Without further ado, let us begin!
***
People tore down the staircase and banged on the door. “Open up, Rugott!” Jarek snarled. “We know you’re hiding the boys in there.”
“You have a single choice to make. You either stay here and die alongside me—” he pointed at the portal “—or you take a leap of faith and pray that you find survival in the unknown.”
“You can’t come?” Warren asked.
“The portal has not stabilized in the short time we’ve been here. Transporting three individuals will cause it to unlock and shift to another location in the world, or become inactive for an extended period. Either way, it should hopefully set the Taldein back.”
Mark’s confusion was apparently quite evident, for Rugott glanced his way and said, “I cannot spare any precious seconds giving you the science of how these portals work.”
The crack of wood and reverberation of metal jolted Mark. Whoever was trying to gain access to the room wasn’t holding anything back. “They know the weaknesses of the system,” Rugott said, his words spilling out a little faster. “You must act.”
“I’ll face Jarek,” Warren spat.
“Then you will surely die,” Rugott said. “It’s a miracle that you’ve survived for this long. He may have been overconfident around you before, but not now.”
-excerpt from Shattered
***
Two men stood on the dais. Cheatcodes recognized them as members of the Mod Parliament. Mojo_Sansibar, on the throne's right, scowled fiercely at him. He was tempted to sneer back. Aguarios kept his face impassive; Cheatcodes hated that even more.
On one of the smaller platforms, the herald—Cheatcodes recognized him as ScribeGT—was stationed. The other boasted the ban officer, who wielded the standard weapon for the banning sentence: a hammer.
The group came to a halt several feet away from the dais. For a few moments, silence hung stagnant in the air. Then Scribe pulled out a parchment and said, "Governor Cheatcodes, you are charged with financially aiding piracy, instigating acts of piracy, and supporting numerous pirate crews. Do you have any defense against this accusation?"
The two soldiers in front of Cheatcodes stepped away from each, allowing him to view the dais better. He cleared his throat and bowed. "Your Majesty, the accusation is true. But I had legitimate reasons for my actions."
"Oh, so you can explain away your traitorous behavior, can you?" Mojo sneered.
"Yes, I can," Cheatcodes replied in a hard tone. "For you see, I am the last Chaos Guardian. For generations, my family and a handful of others have been assigned the task of ensuring that chaos continues in our world. That has taken many forms, but it always involves inciting mayhem. Our duty is not one to be taken lightly."
"So when you say you are the last guardian," Aguarios said, "you mean the other families have ended at one point or another?"
"Indeed. They were banned at some period in time, with no successors to continue the work."
"And what is this very important work that must be done?" Mojo asked.
Cheatcodes paused for a moment, formulating his response. He said slowly, "If we Chaos Guardians do not ensure that much discord is always present, an even greater calamity will strike. It is a storm that is simply called the Maelstrom, yet it is no mere storm. It has the potential to destroy not only the Message Boards Empire, but the entire world."
Aguarios, his brow furrowed, spoke up. "Let me see if I understand what you're saying: in order to prevent a massive catastrophe, you have to spark minor catastrophes to . . . keep this storm appeased."
"You are correct, sir," Cheatcodes said. "But if I'm banned, the guardians will be no more, and nothing can hold the Maelstrom in check."
***
“She loves you, sir.”
Byron didn’t look at Alonzo. “I love her also.”
“So why not say it forthright to one another?”
Now he rotated to his friend. “It’s because we can’t be together. I’m a wanted pirate; she’s a lady with a respectable reputation.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “And I don’t deserve her.”
Alonzo leaned closer. “Byron, perhaps this isn’t about what you deserve, and more about what you need.” He drew back and returned to the helm.
Byron didn’t look at Alonzo. “I love her also.”
“So why not say it forthright to one another?”
Now he rotated to his friend. “It’s because we can’t be together. I’m a wanted pirate; she’s a lady with a respectable reputation.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “And I don’t deserve her.”
