A/N: ...erm...right... Merry Christmas! *runs and hides in shame and terror*

Chapter 1

A loud explosion echoed in the College. A quite common occurrence as the subject studied here was magic. Many a student had caused such an explosion throughout their years studying here. It was the fact that this particular explosion occurred in the Great Library of all places. No magic other than minor illusionary magics were allowed in the Library for risk of damaging the many tomes it housed.

Yao sighed and bowed his head in annoyance. Honestly, these magelings were sometimes too much to handle, but nothing seemed to stop them from trying anything new. As the Jack, charged with much of the paperwork involved in running the kingdom, Yao rarely had time to himself, especially since the former King and Queen died two years ago without bearing any children. The new King and Queen had yet to be found despite the many attempts to do just that.

Traditionally, the King was chosen from the military, the Queen from the College of Magic, and the Jack from the non-magical University of Spades. True to tradition, Yao Wang, a student of the University studying accounting had been chosen by the Jack's Sword completely by accident. He'd literally bumped into the entourage sent to find the Jack and from that moment could not keep his eyes or hands off the blade. Even now, he always kept it by his side.

But no King had been found from the military and no Queen from the College of Magic. The King's Clock hung uselessly in the King's throne not even ticking. It was almost as if it was completely broken. And the Queen's Clock was little better. It would begin ticking sporadically only to stop after a few seconds. It was mindboggling and absolutely the last thing the poor Jack needed. Yao reached up and rubbed his temples gently, nursing his ever growing headache.

Another explosion rocked the castle and Yao threw down his pen in frustration. This was getting ridiculous. Standing, the young man tucked a stray strand of hair that had escaped his ponytail and stalking out of his study and towards the explosions. He had absolutely enough of this.

Anyone unfortunate to cross his path would scurry out of his way as fast they were able. Yao rarely yelled or lashed out in anger or frustration. He preferred a very meaningful glare accompanied by subtle insults. But the few times he had, excuse the word, exploded in anger, he had very nearly brought down a small building. It took the new king's unusual strength to hold him down and even that was a difficult matter. Since that day, no one had dared push Yao that far ever again. No one, not even Yao, wanted a rerun of those particular events.

When he finally entered the College's North Oval, he paused. Ah yes, that definitely explained the explosions.

All around the grassy oval were young magelings and potential magelings currently trying their hand at magic under the watchful eyes of the College professors. He'd forgotten today was one of the two yearly Summoning Days. Each Summoning Day took place on the two Equinoxes. Anyone, mageling or no, was welcome to come to the College on these days to test their hand at sorcery. Anyone who passes any one of the tests traditionally given by the Queen, but currently given by the Head Mage in the Queen's absence is automatically admitted to the College as a new potential mageling.

One of the Professors, Lucas Bodvik, noticed the Jack's appearance and nodded in his direction before turning back to his student. Nodding in return, Yao turned to head back to his desk in the Great Library only to see a shadow detach itself from wall nearby only to disappear behind the Library's walls. So even the Rangers are here. Good, they'll make sure nothing too ridiculous happens.

Content with the situation, Yao turned back to the Library once more only to be stop by another ruckus, this one distinctly unlike its predecessors. He turned just in time to see a young blonde boy run out from behind of the office buildings and onto the Oval, he was closely followed by several soldiers. The Professors immediately called off the summoning and dismissed the magelings. A disturbed summoning was never a good or safe thing. Obviously annoyed but obedient, the magelings fled the Oval along with most of the professors. Lukus and three others whos' names currently slipped the Jack's mind remained and formed a rough circle around the stranger.

Trapped, the youth stopped running and instead turned in a circle seeking escape looking very uncomfortable with being the center of attention. When everything calmed down and the soldiers caught up with the boy and cuffed him, Yao strode forward keeping an eye on the prisoner. The boy kept glancing around as if waiting for something to happen…or someone to come. The poor boy certainly looked harassed.

"Captain," he called, gaining the soldiers' attention, "may I ask what is going on here?"

"Ah, Jack Wang. Forgive the interruption," the professor replied, nodding once more. "This young man here was just exhibiting his ability to run from the law. Quite impressive, if a bit of a nuisance."

