Earth Blend (23 page)

Luke looked at Austin, who grinned as
Earthlings entered the building in droves.

Screams and gunshots could be heard as the
invasion began.

Austin elbowed the two men restraining him
and then charged at Luke.

Julie looked up to see Earthlings
everywhere. Most were fighting, hand to hand combat style, as no
elements were present. Suddenly Eli was beside her, helping her to
her feet. Her Uncle and Dad were right there as well. Her father
hugged her tightly.

“
Let's get you out of here.” He
said.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow
motion; she turned to look for Austin and saw him struggling for
the gun with Luke. It was like the helicopter all over again, only
this time, the ending was very different. She watched as Luke
pulled the gun down between them and fired. It took her a moment to
realize which way the gun was pointed. It was pointed at Austin.
She watched him stumble backwards and then fall to his knees. She
ran to him, watching, waiting for the bullet to push itself out,
but it didn't. She was on the floor next to him as his face turned
white.

“
It feels... different.” He said,
before falling to his side.

Julie screamed, “No!”

She quickly went inside of him. Uncle Gregg
was there with her, also trying to help Austin.

As in the other Earthling, his organs
appeared dormant and the toxin was spreading. “What can we do?” She
cried, looking to her Uncle for help.

“
I don't know.” He cried, tears
rolling down his face.

“
Do something!” She screamed. “Heal
damn it.” She yelled at Austin. “I love you, please don't die...
please don't die.”

She watched her Uncle pull his hands from
Austin and hang his head in defeat. “No, don't stop, please, we
have to fix him... we have to fix him.” She was crying hysterically
now.

“
I'm sorry....” Uncle G said, reaching
for her.

“
No,” she backed up. She looked down
at Austin's lifeless body and her anguish turned to anger. She
stood and looked for Luke. He was being restrained by two
Earthlings. She felt something change within her, like a switch was
turned on. “You have to die.” She said and moved quickly over to
him. She placed her hands on his face and saw the frightened look
in his eyes. “You... have... to... die.” She then threw all of her
anger into him.

As his body shook, the two Earthlings
released him as their own bodies had felt the shock of Julie. She
stayed with him as his body collapsed, never removing her hands as
his body jerked and thrashed. “I hate you... I hate you.” She
cried, still pouring everything she had into him. Finally, when she
felt drained, she removed her hands and sat against a nearby
wall.

Trevor wanted to go to her, but Gregg
cautioned him. “She's still charged.” He said, motioning to her
hands that were glowing.

She looked down at her hands then at Luke's
body. The charred outline of her hands, all but concealed his face.
The glow faded from her hands as she dropped them beside her and
looked toward Austin. Tears fell silently from her face, it was
then her father came to her and wrapped her in his arms.

The room's silence was broken by a loud
gasp. Everyone turned in its direction. It was Austin, he was
sitting up, breathing heavily.

“
Austin...” Julie stood up and ran
over to him. “You're alive... you're alive.” She grabbed a hold of
him and hugged him, knocking him back down on the floor.

“
Wha... what happened?”

Gregg was already inside of him, checking
him. “Your Blend abilities kicked in when your Earthling abilities
died. “ He said and removed his hands, hugging Austin himself. “We
thought you were gone.”

Austin felt something in his stomach and
looked down. The bullet that entered was being expelled by his
body. “He shot me?” He was finally comprehending what happened.
“Where is he?” He asked, struggling to stand.

Everyone looked at the remains of Luke.

Suron entered the building. He was already
fully aware of what transpired.

The remainder of Luke's men were
reprimanded, but allowed to leave with strict warnings to never do
anything to hurt the Earth again. Suron walked over to Julie,
Austin, Gregg, and Trevor.

“
I thank you all for your help. Please
join us at the Mother Tree.” He said, before turning back to his
Earthling family. One by one, they began the cleanup of the area,
securing the toxic body of Anthur and taking Luke's body with
them.

“
I missed a lot, didn't I?” Austin
asked.

That made everyone smile.

“
We'll fill you in. For now, let's go
home.” Gregg said.

Walking out to the car, Julie stopped when
she saw Eli. She separated from her group and went over to him. She
stood on her tiptoes to hug him. He returned the embrace. “I'm
sorry I could not save Anthur.” Austin told her the Earthling's
name.

“
You tried.” Eli whispered, his own
emotions getting the better of him.

She leaned back out of the embrace and
looked in his eyes.

“
Are you okay?” He asked, pushing her
hair back from her face.

She nodded, “I will be, I think. I have a
lot to tell you.” She said, then kissed him lightly on the cheek
before returning to her group.

She returned to Austin's waiting
embrace.

Austin looked to Eli and nodded as they all
walked out to the car.

On the way home, they filled Austin in on
what he missed. Julie kept silent as Gregg explained her part in
Luke's death. After they described her Carnage ability, Austin
squeezed her tighter. He knew this was going to be a difficult
thing for Julie to deal with. “I'm here.” he said kissing the top
of her head.

“
You better not ever leave me again.”
She said, looking up at him.

“
I won't, I promise.” He smiled
placing a gentle kiss on her lips. “Uncle Gordi?”

“
Yes.”

“
Am I still an Earthling?”

Gregg smiled, “As far as I can tell. Your
Blend abilities fixed everything.”

“
Good. I was kinda liking it.” He
said, making everyone laugh.

17. Judgments

The next morning, everyone gathered at the
Mother Tree, including Austin's father, Jacob, and his step-mother,
Helene. Everyone was told the truth about everyone else. Helene,
the only full human of the group, was happy when Austin asked if
she could be included.

