A/N: This is a collaborative fic between me and Tall T. Basically, I created the idea, he turned it into this mini masterpiece. The idea first came when I saw a music video for Ruby Gloom with Sleep walker by Nightwish. Regrettably, the video was taken down, so I can't share it.

Anyway, on with the show!

Dreams Awakening

"Do you know why Ruby wanted to meet us all in the living room tonight, Frank?"

"Len, you asked me that question just thirty seconds ago!"

"I know, but I thought maybe you'd heard some news in the meantime."

"It's gotta be important."

"I'm sure that if it was that important, Ruby would've told me in advance."

"Maybe she just wants to arrange another party, and needs our help to come up with an excuse?"

As Ruby heard chatter coming from the stairs and the corridors, she finally put away the books and brochures.

Iris was wrong; it wasn't about another party. Poe was wrong; when she had something important to tell her friends, she would tell them all at the same time. And this was important; Skull Boy was right about that.

In fact, this might turn out to be the most important announcement she had ever made. It was a decision that could very well change the lives of every member of this household, and Ruby had been postponing the announcement for as long as she could, until she had considered every aspect.

The groups of friends entered the living room and began getting seated. Coming in last, again, was Misery who strolled in quietly and slowly after everyone else had already gotten seated, nursing her staff and holding it even more tightly than usual.

"I have a bad feeling." she muttered.

Ruby was about to open her mouth when Misery interrupted her:

"Yes, I now what you're going to say: I always have a bad feeling. And you're right." Actually, the bad feeling is a bit more odd than usual. I don't know quite what to make of it."

"I guess we'll figure that out very soon, Misery", Ruby commented, trying to remain her usual, perky self.

However, that was not going to be easy, considering what she was going to tell them.

"The thing is…" she said slowly, "After our train ride last month…"

"You mean the one where we almost crashed into certain doom?"

"Yeah, that one.", Ruby said smilingly. She could detect the snideness in Misery's voice.

"It made me think," she continued, "That I've seen almost nothing of the world outside Gloomsville. In fact, I've only ever been out of town twice."

"Not including when you went to my aunt's house" Misery pointed out. "Okay, technically, you were under it, but still…"

"I know, but I'd like to see the surface world as well.", Ruby said, giving her misanthropic friend another overbearing smile. "And that is why… I would all like you to join me for a trip around the world."

In the silence that now followed, you could hear a pin drop on a pillow.

After about ten seconds, Ruby was beginning to feel rather uneasy, and it suddenly occurred to her that she ought to specify one more thing:

"And… I want you all to come with me."

This announcement was not met with silence. All her friends began talking at the same time. All except for Doom Kitty and Mr. Buns, of course. And Scardey, who had already fainted.

"Please, please!" Ruby imposed, trying to sound as calm and non-commanding as possible. "I can tell that you have… issues with this, but one at the time, please."

They all stopped talking, and looked attentively at Ruby.

"Skull Boy first?" she suggested.

"Well…if you really want to see the world, I'm with you, Ruby. After all, I was the first one of us who wanted to go and see the outside world, and you let me."

"Didn't really work out for neither you nor us." Misery reminded him.

"Nonetheless, I can understand Ruby's wishes." Skull Boy continued. "And I'm with her all the way."

"Thanks Skull Boy, I knew I could count on you", Ruby responded with a warm, almost dreamy voice. Then she paused for a few seconds and cleared her throat "Now then…what about the rest of you? Iris?"

Iris looked doubtingly at her friend. "Well, I tend to stick out…"

"Which one of us doesn't?", Misery inserted.

"People often freak out when they see me. Except here in Gloomsville, that's one of the things I like about this town." She went over to a mirror and studied herself briefly. "I've tried wearing an eyepatch, and it wasn't very convincing." she continued. But hey, this'll be an adventure, and I was never one to say on to an adventure! And I sure as heck ain't staying here alone!"

She looked into mirror again. "I'll think of something to avoid drawing attention to my eye...a cap with a very low brim, or a hood…."

"Or a motorcycle helmet!" Len randomly suggested.

"Good idea!" Iris exclaimed, waving her arms enthusiastically. "But then I'm gonna need a motorcycle. Wow, this'll be great! I've always wanted a motorcycle!"

