The Death Trials: A Time Travel Adventure

By G. Sauvé

Will is dead. But his story is far from over.

Supraworld is a realm of endless splendour and opulence. But darkness lurks beneath the surface. Determined to uncover the truth, Will must unravel a vast conspiracy and battle an army of vicious monsters.

Infraworld is a hellish realm where pain and torture reign supreme. Desperate to escape the demented kingdom, Will must partner up with an unlikely ally and steal a priceless artifact from the devil itself.

Mediaworld is a realm where equilibrium matters above all else. Day and night. Light and dark. Good and evil. All coexist in peace. But to escape the strange land and have a chance at reincarnation, Will must partner up with his worst enemy.

Avalon.

Can Will survive the three realms of the afterlife and reunite with his friends?

Find out in this fast-paced, wildly imaginative fourth installment in a brand-new YA series about courage, love, and destiny.

Don’t waste a moment! Buy this book today before the world ends, and we join Will in the afterlife.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G. Sauvé
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005004699

G. Sauvé

G. Sauvé had an unusual childhood. He grew up in a straw bale house. He was homeschooled. And he didn't have a TV until he was a teenager. No wonder he fell in love with the written word at such a young age. He wrote his first book at fifteen (it sucked), and he now resides in Montréal, where he spends his days writing (much improved) novels and making puns.Pronunciation: G. So-veyWant a FREE book? Visit GSauve.ca.

Book preview

Dedication

To my sister, Geneviève, who unwittingly convinced me to turn Kara into a robot.

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Hopeless

Will Jr. stared at the small wooden chest that lay within his grasp. Nestled within its padded interior was the memory organizer. The hourglass symbol that adorned the silver disc once caused his heart to race, but the sight of it now left him indifferent. Ten depressions lay to the memory organizer’s right. Nine were occupied. One was not.

No, muttered Will Jr., staring at the spot where the fourth memory chip should have been. This can’t be happening. But no amount of denial would change the fact that his father’s fourth set of memories was missing. No, not missing.

Stolen.

Who would do such a thing? he wondered. There were but two possible culprits, and neither were likely candidates. Kara—Will Jr.’s mother—had initially been opposed to him reliving his father’s memories, but she had eventually relented. As for JJ—Will Jr.’s best friend—he knew nothing of the memory organizer’s existence.

Will Jr. sighed.

I can’t do this alone. I need help.

Leaving the now useless memory organizer behind, he made his way downstairs.

Mom! he called.

No response.

Mom! Where are—

What’s wrong? asked Kara, emerging from the living room. She seemed worried, but her creased forehead in no way diminished her great beauty. It was hard to believe she was, in fact, a robot.

Did you take the fourth memory chip? asked Will Jr.

Kara’s frown intensified.

What’s wrong? Is it missing?

Will Jr. nodded.

Are you sure you didn’t misplace it?

Certain.

There was a moment of silence during which Will Jr. realized his best friend was now the sole remaining suspect. But JJ would never steal from him.

Will Jr. sighed. Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to let them escape.

Don’t give up, said Kara, sensing her son’s despair. All that’s lost can be found.

Will Jr. was not convinced.

How? he asked.

You’ll need help. Why don’t you ask your grandfather? He’s been feeling a little restless. Locating a thief would do him good.

Restless? That did not sound like Will Jr.’s grandfather. Unless…

Which grandfather? he asked. Grandpa Jonn or Grandpa L—

Jonn, said Kara. He used to be a soldier. Tracking down a thief should be easy for him.

She was right. If anyone could find the burglar, it was Jonn.

Of course, thought Will Jr. Why didn’t I think of it?

Is he home?

I think so. He doesn’t travel much now that— began Kara, but Will Jr. was already gone.

The teenager sprinted through the city, oblivious to his surroundings. The ancient alien buildings and glowing trees that made up the centre of the Earth were of no interest to him. Nor was the miniature sun floating at the centre of the vast open space. All that mattered was reaching his grandfather’s home in a timely fashion.

