Pepper’s fingers started to cramp and he sat back in his chair. Rhino came walking around the corner just a few seconds later. Their eyes met, and he greeted his boss with a nod.

“What’s this?” Rhino motioned.

“It’s a clay replica of what my golem will be one day.” Pepper glanced over at the statue and appreciated how much work he had put into it.

“That’s a weird-looking bear,” Ryan said, tilting his head from side to side. “And why does it have six fingers?”

Pepper fell for his jesting and rolled his eyes. “It’s not a bear, it’s a tiger. Look at the ears, nose, snout. Does a bear’s look like Mala’s? Huh? Nope, didn’t think so.”

Rhino turned and rapidly blinked at him. It was only then that Pepper realized he had fallen for the joke. Rhino chuckled, turning and leaning back against the workbench where the clay figure stood. “I didn’t realize I paid you to play with toys back here.”

Pepper knew better this time. “Well, seeing how I have gotten us all caught up again, it seems you pay me to keep this service department actually functioning. This is what I do in my spare time.”

A second or two later, Pepper felt a sharp sting on his ankle. His leg shot up and he grabbed hold of it, crying out. It was no surprise to hear Rhino’s familiar’s voice.

“Death to the traitor of the crown!” it yelled, hoisting its spear.

“Captain Puddlesworth! That’s it—give me the spear.”

The duck golem turned and started waddling away as fast as it could. Its medieval armor clanked and swished from side to side as it picked up speed. Quacks and other weird noises came from both the familiar and Rhino as the two went tearing through the warehouse.

The rumbling of an engine sounded in the distance, and the slow increase in volume informed Pepper that it was a potential customer arriving. He already had an idea who it could be, and he soon heard the chime of the front door. He stood up from his chair and made his way to the front while the noise of calamity and chaos continued in the back aisles.

His suspicion was correct; Timo was standing at the front counter. “Hey, Timo, what brings you by today?” Pepper asked.

The gladiator of the unsanctioned matches looked at him and nodded a greeting, but he was more concerned about something else and kept looking around. “Hey, that duck isn’t anywhere nearby, is it?”

“Captain Puddlesworth?” Pepper chuckled. “Nah, he’s currently in the back destroying everything while Rhino chases him around.” There was a loud crash, and a small vibration rumbled under his feet. “And I’m pretty sure that was the far-right shelving unit collapsing.”

The two paused and listened to the sounds from the back room. The lull only lasted a few seconds before Pepper heard Rhino’s voice growing in heated anger. “Get over here, you stupid duck!”

A dark and crazy laugh that sounded like a diabolical Donald Duck was all that replied.

“Yup, they’re okay,” Pepper said, turning back to Timo. His eyebrows lowered and his eyes shifted quickly from side to side. “Now it all makes sense how parents listen for destruction to ensure everyone is still alive.”

Timo nodded slowly in approval. “All I know is that familiar thing is crazy.”

“Can confirm,” Pepper said with a pointed finger for emphasis. “So, what’s up?”

“I wanted to swing by and see if you’d be interested in a proposition.” Timo leaned forward and rested his elbows on the glass display case.

“I’m listening.” Pepper grinned in curiosity.

“So, I just ordered an original Marshall 4XD.”

Pepper’s eyes widened and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “That must have cost some serious Flex.”

Timo smiled and flared his eyebrows. “Oh, it did, but the payoff could be massive. With the Golem League reversing its ruling on independent rune cards being used in matches, the possibilities for carving a path back into the League would return profits that are unimaginable. Especially when you consider this is just the first machine. Once the money starts rolling in, I plan to get my hands on another and continue to build from there.”

Pepper reached up and massaged the back of his neck. “I would love to check it out. I’m super curious about the essence capture and infusion process.” His eyes narrowed and he stared into the distance for a brief moment before looking back at Timo. “Heck, I can’t even remember the last time I was reading up on the Marshall machines or that process. I kinda just brain dumped all that stuff when the League closed everything down with their ruling. I guess I should dive back into it at some point in my free time.”

Pepper quickly shifted and raised his hand before dropping it back down to his side. “If I ever get free time again.” He laughed. “My days are filled with here, community service, spending time with Andrea, and my two nights at the dojo.”

“Welcome to life, man.” Timo stood up and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Look, I won’t beat around the bush. The work you did for me here with fixing up some of my damaged rune cards was great. They’re putting out better data readings than the leading industry cards. Seems like you have a natural talent for it. Wanna come on board and together we could design our own line of rune cards?”