"We…we'll talk about that later." Ruby commented with strained cheerfulness. "Now then…Frank and Len, what do you say?"

Frank shrugged. "Ruby, I'm not gonna sugarcoat this - Before we came to Gloomsville, we had a few bad experiences."

"Like in the last town where we used to live", Len added, "- Plainsville!"

"What happened there?"

"Let's just say we were run out of town." Frank said.

"They had pitchforks and torches!" Len added.

"Exactly. And they called us Frankenstein." Frank continued.

"Which was really weird, because my name isn't Stein!" Len added. "And I tried to tell them that, but they…"

"Len, I'll try and explain it to you later", Frank interrupted him, "Again. But the point is, we tend to draw a crowd", he told Ruby. "And not always because of our music, unfortunately."

There was a pause.

"On the other hand", Frank continued, "This could be our chance to get a big break outside Gloomsville. We might run into some agents…"

"Yeah, and we still haven't taken a picture of the waka-waka bird for the cover of our next album." Len suddenly realized.

"Good point! I guess sometimes we're just gonna have to take our chances. Let's pack our instruments, a few demos and a camera, and we're good to go!"

That's great, you guys!" Ruby said happily. She took a quick head count to find out who hadn't gotten a say yet.

"Boo Boo, how about you?"

The tiny spook hesitated. "Well, I sort of wanna go, because I'm not scaring anyone in this house. Except for Scardey, but I don't get any points for that. Only problem is, I was assigned here. I've tried haunting out-of-town houses, but a prankster ghost isn't well liked in the outside world it seems..."

"So exactly how is that different from here?" Misery commented.

Ruby frowned slightly. What was the matter with Misery today? Of course, they were used to her being negative about things, but she was usually never this grouchy.

"I kept trying to scare psychics and they were less then kind." Boo Boo explained. "They had me banished to this place."

"So you can't leave?"

"Oh, I can, as long as I don't try to make a haunting ground for myself elsewhere. So I guess I'll come with you. If you all leave there's nobody for me to scare here, anyway."

"Not that you ever sca-"

"Misery, please." Ruby said, as calmly as she could. "Now.." - she made a quick head count in her head – "Scardey, how about you?"

While the rest of them had been talking, Scardey Bat had regained consciousness, and was currently sitting on a pillow Doom Kitty had brought to him. Doom then ran out of the living room, for some reason.

"I don't want to do this, Ruby. I feel comfortable here."

"Scardey", she began, "It's okay to be afraid…"

"Good, because I am."

"It's just that…you did so well on our train ride to the kitty spa. You were so calm and collected."

"Yes, up to a certain point. I can only take so much, Ruby. And the idea of going away for a prolonged period of time…

"It doesn't have to be for that long." Ruby pointed out. "Please, Scardey", she continued with a soft voice, "We're in this together!"

Misery looked as if she wanted to say something again, but she hesitated.

"It's going to take something more than the company of friends to make me…not terrified to go out into the world again Ruby, no offense."

"Fair enough…", Ruby continued unfazed. At this moment, Doom Kitty returned to the living room, solemnly carrying something on a plate.

"How about….this something?"

"My crumpet! I haven't seen it for weeks!" For a little while, Scardey stared dumbfounded at the soft biscuit that served as his security blanket. Then he hugged it tightly, before he resumed himself:

"Very well. With my trusted crumpet at my side, I shall try to endure the challenges of the outside world with you, Ruby. But I am not making any promises."

"None at all?"

"Well, other than that I will agree to come with you."

"Great! Poe?"

The crow walked nonchalantly towards the middle of the circle in which the friends had gathered. Wiping his monocle casually, he said:

"Naturally, I will accompany you all on this ambitious and potentially trying journey. You are going to need a responsible adult to help you deal with your troubles."

"Poe, the last time we went out of town, you were the one who – "

"How about you then, Misery?" Ruby interrupted. As she once again wondered why Misery was acting so uppity tonight, Ruby looked her friend in the eyes.

"Me?"

"Yes Misery, are you coming along or what?"

Unfortunately, this seemed to be the one comment that could keep Misery quiet tonight.

"I spoke to Doom Kitty and Mr. Buns earlier this evening, and it's okay with them. So that makes you the only one who hasn't stated your opinion yet. Are you coming with us?"

