Superhero: Chronicles of Blue Knight Adventures - Updated Edition

By Allen Pollens

When eighteen-year-old Roger leaves the family farm in Nebraska to seek his destiny in Chicago, he has no way of knowing an encounter with the wizard Merlin will render him a superhero.

Roger experiences surprises and trials as he discovers the powers of his Blue Knight alternate identity. The action begins as intruiging adversaries challenge Blue Knight in Chicago, New York City and Hawaii.
Blue Knight’s powers make him feel invincible. In Part 1, The Artiste uses this vulnerability to trap Superhero/Blue Knight in the hold of a dark ship on Lake Michigan. He is safe there from personal harm and Artiste cannot hold him captive indefinitely. In the second episode, Roger and his Blue Knight alternate identity are in New York City when a powerful jinni is unleashed and holds Manhattan captive. In the third episode, Chicago’s Russian Mafia boss, Ivan, wants to stop Superhero’s interference with the Mafia’s criminal activities.
The next adventure brings a change of pace and location as Roger accepts an invitation to join his Chicago rooming house friends on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pele, the Kilauea volcano goddess awakens accidentally and Blue Knight must find a way to stop the lava flow threatening the city of Hilo.

In subsequent episodes, Blue Knight confronts Tony Capone, who is convinced he is in the lineage of legendary Chicago crime boss, Al Capone. Tony and his gang move to the Windy City. Tony is committed to bringing back the glory days of the earlier Capone. Tony’s actions to eradicate Blue Knight endanger other citizens of Chicago as well. Blue Knight ultimately travels twenty years into the future through a time portal to settle with Capone. Superhero presents non-stop adversaries and challenges along with plenty of twists and turns. All the while, Superhero treats readers to the evolution that takes place in the lives of Roger and his friends at Rosie’s Rooming House.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Allen Pollens
• Release date: Jun 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476424361

Allen Pollens

"Starfish Chronicles" is my third fiction offering in nine months. It is middle-grade-reader fantasy and follows two adult science fiction books, "Creator, Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Epic, Earth’s Human Behavior Confronted" and "Alternative Lives, To Sleep Perchance to Dream...Another Life." In addition, “Superhero, Chronicles of Blue Knight Adventures,” book length fantasy for young adults, is just days away from publication. "Starfish Chronicles" is currently available in paperback and for Kindle at Amazon.com.My main retirement interests are travel, photography, and writing. My high-tech work life included hardware engineering on the front end, software engineering on the tail end, and 25 years of sales and marketing in between. Future writing projects include adult science fiction, “The Story Teller” (or “Conjurer” ... I have not decided yet). There is much else awaiting my attention: Butterphant stories for younger children; Lorna’s Legacy, adult novel based on true events; Sales – Honing the Craft, non-fiction.I have been telling stories my whole life. My children and grandchildren were ready audiences who assumed I could deliver a new story on demand and generally, I did.

Book preview

SUPERHERO is fantasy fiction and any resemblance to individuals, corporations, and locations are mostly coincidental. Exceptions are the city of Chicago, other places in Illinois, New York City, and the Big Island of Hawaii. SUPERHERO presents these places with a reasonable degree of authenticity to achieve realism.

DEDICATION

I dedicate SUPERHERO to people everywhere who love stories of knights of old and fantasize on being such a champion… extraordinary hero of times long past.

