Shadowsite Chronicles: Book 2 ~ Tides of Change

By Mike Deregowski

It’s been a few months since Bruce found himself in Heroria. He practices his newfound powers and tries to get back without any luck. When someone close to Bruce ventures into a portal to Heroria, he is forced to find a way in... or risk losing this person forever. Through it all, he deals with the Shadowsite within. Transformations are coming to Heroria, but as the tides of change rise and fall, lives will be affected, new enemies and allies will emerge, and people will never be the same again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dream Write Publishing
• Release date: Oct 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781927510582

Book preview

Well, this is it, fans! After a number of years, we finally get a book 2 in the series. I want to apologize for taking so long between book 1 and 2. When you start reading, you will notice a slight format change. I did this to enhance the story, and how it is told. I hope you enjoy the new style—I know I did when I wrote this book. So, without further delay, please enjoy Shadowsite Chronicles: Tides of Change.

Once you are finished, feel free to contact me on my Facebook page: Mike Deregowski-Author Page and let me know what you thought of the story. Also, check out other forms of my writing posted on there, as well. Maybe even leave a review online somewhere? Authors love that kind of thing. Look forward to hearing from you!

Mike Deregowski

Prologue

I am standing in front of a see-though wall. In front of me is a gigantic pyramid with enormous statues on top. A beautiful green forest surrounds the pyramid, with trees as tall as the magnificent structure. Ancient-looking symbols cover the statues. They are close to symbols for the four basic elements: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. A shadowy figure approaches the pyramid and looks up. He smiles a frightening smile, as if he is up to something evil.

You don't belong here, says a familiar voice to my right.

I look over and see my best friend Bruce!

If I don't belong here, then neither do you, the Shadow says.

Bruce somehow forms a fireball in his hand, as if by magic, and the Shadow does the same.

I don't want to fight you. Just leave quietly and you won't get hurt, Bruce says calmly.

The Shadow just laughs and throws the first fireball. Bruce dodges and throws his. The fire misses the Shadow and the battle continues. I watch as both Bruce and the Shadow are moving impossibly fast, firing water and fire and rocks at one another. Bruce gets hit by a massive blast of water and flies into a tree!

Bruce! I scream and bang my fists on the glass.

To my surprise, the glass ripples as if it is water. Frightened, but curious and concerned for my friend, I test the wall to see if I can go through it. Sure enough, my hand goes in and I decide to go through and help Bruce in any way I can.

As I make it through to the other side, Bruce and the Shadow stop fighting and turn toward me.

What are you doing here? they ask me at the same time.

I have come to help you, Bruce, I say.

You don't belong here, they both say again and begin walking toward me.

As they get closer, Bruce and the Shadow combine into one; they stop about five feet away from me. Now, instead of being two different people, they are one! Half of Bruce is the shadowy figure and the other half is Bruce. Both sides form a fireball in their hands and look directly at me with an evil smile. I feel my hand burning and I look down, only to find that I also have a fireball in my hand.

The shadow side of Bruce lifts its hand to attack and I do the same.

Then I wake up.

Chapter 1

The Trouble with Brad

It has been a couple of months since I returned from Heroria and I am wanting to get back. Since the discovery of my newfound power in this world, I have been trying to find time to practice my fire ability. Admittedly, my friendship with Terry has been a little strained. I think he feels that I am hiding something from him and, unfortunately, he is right. I can't show him my new ability, and I can't tell him about my trip to Heroria. Still, I find it interesting that he somehow knows, or is having dreams, about me and Shadowron. The lunch bell snaps me out of my thoughts.

Remember your science projects are due on Friday. We will be starting presentations, so make sure you are all ready, Mr. Brodstak reminds us as we are leaving the class.

I grab my books and backpack and head out the door. Terry is already there waiting for me outside of the class.

How was your class?

Same old, same old, I answer. How was your break? Must be nice to have a break before lunch.

You get one after lunch next semester.

We turn down the hallway leading to the cafeteria. Our principal, in his infinite money-wasting wisdom, decided the school needed a facelift. Instead of maybe replacing our rundown lockers from the seventies, he figured that he should paint the doors on the school, so now the hallways stink of paint.

