The Jacks: The road leading to the farm was choked with wagons, horses, people, and vendor tents selling every manner of unneeded items. Jack Dreamer saw tents filled with umbrellas, folding chairs, blankets, pillows, water flasks, and t-shirts that said, ‘The End is Near’. As the road became more congested and it became obvious the Jack army wouldn’t make it by road, Jack Warrior held up an arm and looked back over his shoulder. “Column, Left Flank…” The preparatory command was passed back until all fifty-five hundred Jacks and tigers of the Jack army had heard the command. “March!” The maneuver wasn’t instant; there was about a two-second delay between the companies as they executed the flank turn, but the results were staggering. Vendor tents, wagons, and merchandise were trampled to splinters as the Jack army crushed everything in its path. Warrior could have executed a ‘column left, march,’ and weaved the entire column between two of the merchant tents, but Dreamer suspected he wanted to get rid of as much of the inappropriate profiteering as possible. The fence that separated the road from the cornfield was the next casualty. The Jacks never missed a step, two thousand meters of fence was trampled to dust in less than a second, and then the cornfield was next. Dreamer expected Warrior to conduct another flanking maneuver and bring the army back into a column, but instead they continued forward at a flank and crushing a wide swath of the cornfield. The reason for the flanking maneuver became apparent when people started flooding onto the trampled field and following the Jacks. The now open field was providing a place for the gathering crowds and relieving the congestion on the road. Warrior judged the distance to the farmhouse carefully, then called for a ‘right flank’ turn to bring the army back into a column moving parallel to the farmhouse, and then a ‘column right’ turn so they were now perpendicular and approaching like the spoke of a wheel with the farmhouse being the wheel hub. The complicated maneuver made more sense when Dreamer saw the other Dreamer groups had also decided to approach through the cornfield. Eleven Dreamer groups were now approaching the farmhouse. From the air, it really would have looked like a wagon wheel. Warrior must have planned the arrival with the other leaders of the Dreamer groups. Jack Dreamer could see the Jax group coming up on the right, and the Ronin group on the left. Warrior turned around to walk backwards. “Cub attachment, forward,” shouted Warrior. Two-hundred tiger cubs broke out of their places in line to the inside rows of the column and ran forward to Warrior. The cubs continued to match pace with the Jacks and watched Warrior. “You know your assignments,” said Warrior. “We’ll never again get an opportunity like this to get an accurate count of the other groups; especially the Jax and Ronin groups. Learn as many names as you can – their leaders, their sub-leaders, their command structures, and anything else you might discover about how they operate.” Warrior held up his hand, then chopped downward. “Deploy!” The cubs didn’t jump out of the column all at once, but waited and staggered out in different directions so not to attract attention. They would run around in the cornfield, pretending to play, be curious, be cute, and infiltrate the other Dreamer groups. *** The Jax: Jax Dreamer stood next to Jax Clay, the leader of the Jax group, and hoped to catch a glimpse of Ember Flare. Everyone thought he was spun on Ember Dreamer, but that wasn’t the Ember he liked; he liked Flare. Ember Dreamer was too crazy and made him nervous. The problem was, he was a loner and shy, and couldn’t find a reason to seek out Flare to talk with her. There was plenty of official reasons he could talk with Ember Dreamer, because their jobs as Dreamers required it. Ember Flare was more reserved than Ember Dreamer, and even though all the Embers looked similar, there were differences – a little like identical twins had unique differences. Flare’s hair was just a touch deeper red, and she had eyes that didn’t look like she was about to eat you. “Just go talk to her,” said Clay. Jax looked up at the older man. “Hi, my name’s Jax, have we met?” Clay chuckled. “If she’s the right one for you, you’ll only have to tell her how you feel once, she’ll never make you say it twice.” “How did you meet Alani Kay?” asked Jax. Clay’s eyes flicked to the column of Alani’s on the left. Dr. Alani Kay was the leader of the Alani’s and stood at the head of their column with Dr. Alani Dreamer. Clay smiled remembering the day they had met. “It was back before you Dreamers had arrived yet. Only a couple hundred of the Jax’s had arrived so far and we were living together as a tribe. I went out hunting alone and stumbled on a Sand Walker. The blasted thing chased me all the way to the border of the old forest. I tripped and cut my leg up pretty bad. When I got to the forest, Kay was there and bandaged me up.” “Hey look. What’s the Jack cubs doing?” asked Jax, watching the cubs leave the Jack column and running off in every direction. “Spying,” replied Clay. “Why?” Clay shrugged. “Everyone wants to know what their neighbor is doing.” “Do we have spies?” “Yes, but