I groaned to myself; no doubt, Mikey had noticed I was no longer at the party (Let’s face it, without me, there really was no party.) I glanced over at the situation behind me briefly before answering the phone. I would have to think on my feet for this one, but it was best if I didn’t ignore it.
I launched myself behind a nearby bush, squirming at the prickly leaves. “Yeah?” I couldn’t ignore it, but I had to make it quick.
“Hey, Dinger, where’d you go?”
“Ugh . . . Cheryl called me and wanted me to come home.” I instantly smacked my forehead. Not one of my better excuses, that’s for sure.
“Since when are you listening to your parents?”
“Ugh . . . It’s nothing. So, what’re you guys up to?” I asked. Changing the subject was imperative for me during the dark days of my dual life. I was thinking of telling people I had ADD or something so they wouldn’t bother me about it; maybe they would even feel sorry for me after hearing the excuse so many times.
“We’re all watching the news.”
“Really? Since when is the news cool enough to watch, Mike?”
“I know, right? I would agree but Wingdinger’s back in action!”
“Oh really?” I rolled my eyes before glancing around for the news helicopter again.
“Yeah, it’s awesome! Some huge caterpillar is leeching around and humping the old baseball grounds near Main Street.”
“What’s he doing now?” At this point, having asked a pointless question, I turned on speaker phone and stepped out of the brush to finish off the beast.
“Grum!” It howled and huffed in an awkward rhythm. I was unpleasantly surprised to see it was still just wriggling around, flopping on the topside, like a goldfish chucked out of its bowl.
“He’s standing around doing nothing while Starry Knight just stabbed it straight between the eyes! Or at least, what I think are the eyes. You should see it man, her power is beyond anything I’ve ever seen . . . ”
Mikey’s answer was slowly silenced to my ears as I felt a growl gurgle up inside of me. So Starry Knight had arrived.
I muted the phone and leaped into action.
Calling forth another power beam, I aimed for the heart of the beast, knowing it would be a point of weakness for the spirit monster. “Augh! Take that!”
A burst of light and a moment later, a gloomy cloud of dust hurricaned around the park grounds and a whimpering “Grum” settled into the ground.
The monster was gone.
And I was left in a whirlwind of gray snow, staring into the violet eyes of my so-called co-defender.
She was spotlessly graceful, not a hair out of place. Just as always. In the months we’ve fought and fought with the Sinisters, I’ve never quite felt as solid nor as strong as she looked. She seemed to me to be more ghost than real, but I knew from experience the extent of her power as a Starlight Warrior.
“Starry Knight,” I muttered in greeting.
“Wingdinger,” she nodded back. A moment passed before her eyebrow arched and she remarked, “I don’t suppose you’re ready to give up on this charade?”
It was her big thing, ever since we started fighting against the Sinisters and all their minions, for her to convince me to quit. “There’s no charade here, unless you count your masquerade as ‘help,’” I retorted back. “I can do this just fine on my own. Why don’t you just give up? Relax a little bit?”
She frowned. “I’m not the one who thinks this is some kind of social club,” she bit back. “You’ve hardly improved at all since you started this. Your power is still weak and unpredictable, and your focus is off while your attitude is as flippant as a child’s.”
“What if that’s what I wanted?” I shot back. I couldn’t let her have the last word.
“Please. It’s clear you just love the attention you’re getting from all this,” she waved off. “It’s all about you and your image.”
Duh. What else would I fight for, if not myself? Sure, truth and justice were important. But I didn’t really need this cutting into my social life. Or the huge damage bill I was racking up.
Before I could make my next amazing retort, my cell phone rang again; I’d knocked Mikey off the line. Groaning to myself, I hurriedly turned it off before determinedly turning back to face my co-defender foe.
She suddenly whipped out her bow again. I was taken aback; Starry Knight and I had never gotten along (understatement of the century) but we had never physically fought each other. She usually just harangued me long enough to feel good about herself before flying off.