It took a few minutes, but he finally reached his destination. He was about to ring the doorbell when the door split open, revealing Jonn. The man’s once salt-and-pepper hair was now devoid of colour, and a lush beard coated the lower half of his face. Wrinkles burrowed deep into his skin, betraying his advancing age, but he remained in peak physical condition. Will Jr. had yet to beat him in both feats of strength and athleticism, but it was only a matter of time before that changed.

Jonn was known by many names. To Will Jr., he was Grandpa Jonn. To Kara, he was known simply as Dad. JJ also referred to him as such, yet he and Will Jr.’s mother were related only by name. Not only was Kara a robot, but JJ’s mother was a woman Jonn had met decades after the death of his first wife. Nonetheless, Kara and JJ were technically siblings, which meant JJ was both Will Jr.’s best friend and his uncle. It was ironic given the fact he was nearly a full year younger, but that had never stood in the way of their friendship.

Will, said Jonn, a broad smile curling his weathered lips. What are you doing here?

I need your help.

You do? asked Jonn, raising an eyebrow.

Yes. Someone stole something from me, and I need your help getting it back.

Jonn’s eyebrows shot up. He looked around to make sure they were alone, then leaned close and whispered into his grandson’s ear.

Does this have anything to do with the memory organizer?

Will Jr.’s brow furrowed.

How did you know?

That’s not important, said Jonn. Come in before someone sees you.

Jonn was acting odd, but he had always been a little peculiar. It was hard to believe this was the same man who was once obsessed with avenging his wife’s death. Will Jr. had always known him to be a kind, gentle man who cared about others and went out of his way to make them feel welcome in his home.

Come in, repeated Jonn, gesturing for Will Jr. to enter.

The teenager hurried past his grandfather and led the way to the living room. He had spent countless evenings here, hanging out with JJ and his family, and he was familiar with every centimetre of the dwelling. The strange, prickly plant that grew in the corner of the living room no longer bothered him. Nor did the many paintings that hung from the walls. Most were hideous, but Jonn insisted they were famous works of art. He had retrieved them during his countless trips to the surface. While his tales of bravery grew more implausible with each retelling, the punchline always remained the same. Jonn’s trips inevitably ended with him retrieving a rare—and usually ugly—painting. Given his past as a badass soldier, his passion for art was surprising, but this was the man Will Jr. had always known. To him, it was the Jonn from his father’s memories who was strange.

What happened? asked Jonn once both he and his grandson were seated on the living room couch.

How much did Mom tell you? asked Will Jr.

Jonn laughed.

I know all about the memory organizer and your father’s memories, he said. There’s nothing you can tell me I don’t already know.

Okay, thought Will Jr. That’s good enough for me. He started at the beginning and worked his way forward, recounting every twist and turn of what he now realized was a story worthy of rivalling Jonn’s crazy artwork retrieval stories. The only difference was every word of it was true.

When was the last time you saw it? asked Jonn once Will Jr. got to the part where he realized the fourth memory chip was missing.

Will Jr. took a moment to think.

I’m not sure, he admitted. Keeping track of time is difficult when I keep jumping back and forth between my father’s memories and the real world. The last time I remember seeing the fourth chip was when I realized the third one was damaged.

That means whoever stole it did so while you were off visiting Kidd, said Jonn.

It’s possible, admits Will Jr., but Mom was there. Wouldn’t she have noticed if someone entered the house?

You’re right. That leaves only one solution. Whoever stole the chip did so during the parkourball tournament. The house was empty, and sneaking in would have been easy. Now we just need to figure out who would want to steal a memory chip.

What I’m wondering, said Will Jr., is why they only took one chip. Why not take all of them? Why not take the memory organizer? The chip is worthless without it.

Good point, said Jonn. You remind me of your father.

There was a moment of silence during which Will Jr. wondered if he would ever get to relive his father’s fourth set of memories. He still had all the other ones, but what good were they if he missed an entire chapter of his adventure?

