Hi guys, im back. Im so sorry for the long wait, but my parents locked my laptop in a suitcase until last week. Down to business: To GRH 5: thank you for reviewing, i promise a few more twists. To Deuces: i'm glad you like the story. To Skullmaster: Thanks for your input, and here is that Gregor Pov i promised. To Matt90: Here is what you've been waiting for. To UnderlandGirl: Im really sorry for not updating sooner, here is the Gluxa reunion you couldn't wait for. To Unholy spirit of vengeance: your right, Cannibal has a heart, and I hope you are glad with the way this chapter came out.
Here is the addition of a new friend, with the reappearance of some old ones.
Disclaimer: I do not own TUC.
Chapter 8: Reunions
Bittersweet somewhat covered it. Obviously he was glad that Ripred was alive, but Gregor could remember the painfully biting insults he would constantly spew at him. But Gregor also remembered that much of those insults actually made him better at fighting; his desire to prove the huge rat wrong left him determined to do his hardest. When he was about to be thrown into the dungeon, Ripred quickly stepped in to help, at the price of giving his knowledge of Gregor's love to Solovet. At the time Gregor couldn't fathom such betrayal from him, but in due time he understood that it was all for the collective benefit of the task at hand. Gregor made the decision to feel happy to see the big rat. Doesn't mean I have to be nice...
Lizzie ran to Ripred and hugged him. Gregor almost couldn't help laughing out loud at his mother who winced at the sight of her daughter embracing a giant rat. It reminded him of when his mother saw Boots hugging Temp.
"Well Gregor, we were expecting you," said Ripred.
"Were you, why is that Ripred?" Gregor asked, surprised by how accusing his voice made each word, "And what made you so sure I would be coming?"
"Well...you can answer that," he answered, "At least I hope so."
Gregor felt foolish. Of course Ripred knew he was coming. It's like Ripred knows every decision I make before I do.
"So are we going," asked Ripred, "or would Gregor rather stay here? Your family can stay at the palace, where as if you like these accommodations, we can gladly make an exception for you." Gesturing to the cold barren walls that surrounding them. It was then when Gregor realized that his entire family sided with Ripred and seemed to be ready to leave.
"Well if everyone's doing it..." muttered Gregor.
"Good than, now let's get-" Ripred began before cutting himself off and raising his head to the air.
"What is it Ripred?" asked Lizzie, hiding with Boots behind the big rat.
"I...I don't know," he responded, "I hear screaming..." looking at Gregor, "Were you followed?"
"Followed? Who would follow me down he-," Gregor stopped abruptly and moved his head up along with his family, he did here something. It sounded like... screaming?
Than he saw where it came from, and he was surprised to find out where. Someone was falling from the grate down to the Underland. It took time, but Gregor saw them fall to the ground, all three of them, falling onto each other. What the... oh my God!
The three who fell from the Overland were his friends. Larry, Angelina, and Nereida must have followed him down here. Shit, I completely forgot! They were coming to my house tonight!
"Oh, that hurt!" screeched Angelina, nursing her shoulder.
"That was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me! Can we do it again?" said Larry, obviously the fall didn't keep him from wavering his happy-go-lucky nature.
"You creep, are you crazy! We just fell a million miles down here, and you want to do it again? We should be dead right now," screamed Nereida.
Ripred and Gregor and his family stared at the three in silence and surprise, watching the comical scene unfold.
"Ugh, where are we?"
"The center of the Earth? Maybe?"
"Where's Gregor? We followed him down here."
Gregor was getting anxious. He had places to go, and taking them back up would be too time consuming, he might as well bring them along...
"Guys? I'm right here," he called out, stepping out of the shadows, "How did you guys come down here? Did you follow me?"
"Um...Duh! When we see our friend and his family jumping down some hole, what do you think we're gonna do?" said Larry.
"You could think that he and his family are crazy. You could run away or decide that you never met them before. Is that an idea?"
"It's and idea, sure, but it would also make us seem unfaithful to friends, and we don't want to be thought of that way, do we?" answered Nereida.
"Another question would be why you came here? Can you answer that Gregor?" asked Angelina.
"It's complicated... I'll explain later. But for now, come with me." Gregor said. He led them to where his family and Ripred stood. Upon sight of the giant rat, Nereida and Angelina screamed and Larry braced himself for a fight.
"Could you two please not scream, my ears are very sensitive," Ripred said, then turning to Larry, "And if your going to fight someone as strong as me, you'll need to use something a bit more...sophisticated than those huge blocks human's call fists." Almost immediately, the girls stopped screaming and Larry relaxed his stance to fight. It was as if the commanding edge to his voice seemed to make them obey.
"G-Gregor? W-why is there a giant mouse here?" asked Nereida timidly.