But all of a sudden, she was flying through the air at me, her bow between us. I felt myself pushed back, hard, and I flew back through the air. I finally landed against something hard and scaly. Elysian.
His tail wrapped securely around me before I could counterattack. “Hey! What are you doing!?” I screamed as he jolted quickly away, my body tugged awkwardly behind him as we shot out of there. “Hey! What are you doing? She attacked me! Let me at her!”
Elysian looked back at me curiously; before he could say anything, a huge fiery explosion blasted behind us.
The boom was deafening, and the fire was fierce; I looked around to see the news helicopter had just fallen from the sky. A couple of parachutes in the distance skyline hovered precariously. Starry Knight had taken to the skies, guiding them away from the flames and melted metal now stuck in the ground behind us.
Her wings fluttered; I saw her as she looked back at me. “Don’t expect a thank you,” I huffed bitterly. She seemed to expect that, because a moment later, I looked back over to see she’d flittered off. A flicker of light whistled against the horizon as she flew out of sight.
Anger surged inside of me. This wasn’t the first time she’d saved my life. And it wasn’t the first time I was going to deny it.
“Elysian!” I scowled over at my dragon mentor, who was sniffing the tunnels from which the giant worm had come out. “Elysian, you’re supposed to be helping me! Why can’t you keep tabs on Starry Knight and warn me about stuff like that?” I jabbed my thumb in the direction at the tangled metal mess, which would probably be in the mayor’s next propaganda campaign as a future site for a playground (“Help Helicopters give Hope,” I could hear the cheesy slogan already.) “And why don’t you ever just scare her off when we’re in the middle of an argument like before?”
Elysian snorted. “She’s usually got a point. And I don’t think she minds arguing with you. She even seems to like it.”
It had always bothered me that Elysian seemed to like Starry Knight more than he liked me. It also bothered me when he took her side, and that he didn’t really interact with her like it was a chore, or bother her any more than he felt he had to. What I wouldn’t have given for a life like that.
Anger suddenly seethed at me, burning my bones, much like the helicopter crash flaming wildly behind me. “Do you want me to quit this?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“No. But it’s clear you’re not really trying, either.”
“What!?” I was flabbergasted. “What do you mean, I don’t even try? Of course I do! Do you know what I could be doing instead of this?”
“Kid,” Elysian said, “Listen to me. There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. There's also a difference between accepting the truth and believing it.”
“I know.”
“Are you listening to me? Or just hearing me?”
“Yes. Both – I'm doing both!” I put my head in my hands. “Just stop it, all right? I'm going to try to be nicer towards people and watch what I say. I'm sure it'll make me stronger, so you can just shut up!”
Elysian rolled his eyes. “Great way to get started, kid. Some restraint on your mouth would help, I’ll give you that. If for no other reason than to get you to be quieter. But I bet anything it’ll be two minutes before you fall back into your usual habits.”
“You know, Elysian,” I grumbled, “Ever since you came into my life, all I am anymore is an
gry!”
The dragon laughed. “That's a lie. You were angry before. One creature like me won't change a hardheaded spitfire like you.”
Our conversation was proof that not only was Elysian terrible to deal with, but I was perpetually unrewarded for my good deeds and my sacrifices. (I was never going to get back the moments I missed from the party!)
Elysian sighed as he slimmed down to his smaller size. As a changeling dragon, he had the ability to change his form; I liked it when he was in his usual, smaller form, because his voice was more hilarious and less terrifying when he was angry.
“Come on. You don’t really try to find out about our enemies, you get all huffy when I try to correct you, and you just don’t care about anyone else, except where your reputation in concerned. You try harder only after the cameras arrive.” He paused for a moment, as though weighing his options, and then added, “Or when you’re trying to beat Starry Knight.”
“Did it ever occur to you I don’t really know why I am doing any of this?” I asked. “Why can’t the Prince of Stars just come down here and take care of it himself?”
