Hey folks.
Do you like free-ninety-nine (aka free-99)? Check out the deal below!
So, next week on December 22, 2018 (12/22 — 12/26), The Lodestone Files: The Cat, The Mouse, and The Thing From Another World will be free on Kindle.
On December 22, 2018 (12/22 – 12/26), The Chronicles of Bob: The Chronic Suicidal will be free also on Kindle.
If you’ve been wanting to read these titles but haven’t had the time or urge to; how about now? 😉
I hope you enjoy them!
Until next time,
RJM
Energy arced and cracked off of johnny. He looked at Omega and waved his hand. Omega was sent tumbling through the air and skidding across the ground.
Omega made efforts to try and assimilate any free energy in the air but couldn’t find any.
“You could have helped prevent this. You could have helped humanity. You ruined it all. You took them all away from me,” Johnny said as he gathered energy into his hand.
“Look, Johnny, it doesn’t have to end this way. We could rule over this world as brothers. You know?” Omega started to plead. He then threw his hands up in the air in disgust. “On second thought, I’m not the sharing type.”
Omega tried to make use of his fighting prowess, but it was of no use.
Johnny roared savagely and hit Omega with a fistful of energy. Omega was sent down into the earth. It was deep enough to send lava to the surface.
Johnny waited.
The Earth trembled and spat out a disfigured Omega; blackened and scarred with ash. Molten lava still adhered to him in some places.
“What have you done? What have you done to me?” Omega screamed.
“You have definitely seen better days,” Johnny remarked.
“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you and this miserable planet! I don’t need it. I can just reshape it from the ashes and piss on your corpse!” Omega then began to laugh hysterically.
“You’ve lost. Give it up,” Johnny replied.
Omega snapped his fingers, and the earth began to shake violently. “Ace up my sleeve, short stack. Never play without one.”
Johnny gritted his teeth. He clasped his hands together and muttered a few words. The Horsemen appeared and attacked Omega, alternating each attack. Then the fallen Guardians did. Chico, Red, Pierre, Snake, Rottie…all of them. Then Johnny summoned the rest of his power. “It. Ends. Now.”
Lightning struck Johnny, and he was engulfed by the blue-white light. The roar of a tiger echoed throughout the heavens. His appearance mimicked a white tiger. Johnny attacked Omega, decimating him. Omega then laid on the ground, gasping for breath. “You’ll never save this planet.”
Johnny, in his tiger appearance, tore out Omega’s throat. He assumed his human form and wiped the blood from his mouth.
The Earth began to shake more violently and rumbled with impending doom. Without a clue of what to do, Johnny dropped to his knees.
Mom. Dad. I’ve let you down. I’ve let everyone down. Johnny waited for the end to come. However, Johnny felt the earthquakes begin to subside and heard a voice come to him.
Who is it that weeps for those lost? Who is it that defeated the beast that had set me on a self-destructive path?
Who—who’s there? Johnny asked.
I am Gaia, the spirit of the Earth. I have been in pain for so long. Then there was an exponential increase recently. There was someone who tried to kill me. I heard someone crying in the midst of the madness. Someone who wanted only to save the world and all those who were dear. Thus, I found you, child.
A beautiful woman in green and white appeared before him. “Are you the one who saved me?”
Johnny stood up and cautiously approached the woman. “I am.”
The woman smiled, “Then you are indeed the Guardian I have been waiting for.”
***
I no longer roam the night alone, for it is my friend. The day calms me and comforts me, for it is the silver lining of existence.
We are all interconnected, interwoven. Our fates, shared. Our destinies, our own. You are all a part of me, such as I am you. You are free. The world…is now free.
I am no longer The Nightwalker. I am the Guardian, Protector of Gaia, and the Earth.
***
A short time had passed. Humanity began to rebuild and right some of the wrongs it had done. Johnny looked down over the city below, watching over people rebuild. With hope in his heart that people could change. However, he’d be ready to defend the earth if the need to ever arose. The wind blew softly through his hair. He could almost see Gaia caressing his cheek as she continued on her way through the heavens. As he stared up at the sky and the clouds rolling, he could feel the gaze of the Guardians and Jerry looking down. He smiled at this and went down to lend a hand at those who worked to rebuild.