There ain't nothing like the smell of chemicals to make a guy hungry. Terry laughs.

I don't know, it smells better than the food in the cafeteria some days.

Terry snorts loudly from laughing so hard.

We reach the cafeteria and open the doors. The usual groups of people are sitting in their usual places. Nerds with nerds, jocks with cheerleaders, drama people with band and other drama people, and so on. Terry and I get in line for food.

At least they have chicken fingers today, Terry says. I only have to half-question what I am eating.

I find it best to not think about what chicken parts I may be eating. Even if it is the colon, at least it tastes good.

Someone behind me spits out their drink. The cafeteria lady just glares at me.

Terry orders his food and I order a drink. Mom packed my lunch today, so I don't need to buy anything. We start walking down the middle aisle of the cafeteria toward our table just as Brad, the meathead jock, stands up and walks toward us. The look on his face tells me that he is up to something. I have seen it many times. He stops right in front of Terry and me.

You bought me lunch? You shouldn't have. How did you know I wanted chicken fingers today? Brad says to Terry.

This... this is mine. Go buy your own, Terry stutters, trying to be brave.

Brad cocks his blond, empty head to one side and then to the other.

Well, look who is trying to grow a backbone. It would almost be cute, if it wasn't so pa...pathetic, Brad says mocking Terry.

I look around the cafeteria quickly and don't notice Becky around to help defuse the situation. Against my better judgement, knowing there will be consequences, I decide to stand up for Terry.

Well, isn't that cute, Brad, you learned a new word to describe yourself! Pathetic does have a nice ring to it. I say, ready for anything he does to me.

Nobody talks down to Terry and gets away with it. If looks could kill, I am pretty sure Brad would have killed me. Without warning, he swings his arm upward, knocking Terry's tray out of his hand to the ground. Next, he comes straight at me and shoves me hard to the ground. The noise in the cafeteria increases as people are chanting, Fight, fight, fight! Brad picks me up and holds me in the air by my shirt collar.

Let's see how smart you are with blood coming out of your mouth, Brad threatens.

With rage burning inside of me, I can feel the familiar heat wave come over my body. Not now, not now in front of everybody! I think.

Brad tosses me down the middle of the cafeteria. I land and hit my head hard on the floor. With only moments to come up with a plan, I visualize a little flame on Brad's pants. Being a smoker, it is possible, though unlikely, that his lighter can go off in his pocket. His pants begin smoking and I know my plan is working.

Brad, your pocket looks like it is burning, one of his dim-witted friends points out.

Don't be ridiculous, my pocket isn't on... ouch, ouch, ouch! Hot, hot, hot!

Brad goes running to his table and splashes water on his pants to put the fire out. When he is done it looks like he wet himself and the students all start pointing and laughing. Having been embarrassed, Brad storms out of the cafeteria.

This isn't the end, dweebs; this isn't the end of this, Brad taunts before disappearing out the doors.

Terry looks like he is ready to break down and cry.

Don't worry, I have enough that we can share my lunch, I assure Terry. And Brad is right, this isn't over. No one messes with my friends and gets away with it.

We find a table and sit down. It is time for me to come up with a plan for revenge and I know exactly what I am going to do!

Chapter 2

Observations and Curiosities

For as long as I can remember, I have never seen Bruce stand up for me like that. Sure I know he has my back when it counts, but it is almost like he had a plan to get out of the situation he knew he was creating. Ever since the day after Brad chased Bruce into the forest a couple of months ago, he has been different. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I know something is different and he is not telling me.

The incident in the cafeteria today surprised me. There was one point where I looked over at Bruce and I swear his eyes went completely black, likely something you might see in a horror film with someone who is possessed by a demon of some kind. Even weirder is that Brad's pocket suddenly started smoking and lit on fire! There is no way Bruce could have done something like that, but I still wonder how it happened. All I know is that Brad will be out for revenge and either one of us is a likely target.

The end of the day bell rings and everyone rushes out the door. I go to my locker to grab my homework and wait for Bruce to come by. After a few minutes, I see Bruce making his way up the hallway. I pick up my things and walk toward him to meet him half way. On my way over, Brad steps out of a classroom and notices Bruce right away. He stands between us. I can tell as I get closer that he is looking for a fight.

