The Star Master Trilogy

By Gregory Blackman

The Star Master Trilogy:

The Dark Prince has emerged from the shadows, ready to wage war on the Star Academy. Portals in space have opened, spreading chaos throughout the galaxy. The monsters from beyond call themselves the Void Empire, and they will not stop until they’ve destroyed everything in their path. War is about to begin and the galaxy’s only hope for salvation rests with an anxious fourteen year old named Johnny; whom unknowingly is both the reason and the solution to the galaxy’s problem.

Jonathan Rush and the Star Academy:

In the first installment of the Star Master Trilogy, we meet young Jonathan Rush. At night when he sleeps, ghoulish creatures and fearsome knights from a terrifying universe that is far too similar to our own, come to him. At first, he passes them off as nothing more than a result of his vivid imagination, but Johnny soon learns that his visions are closer to reality than he would like.

At fourteen, Johnny thinks his biggest hurdle is attending high school for the first time, but a world of adventure and excitement await him when a mysterious stranger visits him in his home. The Star Academy is his destination, and there he will learn to harness the abilities that have been recognized within him. Will the burden be too much for the young teen to bear, or will he manage to overcome the adversity and save the day before it’s too late?

Jonathan Rush and the Red World:

In the second installment of the Star Master Trilogy, we find our friends at the Star Academy savoring in a victory that they hadn’t actually won. They uncovered a plot by the Void Empire to gain a foothold in the galaxy, all that changes when a chilling discovery is made and the Star Academy finds themselves once more against the odds.

Johnny barely escaped the Void Empire last time they met. Now, he finds himself leading the charge against them. The Star Academy enjoys a victory, but the war is far from over. If they wish to hold their ground, Johnny needs to stand strong against the coming storm and shield his people from certain danger.

They head to a world called Ragnor, where they believe the Void Empire to be devising a means to amass their entire army. If that happens, all hope for the galaxy will be lost. A remote world in the outer cluster is their destination, a little planet nicknamed, the Red World; it’s a place so barren and inhospitable that it was off the Star Academy’s radar. That’s why it was the perfect place for the Void Empire to launch an invasion.

Jonathan Rush and the Void Empire:

In the third and final installment of the Star Master Trilogy, a traitor is in their midst’s at the Star Academy. Two years have passed since we last saw our young heroes and since then much has changed. Johnny now finds himself going on missions with Kenzel, finally able to forget the burdens of his past. His best friend, Amy, is now a full-fledged member of the Star Knights and partnered up with her mentor, the Star Knight Selene.

Only things aren’t as they seem, and the woman that Amy believes to be her mentor is nothing more than a Void Empire agent, set on crippling the Star Academy. Will they manage to uncover the plot in time to save the station, or will the Dark Prince’s cunning subterfuge manage to disrupt the operations of the Star Academy?

This book is intended for all ages and has a word count of 72,406.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gregory Blackman
• Release date: Apr 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781927123331

Gregory Blackman

Born in Burlington, Ontario, Gregory Blackman is a business marketing graduate that discovered early on that he wasn’t interested in advertising the works of others and instead sought out to create his own products that spoke on his values, beliefs, and in many cases, his own fears and anxieties. His first novel, Johnathan Rush, released in 2011, was a children’s novel while all proceeding works have been intended for a mature audience. This can be seen in his following Reaper and Kingdoms of Ash series that deal with issues of gender inequality, racial tensions, and mankind’s fear of the unknown. Gregory prides himself on responding to each and every letter sent to him, and incourages all readers to send him their thoughts and questions to [e-mail]

Book preview

Prologue

Johnny ran through the hallways, scared and alone. He had been running for awhile now, and was beginning to panic. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, as the sweat beaded down his dusty blonde hair. Pressing his hands against the cold steel walls, he searched for any means of escape.

We are ready to begin the invasion, a ghostly voice boomed from the shadows.

Hesitantly, Johnny walked towards the voice, eventually coming to the entrance of a large room. Soldiers stood at attention, all the way down to a large golden throne.

The warriors wore the armor of knights, only there was nothing holy or honorable about them. Their jet-black armor glistened in the fires that were lighting the room. On the throne sat a wraithlike creature, clad in black, tattered robes. A hood covered his face from Johnny, who was unable to see past the blackness.