The End
A Note from RJM: I hope you enjoyed the story of Johnny Nightwalker. There will be a final/print and polished digital version (eventually). These series of posts do not represent the final product, so please bear that in mind.
The Nightwalker may return…for now though; his story is complete.
Until next time,
RJM
Omega laughed and clapped. “Such a moving display. A real 180 there, kiddo. Eight out of ten, I’d nominate you for an Oscar for sure.” He smirked, “You are correct. I AM THE OMEGA. I AM GOD!” He shouted as he went for Johnny’s throat.
Then there came the understanding. Omega couldn’t touch Johnny. “What is this?”
“You’re nowhere near the power you claim to possesses,” said Johnny. “I am far beyond whatever level you are. You are the gnat now.”
Omega shrugged. “Well then… if that’s all…” He wound up another hit, this time connecting with Johnny’s jaw.
Johnny looked back in shock.
Omega grinned. “What can I say? I’m a fast learner… Plus you’re not the only one that can absorb energy or souls.
Johnny’s eyes widened. The people that had been murdered were reanimated into the nightmarish creatures. He had felt a particular note in the air but couldn’t quite place it. Now he knew why.
The two fought for a while, both proving to be equal in strength. However, as more and more time passed Johnny could tell Omega’s power gap was widening.
I can’t keep this up. Omega’s outclassed and outmatched me. I’d need more help. I need help. Jerry. I’m sorry, I cannot do it.
The sky cracked with lightning, and thunder rolled. Blood rained hard down upon them. Despair and defeat began to sink in.
“So, you see the futility of it all at last? Ha, just when it was getting interesting. Pathetic,” Omega grinned.
Johnny then felt a familiar presence; a hand placed on his shoulder. “You’re not alone Johnny. We’re all with you until the very end.”
Johnny looked to his right and left. Behind him were the former Guardians, trainers, the people that were slain, and Jerry.
“Give ‘em Hell, kid,” Johnny heard Snake say. Everyone offered words of encouragement.
“Even though we’re gone, and we can’t be there, beside you, we’re all part of you, just as you were a part of us. We’re all interconnected, a shared destiny. Here, this is your moment. For us, for the world.” Jerry patted Johnny on the back.
A blue light coursed through all the people, Guardians, and trainers alike until it amplified through Jerry.
“The night is not your enemy but your friend. We are all beacons in the dark. You shall not go it alone. Let the day’s glow bask you in the night. Free us. Save the world. You’re the Nightwalker no more, Johnny. You are the Guardian of Earth.” Jerry then placed his hand on Johnny’s shoulder.
The power was exhilarating. So much emotion. Johnny was beside himself as he watched all the light go out and the familiar faces dissipate. Until the light last came to Jerry. “You’ve been a wonderful friend, Johnny. Now, it’s time to end this madness and evil of a man. We’ll see each other again. One day.” Johnny felt tears well up. “Goodbye, my friend.” Jerry then vanished, and Johnny was left alone with all the power in the world.
Omega tried to attack Johnny during the spectacle, but it was all for naught. Every attack, every effort was deflected like it was nothing. He had, at last, come to the realization. It was the end.
Johnny and Omega exchanged blows with one another. They were evenly matched now. However, Omega still had the fighting expertise and size over Johnny.
“You are nothing more than a gnat to me. Insignificant. Petty. You aren’t even fit to be in this world,” said Omega.
“Obviously, I was the favorite compared to you,” Johnny quipped back as he charged up an electrical attack that landed square on Omega’s jaw.
Omega’s gaze became fiery. He grabbed hold of Johnny and began swinging him around like a rag doll.
“How does it feel, boy? To be second rate, second best? The sloppy seconds? A bastard that was never loved by anyone or anything? You’re nothing but space taken up and wasteful shell of a ‘man.’ You failed your family, your friends, and you failed humanity.”
Omega laughed as Johnny hung limply in his grasp.
I can’t let it end this way. I have to do something. Johnny tried to come up with strategies, but nothing seemed concrete.
Then a blinding light emitted from where he last saw the Guardians fighting. A wave of energy rushed in all directions, vaporizing the nightmarish creatures, and sending Omega tumbling to the ground.