Pepper was shocked at the proposition. He had been curious about designing his own rune cards for competition and was planning on diving further into the process once he had the funds to really rebuild Mala. But Timo having a Marshall 4XD machine could be a game-changer. This could give him an uncapped potential for making greater rune cards than he could even begin to afford by himself.

He thought over the idea for a moment. But when his eyes shifted back to the wall, he caught sight of the original Golem League poster. That was when his heart knew the route he would take.

“Sorry, Timo. I love the idea, and I think we could really make some awesome products together. But my heart is still set on the League. If I don’t give it a shot now, I’ll question it the rest of my life.”

Timo smiled and shook his head. “I figured, but I still thought I’d give it a shot.”

Pepper smiled but grew curious and thought he’d broach a new subject. “How is the unsanctioned going for you?”

“Great, honestly. There’s a lot of discussion going on about a few of us establishing our own league. The amount of people coming over and abandoning GL isn’t slowing down. We’re seeing a huge increase in sponsorships. Our growth of viewers has doubled in the last year alone.”

“Wow… I wouldn’t have guessed it had taken off like that.”

“It has. We’re not limited to the restraints, restrictions, the slow-moving process of contracts and deals like the League is. We compete when we want, how we want, and where we want. Heck, there are days when I feel more like an entertainment celebrity than I do a competitive gladiator. More people want to call me up and ask for business advice and structuring their brand content than they want to talk about rune card pairings and combative techniques. It’s crazy, man.”

“Sounds like it,” Pepper said.

Timo’s holodex started to flash with notifications. He looked down at it and pulled a face that told Pepper he wasn’t looking forward to whatever it was about. “All right, man, I got to go and take care of this. Hey, if you ever want to stop by my spot, you’re welcome to. 441 Wilson Drive—it’s right there across from Sunset Lake and Fairhaven Avenue.”

“Thanks, Timo. Take it easy.”

The door of the store shut, and Timo’s motorcycle roared to life and sped off down the road. Pepper heard the commotion of his boss in the background and turned to see Rhino walking through the doorway with a large cage and Captain Puddlesworth contained within it. “This is unacceptable! You let me out of this contraption right now!”

Rhino placed the cage in the far corner of the store at an angle that allowed him to keep an eye on the familiar. “I knew I shouldn’t have fed you after midnight!” he scolded and wagged a finger at the golem.

Pepper tilted his head and looked at his boss. “Rhino… they’re golems. They don’t need food.”

“Well, I know that now!” Rhino said, extending his arms in frustration. “I swear the Phantom Industry servers got duck and gremlin mixed up, because this”—he turned and looked at his familiar—“thing has been nothing but a dang nightmare ever since I powered it up.”

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The two glanced at the golem, which seemed to be giving them an evil look. “Quaaaaack,” it said, and a shiver ran down Pepper’s spine.

“That thing is going to murder you in your sleep,” he told his boss.

“No kidding. I could send that thing into a war zone and I’m pretty sure it would single-handedly come out victorious.” Rhino turned and nodded to Pepper. “Was that Timo? What did he want?”

“He offered me a job making rune cards with him. Apparently he just got a Marshall 4XD machine. A joint effort to get into the Golem League with high-quality products.” Pepper paused and bobbed his head from side to side slightly. “I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t tempted. I really want to start making my own rune cards. Especially with all the work I’ve done here at the shop … but—”

Pepper couldn’t finish his statement before Rhino cut him off. The shop owner grabbed hold of Pepper’s shoulder and started to shake him gently while saying, “I’ll double— no, triple your pay! You can’t leave me, Pepper! You can’t leave me.”

The two chuckled. “I’m only leaving you when I make it into the Golem League. Then you’re on your own, big guy.” Pepper shifted over to see that the duck familiar was still eerily focused on the two of them. “You and your diabolical duck.”

***

“I can’t believe you’re getting out of graduation early,” Pepper said, gently bumping shoulders with Summer.

“Hey, Pep. I know, right? I’m so happy Principal Stephens signed off on letting me do that. It’s just a lot easier for me with the move and getting everything set up while also starting my internship at Southern Medical Center. I got to tour the facility last week—wow… it is incredible.” Summer beamed with excitement.

“Well, it’s more believable that they would grant your request over you dating Brent. Speaking of which, where is that garden gnome hiding?”

Pepper had hardly got the question out before he heard Jackson’s voice cut in from behind him. “Gnomes rule!”