Allen Pollens

CONTENTS

DISCLAIMER

DEDICATION

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREFACE

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE I - DARK SHIP

Prologue

Chapter 1 – The Ship

Chapter 2 – Powers

Chapter 3 – Contact

Chapter 4 - Discovery

Chapter 5 – Brazen

Chapter 6 – A Step Ahead

Epilogue

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE II – THE JINNI

Chapter 1 – Azzam

Chapter 2 - On the Town

Chapter 3 - Kadar

Chapter 4 - Stalking Azzam

Chapter 5 - The Plan

Chapter 6 - Aromatic Tea

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE III – RUSSIAN MAFIA

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Disturbance

Chapter 2 – Russian Mafia

Chapter 3 - Attacks

Chapter 4 - Artiste

Chapter 5 - Blue Knight Clues

Chapter 6 - Waiting for Ivan

Epilogue

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE IV – PELE

Chapter 1 - Hawaii

Chapter 2 - Compromise

Chapter 3 - Rosie’s Story

Chapter 4 - Frank’s Story

Chapter 5 - Ned’s Story

Chapter 6 - Al’s Story

Chapter 7 - Myra’s Story

Epilogue

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE V – CAPONE

Prologue

Chapter 1 - The Shooter

Chapter 2 - Tony

Chapter 3 - Ivan

Chapter 4 - Mercy Hospital

Chapter 5 - Blue Knight Returns

Chapter 6 - Braggart

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE VI – CAPONE II

Chapter 1 – Moving On

Chapter 2 - Packing Up

Chapter 3 - The Threat

Chapter 4 - The Search

Chapter 5 - The Encounter

Chapter 6 - Hunt on Hold

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE VII – THE PORTAL

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Merlin

Chapter 2 - Lynwood

Chapter 3 - Old Friends

Chapter 4 - Old Gang of Mine

Chapter 5 - New Gang of Mine

Chapter 6 - Opportunity

Epilogue

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE VIII – ROBERT FROM PORTLAND

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Jim Elkins Day

Chapter 2 - Merlin

Chapter 3 - Downtown Portland I

Chapter 4 - Downtown Portland II

Chapter 5 - Arena

Chapter 6 - Blue Knight Day

Epilogue

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SUPERHERO: Chronicles of Blue Knight Adventures came to be for many reasons. Publishing a book involves a lot of work, even for stories already written. I credit myself for doing that work. One other deserves significant credit… my grandson, Solomon Cohen.

In the preface following, I tell more about how the stories developed, but I want to acknowledge Solomon’s unflagging interest in Blue Knight. It inspired me to write all of the seven episodes. Solomon was my Blue Knight ‘muse.’

PREFACE

I have been telling stories my whole life. My eager audience has often been children… my children and my grandchildren. When they learned about my storytelling ability, they often, ‘on the fly’ while driving somewhere asked for a new story. I did not write them all down. I wish I did.

My best work in creating and telling a story evolved from being able to do it on a computer. The best way for me to tell you why is for me to tell you something about how the Blue Knight stories developed.

I credited my grandson Solomon Cohen under Acknowledgments for inspiring me, but here is how it all came about. I had already written my Starfish Chronicles children’s stories motivated by granddaughter Gabrielle Cohen. In addition to creating the stories, I recorded them. I put a microphone on my computer and read all of the episodes into MP3 files. Then I copied them onto CDs, so Gabrielle and Solomon could listen to the tales as often as they wished. This was the model for the execution of the Blue Knight stories.

One day, Solomon asked me to create a story about a knight of old. Well, there are plenty of those around, and I pondered the challenge. I decided to fashion the modern day existence of a knight, appearing in all respects, like one of old… a superhero with every aspect of his being contributing to his powers. Add a wizard, a code of conduct, and some fascinating adversaries, and there’s a basis for some great storytelling. Solomon’s continuing enjoyment of the stories encouraged me to keep writing and recording them. I stopped after the seventh episode and moved onto other story pursuits.

It would not take a lot of encouragement for me to bring Blue Knight back for additional adventures. Read the SUPERHERO seven episodes and let me know if you want more!

BLUE KNIGHT EPISODE I - DARK SHIP

Prologue

The ‘knight of old’ was alive and well in my reveries. I pictured him, splendid in gleaming armor, holding a sword and shield, and astride a handsome steed. He was, in my mind, the embodiment of goodness, going forth committed to a strict code of conduct. It was too much to believe such a vision could become a reality in the modern day, but oh, how I yearned for it. Maybe it was my longing that made it happen and the reason I became such a large part of it. My knight's remarkable powers surprised me. However, I embraced the opportunity to be Blue Knight’s secret identity… or was Blue Knight my secret identity? It makes no difference because we are one… a force for honor and integrity. I do not flaunt my Blue Knight successes. Others may call us Superhero, but that carries with it a serious responsibility. You may have noticed I refer to Blue Knight and myself as two different beings… though it’s always me. You might say I am an ordinary person in knight’s clothing. However, Blue Knight and I strive every day to live up to being the Superhero others need us to be. I share all this with you in confidence. Please keep our secret identity… secret.

Yours truly,

Roger from Nebraska, alias Blue Knight

Chapter 1 – The Ship

Blue Knight, on his steed Black, flew toward The Artiste’s dark ship on Lake Michigan. As he approached the vessel, he raised The Shield of Invisibility and held it over his head. He immediately disappeared from view.

