Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2021 07:13:01 +0000 (UTC) From: Joseph Klimczak Subject: The Tales of Sol 32 The Tales of Sol 32 By Joe at3unit3@yahoo.com This my second attempt to write so please tell me what you think. This is a fictional story it is not intended to imply that any of the celebrities mentioned are homosexuals. If you are not old enough to read these stories do yourself a favor don't get caught. The same goes for those people whose countries have these sites made illegal. And for everyone else enjoy Captain Planet and related characters was created by R.E Turner and copyright by AOL Time Warner Company and Trademark by TBS Productions Babylon 5 and all related characters and props were created by Michael Straczynski and copyright by Warner Bros. Star Trek and all related characters created by Gene Roddenberry. Copyright Paramount Transformers and all related characters, and props are trademarked by Hasbro inc. Copyright Rhino Home Videos and AOL Time Warner Entertainment CO He-Man, She-Ra, related characters, and props are trademarked by Filmation 1980's Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox. Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros. X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox. To those who've been reading Tales of Sol. I want you to know that while there is sex in this story. That is not is sole purpose and yes I do hope the sex sense makes you all hard and gets you off. Sol is an adaption from my childhood favorite show Captain Planet and the Planeteers, The cartoon showed us that the world can be a better place if we took a few moments to care for it. Tales of Sol is meant to express hope. It is also shows how music can have an impact in our lives. While I don't know if my favorite bands 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys or Nsync have ever read this. They saw me through some of the hardest moments of my life and offered in their own way hope. To them I say thank you. I dedicate the Tales of Sol to all of my brothers and sisters of the US armed service past, present, and future. I like to thank my friends who I had the privilege showing these chapters with. They helped with editing and inspiration, John Rivera, Albert-Russ Alan Rivera-Odum, Derbe.D. Hunte Yvette Ortiz Samuel Diaz Jr for all their help in Making The Tales of Sol an enjoyable story to write. And I have a few other names starting with the beginner of this universe James the author of Tales of a Real Dark Knight. I still hope to reconnect with you dear friend and all the rest of this series. Blake the author of Tales of a New Phoenix Jeremi author of the Tales of Young Mutants Please remember to Donate to Nifty And now without any further ado I give you the next chapter of Tales of Sol. Tales of Sol 32 Upgrading Conflicts I was halfway to the Geo Plant when BEATTI sent me a message that I was to report to Willow Grove Airbase. I called ahead to Dave who told me he would take care of looking into our trickster while I headed to base. Once I arrived at the main gate showing the MP my military ID she let me pass and with a short drive was at the hangar from there I went to the closest head and changed into a pair of coveralls. It felt so good being in a pair of Military issued coveralls it made me feel like I was still a part of the Navy even if it was part time. When I left the men's room I went to the shop to do the tool inventory once that was through with that including signing the tool log I then got onto the computer. This brought up the day's workload, I found out that the new HUD and transmitter were waiting for pickup. The sound of the shop door opening made me turn my head. Petty Officer Third Class James Hill walked in his civvies. "Hey Mike what's happening?" He greeted "Hey James what you been doing," I greeted back after he changed into his coveralls he came up next to me and we both looked at the workload to see what we had. Soon our LPO Aviation Techincan First Class Petty Officer Jack Doggin came in his civilian clothes, He took of his baseball cap revealing his chestnut color hair which looks like he recently cut it, When AT1 Doggin saw us he smiled"Hey guys long time no see," He greeted "Hey there AT1" I greeted "What do we have to do today?" AT1 Doggin asked "Nothing much just to install the parts we received, then wait and see how the jets fly," I informed. "Okay I am going to the Maintenance Meeting," Jack said "Okay AT1," Hill said AT1 left for the meeting while Hill and I sat catching up on what was going on in our daily lives. When AT1 returned from the Maintenance Meeting Hill, and I got to work, the first thing we did was pick up the crates that housed our parts. We checked them out to make sure they were the right parts for the jet we were working on. Piling them onto a cart we took them out to the Hornet and began to install them with Hill once again in the cockpit installing the HUD and me installing the transmitter into the RADAR package. Once the parts were installed we ran them up; checking all key systems with the standard system check. When we were satisfied with the checks I left to get AT1so