Johnny rolled too. He slowly got to his feet and looked over where the blast originated from. There, in a now broken triangle, rested the bodies of Red, Chico, and Pierre.
He felt the last few remnants of their energy fade as it passed through him, and into the air. He turned around and stared on with tears in his eyes.
“No, no,” he stammered. “No, please, don’t go,” he dropped to his knees and began to sob. “Please don’t leave me alone.”
Omega shook his head and slowly got to his feet. He dusted himself off and set his sights on Johnny.
“I’ll give it to the little beasts, they could pack a punch with that little trick of theirs.”
He stood above Johnny, who continued to cry. “Pathetic. Reduced to a sniveling and whining piglet. Yet, you were to be the better soldier? Ha!” Omega spat on Johnny.
Johnny felt the energy and presence of the Guardians.
Lad, we’d never leave ya. Well, willingly, in any case, he heard Red say.
We’re a part of you now, Johnny, stated Pierre.
“Our power is now yours. Not just us though, everyone. Together, we’ll be what beats Omega… Because you’re the embodiment of all. You can do this, Johnny,” said Chico.
Johnny clenched his fists. Time, it seemed, stood still. The push he needed had at last come. He stood up tall and looked Omega in the eye.
“I am not the Alpha, the Omega, or the Beta. I am the one who walks in the shadows. Where the light does not pierce, for I am the light in the darkness.” Raw energy began to course through Johnny. Arcs of the elements, bouncing, flickering, and colliding. His eyes radiated with the powers he assimilated and that of the Guardians. “I am the Nightwalker!”
Hey folks,
The pre-order for book two of The Lodestone Files: The Cat, The Mouse, and The Thing From Another World is now available.
“It’s going to be a long road for us…”
This story picks up immediately after the end of The Lodestone Files: The Things in the Shadows. Book two marks a great setup for the following events and provides some more backstory on a few of our characters and overall backdrop. Book three is in the final stages as is book four, which is where we will conclude this short series.
After book four ends, there will be a reissue of all the books as one. For those that do purchase copies (either directly or via elsewhere; with proof of purchase) I will offer discounted copies either by print or digital.
In addition to the conclusion, there will be a bonus chapter/side story about another family caught during a particular event. That story will be included in the fourth book and reissue as my thanks to you (and it will not be added to the “MSRP” to jack up the price.
I will also be selling digital copies of all titles here as well. I’m just fine tuning and making sure there are no bugs. They will be at a discounted rate if you purchase directly from A.B.Normal Publishing and Media Group.
All in all, I hope to heighten your reading experience, and if you so need it, publishing experience as well. We are looking to expand to take on a few clients and maintain a small press for now, but eventually, we’d like to be a medium or large press (and beyond).
I wish you all well this evening and rest of the week.
Until next time,
RJM
***
On the ground, people and the Guardians fought the terrors that Omega had unleashed. Dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, every able bodied beast or reptile fought alongside humans. Casualties were mounting. Though they had the sheer numbers and cunning, it wasn’t quite enough.
Then, there came the other handlers. Teleporting in from around the world, all ready to lend their hand in defeating the almighty Omega. Some launched missiles, while others hurled balls of fire. One shapeshifted into different animals much like Snake had. Every handler that wanted to break free from the Agency and lead a normal life had come. Johnny felt a surge of pride.
However, Omega had other plans in mind. He had taken note of this incursion and had motioned his own counterattack plan. The earth began to shape into rocky behemoths. Metal debris combined and metallic killing machines. The air became acrid and toxic, quickly making those weakened only weaker; dying or collapsing. Water pooled together and formed massive blobs that deluged human and animals; drowning them in waste and blood.
“We’ve got to do something!” Chico said as he watched more and more of the horrors form and slaughter around him. “Johnny’s power isn’t enough!”
Red looked around at the fallen. “Lads and lassies…it’s been a pleasure.”
“If we’re going to go out, let’s do it with a bang, no?” Pierre readied a pack of explosives to himself.
“We know we can’t go back to our old selves… it’s inevitable. Perhaps—perhaps this is how it was supposed to be,” said Chico sadly.
“Aye, it was nice knowin’ ya. If we ever meet again…we’ll…I’ll buy ye a pint,” said Red as he gave a pat to Chico and Pierre.
