The Magical Gathering Everywhere

Chapter l: Awakenings

Bradley woke with a jolt, heart pounding as his blurred vision shifted from side to side. He felt his feet planted firmly on the ground but could sense a subtle vibration that seemed to ‘bump’ every 10 seconds with a brief flash of lighting. His head slowed from its sway and his vision normalized revealing 3 figures sitting around him, all of which were murmuring but Bradley could not make out the words. One of the individuals stood up and walked over to him, dazed and confused, he felt a slight sense of panic as he muttered,

“Where… where am I?” Bradleys voice was soft, but still audible.

He felt a cooling sensation on his head as one of the people around him checked his temperature.

“Ah, this ones a bit warmer than the rest of 'em, eh.” A deep raspy voice echoed in Bradleys ears. “Willin ‘ta wager he’s gunna develop a feeva.” The cool sensation disappeared from his forehead. “Uh, huh, this boy’ll be a rough one when he wakes, just you see now.”

An alert pinged through some form of audio system to which the blurred shadow stood and rubbed her own forehead.

“O’course they would call for me right now…” The woman walked off shaking her head, muttering profanities to herself Bradley could not make out.

Then, a sweet voice filled Bradleys ears.

“I know you can hear me. I know all too well what this feeling is that you’re going through.” He felt a hand on his arm, warm and comforting. This put his mind to ease and he began to relax. “You’re about to fall asleep again, don’t worry, when you wake come find me and I will explain everything.” The hand removed itself and this sweet angel stood and began to leave the area as well.

Before she was out of sight, she looked back over her shoulder, “Auron, be sure to look after him until he wakes. You’re the best we have at this.”

Bradleys eyes began to focus in on the woman's face which was that of pure beauty. She moved with the grace of an angel as she moved toward a pair of sliding doors. She stood for a moment before the doors slid open, which revealed a massive landscape with beautiful skies and fields of flowers just on the other side. She entered the field only to have the doors close directly behind her, leaving Bradley with Auron.

“Yeah mate, I don't blame ya for starin at her. She’s the goddess of goddess’ and we all get caught gazing at her beauty when we first blip in.” Auron chuckled as he sat next to Bradley sharpening his blade.

Bradley lazily looked over to the massive blade that arc’ed and weaved in a viscous looking manner.

Auron peaked over and saw Bradleys eyes pop open, glued to his blade.

“Ah! I could see how this is the worst time to be sharpening this blade, my apologies mate.” Auron waved his hand over the blade which was more than a few feet in length and inches thick. Upon doing so, it magically disappeared as if it was never there.

“Don’t worry, if we wanted to kill ya, we’da dunnit about four hours ago when you popped in.” Auron joked around with a slap to Bradleys knee.

Bradley, still weak to converse back, communicated the only way he knew how.

He shot up an eyebrow.

“Ah yeahhhh, I been here so long, I forget how weak we are when we first arrived.” Auron was now fiddling with some other gadget with rivets and knobs tying together a compass. “When I first arrived, however long ago that was, I puked all over the floor for two days. Uh-huh, nothing made sense when I started lookin around and it took me a bit to wrap my head around what the hell this place actually is.” He chuckled as he reflected on his memories.

“In fact, when I saw what was behind those doors on this trai-” He was cut mid speech as a snore rudely interrupted him. A smile crept across his face as his eyes rolled to Bradley. “Ha, can’t wait to see how much you puke, got a lotta coin riding on ya boy.” Auron laid back and pulled out a flask from under his black cloak. It covered his entire body, leading up to a half hood that surrounded his head which covered the bottom half of his face. He shook the contents of the flask which made a woosh sound and a second later, he gulped as the liquid magically filled his mouth.

Chapter ll - New Friends

A sweet scent filled Bradleys nose and almost instantly, his eyes shot open, this time no daze but holding his stomach as it grumbled in starvation. His eyes scanned for the prize that woke him from his slumber and just before him sat a plate of some form assorted fruits that he did not recognize but in that moment, seemed to not care.

Bradley dove in and started ravaging the plate and shoving the food into his mouth, chopping away with juices splashing from his lips.

“You know, that could have been poisonous for all you know.” Auron said with a good ol slap on Bradleys back.

Bradleys stopped for a moment and connected eyes with Auron, who he could visibly see this time and was shocked by what was sitting a few inches from his face.

What he thought was human was actually a humanoid feline, dressed in his dark cloak that matched the color of his short but fine fur.

“What’s the matter kid,” Auron smirked, “Never seen a Meera before?” He knew all too well he would not have seen a Meera before. They were worlds apart, and Bradley was just a boy who doesn't even know who or where he is. This amused Auron beyond any limit that could have been set forth.

Bradley, still solidified in his gaze, mouth ajar with his hands holding the fruit.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?!” Auron bursted out into an uncontrollable laughter, rolling back and forth.

