Renegade Rising (The Renegade Series) (9 page)

“Future Elekai’ warriors. To all of you who remain standing, this title is now a great possibility. You may relax. You are qualified to continue on into our fold, all except for one. I know you are confused as to what exactly is going on and why I had to step in. If you look closely, you all know exactly who this boy is. He has been to your schoolhouse and lived among you his entire life, the wild dog, Gisbo.

“I am sure I have jogged many of your memories by this point and for good reason. When you think of this boy, I am sure you instantly recall many of his well-known characteristics . . . violent, unpredictable, dangerous and the like. You all felt threatened by his wild tendencies and, in turn, isolated him from your groups of friends, your social get togethers. You may have felt a bit bad about this, but I am here to tell you something different. Your intuition has served you well, even though you could not have known this boy’s evil origins,” Ricard said. The word “evil” was whispered through the crowd.

“The boy that now sits before me is a surviving Flarian!” Ricard revealed. A gasp of surprise and horror arose.

“As residents of Warlord Karm’s kingdom, we found this boy when he was but a child, just outside the city wall, and having the merciful and wise Warlord that we do, Karm allowed him a chance to be brought into our fold. Although suspicious of his origin, we nonetheless gave this boy compassion and a chance at normalcy, hoping that nurture would supercede nature, hoping he would be different. I hate to say it, but we were wrong. What you have seen here today is a witness to why the once revered color red is now outlawed and why the Flarian’s barbaric race was extinguished and outlawed. Their elemental fire and the temper that smolders within them is uncontrollable. They are a danger to all within their range. For your own safety, I was forced to step in before his newfound elemental abilities awakened any further. I know not where he is hiding his stone, but it is of no matter now. We have tried the fair and just methods and are left with no other choice but one. To save a rabbit den, you must kill the fox. The boy known as Gisbo will now die by my sword,” Ricard proclaimed. All eyes were on Ricard and Gisbo as the general unsheathed his sword, ever so slowly.

Stone? I don’t have a freakin' stone! All this time . . . I finally know why everyone hates me and now, now I'm going to . . .
Gisbo's mind raced. Cannon and Scarrr tightened their grip on him and Ricard moved his blade gently over Gisbo’s exposed neck, preparing to strike when…

BUMP!

A man in a white cloak, wielding only a broom, collided with the general from behind, nearly knocking him over. Ricard, stunned, turned in to see a lowly janitor humming to himself while he swept the staging area, not even aware that he had knocked into the esteemed general. The Elekai’ Elite were at a loss for words as the man continued on with his cleaning, humming to himself and making swishing sounds with his broom as he moved back and forth with little skips. Finally, Ricard found words.

“Janitor! Can you not see what lies before you? Did you not hear what is going on at this moment?” Ricard said, his bewildered tone also tense. The janitor looked up now, looking as if he had awakened from a dream, and smiled.

“Apologies sent in your direction and yours alone, my good sir! Why…YOU! You are General Ricard! The leader of the Elekai' Elite! I humbly cast a slew of apologies in your direction upon this realization, forgive me, forgive me. Falcon is the name and I am at your service, my dear general,” Falcon said in an upbeat tone. He suddenly snapped to attention, as thin as a board, and saluted. Then the smell of the man’s cloak hit the proud warriors nostrils. The Elekai' Elite gagged and grasped their noses in desperation at the horrible smell. Eyes watering, Ricard waved the air, coughed and found his voice once more.

“Aye, apologies granted. Now please, make your way off the stage. This is not the time to . . .” Ricard started, but he was soon interrupted.

“Oh my, if it isn’t my young friend Gisbo! Good to see ya, champ. So, why is it that every time I see you it seems you have just survived a bear attack? Where is this bear? I’m sure the good general here would be able to dispose of him for you. Why I could be of service too, what with my trusty broom in hand, I’m sure we could beat him back into hibernation. SWOOSH! SWOOSH!” Falcon burst out, swinging his broom all about.

“Enough! Your stench is unbearable, janitor. Cannon, Scarrr, please dispose of this bothersome bloke,” Ricard said before falling into a coughing fit.