not nearly as cute.” “Seems dumb.” “It is, but necessary. Brush the dust off your clothes, they’ll be calling for the Dreamers soon.” Jax Dreamer beat at the desert dust covering his clothes, and causing a dust cloud that made Clay take a step away. *** The Ember: Ember Dreamer knelt and picked up the little cub. “Aww, hello cutie, are you lost?” “I’m a spy,” squeaked the little cub. “Are you now,” said Ember with a smile. “Who are you spying on?” “I forgot,” replied the little cub. Ember glanced at Ash, the leader of the Embers. “Are they serious?” Ash shook her head. “Wait until Alani finds out he’s using the cubs as spies, she’s going to come unglued. What’s your name, little one?” “Dusty.” Ember cuddled the little cub. “Yeah, I think he’s a little young to be spying.” “Run Dusty back over to Warrior, and tell him I said he’s an idiot,” said Ash. Ember hurried past the Jax column to the Jacks and stopped in front of Warrior. “I’m not going to say what Ash told me to tell you, but I agree, you’re an idiot. Seriously, using cubs for spies has got to be the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever heard of.” Warrior took the cub without a word and waited for Ember to leave. “Well, what did you learn, Dusty?” Dusty grinned and squinted one eye. “She has a dagger under her coat and keeps her crayon in her top right pocket.” Warrior set Dusty on the ground. “Well done, now go find Ronin and do the same thing.” Jack Dreamer turned his head to Warrior. “You’re a bad man, you do know that, right?” Warrior laughed. “Probably, but if their Dreamer is armed, they’re all armed, and that’s useful information.” “They’re on our side,” said Jack. “They are today, but can you guarantee that for tomorrow?” *** The Bran: The five adolescent cubs stood outside the Bran column watching with cautious expressions. The Brans were dressed in an assortment of bear hides, wolf hides, deer leather, fox pelts, and almost all of them had either raccoon or beaver hats. “They’re predators,” said Long Tooth. “So are we,” replied Shadow Eye. “They’re bigger than us,” added Long Tooth. “I’m not going in there,” said Sharp Claw. “Let’s go spy on the Akot, they don’t eat tigers.” Yawn took a step back. “That one is staring at me, I think he looks hungry.” Long Tooth nodded and swished his tail. “Yeah, come on, we’ll spy on the Akot instead.” Bran Dreamer stood at the head of the column with Wolf, the leader of the Brans, as five guilty looking adolescent tigers slinked past with their heads held down. Dreamer continued to watch the tigers as they slipped into the Akot column, stopping only long enough to get a pat on the head from Akot the Wise. “What was that all about?” asked Bran. “The Akot are a safer playground, we scared them,” replied Wolf. “Huh?” “Jack Warrior sent them to spy on us.” “Really, why?” “The Jacks are not a trusting bunch, they want intel on everyone, but give those young tigers their due for making a wise choice and moving on.” Bran frowned. “Yeah, I think I’d be mad if I caught them spying.” “There’s an old saying that goes – ‘Nature doesn’t give up its secrets easily.’ “I like that! I’m going to use it.” “You need to send a little warning over to Warrior not to do that again,” advised Wolf. Bran grinned evilly. “I got just the thing.” Warrior was listening to a report from one of the cubs when a sunflower grew up out of the ground in full bloom, and Bran Dreamer’s face in the center of the flower. “Hello, Bran,” greeted Warrior. “That’s Father Nature to you, Sir,” said Bran. “If you want to know something, ask, but if you ever send a spy again, every step you take for the next 10,000 years will be in a poison ivy patch.” Bran’s image vanished from the sunflower seed. Warrior turned to Jack Dreamer. “Now do you understand, if Bran had gathered a little intelligence about us before he made his threat, he’d know that we’re genetically engineered super-soldiers.” Jack nodded. “Yeah, I get it, there are no plants that can poison us. He should have known that, but now all he’s done is embarrass himself as a leader.” Warrior reached out and broke the sunflower stalk in half. “We’ll need an appropriate response to his threat,” said Warrior. “I think I have an idea,” replied Jack. *** The Ronin: “I’m telling you, that’s the cub that was spying on us,” said Ember. “I took him back to Warrior, and had no more than just got back to my group when I saw Warrior send him to you to do the same thing.” Cloud, leader of the Ronin, held a hand up. “Calm down, Dear. I’ll discuss this with Warrior at a more appropriate time.” Ember held her hands out. “I’ll take the cub back over to him. I want to give him a piece of my mind.” Ronin Dreamer shook her head. “You’re angry, I’m not giving this little angel to you. I’ll take him over when things calm down.” “You don’t trust me?” said Ember. “Ember, you know it’s never a good idea to hold a baby when you’re angry,” said Cloud. “He’s not a fragile baby, he’s a demon…” A thunder clap interrupted Ember. She turned toward the sound to see a thunder cloud over the Bran column pouring rain down on them. “Oh my, this is going to get out of control,” said Cloud. “I’ll go over and try to keep Bran from doing something stupid,” said Ronin