Jeanette was relieved to see Austin appear in the Myst library, and even more so when Simon arrived shortly after. The chipmunk trio gathered around the empty shelf opposite the ominous, black linking book. Simon pressed a hidden button, and the shelf began to lower backward, revealing a slot in the wall. The shelf stopped as a tan book slipped out of the slot and onto it.
"This linking book goes to our home: Tomahna," Simon explained, "It was a fun project; my greatest work to date." He opened the book, revealing the linking panel. Inside, Austin could see several large, white, futuristic structures built into the walls of a desert canyon. They were interconnected by a network of footbridges, and situated over and beside a small river. At one end of the complex, an elevator lead up to a suspended structure that overlooked the entire area. To top it all off, power was generated by a massive water wheel mounted to a waterfall.
"Nice. I like the futuristic architecture, and the energy source," Austin remarked. Simon smiled.
"Thanks. I wrote it years after Myst, so it's high-tech all around, unlike its predecessor," he explained. Suddenly, Jeanette poked her head in between the two boys.
"I'm glad Austin likes the place, but can we please move on?" she asked, "I want to see Ellie." Simon gave a nod, pressing his hand to the linking book. Austin soon followed, with Jeanette bringing up the rear. The trio arrived in a large room- the suspended structure, judging by the glass floor- full of scientific equipment.
"This is my laboratory; it overlooks the entire complex," Simon explained. Nodding to signal his understanding, Austin followed the two bespectacled chipmunks to the elevator at the center of the building. Meant for two occupants at most, it was a tight fit to say the least. They made it work, however; Simon setting the controls to the lowest of three positions.
The top spot was obviously for the laboratory, and the middle appeared to be for the ring-like platform below it. The lowest, however, sent the metal and glass cylinder down to a track just above the water, which led to the complete opposite end of the complex. Reaching the end of the track, the elevator ascended into a circular opening on a large balcony.
"This is the kitchen, dining area and shared living space… Theo!" Simon's introduction was cut off by a pair of green-clad chipmunks rushing over from another building. The male, Theodore, was a little chubby and slightly shorter than Austin. His hair was a light, blonde color and his eyes were a bright, hopeful green. The girl, Eleanor, was trimmer but shared her husband's hair and eye colors. The two tired-looking, young adults hugged Simon and Jeanette respectively.
"Where have you two been? Ellie and I were worried sick!" Theo asked. His wife echoed his sentiments.
"We tried to come after you, but the fingerprint scanner wouldn't let us use the elevator!" she added. Simon ran a hand over his face.
"I... removed everyone's biometrics except Jeanette's and my own... Alvin's greed was consuming him, and I feared for the safety of my library. Little did I know, he'd already gotten through…" he explained. Theodore raised an eyebrow.
"So... what happened?" he questioned, "Where are your pants, and who's this?" Both Simon and his padded friend blushed lightly.
"Alvin tricked Jeanette and I. She was imprisoned by Cyrus in Riven, while I was marooned in D'ni. Thankfully, Alvin got himself, along with Charlene, trapped in my prison age, Haven. Then, Austin came along… he's from somewhere else in this world, I suspect." the blue-clad genius answered. Eleanor raised a brow.
"So… he saved you both, single-handedly?" she questioned, "I find that hard to believe." Austin shook his head.
"No. I brought Simon the missing page of his Myst book, which Alvin had torn out. That gave us a means of escape, so linked to Riven together to save Jeanette," he corrected. Simon pulled out the snare.
"We trapped Cyrus in here and freed Jeanette." he added, "As for the diapers… well, there were a couple of mishaps along the way…" Theodore wrapped an arm around his brother.
"Don't sweat it, bro; we understand. Come on, dinner's ready," he remarked. Relieved, the two padded pals lead the way into the dining room. Despite all that had happened, the future had never looked brighter.
Noah Jagers was enduring a particularly rough time in his life. One of his best friends, Austin Keith, had disappeared without a trace, which only worsened his fight against depression. A strange book had been found in the young man's possession; burned by his father in an act of rage. He could not understand the meaning of it all, but sorely wished he had someone else to confide in. Even Gigi, it seemed, was unable to fill the void in his heart.
With a sigh, Noah headed outside and lay down in the yard. The stars above twinkled like an endless array of Christmas lights. Suddenly, a slightly darker object caught his eye, and too late he realized it was falling. The green-clad teen could not move quickly enough; the book landing hard on his chest. Somehow, the impact was softer than he had expected; it only managed to knock the wind out of him. Regaining his breath, he stood and carried the text over to a light.
The strange volume was the size of a small novel, and it reminded Noah of a church hymnal. Its front cover was emblazoned with a single word, completely capitalized and in a thin font. This simple, four-character string would change the young Catholic's life forever.
MYST
"Come on, Colin, one more!" Jeanette urged. She lead her nephew down one of the paths on Myst island, towards the log cabin. They, along with Austin, Simon, and Colin's twin sister, Scout, were on Myst to retrieve its remaining linking books. The result of genetic engineering and surrogacy, the two kids were the center of their fathers' lives.
Colin was a minute or so older than his sister, and took greatly after Simon. He had the same, soft, gray-blue eyes, but his hair was a lighter, reddish-brown. Scout, the younger sibling, had a genetic mutation that resulted in light, fluorescent pink hair. A tomboy by nature, she kept her bright locks in a short, boyish hairdo. Her eyes would likely have been gray-blue as well, but the mutation in her pigments left them a dark, pale shade of purple.
