Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Blood Brothers





“Hey Protector, how is she?” Rebel asked as she walked in with a bowl of soup. Protector didn’t answer her. “Would ya like some soup?” She said offering him the bowl. He took it and set it beside him on a stack of several other dishes, none of which had been touched. Rebel sighed and picked them up then headed downstairs.

Protector had been watching Mysteria for two days now. After helping her drink the strange tea he had made Protector took her upstairs and put her on her bunk. He hadn’t left her side since. The first day the others had begged him to let them call a doctor. He had been very protective and wouldn’t let anyone near but occasionally Rebel would sit bedside him and attempt conversation. Wizard had come a few times and talked to Protector also. Sometimes he even talked back. He didn’t eat, he didn’t sleep, he just watched as Mysteria’s chest slowly rose and fell with each struggling breath.

“Heero?” Mysteria’s voice was barely audible.

“I’m right here.” Protectr brushed a stay piece of hair out of her face.

“I’m hungry.” She whispered. It was all she could manage.

Protector smiled at her. “I’ll go get food.”

Protector walked into the lobby. Several of the newsies look at him. He turned to Rebel. “Don’t let too many people in to see her at a time.”

Wizard followed Protector out the door. “Where are you headed?”

“Out.”

“Can I come with you?”

“I’m not going to stop you.”

“I was asking for your permission.”

“You may come.”

For a long while there was silence. Wizard broke it. “Where are we going?”

“To get food.”

“You really love her don’t you?”

Protector looked down at his feet. “More than anything. I owe her my life. So do you.”

“I know.” At that moment Wizard found the ground as interesting as Protector had. “Where are you two really from?” He said after a while.

Protector looked up and stopped walking. “Do you believe in the possibility of other worlds?”

“The possibility? Yes. I believe it is possible.”

“I am a knight from one such world called Nyrek. I am a trained assassin in the Order of the Thorn. Mysteria is my magus. Every knight has a magus that is raised and trained with him. They fight side by side in battle. My father was a knight in the Order of the Sword. The King’s personal army.”

“Was? Did he die in battle?”

“No. He does not exist.”

“He doesn’t exi . . . “ Wizard decided to ask Mysteria about this. He wouldn’t get anything out of Protector.

“I have a friend in the Order of the Crown, the Queen’s guard.” Protector stopped talking as they walked into the café. They sat in silence until the food came.

“Hey Mysteria, ‘ow ya doin’?” Rebel asked as her and Painter sat beside Mysteria’s bed.

“I feel great. Hungry, but otherwise fine.” She stood and began to walk around the room.

“Are you sure you should be out of bed? You just got over a gunshot wound.” Painter said standing.

“I’ve been in bed for the past two or three days. I need to walk around.” She got to the door and began to open it.

“Protector said you shouldn’t move around too much.” Rebel said also standing.

“He’s just overprotective. I’m fine, but a little stiff.”

As if on cue Protector walked in with a bag of food. “Sit.” He handed Mysteria the food and she went to sit on the bunk and eat. “I’m going out.” Protector said turning. He walked out the door without another word.

Why should Ray get all the money? Sure he has a family but what about me? I have no one. I deserve that money! A dark man sat in a booth in a small café waiting for the kid all his friends said was the best in his field. When he finally arrived the man didn’t think he looked like someone who was a professional killer, but who was he to go against what his fellow mobsters said. “The file is in the seat beside you.”

Protector opened the envelope and looked through it. “I will not kill the kid.”

“Then I will find someone who will.” The man began to get up.

“You will not find one better than me.” Protector protested.

“That may be but I want them all dead.”

“How much.”

“Four grand.”

“No deal.” He began to get up.

“Six.”

Protector looked at the picture of the happy family. The boy was no older than Freckles, the youngest boy staying at Ravenswood. He was only eight years old. “Done.” He walked out and headed back to the lodging house.

“Shh. Everyone should be asleep. We don’t want to wake them up.” Protector whispered to the kid whose tiny hand was wrapped in his.

“Are you really going to teach me how to be a knight?” the kid whispered back.

“Yes. Now be quiet.”

The kid smiled as they walked upstairs. “I hope they all like me.”

“They will. They all love kids. Now hush.”

“Well, who’s dis?” Rebel asked walking out onto the steps.

