The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 28: The Next Step

It took a few days but they made it to Tohigh, a small town next to a mountain and rich in metal making it a hive for miners and blacksmiths. The crew said their farewells to the captives and set off back to Little Island. Vyker shook his head and moved on while Tim looked around. Amanda was the first to speak, “So…this is Tohigh?” Vyker nodded but didn’t say anything. Tim glanced at the town and spread out his arms, “This little town is where half of the metal on the whole Island comes from?” Tim nodded in awe. Bruce deactivated Thrashers cryopod and tossed it onto the ground. Thrashers popped out, looked around then pasted out. Bruce rushed to the baby raptor, “What just happened?!” He asked. Tim studied the cryopod while Amanda checked Thrashers vitals. Vyker stood, impatiently, tapping his foot and crossing his arms. “Oh!” Tim said, “Warning: This device will make you smaller tames past out from the cold and larger tames will gain torpor. DO NOT put on unconscious tame into the pod. This will kill the tame. Do not use on humans… blah blah… this will give all tames ‘Cryosickness’ which has the following effects such as, nausea, sleep deprivation, and comas in rare cases.” Tim put the device in his pocket as Amanda looked at Bruce. “He’s fine,” she said, “he just needs some time to awake up.” Bruce nodded and picked up Thrasher. Vyker shook his head, “Now that thats out of the way…” he turned to the town and headed to an inn. Bruce shook his head and turned to Amanda and Tim, “Wanna explore the town a bit?” They agreed and started exploring. Normally Bruce could hear Thrasher’s dreams but strangely, he couldn’t this time. After a while they came to an antique shop that Tim insisted they go into. Inside the walls were made of wood as were the shelves and tables. Tim found a 2049 section and was exploring that while Amanda found a saddle section. Bruce was just looking around for something interesting when he came across a glowing object. He set Thrasher down and looked at it. It was an artifact that he had need seen before. Looking at the price he was staggered by how much it cost. 1999.99$. ‘Holy…’ he thought was Tim walked over. “Oh hey Bruce!” Tim called out getting anger looks from the another customers. Lowering his voice he said, “Bruce I found a file of the Arks!” Bruce looked astonished, “In the 2049 sec-“ “No in the 3104 aisle. Anyway this file gives the exact location and pieces need to make the Artifacts. And maps through the cave!” Bruce at this point was completely dumbfounded, then he grinned, “Well… thats a coincidence.” Tim looked confused “What do you-“ he said as he turned to look at the artifact for the first time. He quickly opened the file he found and flipped through papers. “Here!” He pointed to a picture that looked exactly like the artifact Bruce found. “This is the ‘Artifact of the Immune’. Supposedly the hardest one to obtain.” He read a few sentences silently. Bruce tugged on Tims shoulder, “We’re buying this file. You purchase it and I’ll get Amanda.” Tim nodded then headed to the front desk. Later outside the three of them studied the file papers over lunch they had bought. While Tim ate his burger like he had never eaten before, Amanda read the Artifact of the Immune page. “This artifact will be built as a true challenge, in a maze of tight spaces and swamp this artifact will truly test the survival of the ones that dare enter.” Bruce ate his burger slowly and seemed confused, “But what good is this artifact if it just test survival?” Amanda shrugged and pointed to Tim who was working on his fries, “He would know better then me.” Then, continued reading, “This artifact, while being difficult to obtain will present a harder challenge then the cave. For the guardian that accepts it is none other then the ‘Dragon’.” Amanda pauses. Tim held up a hand, “Hold up… A FLIPPING DRAGON?!” Amanda nodded, “Thats what it said…” Bruce shook his head in disbelief, “First a giant spider, then a gorilla, now this?!” Tim started drinking his soda saying, “Well now I know why that artifact was so expensive…” “Come on!” Bruce said giving the rest of his burger to the now awake Thrasher, who took it greedily, “We’re buying need to tell Vyker about this.” “Then what?” Amanda asked. Bruce smiled, “Simply. We ship out again.”