“Yes, sir! Come now, janitor, there is much cleaning to do elsewhere. Yes, very far away. Just come with me and we will . . . WHOOP!” Cannon reached out to grab Falcon and in an odd disarray of events, he tripped over Falcon’s foot and fell like a rock due to his heavy armor. Completely embarrassed, Cannon saw Scarrr loom over him with a half smile. This only angered the mountain of muscle even more.

“That’s it! I’VE HAD IT! You are coming with me!” Cannon exclaimed as he regained his feet with much effort. In that instant, Falcon lashed out with lightning speed and punched Cannon square in the face, knocking back on his duff. Dazed and confused, Cannon sat upon the ground and realized his nose was bleeding. He now held it both due to the smell and to contain the flowing blood.

“What on Thera . . . YOU DARE STRIKE ME!!??” Cannon bellowed.

It was then Falcon’s demeanor transformed as he straightened up and carried himself like a whole new person. He turned away from Cannon and looked Ricard straight in the eyes.

“You dare strike that boy again and I can promise, a bloody nose will be the least of your concerns,” Falcon said. His voice had dropped a whole octave and adapted a scary tone. At this point many guards had gathered round, as well as parents and children. The general eyed Falcon with curiosity.

“Falcon, is it? You have made it clear that you are no mere janitor. I hesitate to order my guards to rush in and slay you where you stand for one reason. And do you know why? In all my years of service to Warlord Karm, a man has never looked me in the eyes as you have. For a brief moment, you took me back to the days of battle where status meant nothing. Back then, only strength spoke for a man. Obviously you are here for this boy. You have most likely been employed for quite some time to keep an eye on him and, for the moment, I do not care why. You, my janitor friend, are far more interesting . . .” Ricard stated, arms folded. Falcon looked at Ricard with a thin smile, then peered down at Gisbo. He seemed to practically glow with a calm reassurance.

“Gisbo, I am sure you are bewildered at this point, but do not worry yourself. I, Falcon, have come for you and will protect you with my life. When we leave this place, all will be explained. For now, I want you to trust me and stay conscious. You certainly won’t want to miss this …” Falcon said. He then flashed a crazy grin and with a flick of his wrist, ripped back his white hood to reveal a beautifully stitched, vibrant blue, two tailed bandana.

Chapter Four:
Dreams Anew

A Renegade!!?? That’s . . . that’s . . .
Gisbo was in complete shock. He knew the bandana well. The vivid artist’s renditions from his books came flooding back to him as Falcon ripped away the rest of his scrubby, stinky cloak to reveal the full uniform. The color scheme made it look as if the entire suit glowed like the vivid blue flames at the heart of a fire. Everything was present: the flowing blue cape with black and white jagged edges; the loose, sleeveless, jump-suit-like uniform; the tight black leather bracings around the chest, waist and legs with lighter blue trimmings.

Almost as impressive as the uniform’s design were the night black tattoos that streamed down Falcon’s entire left arm, where a scabbard, tied directly to his hip, pointed down behind him. The sword’s handle was topped with a brilliant red stone that glittered like a sunrise.

The citizens of Oak County stood in awe at this revelation, not knowing whether it was the real thing or an insane imposter who stood before the Elekai’ Elite now. But then again, the man had sent hefty Captain Cannon flying from his pedestal . . . no mean feat. All gazes shifted from the blue clad warrior to the Elekai’ Elite, each with the same question emblazoned across their faces that read, W
hat are you gonna do now?
Ricard, not to be outdone, quickly drew attention back to himself.

“To think you a mere janitor was a mistake, but to think that a Renegade was hidden under that obscene garb? Can it be?” Ricard said, as if he were talking to himself. Scarrr and Cannon remained speechless as they began moving behind their leader with caution, awaiting orders.Gisbo sat still, not wanting to move with Ricard's sword still just a swing away.

“I hate to be a bother, but you must understand . . . I still have much sweeping to do and, if you would be so obliged, I would love to do it with the three of you.” Falcon paused to let his statement sink in, before continuing. “Now, we Renegades have always been the more battle battle, less talky-talky type. So let’s get to the part where I climactically defeat you all and am on my way with the boy intact,” Falcon said, folding his arms impatiently.

