My Wizard Buddy Trilogy (My Wizard Buddy, Wizard Planet, Target Earth)

By Brian Wu

My Wizard Buddy series collection—a magic and exciting trilogy that guarantees lots of fun and powerful messages to children aged seven to thirteen. This unique series blends eye-popping fantasy along with valuable coming-of-age lessons. Prepare yourself to experience a magic adventure!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Wu
• Release date: Aug 24, 2017

Brian Wu

Brian Wu, a 7th year MD/PhD, is on track to finishing his PhD in 2014 and has a goal to becoming a Sports Medicine Physician with a focus on holistic care and treatment. The idea for writing the Storybook Illustrated Guides first occurred to Brian as a fifth grader, when he wrote a story "Wacky Olympics and Body Wars", which is a personification of the immune system and how our bodies fight disease. Since then, the idea has matured over the years and the result is nothing short of astonishing. Brian has created a revolutionary series of books that raises the bar where children’s health education is concerned. There’s nothing else like the SIGuides on the market today. Brian believes children should understand medical conditions they acquire, so that they can take good care of themselves and lead full lives. He has a way of writing about complex medical topics at a level that children comprehend. Brian understands the value of empowering children with diseases, enabling them to play an active role in their own treatment and recovery process. Brian values the ability for all ages to learn from the power of stories. He has the passion to share his love of science and medicine through these stories with the world. The power of storytelling stems from the fact that stories can teach without overbearing. Learning comes naturally when engaging both logical and creative sides of the brain. The facts surrounding each disease appeal to the logical side, making the story engaging and the learning fun. Brian knows that if he can help even a single person then the project will be well worth it. Brian’s interests include writing and entrepreneurship. He is married and loves his wife dearly. Contact Brian Wu at [e-mail] More information on Brian can be found at http://www.brianwwu.com

Book preview

My Wizard Buddy

My Wizard Buddy

by

Brian Wu & Scott Spotson

My Wizard Buddy Trilogy

Copyright © 2017 Brian Wu & Scott Spotson

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved

Cover Design by Donna Murillo of DHM Designs

Formatting by Daniel J. Weber

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts embodied in critical reviews, or promotion of the book, or certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people, except with the written permission of the publisher or by the publisher giving out a free copy. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

That looks like a UFO spaceship, with a dome at the top…

Straw-haired, with freckles about his nose and cheeks, 11-year-old Tyler Dunsmore lay on the grassy meadow, staring straight up at the puffy, marshmallow-like clouds above. He scraped a fresh baby dandelion with his thumbnail, smearing watery yellow juice all over the tip of his thumb.

Today was Sunday, but there would again be school tomorrow. Yuk. It was a bright, warm early afternoon in late May as Tyler daydreamed in the meadow, a five minutes walk from his suburban house in Providence, Rhode Island. The sun shone fiercely, but a gentle breeze wafted in.

This morning his parents had screamed at him because he wouldn’t give back his sister’s electronic tablet. Yes, in her best nasty tone of voice, she’d promised to draw on his bedroom walls with her favorite permanent marker. Lily Dunsmore, insufferable at 13—well, any age, really—was the perfect example of the raven-haired, scrawny sister who had a knack of sniffing out any trouble on his part. Even if he never said out loud the wicked thought, she would somehow figure him out. Then she’d blab it out to their parents.

Why did their parents give her a tablet all to herself, and he had nothing? It wasn’t fair. She used it for stupid texting back and forth between her hundreds of friends, about the latest in gossip and boys and celebrities and the coolest websites…

They had a deal. Tyler scrunched his mouth in disgust. She’d download a game—the hottest game around, Mythic Wizard III—in exchange for his promise not to argue against her choice of movie during the next family movie night. Even if the film was about a princess with ninja powers.

The deal evaporated once Lily’d gotten a phone call from her bestie to please check the text messages on her tablet. At that same moment, in his own room, Tyler eyed the gleaming, brand-new Mythic Wizard III game on the surface of the tablet, ready to play…

The parents, Brandon and Kelly Dunsmore, next found brother and sister engaging in a screaming, free-for-all tug-of-war over the precious tablet, right in his own bedroom. Lily sure could land blows just like the best of any 11-year-old boy around. He gingerly touched his left biceps, then his ribs on the right side. They still hurt.