(Ok! I know this has taken awhile but it’s out now! Also where is the next chapter of TOT? No rush, just asking.)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 26: The Megapithacus

The white that blinded Bruce faded revealing a cliff face right in front of him. It looked to be a good sixty feet drop, should one fall off. Alfred started to shout commands, “Get the dino’s out of the pods. TEK troopers scout ahead!” Emily and Butch began deactivating the cryopods, and five men in TEK armor dashed ahead at ridiculous speeds. There was a temple looking structure though it looked abandoned as it was covered in snow and ice. Banners flew in the wind in many different colors, blue, green and red. Bruce recognized them as prayer flags though he couldn’t remember from where. A assault rifle was thrown at him and he barely caught it snapped out of his daydream. Alfred scowled at him, “You have got to stop daydreaming and pay attention. That’s going to get you killed one day.” He barked an order and the rest of his troops moved to the temples entrance. Bruce looked around and saw a Yutysaurus, two Daedons, a few Rexs, and an Otter on each soldier’s shoulders. ‘Otters?’ Bruce thought ‘Thats a strange animal to fight with.’ He looked back at the Yuty, realized Vyker was riding on it and stormed in the arena. There it was, the Megapithacus. It’s fur was white as the snow, it’s skin was as black as frostbite gone bad. It’s left eye was perfect the iris red and it’s pupils a bit dilated. The right eye was a mess. It was a murky white, Bruce presumed that he was blind in that eye. A scar dragged across it’s left eye down to the shoulder. And it was have a battle with the Rexs. Bruce started to fire his weapon at it’s chest, near the scar. That got it’s attention as it turned to him and charged. Bruce panicked and tried run but, it was too fast. Suddenly a blast of wind and Bruce was on the other side of the mountain temple. A man in TEK put him down, “Careful son.” Bruce nodded and the man dashed off. The ape suddenly roared and beat it’s chest. Five Mesotopithacuses and five Gigantipithacuses appeared from the wind as if they were spawned in. They immediately began to fight. Alfred was riding a Rex straight at the Megapithacus. Emily and Butch flanked him, as always, also riding Rexes. They charged with a force that chewed through the hide of the ape and scared it. It screamed in fury and slashed Alfred’s Rex, hitting Alfred in the process across his right eye. He screamed in agony and fell off his mount. A Meso then threw it’s fece’s at his face, right on the fresh scar. Vyker made the Yuty give a roar and the meso ran in fear. Emily leap off her mount dodging the claws of the guardian and took him out of the temple. Bruce joined Tim who was feeding a Daedon. “Tim! What the heck are you doing?” Tim shot a Gigantpithacus and explained, “From what I read Daedons have the ability to heal members around them. But they require a lot of food to do so.” Bruce shook his head, “No animal can do tha-“ a Meso leapt at his head. Bruce wrangled it off and killed it. “We’ll talk later!” A started to fire at the advancing apes and monkeys. Butch and Vyker made the Yuty and Rex charge at the Megapithacus again and they wounded it making it fall to the ground. The last of the troops started firing at the ape and Amanda grabbed a missile launcher from a fallen soldier. She fired, killing the Megapithacus once and for all. Bruce walked over to her, “Why did you get rocket launcher but not me?” he asked sarcastically. Amanda smiled, “Finder’s Keeper!” She said laughing. Bruce laughed with her as the world turned white again.

• • • •

Back at the “Dragon” they counted the loss. “Fifteen lost to the beast including two TEK users.” Alfred shook head, “We’re going to have to find them again.” Bruce still didn’t understand these concept, men that died stayed dead right? Well not on this Island apparently. Vyker, Tim, Amanda and himself all survived but Tim needed healing, and Amanda needed rest. Vyker stood with Bruce at the captains quarters. Alfred’s scar got infected and he had a huge bandage across his head now. Alfred shook his head again, “Well anyway we have to get you to a section of this Island. We’re do you want to go?” Vyker pulled out his map ball activated it and pointed to a western section. “We’ll go here. Tohigh.” An orange house symbol appears at the area Vyker pointed at. Alfred nodded, “Ok we’ll get you there. I’ll even give you some supplies for th-“ “All we need is money and our tames.” Alfred scowled at Vyker, “Alright.” Vyker nodded and he and Bruce left the room. Alfred pressed a button and spoke into it, “I need someone to follow the four ‘members’. I have a feeling they’ll get something for us.” He lifted his finger off the button and looked at his back wall. Three trophies mounts, two full, one to go.

(One more Guardian to go!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 25 2/2: The Blue Guardian

“Ah! Blast this wind!” It was the third day of marching to the obelisk. The wind was getting colder and the animals were more than Bruce thought possible. They had already lost five men, two to the beasts and three to the cold, and the rest were slowly dying. Well…it felt like it in this land of snow. As far as the eye could see was snow and ice. Mountain’s loomed over as de Cardo’s small group trudged along. Vyker, Bruce, Amanda, and Tim were entrusted to carry the crate holding the artifacts. Tim murmured under his breath, “Blasted artifacts. There're so heavy!” Amanda groaned, “And why are we carrying them?” Vyker shook his head, “Alfred is probably have us haul it because we’re the newest ‘members’” Bruce stayed silent. He was still wondering what this guardian would do. If the Broodmother killed half the men with little problem, what would this one do? And would his powers work? He was wondering this question most of all. He held Thrasher’s “Cryopod”, as it was called, close to his chest. He hoped the pod wouldn’t do anything to the little baby. The wind picked up again and Tim nearly lost his footing. “Heh…I don’t get out very often.” He said embarrassed. They continued on, hoping to get out of here soon.

• • • • •

Five Hours Later/

“And halt!” Butch said. The obelisk as in front of them, blue light vibrantly pulsing in the tall mountain. De Cardo looked back at his tried troop, his mates in the lead and Bruce’s group in the back. Emily and Butch flanked Alfred as he spoke, “Shipmates! This will be a pivotal moment for us. For this will be the day that Alfred de Cardo gained TWO guardian trophies!” The troop gave a weary cheer. Alfred pointed to ten men holding material, “But before we fight the monster we will rest for a day and see what our beasts of our own are.” Emily and Butch both held ten cryopods. Alfred gave a signal to place some tents near the base of the obelisk. The men carrying the material started to pitch a few large tents and Bruce lead his companions to a small fire someone had started. They set the crate down, careful not break the artifacts, and sat down warming by the fire. “Well I hope at least we can survive this. I mean I would hate to carry a crate all this way for nothing.” Tim said. Bruce nodded “I feel so excited. But I hate this.” “What? The crowd?” “Well that and the cold. We lost more men to the freezing wind then the animals.” Vyker laid down and spoke, “Well you should know that temperature is a soldiers best friend, or worst enemy. Did that military training teach nothing?” Bruce sighed, “Maybe.”. Amanda yawned, “Well I don’t know about you three but I’m going to bed.” She took a sleeping bag and headed to completed tent. Tim yawned as well and Bruce nodded, “I think that’s a good idea. Let’s turn in for the night.” Tim and Vyker agreed and they all tent.

• • • • •

2 Days Later/

After their day of rest they set to activating the obelisk. Alfred called Bruce and his companies up. He called out to the troop, “These here are our newest recruits. They came here looking for a way off this island as well,” Vyker frowned, Tim chuckled and Amanda folded her arms, “I have offered them their freedom in return for helping us kill the guardian. So take a go look at them. Unless…” Alfred grinned, “You can join them if you want. You can have freedom! Any takers?” Alfred raised his hand like an auctioneer. No one raised their hands. Alfred nodded, “I understand. Stay with me. It’s always better to stay with familiar friends then strangers.” Alfred nodded again turning to the obelisk. He whispered to the four, “Take the artifacts and place them in.” Bruce opened the crate containing the artifacts. As he did they glowed brighter as if the obelisk gave them more power. He, Amanda and Tim hauled the artifacts into their designated spots. The artifacts locked in and the obelisk began to glow. Emily and Butch still held the cryopods containing animals breed for fighting. Bruce took a deep breath as the teleporter started. He saw Alfred grinned, a mischievous look grew on his face. He grew concerned as the countdown hit zero and world flashed white.

