Chapter 2: Occurrences of monsters
TJ Detweiler took a rest in the woods, outside the Third Street School in Little Rock, Arkansas. He begins his daily meditation, flourished by the laughter and cheering of two children, Molly and Lisa. TJ has many thoughts about his past. He has won a long, hard, but not too recent.
He now ponders his meeting 9 years ago with the old man named Radagast and the tale he told TJ about the One Ring of Power. Now he waits and meditates on what Radagast said about him and his friends experiencing this tale for themselves as they will live it. And somehow, TJ now feels that the time is drawing near for them.
The children went up to the meditating TJ, "hey, TJ, do you wish to play with us now?" Asked the children.
TJ opened his eyes and looked at his little visitors. "Are you playing ball again, Molly and Lisa?"
"Yes, TJ," said Lisa.
TJ smiled and went with them. "Okay, then we shall play together, that we will," said TJ.
Inside the dojo, a 19 year old Italian American girl, a 19 year old Polish-American boy, 19 year old auburn hair and slightly slanted eyes, He wears a blue t-shirt, gray pants, and gray shoes. He also has rat-like features. continued in their training in swordsmanship with wooden swords. The door of the hall opened revealing a 19 year old African American slender, and athletic boy with black hair. He is taller than T.J. He wears a light grey t-shirt with darker grey stripes on the sleeves and a darker grey collar, a sleeveless green basketball jersey with a golden number one symbol on it. He also wears dark grey shorts and black and white sneakers. He is often seen with a pair of yellow wristbands. He carried a letter with him.
"Spinellis, Gus, Randall, we've just got this letter for you guys," said the boy.
"Hello Vince," said the woman with the wooden sword named Ashley Spinelli.
"Hey, Spinelli, how've you three been, heh," said the boy named Vince.
The boy, Gus spoke, "we've been doing well as can be expected, Vince.
The Auburn hair boy, Randall Spoke So, you've brought a letter, huh,? I'll go and get TJ."
a 19 year old pair of nerd glasses, a sky blue dress shirt with a blue and red striped tie alongside blue jeans. On this picture of his birthday party alongside T.J., he wears a blue and red striped shirt that reveals his stomach. His hair is brown, straight and short name Menlo. speak to Spinelli "how's TJ, these days, Spinelli?"
"He seems to be okay Menlo," said Spinelli, "especially after we graduated fourth grade. Its been a long time since school ended. And four weeks after we came back to Little Rock."
"Well, be happy, Spinelli," said Menlo. "TJ can finally call this place his home." Spinelli had a moment of silence to think about what Menlo said.
"…Yes, Menlo you're right!" Spinelli sighed with a cheery smile.
" There's something else isn't that right Spinelli?" asked Menlo. "You still haven't admitted your feelings for him, have you?"
"Well, Menlo," started Spinelli. "TJ hasn't admitted his feelings for me either, if he really has them of course. We can also relax that Mikey's no longer after TJ for the title of the strongest. I wonder how he and Gretchen are doing in Little Rock these days?"
"That's a funny thing, missie," started Vince. "Because this letter's from Little Rock. I've been thinking about Gretchen and the others at the Restaurant myself." Spinelli was enlightened to hear where the letter came from.
Ransall came back with TJ and the young children. "Menlo, Vince, Buddy," said TJ, "you've come with a letter now, have you?"
"Yeah, TJ," said Vince. "It's from Gretchen and Mikey at the Restaurant in Little Rock."
"Oh, is it now?" TJ said as Menlo handed him the letter. TJ opened the letter and read it aloud:
Dear TJ, Spinelli and the others at the Third Street School,
Me, Mikey, and the others of the Group are doing fine. We hope you are doing well also.
Gramps is still as silly as ever, even after being severely injured by Mikey. The Ashleys still dream about TJ's teacher, Hiko. Butch is still his kind old self. Shiro is doing fine as well. And Mikey is always meditating.
Your victory over Mikey must really have affected him so much TJ. He tells me he has no regrets about fighting with his best strength. Perhaps, in his heart, he still beats himself over what he did to Gramps and all. He tries so hard to find inner peace within his soul every day.
Well, anyway, Gramps' birthday is coming up and we're all trying to keep it a surprise for him as best as we can. So, I'm inviting all of you guys to come to the party. I hope Mikey will be there as well. It's on September 1. So I'm expecting to see, you TJ, you hear? You too, Spinelli, Gus, Randall, Menlo, and of course, Vince.
