Age: 18

Flames blown out: 14

Heckapoo was finishing up eating lunch when she started to wonder when Marco and Clover would come back. Granted she started to think it wasn't a very good idea to leave the two alone. Under normal circumstances the maid is pretty much a gossip girl. An Marco pretty much loves finding dirt on her. Fuck I should of sent Kur instead, no no he would of just complained about me, wait maybe Highmon. No he has a bad back and hates morning walks, Ugh! Why does he make me feel this way all the time! She was going down the list of her staff getting more frustrated til she heard loud banging on the front door.

Before another member of her staff could answer it she bolted over to it before anybody had the chance. Swinging it open she saw Clover, her dress was filthy while she carried Marco over her shoulders like he had been in a fire. Though from appearances he did look like he went through one.

"Ya we might of met the monster while we were shopping." She spoke up nervously.

Heckapoo whispered to herself, "Oh thank the universe she was the right choice."

"What was that?" Clover asked looking back at her puzzled.

"Nothing! Come on in and let's get you two fixed up!" She quickly ushered them back inside. Afterwards she brought in a golem doctor to examine them while she waited outside in a hallway with a couple of her servants.

The silence was killing her so she asked them, "So hows your day been?"

"I got done preparing tonight's dinner. Had to go out of my way to make it though, wanted it to be tough so I placed a order for some fresh bear meat." Kur started.

"That sounds nice, did you have any trouble?"

He pulled back his white sleeve showing a long cut against his grey scaly forearm, "Only problem I had was when I ordered it fresh the guy sent it to me alive last week. Then before I could kill it, I had to go out an get a bear hunting licence."

"Where did you keep that? An why didn't you tell me so you could go see the doctor too?" She looked at him like, dude what the fuck.

He pushed his hand into his pocket an then brought out a band aid with a smiley face on it and slapped it on his wound. It barely covered it as he went on, "I kept it in the gardening shed chained up and on enough tranquilizers to put it asleep for a hundred years. An I don't need to see a doctor I'm totally fine, though after that whole thing I feel sleepy."

After that Heckapoo grabbed him by the collar of his chef uniform and opened the door to the doctor's room shouting, "Got another one for you! Also if he tries to hide it, look at his arm!" Next thing she did was throw him into the room.

She slammed the door shut and sat back down next to Highmon. Didn't Marco change in that shed once? She remembered, before asking her financial aid next, "So how have you been?"

He sneezed, "Oh I'm just doing fine madam I may have gotten a bit of a slight cold but I've still gotten all the paperwork taken care of I assure you." The old man smiled even though his face was red and his nose was runny.

Heckapoo smiled back, til she opened the doctor's door again and asked him threateningly, "Go get some medicine then go back up to your room to get some rest, now."

Highmon nodded to her quickly, not knowing if he was sweating out of his fever or of fear.

Three hours later...

She was fast asleep in the hallway til she heard someone slam the door. "I'm up! Is everyone alright?"

Kur was standing by the door with Highmon who was now wearing a sick mask. "Ya everything is good though I got like ten stitches. Freaking hate how I'm not compatible with the health potions in town."

He then asked her, "Speaking of which why didn't you use one of those on them?"

"Well I asked Clover why she didn't use any before they got here and she told me Marco and her already used one for today so a second one within twenty four hours just doesn't work like the first one." She answered before looking at Highmon next.

"The doctor was very nice despite being a bit cold, ironically?" The old man showed a orange cylinder with pills in it, "Though he was nice enough to give me some form of headache remedy."

Heckapoo sighed, "Thats good to hear so how are the other two?"

"Oh they've been healed for hours now but the doctor made them rest in his office while he looked at us." Highmon replied.

I'm going to kill them, I'm going to kill and hide their bodies in Galethorn's backyard. She looked at the both of them smiling while they started to shiver as they felt her murderous aura. They quickly left as she approached the door calmly opening it.

"I hope you don't mind if I come in now?" She asked the doctor. Who was a giant brown golem wearing only a white lab coat. It's name tag read, Mr. Bonecrusher.