Yao once again stared at the frazzled youth in the mage circle. Tall, wavy pale blonde hair, lilac eyes, and he was shaking. "The poor boy looks like cornered mouse. Did he commit a crime I should know about?"

The captain, a dark haired man with a spark in his green eyes snorted. "Hardly. It's his brother we're interested in. A wild gunmage. Untrained, unchecked, and unchallenged. Very rare and very dangerous."

The Jack crossed his arms and tilted his head forward in annoyance. "I am aware of how rare it is. But the fact remains that this young man here has not committed any crime as of yet. Now release this boy immediately."

"I'm afraid I do not answer to you, Jack Wang. I answer only to the King."

"And since there is no King, you answer to me. Now release him." Yao's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Or what, Jack? You do not command the military. And according to the law, in the absence of the King, a wild mage of any kind is to be captured and brought to the College."

Yao twitched, his arms crossed before his chest tightened noticeably in barely contained fury.

"Let him go or I'll shoot."

The Mages gripped their respective staffs or wands ready to defend their Jack while the soldiers drew their weapons and made to move closer to the Jack. Another explosion, this one more muted, and with no accompanying flash of light or crater. Instead, the captain blinked dumbly, looked down at his hands where the prisoner should have been standing and found a pair of empty cuffs dangling from the chain the captain held in his hand. Yao, the mages, and the soldiers immediately turned to the sound of the new voice and the explosion and saw a youth who bore a distinct resemblance to the boy formerly in their custody. Except this one wielded a large two barreled gun which he currently held aimed at the Jack's heart.

To the surprise of his impromptu audience, the former prisoner suddenly appeared by the newcomer's side and whispered something too quiet to be heard. Whatever it was caused the threatening stranger to lower his gun and straighten from his crouch.

"You are the Jack of this nation?" he called.

Yao uncrossed his arms, waving the soldiers and the few Mages who remained on the Oval aside. He stepped forward with raised hands in a gesture of peace. "I am. And I assume you are the wild gunmage?"

"None o' yer beeswax."

The Jack blinked. Curious accent. "I apologize for your friend. I did not know of this. If there is any way for me to make up for this folly-"

"Wa'n't yer fault."

Yao nodded. "Indeed. I still ask your forgiveness."

"Again, wasn't yer fault." The stranger shrugged.

"Yes, about that. You do realize you could have gone through the proper channels to procure your friend's release."

The former captive leaned close the to the gun wielder and whispered again. "Yeah, I know. I also know it woulda taken days and I wasn't about to leave my brother in the hands of some godforsaken idiots who think they run this place like a friggin' clock er somethin'. Git off yer high horse and leave us in peace." With that, the two turned to leave.

"Wait." The Jack hurried across the grass to the two boys. "I would ask, where are you from? Your accent is unknown to me."

Closer to the young men, he noticed more details of the two. The former captive was shorter than the gunman by a couple inches and his hair was a lighter shade of blonde then the other's and his eyes were a lilac color. A truthseer perhaps? The gunman was more well-built with tanned skin and bright blue eyes and had hair like fresh wheat. He stood before the smaller boy protectively. The resemblance between the two youths was unmistakable. Brothers most likely.

The youth Yao believed to be the eldest raised his head and met his eyes squarely. "None o' yer beeswax. Lady!"

"Lady? I'm no-"

A high whistling call echoed from behind the Jack giving just enough warning to duck. A gust of wind accompanied by yet another whistling cry and a mid-size bird with white-speckled brown plumage covering its entire body flew low over the gatherings' heads.

When Yao had gathered his wits about him and lifted his head once more, he realized the two boys were gone. As quickly as they appeared, they were gone. A bell tolled from the great Watchtower at the highest pinnacle of the palace forcing the Jack to leave the Oval and return to the palace. He was hesitant to leave the situation as it was, but there was nothing left for him to do, so he left. Upon entering the palace walls he was assaulted by servants all talking at once. Something about the King's Clock.

That certainly woke him up. Terrified something had happened to the precious relic, Yao raced down the halls and into the great throne room.

"Ah, just in time. Hurry before it stops!" one of the many people gathered around the king's throne called.

"Before what stops?" Yao demanded, continuing to jog to the throne. But he didn't need a verbal answer, the visual was enough. There, sitting on its small silken pillow was the King's Clock, and it was ticking.