Let’s eliminate suspects, proposed Jonn. We can safely assume everyone who was at the tournament isn’t the thief. We can also count out Kidd and Kara. Neither of them had a motive. That leaves…

He let his voice trail off, hoping Will Jr. would jump in, but everyone the teenager knew was at the tournament. By eliminating them, they went from having an unlimited pool of potential suspects to having none.

Will Jr. sighed.

It’s hopeless. We’ll never find it.

Don’t give up, said Jonn. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And since you’re Will, there has to be a way.

Will Jr. smiled.

You’re right. We can’t give up.

That’s the spirit. Now, let’s retrace your steps. What was the first thing you did after realizing the third chip was damaged?

I went to see Kidd.

Did you talk to anyone?

I ran into JJ on my way to meet Kidd, then again on the way back.

Anyone else?

Will Jr. shook his head. The only people he had come into contact with were Kara, Kidd, and JJ, and all three of them had been eliminated as suspects.

It’s pointless, he said, hoping his grandfather would once again attempt to raise his spirits. But all Jonn did was sigh, defeated.

This shouldn’t have happened, he said, but it did, and I won’t give up until whoever stole the chip is found and brought to justice.

Will Jr. tried to smile but failed miserably. Sighing, he stood.

I should head home.

Are you sure? asked Jonn. You can stay for dinner. Grace is making lasagna.

Under normal circumstances, he would have jumped at the opportunity, but he was in no mood to socialize.

Maybe another time, he said.

Jonn nodded. He escorted his grandson to the front door and watched him slump off, shoulders sagging, and head drooping.

Don’t worry, he called after him. We’ll find it. I promise.

Will Jr. heard his grandfather’s words, but they failed to reach his heart. It remained deep within his chest, shrivelled and cold. Never had he felt this lonely. On the plus side, things could not get any worse. Or so he thought until he got home and found his best friend conversing with his mother.

We need to talk, said JJ upon noticing him.

Can it wait?

No.

Will Jr. frowned, surprised by the forcefulness of the response.

What’s wrong? he asked.

We need to talk. Now.

Will Jr. had never seen his friend so serious. Clearly, he had something important to share with him.

All right. Let’s go to my room.

They made their way upstairs. Will Jr.’s room was a complete mess, but JJ did not seem to notice.

What is it? asked Will Jr. as soon as they were alone. What did you want to talk to me about?

The boldness that once accompanied JJ was gone, leaving him looking worried and nervous.

I-I have s-something to give you, he stammered, unable to look his friend in the eye.

You do?

JJ nodded. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a silver disc and handed it to Will Jr.

It was the missing memory chip.

Reunited

Will Jr. stared at the memory chip in a mixture of amazement and disbelief. It was just as he remembered: small and round, with the Roman numerals IV carved into its surface.

How could you? said Will Jr. once the initial shock faded. You’re my best friend. How could you steal from me?

JJ squirmed but stood his ground.

I d-didn’t mean to, he said. You’ve been acting so weird lately. I-I was just trying to understand why. I came to confront you, but your mother said you were out, so I c-came up here to wait for you. I found a small wooden chest sticking out from under your pillow. I was investigating its contents when I heard you coming. I panicked and slipped the disc I was holding into my pocket, then left before you could realize what I’d done. I went home and studied the disc, but I couldn’t figure out what it was, so I decided to return it. I tried sneaking it back in, but you refused to see me, so I was forced to come clean.

He sighed.

I didn’t mean to steal it. I was just trying to understand why you’ve been acting so weird.

Will Jr. said nothing. He wanted to blame JJ, but he could not bring himself to do it. It was his fault. Had he told JJ the truth, none of this would have happened. But his mother had made him swear to keep the memory organizer a secret. Unfortunately, keeping its existence hidden was no longer an option.

What is it? asked JJ, staring at the memory chip.

Will Jr. sighed. He hated breaking a promise, but he knew he owed his friend an explanation.

I’ll explain everything, he promised, but not here, not now.