Bet you thought you were pretty smart at lunch time, eh, Bruce? he says in an angry tone.

Don't say anything, Bruce.

I have my moments, Bruce replies with a smirk.

Brad quickly punches Bruce in the stomach and he curls to the ground. He looks up and I swear there is a fire in his eyes. He sees me, and the fire goes away. Brad laughs and walks over Bruce, heading in the opposite direction. I run over to help him up.

You all right, Bruce?

He wobbles while standing up, but he quickly gains his balance.

I'll live. I have taken way worse beatings in the stomach than that.

He grabs his things and we start walking down the hall toward the exit.

Did you hear the people talking about what happened with us in the cafeteria today? Bruce asks.

Yeah, I reply. For once it is not something embarrassing about you. Brad really didn't expect whatever happened to him, I say, laughing.

Bruce smiles.

Still, it is kind of strange for his pocket to suddenly light on fire like that. Don't you think?

Bruce shrugs. Stranger things have happened. Something probably just happened with his lighter. I think about the explanation.

I haven't heard about lighters just going off, but I suppose if it rubbed the right way in his pocket it could be possible.

There is an awkward silence between us. Bruce opens the door for me and we exit the school.

Well, whatever happened, it sure saved us both from a serious butt-kicking, Bruce finally says, breaking the silence.

Amen to that! I bought the new Mummy Rises video game this week. Want to come over and play it? It has the full campaign in co-op.

Maybe another day, I have homework do for tomorrow and a stupid science project to finish.

All right, we'll play another day then.

We say our good-byes and Bruce runs off quicker than usual.

Now I know something's up.

Chapter 3

Night Out on the Town

My stomach is still bothering me from Brad punching it as hard as he could at the end of the school day. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Calm down Bruce, I don't want to burn the house down! I take a deep breath and try to collect myself. No matter how hard I try though, I can't stop thinking about how Brad treated Terry.

He needs to pay, but what can I do?

Then it hits me. A big smile crosses my face and I begin plotting my revenge. When my mom is sleeping, I will sneak out and torch Brad's car. He loves that thing more than he loves sports! Plus, it is only about a ten-minute bike ride to his place. I can be out and back before anyone notices I am gone! With the plan set in my head, I do some homework and plan my escape from the house. Mom goes to bed around eleven o'clock and it is only eight-thirty. I decide to keep my books open to make it look like I am still doing homework. Around ten, Mom peeks her head into my room. I am sitting at my desk reading.

You are going to be tired for school tomorrow. You almost done?

Just finishing my reading. I lie. I should only be about ten more minutes."

Mom yawns and smiles.

Okay, I am going to bed. See you in the morning. I might have time to drive you if you are up early enough. Good night.

She closes the door and I close my book. I wait for ten minutes and turn out my light. My heart is beating fast from the excitement of finally being able to get revenge on Brad. Around ten-thirty, I open my bedroom door and tip toe over to my mom's bedroom. I listen by the door and hear light, deep breathing – I know she's sleeping. I go back to my room and grab my brown hoodie. It hasn't snowed yet, but it is cold at night. On my bed, I place some pillows and cover them up with sheets, to make it look like I am still in there and head down the stairs into the kitchen. I grab my keys and a flashlight, open the door to the garage to get my bike, and exit through the side garage door.

I head toward a bike path through the woods. I have ridden many times down this path, but tonight it seems different. I am reminded of my time with Pix, in the Darkwood Forest, on our way to the Village of Ash. Only here, there are no strange Barknid tree creatures. At least not that I know of...

A few minutes into the ride I feel like I'm being watched. I stop pedaling and grab my flashlight and turn it on. Really Bruce, there is nothing out of the ordinary out there, you are just being paranoid.

I slowly do a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn beside my bike. Convinced I am just imagining things, I continue my ride. The path is straightforward, so it doesn't take me long to reach Brad's street. As I am biking up the street, I can feel my blood boiling and rushing with adrenalin.

Finally, Brad will be getting what he deserves! This is for me and Terry and anyone else he has ever bullied.