And Owen wasn’t any help either. Tyler’s pint-sized six-year-old brother, sharing the same wheat-colored hair, had run into the room, urging Lily to hit Tyler harder. Figures. They always formed a united team against Tyler.

And Mum and Dad had yelled, scolded, and wagged their fingers at all three of them, telling them to please behave, and to please find other things more important to do. And the parents took away the prized tablet until supper time. All three siblings had pleaded, begged, and whined—to no avail.

It was so not fair.

And now, he really missed the new Mythic Wizard III. Just when he was about to play it for the first time.

Lily wasn’t going to let Tyler touch it any time soon. It was still her tablet.

Mum and Dad had told Tyler several times that he wasn’t old enough to have a tablet of his own. You’ll just play on it all day, they told him. You won’t go out.

But his friends did just that.

They had all the latest, the coolest games. Their parents were so understanding. They gave their eleven-year-old sons what they needed for excitement, and everyone was happy. Why couldn’t his mom and dad see that? Tyler found it hard to make friends at school, given that everyone in his class talked about Dungeon Doom, Battlefield, or the next hit video game to wow every eleven-year-old boy in America. And now, the latest craze was Mythic Wizard III. It seemed like only last Christmas that its predecessor, Mythic Wizard II, was played over and over on every screen in every boy’s house in the country. This one is even more awesome than number II, Matt, a classmate, had breathlessly told Tyler.

Tyler sulked some more.

Looking up again at the billowy clouds, he squinted and tried to imagine a bunny. Then he blinked.

I wish I had a best friend, he said to no one.

A shadow loomed over Tyler’s line of vision, blocking out the glare of the sun.

Tyler sat straight up. In front of him stood another boy, about his age. Normal height, with jet-black hair, and a slightly upturned nose. The mysterious boy grinned.

Curious, holding his hand up near his forehead to block out the sun, Tyler stared at the boy, waiting for him to make his first move.

I wanna be your best friend, the boy said.

Chapter Two

Tyler squinted some more, still trying to get a better view of the stranger. A halo appeared around the boy’s head, thanks to the blazing sun behind him.

Who are you? Tyler asked. He stood up and found out they were about the same height.

Dirk, the boy replied, hands on hips.

Hey, Dirk. You go to Castlefrank?

No. The boy smiled.

What school do ya go to?

The one on my planet.

Tyler jerked his head back. Strange boy. Huh?

Dirk had a wide, friendly smile. I’m a wizard.

Without meaning to, Tyler suddenly bent down while guffawing. He covered his mouth, covering up his giggles.

Dirk didn’t seem fazed at all. No, I am.

Sure. Tyler didn’t believe him.

Dirk gazed at Tyler, tilting his head. His smile got even bigger, as if he were hiding some great big secret.

Then he disappeared in front of Tyler. Yup, not a trace of him. Tyler once again looked at dandelions, crabgrass, and blue-eyed wildflowers.

He rubbed one eye with his hand, wondering if he had been dreaming.

Then Dirk re-appeared in front of Tyler, chuckling silently.

Tyler grimaced. What was that?

I’m a wizard.

Wow, Tyler said, almost in a whisper. He looked up and down at Dirk, wondering if he were a ghost or some other spirit. But Dirk appeared just like any boy in the flesh. How’d you do that?

Dirk raised one arm dramatically. I have magic. Everyone on my planet has magic.

What planet?

Never mind that. Dirk looked out at the meadow, and as if deep in thought, he released his balled fist. Upon Dirk’s gesture, two graceful, firm-muscled Camarillo white horses magically appeared twenty feet away, both glancing at the boys.

Tyler sucked in his breath, overwhelmed by the sheer wonder of it all. He massaged his temple, wondering if this was real.

Dirk walked over and patted the forehead of the horse in the lead. He turned to Tyler with a huge grin. C’mon, let’s go for a ride.

Tyler gaped at the two beauties. Their solid black eyes seemed full of adventure. He then speculated how he’d mount the other horse. Neither horse had any saddle or any stirrups.

Dirk spoke as if he were reading Tyler’s mind. Don’t worry. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, my magic will keep you on. He pointed a finger at Tyler.

Instantly, Tyler felt disoriented. His legs were forced apart by an object that felt like leather. His hands rested on a surface that appeared firm, warm, and finely textured. He sat in a bent-over position, straining his back. Something heavy and helmet-like weighed down his head.