Elysian sighed. “There are always questions which we will not be able to answer, and even if we were given the answers, we wouldn’t understand them.”
“That’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not. It’s just that good judgment requires a broad perspective,” Elysian rolled his eyes. “One you clearly don’t have, since it’s hard for you to even look past yourself.”
I turned on my heel and stormed away. There was no need to deal with this.
“Where are you going now, Hamilton?” Elysian heaved out an irritated breath, surprising me by calling me by my first name for once.
“Back to my party,” I huffed. “And don’t even think about following me. You’re not invited!”
I thought I heard him sigh before he began muttering under his breath about how irresponsible I was and how disappointing I was and how I was too selfish and how I was never going to be a better fighter and how I should just be stripped of my powers and let go with some kind of Astroneshama–Starlight Warrior–pink slip.
I felt better knowing he was not happy; it was enough to even make me smile briefly, before I caught sight of the Apollo City Time Tower.
It was hard to tell whether I was more frustrated, angry, or disappointed to see how much time had passed. My palms grew warm with rage as I hurried through the nighttime streets. I still had to give Gwen her present.
☼3☼
Reprieve
When I arrived back at Mikey’s house several long moments later, the party was still going somewhat, although I was going to have some difficulties rounding up another round of the Awkward Game.
I was torn between climbing in through the bathroom window and just heading home when Gwen came out the door, carrying bags full of her presents.
“Bye! Thank you guys!” Gwen called out, waving with her free hand as she headed out.
A couple of them called out their goodbyes, a few jokes, and she laughingly replied. All as I just stared.
My pulse had dulled since the end of the battle, and my body even felt like the world was slumping over. But Gwen’s presence was enough to convince me to perk up.
“Hey Gwen, want some help carrying those home?” I asked, stepping out from the shadows as she finally made it to the sidewalk.
“Hey Hammy,” she greeted with a hint of surprise in her voice. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come back or not.”
“Sorry I’m so late. Um, Cheryl called and wanted me to come home. But then I realized I didn’t get a chance to really talk to you or wish you a happy birthday, so I came back.” It was cheesy, but it was all I could think of at the moment.
She smiled, the smile I knew crinkled warmly into the corners of her eyes. “Well, you certainly picked out a great gift. I loved the sweater.” She indicated the small bag in her one hand. “I guess you didn’t forget it at Rachel’s restaurant after all.”
“Oh, good,” I said, reaching out and taking some of the other bags in her hands. I wanted my present to be the only one she carried. “I’m glad.” Really glad, I added to myself. The cashmere sweater had been her Christmas gift, but thanks to a last-minute Christmas Eve superhero run, it had been drenched in chai. I’d needed to get it replaced. That meant waiting for the Christmas return season to catch up, and I’d only just gotten its replacement in the mail three days ago. “I think the green will look great with your hair.”
“Thanks,” Gwen flushed. “I think it will, too. Are you sure you’re able to walk me home?”
I’d fought supernatural demons. I could handle another lecture from Cheryl about curfew. “Sure.” I grinned.
“Great,” Gwen agreed.
We talked for a bit–well, I did, as I told her all about the trouble I’d gone to getting the sweater, which involved my mother’s reluctant personal shopper and an edited version of the Christmas debacle–before I ran out of the story details to share and we lapsed into silence.
It was not an awkward silence–or at least, I didn’t think so.
Gwen finally spoke up. “My house is right up here.”
“I remember,” I assured her.
“Thanks for helping me.”
“No problem.”
“I hope your mom doesn’t get mad at you for being out so late.”
“Why would Cheryl get mad?” I asked, before abruptly reminding myself that is what I’d told her I was doing when I left the party. “Oh, I mean . . . Cheryl will understand. ‘Cause it’s you, you know?”
Gwen cocked her eyebrow at me. “I thought you were starting to listen to your parents.”