he could verify our work when he gave us the thumbs up. Hill climbed out of the cockpit and left to start the paperwork while I finished closing up the plane. Once we signed off all maintenance; we sat in wait while all of the other shops finished up their work. It took about an hour or two later before the Hornet was ready for its test flight. The Plane Captains hooked both the Tomcat and Hornet to tractors and pulled them out to the flight line Another Fifteen minutes went by as the two planes were fueled up. When the pilots started their walk I started to get antsy as I watched this part always made me shiver after the pilots sat in their appointed aircraft it seemed as if nothing was going to happen until I saw the PC's started dance routine and my ears were assaulted by the sound of the two jet's engines roaring to life. When the planes started their roll down the flight line I knew it wasn't long before they were on the runway. Even though they were over a mile away, the mighty roar of the Tomcat's could still be heard. The old warbird howled as it soared down the runway not too much longer the Hornet's more shrill engines pierced the air and soon too sped down the runway joining its larger cousin into the wild blue yonder. Now all we could do was sit and wait for them to return and hopefully soon to be heading for their respective commands. "So Mike what's been going on?" Hill asked "Nothing much just chilling out," I replied "So have you found that special someone yet?" Hill asked him. "Not yet but that person is out there," I lied. "Well I hope you do," He said "So do I," I fake sighed We then heard over the speaker box, "Aircraft ten minutes out all hands to the flight line." We all headed out to the flight line with tools with us just in case we needed them. Once outside we looked towards the sky looking for our birds to come into view. We searched the skies for a few minutes when someone pointed to the southeast sky. "There they are," the girl said. I followed her fingers and extending the range of my eyesight I saw the two flying ladies as they flew in tandem. When they got closer I pulled back until all I saw were two small insignificant objects in the distance on an approach vector. Soon you could see their approach lights and small details like their wings. I could feel the pride building up as I watched some of the world's most powerful aircrafts were coming home. I felt great pride knowing that in my own way I was fulfilling the oath I made last night. As much as it pained me not to be out at sea along with my former command I knew that this was where I was meant to be at least I had thought until the Father, and Mother changed that. As the Guardian I was going to make sure their sacrifices weren't in vain. The F-14 was the first one to make a perfect touchdown followed by the F-18 both zooming down the runway as they fought physics. They finally began to slow down then turned around heading back our way. With the jets back on deck and now parked on the line we all asked various questions gathering reports about what parts failed if they had failed and any other grips they might have had, but the three pilots said that they were ready to head home. They headed in and so did we there we waited for Maintenance to tell us to check tools then head home. "Well another day another dollar," Hill said as he changed into his civvies. "Yup I wonder how long till these jets leave?" I wondered "We'll find out," He responded AT1 Doggin came back and gave us our passdown then we were out the door. I had to get back to the Lair. I had to get back to finding this Jester. I got to Lair a short time later I made a quick stop off at my stateroom to grab a shower and changed I came into the Command Center to find Dana and Dave holding papers in their hands with Blaylock looking over the monitors. Seeing me enter the Command Center Dana greeted me with a question, "How is Jake?" Dana asked "He will be just fine, Jake is resting up at home," I answered "While at the hospital I ran into more henchmen of that Jester's trying to kidnap a child," I informed everyone "I want to know who this guy is," Dave stated then he turned me "I also have guys going to pick up you new project," "What project?" Blaylock asked "I need to have a link between my home and the Lair, while coming back I spotted the answer," I showed everyone. "I can also add yours too Dana and Blaylock so we have a constant means of getting to the Lair beside going to the Geo Plant," I remarked "You don't like the drive?" Dave mocked "It is fine Dave but," I started to say but Dave cut me off, "If we are needed the time to travel alway the way to the Geo Plant then getting a subway here is time we don't need to waste," "How do you plan to create the tunnel?" Blaylock asked "I can handle that," I answered "How about power?" Dana asked "The Geo Plant powers the existing line from the plant to the Lair," Dave answered "I have my own ideas I should be ability to create a geo pit here at the Lair that would take pressure off the Geothermal Planet," I spoke up "All of this is fascinating so now that we have established your grand schemes we still