I see his car parked on a garage pad and take a quick glance at the house. All the lights are out. Perfect! I take a quick glance down either side of the street to make sure nobody saw me. As a last precaution, I take my bike and hide behind a bush. With my excitement level to its max, I get a fireball ready in my hands.

Bruce! What are you doing? You could seriously hurt innocent people if this gets out of control!

I pause, fireball still in hand.

Think of all the wrongs he’s done: it would be nice to see him suffer for once. If you get his house, it is just a bonus!

I raise my arm again to throw the fire.

Bruce! There is a better way! You are not a criminal!

I lower my arm again.

Stupid conscience, you’re right. He will get his day. This is not the way. What a waste of a trip. I could be sleeping.

Calming down, I take a deep breath and hop on my bike and head toward the forest again. As I get on the path, I can't help but think about what almost happened. Halfway down the path, I finally snap back to the present when I notice a man standing in the middle of the trail staring at me. For some reason, I stop my bike and just stare back.

Don't you think it is a little late to be out in the woods all by yourself? he says after a minute or so.

I look at him, unaffected by his comment.

I am not particularly worried.

He approaches me. I grab my flashlight and shine it on him. To my surprise, I have seen this man before, but I have no idea who he is. He is the man I saw when I first got back from Heroria. Six feet tall, dark blue jeans, black hoodie and a shaved head. He is still approaching me, so I get ready for a fight.

I am not as defenceless as you may think I am, I warn.

Good, I am in the mood for a good fight!

He runs at me and I jump off my bike and extend my arm straight out and put my hand up like it is against a wall. A vine comes out of my palm and hits the guy square in the chest, and he goes flying backward and falls.

That definitely works better than fire, though I really need to learn how to control it other than just by reflex.

I hear the man moaning.

I gave you a fair warning.

The man laughs as he gets up from the ground.

Yes that's true: I wasn't ready for that attack.

In the blink of an eye, he disappears without any trace.

What the...?

Before I can finish saying anything, I am hit from behind and go flying forward to where the man was once lying.

You're still slow? Maybe you still have to get use to this world. Unfortunately for you though, I am not going to let that happen. I don't know how you got here, but you are not leaving alive, Shadowron!

Before I know it, I'm struck by something and I go flying sideways into a tree trunk. I don't know who this guy is, but somehow, he knows about Shadowron, and he thinks I am him!

You’ve got it all wrong, I'm not...

I am hit again by the same blast as before. I go flying into the same tree again. I am finding it hard to move.

Liar! I can see it in your eyes, Shadowron, you Shadowsites always give it away with your eyes! The man yells and I am hit again, this time with a fireball and it burns the arm of my hoodie.

You wrecked my hoodie! This is my favourite one!

I stretch out my arm and a vine comes out again. I do a sweeping motion near the ground and I hear someone falling. As if I am on autopilot, another vine grows from the one I had out, and lifts me to my feet again. I step out of the bushes as the man is getting up. I stretch my hands out again, and visualize my vines, like ropes, wrapping around the man, restraining him. Vines shoot out of my fingers and do exactly what I visualized. I lift him up in the air and start reeling him in like a fish close to me.

Let me make this perfectly clear, I say. I am not Shadowron, I am Bruce. I don't know who you are, but I can promise you that if you ever try a stunt like this again, I will not hold back!

The man cocks his head to the side. You may not be him yet, Bruce, I can see that now. Judging from your voice; however, he is a part of you. If you get out of hand, or try to harm anyone or anything again though, I will be back. I am watching you! The man disappears from my grip.

Stunned by what the man said before he disappeared, it takes me a few minutes to collect myself. Still confused, I walk toward my bike, pick it up, and continue riding home.

I wish I could somehow get in touch with Pix or Doctor Spirit; I need some answers!

I reach home and sneak in as quietly as I can, get ready for bed and climb in. I am exhausted from the night's events and now I somehow have to explain the hole in my hoodie to my mom.

Chapter 4

Questioning Sanity

I have been having restless sleeps ever since my strange dreams about Bruce began. This one, though, was extremely strange.

I am sitting in a dark room. From what I can tell, the room is large and cold, almost what I would imagine a