C h a p t e r X I I I

O b j e c t s I n M i r r o r s A r e C l o s e r T h a n T h e y A p p e a r

As the Gang flashed into reality, a group of darkly clothed figures nearby jumped in surprise. Once again, the intense journey through time had knocked everyone to the ground. As Richard looked up his eyes went wide.

“The Nephite Ninjas?”

“Holy crap! I thought that you took us to a different time!” Kenzi said in surprise.

“I did, we’re much further along on the time-line. We’re not even near that valley we appeared in!”

The dark clothed figures were indeed 'Ninjas', and were looking up and down at the Gang and jaguar. But this wasn't Gigel and his men. These were differen't people. They had raised their weapons in fear, but now started lowering them. The lead-Ninja looked down at the remote in Richard’s hand and gasped.

“The ancient texts spoke of these beings! Those who traveled through time…but it read that there were five of you. Where is the Lamanite youth?”

Richard titled his head. “Wait; did you say ancient texts?”

“Yes; the ancient texts of the Ninja Elites.”

Kenzi coughed and began snickering.

“Did I miss something?” Brian asked, in his confused state.

“It’s just that…whenever I was around them, I always referred to them as Ninjas. I guess the name stuck.” Kenzi said.

“Which means,” Richard began, “they've always waited for us… Looking, waiting for us to return.”

“But…why? Why look or wait for us?” Kaitlin asked.

“Because, thou didst save the Nephite Nation from war!” The Ninja continued.

“Wow. Perhaps we didn’t change time, but actually caused it to be what it is today.” Richard said philosophically.

The Ninjas came forward, and helped everyone to their feet. They then bowed down, and held their weapons out in the very same manner as Gigel’s men had done before. “We offer up our humble service to you in your holy journey.”

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call it holy, but we are trying to prevent a catastrophe.” Richard said.

“Yeah, catastrophe is a perfect way to describe Jon.” Brian added insultingly.

“Jon… Ah, the Lamanite one!” The Ninja exclaimed.

“Yeah, just don’t let him hear you say that.” Kenzi said.

The Ninjas looked perplexed, and just shrugged. “How may we assist you in finding your little friend?”

“Okay, let me give you guys the run down.” Kenzi said, taking the remote from Richard. “This is our sacred device for journeying around…the universe. Yeah, and it says that Jon is somewhere near here.”

“We don’t know that for sure, Kenzi.” Richard said through his teeth.

“Well…our sacred device says that something is going on here. Notice anything unusual?” She finished off with a casual smile. Their twenty-first century slang was catching back up with her.

The Ninjas looked back and forth among themselves, and then back at the Gang. “We are currently under orders of Captain Moroni, to seek out and learn the movements of enemy forces.”

“Captain Moroni?” Kaitlin asked.

“Enemy movements? Are you at war?” Richard asked.

“Yea, we are a war with the Lamanites. The great warrior Moroni has waged a defensive campaign, and sent us to gain knowledge, as to use in stratagem.”

Richard frowned, and thought for a moment. “I’ve heard that before…not those exact words, but something similar…”

“Anyways!” Kenzi continued. “We would very much like your assistance in finding the Lamanite kid.”

The Lead-Ninja pulled out his sword, stuck it in the ground, and stood to his full height. “We shall find him.”

“Thank-you.” Richard said, swiping the remote back from Kenzi. “We'd better hurry before he gets himself in trouble.”


*     *


The Book of Jon

Chapter 1

A record of the journeys and doings of the young Lamanite, Jon Tree Top, and his adventures among time.

And I Jon was standing in the Garden of Eden, when a light from above descended on me, and I froze in fear. Then a great voice spoke from the light saying,

“What art thou doing here? Ye are not welcome in this place.”

And with that, I poured out my story (who wouldn’t?).

“You’re story is complicated, oh ye little one. From this time hither, ye shall keep a record of all your doings.”

As I watched from my days in the Garden of Eden, I saw God sentencing Adam and Eve to leave, and never come back. I tarried with them for a while, and beheld the birth of Cain. I also beheld the birth of Abel, and continued to tarry with them for a while.

