A Timekeeper’s Awakening

Rom's Orgone overtook Cron. Using Speed, Rom dragged Cron quickly behind the big brush. Then, suddenly, he shoved Cron near the corner of the wall. Cron slammed against the wall, losing his breath.

Cron dropped to his knees, dry heaving, desperately grasping the air. Soon, he could regain his breath, but fear was deep in his core. As he looked up, he saw his three worst nightmares. Rom, Trey, and Derk glared down at Cron. They all had mischievous grins.

"It's been a while, Timeless," Rom said.

Cron's heart was beating a million times faster than ever. He thought being bullied again by them was all in the past. But he will be reminded of what it was like a year ago.

"We should do our classic trio combo on him," Trey said, cracking his knuckles.

"We haven't done that for a while," Derk said with a grin.

Rom looked behind him and noticed the first-year student trying to run away. He sighed and then used Speed to kick the kid down again. The student let out a gasp of air.

"Yeah, but we got the rat to deal with, too," Rom said. Then, a smile was plastered on his face. "Well, I do have one idea."

To Cron, Rom zipped to him as fast as lightning. As Cron looked at Rom, Rom threw a fast punch to Cron's face. Blood splattered out from his mouth. With a satisfied grin, Rom stepped back.

"Okay, boys, he's all yours," Rom said as he returned to the first-year student.

The boy was about to beg Rom to stop, but Rom punched him immediately. The student never stood a chance, as Rom kept punching him rapidly. Trey and Derk both stepped to Cron.

Cron looked at his two opponents in fear. Without giving Cron another second, the two bullies started to kick Cron. Cron tried to defend himself, but the kicks came too fast for him.

Cron desperately wished for his Orgone to activate, but he felt nothing but pain. Kick after kick, Cron felt himself fading fast as blood ran down his face and his body ached.

"Ah, stupid kid!" Rom yelled.

"No, wait, please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-," Rom punched the first-year in the face hard.

The two bullies stopped beating Cron to look at Rom. Rom looked frustrated. Then he looked at his two friends.

"This idiot thought using his Orgone on me was a great idea."

"No, please, I just reacted. It was an honest mistake."

"I said shut up!" Rom yelled as he kicked the kid. As the kid wept, Rom looked at his friends again. "Hold him."

The two bullies stopped what they were doing to Cron to help Rom. They held the first-year student by the arms. Then Rom got close to the kid and started to throw punches at his gut. The students let out cries and gasps of air.

In a daze, Cron can see the brutality on display. He sees the student desperately looking at him for help. Something starts to click in Cron, and it is familiarity. The last time he was in a terrible situation, someone looked at him for help: his dad.

During the Burning Skies, he did nothing. He stood in fear, watching the chaos unfold. He could have reached out to his dad or even warned him about someone coming to him. But nothing is what he did that day, and it haunted him ever since.

Someone he didn't know wanted him or anybody to help him. Though Cron was in pain, he convinced himself this wasn't a want but a need to help. With a shaking and aching body, Cron slowly started to stand.

The flashes of the day played on his head, repeating how he had done nothing. He was tired of feeling like nothing. He wanted to be better than nothing. Though he may be Timeless, he will help this fellow student in his time of need.

Cron can feel something different inside of his body. It was like drums beneath his skin beating three times, wanting him to let it free.

Bum!

Bum!

Bum!

"Oh, is Timeless trying to be brave?" Trey mocked.

Bum!

Bum!

Bum!

Rom looked at Cron disgustedly. Then kicked the student to the ground. "I'll deal with him after the rat!"

Bum!

Bum!

Bum!

"Yeah, this will be as easy as before," Derk said as he and Trey let go of the student. "He looks like he could barely stand!"

Bum!

Bum!

Bum!

Cron stood limp, with blood covering his face. But there was a fire in his eye that the bullies had never seen before, though they were still slightly confident. The bullies got closer to Cron, ready to beat him down.

"What, you think you can stand up to us in a new school?" Trey asked mockly.

"Yeah, Timeless, get real! You're a nobody; everyone will be better off without you!" Derk said.

Bum!

Bum!

Bum!

Cron felt it, the beat; it kept building up underneath his skin. And whatever it was, he was going to use it! Cron clinched his fist in defiance and glared at his bullies.

"I vow never to stand by again! I will help as many people as I can!"