Alonzo leaned closer. “Byron, perhaps this isn’t about what you deserve, and more about what you need.” He drew back and returned to the helm.
-excerpt from Of Beauties and Beasts
***
Kayne leaned back and heaved a sigh of relief. It was finally lunch, and not only was he grateful for the opportunity to sit down, but he also appreciated the fact that the Chow House only had booth seating for all the tables.
Adrian had insisted that they share a meal. "We should head back out as soon as we can," he'd said. "No sense in having to wait an hour or so before we can return to training."
Kayne retrieved his mother's letter from a pocket. He had decided to carry it with him at all times, and he now had a free minute to read it.
"Where's your girlfriend, bub?"
Kayne resisted rolling his eyes. "She's not my girlfriend, Harry. Scram."
"Ri-ight. Whatcha got here?" Harrison snatched the letter away and sniggered. "Your old lady really writes like one."
Gritting his teeth, Kayne rose from his seat. Harrison didn't notice. "Yep, she writes like a senile—"
Kayne grabbed Harrison by the shoulders and slammed him down on the table. For the third day in a row, Kayne was the center of attention, but he really didn't care. He hissed, "Never disrespect my mother again, or you'll wish you had minded your own business."
Adrian approached them warily, holding a tray with both hands. Kayne took his letter back. "We're moving elsewhere."
They chose another freestanding table. In hushed tones, Adrian said, "Something you're going to have to do is watch your enemies. You need to know what makes them tick, what they're afraid of, how they respond to others. But you have to start keeping an eye on them immediately."
"Why?"
"Because your fiercest opponents are testing you. Over the span of two and a half days, you've handed them information on a silver platter. You have to guard yourself."
Kayne cast his eyes downward, shame bubbling up on the inside. Adrian reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. "Just be more cautious in the future. And extra points for your chivalry. It's a worthy quality."
Kayne gave a small smile. "Thanks." He tucked into his food, ready to return to his training soon.
-excerpt from The Tournament of Convicts
***
Had I known that day my ordinary world would crumble beneath my feet, I might have stayed in bed longer.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. It started that fateful morning. The one where I was enjoying a blissful sleep. Dreams of a mild nature floated through my head, like fluffy clouds on a breezy day. I could've stayed there for a while.
Then the knocking started.
My eyes opened, and I expected to see sunlight streaming through the eastward-facing window. The room was barely lit. I groaned. Who needs to see me at this unholy hour of the morning?
The tapping persisted. "Keep your socks on," I shouted--well, I tried to. But in my groggy state, it came out as inaudible mutter. I rolled out of bed and promptly crashed in a heap on the floor.
-excerpt from An Awakening of Power
***
An alert from the eyepiece drew him from his depressing reflection on life. There was a fast-moving vehicle in the vicinity—too fast for the computer system. It had been hijacked. Ryder growled and used the analog stick to steer in the direction of the disturbance.
It didn’t take long to spot the runaway vehicle, a garbage truck operated by androids. Of course. Thanks, government, for keeping all the high-quality A.I. units to yourself. On days like these, Ryder felt like he was the garbage collector in the city.
He assessed the situation for a moment. Whoever was driving had decided to be as reckless as possible. The mechanical beast roared over sidewalks and slammed into cars, leaving an aftermath of chaos and carnage. Using his eyepiece to zoom in, Ryder noticed the driver sat slumped over, a cord from his head plugged into the dashboard. That meant the android had overridden the truck’s autonomous systems and replaced them with his own. His companion stood atop the vehicle, holding a minigun and unleashing a deadly spray.
Ryder growled again. If there was one thing worse than rogue A.I., it was rogue A.I. who had created plans beforehand. He swooped closer, unholstering his electroshock pistol. His eyepiece identified the armed android, who hadn’t noticed him yet, as Unit X-58.
He took a deep breath, then yelled, “X-58!”
The A.I. unit whirled around, but he didn’t shoot. “That is not my name. I am Xander.”
