I know the location of The Merger, Joint continued.

The Merger is an old wives tale told to children to scare them into their beds, Phobos flung back. Don't toy with me and offer me things that never were.The Ruby Casket lies in the Cave of Sorrow just beyond the Flaming Cliffs, Joint submitted. It would be a simple matter of loaning me a platoon of Lurdens.Even if it exists you would still need the Heart of Candracar to open it, Phobos countered.

Which is why I have this, Joint explained. He pulled out the future Heart.

How did you get this? Tell me, demanded Phobos.

I picked it off the dead body of the Guardian leader, Joint boasted.

The one with the red hair is dead? Why was I not informed? asked a shocked Phobos.

I didn't know my liege, Cedric defended.

She isn't dead now, explained Joint. She was when I pulled this off her in the future. With the Merger under your command The Guardians of this time would be destroyed by moon rise on the day of his awakening.So we're going right? Cornelia asked as she shut her locker.

What's not to like? Elyon answered. Vance Michael and diet soda! They will have diet soda right?And greasy carnival food, Taranee added in displeasure.

And those nerdy forty year old men all dressed in those flame shirts talking about headers, Irma continued unimpressed.

I think some of those old cars are kinda cool, Hay Lin countered.

It's a Saturday in Heatherfield, Will mentioned half interested. We could do worse. They all murmured in agreement. What time is VMJ supposed to be there?He hates being called that! Cornelia retorted.

Don't forget to tell him that when you meet him, Will rejoined.

I think he's handing out some kind of award, Elyon declared.

Awards are four, Will stated as she read a car show schedule she pulled off the bus stop. I don't believe this! Frogstang! Irma asked. Have you gone off the deep end fearless leader?I saw Frogstang when I was seven, Will admitted. It's a fully functional Ford Mustang that turns into a hopping frog.There's reason for that, Irma threw back. Robo-Dragster, Truckzilla, the Vabulous Van, they're all there to keep seven year olds entertained. Will's eyes lowered into slits the pupils focused with intent.

I've never heard of the Vabulous Van, Taranee stated.

It's a van with fold down sides, Hay Lin explained. And jet engines that lift it into the sky.I'd like to see that, Taranee said slightly interestedly.

Irma vented. I'm friends with children!

0.0.0

Joint lay underneath a car that had broken down in front of the Sheffield Institute. He got up and motioned for the driver to start his engine.

How's that, he asked. The driver signaled with a thumbs up. Remember you'll want to get that fixed soon. What I got going on down there won't hold for long. The driver signaled in acknowledgement. As the driver pulled away Joint returned to the bench on which he had both his lunch and his reading materials.

Lunch consisted of Eggs Benedict left over from Breakfast. Joint ate this while perusing this month's issue of Golfer's Vacationer. Arnold Palmer had an interview inside where he talked about a new course he had designed in Boca Raton Florida.

Joint finished his lunch, his magazine and the school bell rang signaling the girls were finished with school. He waited by the gate to meet them.

Girls how was school today?' he asked in a chipper voice.

Eh it was school today, Will answered unsurely. Elyon followed right behind them and Will wasn't sure explaining who Joint really was was something she wanted to do. How was your day cousin? Joint joined them as they began walking.

I fixed a guy's radiator by stuffing my own hair into it, Joint replied. Who is this charming creature.

Oh yes Joint, meet Elyon Brown. Elyon, Joint, Will introduced.

Elyon Brown, my name is Caleb Vandom but as you know I'm better known as Joint, Joint started. He turned and bent down on one knee before taking her hand. The pleasure is mine to have met you. He kissed it. You have the classic good looks of a princess of Europe. Hopefully without the inbred insanity and hemophilia.Stop it your embarrassing me, Elyon replied slightly flaberghasted.

Entirely my fault mi Lady, Joint apologized as he got up.

Now you see why he's called Joint, Will responded to her cousin's' behavior.

Yeah, as in he smokes to many, Cornelia added.

I think he kinda cute in man of mystery' sort of way, Elyon admitted. The scars and the patch lend an air of danger about him.That's nice to hear, but you're much too old for me, he hemmed before realizing he needed to think of lies and fast. I'm too old for you. Besides the mystery is how someone as clumsy as me got a job as a mechanic. Nothing more exciting than dropped car parts caused these scars.So we're going to the mall right? Elyon asked changing the subject.

I saw this dress that would look so cute on you! Cornelia squealed.

I've gotta watch Chris, Irma let out slightly disappointed.

I've gotta study for that test tomorrow, Taranee responded.

Gotta help around the restaurant, Hay Lin threw out dejectedly.

I've gotta go home with my Will responded as she realizing she had an excuse not to go. See ya later?Yeah, ok, Cornelia answered before they all broke up.

0.0.0

Well here we are Home sweet cave, Will responded. Joint sat down on his bed roll. It was surrounded by his books on one side. His briefcase and a few shopping bags on the other. Is what you said back at school true?Along what lines? Joint asked. I said alot.Your name is Caleb Vandom? Will interrogated. She paced the cave's floor.

It was the name given to me by my mother, Joint answered.

And I take it that person is...or will be me? She continued.

Might as well say yes, Joint acknowledged.

And your history book keeps changing, Will thought aloud. What does it say now?

It gives a time and place for Elyon's death. This Saturday at the old fairgrounds, Joint spelled out.

The car show, Will replied. That's in two days! Tell me you have a plan.My plan is in motion as we speak, Joint answered back. Will looked through Joint's shopping bags.

What do you need this stuff for? she asked pointedly.

All part of the plan, Joint assured.

0.0.0

The throne room was darker than usual. Lightning flashed just outside the windows. On the throne was an expectant Phobos surveying his prize: the Ruby Casket. The casket shone with a light that emanated from the inside. The same interior in which lay The Merger. And he would not lie inside for much longer.

How long should this take? Phobos asked. He was already impatient and the casket had just arrived.

Not long at all, Joint replied. He took the future Heart out of his pocket. He used the tip to draw two semicircles back to back on the casket. A white light emerged from where Joint had drawn.

With his power under my command I will be unstoppable, Phobos chuckled. Tell me, what do you know of my sister in the future?You never found your sister, Joint replied matter of factly as he drew arrow tops on the ends of the semi circles.

No matter, with the power you are about to unleash I will be made a god! Phobos burst out. Joint finished his work by drawing a complete circle over the arrow tops and a dot in the center of his drawings. The casket clicked a series of five times. Phobos eyes grew in anticipation as Joint lifted the lid.