Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:50:50 -0800 (PST) From: Jason Gardham Subject: "Benjamin and Me" Chapter 13 Author: J. Gardham This story is fiction as are the characters, if you think you see yourself in this story that's cool as long as everyone remembers there's nothing in this story that isn't pure imagination. "Benjamin and Me" Chapter 13 Following the two weeks of supernatural bombardment, having wizards come to their rescue, an archangel stop in for a visit, and before any of them had time to catch their breath, a shimmering doorway appeared out of thin air with a rather regal looking man stepping into the courtyard. Jonathan and Sparkle bowed, the others looked on accepting this phenomenon with a grain of salt. After what they`ve been through there wasn`t much left that could seriously rattle their cages. Thomas reached out his hand, "I take it you're Goldermer". Taking Thomas's hand in his, Goldermer replied, "right you are my boy, and what a pleasure it is to meet all of you, you're quite famous throughout the world you know, this is a real honor". "The honor is all ours Goldermer and speaking of throughout the world, why is it no one other than the group of us here and the angels and wizards were aware that there was a battle going on?" "Good question Thomas, that's because what took place was just a degree out of kilter for the three dimensions visible to the natural world". "Thomas, there is so much more to the physical, spiritual, and supernatural then man has yet to become aware of". "What exists in Heaven and earth is beyond imagining". Turning to Jonathan and Sparkle, Goldermer said, "I'm proud of you two, you've done well and I must apologize for taking so long in getting reinforcements here". "We had to fight every inch of our way I've never seen such a powerful force move against us before". Facing Bill and David, Goldermer said, "my purpose in coming here was to meet you two men". "In my eight hundred plus years I've never known such power to exist in mortals". "The power the two of you released literally shook the heavens". "When you, out of your selfless love were willing to sacrifice your lives for Thomas thousands of demons were blasted from the heavens and sent spiraling into black holes throughout the universe. "If mankind would learn to live together in love, evil would be diminished a million fold". "It's the hate in the world that empowers evil". When mankind truly realizes the power of love, the beginning of a new era will lift man to a higher level of understanding of the universe". "Sparkle and Jonathan are you ready to go home?" "No!". "Excuse me!", "what do you mean "no!". "Goldermer we'd like to stay here with these men if they will let us". "Ye Cats! Sparkle, I love you both, but you and Jonathan can try the patience of angels, do you think I'm going to let you inflict yourselves on Thomas and these men". Sparkle and Jonathan put their heads down as Sparkle mumbled, I suppose not Goldermer". Looking at Goldermer Thomas said, "Sparkle and Jonathan were willing to give their lives to protect us, they are more than welcome to stay with us and I think I speak for everyone here when I say we'd be more than happy to have them". Rolling his eyes Goldermer said, "Thomas you and the others have no idea what mischief these two can get into". Thomas replied, "obviously you haven't met Benjamin yet". "Ah, yes Benjamin, point well taken, well I guess you two have my permission to stay, but you are to understand I'm keeping my eye on you". Giving Thomas a look of pure innocence, Benjamin said, "what do you mean by, you haven't met Benjamin yet?" "What have I ever done that could be considered mischievous?" Laughing Thomas said, "Don't even get me started Benjamin". Jonathan and Sparkle threw their arms around each other jumping for joy. Brad leaned against Gavin laughing as he said, "this is going to be interesting". Goldermer gave everyone a hug and a last wave before stepping back through the shimmering door. Bill looked at Jonathan and Sparkle with a bit of a twinkle in his own eyes as he said, "you didn't bring much luggage with you". "Goldermer will send our belongings, where would you like us to stay?" Dave and Bill choose to show the new guests to the suites Benjamin had built between the house and the pool enclosure. Out of the blue, Larry asked, "what's for desert". Thomas just about cracked up with laughter, "after all that has just happened all you have to say is, "what's for desert". Robin put his arm around Larry and added, "hey, so he's got a sweet tooth, I kind of have a hankering for some desert myself". Smiling Benjamin said, "I just happen to have baked a devil's food cak.....D E V I L'S food cake! Throw the damn thing out Ben, couldn't you have made an Angel's food cake?" "Look Larry it's chocolate your favorite, ...take it, ...leave it, ...orwear it". Looking at the beautiful chocolate cake covered in chocolate frosting, Larry said, "I'll take it, it looks delicious". Smiling, Benjamin said, "That's sounds more like it, you get the milk and I'll cut a piece for everyone". Looking out over the scene before him, Thomas thought, "God how I love these guys". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A couple of fun weeks have passed with everyone getting to know Sparkle and Jonathan better. Goldermer sent their belongings, most of which none of the rest of us had a clue as to what it was let alone what it was for. It turned out that Jonathan was two hundred and four, with Sparkle coming in at two hundred and sixteen, mere kids according to the wizard calendar. They looked about twenty one or two and were mighty handsome to boot. We discovered that wizards mate for life and Jonathan and Sparkle had been mates for sixty eight years. Jonathan and Sparkle loved swimming and swimming nude was completely natural for them. To everyone's surprise these two wizards who are fairly small compared to the rest of us were both well hung, which added to their beautiful physiques and handsome faces. To put it mildly they're nice additions to our ever growing community. They were full of fun and followed Benjamin around like puppies which he found charming until he discovered they could follow him even in his invisible state. It took some time to adapt but he accepted their being able to see him in whatever state he was in, and took some comfort in knowing they could always find him. The horses were naturally drawn to Jonathan and Sparkle and they were excellent horsemen as adapt at riding bareback as they were with saddles. Riding with Bill and Dave early in the morning, Dave asked Sparkle if the shield they had put up was still there. "Yes Dave, it will remain there since it's unseen by any of the people living in this area. The only things that cannot pass through it are things that would be of danger to anyone living here. "What about when we're outside of the shield, for instance Bill and I will be attending college in the fall and will be outside of your shield for most of the day while we're in classes". Jonathan and Sparkle both appeared to be in deep thought as Jonathan said, "that's a good point David, Muriel and the angels under his command are constantly watching over you, but this is something we'll also take up with Goldermer". Later that evening this topic was brought up with Thomas and the others during dinner. Thomas said he had the same concerns about Bill and Dave when they started classes in the fall. "Thomas, we've put in a request for Goldermer to join us so we can go over some of the precautions that may be needed". Jonathan pointed out that Benjamin was the most vulnerable since he was in spirit form and while he couldn't be harmed by anything in the physical world he could be injured and taken prisoner by demons if they should get to him. Thomas asked if the dark wizards could cause Benjamin harm, and Sparkle said, "only if they maneuver him into a situation where demons could capture him and that would be difficult with Muriel and the angels watching over him". Thomas was noticeably concerned, his ghost had already suffered unimaginable pain and he didn't want a repeat of that horrible experience. Speaking up, Benjamin assured Thomas that Jonathan and Sparkle could always locate him and he felt safe with them nearby watching over him. "Our first concern must be Bill and Dave since they're the ones who'll be outside the protected area of the shield for the longest periods of time. Thomas felt a chill run up his spine as he looked at his loving ghost, his fears went unspoken. Goldermer arrived before classes started for Dave and Bill and assured everyone that not only were Muriel and the angels watching over them, but there were some of the most powerful White Wizards posted at strategic locations watching for anything out of the ordinary that might happen. Privately Goldermer told Thomas that Benjamin was well guarded, the angels are aware of the harm he suffered and are prepared to defend him against anything that dared make a repeat attempt. "Thomas you and your ghost are much loved in the Heavenly realms his safety is of the highest priority". Thomas gave Goldermer a hug and thanked him for coming to relieve the fears that they all were concerned about. "No thanks is needed Thomas, you call upon me anytime you have questions or concerns it take only moments for me to reach you". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Two wonderful and peaceful years have passed, Bill and David will be entering their third year at the university in the fall, Bill is now twenty and David is twenty-one. Their love has grow as solid and strong as their well defined and muscled bodies have. Glen is twenty-eight and Darin was thirty-three, still as fit as ever and growing more handsome with each passing year. Thomas was now thirty but hasn't appeared to age a day, and Benjamin is three hundred and thirty-four and of course he actually hasn't aged a day in his spirit form. It's a beautiful Saturday morning in early June and Thomas, Glen, Darin, Sparkle, Jonathan, Bill and Dave were out riding along the meadow trail when suddenly Sparkle and Jonathan vanished. Bill and David had been riding behind Sparkle and Jonathan and were the first to notice the disappearance. They yelled for Thomas to stop. Turning in his saddle Thomas immediately saw the two horses without riders and yelled, "where's Sparkle and Jonathan. "Benjamin, Benjamin, where are you?" There was no response and Thomas started galloping towards the stables. Bill and David grabbed the leads to the horses Jonathan and Sparkle had been riding and followed Glen and Darin back to the house. Thomas started to remove the saddle from his horse as Glen road up, "Thomas I'll take care of that, go and try to locate Benjamin". Thomas ran through the pool house and into the courtyard just as a shimmering door appeared, a small pointy-eared man with flaming red hair stepped through. His first words were, "Benjamin is safe and unharmed Thomas". Darin put his arms around Thomas to steady him until he regained his composure. "My name is Rojo,.. .much has happened with great speed, if you'll all sit down I'll explain as quickly as I can". "Golgotheria has been planning to move against all of you using Benjamin as bait. "When he was out away from the shield, Golgotheria threw a