(I hope you liked this chapter. I was going to have the Megapithacus fight in this chapter but… I decided not right now. Next chapter. Let’s see what happens!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 29

Bruce’s Journals 6

“We’ve made a bit of progress. We have a shotgun for Vyker and myself, we have enough food and water as well as a carrier pack for Thrasher. I don’t think it’s safe to but the baby raptor in a cryopod again. We haven’t found any lesser antidotes though. Anyway I asked Tim about his life and this…immortality. He, being the most open of the group, said that he came from the year 2169 and is the son of an ARK blueprint planner. That explains a lot about his life but when I asking him if immortality as part of the ARK he said that he had no idea who some ‘respawn’ as he put it. He did say that not everyone does though. Some came before the immortality was implemented and he says that he’s heard rumors it came from a celestial being. I said that, that is ridiculous, but I don’t know what to believe anymore. He also said that some of the immortals banded together and made a clan called, “God’s Chosen”. So guess where we’re going! Why do we never stop moving? I’m hoping there are some last supplies we need. Vyker on the other hand hopes to gather some people for a small spelunking party. Amanda hopes for a new pet that can ride on her shoulders-I guess she loves her cute pets-and Tim hopes for…adventure and technology, I guess. Anyway I’ve got to sleep. I hate sleeping bags.”

-Bruce Rockwell

-Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 25 1/2: The Second Guardian

Bruce woke up in bed. This was the second day of supply gathering on Little Island and Bruce was going to miss it. He got up, got dressed and went down the hotel stairs for breakfast. A few minutes later he was outside and helping put the last of the supplies on the “Dragon”, the name of de Cardo’s flagship. Vyker came over and helped Bruce with the last of the crates. Afterwards they talked about the journey Vyker asking, “Do you really trust him?” “Who? de Cardo?” “Yes. I mean you don’t just invite prisoners to fight for you, giving their freedom as a reward. I have a feeling but…” Vyker trailed off. Bruce nodded, “I know but, if he really gives us a ticket back to the main island, how can we refuse?” Vyker was going to start but the Captain himself call them over. They walked over de Cardo, a bit on edge as he was capable of killing them in five seconds Vyker had seen. Alfred spoke, “You have tames. How many? Are there any more on the Island?” Bruce and Vyker shook their heads. Alfred motioned of them to follow him, leading them to a large building made of TEK and, unlike most buildings, was very cold inside. The man at the front desk was flipping through a holographic menu when they walked in. He quickly closed the menu and stood up taller, as if their presence was frightening. The man spoke, “Captain de Cardo! Welcome! What brings you here today?” Alfred and the man shook hands as Vyker and Bruce looked around. De Cardo nodded to a door in the back “I’m here to pick up a few tames. The Blue Guardian bundle that I bought and…” he looked back at Bruce, “What are you animals?” Vyker replied’ “A Dodo, missing a wing and with a cracked beak, a Scaro, and a baby raptor.” “And their names?” Bruce responded this time, “ Hades, Thrasher, and Sweet Dreams.” The man at the front desk pulled up a holographic chart looked at it for a moment then pressed it a few times. A robot, it looked non TEK and more steampunk, walk into the back room and came out a few minutes later with twenty-five little box like devices in one platter that was in its hand and three in the other. The man gave the two platters the de Cardo, “Here is your collection. We accept card or cash. Well… any type of currency here. Your total is 50$ and 48 cents.” de Cardo gave the robot five gold coins and accepted the devices. They left the building and went back to the ship. “Alright!” Alfred said “Let’s start the voyage. We might as well get to the Arctic before sun fall.” Vyker nodded to him, “Yes sir. Just let me gather the rest of my friends and we’ll get going.” “Ok. Be quick. Oh and grab a couple of donuts along the way for all of us.” Vyker motioned of Bruce to follow him. Bruce grabbed the box things that Alfred was handing him and hurried after Vyker. Bruce chuckled, “I thought you didn’t agree with de Cardo?” Vyker fumed, “I’m not. I’m just going with him until we can escape. Or things turn for the worst.” “You know Vyker, you always assume the bad in everyone. Sure he did kidnap us, but he seems like a friendly soul-“ Vyker suddenly turned to face Bruce, his eyes showing multiple emotions at once, “I assume because thats what I need to do. I lost everything to someone I trusted and-“ he stopped and looked around. Then he pressed his finger on Bruce, a cold look in his eyes, “Let me just say, no one here I trust. You and Amanda are an exception but, you I have a very hard time trusting, especially with those….powers you have.” He turned back to the town. “Come on lets get the two.” And Vyker hurried off, leaving Bruce by himself, contemplating life, wondering what happened to Vyker and we he truly was.