Why not?

I don’t want my mother to overhear.

Why not?

I’ll explain later. Do you remember the treehouse we built when we were young?

JJ nodded.

Meet me there at midnight. I’ll explain everything.

Midnight? Why can’t we go now?

I don’t want my mother to see us leaving together, he said, but it was a lie. The truth was he wanted to relive his father’s fourth set of memories before anything else happened to the disc.

Oh, okay, said JJ. I guess I’ll see you later.

Yeah, said Will Jr. He waited for his friend to leave, then retrieved the memory organizer and placed the disc inside it. Moments later, the device came to life, and the resulting metallic insect scurried across his palm. He watched it attach itself to his wrist with a mixture of dread and anticipation. Part of him was thrilled at the prospect of reliving his father’s memories, but another was terrified the blast that had ended his previous set of memories had, in fact, killed him.

I guess I’m about to find out, thought Will Jr. as his father’s memories travelled up his arm. Moments later, they invaded his head, and the world faded in an explosion of colours and shapes.

Reconstructed Memory 1

Will is dead, snaps Jonn. Why can’t she accept that?"

He paces back and forth, his muscles stiff as stone. He scans the room, but the sparse furnishings offer no distraction.

Don’t be so hard on her, says Dr. Lyka. Kara is heartbroken. She lost the only boy she’s ever loved. She’s just trying to cope.

Jonn scoffs.

Just a teenager, he snorts. I wish.

What do you mean?

Jonn groans. Dr. Lyka knows nothing of Kara’s origins. How could she? Only a handful of people know Kara is, in fact, a robot.

Never mind, says Jonn, taking a seat on the couch.

Why did I agree to this? he wonders. The Atlantean Council betrayed him and dishonoured Will’s memory, yet he still longed for his old life. He missed being a soldier. Why else would he have agreed to undergo a psychological evaluation? But it had now been a full month, and he had yet to be reinstated.

They won’t get away with this, he mutters. I’ll make them pay.

Excuse me? says Dr. Lyka. I didn’t quite catch that.

Never mind. Are we done?

The woman’s lips curl into a smile.

We’ve only just begun. Now stop wasting time. You still haven’t answered my question.

Question? What question?

How have you dealt with Will’s passing?

Jonn shrugs.

There’s nothing to deal with. He’s dead.

Annoyance flashes across Dr. Lyka’s face, but it recedes quickly.

How do you spend your days?

Jonn takes a moment to think. Now that he no longer has to worry about going to work, he spends most of his free time at the gym. His muscles have exploded, and he’s now in the best shape of his life, but his mental health is deteriorating. Will’s death hit him harder than he cares to admit, and he secretly hopes Kara’s theory regarding his survival is true, but the lack of proof is infuriating. Then there’s the whole Avalon issue. Both she and her clones are still on the loose, and now that he’s no longer on speaking terms with the Atlantean Council, avenging his wife’s death is no longer possible.

I work out, he finally says. It’s not much, but it should be enough to dissuade Dr. Lyka from digging deeper.

Is that all? she asks.

He nods. It’s a blatant lie, but the doctor doesn’t bother pointing it out.

And what of Kara? What has she been up to since Will’s passing?

Jonn groans.

I already told you. She sits in her room all day, watching and rewatching Will’s farewell recording. She’s convinced he’s still alive.

Why?

Will encountered an older version of himself during our travels. He was missing a hand. Since all we found of our Will was a hand, she’s convinced he’s still alive.

And you’re not?

Jonn sighs.

I don’t know, he admits. I guess he could have survived, but why didn’t he contact us?

From what I gathered, says Dr. Lyka. Will doesn’t have a time travel ring. How is he supposed to contact you?

Jonn raises an eyebrow.

I hadn’t thought of that. Are you saying you think he’s alive?

She shrugs.

"It doesn’t matter what I believe. All that matters is what you believe. Do you think Will is alive?"

I don’t know. And it doesn’t matter.

How so?

