Phoenix Mountain: The Protectors of Reality

Chapter Nine - The Power of Fear

Unlike my last joyful encounter with the breakers, I didn't start falling in an endless abyss. Instead, I was in a dark prison cell, made of aging cobblestone. I rushed to the iron bars, and saw the room I was in last time. A bright white room, the deep black chains lifelessly lying on the ground.

"Is that not where you were before? With Bris?"

I turned around slowly, and saw a boy of my nightmares. He seemed the same height as me, and the same age. His hair was a ruffled white, his long hair flowing anywhere and everywhere on his head. He had a frown on his face, giving me a sense of discomfort. I backed away, until I was at the back wall of the cell.

He sighed, "You're just no fun at all. It's easy to find what you fear. Why don't you hide it? That makes the search more fun!"

He disappeared, and reappeared inches from my face. I jumped in surprise, and tried to kick him in the leg. To my surprise, I actually hit him, but he didn't show any sign of pain. He didn't even move.

He grinned, "What was it that old man said back in the 1930's? Oh yeah, 'The only thing to fear is fear itself'? Well, he's correct, cause there is such thing as fear itself, and I am fear itself! The breaker that is fear!"

He backed away, his confidence not wavering at all. "Looks like you got many fears kid. Let's start with the not so fun one."

The scene tore apart, and I was no longer in the prison cell.

Once I could see again, I couldn't look away. I wanted to, I tugged at my mind to look away, but it wouldn't obey. I was in Travis' world.

I could feel Travis' presence anymore. Instead, I felt him in my mind. Just like when Bris was in my mind in the darkness, Travis' voice flooded my mind.

You seem to have started fearing this recently. Not a couple hours ago, right?

I saw Sarah, in the same dark chains I was in. The same outfit she was in when I first saw her, the beautiful tye-dye shirt hugged her body. The only difference, she was wearing the same white robe I wore. The bright smile I saw in her face a couple hours ago was disappeared. What replaced it was a look of true sorrow, tears rolling down her smooth cheeks. I wanted to run to her, but I realized I was in a glass box, keeping me from my creativity, my way out.

I pounded on the walls, but I never made a crack.

It's no use pounding on the glass, kid. I made the glass out of the most powerful thing in the world. Darkness.

How do you think Sarah became blind anyways? This room isn't a figment of Bris' imagination, it's a room in the Breaker's Mansion. The former Breakers knew that "Sarah" was going to be the new protector of creativity. No offense, kid, but creativity has shown to be more powerful than the others. We had to make creativity a lower threat, so we damaged her eyes. Or at least, he did.

I didn't have enough energy to ask questions. I collapsed to the ground, and screamed for it all to stop.

I heard Travis smirk in my mind, Oh, we've just begun. You aren't leaving for a long time.

It's has been four days since Sam fell asleep, and injured his leg from falling. Everyone at the Protector's Mansion has blamed Terra for such a heavy injury, but Adri suspects something different. He's headed outside to the forest nearby the mansion alone. He wants to find out who did this to Sam, but he doesn't want anyone getting in his way.

Adri lies down at a nearby tree, a couple miles away from the Protectors Mansion. He took off his backpack he "borrowed" from Father Time, and pulled out the sandwich he made. He took a bite, and savored the creamy mayonnaise, and spicy salami in his mouth.

It was silent for minutes on end, the only sound heard was the crunch of the bread on Adri's sandwich. Then, Adri heard the voice of the one he wanted to see, making a smile creak through his face.

"Hello, Adri." Bris said with an evil grin. Adri set down his sandwich, and stood up. He turned around to see Bris, with Sam slung over her shoulder, still unconscious. He had pitch black shackles around his wrists, and ankles. Adri grimaced, "So you're who took over Sam's mind? Or one of your henchmen?"

Bris sighed, "I'd love to tell you, but I don't have time for chit-chat. Now please be a good boy and get out of my way."

Adri unsheathed his slender katana, a furious smile now written across his face. "I'm not letting you leave until you tell me why you keep targeting Sam, and not anyone else."

Bris' smile faded, and groaned, "Fine. He's the key to bringing our leader back to life. That's all I'll say."

Adri looked at Bris quizzically, but didn't ask anymore questions. He didn't want to risk her leaving. "Well, I heard from Max that one of your henchmen has the power of fear. After today, I assure you that you'll fear me!" Adri said as he charged at Bris, but she easily dodged. She sighed, "Silly boy. You should know by now that I fear nothing." Bris laughed as she dissipated into nothingness, leaving Adri alone in the forest.

A/N - Herro My Dear Children!

I hope you have enjoyed Chapter Nine! What's going to happen to Sam, and who are the other Breakers? Here is a hint/riddle/question:

"The Protectors have someone that has been a Protector since the beginning (Father Time). Is Bris the Breaker's 'Father Time', or is there someone else?"

Always Remember to Keep on Blazen,

- The Ukulele Pika