Nearby a familiar yelp was heard. Rottie the Rottweiler had fallen. There wasn’t much of her pack left anymore. There weren’t much of any of the handlers either. The Guardians and the remnants of earth’s forces were diminishing quickly.
“Boys…” said Pierre.
“Farewell…” they all said together.
***
“Lad, you’re alright,” shouted a familiar voice.
Red, Chico, Pierre, and the other guardians, followed by a horde of people appeared.
“I guess we’re late?” asked Chico, looking around.
“What about them? They killed people,” voices from the herd of individuals began to spout cries of vengeance against the former Horsemen.
“they’re not the enemy. They’ve…done wrong, yes. But they were engineered for that at the start. They’ve defied their existence and destiny of hate, ravaging, and death,” said Johnny as he looked to the disparaged group.
“Bullshit!”
“Kill them!” The crowd erupted into a frenzy.
The trio sighed.
“Yes, look at this pathetic lot. Strike them down. Kill them! Take their lives! Pave the way for the future…the future where man submits; is subjected and subjugated to their errors! See only the wrong! Kill them in your god’s name!” Omega’s voice boomed over the field.
No…it can’t be!
There, he manifested before them all, hovering in the air.
“Cower at the sight of your God. The Alpha—The Omega! Kneel!”
Troves of people tried to flee, while some knelt one fear for their lives. The runners were all slain by an invisible force.
“Suffer. Die. Give yourselves to me,” Omega said.
He raised his arms to the heavens and summoned the beasts of a nightmare, the very ones Johnny remembered from his dream.
The sky began to turn crimson under the high sun.
“Let the day become the last any of you shall ever come to know!”
War collapsed to the ground, his brothers around him. “We can’t beat him,” he said.
“No, not alone,” said Johnny.
“How? What chance do we have?”
“I need your powers…only then can I do it.” Johnny sighed. “But it comes with a price.”
“Whatever it is…whatever it takes…we’ll do it,” said War. “It’s only fitting that we correct the mistake we did…and helped unleash.”
“So, how do we do this? Hold hands,” asked Famine.
***
Up high, Omega hovered and observed the spectacle as automatically and systematically picked off any people that dared tried to flee. “How cute, they think they have a chance,” he said aloud. “No matter… nothing matters whatever you have concocted for a plan against me, it will fail. That’s all you were—ever will be. Failures.”
Johnny began to assimilate the Horsemen’s powers. Red, purple, and blue all illuminated from Famine, Death, and War. Soon, they became nothing. Johnny fell to his knees and gasped for air.
“All that power and it’s wasted on you—you! Of all the things that were created,” Omega roared. Then he sighed, “Though, I suppose I should thank you. You are just one neat little package ready to be stolen from the Christmas tree. No more mommy. No more daddy. Let’s see who gets bragging rights,” Omega grinned.
Johnny stood up, poised with a vengeance that coursed throughout his veins. “I will make you pay for what you’ve done. To my parents—our parents, the people of this planet, the Horsemen. EVERYONE. I will end you and what chaos you dare try to usher in.”
Omega waved a finger at Johnny, a beam of lightning arced down in front of him. The attacks became more frequent. He tried to dodge as he could. He felt the energy and heat that rushed to him. He clenched his eyes shut and shielded himself.
“Johnny,” Chico and the other guardians cried.
He stood there unscathed—the lightning absorbed. He rolled it around his hand and between his fingers. Johnny then eyed Omega mischievously.
“Is this yours?” he said.
He hurled the ball of lightning at Omega and teleported behind him. Bringing both of his hands over his head and smashing Omega down towards the blast. There was a glorious explosion of blue-white that rained down sparks below.
The cloud dissipated and revealed an unharmed Omega. “That was amusing. However, as you can see…” Omega gestured with his hands, “not even a scratch.”
Johnny gritted his teeth and readied for another assault.
Johnny gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “You really are a monster. You have no hope of redemption.”
“And you have no hope of beating me,” Omega said with a grin.
“Enough talk!” Famine rushed with an attack, head on.
Omega leisurely turned his attention to his assailant. He dodged every swing, every kick. Famine grew frustrated and growled at this.