Don’t you see? Will is dead. I was fired, the…

Your dismissal is currently being reversed, reminds Dr. Lyka.

…team was disbanded, and Avalon and her clones are on the loose. We lost, and it’s about time we accept it. The sooner Kara accepts the fact that Will isn’t coming back, the better.

There’s a moment of silence during which Jonn debates whether reclaiming his former life is worth the trouble of explaining himself to the likes of Dr. Lyka.

Have you told her this? she asks.

No.

Why not?

BECAUSE SHE’S A ROBOT! he mentally yells, but revealing Kara’s true origins would be a mistake. The council allowed her to continue thinking she’s Jonn’s daughter, but one wrong move and they’ll take her away. The mere thought of losing her terrifies him. They aren’t even related, yet he loves her as though she were his own flesh and blood. Still, he sometimes wonders whether allowing Kidd to wipe her memory would be preferable to letting her wallow in misery. With the memories of Will gone, she would go back to being her former, joyful self. But, as tempting as it is, he can’t bring himself to do it.

Jonn sighs.

If only Anna could see me now, he thinks. She used to tease him for being heartless. But a lot has changed since his wife passed away. Almost nothing remains of his former life. Only memories.

Did you hear me? asks Dr. Lyka, putting an end to Jonn’s musings.

What now? he snaps. Aren’t you done wasting my time?

Excuse me?

You heard me, seethes Jonn. How dare you sit there and judge me? You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve been through. No one does. Not you. Not Kidd. Not even Kara. Only Will understood, and now he’s dead. I’m all alone. Don’t you get that?

Dr. Lyka says nothing. She is accustomed to dealing with emotionally-repressed soldiers, but Jonn is by far the worst of the bunch. Reinstating him would be a mistake, but she has a job to do, and she refuses to let her emotions cloud her judgement. The Atlantean Council requested she determine whether Jonn could be trusted, and she won’t stop until she figures out why he’s so angry all the time.

I asked you a question, growls Jonn. Answer me.

No, says Dr. Lyka. Not until you calm down and apologize.

Jonn lets out a strangled yelp.

"Apologize? You’re prying into my life, and you want me to apologize. Who the drowned do you think you are?"

Dr. Lyka crosses her arms. I’m the person who will decide whether or not you get your job back.

Jonn scoffs.

Is that so? he says. And what if I don’t want it back?

Dr. Lyka falters.

Y-You don’t want your job back?

Jonn shakes his head.

I thought I did, but our time together has taught me that playing by the rules is a waste of time. There’s only one way I’ll get my vengeance: alone.

How? You don’t have a time travel ring.

Jonn scoffs.

I’ll find a way. And when I do, Avalon will pay for all she’s done.

I don’t think—

I don’t give a drowned what you think, snaps Jonn. I’m leaving.

He stands and crosses the room. The smart particles that make up the wall retreat at his approach, forming a doorway.

You’re making a mistake, warns Dr. Lyka as he storms out of the office. You’ll regret this.

What I regret is not doing it sooner, Jonn snorts. His fists are clenched and his brow furrowed, but he isn’t angry. He’s relieved. Playing by the Atlantean Council’s rules was holding him back. Alone, he has much better odds of finding Avalon, even if he doesn’t have a time travel ring.

This sense of euphoria remains throughout his journey across the underwater city of Atlantis. It’s late, and the streets are mostly deserted. Glistening buildings and shadowy parks litter his path, but he strides past without a second glance. Even the beauty of the ocean that lies beyond the city’s protective dome fails to distract him. It’s not until he gets home and finds Kidd waiting for him that his mood sours.

What are you doing here? he demands, his voice heavy with contempt. Don’t you have someone else to betray?

Kidd sighs, his ten-year-old physique in no way belying his advanced age.

I didn’t betray you, he says. I only agreed to train your replacements because you screwed up so bad the council lost all faith in you.

Jonn glares at the short man. Why are you here?

I have news.

Jonn snorts.

What kind of news?