have a job to do," Blaylock stated Turning sharply to the Watcher "My job, Blaylock is to protect this city, and all those who live with in it, and if I am not mistaken, I will soon have a lot more to do when the time is right," I snapped "This along with other plans is only meant to make us more efficient, I would think even you would understand the importance of efficiency," I remarked "And you know what I don't know why I am even trying to defend our practice here," I finally decided to wave off the stick figure and we have work to do. I left the command center and returned to the surface to the hangar. I pushed open the mammoth doors, over by the pit where the hangar used to sit was a pile of dirt. I ran to it. There was enough here for the first part of my renovation. I needed more dirt, so I jumped into the air spinning as I went. I dove for the hole where the hangar used to sit and created a new path towards the lake. All the while dirt and ground up rocks were piling up on my mound dirt. I stopped several feet from the lake. "This will add to the Lair's power supply," "At least when I get the parts needed, but I now have all the rock and dirt I am going to need for my renovation," I stated as I ran back to my mound of dirt. I was still feeling a bit anxious, "I need to burn off some more energy," I said as I lit myself on fire, then flew into the mound making molten rock and dirt. I dove through the ground and came back to the surface. My messy handy work was running towards the new trench I made. "Time to cool it down," I noted as I jumped into the air and blew on the hot mess. It instantly solidified and I had several large slabs of reformed rock now laying in the grass. Stacking them on top of each other I carried them back to the hangar. Where I used them to make a giant tic-tac-toe grid that fit perfectly into the hangar. It now had a total of four floors and ten rooms with the top floor about to be emptied out to make room for a much larger command center. I heard whistling behind me and turned to see Dave "Impressive Mike and what is next?" "Next is pulling the command module out and transferring all of its functions into their new location," I told my mentor "I also need generator parts," I told Dave He looked intrigued, "For what?" I took him to the newly dug trench "This is phase one of making the Lair more power independent," "I don't understand," Dave confessed "This trench goes all the way to the lake and the hangar's old place and that will create a second lake," I answered "So what are you waiting for?" Dave asked again "We need a turbine and generator that will sit between the two lakes," I answered This really got Dave thinking "My god you are going to generate power for the Lair through a form of hydro electric," "Yes and in away that doesn't upset the balance of nature these two lakes will only add to the region's biodiversity," I agreed Dave began to think "Mike the turbines we use for the Geothermal Pit would be the best to handle this and you gave me a wonderful idea on how we can make it happen," "What is that?" I asked "Mike, I am always looking for ways to improve the energy output of the Geothermal plant. I never thought about adding any kind of generator or turbines to the river or stream that feeds into the pit," Dave remarked as he looked down the trench towards the lake. "If you can make this work for the Lair we could make a similar design for the plant and use it to help power everything," Dave remarked "I will work on a design with BEATTI's help Dave I don't see the two goal as exclusive," I supplied Dave was in deep thought, "Neither can I," "What will become of the entry module?" Dave asked "It will be transformed to house more of BEATTI's computer components give her a greater memory storage and make her an even bigger pain in the butt," I answered "I can do with out the last part thanks," Dave chuckled "I will do all of that when there is no one in the Lair," I remarked Closing the hangar bay doors they will come off but for now they will protect the interior from weather. Once below I went to the main computer "BEATTI can you bring up the generator and turbine design for the Geothermal Plant?" A few minutes later their schematics appeared on screen Dave was by my side as he watched "Now Dave says these are the best for what I have in mind and that is to use them in a hydroelectric design for the waterway I am designing," I stated "They are sir if we make some adjustments and additions," BEATTI suggested The schematics changed Dave drank in the design as it formed before us, but I saw something else and said, "Let's tweak it a little more like this," I moved the controls and shifted several components around and before us a newly designed hydroelectric unit was born. I could see Dave was itching to put this to use, "Mike please tell me I can use this on a much bigger scale?" My Mentor practically pleaded I laughed "Dave if this will help make Philadelphia a much greener city then of course," "I can see this on a grander scale and it will push the Geothermal Plant to rival Three Mile Island Nuclear Plants," Dave awed at the design. I made a copy for