The two turned to see Jackson standing on top of a picnic table, a fly swatter in his hand that he swished around as if casting magical spells. His outfit brought it all together: a red towel was wrapped around his head as if he was drying his hair after a shower, a tiny GI Joe blanket was pinned around his neck and draped behind him like a cape, and it was finished off with a Spider-Man patterned shirt and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pants. If anyone was to infuse all the power of epic late-nineties cartoons, it was Jackson.

“Back, you germ monster!” Jackson yelled and performed an acrobatic leap off the table. A few other kids chased after him and they ran through the backyard.

Pepper turned back to Summer. Her expression changed to one of dread in regards to the topic he had broached. “I don’t know where Brent is. I would assume he’s at work.”

Pepper could tell that Summer’s skin was crawling. He didn’t fight the temptation to push the hot button and went full steam ahead. “Why don’t you know where your boyfriend is?”

Summer practically spat out her drink and wiped the one or two drops that slipped out of her mouth. She started to cough and struggled to get the words out. “He’s not my boyfriend. We were dating, that’s it.”

Pepper smiled deviously and narrowed his eyes. “Hmmm, were dating… past tense… so that must mean…”

Summer’s eyes practically popped out of their sockets as she over-dramatized her reaction. “It means it ended, Pepper… if you must know!”

“Look at you… you’re not only going to school to save lives, you’re also going there while simultaneously breaking a heart.”

“Oh my gosh, Pepper!” She slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand. “Give me a break, okay? I at least gave him a shot and finally couldn’t take it anymore. I even had to toss those dress shoes he ruined by puking up all over them. Oh my gosh! I can still smell it.” She acted like she was going to heave.

“Well, don’t throw up on me, you sicko. I could have told you not to go out with him, but no… we just have to rescue all the mangled critters we find on the side of the road.”

Summer immediately knew he was referring to the time she’d found an injured squirrel on the side of the road. This had happened back when their families lived together. They’d been returning home from school when she’d found the wounded animal. “Don’t even try to compare those two. Fluffer-Nutter was way cuter than Brent ever was— is, you get it,” she added.

“Hey, don’t knock a guy for trying. He gave you everything he had.”

She sighed. “I know that, Pepper, but sometimes it can be too much. It’s called smothering. And that’s the last thing I need before I head off to college.”

“Ehh, I guess that’s a fair point. But I do have a surprise for you.” He made sure to have a devious expression, and when he saw the concern in her eyes, he shifted gears. “I have Jackson’s gift in the back of my dad’s truck.”

The look of dread on her face quickly changed to an appreciative smile. “Thank you, Pepper. I know that was a lot for you to devote to, time and money wise. What do I owe you for the materials?”

He smiled back at her and felt the warmth of genuine friendship between them. “Don’t worry about it. It’s a gift and something I know meant a lot to you. So I’m happy to do it for you.”

Summer turned her attention to Jackson, and the sparkle in her eyes told Pepper everything he needed to know. He softly added, “You’re going to be okay. And… he’s going to be okay too. You can’t let him or the situation distract you.”

“I know. Though he has good days and bad days, it’s the fact that I won’t have these days for much longer. I’ll be missing out on a lot with him and my mom, and I just question sometimes if I’m really ready for this next step.”

Pepper blew a raspberry. “You’ll be fine. You’ll be wiping butts and kissing babies in no time.”

“Eww, Pep. I don’t need the gross mental images of my future career right now.” Summer put her hand over her face.

“All right, I’ll go get the statue. Be right back.” Pepper turned and started to chuckle at the fact that Summer was still cringing from the thought he had given her. When he reached his dad’s truck, he saw Andrea pulling up in her family’s vehicle. She smiled at him and began to get out. “Well, what’s cook’n, good look’n?” he said with a wink.

She rolled her eyes at him as she closed the distance. “Oh please… I look like trash after spending all day at the Equine Sanctuary.”

A confused look came over him as he got his hands underneath the wooden box that contained the statue. “Wait… you aren’t on the schedule to do your service time today.”

Andrea’s expression turned serious. “Don’t tell me what I already know.” The false demeanor only lasted for a moment before she shifted back to her playful self. She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “I wanted to go volunteer. Eli said there were some veterans spending the day out there today, and I felt it would be good to go help and support her, and them.”

Pepper lifted the box and started to walk towards Summer’s backyard with Andrea beside him. “I thought you would have been writing your paper for our final assignment. Get it knocked out and ready for graduation.”

