Phoenix Mountain: The Protectors of Reality

Chapter Three - Adri Gets Tackled by Mother Earth

Through the door lied a beautiful birch wood mansion, clearly decades old. Several vines hung from the giant stairwell, and there were deep cracks in the wood floor. Max and Adri weren't far behind from me, and we all stood agape at the beautiful, aging house. Father Time walked in front of us, his hands in a welcoming gesture, "Welcome to your new home, Protectors."

Max leaned closer to me, cautious not to let Father Time hear, "Protectors? Adri and I don't have powers like you, Sam, do we?"

I shrugged in his direction. I just got into this stuff, the only thing I knew was that I apparently protected the galaxy. He sighed, and looked back at Father Time.

Father Time threw his mask at a nearby table, and sat down on the stairs, "Finding and catching a new protector is always so stressful, I need a second to relax. You three can explore the mansion, but if you want to head outside, you ask me first."

We nodded in agreement, and looked around. "Where do we start, Father?" I heard Max say. I felt a little uncomfortable with Max calling him that, and so did Father Time and Adri, but Max didn't seem to mind.

Max was able to pull anything off, and not make a moment awkward. That's what I find amazing about Max, it's magic the way he does it.

Father Time looked at Max dryly, then sighed. "I would suggest in the living room. Down the hall to the right. By the way, you might see other protectors in the mansion, so make sure to socialize."

Max nodded, obviously taking control of the conversation, "Got it. Thanks, Father!" He said as he started walking according to his directions.

The living room looked recently cleaned, unlike the rest of the house. A brown cushioned couch lay at the front of the room, and a computer desk was near the window. Outside was a gorgeous view of a mountain side sunset, with bright colors of orange and red surrounding the horizon.

Adri rushed over, and collapsed on the couch, with a satisfying whump. Max and I laughed, but he didn't mind. Suddenly, he sat up straight, an urgent look on his face.

"I just realized something. Where's all my fencing gear!? My armor, my sword!? That sword costed me a year worth of savings, and I plan on using it until the end!"

Before I had time to think about anything I was missing, I heard a terrifying "Aaaaaaaaaaah!" as a small girl toppled into Adri, face-first.

Max and I stood there, shocked, as Adri struggled to get the girl off of him. She hopped off, and looked at the hole in the ceiling she fell from, "Alright, next time I'll knock when I head in the boy's dorm! Geez!"

She turned to Max and I, revealing her appearance. She was a young girl, maybe six years old. She had mud smeared in her hair, making her hair look brown. She had a vest on with a tattered white shirt underneath. Just like everything else on her, the pants she wore were filled with dirt and grass stains, putting a new definition to, "Blue Jeans".

She noticed us three, including Adri, and jumped in surprise. "Oh! It looks like Mr. Time has found the other protectors!"

She dashed up to me, and I backed away in surprise. She is the fastest girl I've ever seen... Is she a protector? She got closer, a quizzical look on her face, "So what are you? Protector of the seasons? Elements? Gravity?! Come on, tell me, tell me!"

I raised my hands up in retreat, and she floated up into the air. I got startled, and lowered my hands, bringing her crashing down. She weakly raised her head, "...So, gravity?"

I smiled, and Max helped the girl up. She turned to me, still hyper after two falls. "Ah, it doesn't matter! My name's Terra, Terra Magnus! I'm the protector of Mother Earth, and I think Father Time wants me to show you around. If you follow me upstairs, you can meet the rest of us!"

A/N - Hey guys! Hoped you all enjoyed Chapter Three! Mother Earth is adorable, is she not? By the way, I'll be trying to upload a new chapter every other day during the week. If you find any typo's, please tell me!

Here's something about the book to make you think: "Who threw Terra through the ceiling? Was he a protector? He threw her at the speed of light, don't you think?"

Keep that pun in mind, my dear children.

Always Remember to Keep on Blazen,

- The Ukulele Pika