He laid a hand down on the ground. Vines, bones, rocks, dirt, and other greenery erupted underneath Omega’s feet.
Famine grinned as he stood proud, his prey in his clutches. “I’ve got you right where I want you, fiend.”
Omega made no effort to resist. “Right where you want me, eh? I guess you forgot about a little something…” The large makeshift hand crumbled away from him.
“what? What the Hell?!” Famine took a step back.
“let me demonstrate to you how it’s done…properly.”
Omega raised his right arm. The earth shook violently and erupted underneath Famine. He was engulfed by the very same method.
“Your power betrays you, peasant. It’s no longer yours to control,” said Omega as he tightened his grip on Famine.
“Brothers…help…me,” Famine struggled to say.
Death appeared behind Omega and manifested a brilliantly glowing scythe. It radiated with a holy aura. He brought it down and willed it through the hulking man.
However, it shattered as it struck Omega, leaving Death startled. He manifested an orb of purplish-black at their nemesis’ face.
“Perish…” he said with a low raspy voice.
Omega laughed and took a deep breath. He blew the ball of energy back at Death, knocking him down.
“I think it’s time for you all to know your real place,” Omega said. An invisible force hoisted Death into the air, “Say goodbye to your brothers, War.”
No…I…can’t…
Johnny sent a swarm of nanomachines at Omega. He swung about wildly, swatting and batting at the incessant insects. No matter how many he destroyed, more were replicated.
“Your pathetic parlor tricks will get you nowhere, Omega shouted.
War reached to his feet and willed everything he had into his right fist. He waded through the shimmering cloud of machines and appeared before the brute. He swung with all his might he had left. It sent the monster that was Omega, hurling through the air. An icy blue shockwave radiated throughout Omega’s body; his grip on Death and Famine broke. The nanomachines followed and did their job of disassembling and dismembering.
“You think you’ve won? You’re pathetic! Just wait—” Omega’s voice was cut off as he dissipated into nothingness.
It’s over.
The four all sighed in relief.
Nearby, a radio seemed to call out for him. “If you’re listening… You need to dig deep… to rise up.”
War noted the familiarity one the voice that crackled over the airwaves. “Nightwalker…” he grunted.
****
Johnny stood before a video camera. One that broadcasted around the world. To all the eyes that remained behind. They all watched eagerly.
“You are scared, I know. I was too… I used to think I was alone after my best friend died. But then I found out things… horrible things. My friends, there exists an organization named the Agency. Its sole purpose is to take children, animals; lab creations, where people are given powers. Powers over animals, technology, people, and more. They abduct, destroy lives, wreck homes, and sell their creations to the highest bidder. Governments around the world use these “super soldiers” all in the name of profit.
I am one of those super soldiers. My friend was killed and made to look like a suicide. My father was one of the lead researchers… his sins are many… but he made me… to help right the wrong. He paid the ultimate sacrifice to help atone… I plan on making sure he, like so many, didn’t die in vain.
I ask you, all of you. Though you are afraid, I will guide you through the darkness—through this calamity. We will survive… but I need YOU to stand together with me.”
Johnny’s eyes dropped to the bloodied floor where so many people died at the hands of Pestilence. “We can beat them—all of them, together.”
The ground around Johnny shook. More buildings were toppling.
“I won’t go quietly, nor should you.”
****
War had reached to his feet. Slowly. He felt a certain pride within.
“Ah, did you find your balls, War?” Omega taunted.
“Just that I know you’ll be beaten is enough of a victory for me,” War smirked.
Omega laughed hysterically. “By whom? Look around you, fool. You’ve done the legwork and the wet work! That puny boy is of no concern to me.”
War grinned as he took a knee. For then, Death and Famine appeared.
“We are with you, brother,” they both said.
Death illuminated a bloody aura. The ground around him was drained of life, leaving behind only black and gray.
“You’ll pay, Omega,” Death snarled.
Omega folded his arms. “You’ve all been so gracious to come to me. This really is too sweet. I may just give you all a quick death after all.”
War focused on his thoughts and his person of interest.
Nightwalker… I’ve heard your message. I—I wish to help right the wrong I and my brothers have committed.
War looked around for the boy, but only found the hulking Omega.
“Haha… praying to your god, War? I thought you were strong. That you had no weakness.”