“I’m Lancelot! Protector is going to teach me how to be a real knight!” The kid said, his eyes glowing with excitement.

“Oh, is he? Ain’t dat nice of ‘im.” Rebel looked over at the kid. He was extremely adorable. His sandy blond hair hung to his knees in a loose braid. He clothes were almost new. “Why is your hair so long?”

“So my parents would notice me. It didn’t work but I like my hair so I won’t cut it.”

“Oh.”

Protector walked silently out of the Lodging house and sat beside Lancelot. “I see you have met my young apprentice, Rebel.”

“Yeah. He’s adorable.”

“It’s time to begin training Lancelot.”

Lancelot’s face lit up in excitement. He turned to look at Rebel. “Isn’t Protector great?” He said before running off after him.

“First I will introduce you to my princess. All knights must pick a maiden and make them their princess.”

“Who’s my princess?”

“You will have to choose her yourself.”

“When?”

“Whenever you find a girl you believe worthy of your full devotion.” He opened the door to the girls’ bunkroom. Wizard and Nimue were talking to Mysteria.

“Why hello there. What’s your name?” Nimue bent down to Lancelot’s level.

“I’m Lancelot, apprentice knight. Who are you?”

“I am Nimue.”

Lance looked over at Wizard. “You must be Merlin. You better watch out for her. She’ll betray you just like in the book!”

Protector directed Lancelot to Mysteria. “Lancelot. This is my princess, Mysteria.” Lance took her hand and kissed it.

“A pleasure to meet you my lady.” He said imitating the knights in the stories he had read.

“Now, up to the roof to begin training. Wizard, will you come help?”

“Yeah. Good-bye ladies.”

Protector knelt behind Lancelot with his arms around him showing him how to hold a gun. “On this gun we have an elven laser sight. To turn it on push this here.” Protector pointed to a green button. Lancelot pushed it. “Okay now aim the laser at the middle can. Good.” He moved beside Lancelot. “Pull the trigger.” The can flew off the side of the building. They were on the roof training for two hours when Protector decided to let Lance rest. They sat down on some boxes and Protector pulled some cokes out of another. Wizard had rolled up his sleeves to help him cool off from the heat.

“Are you a knight too?” Lance asked him.

“No.” he laughed a little. “I am a magician.”

“A magus?”

“No, slight of hand magician, I perform illusions.”

“Oh. Can I see one?” Lancelot was slightly disappointed but still interested.

“Sure,” Wizard pulled out a deck of cards and showed Lance a couple of simple tricks.

“What happened to your arm?” Lancelot asked pointing to the scar on his left arm.

“I…I got it in a fight. It was a long time ago.” He quickly pulled his sleeve over his scar.

“Who did you fight?”

“My brother. He went insane. He tried to kill me.”

“Where is he now?”

“Hopefully still locked up in the asylum”

“Do you think he would try to hurt you again if he got out?”

“I don’t know. He shouldn’t ever get out.”

“I’ll protect you if he does.” Lancelot sat up proudly.

Wizard smiled and patted Lancelot’s shoulder. “Thanks kid.”

“It’s time to get back to training.” Protector said and stood up.

“Okay!” Lancelot jumped up.

“Hello Miss Rebel!” Lancelot walked up to Rebel and bowed his head.

“Hello! Ain’t you da little gentleman?”

“Protector says that all knights have to be gentlemens all the time. ‘An he says you’re the leader and I am supposed to do what you tell me to, but I would anyway cause I like you.”

“Aww, ain’t that sweet.”

“Lancelot,” Wizard walked up and put his hand on Lancelot’s shoulder, “It’s time for bed.”

“Okay. Bubye Miss Rebel!” Lance bowed his had and ran off.

“Goodnight Rebel.” Wizard said before following Lancelot up the stairs.

“G’night!”

“Protector! Protector! I found my princess!” Lancelot ran into the room and straight into Protector.

“Hey, kid, slow down.”

“I found my princess!” Lancelot said again as Protector dropped to his level.

Protector smiled. “Who?”

“Rebel!”

Protector laughed a little. “Good for you. Now get ready for bed.”

“Okay.”