Kidd beams. He seems so excited Jonn can’t help feeling optimistic.

I found Will.

Reconstructed Memory 2

You found Will?" asks Jonn. The words feel weird in his mouth, yet they come out crisp and clear.

Kidd nods, smiling.

Are you sure?

Of course, I’m sure. I wouldn’t come to you unless I were.

How? asks Jonn. How did you find him?

Kidd glances around.

Not here, he says. Someone could overhear us.

You’re right. Let’s go inside.

Moments later, they’re settling into the couch that makes up the living room’s central piece of furniture. The rest of the décor is lifeless and bland, a perfect match to Jonn’s recent emotionlessness. But the gray-haired man’s current excitement is causing the surrounding furniture to change. Like everything in Atlantis, the furnishings are made of smart particles. This not only allows the microscopic computers to take on the form of whatever object is needed, but it causes the landscape to change whenever someone’s emotions rise beyond normal levels. Given Jonn’s current degree of excitement, it’s not surprising the entire nature of the living room is shifting.

The couch upon which the two men sit is the first to transform. It goes from stiff and drab to cushy and inviting. The ripple of transformation quickly expands beyond the couch, causing the decrepit plants that litter the room to explode with life. Flowers bloom and fill the air with the sweet smell of pollen. Even the furniture begins to morph. A dreary bookcase shifts into a series of shelves atop which stand dozens of mementos. Some are pictures of Jonn and his beloved wife and daughter. Others are objects of emotional value. The mere sight of them causes Jonn’s elation to increase, which, in turn, makes the transformation even more intense. By the time the shift is complete. The living room is alive with life and colour. The once off-white walls are now the colour of daffodils. Even the light emanating from the surrounding environment seems brighter.

Wow! gasps Kidd. I’ve never seen such a rapid and drastic transformation. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear you’re happy.

Jonn’s initial instinct is to tell the short scientist to shut up, but he’s too happy to care what he thinks.

Will is alive, he says. That’s reason to celebrate.

There’s a moment of silence before Kidd speaks.

I never said Will was alive.

Jonn’s brow furrows.

But you said—

I know what I said, and I stand by it.

What’s the drowned does—

We’ll get to that soon enough, interrupts Kidd. How is Kara doing?

Jonn sighs.

Not good. She spends her days in her room, rewatching Will’s farewell recording. She thinks he’s still alive.

I know, says Kidd.

Jonn frowns.

You do?

Kidd nods.

She came to see me. She wanted me to help her find Will.

Jonn’s frown intensifies.

She did? I didn’t even know she left the house.

Kidd raises an eyebrow.

You spend your days at the gym. Are you really surprised Kara didn’t confide in you?

She did… snaps Jonn, but his anger quickly recedes. …in the beginning, he adds. She hasn’t spoken to me in almost a week.

I’m sorry. I should have been more careful when I programmed her. Do you want me to erase her memories?

I thought about it, admits Jonn, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He sighs. I know she’s only a robot, but I love her as though she were my own daughter.

A heavy silence settles upon them, but it doesn’t last long. A faint but undeniable intake of air echoes throughout the living room.

What was that? asks Jonn.

It sounded like a gasp.

Jonn nods. His puzzlement remains until he realizes there can only be one explanation.

Kara. He leaps to his feet and hurries to her room. The door is open, but that’s normal. Given her recent mental instability, Jonn insisted her bedroom door remain open at all times.

Is everything all right? asks Kidd, now standing a short distance behind Jonn.

She’s fine, mutters the former soldier, peering into Kara’s room. She lies on her bed, her chest rising and falling to the rhythm of her breaths. Her inhales seem a little shallow, but she appears to be sound asleep.

We should be more careful, he says. The last thing we need is Kara learning the truth about herself.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad, says Kidd. She’s stronger than you give her credit for.

Jonn grunts.

I know how strong she is. I’m her father, after all.

