Authors note: At long last, chapter two. Between the holidays and getting sick, this took a lot longer than anticipated. My goal is to have a new chapter posted every week or two. One thing I forgot to mention last chapter, because this is a post game continuation, I think it goes without saying that there will be spoilers for both games. Now you can't say I didn't warn you.
After eating a quick breakfast, Cecilia returned to her room to pack, and wait, even though she had no idea when Rudy would actually be returning that day. She tried to pass time by pacing, reading, and even taking a nap, but the later two proved to be fruitless efforts. It was now almost one in the afternoon and several hours had passed before she finally heard a much anticipated knock on her bedroom door. Cecilia leapt off her bed and ran to her door, practically throwing it open. On the other side of it stood none other than Rudy, looking exhausted and winded. On the ground beside his feet was his traveling gear.
"Hey…" He greeted her, holding his chest as he fought to catch his breath. "I hurried here… as quick as I could… Is everything okay?"
"Umm, did you run here? And carrying all of your things?" Cecilia gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.
"Both Professor Emma… and Ozma made it sound like it was really… urgent… so yes…" He said between pants.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It wasn't that urgent."
He exhaled deeply as he turned and leaned against the door frame, supporting himself against it, "I guess it can't be helped. So, what's going on anyway?"
"This morning I received an ominous message from the Guardians. They said that another threat is looming and that we need to act immediately. I can fill you in more after we meet up with Jack. So we should probably be going right away."
"Right this very moment?" He said with a frown.
"Well, yes. We do not want to dawdle around."
Rudy tilted his head as he looked at her pleadingly, "Can I at least get cleaned up and change first? Maybe re-pack my gear…and get something to eat?" As he said that last part his stomach growled loudly.
Cecilia looked him over. In her haste she had not noticed how disheveled he was. His face and clothes covered in sweat, dirt, and what she hoped was monster blood. His mop of unruly blue hair was even more disheveled than usual. Cecilia laughed awkwardly "That would probably be a good idea. I'm Sorry. I suppose I got a little bit ahead of myself. You go ahead and take all the time you need to get yourself ready."
"Just give me an hour and I will meet you back here." He said as he bent down to gather up his gear.
"Sounds good." Cecilia said with a nod. "Come to think of it, I have not even told Uncle Johan that I am leaving. I should probably go and take care of that, huh?"
"You have fun with that," Rudy said as he flashed her a teasing grin, "I'll see you in a little bit." He said before he turned and headed down the long corridor toward his room on the other wing of the castle.
After a very lengthy, round a bout argument/lecture form Minister of State Johan, Cecilia trudged her way up the stairwell and back toward her bedroom. Flustered, she muttered about him under her breath as she made her way down the stone hall. The loud stomping of her feet echoing off the walls around her. She looked up and saw Rudy approaching from the other direction. He had changed in to a fresh pair of blue jeans and a light grey, short sleeved button down shirt. His holstered ARM slung over his right hip. He no longer sported his trademark red bandanna these days. Or rather, it got destroyed last year when he had to fashion it in to a makeshift bandage during one of Professor Emma's expeditions, and he just never bothered to replace it. Once he saw her coming, he immediately noticed the perturbed expression on her face as she drew near. "So I take it your Uncle is not thrilled about your leaving again?" He asked, as they met in front of her bedroom door. He set down his gear so he could put on the brown corduroy jacket he had slung over his shoulder.
"Of course not!" Cecilia huffed as she swung her door open, a loud bang echoed through her room as the door slammed against the wall behind it. She marched inside to quickly retrieve her luggage and scepter. "I don't know why he has to give me the same lecture every single time I leave. It is not like I have a choice in the matter… sometimes… Okay so maybe in the past I left a little more than I should have. But this time it's different! When the Guardians themselves tell me the world is in danger, I have to act! Would he rather I stay here and fill out pointless paper work, and take princess lessons, while the planet is destroyed?" She continued to rant as she gave her room one last look over to make sure she had everything. "I mean, if I did not go and attend to these duties as well, then there would be no more Adlehyde, or Filgaia for that matter. Would he prefer that option?" She left her room and hastily shut the door behind her. "I mean, I am making sense, right?" She lowered her voice as she asked Rudy, who quickly nodded in agreement. "Good. Now let us be on our way."
Together they made their way out of the castle and through town. Once again, Cecilia was faced with a barrage of greetings and well wishes from the townspeople. After she finished putting on a happy face for her citizens, Cecilia continued her brooding to herself as soon as they passed under the city gate. They walked down the well traveled cobblestone path, bordered by trees on either side, which lead out of Adlehyde to the wilderness beyond. Once her flared emotions started to even out, Cecilia breathed a deep sigh. "Sorry about my complaining to you back at the castle. It's just that, it really gets under my skin when he does that." Cecilia apologized.
Rudy shook his head, "It's no trouble. Actually I can't say that I blame you for being upset. He shouldn't lecture you like that every time you need to take care of things."
"You're right. He shouldn't." Cecilia agreed with him. "… I know he means well. He just wants what is best for the kingdom and the royal family. But, I am trying my hardest to do what is best for everyone and it feels like I keep getting pulled in so many different directions all at once. It's frustrating."
"I know that there is not much I can do to help with what you've been going through, but just know I will always be there for you." Rudy said as he looked over at her.
"I know." She smiled, back at him. "And just knowing that helps."
Parked just past the end of the path was the bright red Gullwing aircraft which Professor Emma had built for their team two years ago. Together they approached it as Rudy began digging in his back pocket for the key, pulling it out as they reached the door. "Do you mind flying to Milama?" He asked her as he unlocked the door. "I was hoping to rest some while on the way there."
"Of course not!" Cecilia said as she brightened up, quickly forgetting about her troubles with her uncle as she stepped inside. "It has been a while since I've last had the chance." Together they made their way to the cockpit. Cecilia sat down in the pilot seat as Rudy sank down beside her in to the co-pilot chair." Her heart skipped a beat as she started the ignition. She always loved the sound and feeling of the engine turbines roaring to life. The Gullwing lurched up as she took it in to hover mode. A persistent, unsteady shaking rattled the aircraft as it quickly gained altitude. Cecilia shot Rudy an uneasy look, "Does the Gullwing seem more… shaky than usual?" She asked him, as concern for their well being crept over her.
Rudy nodded. "The Professor has been saying that is in need of a tune up, and that she just has not gotten to it yet. But she did say that it 'hopefully will not blow up on us anytime soon.'"
"That is very… reassuring…" Cecilia said, uneasily as she headed course towards Milama
"Indeed." Rudy agreed, the corners of his lips pulling in to a slight frown.
Several long minutes of silence fell between them as they flew. "I have been meaning to ask," Cecilia eventually spoke up over the louder-than-usual hum of the engines. "how did the excavation go? You seem exhausted."
"Hell." He responded flatly, his voice tired. Cecilia widened her eyes at his response. It was extremely rare for him to ever use foul language. Rudy continued. "Never have I ever encountered so many monsters. And I had to handle them all by myself. They were even attacking our camp during the night, so nobody got much sleep for the whole two-and-a-half weeks. I nearly ran out of both ammo and healing items. All of the attacks also put us behind schedule, so we completely ran out of food early yesterday. I don't mind transporting and guarding Professor Emma's excavation teams, it's a good job for me. But she needs to hire some help or this job is literally going to be the end of me" He said as he folded his hands behind his head, leaning back in his seat as he watched the landscape pass by beneath them.
"Bad as all that?" Cecilia said as she frowned sympathetically. "Sounds like you guys really could have used some help. I am sorry. I wish I could have come along this time…"
Rudy sat up as he looked over at her contritely. "Oh, no, please don't blame yourself. You already have enough going on right now." He said as he scratched nervously at the back of his head. "To be honest, it really was not all bad. Nobody was seriously hurt this time, and the team did uncover some really useful artifacts. Professor Emma thinks she may be close to creating a second flying machine with help from what we were able to bring back."
"Well I guess there is a silver lining in then. But wow another flying machine? I can't wait to see what becomes of that." Cecilia paused, and then looked over at him smiling gently. "And Rudy, thank you for all of your hard work. You really are making a difference, not just for Adlehyde, but for all of Filgaia. No matter how difficult the job gets, you always manage to get things done and bring everyone home safe. You should be proud of yourself for that."
"Oh… you're welcome," He blushed slightly. "though you really don't need to thank me. I am just doing my job. And the same can be said for you too. You are working just as hard to make Filgaia a better place."
"Either way, I think you earned some rest, so you go ahead and relax. We've got a little ways to go until Milama."
A quick flash of red light and several moments later, Gallows found himself standing in front of the entrance to the farming town of Boot Hill. Some of the townsfolk who were near by looked up from their labors to see who had just arrived in to their town. Once they recognized the new comer was on of Virginia's posse, a few people regarded him with a welcoming nod before returning to their work. Gallows made his way along a well worn uphill path to a small grouping of old wooden farm houses. He came to a stop outside the first house situated along the path. In the garden out front knelt Virginia and her aunt, pulling weeds from the soft earth beneath them.
"Hey Ginny!" Gallows put his hands around his mouth, calling out to her.
Startled, Virginia bolted upright and spun around in the direction the voice came from. Only one person ever called her that name. "Gallows!" She exclaimed as a welcoming smile spread across her face. She quickly leapt to her feet and rushed over to greet her friend, giving him a side hug. "What brings you all the way out here?" She asked him as she let go, brushing the dirt from her hands on to the light blue gingham skirt she was wearing, the knees of which had splotched of dirt ground in to them.
"Business from the guardians. Seems kinda serious too." He answered her, furrowing her brows.
"Aunt Shalte I need to take care of something!" Virginia called over her shoulder to her aunt as she ushered Gallows towards the house. "Here, lets talk inside." She said to her team mate, holding open the door for him. The pair entered the farmhouse together and made their way in to the kitchen. Gallows took a seat at the large, square, glossy wooden kitchen table.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Virginia offered as she edged her way around the table to the chair across from him.
Gallows held up a hand. "Nah I'm good, thanks." He glanced curiously around the room as Virginia sat down. "Hey wait a minute. Isn't Jet supposed to be hangin' around here with you?"
"Yes and no." Virginia sighed as she puffed out her lower lip, blowing a stray strand hair out of her face. "He headed off some time ago to look for work on his own for a while. He still checks in every so often. But it has been a few weeks since I've last seen him. Last I heard he was headed to Little Twister to pull in some bounties or something." She said, an annoyed look crossing her face as she chewed on the inside of her cheek.
Gallows rolled his eyes, "Aw great. So we are going to have to track his ass down now too, huh? Well, whatever. So back to business; the Guardians came to me in a dream. They told me that we need to gather everyone up and head to the time Guardian's temple. And here is where things get tricky. Apparently they want to teleport us to some alternate past that is under some huge threat that could alter our time line as well."
Virginia pulled back, her jaw going slack as she looked at him in disbelief, unable to reckon any sort of response.
Gallows chuckled at the astonished look on her face, "I know right. That's about how I felt too."
"How is any of that even possible?" She asked.
Gallows shrugged. "No idea. Granny said something about the Guardians existing on some different space time plane or whatever. Either way, I s'pose we should at least gather everyone up and go investigate."
Virginia put her hand on her chin and nodded, "I suppose so. We should not have too much trouble roping Jet in for this one, once we actually find him. Clive on the other hand… He is not going to like this. What with the baby and all…"
"Oh yeah, he wanted to be left out for a little while so he could be at home with his family." Gallows scratched the side of his head, as he remembered how long it had been since he had even been to visit the Winslett's last. "I just realized I have not been by to see them since she was born. Now I feel like a bad friend." He said with a pout.
Virginia shook her head, "Don't worry about that. I actually paid them a visit last month. They are doing well but very busy, so don't feel too bad." She said as she stood up from her chair and stretched her arms up over her head. "Well, I suppose I have some packing to do. You can make yourself at home while you wait. I shouldn't be long."
"Actually, I was hopin' to pay my horse a visit, since I am here." Gallows said as he stood up. "How are they workin' out for you guys, anyway?"
"Spoiled." Virginia smiled as she walked over towards the stairs and paused, standing on the first step. "They are getting along well with the other horses. And they have been a great help on the farms here. Actually, the whole town has been loving on them quite a bit. Especially the kids. They've definitely been earning all those carrots everyone here is treating them with. Anyway, I will come find you when I am done." She said as she dismissed him with a wave, and headed up the stairs.
Gallows left the house and started walking back down the path towards the town stable. After their group disbanded a little over a year ago, they decided that the best thing to do with their horses was to send them all back to Boot Hill with Virginia. That way the horses would be well looked after, and still be able to see their owners from time to time. It also allowed the townspeople to utilize the horses for work on the farms. The situation proved to be beneficial to all around. Gallows spied his charcoal black gelding standing in the large fenced in pen, along with the other horses. "Irving!" Gallows called out. The horse raised it's head, pricking his ears when he heard his name called and happily trotted over to greet his old friend. After spending a short while petting the horses, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked behind his shoulder and saw Virginia walking up to him. She had changed in to her usual lavender dress and leather traveling boots. Holstered around her hips were her dual revolver ARMs. She carried her brown suitcase in her hands in front of her. "That was quick." Gallows noted as he turned to face her.
"I keep most of my things together these days so I can always be at the ready, just in case." She explained. "I already said bye to my Aunt and Uncle as well. So shall we be off?"
"Okay. But where should we go next?" Gallows asked.
Virginia held her finger up to her lips as she thought for a moment. "Hmm…Maybe we should find Jet next. I would hate to drag Clive around with us on a wild goose chase. So once we go to get him, the rest of us should be ready to leave right away."
"That makes sense." Gallows agreed. "So where do we start looking? Should we call Lombardia?"
"I think it would be quicker to just teleport to Little Twister, since that is where I know he was headed last. And if he is not there, then perhaps we can get a lead on his whereabouts and use Lombardia to track him down." Virginia suggested.
"Sounds good to me." Gallows said as he produced the teleport orb from his pocket. Virginia stepped up next to him, placing her hand on it and the two vanished in a flash of red light.