The room fell silent.

"If I have to make a choice…" she began slowly, "…I'm not coming with you."

Everyone in the mansion knew that Misery was ever cautious and concerned, and in her situation, she usually had good reasons. But her almost immediate refusal took everyone by surprise.

"Misery…" Ruby began "I know you're worried. We all are, even me, but if you don't come along, you'll be left alone here. Well, except for Edgar and Allan…"

"Who, with all due respect to my brothers, are not very good company" Poe added.

"Then I'll just have to endure that." Misery said flatly.

"I know you, Misery. You may seem like a loner, but really, you don't really like being alone for a longer period of time." Ruby said sagely.

"Yeah, you'll miss our company!" Iris butted in.

"I will manage." Misery answered, unfazed. "Just don't ask me to go back into the outside for a prolonged period of time. The world doesn't like our kind."

"What does the world have against people from Gloomville?" Len asked confused.

"Uh, I don't think that's what she meant, Len. When she says "our kind", I think she means her kind", Frank explained his brother patiently before he added with a lower and more reflective voice: "Whatever Misery's kind is…"

"So how is that any different from the rest of us?" Iris asked Misery, almost rhetorically.

"Yeah, we're all in the same boat here, Misery." Skull Boy said supportively. "Remember what Frank and Len just told us."

"I know, but that only makes matters worse!", Misery commented. "When I said "our kind", I sort of meant us, too. Us, as in, you all."

She got up.

"Please don't get me wrong. I can endure being alone, although probably not as well as I endured it before I came to Gloomsville. But I ask you all to reconsider. Scardey said "prolonged". How long will this caper be taking, Ruby?"

"I don't know really", Ruby admitted. "But if we're going around the world, it's going to take quite a few months, at least."

"So you don't really know how long it'll take, only it'll take months. At least." Misery said significantly. "Are you fully aware of what you've just agreed to?" Misery said to the room in general, and waved her staff dramatically. "Because it didn't sound that way to me. It sounded as if you've just decided to go with the flow, often against better knowledge. Often against experience. Bitter experience!"

When Misery was getting in one of her dramatic moods, it was difficult for her to stop:

"I ask you again to reconsider: Do you really want to do this? Do you really want to risk facing a hostile world? Skull Boy! You went into the outside world, and you didn't find what you were looking for. The only thing you accomplished by leaving Gloomsville was longing for the rest of us, and leaving the rest of us longing for you."

"This is different, this time we're all in this together." Skull Boy argued. "Am I one hundred percent certain about this? No, I'm not. But Ruby want to give it a try, and I want to support her."

"She's not the one who's going to need support!" Misery bellowed. "At least she can pass for normal. No offense to you, Ruby, but it's the rest of us that are taking the risks!"

"Then we're taking it for her!" Iris responded, "She is our friend."

"I can only hope you will still consider her a friend when this is all over." Misery muttered. She scowled, but didn't add anything else.

**

Six days passed.

Ruby looked around. Here friends were busy packing, with some exceptions. Edgar and Allan were staying behind to look after the house, Doom Kitty and Mr. Buns weren't going to bring luggage. For all she knew, Boo Boo wouldn't pack anything either – and exactly how was he supposed to do that? – but since he so often kept to himself (or at least stayed invisible), it was hard to say. She just assumed that the kid ghost would be ready by the morning.

But those who did pack looked like they were going to be practical about this – at least as practical as they could be. Skull Boy was packing baggy clothes and explained to Ruby – without being asked – that he would be wearing them to make his skeleton physique less obvious. Iris was packing an assortment of things that could hide her one eye – A couple of sweaters with extra large hoods, a cap with a very low brim, and yes: an old motorcycle helmet. Ruby was not even going to ask where she had gotten that from.

Frank and Len were less practical. Obviously, they were serious about wanting to meet agents, because in addition to their instruments, they were packaging several colorful jackets. and sunglasses as well as spare copies of their latest albums. And film reels of their documentary.

Scardey Bat once again packed for any eventuality. He was currently on his fifth suitcase, but Ruby decided not to say anything. She figured that the more he packed, the safer he'd feel.

