Chapter 3: Unexpected Help

Later, back at their new Porcelain Pagoda, Bernard and Bianca were packing for the trip up to the Alaskan mountains, however there was the problem of Bianca's over packing that reminded Bernard about their first mission together, he was about to go up and help her when there was a sharp rapping on the door.

Bernard just stood at the foot of the stairs staring at the front door, the sharp knock came again and this time Bianca called "see who that is will you darling?", Bernard slowly approached the door and opened it, standing in the door way, laden with several suitcases and boxes was a mouse who looked similar to Bianca but was slightly taller and muscular.

"Relative of yours Bianca, I think" called Bernard,

Bianca immediately came down the stairs and looked towards the newcomer,

"Sunflora!" she exclaimed rushing forward and hugging her,

"been a long time hasn't it" said Sunflora.

Bernard stared at both at them with his mouth hanging open until he said "have I missed something", Bianca and Sunflora separated and stared at Bernard,

"Sunflora is my closest cousin and bridesmaid for the wedding" said Bianca

"oh, that's right" said Bernard,

"Figured out who the best mans going to be?" asked Sunflora,

"not yet, but we're getting there" said Bianca,

"just looking for the right mouse" said Bernard.

Bianca suddenly looked alarmed " Bernard, we have to get to Albatross Airlines immediately", Bernard stared around at the clock and saw that it was nearly 11pm,

"what's all this about?" asked Sunflora,

"a boy has been kidnapped and was taken to Alaska" said Bianca,

Bernard ran up the stairs to grab Bianca's suitcase but there were at least 6 of them "Bianca, which suitcase has all your winter gear?" called Bernard,

"in the blue one darling" she replied and he grabbed it and practically ran down the stairs with it.

"let me come with you" said Sunflora "I can be really helpful",

Bernard thought that it was a bad idea but Bianca thought that they could use Sunflora's strength and that it would be a perfect opportunity for her and Bernard to get to know each other,

"Of course Sunflora, you can come with us" said Bianca before Bernard could open his mouth, "great, may I take those" said Sunflora pointing towards the 5 suitcases,

"don't trouble yourself, I'll do it" said Bernard

"Oh, It's no trouble" said Sunflora grabbing their suitcases before they could react "I've gotten stronger since we've last seen each other" she added to Bianca.

Bernard stared after Sunflora as she strode out side "how long 'has' it been since you last saw her?" He asked, "oh, around 24 years ago" Bianca answered casually as she followed Sunflora out the door, Bernard just stood there unsure that what just happened was real,

"Hey Bernard" called Sunflora "are you coming or what?"

"Coming, coming" replied Bernard proceeding out the door as Bianca was telling Sunflora about their adventures to Devil's Bayou and Mugwump, Australia, sometime later they arrived at Albatross Airlines and were greeted by an albatross who wore modernised fighter helmet and goggles along with a grey scarf, "welcome to Albatross Airlines" he said,

"Hello there, my name is Bianca and we need to get to the Alaskan mountains immediately" she said

"Bianca?" the albatross said "the Bianca? Man, it's finally good to meet you, Orville and Wilber never stop talking about you and Bernard, name's Neil after..."

"Neil Armstrong" interrupted Sunflora "the first human to walk on the moon",

"Exactly" said Neil "say, are going after that Mystic that Heilter captured?"

"That's right, how did you know?" asked Bernard,

"My nephew Orville is in that area and he heard it from my sister Amelia" replied Neil.

"So, you know Orville?" enquired Bianca,

"Yes that's all good and that but we really need to leave immediately" said Bernard,

"He's right" said Sunflora.

Then, Neil got them ready for their flight. He got the sardines' can-plane seat & strapped it to himself with belts. He put on his goggles & fastened his scarf. Then, the mice & Neil went outside, onto the runway. Neil got out an Albatross Airlines ramp, & placed it by his side.

The mice got ready to climb the ramp & jump onto Neil's back. Bernard grabbed all the bags & made his way up the ramp first. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14? Hey Neil, why are there 14 steps on this? there are usually 13 steps on these ramps" he said surprised,

"That's because I'm slightly bigger than Orville and Wilber" said Neil,

"Oh? That explains that" muttered Bernard.

Bianca, Bernard & Sunflora climbed into the sardines can-plane seat, and Bianca, Bernard & Sunflora cranked the key on the sardines can together!

"This is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard, folks! Fasten your seatbelts! No smoking. Just sit back & leave the driving to me!" said Neil, who then gave a chuckle. In the sardines can, Bernard buckled Bianca's seatbelt, and then Sunflora buckled up.

Neil put down his goggles, lowered his wing flaps, & shook his tail feathers. He ran across the runway, flapped his wings, & jumped off the ramp. Neil jumped off the ramp, & dove off the Pan-Am building, & down toward the streets, full of traffic and pulled up around the level of the third floor.

"Goodnight, Bernard! Goodnight, Sunflora" Bianca said sweetly & she kissed her husband goodnight. The mice closed their eyes, & fell asleep as Neil kept flying to Alaska.

Bernard tiptoed his fingers toward Bianca's neck. He tiptoed his fingers up Bianca's neck, tiptoed his fingers around Bianca's neck, & wrapped his arm around Bianca's neck. He brought her close, & cuddled her. "Goodnight, Bianca, Sunflora" he said. The mice would definitely have a peaceful slumber with good dreams.