Kidd says nothing, but it’s obvious both he and Jonn are thinking the same thing. Kara isn’t Jonn’s daughter. She’s merely a robot that was created to take the real Kara’s place. Her behaviour was programmed. As was everything else. But that doesn’t matter to Jonn. She’s his daughter, no matter what anybody else thinks.

Let’s go back to the living room, he says. We have much to discuss.

Kidd nods, and they retreat to the lounge.

So, says Jonn once they’re both seated. You found Will.

Kidd nods.

Is he alive?

Kidd sighs.

I don’t know.

What the drowned does that mean?

It’s complicated. Let me explain what happened, then you can decide for yourself whether or not you believe Will is alive.

Jonn nods.

Kara came to see me. She was convinced Will had survived the explosion.

The hand theory? asks the gray-haired man.

Kidd nods.

She wanted me to locate Will. She was convinced he somehow travelled to another time and was waiting for us to rescue him.

Jonn sighs. Though part of him wants to believe Kara’s obsession is founded, the truth is her theory is far-fetched. Sure, Will’s older self was missing a hand, and all they found of Will was his right hand, but that proves nothing. Still, there’s a chance he could still be alive.

What did you tell her?

The truth, says Kidd. That locating Will was impossible.

Did she listen?

Kidd chuckles.

Of course not. She’s your daughter, after all.

Jonn smiles. Kara’s personality traits may have been programmed, but she still shares quite a few of his attributes. Not only is she stubborn and driven, but she cares about justice. Not to mention the fact that she’s one hell of a fighter.

I tried to talk her down, explaining how I would need a piece of Will’s body to even attempt locating him.

How did she react?

She ran away.

Jonn raises an eyebrow.

Really? That doesn’t sound like her.

That’s because she didn’t really run away. She went to get something she claimed would help us locate Will.

What?

Will’s hand.

How did she get it? asks Jonn. I thought it was destroyed after the funeral.

So did I, admits Kidd. I didn’t ask how she got it. I’m just glad she did because it allowed me to locate Will. In the beginning, I only agreed to take the hand to appease Kara, hoping my inability to locate Will’s body would force her to accept his death.

But? says Jonn, sensing an impending reversal.

It worked. I created a device capable of locating Will’s body, and it worked.

Where?

In another time, a time so distant from ours, not even Avalon would dare go.

Where?

The start of time. The very first passing of Nibiru.

No one speaks for a while.

And Will? eventually asks Jonn. Is he… alive?

Kidd shrugs.

It’s impossible to tell. All I can say is his body is still in one piece. All else is pure conjecture.

I don’t understand. How could he have travelled through time if he was dead?

I don’t know, admits Kidd. Nor do I know how he managed to open a portal without a ring. All I know is that his body is out there, waiting to be found. Only time will tell whether or not he survived.

There’s a moment of silence during which Jonn realizes locating Will—or his body—is the only solution. If he truly is dead, then finding proof of his passing will force Kara to move on with her life. If he’s alive, then all the more reason to bring him back.

What are we waiting for? he asks. Let’s go.

Kidd sighs.

I admire your zeal, but we can’t just up and leave.

Why not?

Another sigh from Kidd.

Because, he says, we no longer have Will’s time travel ring.

Reconstructed Memory 3

How are we supposed to travel through time without Will’s ring?" asks Jonn.

We’re not, says Kidd.

The hulking man raises an eyebrow. You have a plan?

Of course. Did you think I did all of this for the fun of it?

Jonn frowns.

All of what?

It’s Kidd’s turn to frown.

What do you mean? he asks. Who do you think pulled all those strings? Who do you think convinced the Atlantean Council to give you another chance? Who—

Hold on! interrupts Jonn. "You convinced the council to let me rejoin the team?"

Kidd stares at him with a puzzled frown for a moment before bursting out laughing.

Of course not. They would never agree to that.

I don’t get it. What exactly did you do?

I got you reinstated.

Jonn remains frozen for a second.

That was you?

Kidd nods.

It wasn’t easy. I had to pull many strings and call in a bunch of favours, but I convinced the council to give you your old job back.