Ruby opened the door to the cellar, but she didn't go down there. For a while, she just stood by the staircase and listened to the sound of Misery knitting in her room down below. It was an even, rhythmic knitting, only occasionally interrupted by an "ow", probably caused by Misery pricking herself on the knitting sticks.

Ruby really wanted to make one attempt on persuading Misery to come with them. But Misery had behaved for the last week; meaning she hadn't made any more attempts at persuading the others to stay. So in return she ought to respect Misery's desire to stay.

That evening, Ruby arranged a Bon Voyage-party. Going away was as good an excuse as any to have a party, and a better excuse than what they usually could come up with. Even Poe's brothers attended, although they did nothing but sitting quiet in their chairs, nipping to a glass of sherry each. Not that Misery was much better company. Ruby could tell that she was even more depressed than usual, and for obvious reasons. All her other friends were getting more and excited about leaving – Even Scardey had taken a liking to the idea. Misery wouldn't be able to talk anyone out of leaving now, even if she tried to.

***

Misery got up early the next morning. She walked along the aisle where her bed was placed, and studied her collection of dolls. Before she came to Gloomsville, those dolls had been her only friends. She had even talked to them, and made them talk. How desperate is that, she thought. She still did this, from time to time. For sentimental reasons, probably.

And now the dolls were going to be her closest companions again. Somehow, she didn't feel as okay about this as she thought she would. Even the dust bunnies didn't seem as good a company right now, even though they moved, at least.

While she kept pacing around in the former dungeon cellar that was now her sleeping quarters, she could hear the sounds form upstairs – The sound of people getting up, and preparing to leave. It made her think. For the whole week, she had successfully avoided thinking about. Depressing things will remain depressing whether you think of them or not, helps, her great-great-aunt used to say, so it's better not to think about them. This advice had always served Misery well before. Then again, she had never had all of her friends leaving her before…

There were only two means of motorized transportation in Gloomsville: The trolley for short distances, and the train for long distances, i.e. out of the town. But the trolley passed just outside the manor while the trains left from the station in downtown Gloomsville. Ruby, Skull Boy, Iris, Frank, Len, Scardey, Doom Kitty, Mr. Buns and Boo Boo were in a hurry. The gang didn't have much time if they wanted to get on the morning train, so they had decided to take the trolley rather than walking all the way down to the station.

Finally, Misery heard Ruby's voice from upstairs:

"Misery? We're leaving now!"

Silence.

"Misery? Aren't you even going to say goodbye?"

Slowly, Misery walked upstairs, to where her friends were standing ready with their luggage. She looked at them for a few awkward seconds. Then she said weakly:

"Goodbye"

And then she turned around.

Some of her friends seemed to be provoked by this. There was a buzz of voices. Misery. couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, but it sounded as if Ruby was speaking up in her defense. Do I really deserve that, Misery asked herself. Did she deserve that after she had been too cowardly to even give her friends a proper, sentimental goodbye?

She could hear the main entrance door shut slowly, but significantly, from upstairs.

Misery hung her head. "I can't do it." She said to her dolls and dust bunnies. "I'm sorry, but I have to be with my friends. My other friends."

The dust bunnies squealed a collective "Awww"

"Don't worry, I know Edgar and Allen." She assured them. "They don't even remember where the duster is."

She grabbed her staff and her first aid kit. "It's the only thing I really need to bring with me", Misery said. She turned and looked at her dolls one last time – "No offense", she said to them – before running up the stairs. And out of the manor.

She looked towards the manor gate. Just outside of it, the morning trolley was getting ready to leave. Ruby and her group were already aboard, it would seem.

"WAIT!" she shouted, waving her staff as she walked towards the gate.

Then, in the distance, she thought she could see Ruby walk to the front of the slowly moving trolley and say something to the driver.

The vehicle stopped.

As Misery began moving faster, she took one final look at the mansion that had become her sanctuary for the past year. "Goodbye... Halcyon Days" she uttered softly. With that, she turned away and ran after her friends.

A/N: And here, dear readers, is where I need your help. Personally, I'd love to see this story continue, but, as Tall T pointed out, it's not really worth it if no one's reading. So it's up to you to decide if this should stay a one shot or you want to see the story continue. As such, we need reviews.