force field around Benjamin and began pulling him toward the vast reaches of space where demons could reach him". "Sparkle and Jonathan were immediately alerted to the danger and reached Benjamin in mere seconds putting a protecting shield around him and Golgotheria's force field stopping Golgotheria from pulling him further away". "Jonathan and Sparkle are now in a fierce firefight doing their best to hold off Golgotheria and her most powerful dark wizards". Thomas asked if they were in danger, and Rojo replied, "yes they may have to sacrifice themselves to protect Benjamin until the heavenly host surround and destroy Golgotheria and her wizards". "Where's Goldermer, he should be there protecting his wizards". "Thomas I know how upset you are, but you must know Goldermer loves Jonathan and Sparkle just as you love your Benjamin, he's fighting his way to them against a great horde that has been sent hold him back". Goldermer's heart will be broken if anything happens to those two much beloved wizards of his". "Rojo, I'm sorry, I should have known he would do everything in his power to protect Jonathan and Sparkle". "No apology is necessary Thomas, we all understand how you feel". Larry and Robin had joined the group in the courtyard so they were aware of what was taking place. Larry turned to see Bill and David kneeling on the ground side-by-side holding hands, they appeared to be in a trance state. Bill's left hand was outstretched as David's right hand was reaching out as if they expected others to join them. Gavin said, "their up to something I think they want us to join in. Everyone join hands with them and form a circle". Rojo started by taking Bill's hand on one side and Thomas took David's hand on his side, the others joined and a circle was formed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Both Jonathan and Sparkle had been seriously injured but were still fighting back with what strength they had left, Benjamin was beside himself not being able to help. The force field Golgotheria a put around him was holding him back and he realized he probably couldn't get past the shield Jonathan and Sparkle and put around Golgotherias force field anyway. Sparkle took a direct hit and had fallen to his knees as Jonathan stepped in front of him doing his best to protect him from further harm. Benjamin in his desperation was screaming for help but couldn't be heard through the force field. Suddenly a golden glow formed around Sparkle and Jonathan blocking enemy fire and turning it back against Golgotheria and her dark wizards. Instantaneously angels standing at least forty feet tall surrounded the entire area. Golgotheria and her wizards fled in all directions in their attempt to escape, swords drawn, the angels smite the wizards turning them to no more that dust particles. Golgotheria threw her most powerful shield up around herself as she cackled her hideous laugh in the face of the angels. Each angel lowered their swords so they pointed directly at Golgotheria who continued to laugh as she shrieked, "you cannot reach me through my shield, you pathetic beings". Without warning or fanfare the Archangel Michael appeared slicing through Golgotheria's shield and cutting her in half from head to toe. As each half begin to fall fire came from each angels sword, turning what was left of her to ashes. Immediately the force field around Benjamin collapsed and he was freed, rushing to Jonathan and Sparkle he found Jonathan with tears falling as Sparkle laid in his lap apparently dead. Goldermer was there instantly as resistance fell away once Golgotheria died. Pulling Spakle into his embrace Goldermer wept uncontrollably. Michael knelt beside Goldermer and kissed his tears away as he pulled Sparkle into his arms. Holding Sparkle as he stood Michael said, "Sparkle my brave little soldier, you have much yet to accomplish,... as Robert Frost once said, you have miles to go before you sleep". With that Michael blew the breath of life into Sparkles mouth causing his beautiful green eyes to flutter open. Sparkle looked up into Michaels face and fainted, causing some much needed laughter to rise among those who knew Sparkle would be telling and retelling this story for the foreseeable future. Goldermer pulled Jonathan into his arms and they cried their relief together when they realized Sparkle was going to survive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the courtyard Bill and David both collapsed as their dads ran to them, Glen did a quick examination and said they appeared to be fine, just exhausted. A brilliant flash of light appeared just before Michael arrived carrying Sparkle in his arms followed by Goldermer, Jonathan, and....."BENJAMIN!!!", Thomas threw himself on his beloved ghost knocking Benjamin off his feet. Jonathan stayed next to Michael holding onto his wing wanting to be close to Sparkle who was really over indulging himself in all the attention he was getting by being held in Michael`s arms. Michael sat Sparkle down beside Jonathan, the two of them hugged each other as Sparkle wiped away his mate's tears. Michael turned to Bill and David embracing them both as he said, "it was the strength of your love that saved the lives of Jonathan and Sparkle". "If the two of you hadn't placed that golden shield around them, Jonathan and Sparkle would have been turned to charcoal". "We have you to thank for them being here today". Bill told Michael how thankful they were to have been able to help and thanked him for bringing Sparkle, Jonathan and Benjamin back to them safe. Michael said the pleasure was all his and in a swirl of dazzling color disappeared into the heavenly realm. To be Continued: