51. Smile For The Camera

“I’ll give you the finger—sorry! I mean, I’ll point at you, and then we’ll start, ok?”

When the Gem awakens to call a Hero, the world is ill prepared...and its fate is placed in the hands of a 17 year old boy, named Wendell. 

Some will say this is nothing but a tale of fiction.
Let them think as they may. 

After all...I can't fix stupid.

Previously: With her spot in the Trench Wars secured, Alhannah faced both victory and scrutiny, enduring a brutal post-match media ambush from Rishima Geebler. Meanwhile, Wendell wrestled with the growing distance between him and Chuck, only to discover just how deeply the old wizard cares—and how much his health is fading. Behind the grease and glory, darker truths stir, and the final match looms closer than ever…

---

Be careful what you say to the media.
They never forgive, they never forget…
…and they always play favorites.

I was sitting up in the catwalk above the hangar floor, legs dangling off the edge, when I overheard Chuck’s voice rising again. He sounded desperate.

“But I need him!” he shouted.

I peeked through the steel grating and spotted him trotting after Dax like a frazzled grandpa chasing a runaway goat.

Dax didn’t stop walking. “I know, Chuck, but I fight in less than a week. If I don’t fight, Steel and Stone forfeits their spots in the competition. Ya have ta at least finish the first tier, you know that.”

Chuck tried to argue, “But…”

“Nope,” Dax snapped, spinning around and walking backward as he held up a hand. “Don’t even try to answer, it’s not worth the risk. What happens if I port to go grab Höbin and it messes up the charm? Can you guarantee that I’ll stay in this form so I can come back and get in the arena?”

Chuck blinked, lips pursed, and gazed up at the ceiling like the answers were tucked into the rafters.

Dax just scowled and pointed a sharp finger at him. “That’s what I thought.”

“But after the fight,” Chuck started again, clearly grasping, “we’ll have two weeks to figure out a solution…”

“Exactly,” Dax said, finally slowing. “That’s all I’m saying. Besides,” he added, pausing to look Chuck up and down, “ya look like crap.”

That got a reaction. Chuck’s snowy eyebrows jumped high and his hair puffed like he’d stuck his finger in a socket. “Well that’s a might rude, young man!”

I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh.

Dax softened a little. “You’ve been pouring over those books too long, old man. You’ve stopped eating. You’ve got everyone worried—especially the kid.”

My chest tightened a bit.

“He talks about you all the time,” Dax added, lowering his voice so I had to lean in to catch it. “He’s fond of you, Chuck. Don’t go crackin’ under pressure when he’s watching.”

Chuck’s lip trembled just a little, but then he stomped his foot with a huff. “Oh poo!”

That stomp made me grin.

A moment later, Alhannah strode into the hangar like a storm about to hit. She had on a tight blue jumper and her red makeup made her hair look like it had been painted on by a crazy artist. Every TNT gnome within sight, including Nibbles, whistled.

“Oh shut up!” she snapped, clearly irritated.