It's human sculpted face started to flash blue light from it's eyes as it began to talk, "Patients are stable and will be ready for informative interrogation now."

"Ya I'm not here to do that, today." She replied.

Despite it's size it moved away from the beds on a tiny rolling chair. "Inquiry to potential patent do you require medical assistance about sudden rise in blood pressure?"

"No."

"Then proceed if that is all. Though if you would like more information check the paper this sentry left for you right on the dresser." It scooted away towards the door way saying, "If you will excuse me I have more injured lifeforms who need my aid."

It rolled backwards out into the hallway leaving them. Heckapoo leaned over Marco's side watching him peacefully sleep while she started to think up a bunch of ways to wake him up that would be hilarious. Til she got bored and put her hands gently on his shoulders.

Then she shook him violently telling her sleeping beauty to, "Wake up!"

"Okay! Jeez! What is wrong with you?" he wined.

"Your whats wrong with me fleshbag! I thought you could handle yourself in a fight now!" She shouted as Clover woke up to the couple arguing like they were married.

Marco look at her in disbelief, "I did fine okay! I just got blown up, crashed through a roof, got into a bar fight, was thrown into like a million bottles, and blacked out then after that I won a punching contest."

"Be honest Marco, that was a draw." Clover added.

"Oh my gad Clover! Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't help you right away." He looked at her worried.

The maid sighed, "I'm alright okay? Just a bit down that I got knocked out in the first round. Though I want a rematch soon!" She started to crack her knuckles as her expression read, there will be hell to pay hehe...

Heckapoo interjected, "So care to tell me what happened then?"

They shared their story to her from each of their perspective. First was Marco since he was awake for the entire engagement. Then it was Clover's turn as she started to recount everything up to the point Marco had passed out.

"I was going to kill that guy but the Founding Aristocrat Minister appeared with his group." She started.

Marco just asked, "Who?"

"Galethorn." Heckapoo hissed.

Meanwhile in another place at different time...

The blue monster started to wake up. It's head was pounding but it's memories started to come back as he opened his eyes. The first name he's made for himself since hes been here was Big the Blue. I like it! He thought to himself joyfully. A second later he looked at his surroundings seeing that he on a clean mattress with a nice bed frame to support his weight in a windowless grey room.

What surprised him even more was the fact his wounds had been healed. He grinned at the news as looked over to see that there was a metal table at the center of the room with two chairs on opposite sides. The only light source in the room hung over the table an it was a dull looking light-bulb without a shade. Though behind all that was a door that was next to a large mirror.

Blue went over to the door trying to open it. The nob wouldn't move, eh thats fine I'll just give it a light knock. He then punched the door but soon regretted it as he wiggled his hand to shake the pain away from hitting a unbreakable surface. This was looking like a job for his scepter now though when he reached for it, it was gone.

Then he started to whistle for it to come to him. It was silent for couple of moments as he started to realize his weapon wasn't going to come home to papa. Well time for plan C...

He went back and got a chair from the table. Blue took aim before swinging it at the mirror! Unfortunately it didn't even make a dent, though that didn't stop him from swinging it a couple more times at it.

Suddenly a voice started talking to him from a unknown speaker, "If you would so kindly, please put the chair back or we will be forced to detain you before we start the questioning."

"Who said that?" He asked.

"You have one minute to put it back." Was what it responded with.

At that moment he decided not piss off the voice but he felt a little jaded in being locked up. So he put the chair back but on top of the table upside down. The voice cut back in, "Really your going to act that way?"

"Yes I am voice in my head! By the way how do I get out of here?" Blue asked.

The speaker went silent then a door opened as a blond haired elf walked in sighing, "I'm your key..."

The elf was a guy who sat down on the only chair still on the floor properly. He looked like a construction worker even wore a white helmet with a orange vest. Over a dirty white sleeveless tee-shirt with a pair of black pants that had way too many pockets. Once he settled into the chair he pulled out a newspaper from on of his pockets. Then a paper plate, some food in a tupperware bin, and finally a thermos filled what smelled like coffee.

While the man started to make a meal the speaker came back on, "Sir I know it's past lunchtime but please don't eat in the interrogation room."