“Uhh, now, I figured I would take my usual approach of procrastinating until the night before. How ’bout you? Did you get yours turned in yet?”

“I already got my email confirmation back from Mr. Dean. I stayed up until 4 a.m. writing the thing. Thankfully my next-door neighbor Ryan gave me a can of his new Big D Energy flavor, Ghostly Grape.”

A curious look appeared on Andrea’s face. “Oh yeah? Was that one any good?”

Pepper lowered the box onto the picnic table and brushed his shirt free of the few specks of woodchip that had transferred to it. “Umm, well, I told Ryan he should change the name to Gawd-Awful Grape. I practically had to plug my nose to get it all down. But at least it helped me get going with the rest of the chores I had to do around the house.”

There was a concerned look on her face which soon changed to a thank god I didn’t try that flavor expression. “Well, that’s good to know. Note to self, have you taste test Ryan’s scientific experiments before I personally try them. Good job, babe.” She rubbed his back while he began to get the box ready for its reveal.

Andrea waved to Summer, who finally noticed her arrival and came over to greet her. The two girls smiled and embraced.

“Well, hey there, sister,” Andrea said.

“Hey, you. Thanks for coming to hang out,” Summer said.

“Of course. This is way more low key compared to the last time I was over here.”

Summer nodded and placed her hands on her hips. “You got that right.” The two girls laughed. Pepper gave a little nod to Summer, which she knew meant that he was ready to open up the crate and reveal his hard work.

Summer turned towards the yard and called out for Jackson. Her brother turned and lifted his arms in frustration. “What is it? I’m about to go slay the dragon with an epic spell I just learned.”

“Will you come here for a minute? I have something special for you.”

Jackson quickly lowered his hand and began to tap his fingers on his chin. “Wait… you have a gift for me?”

Summer giggled. “Yes, silly.”

Jackson quickly pushed his glasses up higher on his nose and began to walk over. “The dragon can wait. I don’t care about that kingdom anyways.”

Pepper and the two girls chuckled at the dramatic performance. Summer wrapped her arm around Jackson’s shoulders and they all gazed at the container with anticipation. A firm twist of his wrist and the flathead screwdriver Pepper had with him pried the lid up.

He removed the lid and, with a firm push, the side walls collapsed and exposed the two-foot-tall statue of Mala. Pepper looked at the replica and admired how much time he had devoted to meticulously painting every detail of the tiger—everything from the baby-blue eyes to the warm salmon-colored nose.

Pepper soaked up the moment, taking in the joyful and shocked expression that was on Jackson’s face. It almost looked like he was struggling to contain the excited energy within his body; he seemed to be on the verge of jumping up and down uncontrollably.

“Wow, Pepper! This looks so good!” Jackson exclaimed. “This is for me?” he asked, his gaze shifting between Pepper and his sister.

“Yeah, buddy. Pepper made it just for you. Your very own Mala tiger,” Summer said.

“This is great. Thanks, Pepper. It’s about time you did something nice!” Jackson stated.

Pepper chuckled at the blunt statement that hit him like a ton of bricks. I don’t know if I deserved that, but… it’s not like I can be mad at the little guy, he thought. “Well, I’m happy you like it.”

“Like it? I love it! Even more than you love my sister!” Jackson wrapped his arms around the statue, lifted it up, and carried it off.

That was the only movement that occurred for a few seconds; the three others stood there in shock and awe. Pepper felt the warm flush of his cheeks come to life and was positive his face matched the color of his red hair. He reached up and nervously massaged his neck. “I, uhh, that isn’t…” He nervously tried to counter the statement but was so baffled, he didn’t know what to say.

Summer thankfully came to the rescue. “I’m so sorry, Pepper. You know he doesn’t have a filter and sometimes doesn’t think before he…”

Thankfully Andrea understood and added her support. “It’s okay. Nobody needs to apologize. It just is what it is, awkward but understandable. The most important thing is that Jackson is happy, we’re all happy, and let’s just enjoy the moment, okay?”

Pepper’s holodex vibrated and helped dissipate the tension away from Jackson’s statement. He clicked on the notification and the girls could see the excitement come over his face.

[:::] Golem League Notification [:::]

[:::] Pantheon Championship Match Set [:::]

[:::] Panda Cakes vs. Astro Ape [:::]

“What is it?” Andrea asked.

Pepper glanced at her. “It’s the championship match announcement. The winner will be declared this season’s Golem Master. Let’s just say this is going to be one epic match.”