The Artiste was on deck and glimpsed Blue Knight just as he was rendered invisible.

Nice leetle treek, he observed. However, it changes nussing. Come, we are waiting for you.

Far below, beneath the waters of the lake, Frank and Ned swam in scuba wet suits with oxygen tanks strapped to their backs. They also headed for the vessel. These friends of the superhero alternate identity, Roger, had insisted on joining Blue Knight on the mission. Roger doubted he would need them. Once again, he had a dangerous feeling of invulnerability.

Endowed by the wizard with extraordinary abilities, how could he feel otherwise? Blue Knight’s movement-enhancing armor was impenetrable, and he could protect himself with his powerful sword, Maxcalibur. He also had Shield of Invisibility, the helmet’s Vision Panel and, of course, his horse Black. No two ways about it… he was a genuine superhero, daring to venture into situations others would avoid.. How else should he feel?

Yet, Roger could not drive away some second thoughts. This thinking leads to trouble. I only recently became Blue Knight, and have a lot to learn. I should be grateful to Frank and Ned for coming with me… as Ma and Pa always say, Better safe than sorry.

With Black’s incredible speed, Blue Knight arrived well ahead of the swimmers. As he circled the vessel, he sighted a large open hatch. The hold was in total darkness except for a small area in the center of the cavernous space. The superhero directed his helmet’s Vision Panel, to get a better view of the lighted area. Yikes! It is the Venus de Milo. The Artiste may be preparing to move the sculpture and start working on his threatened alterations.

There was no time to waste. Down Black, slow, Blue Knight urged. As he drew closer and closer, Blue Knight could see the hold was empty except for the statue. Still safely concealed by the shield, the superhero dropped silently through the hatch and into the hold. WHAM, the hatch slammed shut!

All was darkness! It’s a trap! I won’t need this. He lowered the Shield of Invisibility and hung it on his saddle. What is this? My Vision Panel isn’t working. I can’t see anything outside these walls. This is crazy. He thought about Black’s remarkable abilities but knew the horse could not penetrate walls. Maybe my Maxcalibur sword commands will work. Blue Knight pointed the blade at the hatch cover and commanded, Put overboard into the water. Nothing happened. He pondered the five other orders he could issue. There’s no way the sword is going to get me out of this, he concluded.

The feeling of desperation and confusion overwhelmed the superhero. How is this possible? Maybe I should invoke the transformation and say, Roger, I am. No, that’s a terrible idea. If The Artiste is watching, he’ll know all about my alternate identity. I have to wait for Frank and Ned to get here and hope they find me soon. I’ll shut my eyes and wait the situation out. Blue Knight slipped off into a reverie.

It was several weeks earlier, and Roger was back home with his parents and brothers in Nebraska. He loved the farm, but as far back as he could remember the knights of old intrigued him. His Ma and Pa and his older brothers told him the stories, even before he could read. They were all about the armored champions who operated according to strict codes of conduct as they went forth on their legendary exploits. Their principles and righteousness became Roger’s, as well. If only he lived in their time and could be there himself… in his heart, he wanted it all to live again and dreamed of it. It was foolish. It was an era gone by. He could hope and wish all he wanted, but it never would become a reality. Still, there was a void in him, a yearning for his unique destiny. There was only one course to follow. He had to respond to what called. He could not escape the thought of it. It’s a giant metropolis where anything is possible. The day will come when I will go there… CHICAGO!

The older boys loved the plowing, planting, and everything else that involved the farm. However, it had been clear to his Ma and Pa for some time it was not for Roger. Ma and Pa had always said they would divide their acreage, so each boy could have his own piece of it. They would hold Roger’s slice of land open for him, should he want it. Yet, it was obvious to his Ma and Pa Roger yearned for something else. They hoped he would somehow find the answers to his cravings… even if, for Roger, it meant Chicago.

You’re in luck, the bus driver told Roger. Just go to this address and ask for my sister, Rosie. I talked with her yesterday. She mentioned one of her roomers returned to California, and she has an available room.

Roger liked the quarters and had a pleasing initial impression of Rosie’s Rooming House. He was to join in with the other roomers for breakfast every day and dinner whenever he could make it.

Rosie had four other roomers.

Frank was an artist and his impressive paintings were on display all over the rooming house.

