Sidekick: Space Wardens
A space force to be reckoned with
Huggin’ and Snugglin’ Kitties
Jayne and Shitpancake snuggling up with us. Jayne is the only one that seems aware it is photoshoot time.
Heads up to new readers:
This story is part of a series. Luckily, you can read the whole Sidekick series for free!
…Time for this week’s story…
Sidekick: Space Wardens
A couple months after the public announcement that Morpho and his gang had invaded Justice Tower and laid waste to many of the world’s greatest heroes, the new year started off quietly. In a storage room, Theo was shelving shoe-sized boxes of cloth bags made by one of their new recruits from the attack, named Pockets.
“These have been amazing, thank you. I think everyone has them sewn into their suits now. I know it's silly, but I've been stuffing needlessly large things in my infinite pockets for fun. I wish we could share these with the world.”
“Nothin’ to be ashamed of, mate. Still do that myself. Making these is the least I could do after busting me out and giving me that brilliant linked pockets idea. Even if I was willing to commercialize my powah, though, it tires me out too much. I’ve never made this many before. It’s exhausting.”
“Makes sense. I wish someone could figure out a way to use everyone’s abilities to create a utopia where everyone’s happy.” Theo placed the last box of pockets on the metal shelf.
“Wishful thinkin’. People are too self-interested for that,” Pockets said, the end of his sentence partially drowned out by a loud buzz from the front door. Theo checked the video feed and they were both surprised to see two humanoid beings wearing suits just like the Red Warden used to, each with their own red amulets.
“Are those aliens?” Theo asked gleefully.
“Since when is there more than one Red Warden?” Pockets asked with opaque concern.
“That's a good question. They rang the doorbell, so they couldn't be looking for a fight.” Theo radioed LeFiels to see what he sensed. Once assured they weren't adversarial, Theo asked LeFiels to welcome their guests and offer them a beverage while Theo put on his outfit. Once dressed, Theo hurried downstairs. Several members of the gang were hanging out in the spacious lounge to see their first aliens.
“Greetings. I am Ankalon.” Greeted the tall, blue-gray skinned warden with an air of elegance. “This is Kurrak,” he introduced the shorter, bulkier alien with brown, leathery skin as thick as rhino hyde. “We are Red Wardens sent here to investigate the death of one of our own, Warden two-one-four of Earth.”
“We used to just call him The Red Warden. I don't know if anyone realized there are more of you guys.”
“The Red Warden Brigade is an intergalactic force for aid. We use the power of our amulets to help those in need throughout the universe,” Kurrak rumbled.
“Cool. What have you learned in your investigation?” Theo asked.
Ankalon explained their findings, and that they had already taken Mira and Slicer into custody. They were there to pick up Theo as the keeper of the amulet and for his involvement. After being allowed to grab a few things, Theo eagerly joined them.
The Wardens put Theo in a red energy bubble and flew into space. A red light beamed from Kurrak’s amulet and created a swirling red portal in front of them. It transported them to another galaxy. Surrounded by crystalline buildings with a backdrop of stars, they were in a city floating in space. Red Wardens all wearing the same outfits flew or walked around without paying them any mind.
The wardens took Theo to a walled rooftop hosting a round platform. Encircling one third of the platform was an elevated level with seats and transparent desks. It hosted seven Red Wardens in black and red robes, all various kinds of aliens.
Placed gently on the platform, the bubble around Theo disappeared. Ankalon and Kurrak flew beyond the platform and joined a small audience of spectating Red Wardens hovering around the rooftop courtroom. The crystalline cityscape with a backdrop of stars was easily the most beautiful sight Theo had ever laid eyes upon.
The robed wardens introduced themselves as a council of justice, convened to deliberate the murder of one of their members. They brought in Slicer and Mira, each in glowing red handcuffs. After they shared relieved greetings, the council began the proceedings.
“The ones who go by Slicer and Mira are charged with the murder of Red Warden two-one-four, Earth-name, Dill. Morpho, as the holder of the Amulet, you are being tried for accessory to murder. Analysis of the amulet’s information feed shows that he was engaged in combat to defend his compatriots. This can not be refuted. What do you have to say for yourselves?” said the orange-skinned central warden who seemed to be in charge.
“Do you think he means Dill Pecker? The movie star? He died around the same time,” Mira whispered to Slicer. They speculated between themselves while Theo carried on.
“Do your records show the events leading up to the battle?” Theo asked.
“Before that, he was teleported by a temporal anomaly. Then he seemed to be in a meeting immediately before the attack. The amulet shows that he was bored and not paying attention.”
“What a jerk. Would you please take these into consideration?” Theo reached into one of his infinite pockets and pulled out a flash drive and a small crystal. A glowing red hand appeared in front of the warden to snatch them up. “The flash drive has video from the Justice Tower battle and the crystal is the psychic record of everything.”
Using their amulets, the wardens downloaded the information directly into their minds. After taking a few minutes to process, they deliberated quietly amongst themselves before returning to their seats.
“We want to clarify, was your goal to break into Justice Tower to give a slideshow presentation?” the lead warden asked. Theo answered with a sheepish nod and a grumble. Another robed warden spoke up quickly.
“Excellent presentation, by the way. Slideshows are an underappreciated medium.”