(So part one done. Let’s see what happens next. I hopes it good!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 24

Bruce’s journals 5

“I am shocked, honestly shocked. Seems that after we beat half of the crew, de Cardo didn’t kill us. He was impressed. So he gave us a proposal. If we stay with him and fight the Megapithacus, the guardian of the blue Obelisk apparently, we can take our tames and get dropped off any where we want. We asked about the crew and he replied that he’ll find them along the beach somewhere. At this point I think he joking but Vyker nodded at him saying that they’ll discuss the matter. So we’re going to the Arctic! Yay… I wish I could write sarcasm in a book. Heh… I guess I miss my home. When will I go home again…come to think about it where was my home? I can’t seem to remember where I came from, or how I got here. I doubt anyone knows. Well I hope that the Megapithacus is the last piece we need to get out of here. Oh how I miss a good bed.”

-Bruce Rockwell

(The updated journals. This is how I’ll write them now. ALMOST TO 25! LET’S GO!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

The True, Chapter 28(Last one was 27 sorry about that!): Planning

“Hold on. So let me get this straight,” Vyker said. It was a few minutes after lunch and Bruce with the help of Amanda and Tim explained a plan that Bruce had developed. They had also brought Vyker lunch which he was eating in a room that Vyker had rented for them. Vyker continued, “You want to go to a virtually impossible cave to find and collect the artifact for free instead of buying it?” Vyker asked through chewing. Bruce smiled nervously, “Well…yes?”. Amanda nodded, “It seems like the best choice to get out of here and off this Island.” Amanda pointed to the file that was lying on a table, “Tim found that. He seems to more about the ARKs than Bruce and I.” Vyker chewed slowly suspicion in his eyes, “And by knowing more you think that he would be able to lead us through the cave?” He asked clearly suspicious, “And getting an artifact for free instead of buying it…by going through a vast, dangerous and complex cave?” He shook his head, “You’re out of your mind.”. He ran his fingers through his hair as if he was contemplating something. Tim sighed, “Well, I mean we could always just leave without you.” He said mischievously. Vyker eyed Tim finishing his food, “If you’re going to a cave that dangerous, you’re going to need help.” Vyker wiped his fingers on a napkin and lied back on a chair he was on, “None of you would survive. Well…Amanda might but thats still doubtful.” Bruce grabbed the files opened a page and read a section, “It says that the cave has a vast amount of titanaboas, leeches, and aracnos?” Bruce looked to Tim for clarification. Amanda said, “Aracnos are a big spider like beast but they don’t climb walls for some reason.” Tim nodded and Bruce chuckled, “Well…that’s good to know.” Vyker waved his hand dismissively, “None of that matters if you have the proper equipment. Stimulate for torpor, lesser antidote for mega rabies and swamp fever, shotguns for aracnos and-“ He noticed Tim writing something down on a piece of paper. Tim grinned, “Well if you’re not coming I’ll just have to write down a list of what we need. I just hope we have enough money…” Amanda crossed her arms, “The only reason we wouldn’t is if you bought another file. That thing was kinda expensive you know.” Vyker sat up in his chair smirking, “Nice thinking Tim.” He sighed, “Fine. If you want me so badly.” Bruce smiled and so did Amanda uncrossing her arms. Tim was busy reading the file and writing things down. Bruce opened the room’s door and Thrasher pounced on him. “Woah!” Bruce said laughing as he fell, “Who let you out?” Amanda giggled, “Well he had grown a bit. Raptor’s are quite intelligent if trained properly. I was rescued by one.” Bruce got Thrasher off of him and looked at Amanda, “You haven’t told us that story yet.” Amanda smiled, “I haven’t told you a lot.” “Neither have I.” Vyker said, “But that doesn’t matter right now. Everyone, start collecting supplies.” He pulled out a drawer from a dresser and bought out