Myra was pretty and worked in a clothing store, in the mall. She was also going to school nights to learn how to become a lawyer.

Al, a bachelor, retired from the Chicago police force, had come upon Rosie’s years earlier when he was a cop on the beat. Not having any children, he enjoyed it when the younger roomers called him Gramps, which they often did.

Then there was Ned, who preferred listening to talking. He was also a technical whiz, who could set up or fix computers and other types of electronic equipment.

At dinner on his first day at Rosie’s, the others wanted Roger to tell them what he liked to do. He revealed he liked to read. Al noted this. The next morning, he arranged for Roger to meet with Jake Landry, proprietor of, "Food for the Mind" bookstore.

Jake liked Roger and hired him to come to work. Roger was grateful and could hardly believe his luck with everything falling into place so well in Chicago. However, these warm feelings were not to last. It was not in Roger’s nature. He had come to Chicago to find his personal destiny and day by day, grew more impatient waiting for something to happen. Then the day came when he decided to look for a book on his favorite subject… knights!

Roger was alone in the store. There were no customers, and Jake was out on other business. Roger looked in all the likely places but did not find anything of interest. Then he found himself in front of a little frequented corner. The lighting was poor, but the title, Knights by I. M. Merlin stood out well enough. Roger grasped the heavy leather bound volume and brought it to a nearby sitting area where he could set it down on the table. He seated himself and began to raise the cover. The volume flew open wide. Billowing clouds of red smoke rose out of it. Roger fell back in surprise.

So, you want to be a knight! the great head, rising out of the crimson vapors, boomed.

Well, err, is that possible? Roger managed, trying to gather himself together.

Of course, it’s possible, or I’m no wizard.

Are you Merlin? Roger asked, stalling, while he composed himself.

I am what I am. The question is not what I am, but what you are. Call me Merlin if you wish… the name fits as well as any, but let’s be on with our business.

What business? Roger asked, puzzled.

Making you a knight… isn’t that what you want?

Is that possible? Roger queried again, still disbelieving.

Don’t waste my time… didn’t I already say it’s possible? Gad, you have no idea of how long I’ve waited for a seeker properly motivated to find my book. Is it possible? Yes… if you’re made of the right stuff! Are you? Are you prepared to accept the responsibility of knighthood with all that entails?

Roger’s eighteen-year-old head was in a whirl. Was this his destiny, the reason he needed to leave Nebraska and come to Chicago? The wizard’s words ‘the right stuff,’ left no doubt about the commitment. What if he answered, No, and forever after regretted it. He would reach down inside himself and find what he needed, to do what was necessary. He put his fears of the unknown aside and answered forcefully, I am!

Good, the voice said, now stand and repeat after me: ‘I,’ and your name, ‘do hereby swear to abide by the following oath…. ’

I, Roger, do hereby swear to abide by the following oath, he repeated. Then at the wizard’s bidding, he added:

I dedicate myself to the protection of mankind.

I dedicate myself to upholding honor and justice.

I dedicate myself to vanquish evil in all its forms and wherever found.

Now, kneel before me, continued the wizard.

Roger went down with his right leg extended behind him and with his head bowed.

The voice announced loudly, I hereby dub thee … then, in a smaller voice, the wizard asked, What color best suits you?

Blue, answered Roger in a somewhat muffled voice from his still bowed head.

Roger, by virtue of the oath you have taken, I hereby dub you ‘Blue Knight.’ Henceforth this will be your secret identity. To transform yourself, you need only to say the words, ‘Blue Knight I am.’ You will return to the being you are by saying ‘Roger I am.’

As Blue Knight, you will have a handsome black steed, suitable armor, and powerful weapons. Put everything to the test as soon as possible and practice until you are comfortable as Blue Knight. That way, you will avoid making mistakes when, Blue Knight performs for the first time. I know you have many questions, but the answers will come. You will figure it all out.

Roger was not so sure and hoped he would be up to what he vowed.

I have to go now, the wizard advised. I bid you well as you go forth in the tradition of all of the brave knights who have gone before you. That’s it. That’s all. Go forth.

With that, the smoke shrouded head shrank back down into the book. As it was disappearing, the wizard’s voice called back as it grew more distant, Read the manual…

Roger opened his eyes and shook his head. The bell rang. Gees, he was still in the back sitting area! He had fallen asleep. Roger rushed to the front to greet the person who had come in the door. The teenager wanted something in science fiction. Roger put him onto Frank Herbert’s Dune series, and he went away looking happy.