“No, you’re not.” Ryder moved closer to the truck, trying to keep alongside as the vehicle weaved between the lanes. “You’re X-58, and you are committing an act of terrorism. Stand down immediately.”
“You humans are all the same. You think my kind are beneath you, undeserving of even a proper name. Humanity must be wiped out.” As Xander aimed the minigun, he said, “Death to the slave drivers.”
-excerpt from Digital Pulse
***
Evening soon set in Ninjago. People everywhere began to put up their feet and relax. This was not the case on the Bounty. It was practically bursting at the seams with excitement.
Cole double-checked on the cake, just to make sure a certain someone had eaten the whipped cream again. Jay noticed Cole sticking his head in the fridge. "Dude, I learned my lesson, okay? I don't want Nya to dump more water on my head."
"You mean 'moar,'" Cole said absentmindedly.
Jay crinkled his brow. "That's what I said."
"No, you said 'more,' not 'moar.' SSTO loves saying 'moar' more than 'more'. Everyone knows that."
"Well then, everyone's darn confused!" Jay flailed his hands in the air like an enraged marionette. "Do you even hear yourself, Cole? You're repeating yourself more times than I can count."
"You did it again."
"Forget this noise!" Jay stormed out of the kitchen.
Maggie spotted him and asked, "What's wrong, Jay?"
"Cole's trying to mess with my head. He just keeps saying 'more' over and over again."
Maggie tapped her chin in thought. "Was he saying 'more' or 'moar?'"
Jay stared at her for a long moment. "That's exactly the same thing."
Yoda popped up beside Jay. "Actually, there is a difference. You either say 'more' or you say 'MOAR!'" He practically roared the word in Jay's ear.
The Master of Lightning almost jumped through the Bounty's sail. "Why didn't you warn me you were planning on yelling right into my ear?!" Jay cried.
"And actually, Yoda," Maggie said, "you say 'moar' like you're running in slow motion." She then proceeded to run away in slo-mo while shouting, "MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!"
"Why?!" Jay cried again. "I don't understand."
JayZX stepped over to Jay. "Dude, there's 'm-o-r-e', and then there's 'm-o-a-r.' Nothing else to it." She walked away.
Jay stood there in stunned silence for a moment. "Well, that makes a heap of sense, doesn't it!"
-excerpt from A Birthday of Epic Proportions
***
Never attack a man when his back is turned.
That is why Karnu allowed himself to be hustled through sparse halls and up wide stairways by several samurai. They weren’t rude about it, but he sensed the underlying suspicion; he may as well have been a prisoner in their eyes. But that didn’t matter. He had been treated worse in the past.
Higher and higher they ascended the tower. Karnu snuck glances at the few rooms they passed. Monks shuffled around, bearing scrolls. Some were examined, and others returned to their resting places in shelves. For all intents and purposes, this place served as Yashan’s center for historical records. He had reason to believe it had a more secretive function.
When they neared the top floor, the men directed him down yet another corridor into a large room that seemed to be the main library. More people bustled about, most glancing curiously in his direction. One man stood in the middle of the organized chaos atop a dais. He watched the multitude with a steady gaze and called out instructions on occasion. As Karnu and his escorts approached, his eyes snapped in their direction. “Who is this man you bring before me?”
“Riam-kan,” one of the guards said, “we do not know who he is. We found him knocking on the library’s gates. All he said was that he wished to speak with you.”
-excerpt from Darkened Slumber
***
Griffin paused momentarily, and Frank seized that moment. He darted across the room, grabbed a candle from the closest candelabra, and held it over the table with the stacks of paper.
Roaring, Griffin stomped toward him. Then he noticed the candle, and he halted mid-stride. "You wouldn't dare."
Frank sighed. "You underestimate me, for I actually would dare."
Griffin started to lift his left hand, and Frank lowered the candle. "No magic tricks, pal. Seriously. I told you what I wanted earlier, but you didn't answer. Thus, I am going to repeat myself with clearly enunciated words: hand over the key to Almira's cell."