Why?

Kidd rolls his eyes.

Don’t you see? Will’s ring is being kept in the military base. To get your hands on it, you will need full access to the base. That’s why I got you reinstated. Why else would I have put my neck on the line for you?

Jonn hesitates. Should he admit he ruined his one chance of getting his job back or pretend as though he’s still on his way to full reinstatement?

Well, he finally says, choosing to sweep his outburst under the rug. You are my… His voice trails off, and an awkward silence settles between them.

Let’s not get into that, says Kidd. We don’t have much time.

What do you mean?

The council formed a new team. Their objective is to stop Avalon at all costs.

So? What does that—

They’re leaving first thing in the morning, says Kidd. We must retrieve Will’s ring tonight, or else we lose it forever.

Another heavy silence settles upon the two men.

How are we supposed to find it?

I accessed the computer system. I know exactly where it is. All you need to do is enter the base and retrieve it.

Jonn gulps.

There’s a problem, he says.

Kidd frowns.

What kind of problem?

Jonn hesitates.

The kind where I didn’t get reinstated.

Kidd remains frozen for a moment.

What happened? What did you do?

Jonn’s eyes narrow.

Why do you automatically assume it was my fault?

Kidd glares back.

Because I know you. You always do this. You let your anger get the better of you, and you do something foolish.

Don’t you at least want to hear what happened?

Kidd sighs.

Why bother? I already know what happened. You got angry, and you stormed out.

Jonn glares but says nothing. Kidd is right, and they both know it. Admitting it would put an end to the argument, but that’s not Jonn style. Blaming others for his mistakes. Now, that’s his style.

You always do this, he complains. You manipulate things and expect others to thank you for it. Why didn’t you tell me?

Kidd rolls his eyes.

I’ve known you long enough to know you never would have agreed to it. And, even if you had, this was a slow process. You would have done something rash and ruined everything. I was hoping your passion for soldiering would suffice to keep you from being yourself. I guess I was wrong.

Jonn glares at the short scientist but says nothing. The staring contest lasts a while longer before the arguing resumes. Jonn blames Kidd for keeping him out of the loop. Kidd blames Jonn for being impulsive and short-tempered. But, in the end, both men are to blame and arguing accomplishes nothing.

This is silly, says Kidd after a while. We’re fighting instead of coming up with a new plan.

What’s the point? asks Jonn. I messed everything up. Getting Will’s ring is impossible.

Kidd smiles.

Not necessarily.

How so?

There’s still a way for us to get what we need.

How?

Kidd smiles.

We steal Will’s ring.

Reconstructed Memory 4

You want us to steal Will’s ring? asks Jonn. How?"

Kidd hesitates for a moment.

Stealing it isn’t the issue. I know where it’s being kept.

Then what’s the problem?

We must get you inside the military base without raising any alarms.

Can’t you hack the computer system?

Of course, says Kidd, but there's no telling how long your falsified clearance will last. If you fail to locate Will’s ring before the alarm is triggered, all hope will be lost. Not to mention…

His voice trails off.

What? asks Jonn. What’s wrong?

Kidd sighs.

Even if you succeed in retrieving Will’s ring, you’ll become a traitor, and I won’t be able to protect you from the council’s wrath. That’s why I tried to get you reinstated. I was trying to safeguard your reputation.

Jonn scoffs.

I don’t give a drowned about my reputation.

You don’t?

Of course not. All that matters is finding Will. He sacrificed himself to save Kara and me. It’s my duty as his friend—and Kara’s father—to find him, even if he’s dead. I don’t care about anything else.

Are you sure?

Certain.

Kidd smiles.

What is it? asks Jonn.

Nothing, says Kidd. You just reminded me of the man you used to be. He hesitates. Before… the incident.

Jonn says nothing, but memories of his deceased wife and daughter remind him of what he’s fighting for. Everything he did, both good and bad, was out of a twisted sense of duty. To his wife. To his daughter—both the real