A dark figure moved across the room looking in each bunk then moving on to the next. Protector watched carefully as the figure got closer to him. Light flashed off the blade of a knife the stranger held in his hand. Silently Protector dropped from his bunk. The man looked to be about twice Protector’s size. Protector could clearly see the man now. He was almost to Lancelot’s bunk, which was under Protector’s. Protector crouched low, hiding behind the bed. Whatever this man was doing here he wasn’t very good at it. He had yet to notice Protector. Slowly the strange man pulled the covers down revealing Lancelot’s face. He smiled and began to bring the knife up to Lancelot’s throat. Protector leaped and knocked the man over. As they fell to the ground Protector moved the man’s arm so that the knife cut through the stranger’s throat. “You shouldn’t have tried to mess with the kid. He belongs to me now.” Just as Protector finished speaking death closed in on the strange man.

“Uh, Protector?” Wizard looked nervously from his bunk. “Who was that?”

“An assassin hired to kill Lancelot. Help me get rid of him.”

Wizard jumped down from his bunk waking Rye. “What’s going on?”

“We need to get rid of a body. Got any ideas.” Protector asked.

“A-a b-body? Why is there a body?”

“Because I killed him.”

“Um. Why?" “He was going to kill Lancelot.”

Rye was really confused. Protector wasn’t being much help. “Why did he want Lancelot dead?”

“Your damned inquisitive. He was hired to kill him.”

“Why?” Rye was tired of asking why and was tempted to just go back to sleep and hope this all was a weird nightmare.

“I’m not sure. Will you help or not?”

“Yeah, I’ll help.”

“Tell no one.”

“Why not?" Protector glared at him and Rye decided he didn’t really want to know after all.

The next afternoon when Protector, Wizard, and Lancelot finished selling papers they went up to the roof for training. “Protector?” Lancelot asked as they stepped onto the roof. “Who was that guy in our bunkroom last night?”

“I don’t know.” Protector picked up two wooden swords and then began to show Lance the proper way to fight refusing to answer anymore questions. After a while they stopped for a break.

“Lancelot, listen, tell me what you hear.” Protector instructed.

“I hear the wind, some pigeons . . .”

“How many?” Protector interrupted.

“I don’t know . . .”

“Listen carefully!”

“Two?” He held perfectly still listening as well as he could. “No, three, one of them is a baby.”

“Good what else?”

“Some one in worn out shoes, some one barefoot. Talking.”

“About what?”

Lancelot listened closer. “I can’t quite make it out.”

“That’s okay, you’ll learn. Are they guys or girls?”

“One of each. One of them is limping. The barefoot one.”

“Good,” Protector smiled and ruffled Lancelot’s hair. “You’re almost doing better than I did!” Lancelot sat happily and swung his feet. He loved it when Protector was proud of him. His parents never had been and Protector was the closest thing to family he had. Lancelot looked over at Wizard who was munching on a cookie.

“Hey Wizard, you got to travel all over the world right?”

“Yeah, almost.”

“Did you get to see any castles?”

“Yeah, I even got to stay in a couple.”

“Oh, wow! Were they haunted?”

“I think one of them was.”

“Didja see any ghosts? Were they nice?”

Wizard chuckled. “I saw one that was a little girl."

“Was she a princess?” interrupted Lancelot.

“Yes, yes she was. She was dressed all in white and she would wander up and down the halls looking for her sister.”

Lancelot listened intently, he knew Wizard was making up the story for his benefit but he didn’t care. He loved stories. “Did you talk to her?”

“Yes, she asked me to help her find her sister.”

“Did you find her?”

“Yes, she was hiding in the kitchen. They had been playing hide and seek for over two hundred years and that was such a big castle that she couldn’t find her sister all that time.”

“That’s really neat! Do you think they are still playing hide and seek?”

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“It’s time to start training again Lancelot.” Protector said as he stood up. “Let’s work on your reflexes.”

“Hey Mysteria, you want to grab a bite to eat with me?” Nimue asked Mysteria who was sitting on the steps reading.

“Okay.”

“How is Lancelot’s training going or have they stopped long enough to talk to you either.”

“I haven’t got to talk to them much but Protector did tell me Lancelot is dong exceptionally well.”

“Well I’m glad they have had time to talk to someone. They sure are working hard at this. Is Protector really a knight? I thought that there were no more knights.”

“There are a lot of them where I come from.”

“Oh, I’d like to go see your homeland with you sometime. Do they all speak English there?”