Moments later the pair arrived in the seedy desert town of Little Twister. The air was thick with dust, sand and the smell of tobacco smoke. Drifters and townsfolk alike milled up and down the streets, going about their day. Nobody bothered to look up in the direction of the new arrivals. A group of four young boys rushed past them, bumping in to Virginia as they ran, paying no mind to her. They pointed toy ARMs at each other as they shouted, seemingly engrossed in a game of cops and robbers. "I can't stand coming here." Virginia grumbled to Gallows under her breath as she took the teleport orb and pocketed it. "Of all the places he could have gone to…"
"We should just find him and get it over with. Should probably check at the inn first." Gallows suggested.
Virginia nodded in agreement, "Good idea." she said. Together they made their way down the dusty main road towards the Honey of Roses inn. It was a small establishment run by a rough, but beautiful woman named Angela. It was also the only reliable place to stay in town due to the fact that it had higher prices and charged by the night as opposed to hourly rates, unlike many of the other venues lined up and down the street. Just as they were approaching the building, Jet came walking out of it with his black travel bag slung over his left shoulder.
"Sheesh. Out of the frying pan and in to the fire." He greeted them as he came to a halt, his violet eyes looked over the two of them questioningly.
"Nice to see you too, Jet…" Virginia responded, tersely. "where were you off too anyway?"
Jet scoffed. "What? Do I have to explain my every move or something? I was actually on my way back to Boot Hill, since work ran dry here. No sense in hanging around this slum. So I take it a job has come up or something?" He asked, setting down his bag.
"Yeah, you could say something like that." Gallows said as he waved his hand in the air casually.
Jet turned his side towards them, leaning up against a wooden beam supporting the awning over the front of the inn and folding his arms across his chest. "So, let's hear it then." He said with a nod towards them.
"Well…" Virginia began to explain. "The Guardians have-"
"You can stop right there!" Jet cut her off. "Not interested." He said as he narrowed his eyes.
"Excuse me?!" Virginia spat at him. "Not interested? What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. I am not interested. Last time we got tangled up in their business, we ended up unpaid, framed for murder and with a bounty on our heads. I'm done with anything involving the Guardians. For good." Jet said definitively as he turned his head and looked away.
"Well too bad. This is not something you can just walk away from. Like it or not, you are coming with us." Virginia practically shouted at him.
Jet looked over and glared at her, "What are you gonna do? Tie me up and drag me along?"
"If I have to!"
"Good luck trying!"
"Uh guys…" Gallows said as he leaned in, breaking up their little spat. "You might want to cool it down. People are starting to stare." he pointed out to them. Virginia and Jet stared each other down tensely for several moments. Gallows looked from one to the other nervously. Unsure of what was going to transpire next.
Jet threw his hands up in the air in defeat, "Fine! whatever!" he growled. He stooped down and whisked up his bag. "Let's just get it over with before I change my mind."
"Glad to have you aboard." Virginia smiled as she switched back to her normal, more chipper demeanor. "Now we just need to go and get Clive." She said as she pulled the teleport orb from her dress pocket and held it out to the two men.
"Hey Rudy. Ruuuuudy! Wake up!" Cecilia said as she gently prodded him on the shoulder.
"Huh?" He responded groggily as he slowly started to wake up. "What's wrong?" He asked, brushing some wayward strands his of blue hair out of his face.
"Nothing's wrong. We are here." Cecilia said as she straightened herself. She had already landed and shut down the Gullwing, and was now standing next to him.
Blinking the drowse away, he leaned his head back against the chair. "Oh, already? It feels like I just passed out a minute ago."
Cecilia shook her head. "No it has been just shy of two hours. You must really be tired." She said as she tilted her head and frowned sympathetically. "Shall we go and get Jack, then?"
"Sure." He nodded as he stretched. He stood up and followed her out of the Gullwing.
Meanwhile, inside the Milama Town Pub, Jack, the former knight turned treasure hunter, who now worked as a town guard, sat at a table, kicked back in a chair, his feet resting upon another. About a year ago, while visiting town along with Cecilia and Rudy, Jack single handedly broke up a drunken pub brawl. The sheriff, who just so happened to be there that evening enjoying a meal with his wife, offered Jack a job on the spot. After some consideration, he opted to leave his companions and take the job, which also offered him a chance to work at rekindling his relationship with the reincarnated Elmina, who now went by the name of Rose. Jack held a "Filgaia Times" newspaper out in front of him as he sat, only somewhat paying attention to it. Hanpan, his blue-furred wind mouse companion, sat on the table beside him, eating slices of apple, sharing in on reading the newspaper. Jack shifted his eyes from the periodical, carefully keeping watch on an adjacent table at which three heavily intoxicated wanderers were sitting. Something told him that he did not much like the looks of them ever since they had arrived in town the other night. He had been keeping close supervision on them since.