Dave who was in glee as he took them. "I have one other thing I need to do," I said as I went back above ground and right above where our secret subway was located and then in a rapid spin I dug into the ground, Dave was watching his student go when Dana and Blaylock entered the Command Center. Dana asked, "What is with all the rumbling and where is Mike? Turning an evil eye on to Blaylock, "You need to annoy Mike more often," Bringing up the exterior view "Mike is working out his frustrations by making add-ons to the Lair," They all watched as dirt shot out of the hole Blaylock growled, "It is a show of a lack of discipline that he would allow constructive criticism to push him to do this," "Ah no Blaylock it is a good display of discipline that uses those criticisms constructively, right now we have a new addition just waiting for us to leave the command module to be completed and instead of blowing his top, Mike is drilling a tunnel for our subway system," Dave corrected Burrowing my way through at such speed that I was going I actually melted my way through. Dave watched as the dirt turned molten as it poured out of the hole in the surface how Mike was directing the flow was incredible, There were metal deposits that melted and helped to form a sort of barrier and act as support; they formed columns that came to rest on the ground. I managed to control my direction and made it just under my house. And without damaging the foundation I opened a hole in my basement. "I will make improvements but for now this is just what I need for the subway," I temporarily moved a bookcase to hide the hole in my basement wall. Going back underground I went to work on shoring up the tunnel I just created adding support beams and smoothing the surfaces. It took me a few more trips through the tunnel when I finally returned to the Lair. The only thing needed was the rails and the high speed cars. Dave was standing at the platform smirking, "Blaylock must have really gotten under your skin," "What do you mean?" I asked wiping the sweat off my brow "Mike you nearly finished working on the hangar and now there is a nearly complete subway tunnel, I know when you are upset, I could leave you alone and you would have redesign the entire silo," Dave smirked I took a step and almost fell over. Dave was there to catch me "You used too much energy didn't you?" He asked knowingly It took a moment for the energy to recharge "Maybe a tad I didn't even realizes I had until now," I replied sheepishly Dave helped me back into the Lair, "We really got to work on that we can't have you exhausting your powers in the battlefield," "The good news is we just need the last bit of work," I sighed "We still need those high speed cars too," Dave smirked "That too in any case this tunnel is ready for the next stage," I answered "Now that you worked that out," Dave snickered, "You and Dana need to head back to that pier and see if we can find out more about that clown who is kidnapping children," Dave commented "Okay, okay I have had enough fun and games, we have got kids to save," I said as we left the tunnel Dave still whistle, "I am still impressed I can't wait to see what other plans you have for this tunnel and the Lair," "Now get out there Mike," Dave just a laughed as we finally got back to the Command Center "Yes Dave I am on my way," I smirked as I went to the Silo where Dana was already dressed as Razeel. As the lift began to rise Razeel and I went through the preflight checks of the Sea Dragon and we were airboard a short time later. It was a short flight back to the pier, just as before, I brought the Sea Dragon to a hover in the same spot just above the parking lot. As BEATTI flew the CH-53C off. Razeel and I made our way back to the spot where I felt the disturbance. "I can still feel a change here as if the whole area is out of sync with the rest of the pier," I noted, As we walked it was Razeel who spotted something "Oh my. I know why you nor your probes or even that monster helicopter of yours can't see through this," We stopped walking as Razeel looked around apparently seeing something that I had missed. As I looked about I was totally clueless, "What do you mean?" I asked "There are runes all over this place," Razeel said as she brought out a notepad and began drawing, "If I am right these particular runes have very specific meanings," Razeel gasped "What do you mean?" I inquired "My Father and my brother are both powerful mages, and while I had trouble learning magic, they did teach me about runes and how to spot," Razeel said as she put more into her notepad. "While I won't be a magician like my brother Galen, I know protection runes when I see them," Razeel said I was confused "Guardian you can't see them because they are meant to be hidden from people like you," Razeel said taking note of my troubled expression "I don't understand," I confessed "I need Blaylock to confirm it, but these runes protect the bearer from being seen remotely by seers and mystics, higher powers and even modern security cameras," Razeel answered I was very confused. If I couldn't see what was here why could I feel it? "But I can still feel