“Yes but different parts have their own language also. English is the common language.”

“What other languages are there? French? Italian?”

“No. Nothing like that. They would be closer to Latin. The Trinisti speak Trin. My language is the hardest to learn. It is Cambaka.”

“Okay . . .”

“Translated to English it means the language of magic.”

“Wow. It must be wonderful where you’re from!”

“Oh, you wouldn’t believe how beautiful it is! I live close to the ocean and on the other side is a lake and rivers surround us on all sides. If you go deep into the forest there is the most beautiful waterfall. We all live up in the trees because with all that water it floods often.”

“Wow, you have to take me there sometime!” Nimue said.

“I’m hungry, wanna see if we can get the guys to take us out?” Mysteria asked as her stomach growled.

“Sure.” They walked out onto the roof as an arrow flew by barely missing them.

“Hey!” Nimue complained.

“Don’t worry! Protector taught me how to listen for people so that I won’t hurt innocent people when they come out of nowhere.”

“Good for him.” Nimue said skeptically.

“Hey are you guys getting hungry?”

“Yeah.” Lancelot spoke up.

“So where are you guys going to take us?” Mysteria asked as Protector began packing up his weapons.

“How is Lancelot doing?” Nimue asked while they waited for their food to arrive.

“He’s doing amazingly well.” Protector looked proudly at Lancelot and Lancelot smiled. “I may test him in a week. He is doing much better than he should be able to do. It’s almost as if . . .” Protector stopped glancing at Nimue.

“As if what?” Nimue asked.

“As if he had been trained all his life.” Wizard finished.

“Protector said that he only knew two people who had done better than me.” Lancelot said excitedly.

“Oh really? Who?” Nimue inquired.

“Olsar and him! He says if I could be trained properly I may be better!”

“Wow!” Nimue said leaning back so the waiter could set down her plate.

Lancelot and Freckles sat on the front steps watching Buster, the frog, swim in a puddle that had formed after the rainstorm the night before. “Look! He can’t touch bottom right here!” Freckles said putting Buster in the deepest part of the puddle.

They watched as Buster swam back to the side. Lancelot glanced up and saw Wizard walking past. He got up and ran over to hug him. “Hey Wizard!”

“Get away from me brat!” Wizard said as he tossed Lancelot to the ground.

Hurt he crawled back onto the steps.

“That’s Wizard.” Lancelot told Freckles.

“Yeah. He was mean! Wizard is never mean!”

After a few more minutes of watching Buster, Lancelot and Freckles went back inside. They were following Buster as he hopped around the furniture when Wizard walked in. Freckles took Buster and ran upstairs. Lancelot hid behind a large chair and cautiously peeked his head out. “Wizard?”

“Yeah?”

“Oh, good.” Lancelot came out of hiding. “There was a guy that looks just like you but he was mean. He pushed me.”

Wizard had a stunned look on his face. “Impossible.” He shook the thought from his head.

“Hello Wizard!” Remedy called out as Wizard walked by the lodging house.

"Buzz off.” Came his reply.

Rebel came out and joined Remedy on the steps. “Hey what’s up?”

“Have you noticed how strange Wizard has been acting lately?” Remedy asked her.

“No, I haven’t, but some of da others have. Cats told me da other day dat Freckles saw ‘em shove Lancelot.”

“Do you think something has upset him?”

“I don’t know . . . but I bet Nimue would! Next time I see ‘er I’ll’ ave ta talks to ‘er ‘bout it.” A silence fell over them as they watched the street vendors with flowers and loaves of bread wander up and down the street. “Ya know what? It’s startin’ ta get kinda weird around ‘ere. Protector is gettin’ nicer an’ Wizard’s gettin’ meaner.”

“Yeah. Dat is weird.”

“To be a knight you need to be able to see the slightest movements out of the corner of your eye and be able to react.” Protector stood behind Lancelot holding an apple. He threw it so that Lancelot could barely see it. Lancelot turned and released the arrow. Wizard stood ready to catch the apple if Lancelot were to miss so that it wasn’t thrown off the building. Wizard caught it by the arrow. If it were a little more to the right Lancelot would have only scraped the side.

“That was good but your aim was off. Try again.” Protector threw another apple only to the other side. Wizard had to run to catch it.