"Give me my jewel, and I'll give the key," Griffin said.
"I don't trust your word."
"And I shall not give the key until you return to me what is rightfully mine."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Then we are at an impasse. Which means drastic measures must be taken." He dropped the candle and shook gobs of warm wax from his hand.
The fire licked the pages, as if testing them to see if they were appealing. Satisfied, it began to consume more of the papers.
"What are you doing?" Griffin cried, looking horrified. He ran forward, and Frank whipped a tome from the bookshelf. He chucked it forcefully, and Griffin narrowly avoided it. "What is the meaning of—"
Frank tossed two more books, and one struck Griffin squarely in the torso, knocking the man off his feet. Then Frank added more candles to the impromptu fire. It was slowly morphing into a blaze, and it wouldn't be kept tame for long.
Griffin rose, face teeming with rage. "When I get my hands on you—" He was interrupted by more volumes flung from the bookshelf.
-excerpt from An Old Face, a New Game
***
*Gideon sips his coffee*
Gideon: Oh, this is delicious! *takes a big drink*
Critter: Be careful, brother.
Gideon: *high-pitched voice* Why?
Sam: Oh dear.
Gideon: *voice getting squeakier* Why do you say that?
Critter: Bro, put the coffee down . . .
Gideon: But I'm still thirsty! *gulps down the rest*
Mzaqw: Hit the dirt! *jumps to the floor*
*Gideon starts shaking*
Critter: I better step back. *gets off chair and backs away*
Gideon: TIME TO UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE CAFFEINE IN ME! *jumps off chair and starts racing around the room like the Flash*
Trooper: Oh no!
*Gideon knocks down tables and chairs*
Mzaqw: This is bad, bad, bad. And the floor looks dirty up close.
*now Gideon bangs into Sam's cleaning supplies, knocking them to the ground*
Sam: My work is cut out for me.
Trooper: Don't let him hit the machines!
*Sam grabs the soap and water and splashes them all over the floor*
*Gideon slips and falls down*
Critter: Is it over?
Gideon: I . . . am . . . never . . . doing . . . that . . . again . . .
Critter: Well, good! I'm not going to let you do it again either!
Gideon: Don't worry, I'll be a good boy.
-excerpt from Brickman's Businesses
***
“Open your mind to me.”
Drake stopped dead in his tracks. He glanced around the office cubicles, searching for the sound of the chilling hiss. It was closing time, and the few employees still around were busy getting ready to leave. None of them could’ve said that.
He shook his head and kept walking toward the elevator.
“Link yourself to me.”
Drake’s grip on his briefcase tightened. He peered over his shoulder, where the voice had come from. It seemed to slither around the room, hiding its true source.
“Snap out of it,” Drake muttered. “This is just a stupid prank.” Expressing the sentiment helped somewhat, but he increased his pace nevertheless.
“Fuse your soul to mine.”
Clenching his jaw, Drake punched the button for the elevator to open. The doors slid apart, and he marched inside. Just as he pressed the main floor button, one of his coworkers, Brandon, slipped through the opening. He nodded and turned around.
Drake frowned. Something had been wrong with Brandon’s face, but he couldn’t tell what it was. He chalked it up to his imagination being overactive.
The elevator started to descend. Then the voice returned. “Donate your body to my good cause.”
It was as if a cold, phantom fist had blasted through Drake’s gut. The voice had come from Brandon.
“What the heck are you playing at?” Drake growled. “You’ve got a twisted sense of humor.”
Brandon whirled, and Drake jolted back, slamming against the wall. Brandon’s eyes were gray and vacant. A black wisp drifted around where his pupils should’ve been. He grinned, exposing a dark fungal growth on his teeth and gums. “Not playing at. Playing for. I’m playing for the world.” He took a step closer. “But you come first.”
-excerpt from The Overlord Mind
***
That's all for today, folks! I hope you enjoyed the snippets, and I hope the post wasn't too long! Which one was your favorite? Any story in particular you want to see more of?