the disturbance," I said as I put my hand out and the change in the atmosphere was still there. "I don't think it can mask everything and the spell might very well be giving off some kind of energy field your other sense can pick up," Razeel remarked I was trying to process all she was saying the Earth has granted me insight to a lot but there might be some things masked even to me. "So what could this guy be hiding beside hundreds of children?" I asked "That is for me to know and for you to never find out," Razeel and I both turned to see our tastelessly dressed Jester. "You fooled me once mutant but not again we are ready for you," The Jester grumbled "I fear you have me mistaken sir but my powers aren't genetic in nature, they are a just nature," I remarked "It doesn't matter we will stop you," the Jester growled "Don't think you can stop me either Vampire Slayer," He vowed "He knows I am a Vampire Slayer?" Razeel gasped, as we were surrounded by many goons. Each one of them had guns pointed at us "Jeezs Razeel I think I we have worn out our welcome," I snickered "I guess but I did find a dandy spot come back to," Razeel giggled "You two jest now but I will have the last laugh," The Jester grumbled. Looking down at the dock I made a tsk-tsk noise, "I really must speak to the maid will you just look at how dusty this place is," I recommended "What dust?" Razeel asked I took a deep breath taking aim at the dirt and dust on the pier and blew it creating a mini dust storm. The dock along with the Jester and goons disappeared in a dusty haze soon, we heard coughing and sneezing as I took hold of Razeel's hand, "Before the dust settles, we need to bounce," I stated as I took a few steps then bounced us out of there. We landed several yards from the pier "I can't leave them like that," I stated as I pulled out my Pike and pointed it at the Delaware River. A blue aura formed around the tip followed by water shooting out of the river drenching the Jester and his hired goons BEATTI landed the Sea Dragon when I looked back I sighed "Oh dear?" Razeel asked, "What's wrong?" as she looked back at the dock "That was supposed to clean them off instead in made one giant mud pie," I smirked As Razeel began to climb in to climb into the Sea Dragon the Slayer smirked, "Just another reason to clean up their act," We finally boarded the Sea Dragon. When I sat in the cockpit pulling on the flight controls we flew out of the area my mind went back to figuring out other ways to improve the Lair. Slipping, sliding, and spitting out mud, the Jester cursed "I really hate him," The Jester growled, "Damn that meddler I want you all to find him and kill him," "Yes sir," the henchmen all replied as they still couldn't stop slipping on the mud caking their bodies. "I don't care what it takes, we only have 5 more days and it won't matter," The Jester growled as he finally regained his footing, his eyes seething with hatred. "I want to know everything about that bastard, and how to put an end to his meddling," The Jester sneered all of his buffoonish henchmen just nodded in agreement as they picked themselves up "and clean yourselves up I don't want you dirtying up my home!" His goons all groaned as they tried to walk in the slippery mud. "Thanks for all your help," Dave spoke into his phone,"No he still doesn't know about you," Dave reassured "But it won't be long before he does Guardian's powers are getting stronger everyday," "He will be very happy that he will have a new project to work on, just remember when you approach him he will not be intimated not even by you Ma'am," Dave smirked then turned serious. While we were returning to the Lair, saw an abandon rail line I decided more recycling was needed so I went to the Sea Dragon's underbelly holding out my hand several rails jumped off the ground and followed us back to the Lair. It didn't take long we got back to the Lair I put the used rails down next to the hangar while the Sea Dragon rode the platform down. Razeel left to inform Blaylock about the protection runes. but I needed to get home Jake was waiting for me. When I returned home an hour later, I found Jake on the couch with a bowl of cereal in hand and a bandage still wrapped around his head. "How are you feeling?" I asked "What are you referring to, my headache or the fact that I was going to be sacrificed so an army of vampires could rise?" He asked shaking my head in a mocked annoyance for the two of us were equally smartasses "Your head smartass," I answered "Well it's fine expect it wrapped up," Jake replied "That good to hear," I said to him "So what have you been up to?" He asked "A little of this and a little of that," I replied returning the sarcasm, "You are so informative," Jake laughed "So I have been told," I laughed "When does this special man get here?" Jake asked "He should be calling in exactly 30 minutes," I told him "We will just see about that," Jake laughed I walked over to the fridge to get a drink when I noticed that my fridge was all but empty. "Damn I know I was forgetting something," I scolded "What that?" Jake asked "I was suppose to go food shopping when I got off of work," I said "Well why don't you and I go now before your hubby gets here," Jake recommended "I guess so," I sighed as we got ready and headed out. While at the store we picked out several items filling at least two or three carts of food I made sure I got something the guys would like. We were getting ready to head for the register lines. The doors flew open with masked men carrying semi automatic weapons bursting through, "Alright this is a stickup!" one of the masked men announced "Jake I believe we missed something in the meat section," I told him "Oh yes, this is the best time to think about meat," Jake said sarcastically Ushering uS back before those goofs holding up the checkout counter spotted us. "I am about entrust you with a secret but I can't do it here," I whispered to Jake "What, about you being gay? I knew that," Jake responded "No it's not that, but first we need to get out of site before these buffoons spot us," I told him We moved off to a lone isle where no one could see us looking around. I spotted a ventilation shaft. "Perfect now to change," I cheered Looking around making sure that Jake and I were truly alone. "What are you going to do?" Jake asked "This," I said, closing my eyes, changing my civvies into my Guardian outfit. "Wow so it was you who saved me?" Jake exclaimed "Yes," My masked voice replied "I will tell you more when I get back," I promised Holding my hand to the shaft its cover shot off and I leaped up into the vent shaft making my way in. I was just above the registers when I heard, "That's it just hand over, all the money and nobody gets hurt," The masked man ordered Again holding out my hand I shattered the aluminum siding and jumped out landing a few feet in front of the gang I smirked, "If you don't mind you are holding up the line," "That is kind of the point," One of the masked goons sneered "Well these good people would like to get their goods home," I stated "Get the freak!" The Masked man ordered his gang. "Why do you guys always insist on things the hard way?" I asked as I pulled out my Fighting Pike hitting the release button and it sprung to its full length. They raised their guns "Oh guns," I smiled one of them nervously fired off a shot, the bullet struck my Fighting Pike, "Since you prefer projectile weapons," I laughed Moving my left hand towards a display of various canned goods. many jumped off the table hovering in midair, The look in their eyes was almost hysterical if not for their guns. "Allow me to return the favor," I said as I moved my hand back towards the gunmen the cans followed, The closest guy took the brunt of the first round of flying canned goods. "Now this is what I call a food fight," I commented as even more cans flew from their end display and at the would-be robbers. The front guys fell forward and the goons behind them were the next to be pelted by tin cans. They cried out in pain, dropping their guns. Those who were not keel over in pain. Tried to get out of the range of the barrage of canned tomatoes and canned tuna. But I made sure they were attacked by cans of diced peaches. "Now this is the type of canned fight I prefer," I said as I continued my canned goods barrage. One by one each of the would-be bandits were put out of commission it was only after the last one fell to the ground. I said, "Cleanup at the register," A store clerk smirked as she went to call for the police which was my cue to leave by jumping back into the air conditioner's ventilation shaft, and went back to Jake who was still awaited my return at the isle, and when I descended from the shaft looking around before changing back to my normal clothes. "So how did it go?" Jake asked "They've were canned," I smiled "Wow what else do you do?" Jake asked I saw something on the shelves and said, "Hmm this looks good," I picked up a side of ham. Jake looked at it and said, "That does look good," As we made our way to the checkout I simply stated, "The only way I can answer you is if you help me in my every growing battle of the Night," "What are you talking about?" Jake asked "I will tell you more once we are away from public ears," I said We waited for the cops to remove the gang before heading up to the cash register I did feel sorry for the store clerk who was cleaning up my mess of cans "That was intense," the girl said, "Did you see him?" One of the ladies asked another "Yeah that Guardian Angel is such a stud," The other lady said I looked to Jake who was trying to hold his tongue. "Yeah and the way he took on those hoodlums that was amazing," A salesman responded "Yes I swear he is a mutant or something to make all those cans do that," The guy replied "I am not complaining he took them out, and no one was seriously hurt," The woman behind the gentleman said, "Just their pride," The girl at the register snickered. Jake and I were next in line and one woman turned to Jake "Did you see the Guardian Angel?" Jake just shrugged, "No, I was too busy looking at the sides of beef to see anything," "Too bad it was incredible. I am so grateful he is watching over us," the woman sighed in relief. After paying for our groceries we left the store and went out to the Ram. The