With best wishes,
Gretchen Grundler and everyone at the Restaurant…
"This is truly wonderful, that it is," said TJ.
"Wow!" spoke Gus, "the old man's having a surprise party."
"The surprise Gretchen has for Principal Prickly must really be explosive indeed," Spinelli said sheepishly.
"Gretchen must think Mikey to be real special to her indeed," spoke Menlo.
"Yes he is, Menlo," explained TJ, "she told me so, from the first night we met, that she did. Hey, Molly, Lisa, do you fancy a trip to Little Rock? There's going to be a birthday party on September 1."
"Yeah, TJ, sure we will!" the children cheered together.
"I think I'll come along with you also," said Menlo. "I think can handle everything while I'm away. Besides, I've done so once while we met perfect Jared." Menlo laughed mischievously at herself for that remark. But then the residents at the dojo knew Megumi has a knack for being sneaky.
"Still your old scheming self, aren't you Menlo?" said Spinelli with a sheepish grin.
"Well, you know me, Spinelli," said Menlo.
"Yeah," interjected Vince. "We know, you're a Smart."
"Yeah, well I am smart." said Menlo...
"Well, we certainly know how Menlo became part of the recess gang, that we do," said TJ, with a grin on his face.
"…GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT!" Vince fumed at TJ.
Days later, the gang left for little Rock. Menlo guided the children through the city by holding their hands. The streets teemed with people. TJ once feared coming back to Little Rock because of his past as the Battousai. Perhaps… even now, he may fear to come to the city, even though… he's here for Prickly's birthday…
The children, Molly and Lisa, laughed as they went through the city. The company decided to stay at the Shirobecko, the beef pot restaurant that nearly shares the namesake of the Akabecko in their hometown in Little Rock, to throw off suspicion towards Peter Prickly, the third Street School Principal at the restaurant. TJ sent Gretchen a letter to meet them at the Italian Restaurant when they arrive. They arrived at the meeting place in question, and saw Gretchen waving at them…
"TJ, Spinelli, over here you guys," said Gretchen. Gretchen was 10 years old.
"It's nice to meet you again, Gretchen," greeted TJ.
"Same here, TJ. Hey, who are the kids?"
"Oh, this is Molly and Lisa, "said TJ, "they're not my kids, of course. They're the grandchildren of a doctor back in Little Rock."
"Oh, I see. Hello kids, my name's Gretchen Grundler."
"Hello, Gretchen," greeted the children. Gretchen grinned, "ah, hello there, Gretchen. It's nice to see you again."
"Nice to see you too," said Menlo, "I take it Mikey's still at that temple again, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Gretchen answered sadly, "I don't see how he can still have many regrets about his past. I say he should just be happy."
"Gretchen," interjected TJ, "you really mustn't be so hard on Mikey, that you shouldn't." Mikey wished she could believe TJ.
TJ continued, "you must have patience. Give him all the time in the world. Someday, I believe he will certainly come to terms with himself, that I do." TJ smiled his usual smile to Gretchen.
"Anyway," said Spinelli, "let's all catch up on old times, Gretchen. That's what we're here to do, isn't it?"
Gretchen finally regained her wits, "yeah, you're right, Spinelli. After all, I want to have some fun, don't I?" The group went inside the restaurant. Gretchen, Gus, and Randall played with the children.
TJ went to get a present for Principal Prickly, since he helped TJ at his own free will. Unexpectedly, during his window shopping, he senses a presence. It was someone, whom TJ least expected to see.
"It's been a while, Lawson," TJ said with displeasure.
It was a tall and skinny. He wears a light blue short-sleeved shirt with two red and one white stripes, blue jeans, black and white sneakers, and a blue baseball cap worn with the visor in front over his brown hair. He also has freckles on his cheeks., Erwin Lawson.
The 19 year old called Lawson spoke to TJ, "yes. My, how fate always seems to bring us together doesn't it? I spotted you and your friends since this afternoon, TJ."
"I knew somehow that you survived the explosion at the hideout, that I did. If you've come to settle the score with me, I'm afraid I don't have the time. I'm shopping for Principal Prickly's birthday, tomorrow," stated TJ.
"Don't be hasty, Detweiler. Feel free to shop for the old man's birthday if that's what you want to do. I'm here on police business, as usual," assured Lawson.
"I have noticed the increasing police patrols, that I have. No doubt, you can tell me about it," said TJ.
Lawson gave a humph to TJ and began informing his long time adversary, "just so you know, there have been reports of strange monsters in this area." This caught TJ's attention…
Back at the Restaurant, the Children played outside while Gretchen talked with Spinelli and the others. "Monsters, Gretchen? When did this all happen?"
