Chapter Two
Tom reached up to touch one of his tentacles. The moment he did, he became aware that he could feel his gloved hand's presence upon it. He'd literally grown another limb...two in fact!
Dad had got up and was scanning his Nekross son intently, his face frozen in alarm.
Even Randal Moon seemed totally gobsmacked. "Mistress Crowe!" he cried, "What manner of magic will you be casting on the young master?"
"I…don't know," was Gran's response, her countenance eerily pale, "I am so sorry, Thomas!"
"…you can turn him back?" Dad risked asking.
There was a long pause.
"I think so, Michael," replied Granny, "…we just need to find out what spell I cast first."
"…and you're saying my son could be a Nekross for…days…weeks…months?!"
"The sooner we find a reversing spell the better!" mused Ursula, thumbing through the spell book, "Oh…what have I done?!"
So, it appeared Tom was stuck with scaly skin until finally Granny and Moon diagnosed an antidote. It was going to be a long day.
…
Tom trod carefully out of the Chamber of Mysteries; still adjusting to the oversized boots he was stomping around in. He steadied himself against the cave wall as he hobbled along.
"How do they walk in these things?" grumbled the Nekross. His mind drifted to Princess Lexi, who had disguised herself as a sports enthusiast. Had she been uncomfortable in human clothes even as he was in Nekross attire?
Forget the clothes! How had she tolerated having a different body? His head was so much bigger and, worst of all, it was not like wearing a rubber prosthetic mask – his face was sensitive to anything touching it even as it was when he was human. At least Lexi had only been wearing a form filter, and hadn't really become a human!
"Tom?" called Benny, rushing to his aid. He put an arm round his shoulder to steady him.
"Thanks, Benzoid," responded his friend. Benny's brain found some difficulty in registering the Varg lookalike as being the buddy he knew and loved as he listened to his voice.
His attention was drawn to the spiky gauntlets as Tom staggered his way out of the Chamber, and into the hallway.
"I've decided I'm not going as Prince Varg next Halloween," joked the reluctant Nekross with a chuckle, bending his head to observe his costume. Benny recognised Tom's smile even under his yellow scales.
"Does your arm-piece work?" enquired Benny, "I mean, don't Varg and Lexi use them to contact the Zarantulus?" In response, Tom bent his arm upward to get a closer look at it. His hand hovered over the embedded panel which could quite easily be more than just an accessory.
He hesitated but eventually said into the communicator, "Tom to Zarantulus."
Meanwhile, on a spaceship somewhere near the moon, Lexi heard the sound of a com unit calling in on a nearby console.
"I believe we have a message, father," she informed the king.
"Who is it from, Lexi?" he boomed – not that I needed to note such a thing considering the fact he always spoke in a deep, intimidating voice.
The princess looked at the panel.
"…Tom Clarke!" she answered in utter surprise, punching the response button quickly for no other reason than curiosity.
"Is it working?!" went an enthusiastic voice in the background, whom Lexi soon recognised as Benny Sherwood.
"Hold on a minute, Benny!" said Tom, a bit flustered, "I don't know whether Gran could magic a piece of technology in the Chamber."
"Tom Clarke!" interrupted Lexi, "On what business do you contact the royal court of Nekron?"
"It works!" cheered Benny. Lexi supposed that her opponents had crafted a communicator of some sort, which they were now testing out, although its purpose was still unknown.
This was all too much for Tom. "Lexi?" he asked, "I'm talking to Lexi, right?" He could feel his tentacles squirming in a most peculiar fashion. The day had been just too strange! "Oh boy," he whispered, switching off the com.
"I have lost the signal, father," the female Nekross reported, before examining the monitor and finding out something rather astounding, "It says here that the message was sent to us via a Nekross communication device…the registration signal unknown."
That was odd. She could easily differentiate between each com unit, the distinction being a series of symbols on the screen. Had the wizards pinched a piece of apparatus, it would have been recognised…unless they had altered it in some way, which was pretty pointless since Lexi could still trace the source. However, hadn't the wizard halfling mentioned it being created through magic? What was THAT all about?
"Father, the device is possible to track. I could beam down to its location." She strode to face the king.
"Good, Lexi! At the last the Nekross shall feast on the half-form wizard's magic!"
Although the princess was satisfied at finding a strategy, there was something niggling at the back of her mind.
"We must take precautions. This could be a trap...albeit a rather obvious one."
"Foolish wizards! We will destroy all who dare to oppose the might of Nekron."
"I will launch an attack force upon the site. No-one shall stand against us – not even Tom Clarke!"
The king burst into deep, horrible laughter and was soon joined by his daughter.
…
Tom couldn't get over the occurrence. "We need to tell Gran about my gauntlet," he thought aloud, "That was just weird."
"Can I have a closer look at it?" asked Benny, and was just about to when he noticed a movement in the corner of his eye. A silhouette was advancing towards the front door. The bell rang suddenly.
"Someone's coming!" he yelped, "Quick! Hide!"
Benny dashed to man the entrance whilst Nekross Tom swiftly slammed the chamber shut and charged headlong into the kitchen, nearly tripping over his own feet, desperately hunting for a place to conceal himself. He spotted the sofa and vaulted over it with a mighty racket, yelling "Ouch!" as he landed in an unfortunately awkward position, right before Benny opened the door to face Quinn Christopher, clutching a football.
"Hi, Benzoid! Is Tom in? Are you up for a game of footie?" He moved his head around to try and spot his other buddy, who at that moment lay crumpled on the floor, listening intently.
"I'm afraid he's busy with homework," replied Benny, "I'm helping him revise for the science test tomorrow."
Poor Tom clapped a hand over his spiny forehead. Why did it have to be now? Why did his wizard alter ago have to interfere with his life in every single way? It wasn't fair!
"When you two are finished, I'll be waiting at the park," Quinn informed, throwing Benny the ball he was holding.
"Maybe then, Quinn," answered Benny, chucking the ball back into his friend's hands.
"See you later," responded Quinn with a shrug, turning away from the Clarkes' house. Benny closed the door as soon as possible and breathed a sigh of relief.
He meandered in the kitchen, calling, "It's OK! He's gone!"
Tom attempted to un-scrunch himself but one of his shoulder guards got caught on the settee's cover and he collapsed into a heap again.
"Tom!" cried his pal, rushing to his aid. A gloved hand rose onto the top of the couch and the Nekross halfling ascended to his full height.
"Spectacular!" he shouted, slapping the sofa, "I've made a hole in the fabric!"
"Let's hope your Gran doesn't see," said Benny, lending his hand as Tom clambered out from behind the seat. He accidentally lost his footing and toppled onto his startled friend, banging his head on the coffee table. Benny tried to get up, only to find a Nekross sprawled across his legs.
Tom groaned and clutched his forehead. "Great. Just great."
Gradually the two boys managed to untangle themselves. Benny got up but his friend remained kneeling on the carpet.
"Are you OK?" enquired Benny, pacing toward him. He moved Tom's hand off his brow and examined it. "I don't think there's a bruise. I guess Nekross have pretty tough skin."
Tom gave a weak smile. "I might have to get used to having yellow scales. You heard what my Dad said. It could be weeks before Gran finds a reversing spell!" He sat down and reflected on this prospect for a second. "I won't be able to go to school…or meet up with my friends…or go outside…or anything!" He slumped in despair.
"Don't worry, Tom," Benny reassured, "Until you're back to your usual self, I'll come and visit you." He put his arm around his chum's shoulders, which was significantly difficult due to the spikes jutting out of his outfit, and whispered, "And I'm sure Mrs Crowe will find an antidote soon. We'll help her."
Tom couldn't shoo away the smile that was forming on his face. "What would I do without a friend like you, Benny Sherwood? Always positive, even when a spiny yellow alien is able to blast your toenails off…"
"…or when a spiny yellow alien needs a friend to cheer him up."
"Do you know what? I'm famished. If we're going to help Gran rid me of my tentacles, I'm not going to do it on an empty stomach."
He got up and strode carefully to the fridge, whilst Benny came up behind him and asked, "Speaking of tentacles, can you actually feel your snakes? I mean, if you've really been turned into a Nekross, doesn't that mean you've grown extra limbs?"
Tom smirked. "If you think that's bad, imagine trying to deal with the temptation to pick up that dragon egg and devour its magic." He carried some jam and butter onto the counter.
"You can eat magic?" Benny was amazed.
They both considered this for a moment.
Out of inquisitiveness, Tom lifted up the dragon egg. He took a deep breath. Multi-coloured vapour wafted from the object up his nostrils. Mmmmmn…it smelled exactly as he would have expected it to. The scent was invigorating and alluring. Surely…just one little bite couldn't matter? He could imagine the tantalizing taste on his tongue. No wonder Varg and Lexi stalked the galaxies for this delectable delicacy…
"Tom?" said a voice, waking him out of his trance. His brain jumped back into focus. What had happened there?