a fist full of dollars. “I found this looking thought the room. You never know what people leave. This should be enough for some lesser antidotes or a shotgun and three hundred ammo.” Bruce tilted his head slightly, confused, “Why is lesser antidote so expensive?” Tim answered walking over to them his paper in his hand, “Because the ingredients are rare. And the people that have the resources sell them at a high price.” He looked over his list, “Ok, so I think I have all the math figured out and we need fifteen lesser antidotes, four shotguns with two hundred and fifty ammo each, ten pounds of food each, twenty pounds of water each, one shoulder pet each and one compass.” Tim looked up and Vyker laughed, “I see that you’ve got it all planned out already. I like that.” Vyker’s eyes glazed over quickly as if thinking to a distant memory before returning to reality. He cleared his throat, “Alright troop! You heard Timothy. Let’s collect those supplies.” He walked out the door Tim and Amanda not far behind. Bruce turned to Thrasher who was hiding behind him. Thrasher peaked around Bruce’s leg then growled. Bruce laughed, “It’s ok Thrasher. Vyker’s voice can just be a little loud.” He knelt and put his head to Thrasher’s and the baby raptor purred. Bruce suddenly felt a connection and stood up. Thrasher looked up at his, ‘Why are you so tall? Come back down here!’ Thrasher jumped as Bruce smiled following Vyker. He now knew how to link minds together.

(So…I hope you liked this chapter! Again sorry for the chapter number last time but hey, we all make mistakes. That’s what makes us, us! Anyway see you later!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 23 part 2: What’s this…?

Tim lifted his fists into the air. Suddenly they heard footfalls and shouts as the crew ran all over the deck. Vyker swore, “Tim you let them know that we escaped!” Vyker looked like he was going to kill Tim. He grabbed a katana and got into a fighting stance. Tim found a pistol and loaded it. “Well they would have figured out sooner or later.” Tim replied. “Whatever! Just make sure no one gets through that door!” “Rodger!”. The pirates opening the door were cut down by Vyker as Tim fired at the open door towards the other pirates. Butcher jumped from the front of the crowd and slammed into Vyker. Bruce leaped with Amanda into the crowd and began slicing pirates with surprisingly ease. Vyker and Butcher were having a close combat duel each one trying not to slice themselves or their companions. Tim’s gun was shot out of his hand and he jumped behind a crate. The crowd of pirates were overwhelming, and even with the blades of light they would having a difficult time getting the crew and each other or the ship. Suddenly Amanda’s saber flickered and died. She dropped it and went into fisticuffs, knocking out several pirates. Bruce when ahead and took out the oncoming pirates. In a roar of fury and a flash of blades the pirates went down. It wasn’t Bruce. He turned around to find Tim with to small daggers in each hand looking shocked. “I… didn’t know I was capable of that.” Bruce nodded quickly, then closed and blocked the door. Vyker had taken control of Butcher and knocked him unconscious. Blood covered his arm and Vykers leg. Panting heavily Vyker smirked at Bruce. “I haven’t had a fight like that in years.” he chuckled, clearly out of breath. Amanda walked over and looked out the window, “Seems that we’re not the only commotion going on right now, look!” The rest of them looked out the port window to see a busy port, men and women taking crates and barrels off and on to ships. A sign said “Welcome to Little Island!” Tim smiled, “They’re so imaginative with these names.” Vyker looked at the door they blocked, “We’ve got to get of this ship and get that trophy back. Without it we-“ “Hey guys?” Bruce, Vyker, and Amanda turned to Tim. “Are these artifacts?” Tim asks as he draws out three glowing metal relics. Amanda examines them, “And not just any artifacts. These are the one that are needed for the blue obelisk.” Amanda looks back to Bruce and Vyker. “I think they’re going to use us to fight the guardian of it.”