whole time Jake was helping to put the groceries into the truck bed his face was as straight as possible. My dear friend's body was shaking as he was trying not to laugh. I could see tears running down his face as he was trying desperately to keep from laughing. It's a good thing this is a pickup truck otherwise I would never be able to fit all these groceries in there. Once all the groceries were secure we got inside the Ram where Jake finally lost the battle and began laughing hysterically. "What?" I asked unable to hold it in I began to laugh with him "I felt so bad for all those women in there who thought you were hot, you are going to break their heart when it is known that the Guardian is gay," He laughed "Oh well," I laughed. We both laughed all the way back to the house. When we got there I opened the door and was ambushed by the arms of my devastatingly ravishing lover. "Hey honey how was work?" Jeff asked happily "It was good Dave had me hopping," I said "Cool then what?" Jeff asked Gazing over at my shipmate his stunned gaze was laughable. "Ah Jake, aren't you going to at least say hi?" I laughed as he stood there star struck "Ah, hi," Jake stammered "Hey Jake," Jeff greeted, shaking his hand, then he asked the both of us "So what else is going on?" "In a few hun there's frozen food out in the Ram," I told him as Jake finally got over his starstruck moment, and remembering we had stuff to get he went back to get more groceries and came in with bags in his hands. "Hey guys get off your lazy asses and help!" We heard as Jake and I went back out to the Ram this made us laugh as we grabbed more stuff. Soon the rest of the guys were out helping, it took over an hour to bring the stuff in and put it all away. With dinner still some time away Nick, Justin and Drew opted to take a nap while Jake, Jeff and I remained in the living room. Turning to me Jake yelled "Mike how could you keep this secret from me!" If it were anyone but Jake I would be totally angry and seeing how upset Jeff looked and how ready he was to defend me made me feel loved, Putting my hand on him. "Jake, I have no idea what you are talking about?" I asked back with the same fierceness Then his face changed and laughed, "I just wanted to see your faces but alas only your boy here seem to think I was serious," "Well duh how long have we known each other?" I queried He just looked at me and smiled, "Well are you at least going to introduce us," "Um Jake, take a good look at him, and see if even your Ordy mind can put it together." I said pointing to Jeff who in turn gave Jake a wonderful profile. It clicked "Isn't he part of one of the boy bands?" Jake asked "Yes he is," I replied "You're Nick Lachey aren't you?" Jake asked "No he upstairs taking a nap," Jeff supplied "I'm kidding Jeff Timmons, Mike would have killed me if I didn't know who you were," Jake laughed "Yes I would have," I responded "So Jeff did you by any chance go blind when you first saw Mike?" Jake asked "No he is quite beautiful inside and out," Jeff stated I blushed and said "He's just jealous that I found you, he had his hidden desires to get me," "I have not!" Jake laughed I laughed at his quick reaction "Oh please I gave you one massage and you were practically asking for more," I laughed "Hey you were good at it," Jake replied "You never gave me a massage," Jeff complained "You never asked for one," I said back Jake started to ask question like how we met and what we thought of each other so on and so forth that is until Drew came back down and pulled Jeff into the kitchen when I tried to get up Drew flatly told me that the invitation was for superstars only. This made me laugh and was not going to argue with them sitting back down. Justin and Nick came down and joined Jake and I where my former shipmate told them of our trip to the supermarket. Leaving out the part of me being the Guardian since he had no clue that I had even told them my little secret "Wow you did that?" Nick applauded "What?" Jake exclaimed "We know Jake all about Mike's alter- ego told us a couple of days ago." Justin smiled "Mike told us after we were taken hostage at the Granite Run Mall," Justin smiled proudly Sheepishly Jake finished his story, "So that is what happened did at the store, it was incredible," Jake responded "Yes he is and we are very proud of him" Nick stated Making me blush a little but I took the compliment to heart, "Now I wish Jeff would hurry up in there!" Justin screamed "Hold your Horses," We heard Drew say from the kitchen We all laughed After dinner Jake and I were again ordered out of the kitchen so we sat on my front porch steps with the streetlamps drowning out the stars above. I sat there for a while trying to come up with a way to ask Jake something that would mean changing the world for him. Then I asked, "Jake, I was wondering if you would help me in my fight?" "Help you in your fight, how?" He asked back "Well I am building up a team to help take on many dark forces on this world," I told him "Mike I am not that kind of fighter," Jake said "I know but some of your skills would be invaluable to our cause," I informed him "Mike I am just and Ordy