He was atop the horse! A leather saddle and horse blanket secured him.

Gasping, Tyler rubbed his palms onto the horse’s firm, matted skin. Looking ahead, he saw Dirk on his horse. Smirking, Dirk glanced backwards to view his new friend.

Let’s ride, Dirk said. He dug his heels into the horse’s sides, and off he went. Tyler’s horse galloped ahead to follow, startling him.

Tyler felt exhilarated, even though he had never ridden a horse before. Dirk’s magic kept Tyler firmly on, as if he were glued to the horse’s back. Every jump, landing, and gallop by the horse filled him with excitement.

Whee! Tyler hollered.

Clip-clop, clip-clop. The two friends rode through the meadows and forests surrounding Tyler’s suburb.

After half an hour, the two friends returned to the same spot where Tyler had first met Dirk. As the two boys dismounted from the horses—Tyler managed to do so without magic—he gazed at Dirk.

That was amazing, he said.

I know, Dirk said, nodding. He held his hand up, and with one further second of longing in his eyes, he made the two horses vanish.

Whoa! Tyler stepped backwards, still shaken by the incredible feats of magic. But his stomach rumbled with hunger, and reminded him of home. Turning to Dirk, he said, Wanna come to my house?

Sure.

Along the way, the two boys chatted as if they’d been best friends since kindergarten. They talked about the incredible horseback ride. Tyler told Dirk about his family and about the things he liked to do. Just before they reached the driveway of Tyler’s house, he’d finished talking about the fight this morning with his sister. Dirk laughed it all off.

Tyler led Dirk up the front steps and stopped just before the front door. This is my house, he said.

Dirk vanished in front of his eyes.

Startled, Tyler shouted out, Hey! Where’d you go?

Dirk’s voice rang out, alarming Tyler even more. Here.

"Where are you?"

I’m invisible, Dirk’s voice said. As if Dirk wanted to prove the point, Tyler felt a shove on his shoulder, from out of nowhere. Hey! Tyler said. Puzzled, he looked about for Dirk. Why’re you invisible?

Tyler, the unseen Dirk said, there’ll be magic. I don’t want your family to think it’s always me. Just pretend I’m not here, and show me your house, okay?

Oh. Ohhh-kay, Tyler said. He opened the front door, and left it open long enough for his invisible friend to enter. They then bounded up the stairs, and headed in the direction of Tyler’s room. Tyler closed his bedroom door, and said, Okay, Dirk, you can come out now.

Dirk appeared before Tyler’s eyes, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. This time, he had re-materialized in bits and pieces, almost as if he were a sped-up videotape of a jigsaw puzzle putting itself back together. He glanced around, admiring the toys. Cool room.

Tyler knew that his room was a mess, but he didn’t care. His dark chocolate and teal blue duvet had slid off his bed, and half of it remained on the floor. In one corner, he had shoveled the toys into one pile, just because his mom had told him to clean up. There were more clothes on the floor than tucked away inside his dresser. On his bookshelves were jumbled Lego sets.

But Dirk wasn’t checking out the mess. His eyes turned to a fantasy toy set on Tyler’s low table at the foot of his bed. Arranged in a battle scene were several dragons, three knights, two minotaurs, four hippogryphs, and one ogre. Dirk bent over, his eyes wide as he picked up one creature at a time.

Yes, he said, we have these on our planet.

Uh-huh, Tyler said.

Dirk shook his head and stared at Tyler with round eyes in order to show his seriousness. No. We have these on our planet, and they’re real.

Real? Tyler shrieked as he grabbed the dragon from Dirk’s fingers. He examined the plastic figurine closely, half expecting it to grow and transform into a dangerous beast, right in his bedroom.

A sudden knock on the door surprised both boys. Tyler dropped the toy dragon onto the carpet while Dirk vanished just as quickly.

The door opened, and through the two-inch gap Tyler saw Lily’s flowing hair. She peered from behind the door. I heard voices in there, Lily said as she scrunched up her face at Tyler. He had often wondered if her face would ever freeze into that sneering expression—for good.

Tyler stammered. No, no… you must be imagining it.

The door fully opened, and Lily placed her hands on her hips. She glanced around the room. Who’re you talking to? Although she was only two years older than Tyler, she towered over him by at least a foot.

Tyler firmly set his jaw and looked up into the eyes of his sister. No one, he growled at her.