He saw the red hair of the pub's waitress bobbing over the top of his newspaper, approaching the rowdy group of men. "Ok boys," Rose announced as she laid their tab down before them. "you have had enough to drink for one afternoon and I am cutting you off. Time to pay up and head out." She said before turning to leave.
One of the men, with long greasy brown hair tied back in to a sloppy ponytail, reached out and grabbed Rose by the wrist, catching her off guard. He pulled her back to his side and slid an arm around her waist. "Hey there missy." He said with a sleazy tobacco stained grin. "My buddies here and I seem to be a little short on cash this afternoon." The other two men sneered as he spoke. "We was wondering if perhaps the four of us could arrange for a different method of payment?" He winked as he slid his hand down towards her backside.
Rose's face darkened as her hand shot down to pull his off of her. But before she could, Jack was behind her, holding the wanderer by the wrist, twisting his arm back painfully, causing the man to cry out in agony.
"Hey there fellas!" Jack grinned as he greeted them sarcastically. "I couldn't help but notice that the three of you are new in town. So allow me to introduce myself: I am the guy who helps keep the peace here. And well, you see, we don't really tolerate poor manners in Milama. And I am afraid that you guys have broken that rule one too many times since you arrived. So I am going to have to ask you to leave now." He said as he released the mans arm.
"Hey, Ah know 'bout you." A second man from their trio, younger looking than the other two, wearing a black cowboy hat spoke up. "A swordsman with long, blond hair who travels with a pet mouse." He said as he nodded towards Jack's sheathed sword hanging from his left hip. "Yer Jack Van Burace ain't ya? One of them fellas which defeated the legendry metal demons a couple years back. Ah heard ya settled down and was no longer in the game anymore. So this where ya been holed up?"
"I am not a damn pet!" Hanpan shouted angrily, peering around Jack to glare at the man, his front paws balled into little fists.
Jack held out his hand towards Hanpan, silencing him. "Ah, so I see that you have heard of me. So then you should know that having defeated the demons, low lifes like you are no match for me."
The first man, still rubbing his sore wrist, leered up at Jack "If you are such a big deal, then what are you doing settling down in a dump like this to play watchdog? Or have you just gone soft over the years?"
Jack leaned forward, slamming his hands on the table with a loud bang, causing it to rattle violently. "Ok, here is how this is going to go, assholes." He said, lowering his voice menacingly. "The three of you can pay up, making sure to leave the nice waitress a big, fat tip for her trouble, and get out of my town immediately. Or, I can escort you out. But first let me explain one thing: Inside these walls I may be bound by the town law, but the second I set foot outside that gate I can do whatever the hell I want. And any belongings I happen to take off your dead bodies will be pawned off to pay your tab. I'll go ahead and let you guys pick, since I am feeling generous today." He straightened himself up as he cracked his knuckles, looking at the three of them expectantly.
"Sheesh just pay the damn bill and lets get the hell out of here." The third man, short and pudgy with a scruffy beard, wearing a blue and green flannel shirt that was missing a couple of buttons spoke up.
"Yeah yeah." The first man grumbled as he pulled a leather wallet from the back pocket of his trousers. He plunked down a pile of gella and stood up. "You should count yourself lucky that we ain't in no fightin' mood today, buddy. Better hope your sorry ass does not ever run in to us out there in the wastes." He threatened Jack before turning to leave with his two companions in tow.
Rose shook her head as she began to clear off their table. "I could have handled them, you know." She said with an amused smile.
Jack rubbed at the back of his head as he watched her work. "Eh I know. But I need to at least look like I am doing my job from time to time. Or else the sheriff will stop paying me." He shrugged.
"Uh huh... And me being your girlfriend had absolutely nothing to do with any of that?" She said as she continued to clean.
"Well… maybe a little bit. Can't say I'm a fan of another guy trying to grab your butt." He said with a sly smirk.
Rose chuckled as she stood upright, picking up the full bar tray, "Either way, I did enjoy that part with the death threat. Nice touch if I do say so myself."
"Oh you liked that?" Jack flashed her a grin, returning to his seat as Rose carried the tray over to Montague, the portly, middle aged pub owner situated behind the bar, who shook his head in derision at the events which had just transpired. Montague placed a tray full of food for another table on the counter before taking the tray of dirty glasses and plates from her.
"Yeah I did." She said, passing by Jack as she carried the order to another one of her tables. After dropping the order off she walked back over to where he was sitting. "So, I get out of work early tonight. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get together later after my shift ended."
"Perhaps" Jack replied coyly. "If I am free. You know I am a pretty busy guy."
Before she had a chance to respond, the bell on the pub door jingled as it opened. Rose turned to greet the customers only to recognize them as Cecilia and Rudy. "Oh look, Jack, your friends are here. Welcome!" She bowed to them.
"Hey!" Jack greeted them, standing up as the pair approached him. He reached out to shake Rudy's outstretched hand before abruptly stopping, pulling his hand back. He tilted his head slightly to the side as he looked Rudy over, a bewildered look spreading across his face.