They did not seem to notice the young boy walking around; and Johnny slowly walked closer to get a better look. The dark figure was speaking to two other silhouettes at the bottom of the steps. With their backs to Johnny, he could not make out who they were, but he was not about to get that close; he had never been so scared in his life.

The shadowy figure to his left was a tall, slender woman with long dark hair running down her back; that much Johnny could make out. She stood out among the other soldiers that lined the halls. She was the only woman in the room, unless there were some hiding beneath the devilish armor the warriors wore; standing at attention for her dark master.

The other figure stood a couple feet taller than the woman. A monstrous man, he wore similar armor to the dark knights lining the throne room. He had the silhouette of a demon, and surely had a disposition to match.

I shall carry out your orders, the monstrous man said, his voice whizzing and cracking as he spoke. The sounds of gears and chains cracked as he paced back and forth. The monster seemed to be more machine than man. The Void Empire shall rule over them, my Dark Prince.

The Dark Prince, he must be the eerie figure on the throne. This all seemed so unreal to Johnny. What was he doing here? Where was he before he came here? It was all so hard to think, his mind was too cloudy. His head was starting to pound, and brought his palms to his head in pain.

When the pain eased, Johnny raised his head, looking out the window to his side. There was a large glass panel, looking out upon the world outside.

It couldn’t be, Johnny wondered to himself. They were in space. It was some sort of space station, like in the movies. Johnny looked on, in wonder. There was a bright red world down below. Looking more like Mars than Earth, he was a long way from home, he thought. He couldn’t really be there right now, could he?

Johnny noticed tiny specks of light littered across the horizon. Squinting harder, he tried to get a better view of what they were.

No way, Johnny exclaimed. There must have been thousands of starships orbiting the blood-red world. Were they planning to invade Earth? Just who were these people? And just how did he come to be there in the first place?

His head was starting to pound again, harder than before; almost as if his body was telling him that he didn’t belong there.

There is an intruder! the woman yelled out. Johnny looked up to see every dark knight now taking up a defensive position around him. Do not let him escape!

Johnny started to panic. He did not like this dream anymore, and wanted it to end. He started rubbing his eyes hastily, hoping that would wake him from this surreal nightmare. Johnny wondered, opening his eyes; did it work?

It did not, and he backed up quickly as the dark knights spun in unison, their long and deadly weapons all pointed at Johnny. He frantically searched for a way out, hoping to find someplace to escape.

Going somewhere? The Dark Prince bellowed, standing in front of Johnny.

Johnny couldn’t believe it; how did he get all the way over here so fast? He was trembling in terror at the sight of the Dark Prince. He dropped to the ground, his feet giving out on him.

Get up, the Dark Prince commanded the young boy, who was now trembling on the ground before him. When Johnny did not get up, the Dark Prince grabbed Johnny by his hair, and pulled him upwards.

Johnny screamed out in pain, grabbing the Dark Prince’s hands with his own. The Dark Prince lifted him to eye level as Johnny scraped and fought the Dark Prince’s grasp.

What is your name? the Dark Prince asked, bringing him face to face with the ethereal presence. Who are you?—

No! Johnny screamed, interrupting the Dark Prince. This couldn’t be happening he thought. He had to wake up. Wake up! You have to wake up!

Chapter One

Beep. Beep. Beep. Johnny jumped up and out of bed; the smoke alarm was going off.

There’s a fire! There’s a fire! Johnny screamed, running out of his bedroom. Mom, come quick!

Whoa there, Johnny, his mother said, exiting the kitchen from the floor below. I say Johnny; you really need to calm down. The toaster burnt the toast again. It’s nothing to get worried about.

His mother, Deborah Rush, was a single parent trying her best to manage juggling both a son and two jobs. A woman in her late thirties, she was both kind and compassionate. She also shared the same dusty blonde hair as her son. She felt bad for her young son, who always had a hard time with his nervous nature.

Of course she was right, Johnny thought. They didn’t have much money since his father passed away; and what money they did have needed to go to more important things than the toaster. He couldn’t help but think however, that it would be nice to go at least a week without having to wake up to the fire alarm.

It was two years ago when his father, Stephen Rush, had died; and Johnny had not truly recovered from the loss. He fell in combat in the war, saving the lives of several civilians in the process. A hero, they called him. None of that could comfort a young child of twelve, who just wanted to have his father back.