“He is doing way too well. His hearing is great; his site is even better. His reflexes are unbelievable but his memory concerns me.” Protector informed Wizard. “It’s like he is of my world except he can’t remember anything before he’s three.”

“I can’t remember anything before I was four or five, if that!” Wizard stated.

“Yes but all his senses are as good as mine were at that age except his memory. I remember meeting Mysteria when I was one. Lancelot should be able to remember his family from before the Kings.”

“So he’s a mere mortal.”

“No. He’s not. If he were he wouldn’t have been able to do half the things he can. I wish I could figure out his past.”

“I could hypnotize him.”

“Then do it. Meet me on the roof in five minutes.” Protector went off in search of Lancelot.

“Make sure you are in a relaxing position. Now listen only to the sound of my voice. Concentrate only on my voice.” Soon Lancelot was in a deep trance. “Think back as far as you can before you came to the Kings’ house. Now tell me what you see. What is going on around you?”

"It’s cold. Cold and wet. I’m in a river! I’m in a river surrounded by trees. It’s so pretty. I hear voices.”

“Whose voices?”

“The people on the bank. They are fighting. The two boys are fighting.”

“What are they saying?”

“I can’t hear. One of them is looking at me. The water is beginning to freeze over. I can’t get to the shore. I can’t get out! It’s cold!” Protector began to get nervous. “I can’t swim! I can’t move! Help! My brother will save me! My . . . brother . . . HEERO!”

“Get him out! GET HIM OUT NOW!” Protector yelled as he paced. Wizard quickly brought Lancelot out of the trance. As soon as Lancelot was awake he began to cry. “I want my brother! Where’s Heero?” Protector knelt down and wrapped his arms around Lancelot’s shaking body. “I’m here. You’re safe. I won’t ever let anything happen to you again. I’ll never let you go again!” Wizard watched in amazement and shock as Protector began to cry.

“Um. Protector? Did I . . .”

“Go Away.” Protector glared at Wizard as if it were Wizard himself who had attacked Lancelot. Wizard hadn’t completely grasped the situation. Rebel came up onto the roof. “I thought I heard someone scream.” She looked over at Protector and Lancelot. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure.” Wizard answered. “I hypnotized Lancelot because Protector wanted to learn more about his past. He started screaming and Protector began to yell at me. I took Lancelot out of the trance and then . . . “ He gestured to the two still would not let go of each other.

Rebel walked nearer to them. “Protector?”

“Go. Away.’ One of his hands reached for a gun. He aimed it at Rebel. “Leave us alone!”

Rebel froze. “Go find Mysteria. Protector’s finally flipped.”

Mysteria and Nimue were in the Parlor talking with a few of the others.

“Mysteria, you’re needed on the roof.” Wizard said as he walked in.

“Okay, I’ll be up in a minute.”

“Um, you’d better go now.”

“Okay.” She looked confused but followed anyway.

Wizard explained to her what had happened as they made their way to the roof. As soon as she saw them she stopped short. “It . . . it can’t be!” Tears began to well up in her eyes but a smile spread across her lips. She was finally realizing what she should have known all along.

“Can’t be what?” Rebel asked still staring down the barrel of Protector’s gun.

“Sandor.”

Hearing his name the young boy looked up. “Rehla?” he asked and ran to her. Protector got up and slowly followed.

“Rehla, Mysteria! I remember who I am!”

Mysteria fell down and wrapped him in a hug. “Sandor, I wish we could tell your mother!”

“Why can’t we?”

“Because Sinistro is after me. If we risk sending a note back home he may find me.”

“Oh. Well I’m sure they will defeat him soon!”

“Come on. I’m taking everyone out for dinner!” Protector said turning to Rebel. He reached for her hand. She pulled it away still not sure he wouldn’t attack her. “Rebel, I’m sorry. Please forgive me and let me buy you dinner.” He held out his hand to her.

“Okay. I forgive you.” She took his hand but instead of shaking he kissed her hand then headed downstairs.

Most everyone was out on the steps of the lodging house when Protector walked out with Lancelot. “I am taking everyone out to dinner in honor of my brother who was once dead but is now alive again.”

Protector announced.

“Your brother?” Painter asked confused.

“Yes, my brother Sandor Lia.” He placed his hands on Lancelot’s shoulders.

“Great! So where are we gonna eat? Uh, you’re payin’ right?” Wiseguy inquired.