This time, she crossed her arms and glanced sideways. I heard it. Her eyes darted to the fallen miniature dragon resting on the floor. Unable to resist, she picked it up and put it back on the play set before returning to the doorway. She rolled her eyes and started to close the door. Your room’s such a mess, ya know? Honestly…

Tyler nudged at the door, sending home the message for her to vamoose.

After a few moments, Dirk re-appeared. That was close, Tyler said.

Aw, Dirk said as he grinned. I could’ve put up a magic soundproof barrier.

You mean she wouldn’t hear us?

Yup. Dirk opened Tyler’s door, then peeked into the hallway. Okay, c’mon out.

Unsure, Tyler followed. Both boys walked down the hallway back toward the stairs, with Dirk in the lead. After Dirk checked to make sure that no one else was around, he turned and faced the end of the hallway, next to Tyler’s bedroom door.

That’s perfect, Dirk said.

What’s perfect?

That, Dirk said, staring ahead. He unleashed his fingers in the direction of the blank wall, and instantly a new door and frame appeared. It matched Tyler’s bedroom door perfectly. Tyler’s mouth opened wide as he saw the new door.

What’s that? Tyler said.

That’s my new bedroom. Dirk clasped his hands together, gleeful.

Tyler’s eyes bulged. He knew there was nothing beyond the hallway dead end, just the open air between his house and the neighbor’s. Y-your bedroom?

That’s right, Dirk said. He walked up to the new door and started to open it.

Tyler, expecting to see outside sunlight stream in, ran up past Dirk and placed his hand on the strange door to shut it, fast. Instead, as he looked through the doorway, he stood in disbelief.

This was no entry to thin air.

Instead, he saw a brand new bedroom.

What the heck? he exclaimed as he pulled the door open, with an amused Dirk standing behind him. He gasped as he took in the sights of the strange new spectacle. A brand new bedroom, a little larger than his. Bright purple and blue carpet. Gold and red striped wallpaper on the walls. But no furniture. Tyler scratched his head. His ear picked up the sounds of tiny explosions to his right. He glanced down at the play set on the floor and nearly jumped in astonishment.

It was a battlefield set, with those tiny green army soldiers molded after their real-life counterparts of World War I. Only, none were bound to a base. No! They were nimble, quick and—moving. He heard tiny shouts of Onwards, men! as a squad broke off from the troop and advanced toward the enemy, guns blazing. The sound of gunfire was so low it was like listening to firecrackers a mile away. Tiny plastic bullets knocked over several soldiers, but Tyler saw no bleeding. He stood, fascinated.

They do the same routine, over and over again, Dirk explained with a grin. I could change it, you know.

Wow, Tyler said. Tearing his eyes away from the live miniature army display, he asked, Where is your furniture?

Well, Dirk said, heading over to one side of the room, no point in keeping furniture when you’re not using it.

But how—?

Dirk raised a finger. Let’s say I need a shirt. Stepping back a bit, he stomped on the floor. Instantly, a dresser sprang up, and stopped just above his shoulder. Dirk pulled out the top drawer to reveal several neatly folded boy’s shirts. Shoving the drawer back in with a thud, he said, Now, if I need a book…

He slammed his palm onto the top of the dresser, and it quickly sank below the floor. Dirk stomped again onto the carpet, and a bookcase stacked with books, magazines, and comics sprang up. This time, it towered over Dirk by at least a foot.

Tyler blinked. This was magic at its best. He was spellbound.

Dirk appeared pleased when he observed his new friend’s stunned reaction. He swiped at a row of books on one shelf. The books revolved like a turntable. The color pattern of the spines—purple, blue, green, beige, red—shifted to the right, as new books replaced the ones that Dirk had swatted away.

This makes it easier to find new books, Dirk proudly said as the blur of color zoomed before Tyler’s eyes.

I-I guess, Tyler stammered as the revolving books gradually slowed down.

And look over there, Dirk turned around, pointing at the wall opposite.

Tyler nearly freaked out at the sight.

The entire wall seemed to have disappeared!

Instead, he saw a rectangular void of space. Dark, pitch-black, with stars twinkling. Tyler stepped back in horror, afraid he would get sucked up into a vacuum. His head spun.

Dirk placed a reassuring hand on Tyler’s shoulder. Don’t worry. It’s just a wall. To prove that point, he walked over to the space display,