They lived in Detroit, Michigan. Lower middle class, his mother would always say optimistically; but the money they got when his father died in combat was barely enough to pay the bills. His mother had to work day and night to support him, and save for his education and health plan. Frivolous purchases like a new toaster would just have to wait.

Johnny was fourteen now, and was in his first week of high school. He was nervous, but he was used to feeling nervous. This was something different, however.

Johnny paused for a moment at the top of the stairs. There was something he was forgetting. Something important, but he couldn’t for the life of him remember what it was. Whatever it was, it left him feeling scared and alone.

He didn’t like feeling that way. His mother kept telling him he was normal, but he never felt normal. He was always that creepy kid in the corner, or so he feared. His doctor called it social anxiety, but all the kids at school just called him weird, at least that is what he always imagined.

He over thought everything, always worrying about the tiniest detail stopping him from really enjoying himself. He didn’t want to be like that anymore, but change was hard. He would freeze and stutter when talking to people. He would panic at the thought of giving a report in front of the class.

The worst part was that when it was over, he would always make a comment to himself that it wasn’t that bad; that he could do things like this more often, and he might actually enjoy them. Yet every time it came back around, his body would tremble and his throat would choke up at the thought of leaving his comfort zone.

Mom, I don’t feel good today, Johnny said, trying to his best to act under the weather. I don’t think I can go to school today.

Aw, honey, his mother said, walking over to comfort her young boy. It’s Friday; you can stay home all day tomorrow. Let’s finish your first week of high school properly, shall we?

She was right, again. Johnny knew he couldn’t hide away forever. Who knew, maybe this was the day he would meet a new friend.

He looked out the window, sending him on another one of his day dreams. He often escaped reality with his day dreaming. He knew this, but often found these the most relaxing moments of his day; when his worrying nature seemed to disappear in the stories of heroes and villains.

His day dreaming was halted when a bright red ball bounced by the window.

What is that? Johnny said, mesmerized by the bouncing ball. It’s just a red ball—

Johnny stopped in his tracks. It wasn’t just a red ball. Well, okay, that was just a red ball; but it brought back all the visions Johnny had from his nightmare the night before. How could he have forgotten about the Dark Prince?

Johnny…Johnny! his mother yelled, snapping her fingers at him. You’re day dreaming again, hon. C’mon, let’s get ready for school.

Mother, wait! Johnny shouted, turning back towards his mother. I forgot to tell you what happened to me last night!

Johnny recounted in detail the events of last night to his mother. He expected a look of shock and amazement from her eyes, but all he got was a worried frown as she crossed her arms.

What am I going to do with you, Johnny? his mother said with a concerned look on her face. I know the doctor said you’ve got issues, but I’m sorry, Johnny; I just don’t have the money to cover the prescription costs. You’re just going to have to manage.

That was alright, he thought. He was never interested in taking medication; it was just one more thing that made him different from the other children. His mother tried to tell him that all children take medication sometime, but all he could think was what if the other children found out? What if they knew he had to go see doctors and psychiatrists? He refused to be singled out any more than he already was.

Grabbing his backpack, he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and headed to the door.

Love you, mom, Johnny shouted as he walked out the door. One more day at school, he thought. Then he had the weekend all to himself.

Chapter Two

She was the prettiest girl, Johnny had ever seen. Her long hair was a rich auburn color. The tiniest freckles were sprinkled across her face. She had maybe the softest white skin he had ever seen.

Who are you? Johnny mumbled to himself, completely captivated by the girl. She did not seem to hear him, and continued to look up towards the sky. Johnny had to see for himself, just what was so special.

Whoa, exclaimed Johnny, his jaw dropping as he looked up into the sky. When did the Earth get a second moon?

He rubbed his eyes anxiously, unable to believe his environment yet again. Two moons danced in the orange sky. So real, he thought, but it couldn’t be home. It had to be a dream, but how did he come to this place?

Yet unlike the hostile setting he had the night before, he felt both easy and comfortable around the girl. Johnny had the strangest feeling like he knew her, and yet they had never met before.

The ground started to shake, and Johnny returned his gaze to the sky. A large shuttle roared through the sky above him. It swooped down, landing in a field near the two kids. Johnny rushed behind some trees, not wanting to be noticed.

