Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series) (54 page)

“That guy’s kinda a jerk . . . I like him.” Gisbo said with a smirk, then turned to Rolce.

“Looks like we got quite a year ahead of us, eh buddy?” Gisbo asked.

“Certainly looks that way,” Rolce concurred.

“So, how does it feel to know you can officially kick ass now?” Gisbo said. Rolce smiled wide at his remark.

“It feels great, Gisbo, you have no idea. With the guilt and worry gone, along with having my dad back in my life,
and
Jackobi, life is, well . . . good!” Rolce said.

“Both our dads, technically. Well, let's make these three months the time of our lives. I gotta say, I’ll miss you, buddy, when we all disembark for a year,” Gisbo said.

“I’m surprised you just used the word ‘disembark’ in a sentence. Technically, the word means to get out of a vehicle or craft, but I guess it is close enough. Guess we really have rubbed off on each other,” Rolce teased and this time Gisbo smiled.

“I guess so. Well, let's go bang on the cleansing room door an’ make Jackobi, er, Jack, hurry up. I want to see who these special guests are at the celebration!” Gisbo said.

The boys finished getting cleaned and dressed, then made their way to the common grounds of Heaven’s Shelter. At first Gisbo didn’t recognize the surroundings because all the shacks were taken down and replaced with a giant staging area, with tables scattered everywhere and fresh smells of meat barbequing wafting through the air.

People were swarming as music played and everyone had food and drink in hand, laughing, conversing and munching on all the delicacies Heaven’s Shelter had to offer. Gisbo mingled with his Renega friends and introduced Jackobi to each and every one of them before they all made their way up to the staging area with their class masters. Perry and Narroway both quieted the exceptionally large crowd.

“Greetings! Let's get this ceremony started, eh? Plenty of ribs smoked to perfection await me! Get up here, Instructor Perry!” Narroway shouted. Fresh hoots and hollers erupted as pints of ciders, mead and beer were raised high in the air. Instructor Perry’s tall frame approached the staging, his bald head glimmering from the bright sun above.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege, as well as honor, to announce the passing of every one of my students to Renegara status,” Perry said as he gave a rare smile and thrust both arms in the air. Fresh hoots and whistles rang out.

“All of them have worked so hard and I am deeply proud of their responsibility and dedication. However, there were a few that really stood out this term and their recognition needs to be made! Every year I give out two bands: Most Improved and Instructor’s Award, to two lucky individuals. This year is no different. I would first like to give the Instructor’s Award to a young person who has shown absolute dedication in his studies and reaped incredible results for all his work! No surprise here, I would like to have Rolce Moordin join me to receive his band!” Perry said as Rolce joined him by his side. Perry powered up his essence, flipped up Rolce’s poncho to reveal his shoulder and completed the final marking on Rolce’s upper arm. More cheers erupted and Rolce returned to his spot in line.

“Next up, I would like to grant a Most Improved award to an exceptional young lady who overcame her self doubt and passed with flying colors! Would a Miss Kinny Kalloway join me on the staging?” Perry shouted.

“Holy hell! What?” a red faced Kinny bellowed as she bounded up on the staging and received her band with a brilliant smile. Kennis and Niffin cheered the loudest of all. Kinny then returned to her spot in line.

“Now, there comes a time where tradition must be broken and that time is now for somebody in this class has showed me a reason, after all my long years as an instructor, to give a third award. The boy that I have come across this year that has touched my heart and has showed me the true definition of what it means to put all your heart into a dream. He is… an extraordinary boy to say the least. A bit of a meathead as well ... but either way, he was placed in an extraordinary predicament: a Renegade born who couldn’t use his essence. This boy had spent his entire life dreaming of the day he would be able to become an Elekai’ Warrior. We all have dreams and all know the disappointment that comes when they aren’t achieved or the road along the way is tough and our goal looks like a mirage. We just want to give up and tell ourselves it was impossible anyway. But not this boy…this boy gave a response that, I believe, was one in a million and he taught me a lesson I will never forget. Yes, even in my old age, I still have much to learn!” Perry said, causing the crowd to burst into gleeful chuckles.