Captain Ricard stood for a moment and pondered a question that had long troubled him. In his own way, he had surpassed his own father’s legacy, no easy feat, but now a new possibility occurred to him. The only thing to rival his accomplishments now was distant memory of the Renegades, the mythic elite of old.
Supposed elite
, Ricard thought. Should he defeat one now, the question would be settled once and for all. He, General Ricard, would be known country wide as the ultimate warrior and the trouncer of Renegades. He even had an entire crowd to witness it.

It’s the chance of a lifetime,
Ricard thought. He had made his decision. Why end things so anticlimacticly by sending all his guards to attack one man? He had the people’s eye; why not make things interesting? Ever since the Flarians left, life had been so awfully boring anyway.

“Guards, restrain the boy,” Ricard ordered. The guards obeyed and dragged Gisbo a safe distance away.

“Your offer is indeed . . . intriguing, Falcon. However, I would need to see for myself that you are worth
my
worth. Meet my subordinates, Cannon and Scarrr,” Ricard said.

“We’ve met,” Falcon growled. Cannon and Scarrr suddenly looked at one another.

“Together they do not equal my true strength. Fight them both, defeat them, and you will be rewarded by fighting me as . . .”

“Foolish TURKEY! You are not a prize to be won! You honestly think yourself able to withstand the fury of a Renegade Berserker? Hah! You turkey!” Falcon barked. Ricard was left speechless. “However, I do love me a fight, challenging or not. Send me your worthless peons but, I will say, I cannot guarantee their safety. Upon facing me, they may never fight again,” Falcon warned, this time his tone as mild as if he were discussing the weather. Ricard felt as if he were back in his young days as a soldier and a drill sergeant had just reprimanded him.

Did he honestly just call me . . . a turkey? Not just a turkey, but a FOOLISH TURKEY? Less talky-talky, huh? For someone who does not like to talk, he doesn’t seem to shut up!
Ricard gathered his thoughts.

“CANNON! SCARRR! HAVE AT HIM!” Ricard screamed, thrusting his sword in Falcon's direction.

Ricard stepped off the wooden staging and made his way over to the guards in charge of Gisbo. He stood with his arms at ease as his men began to prepare for battle. The townsfolk and children all backed away to a safe distance, eyes wide, afraid to blink lest they miss something. The children were especially excited, for this would be their first time witnessing a real Elekai’ battle! Not only that, but if the man’s word was true, they were about to see a long lost Renegade fight before their very eyes!

General Ricard smiled with confidence once again as he saw his two companions ready themselves. Their teamwork was intrinsic and their powers unrivaled. In his mind, Falcon was the one unqualified for this bout
.

Much has changed since the days of the Renegade. These two will annihilate this poor Flarian, Renegade or not,
Ricard thought to himself.

Cannon and Scarrr looked across at their opposition. They pulled their respective weapons from their sheaths and, in traditional Elekai’ Elite fashion, began spinning their weapons ostentatiously, stepping forward and backward and finishing their dance with a synchronized spin, standing in each other's original position with knees bent and weapons flourished overhead. A quick burst of applause rang out causing Cannon to beam in satisfaction. It was good to hear fanfare after his embarrassing incident and it had been an excellent display of handiwork and footwork, after all. He and Scarrr awaited their opponent’s next move as Falcon continued to stand, indifferent, with arms folded.

After a few moments passed, Falcon stretched, yawned and scratched his rear end. Cannon and Scarrr were outraged by such disrespect, but remained calm. It was now Falcon’s turn to draw. In a humble gesture, the Renegade drew his sword from his sheath with a quick SHWING noise and pointed it towards his opponents, holding the same careless stance.

Cannon and Scarrr glanced at each other and nodded. It was time to release their elemental essence. They gripped their weapon handles and the stones in their hilts began to glow brilliantly, Scarrr’s a transparent yellow and Cannon’s an emerald green. Both weapons began to emit a constant whining noise as first the handle, then the entire weapon matched their stone's colorful glow before erupting into powerful, pulsating beams of light.