War dropped his gaze to the ground. And then…
“No… just buying time,” he grinned.
“I heard your call,” a voice said behind War and his brothers.
Omega grinned wickedly. “Hello… brother.”
****
Johnny stared Omega down. While the Horsemen eyed Johnny. War grabbed them both by the arm. “We were misled and pressed to do wrong. Both from the start and after our awakening. We must right our wrongs. Together, we will be strong enough to defeat him.”
Both of his brothers nodded.
Omega laughed. “This is all so cute. Another family reunion. A partnership. Oh, dear, brother… I have some bad news about your dear old adoptive parents.” He grinned and licked his lips.
Johnny’s heart sank. “What did you do?” his voice low.
Omega cracked his neck. “Honestly, I’m more of a show and tell kind of guy. So…” he pulled out a hologram projector. On it the makeshift screen, it played the last few moments of Johnny’s parents. Though they weren’t his real parents, they had been there for him. Saved him. Guided him. They were beaten senseless. Blood flowed from their grievous wounds.
Omega then motioned in the hologram to a pair of dogs that laid motionless on the ground. “Let’s do a switcheroo! Whaddya say, Johnny? Sound good?”
Then, his parents were implemented into the dogs. Where they screamed one agony. Their human bodies flailed on the ground and then died.
“Hoo hoo! Look at them. LOOK AT THEM, JOHNNY!”
His parents begged to be put out of their misery.
“Well, you know… I’m a fan of euthanasia, so…”
Omega then jumped furiously atop the dogs. Crushing their bodies… their skulls.
“It’s just like playing in the water!” Omega cackled.
Then he did a close up of the dead dogs. “They could have been saved, Johnny. But no, you had to play hardball. Well, I’ma real hitter, babe.”
Then the hologram stopped.
Nobody moved. Omega laughed and shook his head. “That’s probably some of my finest work there.”
“Many years ago, I was blessed with a vision. Whether it was by an almighty being of the cosmos, my creator or whatever the sort was beyond me. It was a vision I discarded as being nothing more than just a mere dream. I was five or six…so I never took it as being a prophecy…or an event to come to pass. Most science fiction, dystopian, or post-apocalyptic stories have something similar. I chopped it up to being nothing more than an influence by something I had once seen on the television.
Then it came to pass…
One afternoon, I was traveling with my mother. We were running errands; the basic kind, you know. We had ventured to the local grocery store. As we had exited the vehicle and neared entering the establishment, the sirens began to sing…
People shrugged it off as another test of the Emergency Broadcast System. Then, inside the store, all the TV’s, all the monitors, all the cell phones, everything cried and warned with the coming end. An attack was made. The target? Our location along the West Coast.
People ran. Panicked. Cried.
I looked up and saw them in the bright azure sky streaking towards us like rebel burning diamonds against the daylight. I felt my stomach sink. My hands had begun to sweat in my mother’s grasp.
A voice chanted, “Initiate Evacuation Protocol: Disembark. Repeat. Disembark.”
One by one, then dozens, thousands, millions…people dropped to the ground. I, myself watched as my body dropped to the ground. I looked over and saw my mother’s body drop limply upon the ground. Everyone flew up into the sky, a blue-white streak against the azure grain. We watched as the missiles struck the ground, the buildings, and reduced everything to a fiery crater. War had come. We were the first to be hit, and we certainly wouldn’t be the last.
We spiraled through the cosmos; flying by stars, buzzing by planets…Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, so far away from the sun, watching the Earth become a mere speck. Until then, we arrived. A new home. A new hope. Here.
We all awoke to our new mechanical bodies, synthesized humans. Robots. The Singularity may have saved us…or rather given us a way to escape death. However, back on Earth, many were trapped. Left to endure the war that took place. It is only a matter of time until it follows us here.”
The now young man appearing synthetic human opened his eyes and stood up before the crowd around him. “Surely, we could try to outrun our demise…or we can embrace a destiny where we fight back, survive. When they come—and they will, we will be waiting. We will return. We will reclaim our home planet. They will call us ‘alien’ but eventually, they will see…” He reached down and took up a foreign weapon. “We are more human than they are. We will save those left behind.”
Robert J. S. T. McCartney 