"Two days ago," she said and continued, "we've been informed by Governor from all over Fayetteville. Strange occurrences of troll-like demon monsters have so far, been outside Fayettevolle, thank goodness. They've been prowling out in the woods. These occurrences have been happening at night basically, never in the daytime. They were also seen on what seems to be giant, dog-like creatures."
Everyone was speechless and surprised at the information Gretchen spoke of…
Lawson continued, "these occurrences never take place when its light out apparently, only at night. It's enough to make you think they're vampires or something."
"It must be something that's even worse than talk of vampires, that it is."
"And whatever it is," another person spoke out of nowhere, "I wish to see that it doesn't happen here in Fayetteville." It was another largest and tallest member of The Recess Gang, having a large chubby appearance. He wears a white partially untucked t-shirt, brown pants and teal blue sneakers. He has blond hair similar to Gus..
"Mikey," said TJ. "So, you've been investigating these occurrences as well?" TJ asked him.
The 19 year old boy named Mikey spoke to TJ, "indeed, Theodore."
"Well," smirked Lawson, "isn't this one big get together we're all having."
Mikey continued, "I was able to track the appearances of these monsters. I followed the tracks up to the vicinity of Forth Smith, the former hideout."
TJ frowned, "I hope its not behind these monsters."
"Let's hope it isn't, Theodore," said Lawson.
"By the way," interjected Mikey, "I found…"
"Mikey was able to find a piece of cloth at where the occurrences originate," said Gretchen. She got out a picture of what Mikey found. It was a cloth with a hand printed on top of it.
"A white hand?" asked Gus.
"Yes," answered Menlo, "it was a black piece of cloth with nothing but this hand on it. Sounds a bit creepy, if you ask me…"
"A white hand. This is a mystery to all of us Mikey, that it is," said TJ as Mikey gave the cloth with the hand to Lawsin.
"Indeed," said Lawson, "you found this at Forth Smith, you say?"
"Yes, Lawson," said Mikey, "it sounds as if it's another plot to take over this country, like Shishio's."
TJ started to walk away from Mikey and Lawson. "Listen, you two can check it out. I'm still shopping for Principal Prickly's birthday, that I am. Gretchen hopes you can be there, Aoshi. I'll tell her I ran into you, okay?"
"I still don't know if I'll make it Theodore. But I'll try to be there if I can. I still want to drink some tea with you, though," said Mikey as TJ parted.
TJ returned to the restaurant with a package in his hands. "Hello, I'm back," said TJ. "So, caught up on old times?"
"That and more, TJ," said Vince and continued, "Gretchen told us about strange occurrences of monsters that have been happening for two days."
"I know, Vince," said TJ. "I bumped into Lawson and Mikey while I was shopping." Vince was surprised and somehow annoyed that Lawson was still alive…
TJ went on, "thanks to them, I have the whole gist of the situation. They're going to search the area where the occurrences Mikey believes originated." TJ's remark left determined faces upon his friends, even Gretchen.
"Do you still plan to have the party tomorrow, Gretchen?" TJ asked, "Mikey said he would be there if he can."
"Of course TJ, I'm not about to let a few scare of monsters disturb our plans. And besides, I know that Mikey can take care of himself," said Gretchen as she winked.
"Well, it's been fine guys, see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Gretchen, "everyone said.
It was night. TJ decided to take watch outside the back, in case there's such an attack that is bound to happen. In the woods, near Forth Smith, Lawson and Mikey approached cautiously through the area.
"This is where I found the tracks were leading to," said Mikey.
"It looks like you're right. I'm starting to feel a presence here. A very evil presence," noted Lawson.
Suddenly, the two heard distinct growling. They were trying to find out where it was coming from. The growling got louder and louder each moment that passes. They drew their swords in defense, as a form in a large, horse-like dog, appeared from the darkness. Aoshi and Saito gasped at the sight of it…
The creature that mounted it was a small, demon-like creature with a club. The creature charged at them. Lawson and Mikey, with swords at the ready, posed in their fighting stances.
More of these dog creatures came out of the darkness, and then…
…From far away…
TJ senses the battle-taking place, a battle that may end up in disaster. TJ may yet realize that the future events told to him by Radagast the Brown are starting to come to pass…
Disclaimer: I do not own TJ Detweiler or Lord of the Rings. Recess is the property of Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere and Lord of the Rings is the property of Professor J. R. R. Tolkien