“Yes. I’m paying.”

After everyone had settled in and began eating a thought occurred to Wiseguy. “Hey Protector, how is it again yer gonna pay fer dis?”

Without missing a beat Protector improved the truth. “I’ve been working extra jobs, I also have a deal worked out with the owner.”

“Heya Wizard, whatcha up to?” Remedy asked as Wizard walked by.

“Get lost street rat.”

“Hey, why so glum?”

“I said get lost!” Wizard grabbed Remedy’s shirt and gave her a black eye. More stunned than hurt

Remedy walked back to Ravenswood.

For the next few nights Protector and Lancelot would stay up on the roof talking. Occasionally Mysteria or anyone else who had trouble sleeping would join them.

“Hey Lancelot, Protector. You’s guys up ‘ere?” Rebel asked as she climbed onto the roof. There was no reply. “Hey, guys?” She looked around and could see no one even in the bright moonlight. “Well maybe dey went for a walk.”

“Shh, you must be as quiet as possible when nearing the mark. Watch for guard dogs or any security devices. If there are animals show no fear and no threat. That is what makes them attack.” Protector and Lancelot climbed silently through the first story window of a huge white mansion. They quickly made their way to the bedroom. An old man lay sleeping beside his young lover. His wife was out “visiting her cousins”.

“Here we have iokane and arsenic. It is possible to work up immunity to it as I have. That is if you survive the process.” He mixed the powder in the small vile. “It works quickly and painlessly.” Protector touched the vile to the old man’s lips and carefully poured it into his gaping mouth. The powder was strong and soon the man stopped breathing. “Make sure you leave NO evidence. Nothing that can be traced back to you. Even the dirt from your shoes can give you away.” He put the vile back into his pocket and crept slowly away, Lancelot following close behind.

“Hey! I’se walkin’ ‘ere!” The young man pushed Rebel out of the way after she had bumped into him.

“I’s sorry.”

“You bet yer sorry!”

“What’s yer problem?”

“You are!” He took a swing at her. She dodged and then returned the blow, but she didn’t miss.

Lancelot was walking down the street near Ravenswood looking for some company when a fight broke out a block ahead of him. Excited and ready to fight he felt for the knife that Protector had given to him the night before. He was very proud of it because Protector said he had earned it. As Lancelot neared the fight he noticed that it was his princess that was fighting. “Don’t worry Princess Rebel! I’ll save you!”

When the small boy running up to them distracted the girl, John knocked her to the ground. The boy began hitting John with his fists. “Leave my Princess alone!”

“Get outta here!” John said shoving the kid away. Suddenly a sharp pain grew in his thigh. “What the . . . That little brat!” He looked down to see a deep wound oozing blood. Lancelot stood with the blood-covered dagger in his hand. Rebel grabbed Lancelot’s hand. “Now would be a good time ta cheese it.” She said as they ran towards Ravenswood.

“Listen Lance, I’s appreciate yer ‘elp an’ all but you shouldn’t just pick a fight wit jus’ anybody.” Rebel said once they were safely inside.

Protector stood in the shadows listening. He smiled proudly. Rebel caught him. “What ‘er you smilin’ ‘bout? ‘E coulda been hoit!”

“But he wasn’t. He knows very well all of the risks involved. I have taught him to get in, get the man down, and then get out. He also has been taught that if a girl is in trouble then he is to help.”

“’E coulda been hoit! Dat guy was t’ree times bigger’n ‘e was!”

“But he’s fine, you’re fine, he can take care of himself. I’ve made sure of that.”

Rebel began to say something but decided she lost this round and walked away.

“What happen ta you?” Rebel asked Rhapsody as she sat down on the steps.

“I ran into Wizard. I think he’s gone crazy.”

“I know he has ‘is mood swings but he’s never violent! He did dat?”

Rhapsody shook her head. “I was more stunned than hurt. I wonder what’s gotten into him. His mood swings have never been this bad before.”

“I think Wizard and I need ta ‘ave a lil’ talk.” Rebel got up and went in search of him.

“What da heck is goin’ on wit you Wizard? Why are ya beatin’ up people!”

“What are you talking about?” Wizard asked innocently.

“I’m talkin’ about Rhaps an’ da shiner you gave ‘er!”