The anomaly of the family, Colin was completely toilet trained and favored a light, pale shade of blue. On this particular, sunny day, he wore a shirt of said color, khaki shorts, and a pair of white and blue sneakers. Underneath it all were, of course, his favorite white and blue, Batman briefs. Meanwhile, Scout had taken after her younger father, and was currently clad in a pale orange hoodie, matching sneakers, and a plain, white diaper.
With Colin's help, Jeanette had already retrieved three of the four linking books in the island's protective mechanisms. Now, as they headed for the log cabin, the others sat together on the library steps. Scout was snuggled up in Austin's lap, trying to avoid the glare coming off of his wedding band. Colin learned about temperature and basic steam mechanics as the boiler in the cabin was used to activate the giant tree behind it.
"Hey, Aus, I've been thinking… should we bring the prison book?" Simon asked suddenly. His orange-clad husband looked at him with a warm smile.
"We could. Perhaps you could even write in a secure chamber so we can visit," he suggested. His knowing grin was easily noticed.
"I take it that's something else you've seen before?" Simon questioned. Austin nodded.
"Let's just hope he's the brother who reforms…" he confirmed. Simon nodded, wrapping an arm around his love. The two crinkly, young men nuzzled as they waited the short, few minutes it took for Jeanette and Colin to return. Just as they were all reunited, however, a familiar noise sounded from the dock. Someone had linked to Myst, the question was, who?
"Heaven's pearly gates, what is goin' on?" The signature phrase and Irish accent were enough for Austin to be certain of the speaker's identity. Sure enough, a chipmunk with a blonde mullet and bright, emerald green eyes ascended the steps from the dock. He was clad in a green jacket, a black Green Lantern shirt, jeans and a pair of green sneakers. When he first saw the other five chipmunks, he nearly fainted in shock.
"Noah Jagers, is that you?" Austin asked. Regaining his composure, the irishmunk nodded. Before he could say a word, however, Jeanette interrupted.
"N-Noah? Oh, you must be the one Austin has told us about. It's so exciting to meet you!" she remarked. Noah turned crimson as his secret crush pulled him close.
"B'lieve me, it's excitin' t' meet you, too," he replied. Jeanette smiled as mischievously as such an innocent person could.
"So… I hear you give an amazing foot massage…" she started. Austin quickly cut in.
"Easy now, there are kids here! Let's head home; you two can talk in your room," he suggested. Simon nodded in agreement, so the six chipmunks headed into the library. Gathering around the Tomahna linking book, they began heading home, one at a time. Eventually, only Austin and Scout remained; the girl speaking up before they could leave.
"Daddy… will we ever come back here?" she asked. Austin sighed and looked outside, taking in the majestic island for possibly the final time. Sighing, he shook his head.
"I don't know, Sugarscoot… I don't know…"
A few months later, all was well in Tomahna. Noah and Jeanette had gotten married, and were hoping for children within a few years. Meanwhile, Simon had finished his revision to the Haven book, and it was time to meet with, and decide the fate of, Alvin. Austin and Noah joined Simon as judges; three linking to the prison Age together.
The trio arrived in a spherical chamber made of a golden metal that was all-but indestructible. A set of doors, made of a similarly strong, glass-like polymer, split it into two halves. One half was open to the occupants of the Age, while the other was accessible only by linking in. Taking a seat on the couch Simon had written in, the trio waited for Alvin and his girlfriend. Suddenly, however, the sound of giggling was heard off in the distance, followed by unexpected dialogue.
"David, Cicely, please… slow down..." Noah froze; his counterparts' eyes widening.
"Kids, wait for mommy and daddy!" The second voice had a faint, British accent. It wasn't long before two small chipmunks appeared on the horizon, followed shortly after by a much larger pair. All four were wearing either loincloths or makeshift skirts and bras, depending on gender. It seemed that Charlene, rather than Alvin, was now the one in charge. Naturally, once the four were seated on the opposite couch, dialogue and judgment began immediately.
"A lot has changed, Simon," Alvin remarked, noticing his brother's attire. Simon nodded coolly.
"Clearly. Your wife must have sorted you out," he retorted. Charlene gave her husband a stern look; silently warning him to behave.
"I certainly did," she spoke proudly. Austin eyed the two kids for a moment.
"Perhaps introductions are in order," he suggested. Simon nodded in agreement.
"Alvin, Charlene, meet my husband, Austin, and Jeanette's husband, Noah," he added. Alvin smiled meekly.
"These are our twins, David and Cicely. They're three years old," he announced. Noah smiled at the two kids, knowing they had amazing lives ahead of them.
"Now that we're acquainted, let's get to the task at hand…" Simon started. Charlene spoke up before he could continue.
"I couldn't agree more. Alvin, I believe you have something to say," she prodded. While usually cocky and outgoing, this time the eldest chipmunk brother stood and faced his sibling timidly.
"I'm sorry… for everything. I was a complete jerk who only cared about himself. I realize now that the most important thing in life… is family," Alvin apologized. He hugged his children afterwards, holding back tears. Simon looked over at Austin and Noah, the two giving nods of approval. With little hesitation, he opened the sliding doors and locked h is brother in a hug.
"I missed you…" he murmured, tears sliding down his cheek. Alvin frowned, feeling unworthy.
"I'm sorry…" he began. Simon put a finger to his lips.
"I forgive you." The floodgates opened; Alvin locking his brother in the tightest of hugs. Austin looked over at Noah with a tear in his eye.
"Isn't the bond between siblings amazing?" he asked quietly. Noah smiled and pulled the orange-clad 'munk close.
"It sure is, bro."