A large door opened and out stepped two older men in brown robes. Unlike the tattered robes of the Dark Prince, these gentlemen obviously took great pride in their appearance. Whoever these men were, they seemed to be of great importance.

The old men made their way over to the younger, red-headed girl. A private conversation it seemed, because as close as Johnny got, he couldn’t seem to make a single word out. Whatever they were saying, it was not for his ears.

Suddenly, one of the men put his arm around the shoulder of the girl, motioning them to return to the vessel. Johnny rushed out from behind the trees, now hoping that they would see him, like they saw the young girl; that they might take him away, too.

Don’t leave without me! Take me with you! Johnny shouted, lifting his head from his desk in class. Oh no, he thought. Not again. He was dreaming again. This time it was in front of everyone in the class.

The whole room erupted with laughter. The boys called him names, and the girls giggled about him behind his back. He couldn’t feel any lower about himself than he did right now.

Suddenly, the class bell rang, telling everyone it was time for lunch. Saved by the bell, Johnny thought. It was just like an adventure on television. Only at the end of the episode, he would still feel like a loser.

I don’t like children falling asleep in my class, Jonathan Rush, his teacher said as Johnny rushed out the door. Don’t let it happen again, young man.

Johnny nodded. He didn’t like the idea of making a fool out of himself again, any more than she did.

He made his way quickly to the cafeteria. Johnny opened his backpack, bringing out a brown paper bag. It was his lunch for the day, a ham sandwich and homemade cookies. He started to eat the cookies as he scanned the cafeteria looking for the first empty table he could find.

Finding one, he quickly made his way over and sat down. He unloaded his lunch and began eating. Johnny couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened in class today. What was wrong with him? He had always had an active imagination, but lately his dreams have been more like visions to a completely different world. These were not stories that he had created.

It unnerved Johnny, but then again, most everything else did as well. He was tired of always being scared. Something had to change, he thought.

Johnny jerked forward. Someone had pushed him from behind. Again, Johnny jerked forward.

Hey dork! the voice of a child said from behind Johnny. Johnny turned around to see one of the children from class earlier. You’re in my spot, goober. Nobody sits in my spot.

His name was Butch, and he already had a reputation at the school. A bigger child, Butch outweighed Johnny and most every other student at the school; he used that to bully his way around. The first day of school some unlucky kid was tied up on the flagpole. They say it was Butch who did it to him. All Johnny knew for sure, was that he didn’t want any trouble from Butch.

Well, what is it going to be? Butch asked, pushing Johnny yet again. Johnny was having a panic attack, and was frozen in fear. He was afraid that anything he did would be the wrong thing to do. What, are you day dreaming again? Teacher hates you already, you know that right? You might as well quit school, and go home right now.

I—I’m sorry, Johnny mumbled. I did not realize this was your table.

Are you trying to be funny? Hey guys, I think he’s trying to be funny, Butch said, looking at his friends who were all circling around the table. How about I show him what we do to funny guys.

The friend beside Butch handed him a soda can, and he opened it.

Here, have a pop, Butch said taking the soda can and pouring it over Johnny’s head. Feel like going home yet?

You—you…bully! Johnny screamed as the sticky pop ran down his face. The other kids in the cafeteria just laughed at Johnny, and the ones that weren’t laughing, were too afraid to do anything about it. They all remembered the kid on the flagpole.

Bye bye, loser! Butch shouted after Johnny, who was rushing out of the cafeteria to a sea of laughter. He had been humiliated many times before, but never like this. High school had barely just begun, and already Johnny was that kid.

He didn’t stop running, all the way home. He quickly unlocked the door, and ran upstairs to his room. He jumped on the bed, and just wanted the day to be over. It was finally the weekend, but now he feared he wouldn’t even get to enjoy that.

Johnny…its dinner time, his mother kept repeating. It was dark now; he must have slept for a couple hours. What happened?

Johnny didn’t want to talk about it. He didn’t even want to think about it. There was only one thing that could cheer him up right now; his favorite treat, fried bananas."

Hey mom, Johnny started. Can I have some of your world famous fried bananas and ice cream?

What a weird dinner request, his mother spoke softly. No, not for dinner, I think not. Maybe we can have them next weekend? They take a while for me to prepare, and I don’t have that much free time this weekend. I’m sorry, hon.