"Whoa," whispered Thomas, putting the egg down hastily and diving for the bread bin. While he chopped up some slices, struggling somewhat due to his gloves, Benny raised an eyebrow and began fingering the egg which had caused his friend's strange reaction. As far as he was concerned, it was merely an egg…but Tom could sense magic, couldn't he?
Wait! He was a Nekross now. Did that mean he sensed the enchantment in a Nekross way?
As he turned round, Benny plonked it back on the worktop.
"I feel like a kid in dressing up clothes," commented the wizard, gazing at his hands. He whipped off his gloves to reveal the equally yellow, spiky fingers they had been concealing. He wriggled around in his armour. "Not so bad once you get used to it."
"…wouldn't it be funny if someone really did go as a Nekross for Halloween!" Benny remarked.
"They certainly have enough catchphrases for them to repeat." Tom went on to do an effective impersonation of Varg. "The Nekross shall feast! Power up the extractor!"
"That's brilliant, Tom!" cried Benny ecstatically.
"Tom?" bellowed the Nekross, "How dare you mistake the prince of Nekron for the wizard halfling! I will throw you to the Scorpulus!"
He chased his buddy into the lounge area, seemingly with more confidence in his outfit, pretending to brandish a blaster.
"I WILL DISINTEGRATE YOU, HUMAN HALF-FORM!"
He made a shooting noise as he aimed the gun at Benny, who ducked in reaction. Afterward, he turned round suspiciously, examined the wall and said in an utterly convincing tone of fear, hands on head, "Oh no! What's Mr Clarke going to say when he discovers Varg has given him a through-lounge?!"
Tom laughed and replied, "I haven't done anything like this since I was in the Juniors!" He switched his voice to Varg's. "Prepare to be devoured by the Scorpulus!"
"Not again!" Benny groaned. Tom grabbed him roughly by the arm and dragged him over to the sofa, chucking him on the floor.
"With you dead, I will find the wizard halfling and extract his magic!"
Benny caught sight of the dragon egg on the counter. He jumped up suddenly and grabbed it.
"Hey! Varg! If you want magic, then you're going to have to chase me for it!"
He sprinted out of the room, Tom Clarke hurtling after him, still handling the invisible firearm.
…
Meanwhile on the Zarantulus, a whole army of Nekross soldiers were marching in line onto the flight deck, real weapons clasped in their arms. Lexi was at the head of the troop, giving out directions. At one of the consoles stood Technician Jathro 15, reading something that a Nekross would obviously deem as writing, but a human would construe as meaningless nonsense.
"The communication device has been located, my Exquisite Excellency," he notified the princess, who was looking at her arm-piece, "I have programmed the co-ordinances into your gauntlet." He suddenly became conscious that Lexi appeared a little…different than usual.
"Good work, Technician 15," she responded, "At last the Nekross shall declare revenge on the wizard half-form. I shall enjoy seeing the magic sucked from his bones."
"Oh…yes…of course, my most Exquisite Excellency…" said the rather side-tracked technician, staring intently at her head as she walked back in line.
Varg entered the bridge with the intention of surveying the soldiers, and jumped straight into his responsibility; pacing past the line of fighters and giving out sharp, domineering instructions…which he would have done for quite a while if he hadn't become distracted by one of the guards...or at least he thought they were one of the guards at first glance. As far as he was knowledgeable, there weren't any female Nekross on the ship, except for…
"Dear sister!" he exclaimed, "Are you convinced it is necessary for you to wear a helmet into the battle field?"
"This is no ordinary battle, brother," said Lexi proudly, sauntering forth, "We are going to launch an attack at the wizard stronghold and I shall be at the frontline." Varg was too late to warn her about the control panel she was about to walk slap bang into…
"HOW DO THEY SEE IN THESE THINGS!?" Lexi bent over, clutching her stomach, stabilizing herself by holding onto the console. She swivelled round to face her brother, not realizing she was actually "looking" at some random officer. Jathro gave a secret grin.
"Sister Lexi!" urged Varg, who had seen it all before, "You have forgotten to adjust your visor! If you do not act immediately then-"
"Thank you, brother, but I have figured that out for myself." Lexi stepped forth to get out of his way, but since he wasn't actually there she ended up colliding with two of the crewmen. Half of the procession became demolished. Technician 15 tortured himself with his efforts to stifle his giggles as the princess ended up sprawled on the deck, alongside a dozen bewildered crew-members. Varg's mouth formed an O-shape.