And thus ends the first chapter, in the Book of Jon.


*     *


The Gang was hiking through a particularly dense region of jungle, where the only light came from the Nephite Ninjas’ torches. The trees grew tall and dense, blocking out the sky completely. The trail itself was unleveled, and wound through the jungle, up and down gulches and hills. There were many mysterious sounds and animals creeping about, and every now and then Aero would hiss at any that tried coming into the light.

“I can’t believe Jon! He could be anywhere!” Kenzi said, dodging a low hanging vine.

“Or any time.” Richard added.

“And, who was that he was chasing after?” Kaitlin asked.

“Probably another time-traveler. They’re out to get us.” Kenzi said. Aero growled in agreement.

“Oww!” Brian shouted suddenly. He had walked into a thorny vine, and now had pin pricks up and down his arm.

Richard smirked. “Bet you miss being a ghost, huh?”

“Well, if some of us hadn’t screwed that up…!”

“Brian, it had to happen. You were a disaster in action.”

Suddenly, there was a burst of light up ahead, and the dark trail became illuminated. The Ninjas had cut away a thick vine, letting sun light shine in. They continued slicing, and soon there was a hole big enough for them to climb through, leading back into open air. They all stepped through, and breathed in the new landscape.

The view was breathtaking. There were rolling mountains in the distance, some of which were volcanic, but of course there was the same jungle landscape covering the land with trees as far as the eye could see. The Gang and Ninjas were actually standing on top of one of these small mountains, and were on a ledge overlooking a huge grassland valley, with a wide river snaking across it.

Spread across the valley was a massive battle between the Nephites and Lamanites. Wave upon wave of Nephite soldiers poured from the forests in the hills, and were clearly forcing the Lamanites back. Most had begun retreating, and were trying to cross the river.

“Holy cow.” Richard said, watching in amazement.

“Holy crap!” Kenzi said in agreement.

“It would seem that Captain Moroni has been blessed with another victorious battle.” Their Ninja companion said.

The Lamanites finally gave up altogether, and made their retreat across the river. A few of the Nephites pursued, but the remainder raised their weapons up to cheer and gather their wounded. Richard shifted his gaze, and noticed that Brian was looking intently down the side of the cliff.

“Looks like it’s safe to go down there.” Kaitlin said.

“Brian! STOP!” Richard tried lunging at him, but wasn’t fast enough.

Brian jumped forward, and began to tumble down the cliff face.


*     *


The Book of Jon

Chapter 2

You know what; I don’t care what other people say. I’m noticing some weird stuff going on here. I haven’t even shaved once since I have gotten here and yet (if my count is right), I am 23 years old. I don’t know how old you have to be to start feeling older, but I’m pretty sure you’d start feeling older after a while. But yet I feel like I’m 15.

Anyways they have grown to their teen years and it appears that the parents favor Abel. Now that Cain was getting a little older, he runs around the tent being a little contention raiser (for lack of a better word). They have let me become apart of their family, but when I bring out the old note book (like I am now) they leave me alone; but where was I…

Things just don’t seem right here, though. Maybe because I know their future and I dread the out come of what would happen if I stop it from happening. Things are taken out of my hand now and I do not know if I am going to stay with them for much longer now, because I dread what would happen when I get to that moment and I try to stop the first murder ever. So I did something very stupid: I grabbed my remote, hit the button at a random time, and ended up at the worst place to be during man kind if you weren’t Noah.

That’s right I dropped right in the middle of the building of the Ark. Also, my remote is dead… Man, how am I going to get out of this one?


*     *


“BRIAN!” Everyone shouted his name, as he continued to tumble.

He had deliberately jumped off the side, and after hitting the side a couple of times, finally landing on the rocky surface below. There was a faint scream as he crashed, and both Kaitlin and Kenzi looked away in disgust. Richard just shook his head in disbelief.

“Why, Brian…?”

The Ninjas suddenly became rigid, and everyone looked up to see a bright light. Just as before, the light began to slowly descend over the Gang, and they all watched as the orb materialized into the transparent shape of Brian. He looked himself over, and smiled crookedly.

“HA! Who’s the ghost now?!”