It was alright, he thought. For as much as Johnny wished for a better life, there was not a moment when he didn’t wish it for his mother as well.

Deborah was a highly skilled graduate student, but due to a lack of jobs in the area, she has had to settle for minimum wage jobs to pay the bills. She tried harder than anyone Johnny had ever known. In many ways she inspired him to be a better person. It wasn’t her fault he was just too afraid to act on that inspiration.

Deborah led Johnny down the stairs, to a plate of homemade macaroni. They made the best of the night, watching their favorite shows, and enjoying each others company.

Later that night, Johnny was once again tossing and turning in his bed. He was having vivid dreams of battles and victories. Unlike in the real life, in his dreams he was a hero.

As soon his dreams began, the wind started picking up speed. His room soon became a swirling mess. Papers and books started spinning around the room.

What is going on in here? his mother asked, opening the door. As quickly as the wind began, it ended; almost as if to conceal itself from Deborah. Hmm, must have been something outside.

She looked at her boy, who was still tossing about on the bed. She walked over to him, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Things will get better for you, I promise, his mother said, rising from his bedside. She looked around, and noticed the mess all over the floor. Such a messy child; he must really be growing up.

Deborah walked out of the room and looked back at her son, smiling as she closed the door gently.

The second the door closed, the winds started picking up speed again. Whatever the force behind the wind was, it seemed to be meant only for Johnny.

Suddenly, a bright glowing light streaked in the room from outside the window. As it pulsed, it seemed to give off a soothing aura that seemed to calm the young boy’s dream, relaxing him.

Whatever it was, it seemed to be alive. The orb circled around the room, and then over Johnny’s bed. As if it had found what it was looking for, it moved back to the end of the bed, and began vibrating quickly. And with a bright burst of energy, the whole room filled with a blinding light.

When the light subsided, a mysterious old man in flowing white robes stood at the end of the bed. Could he really have been the mysterious glowing light?

The mysterious old man had long, thin white hair with matching wispy beard. He was thin, but not sickly looking. His robes sparkled as they flowed around his slender frame.

Jonathan Rush, the universe needs you, the mysterious old man said, taking a seat beside Johnny. You have a strong future ahead of you. However, I fear that without swift action that future will not come to fruition.

The mysterious old man placed his palm on Johnny’s head. The old man wished for a better life for Johnny; where he could grow into the hero that the universe needed him to be. And need him the universe would, as its very foundation was already beginning to unravel.

Chapter Three

Beep. Beep. Beep. Johnny bolted up, screaming as he jumped out of his bed.

There’s a fire! Johnny shouted, reaching for his flashlight on the bedside table. It was dark in his room. The power must have been out, Johnny thought. Not only was his flashlight not there, he could not seem to find the bedside table. Johnny panicked, it was very dark and he was alone. Or so he thought. He couldn’t tell, everything was black around him.

Was he dreaming again? He frantically searched around the room, looking for any signs of his life back home. There was nothing; there was literally nothing in the room. Not a chair, not a table, nor any of his personal belongings.

Johnny felt isolated and alone; two feelings that had come natural to him. They never did get easier to deal with, though.

A bright flash of light appeared, coming from one of the walls. Light shined in from the opening, so bright that Johnny had to cover his eyes. It must have been an advanced door, as a dark figure started to walk from out of the wall.

Lights on, the figure ordered. The room instantly lit up, with the figure walking toward Johnny. A good-looking man in his early thirties, he was clean-shaven and had long dark curly hair. Wearing a simple brown robe, he resembled the men Johnny had seen in his dreams earlier. Could it be a coincidence?

Johnny should have been scared, but the man did not seem to instill fear in the young teen. He gave off a reassuring disposition; whoever the man was, Johnny felt like he could trust him.

Good morning, Mr. Rush. I am sure you have a lot of questions, the stranger said to Johnny, extending his hand. Johnny grabbed it, and he was helped out of bed. My name is Kenzel Arlen, and I am a Star Knight of the Star Alliance.

Where are we? Johnny asked.

We are on the Star Academy Space Station, Kenzel replied. This startled Johnny. How could he go to bed on Earth, yet awake in space? I am sure you have many questions, maybe this will help.

He motioned for Johnny to follow, and they walked out of the room.

It was a