Simon Magus (Tennis Shoes Adventure Series)

Simon Magus is one of the villains who appears in Chris Heimerdinger's Tennis Shoes Adventure Series, serving as the main antagonist of The Sacred Quest and The Lost Scrolls. He is the leader of the Sons of the Elect and a self-proclaimed apostle of God.

Past
Simon Magus originated in Samaria, where he used his sorcery to mislead the people and a picture of himself as a divine being. However, when Philip the Evangilist began baptizing people into the Christian church, Simon joined them. Simon followed Philip and was amazed with the miracles that he performed among the people of ancient times. When the Twelve Apostles came to Jerusalem, Peter and John went to meet Simon. Simon tried to bribe the two Apostles with money to bestow him with the power to grant others the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Apostles refused, saying that if Simon thought he could pay money for the power of God, then that meant he didn't truly believe.

Simon saw this as an insult. He thought Peter feared that if he shared his power with Simon, then Simon would undermine his authority. This was rubbed in when Peter declared that Simon was "in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity." Angered, Simon left the Christian church and founded the Sons of the Elect.

The Sacred Quest
Simon is first mentioned by Menander and Saturninus when they encounter Harry Hawkins, Meagan Sorensen, and Jesse. The Sons of the Elect interrogate Harry, Meagan, and Jesse, revealing Simon's intentions to obtain the Scroll of Knowledge. The three companions are allowed to leave, but the Sons of Elect continue to moniter them as they continue on their journey.

After Harry, Meagan, and Jesse are trapped on a boulder in the middle of hyena territory, Simon goes to visit them personally. He introduces himself and provides insight on how he views God, Jesus Christ, and the world they created. Harry and Meagan both find his words blasphemous, especially when Simon says that he is the one Apostle, with more authority than the twelve men who followed Jesus. Simon takes out a few modern-day items his men had stolen from Harry and offers to return them if Harry answers his questions. Harry demonstrates the functions of his pocketknife and cassette player, but Simon sees them as little more than tools of sorcery. He inquires about the scroll that Harry has in his backpack, which is the gospel written by the apostle Matthew. Simon initially does not believe Harry's claims that the scroll was written by Matthew and assumes it to be the Scroll of Knowledge. He makes a move to snatch it for himself, but Jesse threatens him with his spear. Simon reluctantly gives the three companions a choice: they can either turn over the "Scroll of Knowledge," or they can be killed. He gives Harry, Meagan, and Jesse until morning to make their decision and leaves them stranded on the boulder.

Harry, Meagan, and Jesse later manage to escape the hyenas surrounding the boulder and make for Pella. On finding them gone, Simon and his Sons of the Elect pursue them. After the trio leaves Pella, the Sons of the Elect catch up with them. In the ensuing chase, Simon captures Meagan and Jesse to hold them for ransom. Simon threatens Harry to bring the Scroll of Knowledge to him on Mount Gerizim in ten days, or else Meagan and Jesse will be killed.

The Lost Scrolls
While holding Meagan and Jesse captive, Simon and his subordinates continue to ask them about the modern-century appliances that they found among Harry and Meagan's packs. Meagan gives various explanations for the items, but none of them impress any of the Sons of the Elect.

Meagan and Jesse are able to escape captivity and join forces with the Roman army. However, Simon follows them and spies on them at the Roman army camp. When Meagan is on a scouting mission with Apollus, Simon takes his chance to attack them. He and his men injure Apollus and recapture Meagan. They bring her onto Mount Gerizim.

Harry Hawkins, Garth Plimpton, Gidgiddonihah, and Apollus then lead a Roman army up the mountain to attack the Sons of the Elect. During the battle, Meagan gets in a struggle with Simon. Simon produces a poisonous viper from inside his sleeve, but Meagan resists Simon and pushes him into a flaming bush, killing him.