“That lesson is to not accept your limitations. This boy showed me that through belief in oneself and the stubbornness to defy one’s limitations, allowing the strength of one's heart to be the guide, dreams can truly be accomplished no matter the barriers. But enough of this long speech! Please put forth a thunderous applause for none other than Gisbo Falcon, earner of the first Strength of Heart Band!” Perry yelled. The entire crowd did just as Perry ordered while the great instructor turned, looked Gisbo right in the eye and smiled. Gisbo was floored by this surprise as the crowd roared even louder when he stepped onstage to face Perry. The instructor grabbed his arm and planted the first ever Strength of Heart award across his shoulder. Upon finishing, Perry embraced Gisbo in the tightest hug he had ever felt and the crowd boomed and shouted his name.

This moment was something that, until this day, had only been the stuff of dreams. Gisbo had finally done it. He had finally stood out for his accomplishments rather than his name and become an Elekai’ Warrior. His dream was fulfilled. Perry released him and lifted his hand to the air before Gisbo returned to his place in line. One by one Perry began to call every Renega. Gisbo cheered for Kennis and Niffin, followed by Crass, Whip and even Rake, who flashed a rare smile. Next came Shaved, Grandfield and Knob, then Glinda, Ashlin and Anakah, who Gisbo didn’t make eye contact with, until finally Jackobi received all his bands from Perry in one neat line.

Gisbo stood where he was and looked around at all his new friends, class masters, instructors, Narroway and all the residents of Heaven’s Shelter. Confetti flew through the air, prompting more explosive applause. Gisbo did his best to take in this beautiful moment and detail it in his mind the best he could. For once in his life, Gisbo felt like he was home as his eyes rested on Falcon: his father, his family, who gave him his usual wink and thumbs up. Just when Gisbo didn’t think he could smile any bigger, Narroway returned to the podium and silenced the crowd once again.

“Now, now, settle down for but one more announcement! I promise you will be cheering again momentarily. As promised, we have one more special guest, or guests rather - to introduce to you, who will truly kick-start this grand occasion! I present to you, arriving here for the final show of their tour, none other than . . . PHOENIX FORCE!!!” Narroway screamed, cupping both hands around his mouth. Suddenly, a large blanket dropped from behind them, revealing the infamous metal band known as Phoenix Force. They immediately started playing their hit song, “A Fire Within.” Crass ran over to Gisbo and Rolce, jumping with excitement.

“You guys get ready for the concert of your life! WHOOOOO!!! Come on, you guys! All of you! Into the crowd! Even you, Whip! Go ahead! Tell em’ all their songs sound the same now! WHOOOO!” Crass yelled as he leapt from the staging into the crowd below. He drifted away, thrust along by hundreds of raised hands in a crowd surf. Soon all the Renegas joined in on the idea as they too leapt from the staging, class masters, Perry and Narroway included, until only Gisbo, Rolce and Jackobi remained.

“So Gisbo, what are you gonna do now that your dreams have come true?” Rolce yelled over the noise. Gisbo looked down at his feet and the thrashing crowd before them. He thought for a moment, taking in the music of Phoenix Force bellowing behind him. A rainy day earlier that year and a conversation with a man shrouded in white flashed across his memory.

“Well, I’m not a Renegade yet, now am I? One dream down, millions more to go!” Gisbo said, as he dove into the cheering crowd below.

Dear, reader

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so much for reading. Gisbo and I owe you a tremendous amount of thanks and gratitude for making my biggest dream a reality.

And stop crying! Gisbo Falcon will return in Renegade: Book Two coming early 2012. In the meantime, don’t think twice about messaging me. I’d love to hear from you so make sure to check out my contact info below. Thanks again!

- J.C. Fiske

Twitter: @GisboFalcon

E-mail:
[email protected]

Official Website:
www.JCFiske.com

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