(Before anyone asks, no I haven’t had a not watch or are promoting Jujutsu Kaisen nor Star wars. Again part of the story. Be prepared to see more references. And as first part one, my device glitched so I had to split the chapter. Anyway I hope you liked this!)

Break-it The Final Witness

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 23 : What’s this…?

The head of the Broodmother glistened in the sun light. De Cardo turned to his crew, that were scrambling all over the ship already, and barked on order. The ship turned a headed towards the east. De Cardo turned back to Vyker and raised an eyebrow. “Well?” Vyker sighed, “Vyker sir.” de Cardo’s face stayed blank but his eyes gleamed. “Vyker you say? Well it’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard about you, a fierce warrior that nothing can stand in the way of!” Alfred gave a mock bow, “I’ve wondered how long it would take for me to capture you.” Turning his back to the prisoners and called over two crew members. He had a hushed conversation with the two as Bruce looked around. The ship’s highest point was at least twenty feet in the air if not higher. The ship itself was made from a painted wood that was very thick. The sails covered most of the masts and the rigging was all over the deck. The clock de Cardo wore was draped in a gold fabric that made a picture on the back. From what Bruce could see it was a dragon, wrapping around on obelisk, the mouth if it opened as if it was roaring. De Cardo turned back to the prisoners. “So before you are put in quarters I want to introduce you to the first and second mate. This,” he pointed to his right were a smaller figure stood. They were dressed in a white shirt with a plain leather vest over it. Brown pants and boots to match the vest and a blue bandanna around their head. They long hair was orange and their eyes were brown. De Cardo spoke again “is Emily, my first mate.” For the first time Bruce noticed Emily was a woman. Her clothes were baggier then the rest of the crew but feminine details were almost visible. This was the first and only female Bruce had seen on this ship. De Cardo pointed to his left to a broad shouldered shirtless man that had a scar that ran down his chest. Next to his side was a brown scabbard adorned in flowing silver details that looked as if they were painted on. His brown hair cut short and skin tanned and roughened from being on a ship all this days. “This is Butcher, my second mate and the best fighter in the whole fleet.” de Cardo laughed, “Now that you’ve been introduced bring them down to the storage room. Keep them tied.” Emily drew a small knife and cut a long piece of rope as Butcher brought all their wrists together.

