeting on the carpet first, then I place the rest of the purchases there. After bringing up the groceries and putting them away, I do one more trip to the car, I get my toolbox and put the top up on the car and lock it up.

I take the first ten potted plants and bring them inside and place them on the plastic sheeting. I then go back out to the balcony to assemble the shelving unit. It takes me about half hour to do it. Once it is erected where I want it, I tie it to the railing at four places. I make sure it doesn’t move. I then go back inside and retrieve the potted plants.

“Where do you want me to put them, Amber and Cobalt? I think the flowers should be in different locations.” I hear them whispering to me while they are in butterfly mode.

“Put two flowers on the top shelf, and the other three on the bottom. Put your herb pots on this shelf and put ours on this one where Cobalt is.” Amber is sitting on the second one from the top. Cobalt is sitting on the second one from the bottom.

“That sounds good.” The middle two shelves are empty. I put the empty pots there. I put the bag of potting soil and liquid on the floor of the balcony next to the shelves.

Once I get everything is set, about seven normal butterflies come in to check out the new collection of flowers. Once they pollinated the flowers and get a drink of nectar. They fly off and continue their journey. Then some bees come in and do the same thing. Once they collected some pollen, they take off and continue their journey as well.

The fairies are whispering to me it is a great success.

“This is great, Omega. Your garden will be very lush and beautiful. We can add some more different flowers to make it very beautiful.”

“Okay, my friends.” I take some empty pots and pour some potting soil into them. I place the draining plates underneath them. I put them in the empty spaces with the other flowers already there. I take the pitcher and fill it with some tap water. I put the measured amount of the nutrient liquid into it. I then water each of the pots just enough to make them damp.

The fairies then fly about to other gardens in the area in butterfly mode. They retrieve some seeds from various types of flowers. They place them on the surface of the soil. I then push the seeds carefully into soil and cover them over with some soil. “You didn’t put rose seeds here, Traphel?”

“We didn’t, Omega. We know that is a big flowering plant with the thorns. That won’t work here with this garden. These are all small and very colorful.”

“That’s good. Well, I need to clean up. Amber and Cobalt are going to be with you tomorrow morning. I will be visiting Josh in prison tomorrow morning. I was told he has a message for me.”

“We’ll be here tomorrow morning. Have a good night, Omega.”

“You do as well, my friends.”

Traphel and the other two fairies flutter off to find their safe place on campus. I draw the curtains closed. Amber and Cobalt fly over to the main sink and change into fairies. I turn on the water slowly. We then wash our hands with soap and water. Once we get done, I walk into my bedroom and retrieve the stone carving. I bring it to the main dining table and turn on the light above it. I sit in the chair and turn the stone over. Amber and Cobalt fly over and stand on the table to watch me inspect it.

“There, I recognize the Evenshard stone. It is that white vein there.” I point to it.

“Yes, we see it. That is a very small vein. There is the Ethereal Space ore vein there. It is that greenish mix color there.”

“Yes, I see it. Let’s see if we can get ourselves to glow goldenly.” I turn off the overhead light.

“If we can do that, then we know it is a good source.”

Amber, Cobalt and I put our hands toward the bottom of the stone. I concentrate on it and recite some words in English. “Creator, let this source of Ethereal Space ore activate in our presence.”

Then we see our skin surface glow a golden color. However, the intensity is not very bright like we saw on Twainor.

“This is great, Richard. We need to preserve this while we have the chance.”

“I have some empty plastic pill bottles. I’ll put some in each one.”

“Okay.”

I get up and go to the bathroom. I open the storage door under the bathroom sink. I retrieve two empty pill bottles. I close the small door, then I walk back to the dining room. I take a knife from the kitchen and put a piece of wax paper under the stone. I scrape some Evenshard stone first. I put about a teaspoon into the pill bottle. There is still some Evenshard stone underneath the stone carving. I do the same thing with the Ethereal Space ore. I then put an appropriate label on each one. The labels are “Even stone” and “Ethereal ore”.

“I’ll put these bottles on the dresser top for right now. So, it is in plain sight. If it becomes a problem, then it will be hidden in the apartment.”

“We understand, Richard. This is too important. After you get them analyzed, that report needs to be given to the Wizard.”

“Croin, do you sense anything from the carving?”

“I think this carving with the two veins is allowing me to be physical when I need to. I do know I need some of your energy if I’m to blow any fire.”

“If and when that new armor is built on Twainor. Then we’ll have a better source of those two minerals when we are in a fight. If I can get those two remaining ores from the Magi, then we’ll be in control of the extra power. Then the Magi will have to rely on their own abilities.”

“Well, let’s hope we can do that. I don’t know about you. I need some sleep for tomorrow.”

“I hear you, Cobalt. I’ll need it myself. You’re coming with me, Croin. You’ll get to see someone who has given me problems for a long time. I hurt him really good when I faced him a few moons ago. I wonder what he will say to me.”

“Then I’ll be right there with you.”

I put the stone carving back on the dresser top. We then get ready for dinner. I make a simple chicken dish for dinner. Amber and Cobalt take a clean plate from the dish rack near the sink. They set it down on the table. Then they go to the bowls to pick out the nuts and fruits they want to eat. I add some vegetables with some herbs on top of the servings. I pour out myself a large glass of water to drink.

We sit down to have our meal. I give the evening thanks. “Maker, Creator of the Universe. We just want to thank you for your wonderful blessing on this food we are about to eat. We also thank you for finding the two mineral veins underneath the stone carving. Help us to protect it always. We don’t need this to fall into the wrong hands. Thank you for allowing us to see our golden glows once more. Keep us safe, keep Traphel safe, keep King Oren and Queen Dove safe with the rest of fairies here on Earth. Thank you, Maker.”

Then they respond together, “Thank you, Maker.”

Croin sits on the book shelf and watches us while we eat our evening meal. Once we get done and clean up the place, Amber and Cobalt change into butterfly mode and go out to the balcony. They wait for me to come out through the doors. I walk along the sidewalks to enjoy the evening sunset again. Traphel and the fairies follow me around until the sun has finally set. We look up toward the sky as it gets darker. We see some clouds in the way of seeing most of the stars. The moon is approaching the First Quarter when it comes up from the horizon.

“Good night, my friends.”

I hear them whisper, “Good night, Omega.”

They fly to their tree to sleep. I see there is a hollowed out opening in a pine tree. It looks like it was done by some woodpeckers. I remember from my Boy Scout days, the birds would let the pine tree sap dribble down the tree. This causes an irritation to snakes who think they have an easy meal. The snakes eventually can’t stand it and fall to the ground to look elsewhere for their meal.

I walk back to my apartment and get changed for bed. Amber and Cobalt do the same thing as well. I set the alarm for 6 A.M.. Croin returns to the stone carving for his sleep and recharging. I move my desk chair closer to me. Then I put mom’s pillow on the chair. Amber and Cobalt bring over their pillows and covers. They get underneath them and are soon fast asleep. I turn off the lights and do the same thing.

I look on the dresser top to look at the two pill bottles one more time before I fall asleep. I don’t see them glowing at all. I don’t get any startling dreams this time. It is just a normal set of dreams.