Wizard looked at Rebel confused. “I’d never hit anyone, you know that Rebel. I hate violence.”

“Den you’s got some kind of evil twin ‘er somethin’, cause Rhapsody’s not da only one whose been complainin’.”

“When does Rhapsody claim I hit her?”

“Last night.”

“I was with Nimue . . . Oh no.”

“You were? Okay. I’ll go talk ta her. We’ll get this figgered out.”

“Hello, brother dear.” Wizard had been walking around trying to convince himself this was not happening when he heard the voice from the alley. “I’ve been looking for you.” The voice was sinister, evil, and familiar. It confirmed everything Wizard had hoped wasn’t true.

“Roger. How did you find me?”

“You didn’t exactly cover your tracks, brother. It’s your fault I’ve lost all those years of my life wasting away in that asylum. It’s time to get it back, so I’m taking over form here. I’m sure that pretty little girl will love the new Wizard much more than the old.”

“Don’t you dare touch Nimue!” Wizard leapt at his brother.

Tweet! Tweet! ”Hey you! Stop!” A small chubby policeman jogged up to them. It was all his stout body could manage. Rodger let his brother go and stood up.

“You’re brothers, you shouldn’t fight.” The cop said looking at the twins.

“You’re quite right officer. I’m sorry brother dear.” Roger spoke with a false sweetness that made Wizard nauseous.

“’At’s better now. Don’t let me catch you two brothers fighting again.” The policeman turned and walked away. When Wizard turned to his brother all he found was a tall apartment building and a street full of vendors.

“Wizard, tell me what’s going on. You hit Rhapsody. That’s not like you.” Protector said sitting on the roof beside his friend.

“It’s not me. It is my brother. He got loose.”

“Roger? I should have figured that.”

“He wants to kill me and take over my life.”

“He won’t do that.”

“Yes he will. You don’t know my brother.”

“No, he won’t. I have a plan.”

“Nimue, I am going to sell with Protector and Lancelot today. You don’t mind do you?” Wizard asked as they walked to the circulation building.

“I guess not. I’ll sell with Mysteria.”

“Okay. I’ll meet up with you later.”

“Come on Wizard!” Lancelot grabbed his arm and skipped off dragging Wizard with him. They met up with Protector in a dark alley. Wizard jumped when Protector came out of the shadows. “Your brother knows your selling spot right?”

“I think so.”

“Good. Now all you have to do is stay alive until I get there.”

“What are you going to do?” Wizard asked hesitantly.

“What do you think?”

Wizard sighed. “I wish there was a way to just put him back into the asylum.”

“But then we run the risk of him getting out again. If he dies, problem solved.”

Wizard sighed again and began to hawk the morning headlines. A few hours later Lancelot ran up to Protector and announced it was time. “I saw them go into that alley over there!”

When Protector and Lancelot reached the alley they saw the brothers fighting. Roger had dressed just like Wizard to increase the confusion. It was almost impossible to tell them apart, even for Protector.

Lancelot looked at his own brother. “Which one is which?”

Protector cocked and aimed his gun. “It’s going to be hard to tell.” The twins were very equally matched in strength and had inflicted the same amount of damages to each other. Protector lowered his gun. “It’s your shot.” He said handing the gun to Lancelot. He took the gun hesitantly and then aimed carefully.

“So,” Nimue asked after ordering her food, “how did you guys fare?”

“Not to good. We had a bad selling spot.” Protector replied. Wizard had long since cleaned up and was now staring at the table dragging his finger through the puddles that had been left by the condensation on his water glass.

“We did pretty good. Mysteria fared best I think. She got herself a new suitor.” Nimue suppressed a giggle.

“The kid was eight years old!” Mysteria cried in her defense. They laughed together. The guys smiled weakly. Lancelot didn’t understand what was so funny. Protector nodded to Lancelot. “Hey Wizard?” He asked, “Can I see a magic trick?”

“Uh, sure. What do you want to see?”

“How about that one card trick. I think I almost have it figured out!”

“All right.” Wizard took out a deck of cards and began shuffling.

“Don’t forget to roll up your sleeves so I know you aren’t cheating.”

Wizard rolled up his sleeves. There was a scar on his left arm about three inches long. Protector and Lancelot were both satisfied. They watched as Wizard pulled four aces off the top of the deck.