• • • •

“Well this is just great” Tim said sarcastically. “Quiet!” Amanda hissed. Bruce was looking out of the port windows at the sea. Vyker had been silent for a while. Now he stood up unexpectedly. “Come on.” He whispered, “the idiot tied us up in rope. Let’s see what we got in these crates.”. The rest looked dumbfounded Vyker. “Well?” He hissed. Amanda was the first to get up as Bruce looked for what Vyker used to cut the rope. ‘Ah a small piece of metal.’ He thought as he picked it up. He grinned ‘Ingenious. Nothing stops Vyker.’ Bruce got up and opened the first crate he found. This was easy, for there were a lot of cargo. He opened one to find fine china and bags of tea. Vyker found a weird box with a slit in it. It had a symbol on it that looked like P, S and 4. “Thats a PS4,” Tim and Amanda said at the same time. Amanda continued seeing their confused faces, “It’s something from my time period. It’s a gaming console, you know the ones that everyone in the City had…” Vyker nodded, “These were very difficult to figure out.” “Not if you know how to use one.” Tim said. His back was to them and when he turned he was grinning. “Look what I found!” He held up a skin colored glove that had a white tag on it that read “Jujutsu Kaisen. Satoru Gojo glove number 3” Bruce looked puzzled, “What is that?” Tim looked shocked, “How do you not-“ he stopped himself, “Never mind. You’re probably not from my time.” He shakes his head as if he’s confused about we Bruce told him. “Anyway this is a glove from a live action adaptation to an anime called ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’! They used this glove to make a character called ‘Satoru Gojo’ make a move call ‘Domain Expansion’.” Tim put the glove on. Vyker opened another box and gave Amanda and Bruce metal sticks with switches on them. “What i-“ Bruce started, “Don’t ask. The geek over there is busy with… whatever he has.” Vyker looked at Tim, who looked like he was trying to remember something. “Flip the switch and you’ll be good.” Amanda, seeming to have done this before, had her stick on and a beam of green light came out of it. Before it got over her the beam stopped. So Bruce flipped his switch and a red beam came up and, like Amanda’s, stopped before going over his head. “Cool..?” Bruce said warily. “Of course that what it was!” Tim said suddenly. He lifted his hand and crossed two fingers. “Domain Expansion!” He said. The port window darkened and Bruce looked out. He gaped at the black sky that was sprinkled with stars and white spots. “Oh yeah! The hologram works!” Tim said his fists

The Son of Rockwell

Chapter 22: Pirates!

A bell rang out. Bruce woke up and slowly sat up. Thrasher, who was sleeping with him, was gone. Bruce noticed a strange orange glow and smoky smell as he walked to the window and looked outside. Lendton was on fire. Bruce frantically grabbed what he could before opening the door to find Tim just about to knock on it. “Well, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that the bell woke up.” Tim said. Bruce gave a quick nod and they bolted down three flights of stairs. They found Vyker filling a backpack with supplies and Amanda trying to wrangle Thrasher into a baby animal holder. “There you two are!” Vyker said, “Grab as many supplies as you can, help gather the animals and let’s go!” Amanda got the baby raptor in the pack as Tim just loaded a backpack. Bruce got Hades and Sweet Dreams and they started to leave. As they opened the door Bruce noticed for the first time that it looked like men were ram sacking the town, taking supplies and people back to five ships that were parked next to an ocean they were next to. “Oh good grief.” Tim said. “What?” Amanda replied, Tim pointed to the ships “Those are part of a larger fleet that I’ve seen before. They’re battle ships!” Tim looked back and his eyes grew wide “WATCH OU-!” is all Bruce heard before the world went black.

• • • • •

Bruce was coming around when he noticed that the ground was moving up and down. His vision was fuzzy and his head throbbed. He heard shouts, metal clangs and water hitting an object. Footsteps were coming and Bruce lifted his head it see an imposingly figure. A man with black boots and metal spurs on the back. A brown belt made from leather and a black scabbard. And matching black cloak with golden details flowed it the wind. His hat covered his face and was also black with a purple feather in it. His hair brown and eyes were green. Bruce tried to move but found his arms and legs were tied to a pole. To his left and right Tim, Vyker and Amanda were also tied up. “Hello-?” Bruce started. “Silence.” the black adorned man said, his voice eerily calm. “As prisoners on my ship you will be only speak when spoken too.” The mansaid. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alfred de Cardo, Captain of this ship and the whole fleet. And you might be?” de Cardo pointed to Vyker. Vyker frowned, “Why does it matter?” de Cardo also frowned “Because if you don’t”, he reached his hand out and crew member gave him the Broodmother’s head, “I might not let you leave this Island with your life.”

(Yeah 22 chapters! Almost to 25!)

Break-it The Final Witness