There was a low rumble of thunder, and Richard looked back up into the sky. Dark clouds began to form out of thin air, and gathered around directly overhead. Thunder rumbled again. Brian looked up too, just in time to see a bolt of lightning come down from the heavens and strike him right on the forehead.

The energy pulsed across his body, and color and shape began to return. The lightning disappeared, the clouds faded away, and Brian was human again. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Brian, and occasionally looked back up at the once again clear sky.

“What just happened?!” Richard said, confounded.


*     *


The Book of Jon

Chapter 3

Well, still haven’t found any diamonds in the wilderness, so I can’t power the remote. But also, I kinda like Noah; he has a sweet disposition. I have been able to help build the ark in exchange for some food and shelter. I just hope against it all that I don’t screw everything up.

Chapter 4

The rains have started; isn’t that a gloomy way to start a chapter? But luckily for me I have been invited to stay on with the family. Also, funny story; I am married. Noah said that everything that goes on the ship must come in pairs, so Noah counseled with the Lord, and in order to get on the ship I must be at least engaged. Creepy thought, huh? Me married at age 15. It still creeps me out.


*     *


Brian stood dumfounded, while everyone looked from the now clear sky, to the now normal Brian. He almost looked like he’d gone into shock…he didn’t even blink.

“Brian, are you okay?” Kenzi asked.

Richard waved a hand in front of his face, but Brian continued to stare forward. “What happened to him? It’s like the very forces of nature combined against his attempt to be a ghost again.”

Kenzi laughed at that thought, but stopped suddenly. The sound of marching footsteps could be heard, steadily getting closer. The Gang turned to see a battalion of troops being led in their direction by a single man wearing some form of ancient uniform.

The leader looked surprised to see the Ninjas, and looked back and forth between the Seminary Gang. “You there…we have seen strange signs from heaven over this land. What has happened?”

The Ninjas looked quite surprised, and all raised out their weapons ceremonially. “Captain Moroni. It is an honor to be in your presence.”

Richard gasped. “Wait, did you just say that you’re the Captain Moroni?!”

Moroni looked over at Richard, a perplexed look on his face. “Yea. I am he.”

“Cool!” Kenzi suddenly shouted.

Moroni quickly turned to the Ninjas. “Ninja Elites, why are ye here?”

“Captain, please understand that we are under urgent orders from these young ones…”

“These young ones?! Why in heaven’s name are you under orders from them?!”

Richard stepped forward. “Look, we have been spoken of by your elites before.”

“Spoken of? I have never heard of you and your friends. Ye appear to be no more than troublesome youth.”

“We’re not even Nephites!” Kenzi exclaimed.

Moroni was smiling, obviously having a bit of fun with the overly stressed teens. “What are you then, Lamanites?”

“No! I’ll prove it to you.” Richard said. “If I’m correct, the Nephites came over to America before blonde hair entered the genetic mix, so you’ve never seen someone with yellow hair. Just take a look at Brian…”

He turned back to point at the catatonic Brian, but there was no one there. The rest of the Gang looked back, but Brian was nowhere to be seen.

“Guys, where’s Brian?” Richard asked, looking around frantically.

“He was just here.” Kaitlin said.

Moroni continued to smile. The Lead-Ninja pulled him aside, taking the opportunity to further explain the situation of the teens to him.

“Did he jump off the cliff again?” Kenzi asked.

“No! I swear he was here just a second ago!” Richard said, still looking around frantically.

“Where would he go? Where could he go?” Kaitlin asked.

“Maybe he’s finally lost it and ran off into the jungle.” Kenzi said comically.

Richard turned back in time to see Moroni nod, and face the Gang. “Young ones, I understand your plight somewhat now. The Ninja Elites have great respect for you. They speak of you like workers of God.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Kaitlin said sheepishly.

“But where is the fourth friend of yours? This one with the…yellow…hair?”

Richard shook his head. “I don’t know, but he’s not the first one we’ve lost. If we don’t find him soon, we could all get separated.”

“Not to mention the consequences to the time-line.” Kenzi said.

Moroni turned to his men, nodded, and looked back at the Gang. “Then we shall find him…”

fin


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