Lexi flung off her helmet, and was greeted by the blinding lights of the control centre's ceiling.
One of the crew members that not toppled over like a domino helped her up. As the rest of the staff got back on their feet, she fiddled furiously with the helmet. Varg chuckled darkly under his breath.
"I HEARD THAT!" snapped Lexi, at last discovering how to modify the visor. She slid the helmet back on. "With the stronghold penetrated, we can gain access to the information on wizards it contains. Think of the magic we could obtain, brother!"
Varg approached her, saying, "You should be cautious, dear sister! This could be an act of wizard trickery."
"Do not be concerned," retorted the female Nekross, "I have a plan that will prove our enemies to be no match for the royal court of Nekron."
…
Benny charged up the stairs, pursued steadily by Tom the Nekross.
"There is no escape!"
He raced across the landing into his bedroom, where Benny had hidden himself. Tom paced steadily across the room, as though hunting for prey. He listened intently, and found himself wondering why he could hear everything as he normally did. Nekross didn't have ears, did they? Were they internal, like that of a bird? Did that mean birds heard stuff as well as humans? Being an alien warrior made his head hurt!
Was that a movement under his bed? He got on his knees to have a peek, when behind him Benny leapt out of the closet and flew across the bedroom, just as he registered an old robot of his being the culprit for the motions he had glimpsed.
Oh boy! Benny was so good at outwitting Nekross! Now he was one, it gave him a deeper appreciation for his buddy's genius.
Roaring "I will obliterate you if it's the last thing I do!" he dashed after his friend, who had now made it halfway down the stairs. Benny was laughing along until he noticed that Tom had started walking awfully slowly, as if he had inexplicably run out of steam.
Benny turned around, and climbed up the stairs to the wizard boy, who had come to a complete halt. "Tom? What's the matter?" he asked.
The Nekross didn't seem to respond. He stared blankly at the floor. It was as though Tom wasn't really in there.
Then, gradually, he lifted up his head, eyes filled with darkness. "Enemy of Nekron," he whispered.
"Phew!" said Benny, relaxing, "You had me going for a minute."
Suddenly, Tom seized his arm in an uncomfortably tight grip and wrenched him closer. "Tell me where the wizard stronghold is," he hissed, "And I promise you will not immediately feel the Scorpulus' jaws tearing into your flesh."
Benny dropped the egg in surprise. It rolled all the way down the stairs and finally shattered into a thousand pieces, a blob of goo settling on the carpet. He tried to free himself from the grasp of iron round his wrist, but his attempts were futile.
"Stop it, Tom," he said nervously, "You're scaring me."
"Tom?" repeated the Nekross, "Why do you address me as the wizard half-form?"
"What just happened?! You were chasing after me…and then you just froze! Are you OK?"
Tom appeared to take this in, before replying, "Enough, halfling! TELL ME WHERE THE WIZARD STRONGHOLD IS!"
Benny nodded and was soon yanked down the rest of the stairs by the Nekross, who thrust him forcefully onto the floor when they reached the bottom.
Once Benny had diagnosed that he had received no broken bones, he scrambled to the bathroom door and began knocking on it frantically. "Mrs Crowe! Mrs Crowe! Open up, Mrs Crowe!" he hollered.
Inside the chamber, Michael heard the commotion and wondered what on earth the matter was. He and Granny left their posts to investigate who was making such a racket, and why.
Mrs Crowe flung open the door to see her grandson's flustered friend.
"What is it, Benny?" she asked.
"It's Tom!" cried the poor lad, wary that his pal was approaching him in the background, "He's gone crazy! It's like he thinks he's a Nekross!"
"The hag Crowe," said Thomas with a wicked cackle, holding up his pretend gun, "At last I have found a wizard for the extractor!"
"Tom!" shouted Dad furiously, "How dare you speak to your Gran like that!"
"Michael, please!" pleaded Granny, "I don't believe it is Tom's fault." She paused dramatically. "It must be part of the spell."
"…and what's this spell done to him? Don't tell me he's going to be stuck like this until we find an antidote!"
"Benny was right. He does think he's a Nekross! Oh, what have I done to him?"
"Enough talking, hag! Prepare to have your magic sucked from your very bones!"