Rudy took a step back and shifted uncomfortably. "Is something wrong?" He asked Jack.
"Since when are you almost at eye level with me?" Jack said as he folded his arms and looked away. "You better not go and get taller than me now, kid. I won't allow it."
"Uhhh… Okay…" Rudy said awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck, unsure of how to respond.
"Jack, you're being weird." Hanpan chided him as he leapt from atop the table and on to Jacks right shoulder. "It's good to see you guys again! So I take it that something has come up?" Hanpan asked as he shifted his glance between Cecilia and Rudy
"Yes." Cecilia nodded. "The Guardians came to me in a vision this morning. They told me that a new threat is upon us. They also said that they want us to go to Dan Dairam's temple and meet up with some new allies that they are sending to us. I can tell you more about it once we are on our way." She explained.
"Wait, what?" Jack said as he rubbed at his brow. "New allies? Dan Dairam? Which Guardian was that one again?"
"The Guardian of time and space." Cecilia said, exasperated.
"Ah, gotcha. Man, my boss is not going to be happy about this." Jack sighed. He then straightened up and looked over his shoulder at Rose, who was still standing there. "I guess that means I gotta pass on tonight then. Sorry." He apologized as he turned to face her.
"It's a bummer, but I understand." Rose shrugged. "Just make sure you come back home in one piece."
Hanpan happily clapped his front paws together and said, "Oh thank the Guardians! I don't have to sleep with ear plugs tonight!"
"Ugh, whatever." Jack grumbled as he rolled his eyes at his companion.
Cecilia's cheeks turned bright red as she clasped her hands over her mouth, "Oh goodness! Did you two have plans tonight? Did we just ruin something? I am so sorry!" She apologized as she bowed to Rose.
Rose laughed and waved her hand at Cecilia. "It's no big deal. So don't worry about it. Or maybe I could just go and find someone else." She said with a cheeky grin.
Jack's jaw dropped' "You wouldn't!" He said.
"Well, I guess that all depends. I don't want to be all alone if you go and get yourself knocked off. So I guess that means you are going to have to play it safe out there." She said pointedly as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. Behind them at the bar, Montague cleared his throat loudly, indicating to Rose that she needed to get back to work. She sighed as she turned to face everyone. "Ah right, I should be working right now. Did either you want to order anything to eat?" She asked as she looked at Cecilia and Rudy.
"Hmmm," Cecilia pondered, tempted by the thought. She looked over at Jack and Rudy.
Jack waved his hand at her, "Go ahead and get something Princess. It is going to take me some time to get my stuff ready and convince my boss not to fire me." He said.
"Great!" Cecilia beamed as she turned and walked over the counter to view the menu board as Jack and Rudy chatted briefly, catching up from over the past several months since they've seen each other last. After placing her order, she returned to where the two were standing. She stopped and listened in as Jack recounted to Rudy his episode with the three drunk wanderers that went down shortly before their arrival. Seeing him standing there next to Jack, Cecilia noticed that Rudy had perhaps changed a lot more than she realized. Sure she knew that he had grown quite a bit, especially over the last year. When the three of them first met two years prior, she was just slightly taller than him. Now he stood almost an entire head taller than her. She had also noticed some of the more obvious changes in him as well, like his voice maturing and things of that nature. But it was in that moment it became blatantly apparent to her that he really was no longer the baby faced, quiet, innocent, naïve boy she still tried to see him as. All of his boyish features had given way to a handsome, mature, strong, smart, capable young man of 17, just on the cusp of being recognized fully as an adult by Adlehyde standards.
"You ok there, Princess?" She heard Jack ask as he waved a hand in front of her face, breaking her out of her train of thought.
"Huh?" She blinked. "Yes I am fine. Just zoning out as usual. Why was I staring or something?" She asked as her cheeks flushed.
Jack glanced from Cecilia, to Rudy and back to Cecilia again before he shook his head. "Well anyway, I suppose I'd better get a move on it if we want any chance of reaching Baskar before night time. Hey Hanpan, you wanna come with?" He offered to his friend.
"Sure, why not?" The mouse said with a shrug. "I am full from those apples Rose gave me. So no sense in sticking around trying to mooch off of Cecilia's plate."
"Alright then. I will meet you guys back here in a little bit." Jack said as he turned and left the pub.
Cecilia and Rudy sat down together as they waited for her order to come. "Were you going to get anything to eat, Rudy?" She asked him.
He shook his head. "No, I am alright for now. I had a sandwich back at the castle."
Cecilia pursed her lips as she looked over at him. "That was like, two hours ago. But if you say so. I just ordered a light lunch for now since dinner is only a few hours away." She said as she settled in to her seat.
As if on cue, Rose approached their table with Cecilia's order. Her idea of a "light lunch" consisted of a turkey club sandwich with a large bowl of minestrone soup, dinner roll and a double side order of steamed vegetables. Rose set down two cups of hot tea in front of them as well. "Here, I brought an extra cup for you too, Rudy, while you two wait." She said to him.
The pair thanked her as she turned and left. Cecilia stared down hungrily at the expanse of food before her and then frowned as her eyes shifted to the empty table space in front of Rudy. "I can't eat all of it in front of you like this! You really should order something, or I'll feel bad."
Rudy shrugged, "It's okay. Really. I'm fine."
"…I don't think I am going to be able to eat all of these vegetables by myself. So at least share in some of them. Please?" She said as she looked at him pleadingly.
"Alright, alright" Rudy gave in as he added milk to his tea. "I'll have some vegetables."
In a flash, Virginia, Jet and Gallows arrived at Humphrey's Peak. Not far from the town entrance was the familiar high-pitched blue roof of Clive's home. Shortly after things settled down with the Ark of Destiny and their group managed to clear their names of the founders murder, Clive's wife Catherine became pregnant with their second child. A daughter they named Kelsey. Towards the end of the pregnancy, Clive decided to put a halt on taking missions and traveling in favor of being with his family. Unless of course something of utmost urgency came up, which required his assistance. Inside the house, Clive and his eldest daughter Kaitlyn, now a vivacious girl of six, stood together in the kitchen. Him washing dishes and her drying them. A knock was heard at the door.
"Honey can you get that? I am feeding the baby right now!" Catherine called out to him from a rocking chair in their bedroom on the far end of the house.
"Can I answer it, daddy?" Kaitlyn asked him enthusiastically.
"Alright. But wait for me to come with you." Clive instructed her as he wiped his soapy hands dry on a towel.
Kaitlyn bounded to the door with her father in tow. She gasped as she opened up the door, "Daddy look! It's your friends!" She said as she looked up at him.
Clive peeked around the door at them, "Hello everyone. Please come in." He said, greeting them with a nod.
"Hey Clive, long time no see. How's the family?" Gallows greeted him as they entered.
"Busy, but we are all doing well thank you. How have you been?" Clive asked him in return.
"Same as always." Gallows answered as he shrugged.
Clive glanced over his team mates as they assembled in his living room, "Not that I am unhappy to see all of you here, but I take it that this isn't a mere pleasure visit?" he asked.
Virginia frowned and shook her head, "Unfortunately no. A mission has come up, from the Guardians themselves, and it looks like we are going to need your help with this one. Sorry." she answered.
"Oh hello everyone!" Catherine greeted them as she entered the room, carrying Kelsey on her right hip.
"Hello." Virginia greeted her back. "Oh my gosh she looks like she has doubled in size since I last saw you guys!" Virginia said, her eyes lighting up as she clapped her hands together under her chin.
"Oh yes, growing like a little weed, and grabbing on to anything within reach!" Catherine said as she worked to free her hair from the tight grip of a tiny hand.
Clive turned to face his wife, "Dear, sorry but may my companions and I use the living room for a little while? It appears something has come up, which we need to discuss." He asked her.
"Of course." Catherine said with an understanding nod. She looked down at Kaitlyn, "Hey Katie, why don't we go and play with dolls in your room for a little while?"
"Ok mommy…" Kaitlyn agreed begrudgingly. She waved bye to everyone as she followed her mother out of the room. Virginia smiled and waved back at her as she watched them leave.
Clive took a seat in his armchair, "Please sit down." he invited, motioning to the others. Gallows and Virginia took a seat together on the couch, Jet sat across from them on the loveseat.
"Ok now that we are all here, I suppose we should fill you two in on what is going on." Virginia began.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good place to start." Jet said, leaning back in to the seat, folding his arms across his chest.
"Yes, if you could." Clive added in with a nod.
"Right." Gallows said, straightening himself up and clearing his throat, "Okay, so the Guardians came to me in a dream vision. They said that a great threat is encroaching in some alternate Filgaia time, plane thingy and we need to go and take care of it."
Jet looked at Gallows like he grew two extra heads. Clive furrowed his eyebrows, scratching at his right temple. "Wait, hold on a moment." Clive said shaking his head. "We need to take care of something, …where?" He asked the Baskar.
"Okay, okay, let me try this again," Gallows mumbled before clearing his throat again, "Gettin, ahead of myself here." He took in a deep breath, slowly exhaling, "The Guardians told me that there is something going on in an alternate, past Filgaia, that has the power to mess with our Filgaia, or something like that. They want to teleport us there to help defeat it."
"Oh, that's all…" Jet snorted sarcastically, rolling his eyes. .
"Well yeah pretty much." Gallows said with a shrug.
"I can't believe I let you trick me like this." Jet snapped, glaring at Virginia as he balled his left hand in to a fist.