“We don't mind slideshows, they just aren't necessary on a weekly basis, Skarl,” the lead warden spoke again. “My second question is about two-one-four’s activity on your planet. You freed a number of criminals from Justice Tower, some captured by two-one-four. Was capturing criminals a part of his routine on your planet?”
“Yeah, why?” Theo said.
“That is not our prerogative. We are a force for aid, not law. These amulets give us the power to create energy constructs so we can create tools and structures to help those in need and defend innocents from harm.”
“So, he wasn't supposed to be doing that?” Slicer asked.
“No. Since this was clearly self defense and two-one-four was operating outside of sanctioned parameters, you three are found innocent.” The Warden banged his gavel and the cuffs around Slicer and Mira disappeared. The trio rejoiced, then Theo asked what would happen to the amulet. “We need to find a new warden for your world.”
“What about him?” Slicer pointed to Theo. “You saw his presentation, you know he just wants to help people. He's perfect.”
“Dude, what are you doing?” Theo asked, but before he got an answer, a commotion consumed their attention.
“Insolent Human!” burst a spectating warden. “Dill was a friend! I won't allow one of his murderers to inherit his amulet! The council can not allow this!”
“Silence!” The lead warden held his hands in the air. “The human is right. This one is a prime candidate.”
“I will not hear this! This is absurd! They are murderers!”
“You have not seen what we…” The lead warden was not allowed to finish.
“I challenge these puny humans to Tekuma!” The spectator floated down onto the platform and stood before Theo’s group, several meters away. He was a giant wolf-man standing upright wearing a black and red suit.
“I will assist,” A hulking blue bipedal humanoid cat joined him. Then a third warden, a humanoid female with long purple hair and green skin.
“A Tekuma is an equally paired fight to the death or submission. It is a tradition on this warden’s planet to avenge the fallen. For issuing such a challenge, Fangor, you will be stripped of your amulet if you lose the battle without losing your life. If you are defeated, I will grant these humans two-one-four’s amulet. Humans, you must accept the challenge, or decline and we will take you home,” the lead warden explained.
“Like we'd lose to them,” Fangor said.
Theo, Slicer, and Mira discussed their options. Mira was afraid to take on three wardens, but they realized the stakes. If they left with an amulet, Theo would be the Red Warden on Earth and the wardens would not need to find a new one. Someone else could join the Justice Guild and become an enemy, who would also have a powerful galactic force behind them.
Acquiring the amulet now would give them an edge and prevent a lot of trouble in the future. So, they accepted, and everyone relocated to a nearby gladiatorial stadium. Now, even more spectators hovered nearby or sat to watch. The three wardens and Theo’s team lined up on opposite sides of the field. The wardens mocked Mira’s trembling hands and opaque fear.
“Don’t let them get to you, Mira. You’ve got this. We’ve got this, just stick to the plan,” Theo encouraged her.
“Okay. I trust you guys,” she said sweetly.
The lead warden announced the battle and when everyone was ready he shouted, “Begin!”
Quick to attack, red streaks of light followed behind the wardens as they charged Theo’s group. Then, Fangor fell out of flight at a high speed and tumbled on the ground like a rock skipping on water. His amulet tumbled away. Confused, he hurried to pick it up, but couldn’t. The amulet’s holster was gone and it was covered in grease. It slipped out of his hands whenever he tried to pick it up.
The other two wardens were undeterred when Fagor disappeared from their opening attack. While Theo turned Fangor’s amulet holster into grease, the cat-man created a giant fist and brought it down on Theo. At the last second, a large mirror appeared over Theo’s head and the fist passed through it, smashing the green alien into the ground. Slicer followed up by attacking the cat-man. It created a shield to protect from Slicer’s waves of destruction, but could not retaliate. The green alien recovered quickly and hit Slicer with a construct that charged like a bull and moved like it was alive.
“Green.” Theo found the green alien and turned her amulet’s holster into water. Mira created mirrors so it fell into Theo’s hands. Working double duty, Mira simultaneously creating mirrors to defend from the cat-man’s attack. The giant hammer he was bringing down on their heads instead smashed Fangor while he fumbled after his amulet.
Slicer was back on his feet and attacking the cat-man, who created a defensive sphere around himself. Mira created mirrors for Theo to pass through the barrier. From behind, Theo gently touched the cat-man’s suit, turning it to catnip. The powerful warden fell to the ground, blissfully writhing and rubbing himself on his own clothes.
Within a minute, Theo’s group took all three of their amulets. Fangor refused to give up and forced Theo to hit him with a heat-seeking missile from a rocket-launcher he pulled out of his pants pocket. Fangor survived, but lost. Stripped of his position, he was sent back to his home planet. Theo was welcomed to the Red Warden Brigade and heard their motto for the first time.
“We shine like beacons, wards in the night, bringing light to all, even with no hope in sight,” said the lead warden. “My name is Koochiku, I am the leader of the Red Wardens. Is something funny?”
The trio restrained their laughter at Koochiku’s name. Theo answered for them. “It’s nothing. Please continue.”
“The amulet’s sheath is made of a special material and can turn into any shape you wish.” Koochiku handed Theo the amulet.
“Thank you for this honor. I hope I make
the Red Warden Brigade proud.”
“I’m sure you will.”