"Nope." He replied.

Blue looked at the guy a little bit confused but chose to take the other chair off the table and sit down across from the interesting elf. "Soooo." He started.

"Why am I here?"

The elf looked at with a tired face, "Cause you started a fight in broad daylight against a aristocrat's servant for no reason from what I read in the report."

"Eh shouldn't you guys like not care about stuff like that? Or is it a property angle?" Blue quizzed.

After a bit the elf unrolled his newspaper and be can to read while taking sips of his coffee before continuing, "Look we don't do slavery here and we make it clear that anyone who is caught doing anything involving trafficking any or all dimensional beings are put to the blade in a public execution."

The way he glared back at Blue caused him to look away out of fear for a second.

"Though you are right about one thing. Normally I wouldn't care as much but the person you knocked out was part of Heckapoo's staff an I just wanted to meet you and depending on the situation shake your hand." Once he finished Blue groaned.

"Of course it was someone connected to the Toolmaker."

The elf raised a eyebrow as he dumped a cold cube of spaghetti on the plate. He pulled out a piece of paper then he whisper to it an in a flash it burned up instantly. While his food was heated back up, the elf pulled out two plastic forks.

He offered one to Blue, "You haven't eaten yet too?"

"Ya I haven't, Um, thank you." Blue scraped some food over to his side of the plate before eating some. Meanwhile the elf then asked, "So you know that pain in the ass too?"

The monster nodded and said after he swallowed his bite, "Oh ya! She is like part of a kingdom run by assholes and that maid is like one from said stupid Mewni race."

"Their never is a kingdom not run by assholes but continue." He ate his share and before long the plate was empty.

The elf looked over the newspaper skimming the article as went on to ask, "So Heckapoo has another occupation in another dimension?"

"Oh ya though she is like the person who makes some fancy looking scissors for those guys that can make portals." Blue was getting choppy with his sentence as he really didn't want to talk about the Toolmaker of all people right now.

"Interesting, if I remember we had a pair of scissors stolen from the archives some odd number of years ago." He folded the newspaper up an offered it to Blue if would like to read anything.

The monster shook it's head, "Nah I don't know how to read."

"How did you fill out the paperwork for being a ship hand then?"

Blue scratched behind his head an said, "I normally shoot my scepter at the paper but I know how to count. Ain't nobody going to con me in the numbers game."

"Ah your weapon, can it be used by anyone?" The elf took back the paper and stuffed into one of his pockets.

"Haven't seen it do anything for other people so no I think? Also were is it?"

The man sighed, "It been locked in at storage but you'll get it back if everything works out. An just a heads up you were worth the trouble."

"I always am!" Blue triumphantly shouted.

"So from what I've learned so far Heckapoo is probably the one behind the archive robbery. Having the motive to reclaim a item that she normally gives to another race from another dimension to use for travel. Though this brings into question how does she do all of this at the same time?" He looked at the monster seriously.

Blue turned his head away from his gaze as he leaned in the chair telling him, "That would be her clones. She can make as many as she wants at a time to deal with all her problems."

"So she can make portals and clones. Not to mention she has super speed plus fire magic." The elf leaned back in his chair now, "That lady is stupid overpowered but it's time for the final question Mr. Blue."

The monster sat up in his chair, giving his full attention though he did ask, "You think I could have something to drink?"

"Oh sorry!" He pulled out a bottle of water from another pocket sliding it to him. After a brief moment he jugged it down telling the elf, "Thanks I needed that."

"No problem so here is what I wanted to ask since you've been so cooperative with me today." He started.

"Eh I know when I'm trapped."

The elf nodded, "Right you are so let me ask you. Would you like to work for me and help bring Heckapoo down to our level?"

Big the Blue smiled wickedly at the guy, "I would love that! So what do I call you boss!?"

In response the elf stood up and leaned over the table with his hand extended. Blue did likewise and they shook on it.

"Galethorn."

Back at the mansion...

"Ugh... why does my luck suck every time that blue idiot is involved?!" Heckapoo shouted rhetorically.