What a dream, and the wizard… wow! Roger decided he’d go back to look at that book again. Hmm… it isn’t on the table or the shelf. It isn’t anywhere.

Blue Knight I… he started to say, but then thought better of it. He knew it was foolish to believe it would do anything. However, if he said it, and he ended up in armor on a black horse, he didn't want it to happen inside Food for the Mind. He locked the front door and put up the ‘Back in 15 Minutes’ sign. Then he went out the side door into the alley separating Food for the Mind from the next building.

There was no light in the alley, but Roger could see well enough to know it was empty. Here goes. Blue Knight I am, he invoked.

Suddenly, there was a roar in Roger’s ears. He was whirling downward, like water draining out of the sink. He blinked, but everything was spinning… swirling and whirling… faster and faster. He wanted it to stop, but it went on. Suddenly, it all ended. Did it all happen in just an instant? He wasn’t sure, but he was grateful it was over. He looked around. Everything was the same in the alley. It was in shadow, deserted, and smelled damp and moldy.

Wait! What was moving him? Roger was on something shifting and snorting. In addition, he was inside of something.

Yikes! He looked down. From head to toe, he was in gleaming blue armor and held a sword in one gloved hand and a shield in the other. The black horse he was astride was also partially in armor.

His horse snorted again and stamped his front feet. Each hoof drop onto the cement floor of the alley sent vibrations up through Roger’s toes. It rattled his teeth on the way up through the top of his head. Whoa boy, whoa Black! he cried out. This is not the time or place to go for a gallop. We’re going to do this but not here, now. He quickly added, Roger, I am.

The roar was back in his ears again, and the dizzying was back again. When it stopped, he was back on his own two feet in the alley. Hmm, he thought, I don’t ever want to do this on a full stomach. Then, focusing on what happened, he knew this was no dream. I have to figure out how all this Blue Knight stuff works, he realized.

Chapter 2 – Powers

After becoming the Blue Knight, Roger figured out and tested the superhero’s powers. However, that wasn’t helping him out of the trap he was in aboard the Artiste’s black ship.

Blue Knight awoke from his brief snooze realizing there was still no sign of Frank or Ned.

Suddenly a French accented voice broke the silence. Welcome Blue Knight. We’ve been expecting you. I hope za accommodations are to your liking. We made zim especially for you. Ha, ha, ha … laughed The Artiste. You don’t have to worry about bumping into Venus De Meelo. What you saw was a holographic projection we used as a lure, and look, what we caught! It’s za case of za large one zat didn’t get away… ha, ha, ha.

Artiste, you won’t get away with this!

Oh, but I am. My deadline is now only zirty hours away. Zhen, I weell eeser be fabulously more wealthy or famous for my one-man show or maybe a leettle of both. I would love to have you attend my opening. I hereby extend an invitation to you… ha, ha, ha.

The Artiste’s enjoyment of the situation was maddening, but Blue Knight refused to give Artiste the satisfaction of knowing that.

Artiste continued. Let me share one of my secrets wis you. I know you’ll appreciate za brilliance of eet. Guess why za room I’ve made for you, ees so successful in containing you. Can you tell me? No, eet’s not Kryptonite. We know zat’s only for Superman, and zat eet’s a well-known comic book trick. No, what else could eet be zat would be a problem for Blue Knight, u-h-h?

It hit Blue Knight like a flash of lightening… plastinium, he muttered.

Blue Knight… zat is terrific. You are a foe deserving of Za Artiste. You see, we have synsesized plastinium. Za biggest problem was een getting a small scraping of za real sing from one of your rescue scenes, but all comes to zose who wait and scrape. I have to admit zat za noted Dr. Sloshki, who ees now in my employ, couldn’t make eet quite like za real sing but close enough, wouldn’t you say? Settle down and rest now… Au revoir. It was quiet and dark again.