Bradley, now utterly confused, began to take into account his surroundings. His eyes rolled from side to side, scanning for anything to make sense but what he saw seemed to only separate him from reality further and further.

He was sitting in a long corridor, but the corridor seemed to have no end and no beginning in either direction. The ceiling extended far beyond his sight and he could even sense moisture in the air, almost as if there was an invisible fog that was looming over him.

He set the food down onto the plate and wiped his face.

“You,” He looked to his feline friend, “You’re Auron, aren’t you?” His eyebrow shot up with a cautious look about him.

Auron stood up from his seat, showing his slender build. The cloak weaved and draped in ways Bradley had never seen before.

“Aye, that’d be correct little lad.” He gestured with a slight bow. “I am also your guardian aboard the train.”

“Wait, train?” Bradley looked around, even more confused than before. “What train?”

“Uh - huh… yeah, ok follow me kid. Easier to show you than tell you.” Auron walked out from the benches and began walking down the aisle. “You comin or what?” he shouted without looking.

Bradley took a deep breath and shook his head. “What the hell is going on?” He thought to himself.

“We don't have all eternity!” Auron shouted once again.

“Screw it,” Bradley whispered.

He stood up and followed his so-called guardian down the neverending aisle with no windows on either side. Just endless rows of empty seats.

“This has to be a dre- '' He began to think but was cut before he could finish the thought.

“Nope, you’re not dreaming kid.” Auron paused in stride and shifted to one side of the aisle, waving Bradley closer.

As he approached, Bradley began to notice a shimmering door start to appear before him and just as he got within a few feet the doorway fully formed. It shimmered a metallic silver and was cross sectioned in thousands of shards.

Auron muttered a few syllables that Bradley could not make out and the door began to hum in a specific tune. Just before Bradley could catch on to the tune, which seemed somehow familiar to him, the door broke away into a thousand pieces, falling into another dimension right before him.

He stepped forward and was captivated by what had just been revealed to him.

“You’re far from it.” Auron winked at him.

Standing at the edge of the doorway, he could see an entire new world with animals, creatures floating in the air, a sun paired with a moon off in the distance. Rivers, lakes, everything a world needed to survive was inches from his feet and as massive as could be.

“Now, for the fun part,” Auron looked at him square in the face. Bradley looked right back at him, not knowing what to expect but was greeted with the warmest cat smile he had ever seen.

“What fun par-” Bradley began to ask but was shoved off the edge and began falling endlessly into the world at his feet, which didn't stop. He fell through the dimension and found himself in a wormhole of beauty, stars and galaxies rushing all around him. Normally the boy would have been scared but the beauty of it all stayed with his scarcity and found himself lost in what his eyes were witnessing.

Just as quickly as it started, it began to end as a solid floor was fast approaching which stirred a little panic in Bradleys stomach. He closed his eyes and braced for an impact that never came.

Chapter lll: Remembrance

“You can open your eyes now, Bradley.” The sweetest voice of the angel filled his heart once again.

An eye popped open and there he was, inches from the ground with his arms covering his face ready for impact.

His body levitated off the ground and with a deep breath, he turned right side up.

“Very good, Bradley, “The voice echoed his mind once again. “And now, exhale to let yourself down.”

To which he naturally did and as instructed, his feet landed softly on the ground which once again, turned to be another compartment in this so-called Train.

Bradley looked around to get his bearings.

This compartment was cleaner, nicer and well lit. It had windows which revealed a snow capped mountain range in the distance. Bradley noticed it was early spring and the flowers were beginning to bloom. He had seen photos of this place in school and the sight put him to ease.

“Switzerland…?” He questioned under his breath.

“Correct.” The voice now shot through his ears. Bradleys neck almost snapped as the voice came from behind him this time where he could see a beautiful woman with a bowl shaped hat sitting a few seats back, staring out the window.

He looked around and noticed they were the only two in this compartment.

Knowing he was not going to get any answers just standing there, he walked towards the woman and politely asked, “Is this seat open?”

She looked at Bradley revealing the beauty of her face, which pierced his heart. She had pale white skin which glowed with an essence that blurred the edges of her skin. One eye half blue and brown, the other was near crystal white. Her hair was some color of white Bradley had never seen before, and her clothing was that of a business woman which slightly threw him off.

“Of course, Bradley.” She smiled. “After all, I have been waiting a very long time for you.” The look on her face melted Bradleys heart.

So, he sat next to her and before he could say anything, she began.

“I know, you have a thousand and one questions to ask, but before you do allow me..” She closed her eyes which began to flicker as if she was pulling data from somewhere in the recesses of her mind.

After a second or two they shot open and she smiled again.