Marcus made sure he was able to go as well.
“I was there the first time.” He reasoned and was happy when
permission was granted.

The bodies of Anthur and Crysa were
surrounded by wood and placed on an elevated platform. Luke's body
lay on the ground. Many earthlings were gathered along with the
group directly involved. All others listened
telepathically.

Suron spoke aloud as well as in thought for
the benefit of the non-Earthlings present.

“
Today we say goodbye to our brother
and sister, Anthur and Crysa. Mother Earth, please cleanse their
bodies
so
they may be returned to the place from which they were
created.
Honor them in death as they honored you in life.” Suron
raised his hands and brought them down quickly. Lightning struck
the wood surrounding the Earthlings' bodies.

Everyone focused their attention on Luke's
body.

“
Mother Earth, this human has
committed crimes against you. Although his energy is no longer
present, please accept his body with all its nutrients into you, so
he may pay restitution for the wrongs he has done.”

Luke's body slowly sank into the Earth.

“
Austin, please come forward.” Suron
summoned.

Julie reluctantly let go of Austin's hand
as he approached Suron.

“
Your existence was not from our
Mother, but from one of her children. A rule has been broken. Our
kind is not allowed to procreate. Your situation is unusual as you
are not only part Earthling but part Blend, making you a welcome
member of this planet. Our Earth has allowed you to continue on
with your life, but not without being made aware of the Earthling
rules. Our Mother has already provided you with the history of our
kind. Do not forget what should be of utmost priority. Protect the
Earth and educate its inhabitants in ways that keep her healthy and
safe. Do you accept those terms?”

“
I do.” Austin said.

“
Let it be known to all that Austin is
a brother to us and should be treated as such.”

“
Thank you.” Austin said and returned
to Julie.

She reached up and hugged him.

“
I feel like I just got my diploma.”
He said.

“
I'm so jealous.” Marcus said,
punching his arm.

His mother and father hugged him as
well.

“
Eli, come forward.” Suron
ordered.“You used the Earth's forces in a way that is forbidden.
Tell me, in what way are the Earth's powers to be used?”

“
To help in the protection of the
planet.”

“
Did you break that rule?”

“
Yes.”

“
For that you should be
severely
punished.”

“
No.” Julie whispered. She noticed
Percone grinning behind Suron.

“
However, there was an exception. One
of the children you were trying to save was part Earthling. Mother
feels this should warrant some leniency.”

“
What? No way!” Percone shouted coming
forward.

“
You do not have permission to speak.”
Suron yelled at him.

“
Well, I am speaking, this is
favoritism, plain and simple. He did not know the kid was part
Earthling when he tried to save him. This will send a bad message
to everyone. Chaos will reign. I object.”

“
Sit down!” Suron bellowed and the
ground shook, knocking Percone to the forest floor. “Do not speak
again until I am finished.” Suron looked back to Eli. “Mother
believes that you are a loving son who made a mistake. Although you
must be punished, she has chosen this for you. You have been
assigned as a mentor to Austin. Your task is to educate him in the
proper use of his Earthling abilities. You are to be his guide. Do
you accept this punishment?”

Eli looked back to Austin before
responding. The boy smiled and nodded. “I do accept. Thank you, and
Mother for her leniency.” Eli returned to the side.

“
Percone, come forward.” Suron
ordered.

“
You mean I can get up now?” Percone
asked, standing.

“
Percone, you have broken many rules
over the years. The punishments you have received were never fully
enforced, leaving you to become the Earthling you are today. It
ends now. Mother has decided that you have lost the meaning of what
it is to be an Earthling and a brother. Your lack of compassion for
any life form, including other Earthlings, has saddened her. She
has handed down a stiff punishment. One I am sure will prove
difficult for you, but you cannot refuse. You must pay restitution
by losing your Earthling abilities for a period of one year. During
that time you will live as a human. Your human parts will be fully
functional. It is her hope that you learn compassion for the humans
as well as compassion for all life forms, including your family.
During that year, you will be monitored. Your actions will be
reported on. If, after the year's time, you have grown to a better
understanding of brotherhood and compassion, you will be restored
to your full Earthling status. The time may be extended if you do
not make any progress during that year. It is not
negotiable.”

Percone was silent for only a moment. “You
can't do that!”

“
What's done is done.” Suron said, and
clapped his hands.

Lightning strikes came down in a complete
circle around Percone. A bright light flashed before all was quiet
once more. When the smoke from the lightning cleared, Percone could
be seen lying where he once stood. He slowly sat up.

Julie looked over to Eli. He looked stunned
as well. She went over to him. “Has this ever happened before?” She
asked.

“
No, never.”

“
This gathering has concluded.” Suron
said, and went to attend to the burning bodies of the deceased
Earthlings.

A hushed whisper commenced over the
group.

Marcus came over to Eli and Julie. “Man,
that was intense. So, hey Eli, can you introduce me to some of your
sisters?”

Both Julie and Eli turned to look at
Marcus.

“
Seriously?” Julie asked
him.

“
Naked chicks are hot.”

“
Marcus, go away.” Eli said, before
turning back to look at Percone. He walked over and knelt down
beside him. “Percone.” Eli said gently.

Percone turned towards him, “Do not talk to
me.”

“
I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I
think the punishment was too harsh.”

“
Ha! Coming from the man who got off
easy. All you have to do is babysit. Spare me your
pity.”

“
I just want you to know that I will
help you if you need it.”

Percone stood. “You are the last person I
would ever accept help from.” He said, and stomped off into the
forest.

Julie put her hand on Eli's shoulder. “I
take it that didn't go very well.”