there isn't much I know how to do," Jake pointed out "Jake you are capable of doing more things then you realize," I told him "This is your choice man. I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do," I told him. He was about to respond when I picked up a ping from the Earth, "Jake get inside now!" I told him He didn't hesitate and went inside just as a pair of vamps jumped me. "Look what we have here a snack," The vampire sneered "I would let go of me if I were you," I said knowingly. "Oh and why would we?" The vampire holding my right arm asked At that moment a bird swooped down and began pecking at one of the vampires' heads. He squealed, shooting the bird away, the other jumped off of me and began frantically slapping his hands all over his body, I saw ants swarming all over him. I thanked my animal friends as I rolled off my back once I was on my feet again. I flipped out of the way, getting away from the vampires. They growled and began to charge me they were in full demon mode I noted that both the ants and the bird were safe and out of harm's way, I just shook my head, "Why do vampires and criminals all think alike?" I asked myself to pull out my Fighting Pike since it was the only thing I had on my belt. Then swatted the one on the right to bring an end down on my Pike using it as a pole-vault and jumping over the left one. The one turned around while his pal still laid on the deck it growled as he charged me again. I spun on my right foot kicking him in the jaw knocking him over. I was just recovering when I felt a fist hit my jaw sending me flying into a nearby tree. I felt it groan as it tried to recover from me hitting it. "Sorry my friend," I apologized as I backed off of it. Both vampires were now backup and charging at me again. Just as the vamps came closer I swung my Pike around again this time making contact with the one on the right squarely on his jaw. The impact was enough to take its head off; it dusted a second later. Its buddy charged me, tackling me to the ground. I tried to get it off me but it had me pinned. It was about to bite me when it suddenly dusted. Once it settled I saw Jake standing there with a piece of wood in his hand. He stood there with his mouth opened in amazement and some shock. "Thanks," I said "I can't believe I killed someone," Jake cried. He was really shaking. I got up and held him "Jake that guy was already dead all you did was kill the demon that looks like him," I soothed "I can't believe I killed someone," Jake repeated. I held him "Jake that is one of the forces I fight and they do take lives it's my job to make sure that they don't kill anymore," I told him Jake was still shaking like a leaf. This was his first time doing this. "Mike, how can you do this night after night?" Jake asked "Because I have no real choice the Earth has asked and I'd rather them at the other end of the wooden stake," I told him We got up and went back inside and just as we entered the door Jake said, "Mike I don't know what I can do but I will help you," Jake turned to go back indoors. I was about to follow when I saw Gaia. "Hello Gaia, if there was more you about this Jester I would greatly appreciate it," I greeted "Only that your have little time to stop him and it is growing shorter," Gaia informed me That made me shiver, nothing like a time limit to a problem in perspective. "I am surprised that even you don't know who this guy is," I admitted "We all have our blindspots and in this guy's case even I can't get through his warped mind," Gaia answered "Okay so you are saying our time is growing short," I remembered "Yes in a few more days this will all come to a stop," Gaia informed "If that is all the time I have I will get this done," I vowed "I have something else that I must tell you," Gaia spoke gently "What is that Gaia?" I asked "You and Jeff," Gaia said "You are not breaking us up are you?" I gasped "I wish it was that simple but destiny has other plans," Gaia tried to say very gently "I don't understand," I gasped again "You will the person meant for you is the key, as for Jeff he too has someone who in need of the love you have shown Jeff," Gaia informed I was shaking not just by what Gaia was saying but how even if true it means I am stringing a beautiful person along on false hope. Seeing the look on my face "No, Mike the love you and Jeff have for each other is real," Gaia spoke "You two will always be special to each other, but you need the key to unlock your full potential, Jeff too will be important to this person," Gaia said.with that she returned to Hope Island and I when inside feeling uneasy. This is a much longer chapter then usual I just had too much going on to want to mess with the flow is it for this chapter more to come. Please remember to Donate to Nifty Please tell me what you think at3unit3@yahoo.com I also recommend the following stories it was because of them I got into writing in the first place. "Tales of a Real Dark Knight" by authorjames "Marvel Knights" also by authorjames "Tales of the New Phoenix" by Blake "Tales of a Superhero Band" by Leo "Tales of a Young Mutant" by Jeremi "Tales of a Thunder God" by Tony Justiss