“Bradley Blackwell, born October the 24, 1926, age 14, attends Whitmore Highschool in Londinium. You have two pets, a turtle and a dog named Rolo. A girl in your class named Anna-Maria picks on you because she secretly likes you, a bully named Todd Terosian who has hated you since you were 6 and two parents that are together only because of you. You find yourself a burden to others, an outcast with not many friends and often take the long way home at night to self reflect on life, asking yourself, “Is this all that there is to life?” She tilted her head to one side. “Does this sum it up pretty good?” Once again, her angelic smile crept across her face.

“Yeah,” Bradley nodded, “my favorite food is porridge.” He said with a sarcastic tone.

“Ah!” The woman giggled with excitement before him. “Humor, such a joy from your kind. Never goes unnoticed and always appreciated” She said with a wink.

“My kind?” Bradley questioned. “Wait, what exactly is going on? Who are you, who is the cat, what’s the deal with the fall through outer space and why do you two keep saying this is a train?” His voice was a little shaked and his body posture a little ruffled.

“Mhm,” She nodded her head, “Great questions, as expected from you.” She stood up and walked out into the aisle and waved for Bradley to follow.

“It’s easier if I show you.” She announced.

“Na na na,” Bradley shook his head crossing his arms. “The last thing that said that to me was a cat and I fell through the floor of the universe.”

“I know he did, but I assure you, I will not.” Her voice was quite reassuring.

She reached out her hand for him to take in an effort to earn his trust, which proved to be correct. Somehow, Bradley felt like she knew him and knew him well.

Sensing his hesitation, she bridged the gap.

“My name is Alessa.” Her soft eyes poured in Bradleys which nearly forced him to take her by the hand.

Standing together, the two began to walk down the aisle.

“Yes Bradley, you are on a train. A magical train that goes anywhere and everywhere. One that passes through time, space and fractal planes, reaching new destinations all in search of souls like you, me and the cat that pushed you off the ledge.”

As they walked through the cabin, another doorway appeared in front of them and just as before, the woman hummed a tune and as expected, the door flashed the same way giving way to yet another world before him, but this one was not as grand. It was a common room with a campfire and Bradley could hear laughing coming from just on the other side.

“This is all going to sound confusing at first, but think for a moment. You have always felt something was off, something was out of place, almost as if you were in the wrong time period, the wrong family, and even the wrong life.” As she spoke, Bradley felt like she had been reading his thoughts from his entire back life to him.

“This is because you have been in the right, but wrong time, place.” She nodded. “You are actually from somewhere else and have been lost on a spiritual journey for quite some time, but now,” As they stepped through, the compartment behind them vanished and left them entirely in this new room. “You have been found!”

As they stood there, Bradley took in the new room. It had a warm feeling to it, a small campfire floated in the middle of a circular room that had hallways leading in each direction he looked.

Sitting on the floor next to the fire were two souls, one Bradley recognized as Auron and the other was who he first saw when he woke a few hours ago.

“Ah, the little lad is alive and well.” Auron stood up to greet him. “How was your fall?” Once again giving off the same warm smirk as before.

“Uh, quite beautiful, actually.” Bradley replied.

Auron winked, knowing full well the boy would have enjoyed it.

“Oi!” The raspy voice echoed from behind him. “He didn't puke, did he?” The short woman bellowed.

Aurons eyes rolled as his hand appeared from under his cloak with a bag that jingled. He tossed it to his partner who made the claim.

“HA!” She jiggled the bag next to her ear, satisfied with the contents inside. She walked to Bradley with her hand out, eager to shake his hand.

“I’m Gidget,” She took Bradleys hand and shook vigorously. “Your weapons and spells technician.”

Bradley looked her up and down, analyzing the woman before her, realizing that even though she had a human appearance, she seemed to have features that led him to believe she too was from somewhere else. He decided to hold back from asking as there were more pressing matters on his mind. He took note of her short stature with a slight hunch. A small jacket covering her top with a fit body and bandanna covering her jet black hair that had a silver tint to it. Her face revealed she had seen a lot and although good looking, she was no Alessa.

“My what?” Bradley confused, yet again.

“Easy you two, we’re not quite there yet.” Alessa’s voice piped in.

“Ah, well, let us know when he is ready then!” The two walked towards one of the aisle where another portal opened up revealing a massive ocean just below them. “We have lots of work to do with him!” Gidget shouted and then the two jumped out, falling hundreds of feet below into the water before the portal closed.

“You’re going to love those two when we catch you up to speed.” She stated as she walked over to a circular table with a mirror on it.

“Come Bradley, let me show you who you are.” She gestured to him with a soft wave of her hand.

As he approached, the mirror began to fall away revealing a bright star in the middle of space. Once again, Bradley was captivated by the beauty of what this train had to offer.

As he watched, the star grew from a warm yellow to a bright blue and burst into millions of little stars which flew throughout time and space. He could never have imagined what he was seeing, but somehow, this once felt all too familiar to him, Almost as if he was there.