“Gotta draw the line somewhere, right?” I laughed. “Besides, we both know I can’t hold a candle to you in that regard, no matter how much I try, Ms. Gwen Goody Two-Shoes.” I gave her a teasing smile, but the frown I receive back tells me I’ve stepped over some line.
I rolled my eyes, not sure if I was irritated at her or myself as the silence resumed. She was probably thinking I had been referring to the whole Tim Ryder incident. And if so, she was right. But I’d been hoping she’d gotten over it by now.
Gwen’s parents had finally gotten to meet Tim Ryder, a geek from school who had passionately declared his love for Gwen just as I’d been planning to ask Gwen out. Gwen had invited Tim over to her house to meet them over the Christmas/New Year’s break. I have to admit, it was the best gift I received. Some of the details were so deliciously awkward, I even almost felt sorry for him. But then, you can’t expect a man like John Kessler, a prime candidate for the county’s next school board president, to appreciate a gawky boy teenager’s dreams of starring on Broadway, no matter how well he constructs a replica of the Globe Theatre with his mashed potatoes and peas.
We came up to the darkened house and I was just about to ask Gwen if she had her key when the lights blazed on.
“Gwen, is that you? Who’s that with you? It’s not that pansy Shakespeare boy again, is it? I swear, if he’s bothering us again after I told him there’s no way in hell I’d let him date you, I’ll get him expelled!”
I had the hardest time keeping in my snickers.
“Dad!” Gwen was mortified. I could tell by her tone, but I was suddenly able to see it on her face, as the lights glared on. “Stop it! This is Hamilton Dinger, not Tim, so you can relax.”
“Hamilton?” John’s face looked funny, with the dumbfounded look on it. I couldn’t see much, but I knew I would be bursting with laughter while recounting this story to the guys later.
“Yeah, you’ll remember Hamilton,” Gwen huffed, the bitterness in her voice not escaping me.
“How are you, Mr. Kessler?” I asked. “Uh, just helping Gwen carry her presents home from her party.”
“Oh. Well, Hamilton, it’s nice to see you again.” John smiled, coming over. He plucked the bags out of my hands and nodded his greeting. “Sorry about that. Can’t be too careful these days, you know.”
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“Oh, understandable,” I assured him. I smiled. “Especially with someone as pretty as Gwen here.”
Gwen frowned some more, before abruptly turning toward the door. “Thank you for your help, Ham, but we’re here and it’s late. I’ll see you in class on Monday, okay?”
“Gwen, let me get these bags,” John insisted. “You can say your goodbyes to Hamilton properly.”
Gwen bit her lip as she watched him head back toward the door.
“He means well,” I said. Which was more than I could say for my parents.
“Maybe.”
There was nothing else to be done. “Speaking of your best interests, Gwen, would you like to go out on a date with me?”
Gwen blinked in surprise. “How is that in my best interests?” she asked, with something like suspicion laced in her response.
I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Well, your parents like me, so it’s a start.” She glared at me, so I knew I’d best keep talking. “And there is the matter of how if you agree to go out with me now, I won’t have to keep asking you several times over the next few weeks.”
She laughed a bit at that, so I allowed myself to breathe correctly.
“You have Tuesday night free,” John called out from the door.
“Dad! Gosh, you are terrible!” Gwen hollered back as she flushed a shade above purple. “Go away!”
I laughed as John went back inside the house. “Well, I was going to suggest Tuesday anyway, if that makes you feel better.”
She sighed. “Well . . . I don’t know.”
“What?” I asked, pretending to be offended. “What do you mean, ‘I don’t know,’ Gwen?”
“You just seem really preoccupied lately,” Gwen told me. “Remember? You’re always busy or forgetting something or running off.”
The teasing quality had obviously been lost on her. “Well, that’s not–”
“And then there’s still the swim season, too. Aren’t you worried about how much you’ll have to do?”