Roger wasn’t sure about waiting. I have to figure out an escape. Thirty minutes later, he was still at a loss as to what to do. He felt helpless. Like it or not, I have to hope Frank or Ned will figure out I’m captive here in the hold. To quiet himself, he closed his eyes, and let his mind wander back to the day he first learned of Blue Knight’s powers…

It was early morning in Burnham Park. The sun was just beginning to light the sky in the far distance over the lake. Roger once again invoked the transformation. It happened! It happened! he exclaimed softly, Just as it did in the alley. He was astride the black horse. They were both in blue armor, and the sword and shield were back. The swirling, whirling and dizziness had also come back… he could have done without that. Roger allowed Black, as he had decided to name his horse, to prance about a bit. It surprised him that, while his armor looked like metal, it moved easily, fluidly and lacked the weight he believed a metal suit would have. In addition, his sword and his shield felt like natural extensions of his hands and arms.

His choice of Burnham Park running along Lake Michigan worked out well. There in the early morning, not far from the 31st Street Beach, an occasional path light and the moon lighted Burnham Park. It was quiet and deserted. Roger positioned Black facing toward the Lake and ordered, Go Black. His head jerked fiercely backward as the horse instantly went into a full gallop. Trees, benches, and bushes rushed past at a blinding rate. Roger hardly had time to decide what to do next when suddenly a barrier appeared directly ahead. He issued the first command that came into his mind. Up Black, he shouted. The animal leaped upward. Thankfully, Black easily cleared the wall. Hey, what is this?

They were still climbing. Staring down in amazement, Roger had a new and unexpected view of Lake M. They were over open water and still gaining altitude.

Blue Knight sat firmly in the saddle, but there was no doubt about it. We’re flying, Roger thought. He would have liked to continue up into the clouds but realized he still had a lot to figure out. He also didn’t want anyone to see him. He reined Black back over the park and then commanded the horse down. They stopped near to where they had started.

Being able to take control of Black pleased Roger, but he realized that was far from having an adequate understanding of Blue Knight’s capabilities. He dismounted Black, not sure yet he should change back. These transformations thankfully took place quickly but were not pleasant. He’d change back when he decided it was time to do that.

What all did the wizard say? Roger said talking aloud to himself. Test everything as soon as possible and practice until you are comfortable as Blue Knight… the answers will come… you will figure it all out. Then he continued, That’s all simpler said than done. I’m going to be in a lot of trouble if I have to learn everything by trial and error.

Blue Knight turned to the steed, Any ideas, Black, before I change back?

The horse nuzzled him, neighed, and shook his head sending his mane flying and slapping Roger’s face. Hey! Ouch! That hurt, Roger, complained. What are you trying to tell me? That this is not in the tradition of the brave knights who went before me? He felt embarrassed. What were you trying to tell me Black, he asked the steed.

The horse neighed and shook its head in a way that Roger interpreted to mean yes. Then he thought, Hmm, this is nuts, advice from a horse. Is this in the tradition of those brave souls, I am following?"

Black neighed again.

Wait a minute! Roger considered. There is something else… something important. He struggled to bring it back. Then, it came to him, Read the manual…

Roger was briefly elated at remembering the wizard’s last words but then considered he had no idea where to look for the manual. Merlin! he called aloud. You might have told me where to find it!

Having hung the shield and sword on the saddle, Blue Knight sat down on a nearby bench. Roger’s head was hurting him, but, encapsulated in armor as he was, he couldn’t even scratch it. He needed to focus… the manual! Maybe it was somewhere on a shelf at Food for the Mind. No, that didn’t make any sense. If not there, then where? Looking up at Black, he noticed his steed’s saddlebags for the first time. Now, that would be a sensible place to store a manual.

He jumped up from the bench, excited and frantic at the same time. It has to be here, he said to himself. There was no manual in the right side bag. He closed his eyes and placed his hand into the left side bag. He felt something… a book! He carefully withdrew it and held it in his hands. In the moonlight, he read the title, Blue Knight Instruction Manual, by I.M. Merlin.

Just inside the cover was a note from Merlin. It said, My young man, I hope you have started early reading this manual. Otherwise, I fear you will have been off to a rocky start. In any case, the manual delineates everything you need to know about Blue Knight’s outstanding capabilities and powers.

Reading the manual as Blue Knight would be difficult. Roger wondered if it would remain in his hands if he returned to his regular being. Clutching it tightly, he said, Roger I am. A slight bit of stomach churning and he stood wearing the same clothes he was in earlier. He was alone without Black, sword and shield. Transforming still left a knot in his stomach, but the manual, thankfully, was still in his hands. There was a new note behind the front cover. This note advised, "Only