Thank u so much, guys, for reading this far. I can keep on feeling damned proud! Yes! So true! And thank u, marionut247, cuz u just made my day! Song belongs to Firelight.
All in all: EPICNESS!
4. Coming Home
Jack glanced at the setting sun with a dreamy expression on his face. The Ringmaster felt tired after a day of preparations but happy to know that all was going as planned and the show would be a success. He wasn't sure if Flabber was out of the organ or not but, for the today there was enough in his mind. Hu? Someone's coming.
Hmph. It's that dim-witted Nukus and his crew: Vilor, Horribelle and that thick-painted loony called Les Fortunes. What could these losers want from him? Well, at least Madsen's violin music is soothing or those suckers would have to run back to their hole with their butts on fire. (Madsen's playing Lindsey Sterling's 'Elements'). Oh, well. Let's see what's bugging them.
"You must be the Ringmaster, I presume" Nukus going all bossy. How cute! Specially coming from such big jerk.
"Aye. And you are the local evil-doers who can beat three kids" eat that.
"I would like to see you try" Vile answered.
"Bite me"
"Mind not my underling, my dear sir, for we have come to talk business"
"Oh? Business you say, me pet?" a smile shone from under the hat.
"Indeed. We have heard that you are interested in... How can I put this? 'Peculiar' beings" Nukus smiled.
"I have the best crew of supernatural beings, special humans and animals of the Seven Kingdoms" Jack was very proud of his boys.
"You are well known in all dimensions and corners of the universe"
"Indeed, but skip the sweet talk or I shall cut off your tongue"
"My apologies. The thing is this... There is a certain blue phasm in this town that inhabits the haunted manor and he's perfect for your ranks" that made Jack rise an eyebrow.
"Go on"
"He's name's Flabber and helps some three kids be the Beetleborgs"
"I see... Flavius dear, you are at it again?" the Ringmaster smiled to himself. "It's quite a tempting offer, I must say, but I'm not interested at the moment"
"How come?"
"I know that phasm and we have unfinished business to attend to so, I must decline your generous offer"
"Perhaps we can be of some assistance"
"You do that and not even the rocks will know you existed" Jack's red eye flashed and Nukus swallowed in fear.
"Well, it was pleasure to talk to you, Your Highness. Now if you excuse us..." Horribelle drove his group away with a bit reluctant Nukus grabbed by the arm.
"Long nights, my pets" Jack snorted and watched them walk away. "We must not lose sight of these vermins, Madsen dear"
"I will keep a good eye on them, jefe" nodded the man of the top hat.
"Good and why didn´t you told me that Flabber was out?"
"You didn't ask, master dear. And besides, he's lying in bed right now as sick as a dog"
"Understood. Well, this calls for a visit, won´t you say?"
"Of course, but take it easy, gab. The lad's surrounded by his own freak-show and won't leave those kids behind just like that"
"No need to worry, Madsen love. Flavius knows as well as I do, that in the end, we all come home"
...
"Jo! Go to the sleep!" Drew shouted from his room.
"I can´t"
"Am sure you can"
"Am too worried"
"So am I but, we will go to the mansion first thing tomorrow. Now, get some shut eye!"
"Hmm" Jo opened her window and smiled when she saw the violin man on their garden who was now carrying a beautiful Spanish guitar. "Hey!"
"Hey, señorita. Care for some lullaby?"
"Sure but, I keep thinking of a friend of mine who's ill"
"It's OK. I´m sure that if you sleep well so will he" the man smiled and so did the girl. "Allow me to introduce you to Margarita. She's my best friend in the world and always knows what's the best song for certain moments"
"That's great"
"Yeah. Now, off to bed and she will drive your fears away" he leaned on a tree and started to play a nice country-looking song that helped Jo to close her eyes.
"Freedom of life, I will express my soul
Look me in the eye and electrify my bones
I ain't gonna leave until you know my name
Stepping out of the shell, now don't you step in my way
Build another wall and watch it crumble by your side
I'm coming home"
Flabber woke up all of a sudden. Again, the same nightmare haunting him over and over and always the same ending... the day he was trapped in the organ. And again and again, the same words ringing in his mind. 'Well, since you like that organ so much. Be one with it for THE REST OF ETERNITY!" Tears ran down his cheeks as he slowly regained his breath.
"Flabber, for Ra´s sake! Not again!" barked Mums.
"Go to ved and let us sleep, for Vathory's coffin" Fangula wailed.
"Auuuuu" Wolfgang started to howl.
"Just great!" even Little Ghoul had heard it.
"Flabber bad!" Frankenbeans was also up.
"Sorry, guys!" the phasm sighed and rubbed his eyes. He was tired of sleeping and at the same time, not getting enough sleep. Hu? Madsen´s voice floated in the night with his usual smoothness and beauty. It was time to try again. "Thanks, bud"
"I'm not holding back. No, I ain't wasting time
If you want me near then you must come for the ride
If your sky will fall, I'll shelter you from the rain
There's not a cloud in the sky that can come in the way
Roaming through fields, I'm trying to find this new land
It's only Because I'm here , I'm finding gold in my hands
I'm coming home
I'm coming home"
Flabber closed his eyes. At first, it was hard to be back in the dark void since it was still filled with voices of the past, horror and pain. How could he rest with this? Hu? Madsen´s song was still in the air and it was guiding him toward a more quiet spot where Flabber found the peaceful thoughts of his three friends. The phasm sighed with relief and sat down.
It was strange, though. Why was Madsen singing about 'home'?
"Trying to build up the words to say what you mean to me
Gonna open your eyes and let you know what I mean
Ohh aaahhh
Ohh aaahhh
Gonna take on this journey feel the light getting warm
Find the strength I've been searching keep the beat going strong
Keep the gloves on for fighting don't you knock on my door
Yeah the spirits alive I'm on the road coming home"
Well, come to think of it, Mysteria was once his home. Heck, all the crew were his family and they share adventure, smiles and tears for so long that now it all seemed like a distant place he wanted to visit again sometime. He did missed some of the things and the people, after all. Jack´s lessons, Madsen´s concerts and good advice, his dear and beloved Mirko, the stern and yet wise Balthasar, that crazy head of Cuervo and so many other things...
But his place was now with the children. They needed him more than anyone. He felt them as his own. Roland, Drew and Jo were alone against untold dangers and the circus could wait until he felt that the gang could go on his own. And speaking of Josephine, she had a smile on her face and was dreaming over the sweet song. Poor dear! What would she do without him, her favourite father figure? The phasm got up and gently cuddled her against his chest. Even if he was not able to leave the mansion, Flabber was still capable of watching the children´s dreams and keep them safe.
It was then when he made up his mind. He would talk to Jack and solve the thing so he could stay enough in Charterville to say goodbye to his three friends.
"I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home
I'm coming home"
Beginning to see the light, lads.
I hope you like it!
Cheers!
