I don't own the Underland Chronicles. I did add a new species, the drinkers, which you will find out what they are if you read. Enjoy! This is also my first Underland story and it takes place after Gregor and the code of claw.
Gregor And The Drinkers
Part 1 The Warrior's Return
Chapter 1
"How long has it been since I was in the Underland?" Gregor was thinking about it. He didn't have a clue, but if he had to take a guess he would say about three months. Man, did he miss it. He missed everyone down there. It killed him to admit it but he even missed the big sarcastic rat, Ripred. Gregor missed Ares probably most of all, especially knowing that he wouldn't ever come back.
It was Saturday in mid December, and as usual in winter it was cold. Also since his apartment didn't have decent heating, it was freezing! He stayed in his room since it was too cold to do much else. Except his room was more a storage closet, but he didn't care. Ever since he left the Underland, which seemed more home to him there than New York City, he stayed in his room thinking about the place. He came out for only meals, work or if there's an emergency. Gregor and his eight-year-old sister, Lizzie, missed so much school they had to drop out. Even then he was looking at New York City but thinking about the Underland.
After lunch that day Gregor decided, but mostly got persuaded by his mom, that he needed some air. Gregor just walked around a few blocks and the, simultaneously, wound up at Central Park. Then as he stared at the park, a thought hit him. "Is it possible to go to the Underland for a minute before my mom knows?" he thought.
Gregor thought it over for a few minutes and decided it wouldn't hurt. So as Gregor approached the rock that led to the Underland, he noticed something sticking out of the snow. He picked it up and realized it was a scroll.
Dear Gregor,
Regalia has been well even with out you here. I miss you so much that I'm thinking about you all most every second and of course Howard doesn't approve. You are probably wondering how I knew you would find this. Well, Gregor, Nerissa had a vision. Also if you find this scroll you are going to visit and that you didn't move. Please come.
Fly you high, Luxa
"Luxa!" Gregor shouted. Luckily for him no one was at the park. "So, sounds like every thing is fine," he muttered. That was even better! There was no danger so Gregor felt less guilty for not telling his mom.
Who know fighting giant creatures in the Underland would make you stronger? So moving the rock, even when it was frozen, wasn't that hard for Gregor. After closing the entrance he used his echolocation to see and started down the stairs. When he got to the waterway he suddenly remembered he didn't have a bat.
"Why, hello Overlander. Nice for you to show." Said a voice Gregor didn't recognize. He spun around and was inches away from a rat who grimaced at him. "Whoa!" Gregor yelled and fell to the ground and started to crawl away. "Do not be alarmed, Overlander. I am the gnawer, Bloodtail, and these are my friends Silverclaw and Blackriver." Said Bloodtail indicating to the two rats behind it with its tail. "So you guys are Good?" Gregor asked while slowly go to his feet. "Well, yes, and lucky for you we are. There are still rats that despise the idea bonding to humans, but they are said to be far away. If you like we could take you to the gates of Regalia, but no farther as we should be getting home." Bloodtail spoke with a kind, unlike a rat, voice.
"Sure," was all Gregor could say. As they walked along tunnel some questions came to him. "Umm, do you guys know Ripred well?" he questioned.
"We know him as King but not much. Silverclaw here, knows him better than us as she has traveled to lands with him," Bloodtail pointed to a gray rat.
"Yes, we have traveled. I think he can be too sarcastic at times but he is wise and knows about the Overland better than any rat," inquired Silverclaw.
"I see. Well what about you two, what do you think of him?" Gregor asked. As an answer they just agreed with Silverclaw and then they all walked in silence.
As they approached the gates Bloodtail turned to Gregor. "Fare well Overlander, this is where we leave you. Good luck and be ready, for a surprise awaits you," and with that Bloodtail, with the other two rats, left. Which also left Gregor very mystified. "A surprise waits for me?" he wondered.
After about twenty minutes he reached the gates. The problem was that no one could see who he was in the dark.
"Who goes there?" asked a guard on a bat.
"Gregor the Overlander!" Gregor answered back.
As the gates opened he could hear whispering. Gregor followed the newly done streets to the palace. Gregor noticed a lot of fixing was done, but fixes were still needed. Also as he walked Underlanders just stared at him. Gregor took the platform that he used at his first visit and in minutes appeared in the High Hall.
"Greetings Gregor," Vikus was in the doorway leaning on a cane.
"Gregor!" Luxa came running up and hugged Gregor as hard as she could. "We missed you much."
I missed you guys too. Obviously I couldn't stay away. So I got your message, Luxa, is everything really ok here?" As soon as Gregor said that he knew he said the wrong thing.
"Luxa! You wrote a letter to Gregor without telling me? And to what he said that our city is fine?" Gregor had never seen Vikus so mad.
"Well I missed him and I wanted him to visit. I thought telling him it was safe would help him if his mom knew," Luxa said sorrowful.
"In any matter Gregor is here. So Gregor you can bathe and after meet us in the dinging room for food. As for you, Luxa, we can talk while he is gone," Vikus said as he left.
When he was gone Gregor and Luxa were alone. Gregor felt guilty for getting Luxa in trouble so he decided to apologize.
"Sorry Luxa I didn't want that to happen," Gregor apologized and took her hand.
"Do not be sorry. It was not your fault. Fare well I will see you later," Luxa gave him a hug and left as well.
Gregor did the usual routine. Striped off his clothes, washed, dried, put on Underland clothes, and then on the way to the High Hall said 'hi' to Underlanders. Once he got there everyone greeted him. Almost all his friends were there, Luxa, Vikus, Aurora, Euripedes and even Howard with Nike. The table was smaller as for the others that normally joined were mostly dead. After being seated for a while Gregor noticed an empty chair and realized they were waiting for someone, and wondered who? Just as he was going to ask, his answer was answered at the doorway.
"Why, I never thought I was so loved to be waited on. Thank you," a sarcastic voice said. Gregor knew that voice belonged only to one, Ripred.