Dreamer. “No, you need to stay out of it,” said Cloud. “He would resent you for interfering, never get between two boys when they’re fighting.” Ronin Dreamer pointed at the Taku/Anat twin Dreamers and the Alani. “They’re not the only ones fighting, look.” *** The Taku/Anat: The Taku and Anat twin dreamers were much like the Cole in that they had arrived in the Crystal Universe all together at the same age, instead of one at a time like the Jack, Ronin, Akot, Jax, Bran, Ember, and Alani. The other groups had the advantage of their ages being staggered from youth, to elderly adult. The Taku and Anat had been eleven when they arrived and slipped under the rule about being held in Limbo until the arrival of the Yellow Dreamer. The result was now a Dreamer world populated by twelve-year olds, and without the benefit of any guidance or maturity. One of the Taku boys had kicked one of the tiger cubs, causing the cub to let out a frightened yelp, and immediately bringing the attention of the Alani next to them. At least a hundred of the Alani had surged into the Taku column, scolding and yelling at the Taku. “I didn’t do nothing, you’re lying,” screamed the Taku boy. “I saw you kick the tiger cub,” replied Dr. Alani Kay, leader of the Alani. “Shut your mouth, you filthy peasant,” screamed one of the Anat girls. Dr. Kay kept her tone even and measured. “Child, you are no longer a princess, the situation has been explained to you many times. You are a fragmented soul of the original Anat.” “Don’t you speak to my sister like that, peasant, I’ll have you executed,” screamed the boy. “And you are no longer a Pharaoh,” said Dr. Kay. “I am the living Sun God, descendant of Horus, King of all the known lands of the world, you will be silent,” screamed the boy. “What you are is a spoiled brat,” said Dr. Alani Kay. “If I ever see you kick another animal, person, or any living creature, I will turn you over my knee and tan your hide. Doctors, collect the tigers that haven’t already run away and take them into our column.” The tiger cubs were crouched on the ground mewing in distress. The whole thing had supposed to be a game, and for the most part had been fun, until they had gone into the group of Taku and Anat and found themselves being tormented and kicked. The cubs gratefully crawled into the arms of the Alani and was extracted from the evil little boys that had thought it fun to torture helpless cubs. Dr. Kay was leaving the Taku/Anat column just as a large angry tiger arrived roaring. The Taku/Anat column fell apart as they fled in every direction. “Tigress Valiant, please stop,” shouted Dr. Kay. “You’ll only make it worse, we have your cubs and they’re safe.” Valiant roared a few more times, ensuring all but two of the Taku and Anat had fled. The two remaining were the actual twin Dreamers. Valiant approached Taku with her teeth bared. Taku didn’t run, but only shrugged. “I’m sorry,” said Taku. “I told them to stop, but they don’t listen to me, or my sister.” “We don’t want it to be like this,” said Anat. “I think the others are jealous because we were chosen for the great magic and not them.” Valiant’s expression softened. “I can fix this, but it will not be pleasant.” “It’s not pleasant now,” said Taku. “Cael gave us a beautiful world, and a great palace, but my brothers and sisters are ruining it. I tell them to pick up their trash, and to do chores, but they won’t. It is only getting worse.” “You should have told someone it was that bad,” said Dr. Kay. “And admit that I, once Pharaoh of all the known world, cannot even get my own brothers and sisters to obey?” Valiant looked to Dr. Kay. “Watch the cubs, I’m going to get them the help they need.” *** The Mara: The Mara weren’t a group of their own, but the partners of the Jack. Though, they should have been their own group, and with their own Dreamer. It was an injustice, and shortsightedness on the part of Cael. He had not seen what could have been. The tigress Mara-Valiant ran across the farmyard to where the Tarlock were assembled. Unlike the other groups that were now all fighting among themselves, and each other, the Tarlocks stood silently in perfect rows watching the chaos around them unfold. Valiant stopped in front of a Tarlock boy standing at the front of the Tarlock column. The boy was half the size of the large reptilian Tarlock that stood next to him. Many of the other groups were still calling them demons, but Valiant knew better. “Are you the Yellow Dreamer?” The boy’s tail lowered to the ground. Valiant suspected the Tarlock’s primary language was non-verbal, and they had only developed speech to be able to communicate with others not of their species. “We are the Yellow Dreamers.” Valiant growled. “I am far too old to play ‘group think’ games with you. Are you the Yellow Dreamer or not?” The large reptilian next to the boy replied. “You are angry. It is not wise to speak when angry.” “Save it, Monk, I’m not in the mood,” said Valiant. “Children are your domain, do you intend to do something about this mess?” “We only arrived two days ago,” said the large reptilian. “We did not have time to discuss with Cael the boundaries of our authority.” “I am the most senior of all the leaders here,” said Valiant. “I