"Tricked you?! What do you mean by that?!" She said as she glared back at him.
Jet's eyes were livid as he continued to glare at her, "You knew about all of this, didn't you? But you did not bother to tell me before dragging me in to it. Sheesh I should have known better…" He grumbled the last part under his breath as he looked away.
Virginia groaned loudly, "I wasn't trying to trick you." she tried to explain, "yes Gallows filled me in briefly. I just decided it would be quicker and easier to go over all of the details about it together, so we would not have to repeat the story several times. The Guardians said you have to come, like it or not. So why should it matter if we tell you then or now?"
"Because I like knowing what I am getting myself into, before I go getting myself in to it!" He argued, slamming his fisted hand in to his left thigh.
"Fine, whatever!" Virginia spat. "You can be as mad at me as you want the whole time we are gone! But you are coming whether you like it or not!" She said definitively.
"Yeah I am coming. And you better believe I am going to be mad at you the whole time." Jet huffed, folding his arms and looking away from everyone.
"Fine!" Virginia folded her arms as well, looking away from him, fuming, her face a bright shade of crimson.
Gallows and Clive exchanged glances in the awkward silence that ensued. "Ahem." Clive finally spoke up, clearing his throat as he adjusted his shirt collar. "Gallows, I noticed you said we were to 'help defeat this threat'. Does that imply that we won't be doing this alone?" He asked.
"Uhhhhh… maybe." Gallows said as he winced sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his head.
"Well, what exactly did the Guardians tell you?" Virginia asked, turning to face him.
"Well to be honest, I don't remember any details. Just the part 'bout gathering the team, heading to Infinitum and going to another Filgaia to fight some huge deal."
"Naturally…" Virginia said, rolling her eyes.
"Hey don't go blamin' me for it." Gallows said as he held his hands up in protest. "That dream was confusing as hell to figure out."
"Either way." Clive interjected, trying to keep the discussion on track. "We know what our first objective is. Let us be on our way so that we can complete it as timely as possible."
"Clive, are you sure that all of this is okay with you?" Virginia asked him.
Clive nodded, "If it means protecting my family and keeping them safe, then I have no choice but to oblige."
Jet turned back around to face the rest of the group, "Wait, so he get's a choice, and I don't?" he said, in wide eyed frustration.
"Well, to be fair, he has a family and you don't." Gallows said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Jet rolled his eyes, cursing incoherently under his breath as he crossed his arms and looked away again.
"It does not matter, it is settled and we are all going." Virginia said authoritatively, ending the discussion for good as she stood up. "Well then, the three of us will wait outside and call Lombardia, while you get prepared and say your goodbyes." Virginia turned around and walked towards the door to Clive's house, stopping to gather up her suitcase before opening it and stepping outside.
"Thank you." Clive said as he and the others stood up as well. Jet and Gallows followed after Virginia as Clive walked over to Kaitlyn's room. He quietly opened the door and looked in. He stood in the doorway silently watching them play for a few moments, his eyes softening as he did.
Catherine noticed him standing there and looked over at her oldest daughter, "Kaitlyn can you play with your little sister for a moment while your father and I talk?" she asked as she stood up.
"Okay." The girl replied as she poured her baby sister another cup of imaginary tea.
Catherine joined her husband just outside the door. She quietly closed it, leaving it cracked open just enough so that they could still hear the girls inside as they talked. She straightened herself up as she turned to face him, "So, you have to leave for a mission?" She asked.
"I do." Clive frowned. "I'm sorry."
"I can tell by the look on your face that this one is really important. Look, you go and do what you have to. I can hold down things here just fine. I don't want you worrying about us and yourself the whole time."
Clive put his arms around his wife and pulled her close, "You and the girls are the best thing that have ever happened to me. You know that, right?" he whispered to her as he held her tight.
"I know." She responded quietly, fighting hard to keep her composure. "Do you know how long this time." Even after having gone through this routine for several years now, saying goodbye never did get any easier. Especially after she had gotten so used to having him home so much over the last year.
"No, unfortunately. But hopefully not too long." He answered her.
Catherine nodded, "We'll be alright. The girls and I will pray for you and look forward to your, and everyone's safe return." She assured him.
After packing his gear and changing in to his traveling clothes, Clive said goodbye to his family, before joining the others outside where they were waiting for him, along with Lombardia. Catherine and the girls waved goodbye as the team boarded their giant biomechanical dragon and quickly took off in to the blue sky above. Clive sat quietly, watching his home and town grow smaller and smaller in the distance as Virginia flew them towards the Midland region. It was an awkwardly quiet flight, with Clive feeling distraught over leaving his family, and Jet and Virginia silently brooding at one another. Gallows made a few futile attempts in conversation to lighten the mood, before finally giving up and relegating himself to watching the sea of dunes churn beneath them as they soared over.