“Yes Bradley, you were there.” Alessa stated with confidence, knowing what he was thinking.

“You’re pretty good at that, you know?” He stated.

“I know.” She replied, catching his sarcasm once again.

The image shifted from millions of lights and began to hone in on just one. One little light that flew through space, eventually landing on a little blue planet that looked vaguely familiar, Earth.

There, the seed of light remained as time sped up and Bradley could see the rise and fall of many civilizations, rising to power, glory and then collapsing. Each one, the little light played a role in. He could see the little light grow from baby, to woman, living a life and then passing away only to be born again into another baby which again, had a life. Each life played an important role and ushered in advancements for that world. He saw the little light become a King, philosopher, architect, husband, warrior, lover. A politician, a leader, a conqueror. Each life had importance and then each life ended until it appeared as a young boy, living in Londinium, walking home from school thinking that there had to be more to life.

He stood there, in silence with not even a single thought racing through his mind.

Alessa, knowing him all too well, remained silent. She knew this was the time to wait.

“How many lives, Alessa…How many lives have I lived as a human?” He questioned.

“Ten thousand, four hundred and forty four lives this year, Bradley.” She replied with confidence.

“Am I dead?” He questioned without looking up.

“Oh certainly!” She said joyfully. “Your human body would not be able to survive on this train, and the fact you were called to board is such an honor!”

“What do you mean honor?” he shook his head confused yet again. “How did I die?” just as he questioned, the mirror shimmered before him to the light and he saw himself walking home from school. As he crossed the bridge, a carriage lost control and ran into him, knocking him into the street where he hit his head on the curb.

“That was your final moment, in that world.” She pointed to the world below. “Normally you would have been reborn to keep developing and learning the ways of the human, but it appears you are ready for the next phase of your nurturing as a starchild.”

“A what?” Bradley responded, but somehow that too sounded familiar.

“A Starchild!” She piped in happily. “It should be coming back to you by now.”

His head began to nod. “Yes, I think it is Alessa.” He walked around in thought as little memories of his former lives began trickling in.

“I think I remember now.” He paused and looked at Alessa.

“I was born of the Great Star, seeded through time, energy and dimensions to help nurture the growth of life, in my case, humans. I was meant to help create art, math and reveal to human science and wisdom. To show them love, compassion and sometimes pain and hardship, all to help develop their character as a species.” He nodded, “Yes, I remember now. I remember all my past lives and the role of each moment I lived.”

“Yes!” Normally we Starchilds remember much faster once you are aboard theTrain, but you lived a lot of lives. It makes sense why it took you much longer than the rest of us!”

“The rest of us?” He looked back to Alessa. “How many more of us are there?”

“Oh, tens of thousands of course!” She walked over to a window, knowing Bradley would follow.

He stared off into the distance and then looked towards Alessa.

“And you?” He questioned with a soft undertone.

“Aside from Alessa, I am one of the conduits for the Life Star.” Her hands formed a circle over her head. “My purpose is to help guide Star Children from task to task, lead them to their purpose and provide answers when needed, as in this case, with you.” Her hands fell to her side. “I am here for you, and all your brothers and sisters to find their way and this train allows me to find each of you that has been spread throughout time and space.”

“This does not feel like a train.” His eyes rolled around. “Or at least not one that I can remember.”

She took him by the hand and took him to a shimmering window down one of the hallways.

“This, Bradley, is the train.” She shared with a sense of joy in her voice.

Bradley looked and could see hundreds of compartments connected together flying through space and time. Each compartment was similar in size but definitive characteristics defined each one. None were alike and most were otherworldly with a few resembling the locomotives of his time. Instincts told him that each one was superbly different in their contents.

“Yes Bradley, each of those compartments is a different reality, world and time zone.” She looked at him. “This train has selected you because you were ready for the next phase of your life as a Starchild.” Her head tilted to one side. “Do you remember what that is?”

He stared for a moment. Allowing the feeling to come to him, one that he had known all along.

It’s time to find the rest of us and rejoin the life star.” He squared up to her.

“Yes Bradley.” She nodded with closed eyes. “I am sure you felt the darkness beginning to creep in over your lifetime. We need you and more like you that have learned over the last Millenia, the great wisdoms and teachings to come together and form the Life Star again.

The two stood, staring at one another as long lost friends, brothers and sisters that have not seen one another for eons.

“I am ready.” He confirmed with confidence in his eyes.

“Good!” She reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder, “Your next Starchild journey begins, now.”

A portal opened up to the side of them revealing yet another dimension leading to somewhere Bradley knew not.

He looked at her, nodded with a grin, turned and jumped through the portal leading him on to his next adventure.

“Good luck, Bradley.” Alessa wished him. “You are more important than you remember.”