came through the World Bridge even before the Jacks, though only by a few seconds. Still, first born is first to the throne. I am granting you the authority to deal with the Taku and Anat.” The large reptilian shook his head. “I do not think that is a throne you seek.” “And rightfully so,” said Valiant. “If I were to take it, I would become a tyrant, just as you would. I know your nature, and what you are.” “I see, and what am I?” “You’re a soldier that tired of war and became a monk.” The reptilian displayed a fanged-smile that would have terrified the average person. “I like you, Tigress, I think we will be friends. Very well, we will take charge of the Taku and Anat.” The large Tarlock laid a hand on the Tarlock Dreamer’s shoulder. “Give the command.” The Tarlock Dreamer made an intricate movement with his tail, and the left rank of the column of Tarlocks broke out of formation at a dead run. Valiant was certain now, their primary language was non-verbal; she would have to learn their native language. It didn’t take the fleeing Taku and Anat long to realize they were the targets of the big reptilians. Some returned willingly being shepherded by a Tarlock, and some had to be brought back hanging by their ankles, but in less than ten minutes they were all back in their column and standing silently, and very much subdued. *** Jon Black: Jon Black sat at the little desk in front of the window signing the last few documents of his tenure as the Marshal Justice of the Crystal Universe. He would be given one mortal lifetime to do as he wished; a reward for exemplary service to the Lord of Chaos, and after that… he didn’t know. He was the immortal god of time, and would be called back to the service of the House at the End of the Universe, but he didn’t know if only as the god of time, or another tenure as the one he would complete in a few minutes. The chaos outside was reaching a crescendo. It was always like this during the transfer of power between each incarnation of the Lord of Chaos. The Dreamers weren’t consciously aware of why they were at each other’s throats, only that they felt… something. The something they were feeling was the unchecked power of Chaos their crayons held. Without a Lord of Chaos present, that power was overwhelming them, and would soon lead to a complete breakdown of any order. Jon Black stood and glanced out the window. He had to laugh at the Tarlocks chasing down the Taku and Anat. He wished he could watch a little longer – and wished he had a little longer to finish some tasks he hadn’t finished yet, but death was calling him. He wasn’t the original God of Time, or even a full god, he was a demi-god, and that was how he had remained immortal. The Lord of Death’s curse had caused all the immortal gods to die, but he was only half immortal, and so he too had to die occasionally. But because the Lord of Death's curse couldn't fully touch him, he couldn’t remain dead. When his earlier self found the God of Time’s power discarded in the apeirogon, he had chosen to take up the mantle of the god of time. And now, he existed as four thousand self’s on various points of the time-line. His nine-year old self was about to arrive with the new Cael, while he, his 82 year old self (relatively speaking) went through the required occasional death. He sighed. It was time. Nine-year old Jon was on the way with nine-year old Cael. A new cycle was about to begin. He would take the old man and create an alternate time-line in which Cael’s world had not been destroyed. Cael would have his mother back, and would live a happy life, with children, and grand-children, and great-grandchildren. But, there would be one change. Jon Black would assume his ten-year old self and become Cael’s older brother. This would be Jon Black’s reward – one full mortal life as a normal person. They would have a good and happy life together as brothers, before he would again have to watch his friend die the final death and return to the Well of Souls. He left the room where his friend slept peacefully, and went downstairs. He paused at the door for a moment and glanced around the room. There had been so many good memories here. He pulled the door open, and stepped out onto the porch. The little picket signs were gathered around the porch. Many of the signs had pictures of tear drops on their white poster boards. One of the signs approached, and in shaky words it read: “What will happen to us now?” Jon Black knelt in front of the little sign. “I do not know if the new Cael will want you here or not, but if he doesn’t, I have made arrangements for you to go with Akot the Wise to his world. You will guard his wheat fields and be safe.” The words on the sign changed: “Thank you, we will miss you, even if you did use us for target practice when you were a boy.” Jon Black smiled. “And I will miss you, little friend,” said Jon Black, reaching out and gently wiping at the picture of the single tear drop on the poster board. The picture of the tear drop came off the sign and onto Jon Black’s finger; a glistening drop of moisture. “I have one last task for you. It is time, gather the Dreamers, they must witness the transition of power.” The little signs hopped away to gather the Dreamers.