"Mouse!" Ripred exclaimed, "I can assure you that I am not a mouse. The name is Ripred, and the proper term is rat. I do hope you'll remember that."
"Ripred, shut up," said Gregor, turning to the other three, "Sorry, he isn't exactly a cheery kind of person, but he's good company when he wants to be. If you guys think this is too much, I'll send you guys up as soon as possible."
"No, I cant speak for the girls, but I'm curious to see what this is about," said Larry.
"I want to stay too," said Angelina.
"Yeah, I'm guessing that I already saw too much anyway," said Nereida.
"Alright," said Gregor, "but when you guys need to go home, tell me and I'll get you back to the surface."
"Thanks for the offer," muttered Larry.
"Terrific," said Ripred, "we can all go die together!"
"Shut up Ripred," said Gregor.
Later...
"It's official, I'm insane!" screamed Angelina with delight, "This night just can't get any better!" It made Gregor smile to hear that. Right now they were on Fliers, heading to Regalia. He, along with his family, were riding on a larger-than-average, red and silver striped flier named Helen. the other three were riding on a yellow flier named Helios. Ripred let them go ahead. "I have some business to see to," he said.
As of now, they were flying over the breath breathtakingly beautiful city Regalia. The lights were like a welcome home beacon to Gregor's eyes. Home...
It was then when they started to land. Gradually they began to descend near the palace. Gregor looked over to see Nereida's face of awe at the direction past the palace. He followed her to see that her stare was locked on the arena. Whatever doubts he had about Larry and Angelina, he felt even more afraid of her sanity. He remembered meeting her in school in the middle of the year. She was new and was really shy, answering only when the teachers would ask her, and even then answer timidly. They only really started talking and became friends when Gregor saved her from being harassed by other guys.
They landed and dismounted, at which time Howard just came flying down, along with Nike. Their eyes bulged when they saw him, and Gregor couldn't tell who was more surprised.
"Gregor..." Howard started, "Gregor, is that you?"
"Yea Howard, I'm back." Howard didn't hesitate. He ran over and held Gregor in a crushing embrace. "Damn it Howard, your killing me. I cant feel my ribs." Howard let go of him.
"Sorry, but it feels like forever since you came down here last." apologized Howard.
"It has, in a way," agreed Gregor.
"Ah Boots," Howard said in mock pride, or genuine pride, "My, have you grown?"
"Hi Howard!" she said running into his hug.
"Lizzie, I could hardly recognize you," he noticed, "You seem different, more confident."
"It's great to see you again too."
"And Lady Grace, I hope your arrival here wasn't too sudden." Gregor wished Howard hadn't said that. He may as well have said that he hoped your children were eaten on their way here.
But all she said was, "Thank you Howard, we were going to have to anyway, I suppose."
"Hello there sir," Howard said to Gregor's father. A nod was all he received. "Who might these three be?" asked Howard.
"These are my friends," answered Gregor "Larry, Angelina, and Nereida." He shook all their hands warmly. On Nereida, his hand stayed for a bit too long, his eyes stayed locked on her's for a second longer than necessary.
"So... where's everybody else?" asked Gregor
"You don't fool me Gregor," said Howard slyly, "She's in her room." At that Gregor bolted past Nike and into the palace. Walls, doors, paintings, all were blended together and forgotten. He ran ahead, led only by instinct, listening only to his heartbeat, thinking of only one thing. Here was the most beautiful woman he would ever meet. The most perfect being that he ever encountered. Luxa was here somewhere.
At last, was the door to Luxa's chamber. He stormed to it, but once again, forgetting his better judgement, he rammed himself into the door. "Shit!" He opened the door to see Luxa standing there. His love for her swelled. It was as if he never left.
"I knew you would come." she said once her violet eyes saw him. He moved in closer, hands reaching forward and grasping hers.
"The queen asked for me this time," he said, moving closer, "A queen should get what she asks for." He stared at her, wishing he could take her and lock her deep within his own body. They were now less than an inch away from each other, but even that wasn't enough. He leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. If his heart could explode, it would. For two years he thought that a kiss like this with the girl in front of him was a dream, something that was imagined but never something to look forward to. The one kiss spoke what words couldn't, they wouldn't break away had Judgement Day befallen the planet. He let go at the same time she did. "I'm here now."
"I told them that you would come, that you would be here when we needed you." she said, "I knew that if I waited you would be hear." Luxa closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. He could feel his hands going up her arms and holding her in an embrace. He could feel her tension releasing, how in his arms all her problems seemed to just let go. All the pain and suffering that she felt over the years became as insubstantial as the air. Gregor felt Luxa's fear extinguish. He knew she felt the same in him. "Gregor?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't leave, please?"
"I'm right here Luxa."
I'm right here.