Clover finished explaining to her how Galethorn's officials came in to take the monster into custody before she could get revenge. After finishing she decided she would leave the two alone though she went over to Marco and whispered, "Tell her what bothers you also if I see that guy again it's his turn to get jumped so don't stop me if you feel like talking next time."

He nodded in agreement as she exited. Once Clover was gone Heckapoo climb up on the bed with Marco as the two leaned against the bed's rest. After a bit he started, "So I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Hold that thought for one second." She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Get lost Clover I know your still there!"

They heard a low, "Awww..."

She wrapped her arm around him and leaned on him talking to him softly, "Thank you."

"You sound like it's been a long day." He said in disbelief.

"In it's own way but enough about me, let's talk about you."

Marco gulped in response as she continued, "Did you ever fight a spell caster over in that place you were in for all those years?"

"Eh not really it was more about how I needed to fight against different animals that had bigger advantages than me. Most of the time it was a uphill battle til actually started to pay better attention to how they fought." He began.

She rubbed his shoulder on the other side slowly, "What about long range attacks?"

"I knew when to run for cover or use something to block a crap ton of arrows. Ended up pulling a enemy in front of me and his archer battalion one time, not very fun from what I saw."

"Oh yeah I've done that bit of friendly fire too. Happens a lot in group fights, second best defense against stupid." She added.

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Whats the first?"

"Sarcasm."

They chuckled at that before Heckapoo went on, "I'll find out where they took that monster tomorrow though before that I have another task for you to do."

"I'll add it to the list just let me find a pen." As he started to search his pockets.

She squeezed his shoulder hard in order to make him stop, "Ow!"

"Oh we both know you don't mean that." She snipped at him he as playfully chuckled. "So tomorrow I want you to practice dealing with magical attacks with me and Clover, it will help out. Though I'm telling you now when I'm up to bat. You better be ready."

He looked back into her eyes and nodded, "I will, but I want to talk about something else before that. It's been bothering me for awhile now..." Heckapoo looked at him confused.

"When you were telling me about the fight and you said Blue knocked you out and your clones, from the rough way he fights I don't believe he would stop at just a simple punch unless he wanted to." Marco never broke eye contact with her.

Guess he named the monster? She wondered as he went on, "Look I love you and hate you at the same time. An those mixed emotions are kinda what drive me to be absolutely crazy about you, but I still feel like you don't trust me sometimes to tell the full story."

She sighed Damn it, can he already read me like a book now? Heckapoo felt a little bit of guilt as she stared back into his eyes, they look sad...

"I'm sorry it's just not in my nature to talk about the stuff I feel would make me appear weak." Marco pulled her arm over his head to have it rest in his lap. "Thats the stupidest thing I've heard you say the entire time I've been here."

He put his hand on top of hers then said, "You've kicked my ass up and down dozens of dimensions. Also beaten, talk down to, conquer, dominated, and brought in line any sort of being that stood in your way. Believe me when I say this Hpoo, you are anything but weak."

"That was a bit of a cliched speech you got there, did you ask my staff to help you make that." She looked away from him, I've heard this all before...

Marco grabbed her shoulders trying to make her know what he felt for her was true, "Please understand! I trust you with my life, don't you feel the same way?"

"I just need a moment to think about this okay Marco."

She said my name for the first time, he was happy but a anchor weighed on his heart to hear those words.

Heckapoo got up from the bed, "Maybe we can talk about this tomorrow?"

"Sure..." He sulked.

She left the room confused about what she had just said, feeling awful for doing that to him. Though I can't trust the fact that he would stay with me after all this is over, he has a life outside this realm. Heckapoo went to her room before looking over some papers that would need her attention.

Sometimes I hate being in love..

She decided to fill out some forms for the city til dinner was ready.

Next time on Age of Fire Z

BGM: Mortal Kombat!

Marco looks back at her with his sword ready, "Okay so it's your turn."

"Pssh like I'll end up like the last two." She pointed to Kur and Clover on the ground behind him. Heckapoo cracked her neck before turning her scissors into a pair of short swords. "This is my house!"

An with that they clashed.

Episode 11: The Raw Deals...